“Last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” ~ T.S. Eliot
Welcome back to Sunday Stills, and my blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday. I had a nice, short blog break and we are currently enjoying the New Year’s holidays in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For this two-week photo challenge, looking back at your year in photos can be done however you choose. I’m sharing my favorites from each month of 2023, which include the wows, special memories, and notable captures. Many of these choices were inspired by blogger’s comments.
For the last two years, I’ve belonged to a local Facebook group where we share photos of Nine Mile Falls and surrounding areas. I’ve lost count of how many photos I’ve shared, but some of them attracted much attention.
Disclaimer: there is a LOT to this post…skimming is allowed.
Jaw-Dropping January
From record-breaking snowfall to a moose roaming our backyard, January was unexpectedly eventful. Good thing too, because my SAD reared its annoying head and had me sitting by the sunlamp every morning. Snow really creates some stunning photography.
“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
I began my collaboration with Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday with this image of our winter wonderland.
Favorable, But Frosty February
Despite 3 feet of snow, there was loveliness and we managed to feed the birds that winter here.
March Madness
Two road trips in March defined a bit of the madness I felt on the road. Road trip #1 found me driving a surly neighbor to see a dog in Southern Washington by way of Oregon’s Hwy 84. While I waited for winter to end, the spring equinox brought joy to my heart and soul.
April Adventures
The road trip #2 began on March 26th as we headed south to San Diego. After 3 days on the road, we happily landed in San Diego and rejoiced with my daughter as she married her sweetheart on April 1.
Adventures with bloggers and family members and lots of gorgeous scenery that included Bryce Canyon National Park and Horseshoe Bend gave us a new perspective and helped us welcome spring!
Magnificent May
May In Northeastern Washington is when spring truly arrives. Days are longer, the air is warmer and people are out working in their yards. Flowers and trees are blooming, and dogs are rolling on the grass!
Later in the month, we took a trip to the local dams that created Lake Spokane from the Spokane River. The images of wild sunflowers (arrowleaf balsamroot) and the bridge near Long Lake Dam were quite popular with my local Facebook group.
Joyful June
After our long summer 2022 road trip, and on the heels of April’s, we decided to stay home all summer and enjoy our backyard. I discovered a local lavender farm just minutes from home. We also attended two family birthday parties. I wrote an article for the local paper to report the dedication of the Spokane House.
July Jackpot
Spending July at home in our backyard was eventful with birds enjoying the new birdbath,…
… seeing fireworks from our backyard, and then hosting my brothers and their families really hit the jackpot for us. Our new patio cover and deck extension have been amazing additions to our home.
Auspicious August
After enjoying several auspicious wedding anniversaries with family members, we also visited British Columbia, Canada for the first time. We spent the evening in Radium Hot Springs on a warm, smoky day.
A Sagacious and Satisfying September
Despite the incredible details and time demanded of me and my brothers, we successfully moved my parents from the mountains of Northern California to the Rim Country of Payson, Arizona. Their new rental home has just enough space in the perfect small town where elk walk peacefully along the streets.
Opportune October
Autumn in the Inland Northwest can be quite lovely, with warm air temperatures and colorful foliage. One fine day, I took a new opportunity to drive and park on the overlook to the Indian Trails and Nine Mile Falls communities. What a view!
A quick walk on the Centennial Trail yielded an autumn glow of the Spokane River below the dam,
then further along the trail… this!
November Shared Nature’s Finest
The first half of November was still colorful as we prepared for the holidays. With the promise of a cold, clear night came the opportunity to witness another aurora from our front yard. My daughter visited for Thanksgiving, and we took a trip to Lake Coeur d’Alene to spot the bald eagles during their annual hunt for kokanee salmon.
“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
Dashing Through December
Having made the decision to embark on another road trip south after Christmas, December put us in a fabulous mood. Dasher and Prancer graced our lawn in the sparkling, cold afternoon light, while morning sunrises knocked our socks off. Then we put the socks back on because it’s cold 😉.
“Home is where the heart is and Christmas lives there, too.” ~ John Denver
We are really enjoying being in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. We arrived on December 29 and have been busy ever since.
Inspiring Photo Challenges This Week
Each week I find inspiration from my fellow bloggers’ photo challenges. I enjoy incorporating these into my Sunday Stills weekly themes.
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post. If you choose to link to Sunday Stills, please leave a comment on my post.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
This Week’s Featured Bloggers
Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers, poets, artists, and photographers who desire to connect with one another. I will add these over the next two weeks as new links are posted. Please note that added links may be a bit delayed depending upon my schedule this month. Below are this week’s links from bloggers who shared photos of their best of 2023.
- YOUR BLOG’S NAME GOES HERE…
- Always Write
- Between the Lines
- Between the Lines Part 2
- Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
- The Day After
- Deb’s World
- The DogLady’s Den
- EquiposeLife
- Graham’s Island
- Graham’s Island Part 2
- Light Words
- Loving Life
- Loving Life Part 2
- Natalie the Explorer
- Picture Retirement
- Quaint Revival
- The Showers of Blessings
- The Showers of Blessings Part 2
- Stevie Turner
- Stevie Turner Part 2
- This is Another Story
- Travel with Me
- Travels and Trifles
- Walkin’, Writin,’ Wit & Whimsy
- Wandering Dawgs
- WillowDot
- Working On Exploring
If you are too busy to publish a post this week, remember you can post your 2023-in-Review anytime over the next two weeks. The link begins Dec 31 and runs through Jan 12.
If you have already published a 2023 “retrospective” post, please feel free to link it to this post so we can all enjoy YOUR 2023.
Upcoming January Themes
- Dec 31 – Jan 7 — 2023 Year-in-Review!
- Jan 7 2023 Year-in-Review continues
- Jan 14 Through A Window
- Jan 21 Monthly Color Challenge: Aquamarine (light icy blue)
- Jan 28 Something to Do
“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” –Rainer Maria Rilke
Happy New Year!
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