the 53 project : week 1

With my 365 project nearing an end and 2011 coming up, I'm embarking on a little twist on the traditional 52-week project.  In March I'll be turning 53, so I figured I'd document my 53rd year in a weekly series of 53 photo essays.

Many people do a series of self-portraits as their 52-week project.  For me?  Um....no.  I may throw a self-portrait in once a month or so...but that's it.  You'll thank me later.

Are you starting a 52-week or 365-day project this year?  Leave a link in the comments field and I'll create a link list to share with everyone  Even if you're not tackling a major project, I hope you'll join in by linking to your most interesting images or blog posts each week.

This week I captured the delicate beauty of the winter woods around Meetinghouse Farm and Bridge Creek Conservation Area in West Barnstable.

Oh, and don't forget to become a follower or leave a comment from time to time.  I'm going to be offering some fun giveaways to followers & commenters throughout the year, and you just may be the lucky winner.

Happy 2011!

merry and bright

We've never been a Christmas lights family.  We tried the subdued candles-in-the-window thing but never had enough plugs or extension cords.  Or the elegant spotlight-on-wreath-on-front-door -- until worries about the mix of electricity and rain/snow forced me to bring it inside.

But I love the happy optimism and sweet joy in other people's lights.  From tacky to tasteful, I love them all.  They're there simply to give pleasure, and what could be a better motivation than that?   They speak to our urge to make our world a little nicer and share it with our neighbors, and that's a hopeful and generous way to end one year and start the next.  Happy holidays, and may 2011 be a year filled with joy and light.  xo

farm country

Over Thanksgiving we toured the countryside around Halcyon Farm, in Glen, New York, just northwest of Albany.  My aunt and uncle drove us around to see the amazing rolling farmland and old barns, farmhouses, and outbuildings.

I loved the colors of these beehives.

Farm equipment looks like sculpture.

 People over 100 years ago left their names on the beams in one of the barns.

 Little family cemeteries dot the hills.

 His and hers outhouses behind the Baptist Church.

A view inside the silo.

Abandoned homes and farms dot the landscape.

A number of old abandoned farms have been bought by the Amish, 

and there is now a thriving Amish community in this area of eastern New York.

To see photos of our family and Thanksgiving family fun, click here.