Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

  • Craft
    and create
    • Craft and Create
      Crafting and cookery and other creative Did It Myself endeavors.
  • Family
    and friends
    • Family and Friends
      Doing what I love with those I love most.
  • Fashion
    forays
    • Fashion Forays
      Revamping myself from the outside in.
  • Life
    and style
    • Life and Style
      Adventures from various chapters in my life – past, present, future.
  • Love
    yourself
    • Love Yourself
      Rediscovering who I am and my journey along the way.
  • Reviews
    and reflection
    • Reviews and Reflection
      Book, movie, product reviews and reflections.

February 7, 2021

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Shutterbugs and photo-lovin’ friends, welcome to The World Through My Lens, 01.2021.  Today I am sharing my snapshots for Terri’s Sunday Stills series.  I share those pictures once a month.  You can revisit December’s post, here.

But this post also serves as an update for the iSpy challenge with my blogging buddy Lysha at A Camera and a Cookbook.  Lysha gives us 5 prompts each week and hopes to inspire us to “look for the marvelous in the mundane.” And the Winter Photo Scavenger hunt (WPSH) with Mary Lou and Ellen.  Thoughtful prompts that allow for interpretation in our own ways.

Sunday Stills Prompts 01.2021

These are the prompts with which we were delightfully tasked:

Jan 3   Your 2020 Retrospective (share your year in images)
Jan 10 Night
Jan 17 Color Challenge: Glacier Blue
Jan 24 Fog and Clouds
Jan 31  Your Favorite Landscape

THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 1
SUNDAY STILLS, 01.03.2021 Your 2020 Retrospective

I didn’t put together a true retrospective but if you click here, you can revisit any of my Sunday Stills posts from the past.  In looking back over 2020’s Sunday Stills photos, these shots taken in January BC-before Covid-were some of my favorites, and popular with you, too.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 2
SUNDAY STILLS, 01.10.2021 Night

From Valentine’s Day 2 years ago.  We stayed in the boutique Indigo Hotel downtown, had our first escape room experience, dinner in a quaint cafe, and a nightcap on the patio before bed.  Oh, how we could use a mini-vacay like this again this year.  Photo was taken on the patio.  I like the way the bits of light keep your eye moving from one area to the next on the photo.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 3
SUNDAY STILLS, 01.17.2021 Color Challenge:  Glacier Blue

The first 2 photos below were taken in Lexington, Kentucky during an early spring visit to see Mom.  My sister and I were enchanted by the snow.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

A different glacial blue.  The water in our pool.  And a storm rolling in from the east.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 4
SUNDAY STILLS, 01.24.2021 Fog and Clouds

Because it is soooo dry in El Paso, we positively never have fog.  Except when we do.  Which was – most conveniently – during January.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 5
SUNDAY STILLS, 01.31.2021 Your Favorite Landscape

I love the beach.  That probably goes without saying.  But the landscape of the place where I live is still my favorite.  Partially because it isn’t always beautiful.  It is an imperfect beauty.  Dusty, and dry, polluted, and peppered with wind blown trash.  But it is home.  And the mountains are beautiful every single day.  From the window of my plane, flying over El Paso on my way to visit PC who was working at Ft. Lewis, Washington, that beauty is pretty evident.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Here are the prompts we are working on for February.  Come join us!

Feb 7     Fallen
Feb 14   Color Challenge: Rosy Red
Feb 21   Feed the Birds
Feb 28  Things that are White

Other Challenge Photos

The photos below are updates to the other challenges I am participating in.

ISPY PHOTO CHALLENGE 2021

Sharing 2 weeks worth of photos for this challenge.

iSpy Week #4

Different Angle – Selfie after sit-ups.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Before & After – My sister and I created a laundry day collage as a Valentine’s gift to our mom.  The first photo is the beginning of the collage background.  The bits and pieces of patterns and book pages that became the base for our piece.  In the second photo you can see the tiny clothing my sister made for the collage.  She also sketched the tiny bird cage onto a piece of pattern paper.  The last photo is the finished art.

