Sky Camp Snow Man

Sky Camp Snow Man, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We had a great weekend of speaking and getting to know some delightful college students!

We woke up to the most beautiful blanket of snow. People were so happy. These are the two high school sitters who took care of the five kids on the retreat while their parents led the retreat.

I just thought this picture showed the joy of the snow at Sky Camp.

Then, the pictures to follow will show the stress of the snow at Sky Camp. The cooks, who had left right after breakfast, when the snow was pretty light, said that there was a tree covering the road. Someone came out and chain sawed it away. Then, the power at the camp went out (probably due to other downed trees on power lines). Then, the proprietor of the camp said, "Don't even worry about cleaning up your cabins. You have to get out of here or you may be stuck here without power!"

So, we kicked into high gear to pack up the whole camp. I was personally excited that I would get out of cleaning a bathroom!

LOL! It was exciting an end to a fun weekend. Read on.

Grateful for Four Wheel Drive and Chains

Grateful for Four Wheel Drive and Chains, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We knew our trusty BURB would make it out of Sky Camp!

Stuck in the Snow at Sky Camp

Stuck in the Snow at Sky Camp, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

January 27

After the initial excitement of the snow in the morning, Jerome, the college pastor, came to the realization that he probably wasn't going to get the bus down from Sky Camp.

No chains

No chains, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Jerome didn't have chains for the church bus!

Finally Out

Finally Out, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Winberry Creek was a welcome sight after we came off the unploughed road out of Sky Camp. We had four wheel drive and chains and we were followed by the fifteen passenger van full of college students that needed to get back for midterm studying.

My dh and the college pastor came back to our town, turned back around to pick up the remaining 20 stranded retreat attenders between the two cars. They did manage to get chains on the bus afterall and they all caravaned down the hill and made it out with only the small car getting stuck for a bit.

On the Move!

On the Move!, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

January 25

I think this is called "When the Wind Blows" where you have to move when you can say yes to the question. Loved the motion of this picture.

College Retreat at Sky Camp

College Retreat at Sky Camp, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

George and I were asked to speak at a College Retreat for our church. We spoke on "Living an Intentional Life." George took a pic of me participating in the games.

Awakening to Snow

Awakening to Snow, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.5
We were delighted to see this on the ground. It was just a light dusting, but it was so beautiful.

Snow by Morning Light

Snow by Morning Light, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Dream of Softly Falling Snow

Dream of Softly Falling Snow, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

George Taking Pictures of Me Taking Pictures!

George Taking Pictures of Me Taking Pictures!, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Don't You Love the Outfit?

Don't You Love the Outfit?, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Just found this. George took a picture of me taking pictures in the snow. I didn't stop to get dressed and just pulled the boots and coat on over my PJ's!

Loved Jonathan's Face

Loved Jonathan's Face, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Michael shared his party with Paul (in pic) because he didn't get one with his friends in November when we were in California (the one of Michael blowing them out didn't turn out).

I love his friend Jonathan's expression as Paul is blowing!

Forlorn Frog before the Flogging

Forlorn Frog before the Flogging, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

This was the last picture before we strung him up and started beating on this poor frog. I just thought he looked pretty forlorn.

We went through ALL fifteen participants until my son came to bat and missed and shattered our garage window instead of the frog.

He got the last laugh!

Friends Since Birth

Friends Since Birth, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

I helped "birth" Isaac. I had to pull his dad out of the way of the line of birth because his dad had fainted on the floor. I was three months pregnant with Paul at the time.

Isaac is OUT THERE, funny, and loves everybody. My son is more conservative in his public demonstrations. Can you tell which one is my son and which one is Isaac?

I know it is grainy, but it just made me smile.

The Party Shoes

The Party Shoes, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

We have had some of these kids come to our birthday parties since their shoes were really small. They have all grown, and their shoes take up a sizeable portion of our entryway.

Make me smile.

Made Me Laugh

Made Me Laugh, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

On the way to Michael's birthday dinner with grandma, I noticed this statue with a bow, and it made me laugh.

This store is on a major intersection, and the outside looks like a junkyard. It just bugs me. So disorderly!

I am glad I took a picture because THE NEXT DAY, they had a "Going out of Business" sign. HALLELUJAH! The public eyesore is going to be GONE!

