Once you go away from something for a long time, it is hard to get back. I have not been photographing much, not writing much and definitely not blogging much. Few days ago I decided to dig out my old lens 75-300mm and got motivated again. In addition, temperatures got little warmer, therefore, I was able to go for winter walks again. Now, the opposite is that I started to be in bed earlier more regularly, and getting much more deeper sleeps. Matthew is now older, and sleeps through the night, but will definitely not let you sleep in the morning. 'Wake up Mommy! Matthew wants to play toys downstairs' - he usually yells, and he does not have the snooze button on him.
He is growing really fast, and this year is the year of gaining more independence. It is not like we push him to do things, he wants to do it himself. In May he will turn three. Deep inside every year I miss the year before, but every year I love him more and more. What am I going to do when he goes to school? He is now eager to learn how to read. He can very well spell DAD and MOM (it is so much fun to watch him think). Memorizes 4 line verses and with his little finger points on the words and pretends to read.
About the photo. Its a pile of snow on my backyard that looked kind attractive. This also reminded me about this quote I read once by Anonymous author, 'Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.' Enjoy, and glad to be back to share my photography, my life and my thoughts again.
‘What am I going to do when he goes to school?’ This question arises in every parents mind, but as soon children go to school life become scheduled. This was something we learn from our own life as growing children it happens to mom to check everything from wakeup to sleep. The photo was excellent and wants to play with it.
ReplyDeleteHope it was a wonder year ahead for your and Matthew! Change is something we need to make life interesting and different. Take care
Snow is pretty, but I don't want to live in snow country. I do like the quote very much.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)
Welcome back. It's wonderful to read how much you enjoy being with Matthew and watching him grow. He's at a precious age -- enjoy him as much as you can.
ReplyDeleteI like your snow bank very much, and I especially like the quote.
Hi Anna! Just few days ago I was watching a pile of sand in Mexico, but I like the snow version too. Hope you've been doing well! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see you've taken a quick stop in blog-land to update us on your life and how Matthew is getting along. Children are such wonderful and precious people, and it's great to hear that he's progressing well.
ReplyDeleteI had just posted a few photographs of kids from a parade last year before I stopped by here. Feel free to swing on by and take a look if you like. Cheers!
It is very hard for our mom to blog and write and take pics too, so we understand. And we can not believe Matthew will already be 3. You must take lots of pics of him as he is growing so fast.
ReplyDeleteThe snow picture is beautiful.
--JB
simple and beautiful
ReplyDeleteHi and welcome back. Hope you're refreshed. Now, I haven't seen snow, but with Australia - namely - Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, experiencing mega floods and the biggest cyclone ever about to hit the "Top End", snow would be a breeze to all that we have seen here lately.
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Peter
Aniu, pozdrawiam zimowo:)
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome back Anna! You have expressed yourself so nicely with Matthew's growth. He is such a cutie pie, evidently by this post :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your photography is envious :)
You're right, it is beautiful snow.
ReplyDeleteMe alegros que hayas vuelto Anna, la cámara y la lente siempre están allí como un buen amigo fiel.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, simple shot, Anna. You really need to not put your camera down for too long. We miss the photos, especially the winter ones. I remember the one a while ago of the dove in the snow on the BBQ. That was one in a million!
ReplyDeleteAgree that this is a beautiful snow shot. Sometimes a break is good, and then you come back refreshed and with renewed interest and a different perspective!
ReplyDeleteFrom experience take lots and lots of pictures of Matthew. My youngest is now 11 and it's the photo's that help keep those precious early years alive in our minds. Enjoy and have fun. The snow picture is great, simple yet striking.
ReplyDeleteAnn: It is nice to see snow but very hard to have to work with it. Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteI love that snow quote Anna, how very true.
ReplyDeleteAll the very best to you and your family.
nice quote, it really says a lot about blogging also, one blogger can't blog without the others, it's like talking to yourself when there's no one around to respond.
ReplyDeletebeautiful pic. thanks for stopping by my new blog.
hope your day is sweet and warm.
Hey Anna :D!
