Oregon Vacation--Day 3

Been missing in action for a week due to a computer virus. Sooo thankful that none of my pictures were lost. The third day of our vacation began at Sandmaster Park in Florence.  We could have stayed there all day! The boys loved the sand boarding...they were completely worn out by the end of the day. The pictures do not do justice to the height of the dunes. What we have along the coast of SC is nothing compared to these 100 foot plus dunes. I would climb halfway up just to get a closer view of them.  They really did a great job mastering this sport....even though the wipe-out pics are the best ones!!

Please note that Dad did look over his shoulder to make sure that Child #2 was not seriously injured, but that he continued up the dune for his ride!! (I did not include pics of that, but trust me, it was quite entertaining!)

Child #1 also joins in the cool wipe-outs!

I had to leave you with one more!

After we left Florence, we drove to Eugene--home of the University of Oregon.  The track that we are in front of is where the 2012 Olympic Trials were held the month before. Such a beautiful campus!

Steve PreFonatine, an amazing runner in the 1970's, went to Oregon and was coached under Bill Bowerman--co-founder of Nike.

After leaving Eugene, we continued east to Bend. This was one of the lava flows that we drove by with the peaks of Sisters Mountains in the background. Snow---in July!!

Sweet blessings,

Susan

Oregon Vacation 2012--Day 2

Day two began and ended on the coast.  I am still in awe of the rugged coastline compared to our sloping and gentle dunes that end in the Atlantic. This day we drove through many little towns--including one having an old fashioned parade! We hiked a gorgeous trail--Harts Cove--for several hours and eventually wound up in the town of Florence.  Again, these are straight out of the camera with no editing. Hope you enjoy these pics!

So used to seeing "hurricane evacuation route" around SC instead of this!!

Do you see the teeny tiny kayaker in the bottom right corner of the rock? He is much braver than I am!

One of the floats in the parade I was mentioning! Quite unique!

Hmmmm....no connection out here in the woods!

So blessed to have boys that roll right along with us!

The size of these trees was amazing!

The sight at the end of the hike was worth the effort!

What an awsome Creator we have. Period.

Oregon Vacation--Day 1

As many of you know, we deviated from the normal SC vacation to beautiful Litchfield Beach, and headed west to Oregon. Why? Many reasons, but it was time for a Hood adventure! I want to share some posts with you over the next few days of the beauty we saw and the fun that we had.  We landed in Portland, and had a great time with a friend of mine.  Took lots of pictures using my new little point and shoot camera.  It was perfect to pull out quickly in the mist that was covering Portland that day rather than get my canon 5D wet. Long story short, those pics are still in that same camera somewhere in Oregon! Yes, the camera was lost, and I am sick about it, but....we have tons more. So, I hope you enjoy the second half of day one! By the way, none of these have been edited....they are straight out of the camera.

Cannon Beach--Haystack Rock

Getting ready for our first SUNSET at the beach!

We were not the only ones looking for that perfect shot! I was amazed at all of the photogs getting ready for the sunset.

    And just an FYI, out of all the places we went in Oregon, my hairspray never worked!  Just sayin'!

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation...In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.  The sea is his, for He made it."

Psalm 95: 1,4,5a

Noonday Collection Homeline Goodies!

Saturday afternoon, a big 'ol package was sitting on my front porch just waiting to be opened! The label was Noonday Collection, and I just felt like doing a happy dance!  As I dragged the box inside the house, I couldn't wait to tear into it and see what goodies I had received as samples for the new home and gift items!  Our amazing founder, Jessica, has located some wonderful new items to add to our expanding catalog.  Here's a peek at some of the items.

Our Noonday customers put a group of women through sewing school in Rwanda and this is part of their first collection--a darling ipad cover, note cards from India, a handmade Nahuala oval tray from Guatemala, and adorable dish towels from India.

In the background are handmade journals from India--love these! And, in the foreground are some of the cutest stuffed animals I have ever seen!! They are handmade in the Guatemalan highlands from wool. No two are exactly alike. Don't you just "heart" these??? 

More journals and note cards--great gift giving ideas! Up front is an absolutely gorgeous set of three trays made by a family operated carpentry shop in Guatemala. Adds a rustic touch to any room. Their use is as versatile as your imagination! The man who makes the trays is a passionate musician and has shared that passion with his children.

Take a look at these beautiful nesting bowls! Each bowl takes up to 4 hours to make by hand. They are created out of recycled magazines by a craft project in South Africa that focuses on the needs of HIV+ women and their children. Their services aim to ease the burden of HIV by enabling people living with the virus to respond positively and attain the skills to develop their own coping strategies.

And, look! The sweet lady who created this bowl signed it! Love the fact that these women take pride in their work, and it is shared with us.

So, there you go! These new items are just beautiful--pictures really don't do them justice (and I am saying that as a photographer!). I would love to show these items and all of my jewelry, shoes, scarves, etc. to you and your friends at a trunk show.  You can always order online, but the trunk shows are sooo much fun! Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek!!

Sweet blessings,

Susan

Senior High Photo Shoot--Greenville Photographer

The day of graduation began with rain and more rain.  Then, clouds.  But, this beautiful senior high gal had no problem with the weather!  We headed out early to have some fun before the cap and gown pictures would be taken that night. Good luck as you begin this new season of your life! Go Gamecocks!!

Hope you enjoy your Sneak Peek!

Sweet blessings,

Susan

Mississippi Mission Trip 2012--Greenville Photographer

Our church has a deep love for missions. Being the hands and feet of Jesus is such a blessing.  One of our mission teams headed out early this morning for a 10 plus hour bus ride to Philadelphia, Mississippi. ( I just LOVE to type out that entire word!!! It is so cool!).

There, they will be working with children and teenagers having VBS in the mornings and sports camp in the afternoons on an Indian reservation. Please lift up the team with me as well as the kids that they will be working with. I know that God has big plans for them ALL. He just amazes me!

"Whaaaat.....no stopping for lunch? No shopping? Aww....!"

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called acccording to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

Sweet blessings,

Susan

Middle School Band Concert---Greenville Family Photographer

End of the school year plays, sporting events, dance recitals, choral presentations, and band concerts...the list goes on and on for parents! But, it is such a joy to watch as our kids take their God given talents and develop them to the next level as they grow older.  Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking pictures of a talented young man who has done an amazing job at the middle school level in the wind ensemble.  Can't wait to see what he does in high school!  Hope you all enjoy your Sneak Peek.

Sweet blessings,

Susan