My Men Set Up Our New Computer

My Men Set Up Our New Computer, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

A new HP Pavilion that specializes in media. With all the pictures and movies, this was a great addition.

So Behind on Mount Washmore!

So Behind on Mount Washmore!, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Julie's Hummus

Week 2: Julie's Hummus, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Julie has given this yummy recipe more than once, and I finally got around to make it. It is part of my effort to try new, healthy recipes this year!

Michael's Fedora & Trench Coat

Michael's Fedora & Trench Coat, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Favorite Picture of Week 1 taken on January 7

Michael, Paul, and Isaac decided to make a "gangster" funny movie. When cleaning out my mom's closet, I was going to get rid of this trench coat, but my sister-in-law encouraged me to take it. I am so glad she did! Michael's eyes BEAMED when he saw it. He has always wanted a trench coat for their movie making!

His birthday is not until January 24, but Paul found the perfect birthday present to compliment his trench coat: a FEDORA! When we knew they were doing a movie, Paul quickly gave him his present early! He was THRILLED, and I love this picture of him!

Family Footprints

Family Footprints, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

After dinner, it began to snow. We were all comparing the arches in our feet. Michael and George (on the left) have much higher arches than me (third from right), and Paul just has flat feet (on right).

King's Day Cake

King's Day Cake, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Happy Epipany! We do a Treasure Chest Cake with three purple candles to represent the three kings. This ends the twelve days of Christmas for us.

Car Reflections

Car Reflections, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Loved the sky in the reflection on my window.

28 Inch Steelhead From Heaven

Steelhead Fish From Heaven, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

On my day of prayer, I prayed that God would just bless George with "fish from heaven" on his fishing trip on New Year's Day. I laughed when he called me from the Alsea River all EXCITED that he caught two bright Steelhead Salmon (Ocean going rainbow trout for those of you who care) that he could KEEP because they are hatchery fish. In Oregon, we can't keep the wild ones. He had a GREAT day. I can't find the ones he took on the river. When I do. I will post them too. It was an exciting day for all of us as we FEASTED on this for dinner!

Scales

Scales, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Poor Girl

Poor Girl, originally uploaded by carolfoasia.

Thanks Everyone

I have so enjoyed this experience of 365. I have loved having a daily glimpse into each of your lives this last 365 days. I would love to comment on my favorites pictures from all of you, but there were so many! More than your pictures, I love your SOULS that came out in your pictures. This has touched beyond words. They say that eyes are the windows to the soul, and I think pictures are too.

I have also been able to connect with non-365ers in new and fun ways too. Everywhere I go, I have people say, "Hey, I have been looking at your pictures and have really enjoyed them!" When I have wanted to explain my journey in California when my mom was dying, I have just said, "Go to my blog." So thanks to all the non-365ers who have enjoyed this journey with me too.

All around, 365 has been another way to connect with other 365ers and just people in general. You know how I LOVE that!!!

I had forgotten how much I love photography. I love seeing life through the lens. It was a hobby that I started in college when I bought my first SLR on no interest payments through the OSU bookstore back in 1979. It was my first "big" purchase. After that I took a photojournalism class and loved it. I think I am more a photojournalist than an artist like many of you. I love the picture AND the story behind the picture. I also love to look at pictures set to music. I had forgotten that I was "commissioned" to take pictures at my sorority events. Then, I set the "year in pictures" to music that we played during sorority rush the following fall. I love creating a mood and telling a story with a photo. It thrills me, and it relaxes me at the same time. I had forgotten that I did this for my wedding and missions events in the past. Somehow, I had forgotten about it in the rush of life, and this project made me remember. I hope to continue it as a hobby on a consistent basis (and eventually I am going to READ that darn D-80 manual!)

I am just not going to take pictures at the pace of a photo a day . . .at least not for this new year. I was so excited to wake up on January 1st and realize that I didn't have to think about it! I was going to take a LONG break. LOL! Then, by the time George got home from steel head fishing at 4 p.m., I was snapping away again getting cool close ups of their eggs and bright flesh. I took pictures of the whole process from cutting them up to coming out of the oven. What can I say? I am totally hooked.

I am still posting on this site too. Just not daily. I still have all of you on Google Reader. So, I will continue to lookat yours too. Sorry I got bad about posting comments toward the end, but you understand that I had other more pressing priorities from October on. I looked at them all, and I LOVED them all, as I LOVE you all.

THANK YOU!