Till we meet again

When I first started blogging in 2008 I had no idea where it would take me or what to expect. Getting those first comments were so thrilling! After almost 3 1/2 years, thousands of comments, and many new friends later I am thrilled with the results of A New England Life! Your response has been overwhelming at times with many of you believing in my photography even when I didn't. It's always been exciting to show my viewers parts of New England that otherwise you might not see and I'm so glad you've tagged along, encouraging me the whole way.

Unfortunately I've been mulling it over for a while now and I do believe I am done here. Lately this blog does not leave me feeling fulfilled or happy so I've decided to move on.

However, I will be blogging over on The Sweetest Days, so if you'd like to follow along please feel free. The Sweetest Days more represents me and the type of photography and blogging I enjoy lately. Posting massive amounts of photos here (something I've imposed upon myself) is draining. On The Sweetest Days I may only post a photo or two but not much more. And they will not solely revolve around a New England theme.

Leaving here is very, very difficult. It's a decision I've been agonizing over for a while, but, I hope you've enjoyed our time together. I know I sure have!

I better post this quick before I change my mind . . .

Hugs, Sharon

Autumn Drive and Funky pumpkins

I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the photos I posted from our trip up north last week! Goodness knows it was a beauty, that's for sure!

If you don't mind, here are a few more photos.

A little confession about our trip though. The day before we went, I had been to the doctor for sciatica and lower back spasms. Even though I was very uncomfortable, and just starting prednisone, I was determined to make the trip.



About an hour after I took these photos I was in absolute agony and wondering how I would get home, the pain was so bad. While we were on the Kancamagus highway I called the doctor and she told me to take 4 ibuprofen, which I did. My husband hightailed it back to Rt 93 as quickly as possible and the whole 2 hour ride home I had to lie down in the back seat. It was a real bummer end to what was supposed to be a fabulous day.

Now I'm in physical therapy 2x a week and slowly getting better! But sitting at the computer only makes it worse : (

Remind me never to take Prednisone again. Hate, hate, hate that stuff and now I'm having withdrawal symptoms.











This past Saturday we went to a local church in Portsmouth that sells all kinds of unique pumpkins. I like 'em white, striped, and wrinkly! They come at a cost though ... $28 for those three pumpkins! Holy cow!




A photo from up by the Flume. Last night I had all my hair cut off, like Halle Berry's. Short I tell ya', but I like it.




The display out by our front door. Soft and pretty.

I hope Autumn is bringing cooler temps and brighter colors your way!

Woodstock, NH, riverview

Today my husband and I made the 2 hour trip up to the Lincoln, NH area. On the way we took a side road through Woodstock, NH. It was a fluke thing, asking my husband to turn around so we could 'take that little road back there'. I'm SO glad we did!

That little road turned out to be route 175 which runs along side Route 93. It's a nice scenic drive. I'm always a big fan of the road less traveled.

Wouldn't it have been perfect if the train were on the tressel? Now THAT would have been a picture! Sorry, I couldn't wait that long.

As you can see the foliage in the area was pretty much at peak

Hey, there's that train!

Actually I thought I saw the light through the trees as we were coming down the road. As hard as I tried, I literally had a second to get the shot. My camera wasn't on the right setting so it ended up a bit blurry since the car was moving. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Directly across the street from the river sat a home decorated for fall. I'll bet the lights on the fence are pretty at night. Living across the street from such a beautiful river must be nice, but it's so remote that I just couldn't handle it.

I hope to share more photos from our trip very soon.

Pumpkins, Roses, and Postalpix

How was your Sunday? Did you have a good day?

We're having an Indian Summer here in the northeast. Good, but not good at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I would be happy to warm for the next 6 months! The trees, not so much. Usually by now we have had several hard frosts and the tree's are really beginning to change. Instead we've only had a couple of light frosts and many of the leaves are turning brown and falling off the tree's. It isn't pretty

Looking at the forcast this week there doesn't appear to be even one night at or below freezing. Very odd indeed for New Hampshire. However, we're still getting in the Fall spirit!

In honor of Char from Ramblins, who passed away unexpectedly, earlier this year, I've been wanting to photograph small white pumpkins. See the photo on the upper right side of my blog? I've always loved that photo and I told her so when she published it.

There are many of us bloggers out there that really miss Char. She was such a smart woman with an incredible talent for finding the right words to put with her amazing photos. She was a no-holds-barred kind of lady who told it like she saw it. When Char passed away in early June she left a huge hold in the blog world. We miss you dear friend.

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Oh Instagram, you devil you! You're so addicting!

The big thing now is to order your Instagram images on Postalpix and then trade them with your Instagram friends. I swear, there's always something new coming along!

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And now I'm off to bake an Apple pie. It's in my nature to bake at night, just like my mother always did. Does anyone else bake at night?

This is what it usually looks like just before the pie goes in the oven!

After time away, I bring you flowers

After 3 weeks away it feels good to be back at my blog again. September was a month filled with emotional ups and downs, but today, the first day of October, there is peace. All I know is that some teenagers are more difficult than others, and we'll leave it at that ; )

I thought about posting beach photos but really felt like I needed to see something pretty-in-pink! And so, here you go, Gladiolus my daughter and I picked up for 'FREE' from a bucket on the side of the road. How lucky were we?! Actually they were covered in tiny ants and my daughter Elise was freaking out!!! We were picking the ants off and throwing them out the windows as fast as we could! LOL!

Gladiolus . . . sans the ants . . .

 

Several years ago I bought this petite book for the girls, titled: Believe in Yourself

Recently I brought the book out into the kitchen and leave it open to random inspirational quotes. The day I took the above photos this just happened to be the quote showing.

Beach Views

Just a few more images from an early evening walk on the beach. The same evening I shot the photos for my 'It's a dogs life on the beach' post.

I know Autumn is knocking at the door but I refuse to embrace it until I'm forced too. Summer is my season. Something that is all to short for this born and raised New Englander.

A field filled with Sparkles

Recently I happened upon a field absolutely filled, from one end to the other, with Queen Anne's Lace. Morning light is always best to show off the true beauty of nature. A little dew and a sunbeam or two helps things along.

These are but a few of the many, many photos I took. I hope you enjoy them.

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In conclusion: a happy little Katydid smiling down on my daughter and I this summer from the windshield of my car

Brushed by Irene

Yesterday during the storm my daughter and I took a ride down along the beach. As would be expected many other people did too.

It was a bit chilly and very windy. There were even a few fools in the water. I tried to capture some of the more scenic views.

He's flying!

Actually he's just a jumper : )




Semipalmated Sandpiper

Can you see it?




Even a bad day at the beach is still a good day when you're a dog

The surf was rough and the gust of wind were strong, but quite frankly I've seen the waves much worse.

Out of all the people who lost power (and there were a lot), we were one of the fortunate ones to hold onto it, and let me tell you, in this neighborhood that is a rare occurance. Today was supposed to be the first day of school for my daughter but it was cancelled. She was so disappointed. Hard to believe it's that time already. I'll be posting photos of apples before you know it!

If you experienced the wrath of Irene I do hope you weathered it well.