Sadly, I sent it Mom on Wednesday and it has arrived but her dementia has convinced her that from the size of the package, we have sent her a mirror.  And she doesn’t want to open the package because she doesn’t want to see herself in the mirror.  We have explained that she will like what is in the box but so far she still hasn’t opened it.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021
20210202_061046
The World Through My Lens 01.2021
The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Fruit or Veggie? – a bowl of the ingredients for our morning smoothies.  Fruit or veggie?  Both!!

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Backyard (Winter) – snapped this from our balcony ten days ago.  The mountains are so pretty when they are iced with a dusting of snow.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

iSpy Week #5

Collection –  of memories.  From PC’s soldiering days.  Dog tags, ribbons, rank.  Proud to be a soldier’s wife.

collection
Yellow –  had to look for this one.  And found it while I was showering.  Noticed through the shower glass that my hand towel is…yellow!  And so is the post-it I have stuck to the mirror which reads “God will promise and provide.”  The vanity lighting is also a warm glow.  This whole corner of the bathroom is like sunshine:  the wall color, the frame, and mirror.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021
Tiny –  my Queen of Hearts.  Ordered her on Etsy last year for my tiered tray.  She brings me big smiles.

Queen of Hearts
Photographer’s Choice –  my kitties are never far away when I do my quiet time.  Most mornings, I do it in my loft before sunrise but on this particular day, it was cold and my bed was warm.  We all piled back in after PC left for work.  Purrsnickitty entertained herself with the elastic around my planner while I did my Bible study.  A bit distracting.

Purrsnickitty
The World Through My Lens 01.2021
The World Through My Lens 01.2021

Photographer’s Choice – a very well constructed nest.  This bird should go in the home construction business.

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

WINTER PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT (WPSH)

The WPSH runs from 12.01.2020 to 03.21.2021.  The only rules: all photos must be your own work and must be taken between those dates.

For review, here is the list of 20 prompts.  But remember that up to three of these can be substituted using the alternative prompts at the end of the list if necessary.

  1. A set of three
  2. Round and round
  3. Peek inside  ✔️
  4. Glass
  5. A treasured item
  6. Horizontal  ✔️
  7. An opening  ✔️
  8. A sign of the times  ✔️
  9. Weather conditions
  10. Work in progress ✔️
  11. Measures  ✔️
  12. In the distance  ✔️
  13. Something beginning with C
  14. One of many  ✔️
  15. Something with legs  ✔️
  16. A face  ✔️
  17. Comfort food
  18. Something you do every day
  19. Something yellow
  20. Marking time

Alt A. In pieces

Alt B. Textured

Alt C. Black and white

WPSH Update

  • #10 work in progress – getting started on my Valentine wreath.  I better work fast!!

The World Through My Lens 01.2021

 

  • #11 measures – taking measures of the fabric for my Valentine wreath.  Measure once, cut twice.

The World Through My Lens 01.2020

I better get after this wreath!!  I have 1 short week to get it finished.  Heck, started!!

YOUR TURN

Are you participating in any photo challenges this year?  If not, come join us for Sunday Stills, iSPY or the WPSH.  Taking photographs has encouraged me to take a second, sometimes even a third look at our world.  There’s so much beauty but in the hustle and bustle of each day, it’s easy to let it go unnoticed.  When I participate in a photo challenge, I go through my days with the current prompts in mind.  And always paying more attention to the world around me.

I challenge you to try a photo challenge, even for just a month, a week.  See if doing so won’t have you looking at the little things in your world with a new, more appreciative eye.

Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day here with me.

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

Get Updates

Filed Under: Craft and Create Tagged With: #PhotoChallenge, #photography, #SundayStills, iSpy, TheWorldThroughMyLens, WinterPhotoScavengerHunt

Older
Newer

Comments

  1. AvatarRetirement Reflections says

    February 7, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    Hi, Leslie – I always enjoy your photography. You have a very creative eye and a very steady hand. For the past five weeks, I’ve also been taking part in #SundayStills. It’s been a great way to nudge my muse out of hiding. And a great way to meet up with other bloggers/photographers. I look forward to continuing to participate and continuing to see you there!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 8:39 pm

      So glad you are taking part in Sunday Stills, too! I so enjoy seeing everyone’s interpretations of the prompts.

