wedding couple
Terri Webster Schrandt

Sunday Stills: Looking Back at the Best of #2023

“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.

early morning sunlight snowy street
Winter Light

“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.

snow scene Tanka Tuesday
Homestead in the snow
Moose on the Loose
Moose Enjoying a Backyard Stroll

Favorable, But Frosty February

Despite 3 feet of snow, there was loveliness and we managed to feed the birds that winter here.

February pink snow
Pink Snow Glow
Snowy Grid
Redheaded purple finch
Redheaded purple finch

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.

Green Hood River Bridge, Oregon
Hood River Bridge Oregon
sunrise on aspen tree bud
Spring Awakens

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.

Wedding
My Daughter’s April Wedding
wedded bliss
Truly a Happy Couple

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!

People eating lunch
Blogger Get-Together in Scottsdale, Arizona
Iconic Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona
Iconic Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona
Bryce Canyon view
Me at Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos

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!

Forest floor arrowleaf-balsamroot sunflowers
So. Many. Sunflowers.
purple hydrangea
New purple hydrangea
Dog rolling in backyard lawn

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.

Wild Sunflowers frame the raging waters at Nine Mile Falls Dam
Wild Sunflowers frame the raging waters at Nine Mile Falls Dam
Bridge over Spokane River After Long Lake Dam
Bridge over Spokane River south of Long Lake Dam

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.

lavender field
Local lavender farm
My six foot Eagle and Bear Totem
Eagle, Bear and Me!
Spokane Tribe Drummers practice
Spokane Tribe Drummers practice

July Jackpot

Spending July at home in our backyard was eventful with birds enjoying the new birdbath,…

Two bluebirds taking a bath
Western Bluebirds
Annoyed looking Western Bluebird taking a bath
Don’t bother me!

… 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.

Fireworks against a blue night sky
Illegal fireworks everywhere!
Backyard deck and patio
Our New Deck!
Backyard deck and patio cover
Patio cover

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.

Fire on the ridge, Invermere, British Columbia
Fire on the ridge, Invermere, British Columbia
Street through Radium Hot Springs
Street through Radium Hot Springs
View Radium Hot Springs Pool
Radium Hot Springs Pool

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.

Maroon house with car
Parents’ Home in Payson
Bull Elk
Strolling Elk

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!

Autumn View over Indian Trail area
Bird’s Eye View

A quick walk on the Centennial Trail yielded an autumn glow of the Spokane River below the dam,

Spokane River
Spokane River View from Charles Road
Autumn colors along the Spokane River

then further along the trail… this!

Moose on the trail
Mr Moose

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.

Northern lights and Big Dipper
The Big Dipper tried to steal the show
Juvenile American Bald Eagle
Juvenile Bald Eagle

“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

Sunlit Deer
December Sunrise

We are really enjoying being in the Scottsdale, Arizona area. We arrived on December 29 and have been busy ever since.

Dawn in the Desert
View from my brother’s window
snowflake border

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.

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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120 comments

  5. My favourite? You won’t be surprised to know it’s that view to Indian Trails and Nine Mile Falls communities. Wow! That photo is stunning, Terri. I’d seriously entered it into any photography competitions you may come across.
    Thanks so much for the yearly wrap-up. You did so much and summed it all up so nicely with stunning pictures.
    I hope you’re enjoying your time in Scottsdale.
    Happy 2024.

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    • Thank you, Hugh! I was so happy to capture the communities from the overlook. When I shared it in my Facebook group, many said they saw their homes in the pic! It was a popular share! I enjoy doing the yearly wrap up but it’s too hard to only pick 12 😉
      We’re enjoying Scottsdale but we’re in the middle of a very cold snap (29f) this a.m. But the sun is out and that’s what I need.

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  8. Terri, let me try commenting many times the new program kicks me out. My Dear I do very much appreciate the work you do and look forward to it every week. I’m thrilled seeing the photos of your daughter’s wedding. That day was one of the highlights of my life and I see it was for you too.
    Happy new year 😍

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  9. You DID have a busy year. It was nice to go back through and remember some of them. Spokane has sure suited you two well. So much to see and do in addition to your travels. I love that you get moose, but outside your brothers window sure is beautiful . Welcome to 2024. Thank you for the inspiriting you bring to so many.

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  11. Enjoyed your review of the year Terri, it was surely action-packed!!! I remembered the wedding images which were lovely and am happy to see you enjoying some sunshine despite having to miss the moose visits (so cool!). Your eagle image is beautiful. It seems you’ve adapted beautifully (SAD not-withstanding) to the northern life! I’m linking my “favorites of the year” post as it seems to fit your theme. Happy New Year! https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2024/01/06/lens-artists-challenge-281-favorite-images-of-2023/

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  20. Thanks for sharing your year with us in photos Terri. Oh I do miss our trips to Arizona. Take it all in and enjoy the warmer weather and family. Happy 2024 and the best of everything to you. ❤

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  23. What a fun way to look back at the year, Terri, to notice all the beauty and remember the good times. I recognized most of the photos and delighted in seeing them again. Wishing you a marvelous 2024 filled with lots of good shots, great adventures, and beautiful memories in the making.

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  28. What a beautiful review of your year in pictures. I recognize many of the places – it looks like we are practically neighbors. I can identify with the SAD, as I get tired of the dark, gray days in our area as well. Smart idea to go get some Arizona sunshine. Happy new year to you!

