Life’s Sweet Ordinary — through my lens

This has been such a wonderful week watching for and reading the wonderful responses as to what each person would put in their comfort drawer (or box). Some of you who participated already had a comfort drawer, some have now created one, and one of my buddies, Debi made a very special one for her mother. Please read her blog entry and see the photos she took of the comfort box and those of her mother opening the comfort box. It’ll warm your heart.

Digging for a winner!

 
I wish I could send something to each and every person who shared their heartwarming responses but alas, I had to draw one lucky name on this St. Patrick’s Day. Drum roll please … the winner of the draw was our only gentleman who responded and his entry would put a soft sigh in anyone’s heart: Dave. (I’ll contact you by email right away Dave to get your mailing address so I can send your prize.)

Thank you to everyone who responded. Some responses made me laugh, some were creative, and others were touching. I’m even going to be taking a few of the ideas shared here as I put my comfort drawer together (especially those gummi bears!). I’ll be away for a few days so am leaving you with this image from my front yard just to prove that we are still very much in winter up here! Thank you to everyone for participating. We’ll have to do something like this again.

Take a risk. Fly out of your comfort zone.

“Don’t refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase — that’s what wild geese are for.” ~Author Unknown

{Photo taken April 21, 2008 here in Alberta Canada. Canada Geese, Trumpeter Swans, a variety of ducks, plus Northern Pintails in flight.}

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway — draw being made on March 17! Have a weekend full of exploration.

The other day while looking at some of the photos at Shutter Sisters I came across a lovely image and was immediately smitten when I read the description explaining the image. It was a comfort drawer. Apparently it’s actually an idea from the book Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy in which the author suggests creating a comfort drawer to “stockpile small indulgences” for when comfort is needed. It should include items to pamper yourself, however you view pampering. I love that idea!

There was a fantastic old train case (about 12″ x 12″) that my mom had and now I wish I would have kept it. I would have put all my comfort items in that. Instead I’m going to create one in the drawer in my bedside headboard. I haven’t entirely decided upon everything that will go in there but I do know it will include items such as: a favourite book or two; something my mom gave me; a photograph of her; photos of my son & his young family; a chubby, smooth writing pen plus a pretty journal; my favourite handmade body lotion; maybe a piece of free trade chocolate; and I’m sure I’ll come up with other things certain to give me comfort.

So now I come to the part about the giveaway. Several weeks ago I was one of the lucky winners in a pay-it-forward by this lovely Canadian lady from her new blog. She mailed me a beautiful triptych she had photographed (below) and created, so now it’s my turn to pay-it-forward. Here’s how I’m going to do it:

a lovely and very unique triptych by Suvarna Mollerup

• Leave a message with this post telling me what you would put in your comfort drawer. Or, write a post about it at your own blog but leave a link to it here in the comments.
• For anyone who makes a comfort drawer (put it in a basket or decorative box) and gives one to their mother (or other really deserving person), you get your name entered three times for my giveaway. So that I know you’ve created one to give away, please take a photo of it and leave the link to your photo here in this post.
• Easy peasy right?
• Right now, I’m thinking I’ll draw on St Patrick’s Day (March 17). That’s less than a week away. If I don’t get enough entries, I may move the date up a bit. Feel free to let others know about the giveaway (you do have to tell me what you would put in your comfort drawer — that’s the whole idea!) and don’t forget about tripling your chances by making a comfort box/drawer for someone really deserving, like your Mom.

If you’re wondering what the giveaway is, I’m keeping it a surprise the way Suvarna did. Hint: the giveaway will likely be an 8×10 of one of my images but I bet there will be something else too. We all love surprises don’t we?

Okay, so tell me what you would put in your comfort drawer and, better yet, go make one for your Mom (or other really deserving person). I can hardly wait to read the responses!

