In the darker months of the year, it feels like November helps walk us into the darkness until Spring arrives again.
Shot with my Canon RF 35mm f1.8
Macro Monday | Hydrangea
How to Survive November 2025 | 24
To my knowledge there is nothing sad about today, so this feel’s like a nice fresh day!
The round of this beautifully bright yellow flower, gently covered in snow.
So beautiful and fresh looking with the white snow on the bright yellow petals, timely as with the temperatures dropping the colour will be short.
The November theme details can be found in this post – think Round!
Silent Sunday | Macro Hydrangea
Lens-Artists Challenge # 375 | Where to find the Mysterious
This week Patti is leading us with the theme, Where to find the Mysterious! Be sure to check out Patti’s post and her beautiful images. She shared this quote below as well as the explanation for the challenge.
‘We yearn for the beautiful, the unknown, and the mysterious.’ ~ Issey Miyake
“When life is a bit crazy (like it is right now!), I go out with my camera, hoping that someone or something catches my eye. It’s not simply a distraction. I’m searching for something beautiful, something I’ve never seen before, or something mysterious. This elevates my day and my mood.
So, this week, for Lens-Artists #375, we’re exploring the mysterious. We’ll start by focusing on where to look for it. Let’s begin with the more obvious places.” Patti
See her list below
- Look for Low Light Conditions and Intense Shadows
- Look for Fog, Haze, and Rain
- Use Camera Techniques
- Find Abandoned and Damaged Places
- Look for Situations That Tell a Story
A misty morning over the lake
Storm rolling in over Lake Huron
Shadows through the forest trails, part of the mystery of how deep it might be in spots!
The shadows of the trail.
For those who may not know, this may look like an odd unknown space with a stop sign? Confusing to some, but to a snowmobile rider, this is the visible end to a season, awaiting the stake removal in the dreary spring.
The mysteries of the spring thaw and how much the local rivers will swell…
What will this road lead to? I took this photo late last October… not even a month later our lives drastically changed… with more unknowns and mystery.
Thank you John for leading the challenge last week – On The Move! Next week will be Beth’s turn to share!
To find out more about the Lens-Artists Challenges, click here.
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Today is a reminder, of my Granpa G. He was quite a man, a hard working husband, grandpa and father, who always made time for all of us. He had a health scare before this, however today was his fate. His return to heaven.
The night before, we went to visit, he was sleeping peacefully so I didn’t want to bother him. There is a wonder in my heart, had I went in and held his hand, or tried to talk to him, if I could have had that one more moment. However that is heavy what if. Something its important to let go of as I remember his passing 20 years ago.
Grief can feel so multilevel. As a couple months prior we lost my dads best friend and a year prior to that my (at the time) future mother in law passed, just a few months before our wedding. Our hearts were still deeply healing and not ready for more change.
A loss, for granpa, we knew was coming, knew we had been given extra time, but still hit hard. The loss of a close relationship. My granpa. I am also able to see today as a reminder of the relationship I had with my granpa, with me, with my siblings, cousins and grandma. The wonderful memories, yes our time was cut short, however the memories we had together, were so full!
Granpa also was very intuitive, he seemed to know. He showed us, without even showing us, that you need to trust yourself. Before passing, before getting really sick, he had made arrangements for a move, so that if/when something happened Grandma wouldn’t be burdened with the “stuff” he did, yes even though she would have all of us – and there is a lot of us! The day they got the keys for the apartment, he passed, very early that morning. I’ll never forget that day, as after being with everyone early at mom and dads, helping with Grandma’s move, I also had to go to a fertility treatment, for another failed month. It wasn’t long after this, I clearly heard to trust … and it did work.
My post isn’t all sadness, Granpa taught us all alot! I am truly grateful for my time with him, growing up I spent a lot of time with he and my grandma. Its fitting for todays round image be the balls of round snow on the hydrangea tree balls of petals. Granpa loved gardening.
When ever I am in the garden, and I begin to feel the frustration setting in, its him who I will talk to, ok Granpa give me the tips, how can this flow better for me, whats the best way, should I just take a break!? He knew his plants and loved his gardens. I am grateful my mom and aunt have gotten a piece of his green thumb as they designed and constructed our gardens. Deep gratitude!