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  29. Looks like you had a busy, interesting year! 🙂 You live in a beautiful area. Love the wildlife pics! We had much less snow last winter but it was very cold. I also experience S.A.D. when there are too many gloomy days. Your daughter lives in San Diego? What a fabulous place to have a wedding! (My parents moved there in the 70s and remained for life, so I know it well.) She and her husband make a handsome couple. Breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon! Thanks for that glimpse. It must be spectacular in person. Dogs rolling in the grass is a sure sign of spring. 😀
    You must be thrilled to avoid the worst of winter by spending the month in Arizona. Enjoy the warmth and sunshine! 🌞 (I’m envious! 😉 ) Happy New Year! 🥂
    My entry:
    https://thedogladysden.com/2023-year-in-pictures-sundaystills-on-a-monday-photography/

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  30. Terri,
    You are so creative, and visiting Sunday Stills is a real treat. The pictures shared here are lovely, but my favorite is the barn in the snow-covered field in February—the silence is deafening. Have a wonderful time in Arizona and a fabulous start to a happy and healthy 2024. Joe

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  42. Hi Terri, from ‘Jaw Dropping January’ to ‘Dashing through December’, you have beautifully recapped the year. It’s hard to pick a favorite month, but the Autumn colors are pretty fantastic. Wishing you a healthy and happy new year. P.S. My blog went bonkers this morning and the URL you linked to is broken. I corrected it, but if you would be so kind to fix things on your end, the new URL is here https://aslifeevolves.com/2023/12/29/the-year-that-was-2023/ Thanks!

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  43. I enjoyed every bit of this post, Terri. The strolling moose–I want one in my neighborhood. The Big Dipper–amazingly, I saw it from my backyard one night. Crystal clear and then never again. The Totem Pole–it’s on my bucket list. Happy New year, dear efriend.

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  44. Hi, Terri – This is such a lovely wrapup! Your photos are beautiful and the title alliterations add to the joyfulness of this post. Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy 2024. I look forward to contining to follow your words, photographs and adventures.

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  46. Hi Terri, I too enjoyed your alliteration headings and all your wonderful memories in words and photos. What a year you had! You live in a beautiful part of the world and the bird’ eye view with all the autumnal colour is fabulous plus the colours of the rocks at Bryce Canyon would be great to see in real life. I always like seeing other people’s worlds and blogging and Sunday Stills in particular, help me to do this, so again, many thanks for hosting us. Happy New Year and I’ll be back to join you in 2024.

    2023 – Looking in the rear view mirror #SundayStills

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  47. I’m thankful to report that I remember you sharing many of these photos and the stories that went with them at the time you posted. What a rich and wonderful 2023 you had despite any of the obstacles you overcame. Santa delivered to me a Happy Light, and I love it so much, it’s amazing how they work. I love all the photos, especially that Lake Coeur d’Alene bald eagle photo – it’s so interesting to see how they look when they’re younger. Happy New Year to you and yours, I look forward to seeing what joys you discover in 2024! Safe travels!!

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  51. You had an exciting year Terri!
    A good friend of mine had SAD. When it was nearing time for him and his wife to retire, he researched the places in the U.S. with the most days of sunshine per year. I figured it was San Diego as that’s what I heard, but it is Las Cruces, New Mexico They left Michigan for NM right after they retired.
    I love when Spring awakens everything. I don’t know how it will unfold in 2024 since we have the El Niño weather pattern, but according to a retired weatherman/avid climatologist I follow on Twitter, he says prior weather patterns make him confident we’ll get slammed mid-January and all thru February with snow! Say it isn’t snow! I hope he’s wrong … I deal with the snow shoveling and it will mess up walking for sure.
    I enjoyed your trips, your landscape photos of places where I’ve never been and can only dream of. I used to travel a lot when I was younger. And it is nice to see your family photos as well.
    I also enjoy your wildlife photos – I’ve not seen a moose – yet.
    I miss having the flowers and bird sanctuary I once had in my backyard. Over the Winter I have to decide what to do with my backyard which looks very different now after the December 2022 fire from the downed wire, between burned bushes debris removed and now bare looking back there and the removal of two trees that my energy provider hacked up when they repaired the downed wire – it was NOT my tree that caused the branch that fell on the wire and that very large dead tree remains in the neighbor’s yard.
    I wish you a wonderfully warm time in Arizona – I am envious for that respite.
    All the best to you and your family in 2024!
    Here is my equally as picture-laden, year-end wrap-up post which, for whatever reason is only showing up in Reader and not on my blog site:
    https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/12762988/posts/5055757608

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    • Your friends weather predictions could be right. We may have a late winter blast in the west as we head home late January. Ugh.
      There are so many national and state parks out west. I’m scheduled to take tour at Antelope Canyon in 2 weeks. Can’t wait. Then we head to San Diego for a week, then back to AZ. I’m enjoying the sunshine so far. Happy New Year, Linda!

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      • I was surprised about New Mexico Terri. My friend Terry found an apartment and stayed there three Winter months before he retired. His wife flew out and they looked for a house. He was a writer and had a small PR/marketing business; his wife had a hospital PR job. So he could work from anywhere; she could not. He loved it there. He showed me photos of their house, cacti instead of flowers/bushes and decorative gravel instead of grass – he said “no more yardwork, I love it.” Unfortunately he had a stroke a couple of years after they moved there and got COVID while in a rehab center and passed away.

        You have an ambitious schedule for the Winter and I hope you can rethink the return trip to home base in late January and save yourself from aggravation. Happy New Year back at you Terri!

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  57. What a wonderful post, taking us through an inspiring and happy year for you and yours full of interesting words and glorious photos.
    Thank you for including my not an end of year review.
    I wish you and yours a happy, healthy peaceful and prosperous New Year 💜💜💜💜

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