      Reply
  2. AvatarDeb says

    February 8, 2021 at 3:17 am

    You have an eye for a good photo! That view of the mountains is fabulous.
    What a shame your mum won’t open her parcel after all your hard work. Would she let one of her carers open it for her to prove it wasn’t a mirror?
    Good luck with the Valentine project, you don’t have many days to get it done now!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      Thank you! Ha, Deb, that Valentine’s Day project didn’t get finished. I still want to work on it and maybe I will have it ready by next year. I finally persuaded Mom to let someone open her collage but she seemed totally unmoved by it. Almost as if she didn’t understand what it was.

      Reply
  3. AvatarDara says

    February 8, 2021 at 6:51 am

    Lovely photos here!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  4. AvatarBri says

    February 8, 2021 at 8:57 am

    SO many great photos, Leslie! Love the cross shadow on the floor!! And the wintery pictures are beautiful as well. We finally got some snow over the weekend, so I just bundle up and get out there to capture some of its beauty.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      Thank you, Bri. That cross photo is one of my favorites, too. Snow makes for such great photography. It just makes the most commonplace items lovely.

      Reply
  5. AvatarTerri Webster Schrandt says

    February 8, 2021 at 9:25 am

    I always love your monthly collection of photos, Leslie and this month is no exception! I, too love that cross reflection, such a stunning image and frame worthy. Your glacier blues are gorgeous! I’m sorry to read about your mom’s refusal to open your beautiful collage. Cute selfish of you!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you, Terri. Mom finally allowed someone to open the collage we sent and it is on her window sill but I am not sure she ever realized what it was.

      Reply
  6. AvatarDanielle says

    February 8, 2021 at 9:27 am

    I always love your dessert photos! Sorry to hear that your mom hasn’t opened her package. 🙁 I hope that she will soon.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      Thank you, Danielle. Mom finally opened her package but there was really no reaction to the collage we created. Kind of strange that she didn’t comment about it. But I wonder if it confused her or that maybe she didn’t understand what it was.

      Reply
  7. AvatarJoanne says

    February 8, 2021 at 10:30 am

    I love those snow dusted mountains! We have snow buried ones at the moment. Those photos of your cat playing with the elastic are also quite funny.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 8:37 pm

      Thank you, Joanne. My kitties love to join me for quiet time and make that time much more playful.

      Reply
  8. Avatarjodie filogomo says

    February 8, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    What a fun post Leslie.
    We always try to hide some veggies in our smoothies…I try to get at least 2 in!!
    OXOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      Paul is just terrible about eating veggies, so it’s either drink ’em in smoothies or pour them in his ear.

      Reply
  9. Avatarkirstin troyer says

    February 9, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    I’ve been doing the Sunday Stills. I’ve been wanting to do the other two as well, but haven’t done them yet. Eventually….lol. Love all your photos and your take on the prompts

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      I really enjoyed your Sunday Stills photos. I take a photo of the prompts and then have it with me on my phone. Then whenever I am out and about I can look at the list and look for the prompts to photograph while I am out.

      Reply
  10. AvatarIris says

    February 10, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    You have some lovely photos – and some a little ‘strange’. Well, probably strange to me because I’m not really into what I consider unusual photos. I love the scenery ones and especially the snow. I love to see snow in photos, I just don’t want any here. Thanks for sharing – don’t mind me.
    Grace & Peace, Iris
    http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      Ha!! Thank you for coming by and I appreciate your critique. Doesn’t the snow make everything prettier? Like icing on a cake.

      Reply
  11. AvatarDaenel says

    February 10, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    The snow on the cactus is so weird to me. It just seems so wrong, but I like the picture. LOL Really, such fun pictures.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you! I love seeing the snow on the cactus and palm trees. Isn’t it like an oxymoron or something?

      Reply
  12. AvatarNatasha says

    February 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    Oh, I’m sorry your mom hadn’t opened the package yet. Dementia is soul-killing for both the person who has it and the people whose loved ones are affected by it. I love your corner of sunshine. It’s so pretty! And I LOVE the colours of your smoothie.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      Thank you, sweet friend. My mom has had a good week and we are thankful for every good day.

      Reply
  13. AvatarLysha says

    February 17, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    I love all your pics! The snow pics are gorgeous! Love your different angle shot especially.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts ClinganLeslie Roberts Clingan says

      February 24, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      Thank you, Lysha. Really enjoying these prompts.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello

OOTDs and SIAs: My Fashion Haus 07.2020
In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...

