Arthurian Spring

The Legend of King Arthur speaks of his return to Camloden and of bringing Spring once again to the land. I recently took my camera in hand trying to find some trace of his journey. Alas, I found no royal entourage. Instead, I saw hope in the break of an early morning snowstorm that melted by afternoon. I found magnificent architecture in the bones of trees already swelling with the hope of lush green couture. And at long last a hint of Arthur's passing here.

Eye of Glory



Sky Full of Bones


Winterhaven


Swellings




Shypie




Not-a-silly


Arthur Comes



Tender Delights

Love on the Square

I've been considering lately the labors we perform solely in the name of love. With that in mind I have brought you the creations of my dear friend Jeri, who has been making a 'Stack and Whack' quilt --a singularly unromantic name for what are some amazing quilt block medallions she has put together -- some of which you will see, she did during the photo shoot in her sewing retreat. The second set of photos are valentines that Jeri found in an old box from her grandmother and they are dated from about 1939 - 1942 and belonged to Jeri's father.
















Amazingly, all these different medallions came from pieces of this fabric that were matched and layered in strips about this width.


Thanks Jeri, I appreciate you allowing me to invade your creative territory with my camera!


These brought to mind decorating shoe-boxes with doilies and red tissue paper to take to school and hoping to get that special cherry lollipop valentine!











And lastly, Mr. Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, which is quoted liberally in Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' :

Sonnet 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Auld Lang Syne ~ Old Long Since

With the turn of the calendar, I find myself pondering the dual nature of a new year. Standing in the very heart of eternity, I look both forward and back and long for perfection.

I dream of spring in deep winter. I wish for warm earth under my hands, sand on my feet, flowers in bloom and that which eludes winter but all the other seasons possess; rainbows. I love to photograph rainbows or at least make the attempt. I found a couple of them lurking shyly in my home on New Year's day and I include them with a few sun-kissed moments from the past year.

I saw a flight of snow geese this evening and thought how New Year is a time to greet and embrace what is to come and to stretch my wings and glide a little higher and faster than before. It is also a time to look with an inward eye and mend mistakes and heal. And with that thought, I include my poem 'Road to Damascus'.

May your winter fireside be lustrous, your dreams be wondrous and your goals be met.

Next to the front door




Garage floor as canvas


Albion meadow is a blissful place in July. It was introduced by dear friends. I then in turn took other friends and family for a number of jaunts 'up the canyon'. Camera in hand, of course.

The picture above is the bud form of the flower in bloom below. It's called a Sugarbowl or Hairy Clematis. I think they look like wigs for fairies.


My favorite flower: White Columbine


This flower was both alluring and alarming. A siren demanding to be photographed. What is it? Write me with your guesses! Taken at Key West, Fla.


I love it when every imaginable shade of blue is within reach. Castaway Cay.


Thanks Lani, for this one. TJ's Birthday, Castaway Cay


Higher, faster! Lake Powell, July.


Cookiejar at sunset. July, Lake Powell, UT/AZ


Sunset through the rain at Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Sept.


Road to Damascus

Saul traveled the road to Damascus
On him Christ’s light fell ‘round
And in his silence and his prayers
A mighty faith was found

We too, Lord, travel upon the road
Mistakes made on the way
We kick against the pricks in vain
Forgiveness grant, we pray

Oh let the scales fall from our eyes
That we may truly see
And do what e’er thy will for us
And be a friend to thee

-Laura

Christmas Wish

I tried to write a wish list
Thinking of holiday joys
Of tinsel wrapped packages
And whispered rumors of toys

The page remained a blank
My pen just wouldn’t write
It’s late, but here’s my wish
On this Christmas night

I want to hear the laughter
Of loved ones by the fire
Take me dancing in the kitchen
Give me the singing of a choir

I wish to see each dear face
As we hear the story told
Of the baby who is our King
More prized than jewels or gold

Smile and hold me close
Gather the children around
For in your hearts is where I know
My Christmas gifts are found

So sing the songs of long ago
Tell stories that are true
And seal my wish
In winter’s dream kiss
It’s Christmas I ask from you

- Laura Hickman

The above poem was written for my family as I always have a difficult time making a wishlist for Christmas.
I dug deep into Santa's sack and found a few photos which are evocative of the season. The two stained glass photos are from the cathedral in Monaco and I took them in 2007. The deer are from a recent trip to Manilla, Utah. The fog and frost pictures are first day of winter, December 21st, 2009 at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Cookie night is a must at our house and turned out to be quite fun with all us 'big kids'(and the 'kids' cleaned up! Thanks guys.) And the last is of Santa and I in 1960. Hugs and Merry Christmas!















December Rose










What you can't see here is that as the fog lifted and the sun came out, the trees shed their 'frosting' in glittering crystal points of light. Sorry, can't capture that on film...it was just for me.

Click on photo below for cool ecu!!



Traditional cookie night. And yes, I ate two of these while editing this blog tonight. YUM!




Santa and Laura 1960