The Creativity Project: Loud

We were lucky enough to spend the Fourth of July

with some dear friends at their cabin.

Look at that serene, glassy lake.

A setting for our "Loud" theme

on The Creativity Project?

It hardly looks that way.

But looks can be deceiving.

Because out on that lake some loons are teaching their babies how to swim and find food.

They had a few things to say VERY loudly!

Especially to the noisy jet skiers.

Lee needed a project to do, so he recruited some help and went to work on the old oak stump.

Definitely loud.

In a nearby small town there were bed races on the Fourth.

It was plenty loud there as the community turned out in droves to cheer them on.

The rubber ducks had my favorite bed, decorated as a bathtub.

They were closely followed by the Scooby Doo Mystery Mobile,

along with the house from "Up"!

They all ran through the course twice, each time with a different sort of stunt event.

I loved the fact that there were people of every age, supporting all of the participants.  So fun!

Back at the cabin there was the sound of laughter and delight

as the little dog got in on all the action.

Then there was the sound of the loud beaters making ice cream base.

Everyone added their own secret ingredients to make their flavor entry for 

the ice cream making contest.

Oh. my. word.

YUM!!!

You couldn't possibly find a better judge than we had.

A quality control expert, who once worked for Haagen Dasz.

We eagerly awaited the results--

and it was Ben who cheered loudest when he won the prize 

for his Mint Oreo Ice Roar (even his ice cream had a loud name!).

There was the chatter and the giggles and the selfies around the fire, 

before the fireworks…

…some across the lake,

and some by our own fire.

BOOM!!!

It was the most peaceful loud weekend you could imagine!

This post brought to you by The Creativity Project.

We are all posting LOUD posts today.

Is anything loud going on in your world?

We would love to see what it looks like!

Take a look around the circle for some inspiration, beginning with my friend Shalana.
I do not know how she does it, but her photos have an amazing way of giving you room to breathe.
(Well I do know how she does it, it's called negative space--
but it requires a self-restraint I don't seem to possess.)

Then if you want, post your own on The Creativity Project Facebook wall.
We'd love it!

The Creativity Project: Breakfast

Breakfast.  Such a novel idea, really.

I prefer mine at about 10:30.  

But some protein first thing in the morning would be ideal.

If I were a breakfast eater, 

I would eat hard boiled eggs.

And sometimes I do.

But most often?  My breakfast is coffee.  With creamer.

With yogurt mid-morning, and possibly some berries.

Incidentally…I accidentally bought the regular yogurt 

instead of the light and fit or whatever it is that has fewer calories.

Oh. my. word.  I'm not sure I can go back.

This deliciously happy breakfast (and full-calorie yogurt commercial)

was brought to you by The Creativity Project.

I am really looking forward to what breakfast looks like

in the other photographers' worlds.

(Hoping for some donuts to enjoy vicariously.)

Charisma is next in our circle.  

She had guests for breakfast,
and I hope the next time she will invite me.
Go see how beautiful it is!

What is your breakfast personality?

Help me come up with some good options

by posting a photo (even instagram!) on The Creativity Project Facebook Page!

The Creativity Project: 5 P.M.

5 P.M.

It seems more like an invitation to confession than a photography theme.

I have a love/hate relationship with 5 P.M.

It's the time I rise up out of my chair (or dash home in a tizzy)

and take inventory of the food supply.

I can't say there's no food.
But I can't necessarily figure out how to make a decent meal out of it.
Thankfully on this day, someone has made a request.
AND I have the ingredients.
(Insert happy dance.)

And the pot I need to make it?
Hmmm, still soaking after last night's soup.
Wasn't someone gonna take care of that?
Oh, yeah, it was me. Or I.
Either way, my job.

This day 5 P.M. turns out fine, as it does on most of the days.
The chicken and dumplings were pretty delicious.
In spite of that moment of panic.

And tomorrow?  Well at least we know there are pizza rolls in the freezer, if nothing else.
What was for supper at your house today?
I am really looking forward to circling through the other entries for 5 P.M.
at The Creativity Project.
(I am secretly hoping for some meal ideas.  But if not, there is Pinterest.)
Sharon Covert is next in the circle, and at her house someone else had a job to do at 5 P.M.
Her post is way more fun than mine!  Go there!
And we would love to know what 5 P.M. looks like in your world.
Post your entry on The Creativity Project on Facebook.

The Creativity Project: Pastel

The theme for April at The Creativity Project is "Pastel".

What says pastel like a brand new baby?

I got to go meet this one a few weeks ago just after his grandparents

got to the hospital with his big brothers.

The nurse was giving them their "Big Brother" bracelets at that very moment.

First on their agenda was to check in with Mom to make sure she was doing OK.

(She let Dad and Gram and Gramps share Baby Brother with them 

so they wouldn't accidentally climb up on the bed and start bouncing.

Because boys.)

Next up was sharing a special gift with Baby Brother.

Because "Goodnight Moon".  Obviously.

Can a baby be without?

And then there were introductions all around.

All while Baby Brother slept.

Baby Brother is in VERY good hands.

Last week I went to HOLD Baby Brother.
I've been waiting a long time for that!



He is an angel.



And as I sat there holding him,
Big Brother said, "Aren't you gonna take some pictures?"
Big Brother has known me all his life,
if you couldn't tell.

He really wanted to help me take pictures, so I handed him my phone.



And then I got distracted by the fun of Big Brother and Little brother doing what they do.
Because, uh, that's what I do.

Big Brother even asked me what that thing I was twisting was for.
So I showed him how to zoom in with my lens.
He is going to be a photographer.



Baby Brother had a happy dream,



and then a rude awakening, so I took that as my cue.

This baby is amazingly blessed with parents and grandparents
and oh so many people in his life
who will treasure the beautiful way God made him
and teach him that Jesus loves him more than life itself.

All of this (sort of) pastel cuteness was brought to you by The Creativity Project.
Next up in the circle is Pam, who, by the looks of her post,
 might have been vacationing with me unaware recently!
Her photos are dreamy!
From there you can visit all of the regular contributors.
We would love to have you post your own pastel photo
on The Creativity Project Facebook Page.