I personally, would rather just photograph the beautiful plants, even weeds, the friendly bugs, birds, bees and various seasons 😉
The November theme details can be found in this post – think Round!
How to Survive November 2025 | 22
Today’s inspiration is from our hydrangea tree from our front entrance. We have one on each side, they offer a beautiful pop of bright white, and a soothing pink in the fall. With the snow on the petals, the roundness of the plant, the petals, leaves and even the snow!
We’ve been lucky to have plants with a lighter snow, as once the snow continues and gets heavier, we will have to trim this back! Until then, Im enjoying the winter beauty gracing us this fall!
These challenges have truly begun to bring me back to my soul even more, feeling alignment with my blog, focusing on my photography passion in all areas of my life, allowing my heart to heal doing something I truly love and connecting with others and enjoying their unique talents and beautiful photography.
As hard as this month has felt, as low as some of my posts seemed to be, this is also real life of living and grieving. I remember years ago, when my dads best friend passed, he was like a 2nd dad to us. Also a sudden loss. It took years for my hearts healing. There are times Ive caught myself saying, be more positive, try to not think of the negativity of the loss, however, that isn’t healing, that isn’t honoring my heart. I can be healing and feeling however I may feel. There truly are no rules. Everyone heals differently, and that is ok!
The November theme details can be found in this post – think Round!
Tacos, Chicken & Pasta
What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?
We typically do rotate through a lot of the same things. Typically its Tacos, Chicken with Broccoli and Potatoes/Rice of some kind, or a pasta with or without meat.
We are getting this weekend our load of butchered pork, so we will be bringing this more into our top meals 😉
We typically keep cooked ground beef and extra cooked chicken in the fridge, so its easy to add to things for a quick dinner if needed, or more often lunches!
We also eat a lot of broccoli… with chicken, pasta or beef and pork too, actually even roasted on its own!
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There is this round ball that is in our garden, its been in our garden for about 20 years. From our first house and its moved along with us. A couple times I thought it had broken, however this decorative piece seems to have a strong and long life.
There was a few instances where I almost did throw this out, but something stopped me each time. Its older, rusted in places as you can see, the ball that used to hold colour is faded and worn… yet its so unique and I admire, deeply, that its lasted this long, through kids, moves, dogs, even plow equipment!
Somethings are meant to be!
Deeper healing for November, as we approach a very special date, that has helped our hearts during this healing process.
The November theme details can be found in this post – think Round!
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The roundness of the Rose of Sharon plant seeds, macro after a windy snowfall.
This plant is another in our life that is hardy and doesn’t seem to need much. It likes to take care of itself and get in close with the other plants. The flowers when in bloom are big with delicate petals. I admired their view on the weekend, and when I woke up Sunday, to a fresh layer of snow, it was time!
I love macro photography and the way it pulls things to life, where something that can get lost among all the other branches and seeds, when focused on, you can truly see the individual beauty.
A great reminder for us humans as well, living this human experience.
We are all so unique and different, one may seem like another, but if photography teaches us anything, its that being unique and one of a kind by truly being yourself, is the whole point!
The November theme details can be found in this post – think Round!
Photographer Resources | Equipment
One of the best resources I have found in my years of being a photographer is finding a reliable and trustworthy brand and store. We do not have many camera stores around us, so the one I found years ago and have repeatedly returned to is Henry’s.
One thing I do love about Henry’s is they offer both new and used. Over the years Ive purchased a variety of things from them both new and used. I do always insure my equipment for the full replacement cost vs a used cost, as we may not ever find that “deal” again and if something happens, to equipment you invest in, this is something you will want to ensure you have!
This time of year, their SALES on NEW AND USED are back! I honestly get excited when I can not only find something I desire, but also when I can get a ‘deal’!
I am partial to Canon, so I know their deals are GOOD for this brand, if you use other brands be sure to check it out, they have a fantastic selection for both new and used – plus the used section, they can add to it daily!
If you are in the market for a new, or new to you or just want to create your dream list (I understand… 😉 ) check it out!
