Vacation Snapshot: Day at the Cleveland Zoo

August 11, 2014 by 6 Comments

IMG_0239I don’t want to let Summer Photo Fun get away from us without giving you a glimpse of one of our vacation days. This year Don and I went to visit his sister Emily and her family in Ohio. Since we’d never been to Ohio before, we took time to see several of the sights.

We spotted wildlife in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and around Lake Erie, but we also got to see the exotic animals making their home in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. If you know me well, you can imagine how much fun I had snapping photos, trying my best to capture some real jewels.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from our zoo day. Hope you enjoy a peek at some of God’s amazing animals we rarely get to see. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and creative variety of your world!

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Partner to the lovely Lioness above and general all-round King of the Forest.

IMG_0289This beauty is an Egyptian Goose.

IMG_0513Oh my goodness, who wouldn’t like this Koala cutie-pie?

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Well, hello there, Giraffie-poo! :)

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Here’s some Cheetah beauty. What a gorgeous animal!

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Thank goodness this Gorilla was the strong silent type!

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The Red-crowned Crane likes to high step!

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The always impressive Grizzly Bear. That poor ear of corn didn’t have a chance!

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Just when I didn’t think I could be more amazed, he stood for us. Now THAT was impressive. Wowzers!

“Praise the LORD from the earth . . . you great sea creatures . . . wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds . . . Let them praise the name of the LORD . . .” Psalm 148: 7a,10, 13a

*What animals do you most enjoy seeing at the zoo?

*My photos

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: adventure, fun, nature, photo fun, travel, variety

Blast from Vacation-Past—Plus a Blogging Break

July 21, 2014 by 10 Comments

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This year’s Summer Photo Fun emphasis wouldn’t be complete without some sort of blast from the past, would it? Since I’m starting a two-week vacation from blogging today, I thought it would be fun to share a snapshot of the Barker gang while on vacation back in the day.

The year was 1989. We were headed into Tijuana for the day. Culottes were in style (at least my style!) and Don toted a camera nearly as big as my purse. Kristin fit in to California quite easily with her glamorous sunglasses while Kelli was missing some teeth. We were a happy little group—at least while taking this photo. You know how vacations go :)

Speaking of vacations, I’ll be back from my blogging break on August 4th. Whatever the last couple of weeks of July hold for you, I hope you get to spend some priceless time with loved ones at some point. Blessings to all—and see you in August!

“the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8

*Will you be taking a vacation this summer or have you already taken one? What did you do or where did you go?

*Our photo

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out the first of August. Sign up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: adventure, family, memories, photo fun, summer, travel

Bridal Shower Idea: A Cooking Class!

October 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, how about hostessing a bridal shower where everyone can learn a little something to add to their repertoire in the kitchen? I saw this idea on Pinterest with a pin by Loverly and immediately repinned it to my Weddings – This and That board .

If your daughter likes to cook or wants to further develop her skills in the kitchen, a cooking class bridal shower could be so much fun. Just think of the possibilities. You could ask everyone to bring their favorite recipes to share with the bride. You might suggest that everyone bring cooking or kitchen or food-related gifts. You could even make yummy treats together and then enjoy eating them after the bride opens the gifts.

These ideas just scratch the surface so let your imagination and creativity run wild. Brainstorm with those who will be hostessing the shower with you, and you will end up planning a shower your sweet daughter will always remember.

So pull out your apron, MOB, and put on your chef’s thinking-hat and get those ideas cooking!

*How about a little brainstorming now? What other ideas come to mind for a cooking class bridal shower?

*Flickr photo by rennes.i, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, adventure, bride, fun, giving, learn, Mother of the Bride, shower Tagged With: , , , ,

Chronicle the Adventure with Photos

September 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, I hope you’re hanging on tight because you and your daughter are on the ride of your lives. The adventure of planning a wedding rivals any rollercoaster you’d dare to climb on together, doesn’t it?

Don’t let this once-in-a-lifetime experience with your girl get lost in the haze of jam-packed days. Make sure to keep a record of it

The easiest way to remember your wedding planning journey is literally right at your fingertips—yes, your photo-taking fingertips. Keep your camera handy and be ready to snap a picture (or two or three!) of the wedding planning event of the day.

Shopping for the bridal gown? Take photos where allowed. A day of cake-tasting? Capture the yumminess as you live it. At the salon before the bridal portrait? Go crazy with your camera. You get the picture. (Sorry, couldn’t resist that!)

I’m glad I thought to use my camera to chronicle the wedding planning adventures I shared with my daughters. I just wish I had remembered it more often. When you’re up to your wedding-planning neck in color swatches and china patterns, snapping photos can easily get overlooked.

So MOB, try to remember that the photos you capture today will become the irreplaceable record tomorrow of the bridal ride-of-your-life you whizzed through with your altar-bound daughter. And take it from me, you’ll be grateful for each memory you preserved.

*What will you do with the photos you take of you and your daughter’s wedding planning journey? I made prints and put them in a special album, but there are lots of creative ways to save your memories. Share your ideas with a comment, please!

*Photo taken by Kristin when we were planning Kelli’s wedding

Filed Under: adventure, bride, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, preparation

Midweek Morsel: A Winner and Some Inspiration

August 29, 2013 by 4 Comments

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We have a winner for the “Back At It” Giveaway! One lucky reader has some Barnes & Noble love headed her way, and that lucky reader is Kristin! Congrats, Kristin! I’ll get the gift card to you asap. Hope you enjoy!

As for the rest of you, I’m not sending you away empty-handed. I ran across a great quote a couple of weeks ago and knew right away that I wanted to share it with you. It offered great food for thought and inspiration as well. See what you think:

“Anything, everything, little or big becomes an adventure when the right person shares it.” Kathleen Norris, bestselling poet and essayist

You know what I thought as soon as I read this? I want to be the right person! Anyone else feel the same way?

Lord, help us each one to be the kind of person who can help make life an adventure for others!

“He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us . . .” 1 Thessalonians 3:6b

*What can we do to be the right person—a person who helps make life an adventure for others?

*Flickr photo by Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It.

Filed Under: adventure, fellowship, giveaway
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