This is such a great bargain, I have to share with everyone. It’s also time limited so you’ll need to order right away if you’re interested. Here’s the direct quote taken from Kodak.com for your information:

Offer expires 11/27/08. Enter Coupon Code at checkout to redeem. One coupon redemption per customer. Receive 50 free 4 x 6” Prints with purchase of 100 4 x 6” Prints. Coupon redemption good for use on one quantity of 100 Prints only per order. This promotion is not valid with Same-Day Pickup Service. Purchased 100 4 x 6” Prints must be in the same order as the 50 free 4 x 6” Prints. Shipping and tax not included in this offer. Cannot be combined with other offers. No substitutions, transfer rights or cash equivalents will be given. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue promotions at any time. Coupon code or discount valid only at www.kodakgallery.com.

If you didn’t order photocards to send to friends and family this Christmas, have a bunch of these 4 x 6’s printed and tuck them inside your Christmas cards and correspondence.

And don’t forget about your chance to win one of my 8 x 10 prints. Visit THIS PAGE for details.

As promised, here’s your opportunity to win an 8 x 10 of one of my prints. I’ve struggled for the past year deciding whether or not to set up shop at Etsy. The main thing that has held me back is the time involved in responding to any orders, packaging, and getting things off to the post office in an efficient and prompt manner.

I’ve decided to give it a try although in a small way to start. I’m thinking I’ll ‘open up shop’ with a single series or perhaps a pair of prints. I’m considering a poppy series but, based on previous input, have included several other photos of various subjects. Here is where you come in.

I’ve got some of the images online in my viewing gallery and need your input. From the input I receive in this specific post, I will make a draw in two weeks from now on Friday, December 5th, 2008 from all the names accompanied with suggestions in this post. To be eligible for this free print (and I do have a second prize in mind but that will be a surprise), here’s what you do:

1. Visit my online gallery in the “Possibles” (link will be provided below) and BE SURE to click on the “Slideshow” button located in the bottom navigation bar (that will allow you to get a look at what the 8 x 10’s will look like).
2. Pick a pair of photos that you personally like best and they don’t have to go together as a pair (what you are especially drawn to the most). Make note of the file numbers so you can let me know your picks. (File numbers are visible when you go back to the grid view)
3. Come back to this post and leave the numbers of your picks in the comments — be certain to leave a link to your blog/website or your email (add spaces to thwart the spammers) so I can contact you should you be the winner.
4. Let others know — the more input I get from a variety of people, the better chance I have of starting my shop with the People’s Favourite.
5. Now head over to the Possibles gallery.

A few other notes:

• The winner will be picked at random from all the entries in this post.
• The winner will be able to select their 8 x 10 from any of the photos in the gallery.
• The print will be mounted but not framed.
• My watermark will not appear on the print but I will sign the back.
• Only one entry per person to make it fair for everyone.

At this very moment it is minus 22. The reason that is important will be revealed as you read on.

Today over at Shutter Sisters, as the title suggests, we have been challenged to create a diptych self portrait. In today’s post Jen Lemen gave us these guiding principles:

“Today’s challenge is simple: go outside. Hold your camera down a bit and capture a shot of yourself with the sky as your backdrop. Then point your camera down and capture your feet on the ground. Put the images together to create a lovely diptych that reveals a small, telling moment in your day.”

So, despite the minus 22 (yes that’s 22 below) I bundled up like the Goodyear blimb and froze my fingers to take some not-so-great photos to comply with this challenge. The tough part was taking the head shot with all the layers I had to wear plus a heavy parka, no mittens, and short arms. I got a few that were focused but it only caught my glasses or forehead so that wouldn’t have worked … since I thought I should at least attempt to show a portion of my parka, this was the best I had to offer. Horrible.

surprise! I switched out the headshot -- headshot is gone

This is pretty exceptional for me because I really dislike self portraits — they always look awful. This one (my first) out in minus 22 is no exception And just so I don’t disappoint anyone with this horrible self portrait (I don’t mind the boots but the head – egad!), please stay tuned because in the next day or two I will be announcing a CONTEST — you could WIN one of two great giveaways.