Adventures

2022 Recap

| terriaw

I went through my photo library from 2022 to find the good moments, and there were a lot considering it was a weird year.

I filled up a lot of sketchbooks and made a lot of art. Looking back through my sketchbook art, I always wish I made more art but I am excited to finally be drawing people! Here’s my top nine according to Instagram:

Here’s some of my own personal favorites, some duplicates with my Instagram friends:

I am so grateful I got to travel to Naples, Florida early in the year for some rest and relaxation and one of my favorite things – beach time. I also got to spend time at the lake house on Lake Michigan in Door County and go on a few adventures close to home. If I had to pick some of my favorite adventures from this past year, I would choose these top nine, and some fun nature photos below that:

My dad unexpectedly passed away this year which was tough so I’m happy to have found some good moments that made me happy. Cheers to 2023!

2021 Recap

| terriaw

I went through my photo library from 2021 to find the good moments, and there were a lot considering it was another tough year.

My first illustrated children’s picture book was published! It was a lot of fun work, drawing and painting the scenes, designing the layout, ordering the books, designing stickers and fun marketing materials and promoting it. I’m already halfway through illustrating our second book.

I filled up a lot of sketchbooks and made a lot of art. If I had to pick just a few of my favorite illustrations from this past year, I would choose these top nine:

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Looking back through my sketchbook art, I always wish I made more art!

I am so grateful I got to travel to Naples, Florida before the world shutdown. I also got to spend time at my parents’ lake house on Lake Michigan in Door County and go on a few adventures close to home. If I had to pick some of my favorite adventures from this past year, I would choose these top nine:

The year 2021 was another tough year so I’m happy to have found so many good moments that made me happy. Cheers to 2022!

Summer Weekend Adventures

| terriaw

Weekends are never long enough, especially in summer.

Spending a long holiday weekend at my parents’ house on Lake Michigan is always full of adventures, from kayaking to hiking. This time we also hiked The Ridges and the Mink River Trail.

Exploring the variety of flora is a fun treasure hunt throughout the seasons.

Noticing the wildlife is an exciting outdoor activity too, finding birds, wildlife and insects.

Some critters are hard to capture with the camera, like this pileated woodpecker, and other critters are fun to watch their shenanigans, like these cute little red squirrels chomping on cones right outside our kitchen door.

And of course, there are many varieties of butterflies and dragonflies to follow. I’ve never seen this particular 12-Spotted skimmer dragonfly before. I had fun following a tiger swallowtail and a few monarchs too.

I always cherish these weekend getaways and wish I could stay longer. I’m already looking forward to the next one! Cheers to more summer weekend adventures!

Lake life

| terriaw

One of my favorite things in life is water, so I love spending time at my parents’ lake house.

Their house sits in between the water and wooded bluffs so it’s quiet and peaceful, perfect to take a nap in the hammock or just watch the wind blow over the water.

Or go for a hike to explore the flora and fauna in the woods.

Last weekend we had the bluest sky I’ve ever seen!

Fun to end each evening with a beach bonfire at sunset!

Cheers to summer!

Bright Spots

| terriaw

It’s been sooo cold around here lately that I haven’t been able to get out for some wintery walks in the neighborhood or on the trails. It’s minus 5 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like minus 25!

I have been noticing bright spots out my windows lately.

Still a joy to be able to continue working from home these days so I can soak these quiet little moments in my own backyard.

Snowy Hideout

| terriaw

We got another big snow storm this week with almost 9 inches of new snow.In the midst of that snow storm, I noticed Mr. Cardinal hiding out in a tree outside my kitchen window.

Mrs. Cardinal is hiding in that tree this afternoon, taking a nap, but my camera couldn’t focus on her through the window and branches.

Such a joy to work from home these days and notice these little storybook moments in my own backyard!

Frosty Mornings

| terriaw

We received more snow over the past week, and the mornings are quite frosty, creating the most tranquil environment to just sit still and take notice of the quiet.

Every leaf, stem, twig and branch is covered in ice crystals, making everything look like a winter wonderland. If you shook up a snowglobe, this is what it might look like in real life.

Winter in January can be so magical and peaceful!

Take a Hike… Snowshoeing!

| terriaw

We got our first big snow storm of the winter season over the weekend, which dumped about 8-10″ of fresh snow.

It was heavy snow since it started out as rain, so I’m grateful for the new ATV with a plow on it.

I broke out my snowshoes for the first time in many years. I couldn’t even remember how to put them on!

It was great to be out there exploring without sinking into the snow.

It’s a magical, winter wonderland around here now so I’m excited for winter sports, especially hiking with my snowshoes.

Take A Hike

| terriaw

I left work a little early on my birthday to go for a hike before it got dark. It was wonderful to get out there!

One of my favorite things to do is hiking, especially in the woods, so I’m grateful to have a trail so close to my house. It’s always fun to see nature change through the seasons.