Poetic Capture : bird's nests, blackberries, chia tea (YUM!), homemade gummies, and my new "spider pod"....

Opening up a new week of my 365... week twenty-one! This past week I struggled more than usual to put my heart into my photographs. Finding new to photograph in the old felt like I was trying to squeeze water out of a dry sponge. Surprisingly, however, my photos didn't turn out entirely horrible despite my seeming lack of enthusiasm and inspiration... I'm actually moderately happy with my photos this week (something I can't always say even on those weeks when I feel most inspired!).

Most of all I pushed through the cloud and that's what matters! I think this week will be better. That's something I like about doing this project - every week feels like a new page.

Tuesday: photo one-hundred-forty-one: blackberries. they're coming in like crazy. and i l.o.v.e. it! we have this huge blackberry bush on our land and i love slipping on my plaid rain boots to go out picking. i love blackberry season. it feels so poetic to go out and pick blackberries. maybe it's just me but that's how i feel. something about picking your own food that feels... reminiscent. old fashion, simple, and raw.

Wednesday: one-hundred-forty-two:

i am aware those speckles in my drink loosely resemble little brown bugs, but bear with me... it's merely none other than the all astounding chia tea!! my new favorite. let me explain. what are chia seeds? chia seeds... they're a seed. and they're full of omega 3s and fiber! and when these crunchy little seeds are soaked in water, they develop a gelatinous coating that makes these guys super yum when paired with tea and a sweetener. very reminiscent of bubble tea (oh, don't know what bubble tea is? look it up! because it's also amazing!). i like mine best with freshly brewed rose tea, a bit of creamer and stevia to taste. if you have texture issues however these may not be your thing... but to me drinking these little guys... it feels literally like a party in my mouth... so you need to try this so you can at least say you tried.

Thursday: photo one-hundred-forty-three:

gummies are yummies. yes, they are. especially when you make them yourself!! these beautiful little gummy bears (and gummy stars because when you eat these guys you really are a star! and yes now i'm spiraling off into cornball space) are free of all refined sugar and other nasty stuff. instead these are filled with real fruit, fruit juice, and stevia to sweeten. found this wonderful recipe *here.

Friday: photo one-hundred-forty-four:

it was that moment of horror. that boom-putter-putter you hear when you drop your iPod. i'd dropped it before... but this apparently was that one last fatal drop that did me in. i picked it up from it's face down position... and, my jaw dropped. it'd happened. my screen had cracked. from edge to edge. in it's defense, it still works... and in my defense, i wasn't really being careless, but sometimes things just slip from your grip. anyway, to make myself feel better until i'm able to get it fixed i have renamed it my spiderpod (you know, since it has a "web" running across it's exterior). this at least makes the crack a touch endearing...

Saturday: photo one hundred-forty-five:

outside on my front porch i was so pleased the other day. a birds nest with two beautiful little birds to gourd! i can't say what kind of birds they are, but they're so very lovely. look at that little pinch of autumn orange just beneath their beaks. such a rich color. the first photo pictures that daddy bird perched atop a windows edge. the second photo is of the mommy bird in her nest.

I was very pleased to have been able to capture such close-up photos of these little guys. what fun!

they were perched directly across from the other, watching their surroundings with sharp eyes.

Sunday: photo one-hundred-forty-six:

my family already has four (indoor) dogs. well here comes this little lady... a pitiful little stray my sister picked up and brought to our door. i desperately argue in favor that we in no way shape nor form need yet another dog. but i'm afraid she may be here to stay... we'll see...