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend: Matthew is a precious boy (remember me telling you this when he was born?) :D.
Time goes by so fast: 3 years already? Soon he will be going to school, so cute!
It is great to have you back among us, girl! We missed you! :)
Have a nice weekend, and just to tease you a bit I must say that it is warm in Portugal already (Spring time is HERE!!!).
Cheers
...beautiful photo, and I loved your story about Matthew. I remember those days so well, and they slip by so fast. Matty's now 15!! Two more years and he will be leaving for college. I have no idea what I'll do... Matty and I were looking at photos of him the other day from when he was about 3...we had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot Anna! I guess, life in snow will be somehow difficult, but still wish for a snowfall.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing, all the best. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna! The photo is so beautiful, with the brightness of the snow and that nicely blurred background. I'm very glad to read how Matthew is getting along.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend :-)
Another beautiful capture and a great quote Anna :) And am happy to see you back and blogging. I haven't taken much photos lately too, and am not writing much either... but am still here and going on. Enjoy Matthew as much as you can dear, and have a great start of the N Year!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quote about snow. Something to remember. I have seen the power of a blizzard this week.
ReplyDeleteMatthew is growing, just amazing to think of him writing MOM and DAD.
I'm glad you're back, and I can enjoy your posts, photographs and comments.
Anna, what a gorgeous photo with beautiful lighting and shadows!
ReplyDeleteLove that Matthew doesn't have a snooze button on him. :D
Wild wave, dear. The beech leaves are falling from the trees so I am predicting an early spring. :D Our highways are bumpier now too. All signs of the coming warmer weather.
I sure do miss my blog visits. Hope things settle down for me soon.
Love, Nancy
And we're so glad to have you back, Anna!
ReplyDeleteFunny: "Matthew does not have a snooze button on him"! It's best that you do try to compensate for the fact that he has you up early in the morning. I remember those days.
If you are starting to get out for walks, you're ahead of the game. We have been trapped inside for longer this winter, than in 40 years. One storm after another, biting cold, dirty snow and ice just everywhere. And the roads narrowed by tall piles. It's just not been inviting. And the few times we did get out, we had to battle to stay warm.
I know what you mean, Anna, about missing each year that went before, even though you love him more and more.
When they're grown up, you just miss ALL the years!
Your photo is powerful in its simplicity. Very lovely!
Anna:
ReplyDeleteNice to read that you are back. The picture is amazing as are all of your shots. The soft pile of snow makes me feel like scooping it up to taste its fresh flavor. We used to eat snow as kids. In fact, my aunt Mary used to make ice cream from snow. It was delicious. However, I don't think it would be a good idea now days. LOL
Mathew is growing like a weed, as my aunt used to say. Pretty soon he'll be in college and you'll wonder how time could have flown by so quickly.
Happy trails.
Almost three years, it seems like yesterday you showed pictures of a very little Matthew.
ReplyDeleteI like the pile of snow picture, pure and simple.
Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment :)
Good to see your still taking pictures :)
ReplyDeleteI love snow though not always but want to have some experience of this and hope to get it soon..
ReplyDeleteExcellent Anna. We got snow until yesterday too, quite a lot indeed, but then we got a nice strong storm last nigh and the snow is almost gone!! Beautiful picture, well composed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your life, thoughts and images Anna. So nice to such hear wonderful things from you. Hard to believe Matthew will be 3 years old in May. Glad to hear everything is going well with you and your family. Beautiful image, love the simplicity with this composition. Great shot!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got motivated to get out the lens again Anna, sometimes in darkest winter we all get to suffer a bit of SAD? That was a realy good quote about snow flakes.
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteHello Anna,,,how are you //
ReplyDeleteI always dreamed of touching the soft snow// Regard from Yogyakarta City, Indonesia //
beautiful and what a feel :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this story. And the child becomes an adult before your eyes. It is an amazing process, really, and one we have all experienced but in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI like the picture. I like simple things too. I like to crop my photos to eliminate all the clutter or distractions -- if I can't focus it out I crop it out.
What kind of lens or camera do you have. Your 75-300mm lens sounds interesting.