Let’s Be Friends

Best of the Blog

  • Where Bloggers Live 02.2021: First Impressions Where Bloggers Live 02.2021: First Impressions posted on February 12, 2021
  • Ageless Style Link Up 02.2021 Ageless Style Link Up 02.2021 posted on February 18, 2021
  • Update 02.21.2021: My Winter Bucket List Update 02.21.2021: Winter Bucket List posted on February 21, 2021
  • 10 on the 10th: 02.10.2021 10 on the 10th: 02.10.2021 posted on February 10, 2021
  • My Wellness Journey 02.2021 My Wellness Journey 02.2021 posted on March 2, 2021

Archives

Search

Disclosure

Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click a link provided we may receive a very small commission. Thank you for your support!

My GoodReads, Follow Me!

Reading

Alison & Aubrey Accessories

Fall 2020 Capsule Wardrobe – Click to Register

Currently 09.2020

Winter 2020 Capsule Wardrobe – Click Here

10 on the 10th

10 Questions about Love

My 2020-2021 Winter Bucket List

Your 2020-2021 Winter Bucket List Invite

One Sentence a Day

ISpy Photo Challenge

Short Story Prompt Link Up Party

Short Story Prompt Link Party Featured

 

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge

Wellness Weekend

#WW2020

Ageless Style Guest Host

Fancy Friday Fashion Link-Up

 

Nancy’s

 

 

I’m A Featured Blogging Grandmother

Blogging Grandmothers Link Party Featured Blogger - A Link Party Exclusively for Blogging Grandmothers

 

Thursday Fashion Files Fashionista

Thursday-Fashion-Files-Side-Bar-150x150

Style Imitating Art

Follow me on Instagram @onceuponatimehappilyeverafter

onceuponatimehappilyeverafter

03.05.2021 My babies, Brennyn and Lauren, used to 03.05.2021 My babies, Brennyn and Lauren, used to hold hands through the daycare fence that separated them on the playground.  Love that these 2 are following suit. 
#kindercare 
@kindercare 
#sisterlove 
#insta2021📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Lovelies, it's that time again - time for the Curr Lovelies, it's that time again - time for the Currently 03.2021 link up! As always, I am joining my friend Anne at Anne in Residence for this series. For today's post we are sharing what we are  currently choosing, imagining, making, recommending and wearing.

Just a reminder:  Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links.  #Currently #HodgePodge #WinterGoals
03.03.2021 Either getting a head start on next yea 03.03.2021 Either getting a head start on next year's Valentine's Day wreath or lagging terribly behind on this year's. Enjoying the process either way. One of my #100dayproject
crafts using my @hobbylobby
wooden heart decor for inspo and my @walmart wire wreath. 
#valentinescraft 
#valentinewreath 
#lifeafterretirement 
#elpasoblogger 
#915 
#915elpaso 
#craftandcreate 
#insta2021📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
Hey dolls,  just a note to get this graphic out t Hey dolls,  just a note to get this graphic out to you for this month's 10 on the 10th:  10 Things You Love About Spring.  Our posts will go live on 03.10.2021.  Which falls on a Wednesday and is the day I go to Disney with my daughter Brennyn and her family.  But don't say anything because my granddaughter Cady doesn't know I am going.  #10onthe10th #Spring #10ThingsYouLoveAboutSpring
02.27.2021 "Will he bite?" Feeding our young to th 02.27.2021 "Will he bite?" Feeding our young to the tiger.
#elpasozoo 
#zooday 
#granddaughterlove 
#insta2021📸 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter
02.25.2021 One of my favorite people, Lucia Caroli 02.25.2021 One of my favorite people, Lucia Carolina. Love our games of "babies" and hiding the bunnies, and races to the door on the days I take you to school.  I love you,  CiaSue.
#grandmasofinstagram 
#grandmasofinstagram 
#onceuponatimehappilyeverafter 
#insta2021📸 
#makingmemories
Load More... Follow on Instagram

FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST

Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

Categories

  • Craft
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Love
  • Reviews

Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email

Links

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Where I Link-Up
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.