dp design

Thanksgiving this year was a wonderful collection of friends around my dining table to enjoy food and conversation and then led into games; my idea of a perfect day. I missed my kids being here but was fortunate that I was able to have my brother here. After dissecting time, we determined that it has been 20 years since we have shared a Thanksgiving together! We went around the room and stated at least one thing we grateful for this year. I realized I have so many!

I try to live inside a space of gratitude in my life. Far from perfect, the everyday can creep it’s way into my mind and kick the legs out from under my chair at any given moment and leave me in a funk of drama. I try to spend as little time as possible in that place. For the last two years, I have practiced (I use this word because I will never have it mastered) trying to switch complaint for gratitude. Each time I find myself in complaint, I try to remember what I am grateful for in the situation. It is so hard to stay in drama if you are always looking for the good stuff.

Right at this moment I am thankful for the sun… I have determined that I can withstand almost any cold as long as there is sun, it warms my outlook.

Sometimes finding the love in winter comes from staying inside and taking care of yourself. I needed a mellow weekend inside and that is exactly what I did.

Technically winter is not supposed to be here yet but a crazy spell of cold weather and snow has not really left and I have a sneaking suspicion the cold will remain till spring. So to embrace all things cold, I have been signing up for all sorts of winter activities. One thing I will allow for myself in this process will be the ability to stay indoors and nurture myself when I need to.

Jeeze, blog much? I would have to say no. However, I am attempting a winter project this year to document the beauty in winter. I know there is much beauty in winter but I am hoping that if I spend my time looking for it that I can shift my attitude about winter. I am going back to shooting medium format film for most of this project. I am giving myself some allowances for when the camera may not be available. I plan to include winter activities that bring me joy, surrounding myself with others who love this season, and more than likely, trips to warmth so that I can recharge. Still trying to see if that last part is cheating. I am tossing around the idea of a show next year after I finish the project.

I am choosing today to start the project because today is the first snow we have received. Mother Nature chose to flip the switch on full blast. 8 inches of snow, a whole layer of crazy ice and plummeting temperatures, made this start to winter feel instantaneous. Very hard to believe I was camping two days ago.