Bringing in the New Year in the laziest way possible. It's no secret that I started off 2022 with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. For the first week and a half of the year we took it real easy. We quarantined our 10 days, and I stayed isolated as much as I could. I really didn't want this little beast spreading to anyone else. After day eight I tested negative, so life could once again move forward. We did a lot of reading, resting, playing games, etc. Luckily I wasn't super ill, and could still function quite well. I continued my work out routine in the week, and still fulfilled all of my Mom duties with a little help from my littles. It honestly felt a little more like a 10 day break from school and life. It was nice to hunker down and enjoy a few fires in the fireplace, movie nights, and family time. December was crazy, so having a a week and a half to veg out, and enjoy one another's company was perfect. Here's a look at our not so crazy January :)
I bought a new camera lens and couldn't wait to try it out. I was SO excited when this gem arrived. Photography has been a passion for years. Getting a new little gadget or toy is always fun. I headed out one foggy morning to capture Manteca and Ripon in a new light.
One of my favorite things about where we live are these little stands. I have never seen another state or area do this. You'll see these little roadside stands along the road just like these. They could have anything from fruit, vegetables, honey, and flowers for people passing by to purchase. All are homemade or home grown. It's an honor code thing as well. No one is outside to make sure you purchase the items you take. They leave something out to drop some money in or give a Venmo code to use. There are still good trusting people in this world. I have often bought honey and flowers from these vendors.
The fog this morning was so mystical. It was such a gorgeous morning. I loved taking a little time out of the day just to shoot my surroundings. I love green. Seeing the green grass makes me happy. I miss Illinois grass and dirt to this day. There is nothing like the black dirt I grew up with. Smelling fresh cut grass is one of my all time favorite smells.
I'm always captivated by this silo when I pass by it. I see it every week as I take and pick up Quinn from pre-k. I love the brick and the aged look of it. Such a cool silo.
Almond blossom time is just about here. I love all of the orchards that surround us.
There was a gentleman out working his land early this morning. He had a fire going and working in the orchard.
A younger orchard near by.
This looks like it's right out of a story book. I was waiting for someone to come walking through, while journeying on an adventure to a distant land.
If I'm being completely honest...we have a cat problem in our city. There seem to be cats everywhere! They just roam the area. It's like seeing lots of dogs in other countries. We just have cats.
A little reality to where we live.
We have quite a few homeless people in our area. Some live this way by choice, some are here due to harder choices they've made in their lives, and some from mental illness. We have these little make shift homes all over our highways. I feel for these people. If only we could do a little more for them. I wish we could help set them up for success in life. It's a choice that needs to be made individually though. Let us all remember that that individual is someone else's son, daughter, brother, sister, etc. Finding a little empathy and care never hurt anyone.
My cute Beckham boy.
Little Miss Q.
J. Scott looking so much older now.
This is the life of a kid right here. One sock on, one sock off, completely immersed in her puzzles, and enjoying the good life. Love this little one.
Any time someone wakes up with a little crazy hair, we call it Quinnie hair. This picture sums up Quinnie hair, haha. Although, I will say, this is a little more tamed than the normal :) Love this girl more than she'll ever comprehend or could imagine.
January was a treat in a way. We spent loads of time with one another. We nurtured our relationships, rested our bodies, and enjoyed time tucked away from the world. I think we all needed this January more than we thought we did.
