Wordless Wednesday: A Beautiful Blue

Photo Quests: Leaves Are Turning

Intro: I don't know if it's the heat or if Autumn is coming (or both), but some of the leaves are turning. I'm so happy when I start to see the signs of the new season. The leaves are just so beautiful when they change. It's one of my favorite things! What about you?

Quest Ending: I know that in the weeks ahead, I'll see more leaves changing. I hope to capture these changes on my other photo quests. It's such an amazing time to see nature going through seasons, too (so do we!). Things do transition, nothing stays the same. 🍂

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful Blossoms

Event Spotlights: Art Under The Elms

Each year, I usually go with my brother and his family to Art Under The Elms. It's an annual event during spring in Lewiston, Idaho. The event is full of art, hand-made items, lovely music, and food. The event itself is held on the LCSC college campus. It's also part of the Dogwood Festival as there's plenty of beautiful dogwoods blooming during this time. It's essentially a 3-day highlight - which covers a weekend in April. But I digress, I always look forward to going with my brother and his family. It's a family fun event where everyone is welcomed to visit, and I love going with my family. So much fun to do with them! 🌼

Once there, we entered the campus grounds and wandered past the white tents. Stopping at the first thing we saw - which was the caramel apples and fudge. I vowed that I would be back to pick up some for my parents. We walked atop the green grass and met a few familiar faces while exploring. We then proceeded past the tents, checking out the available goodies. I stopped at a few to look over the earrings, soap, photography, and more. So many enticing things! I tried to keep in check with what I saw if I wanted to go back and get later. My brother's family also seemed to be excited about everything.

While we were looking, I discovered Autum from A Touch of Autumn. I had met her before at Art Under The Elms. She's an amazing artist! If you ever get the chance, be sure to go during April to see her work at Art Under The Elms. You can also find her here on Facebook. I bought a bookmark and a sticker from her. The bookmark shows a scene that she created from Lord of the Rings, and the sticker is of Nessie at Lake Loch Ness. Thanks, Autumn! I love your art! After buying the sticker and bookmark, we gazed at almost everything else that was there. We followed each other checking out various items in the white tents.

At the end of the white tents, we returned to the caramel apples and fudge. I purchased a caramel apple for my Mom and fudge for my Dad. It was a blast seeing what everyone had to sell. I really liked being able to support local businesses and people in their passions. That's why I try to spotlight local. After shopping itself, we proceeded toward the food and drink trucks. I won't write about our experience at SmasHouse Burgers in this post but save it for its own spotlight. We ate, and then I left. My overall experience of Art Under The Elms was like it always is - an exciting event. If you get the chance, I definitely recommend going next year. I'll most likely be there, too. Thank you, Art Under The Elms! 💓

Many blessings,

- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: It's Beginning

Wandering At Home: Searching For Clovers

I found it before - the elusive clover. It was many years ago that I chanced upon one in our backyard. I can't remember if it was three-leaf or four-leaf, but I found one, nevertheless. Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I decided to search for one. I had eaten a really quick lunch and headed outdoors with my camera. I was skeptical at finding one, but I wanted to search, anyways. It's a cloudy, rainy day, and I went without a coat on. I love grey days, so it didn't bother me much. I actually always thought I'd do well in a country where it rained all the time, but I don't know for sure. But I digress, I walked around the green patches of grass.

I found many weeds, grass, and flowers amidst the green patches. All the green was, and is, lovely. My hopes of finding a clover were looking slimmer as I walked around, however. I came across some budding daffodils, purple violets, and flowering weeds. I enjoyed seeing that spring was upon us. Even though, there is often hardship, beauty still remains. All the greenery and flowers remind me of this. I don't know if hardships will ever truly lessen for anyone, but beauty is ever constant. You can especially find it in nature. I guess that's why I love take photos of the living, to preserve it for myself, and others. Beauty will live on.

As I was walking, I discovered some desert parsley, which was surprising to me. I usually think of it as a summer plant, but I guess I never noticed it blooming this early. I then found some other kind of plant that I have no idea of, and also, some pretty moss on a railroad tie. Still no clovers. I came across something that looked like one, but I had a feeling it wasn't. So, I pressed on. With spring coming near, I couldn't wait for more flowers to bloom. The birds were already anticipating it. I could hear the many birds chirping away. Everything seems to wait. Almost waiting impatiently, though, like the earth can't wait. 

A few droplets on a blade of grass. It had previously rained. While the earth gets a shower to prepare it for rebirth, I admire its whole process, impatiently. On St. Patrick's Day, I felt like I enjoyed the holiday the best way I could by looking for clovers. And truly, just taking in the greenery around me. I do have a little Irish in me, but not a lot. I always just like to celebrate this holiday in a simple manner, not doing much, except for being out in nature - one of my favorite places to be. I didn't do the traditional meals or drinks, only a walk for thirty minutes. It was really good to stretch the legs and take some wonderful photos. 💚

Close to the end of my walk, I found more of those plants that looked like clovers. I'm certain they weren't, and aren't, but it was fun to find them. They resembled close enough for me, and I was satisfied with them. While I didn't find any clovers, I still found treasure. And a little bit of luck. Getting outside for a brief walk was beautiful, and going on a hunt for clovers was pleasant. I felt blessed by God for this day. I'm just thankful to Him for His creation, and the beauty that I get to discover in it. By the way, today's post was special. It's a new series that will be posted on Mondays. Not every Monday, but it'll be posted randomly. I hope you liked today's post, and I pray you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

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Photo Quests: Winter In Dark Tones

Intro: I had gone on a winter walk. With my camera, I snapped various photos of trees and miscellaneous. I mostly took them of the pine trees we have. I've always admired them since my family planted them there many years ago to create our own little forest. 🌲

Quest Ending: I always like doing photos in black and white, and I hope you enjoy them, as well. I didn't get any special photos that day because there wasn't much to find. But I know Spring is coming soon, and with it, more life. And lots of light, too! Can't wait for it all.

Photo Quests: A Winter Walk

Intro: It was a cold day, and there was no snow. I went for a short walk to take pictures. I could hear the coyotes yipping somewhere in the canyon. I even found an old nest. And plenty of leaves. So many of them. I had to pick one up. I realized winter was leaving.

Quest Ending: I discovered an Iris trying to grow amidst the fallen leaves. Spring was truly coming. Walked around some more and found the trees inspiring. Took a few more photos. The cold was affecting me, so I stopped my walk and went into my place. It was pleasant.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: Past The Darkness

Wordless Wednesday: Guarding The Trees

Photo Quests: Dreaming of Spring

Intro: Winter is still here. Don't get me wrong, I like the colder weather, but my heart always longs for flowers. Spring is also my second favorite season, so I'm kind of excited for it. Because of that, I'm sharing photos from a past springtime with you today.

Quest Ending: Looking at these photos provides a sense of warmth. I can't wait to see the flowers blooming again. Actually, each year I search for them, always ecstatic when I spot some. Flowers are such a wonderful symbol of rebirth. Hope you find a renewal this spring.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson