For so many of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time of reflecting on our many blessings! As I gather with family and friends this season, I’m reminded how it’s the little things that truly matter in life, for they bring us the most heartfelt joy and contentment.
Over the past year, I’ve captured many magical moments in photographs. Come with me on a visual journey as I work my way back through the months and give thanks for all that has brought me to this place of gratitude!
Whether walking in the woods or tending my gardens, I am always close to nature and continually awestruck by her infinite beauty. It seems that every day there is something new to surprise me! On a late October afternoon, a Monarch butterfly was the last thing I expected to see but my bright orange zinnias drew her to the garden for a final visit.
Birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures are my constant outdoor companions, but catching them with the camera is not always easy! The photo of the owl was taken one early summer morning when all was quiet and still. I had taken my cup of coffee out on the deck where I stood enjoying the peaceful scene. The slightest movement suddenly caught my eye and there it was! Spotting the large bird sitting in a nearby tree, I had to quietly (and quickly!) rush back inside to grab my camera. When I returned, the owl remained perched on the branch and graciously posed for me!
Hummingbirds seem to be everywhere you look during the warm summer months, but their quick darting movements make them difficult to capture in a photo. Flowers, however, are always happy to present themselves in stunning stillness.
There is nothing that feeds my soul like my beautiful flower gardens. I live for the divine thrill of watching buds open! Even though many of my plants and shrubs are old friends, the pleasure I find in gazing upon each fresh bloom never gets old. E
As the first snowdrops push through the snow, their tiny white flowers opening to the warmth of the early spring sun, I’m once again struck by the power of rebirth and the circle of life. In spring, the earth is born again and I with it!
Today, I give thanks for all the little things that bring me joy, for those special moments that make up each day of my life and for the unconditional love of family and friends that sustains me. There is so much to be grateful for!
All photos by Nancy Marie Allen
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