My 2010/365 project

When I first heard of the 365 photo project, which consists of taking a photo each day and posting it, I thought it was interesting.  I enjoyed looking at the photos being shared on twitter and enjoyed perusing the 365 groups on flickr.  As a mom with young children, there are many times I wished I had a camera ready to snap a cute moment.  So in 2009 I gave the project a try ...and fizzled out. 

But what I discovered from looking at my colleagues pictures on flickr is that I really enjoyed looking at how moments were captured; composition, lighting and expressions.  I found myself continuing to keep a camera with me at all times and photographing moments and images I never had before.  I decided to trade my point and shoot camera for a DSLR and a love affair with photography truly began.  I couldn't wait to begin the next year with a new 365 project. 

So here I am proudly sharing my first completed 365 project. You can look at them all individually here where I have written a little description for most of them, but what I really looked forward to doing was putting my completed project into a video like my friend Dean does. What I noticed while putting them together is that my photos really do tell the story of my year.  They show my life as a mother, aunt, teacher, friend, reader, shopper, Floridian, Disney fan and most of all, photographer.  I hope you enjoy watching. :)

Melanie's 365/2010 project from Melanie Holtsman on Vimeo.

Thankfulness

Ok, this is exactly why I needed the blog challenge.  I need a post to be burning under my feet to get written.  Even if I'm running late getting it up I am thinking about it constantly and crafting it in my head.  (Over a MONTH late!) So, on that note, better late than never....here are my thoughts on thankfulness.

I am thankful most of all for all of the things I should be thankful for, my beautiful family, God, my job, friends, etc.  I don't mean to belittle those things, because they are BIG things, but this year I tried to think a little further about things I take for granted.

The first thing that came to mind was simple:  health.  For the past 2 months I have watched my mother undergo radiation and chemotherapy for throat cancer.  We have been blessed that they found it early enough to treat and she has a good prognosis for recovery.  But during the treatment it has been difficult.  I have been reminded to be thankful for small things we take for granted with our health... being able to swallow easy, a sense of taste, energy to get up in the morning, healthy skin and having the luxury of hair on our head. 

I have also been reminded to be thankful for having a mother still walking on this earth.