Posted on Leave a comment

TWiP: the writing on the steps

This Week in Pictures (TWiP) at Polka Dot Cottage

Some weeks, my images are 100% representative of how I have spent my time. Other weeks, like this one, they barely scratch the surface. This tends to happen when the ways I am spending my time are not particularly photogenic. AKA, I am working. And I am working on the writing and selling (as opposed to the designing and making) side of things. You’ve seen the shop talk around here lately, so you know what I mean.

Unless you want a screen grab of Adobe InDesign, you’re not really going to get a full picture of what I did this week.

Still, these images represent the small moments that I like to remember: a current favorite snack, breakfast in bed, a thoughtful gift from my husband, front step chalk surprises, and cherries on the kitchen table.

Neil recently asked me if I am still getting anything out of a daily photo project, having been doing it for seven years. I would have to say yes. Yes, I am.

Initially the practice was helpful for working on my skills, and while I still do that to some extent, at this point it is less about the trying of new things and more about the keeping of moments. It’s about cultivating an appreciation for all that I have, and remembering small details of my world as it is right now; details that would otherwise fade from memory (or from the front steps with the next rain shower).

Grabbing my camera once a day and then spending a few minutes to edit the shot? Totally worth it.

So, what is This Week in Pictures?

It’s a roundup of the photos I shot for my Project 365 (one image each day for all of 2015), plus some everyday-life snapshots I posted on Instagram during the previous week.

Ready? Cast your mind back to this time last week…

Saturday

18376853648_a594546d39_b-flickr

365: 2015 157/365 – I hope the Yasso pops are still on sale at Shop Rite because I seem to have a minor addiction brewing, if the little garbage can in my bedroom is any indication…

Sunday

18376991520_1f4ff89bf0_b-flickr

365: 2015 158/365 – I slept with the windows wide open last night, and the temperature dropped into the 50’s. This morning has required the down comforter, a light sweater, and my biggest mug of hot coffee to warm me back up.

Monday

17999449533_d40fac456c_b-flickr

365: 2015 159/365 – Neil met Nick Offerman this weekend and brought me back a signed copy of his new book. Very cool! As for the inscription, I’m not sure what he meant, but I’m taking it as a toast (here’s to work!) as opposed to a command (get to work!) 😀

Tuesday

18651667172_9bc249a2b8_b-flickr

365: 2015 160/365 – Taking my time going through the stuff I brought home from Granny’s house last month. I liberated these buttons from the metal boxes they were in, and while I like them better in jars, I know there is no way in a million years I am going to use all of these. I may cull them later.

Wednesday

18086916844_5acb31d9ae_b-flickr

365: 2015 161/365 – I found some chalk and felt the need to state the obvious on the front steps.

Thursday

18521866440_e59b6d6785_b-flickr

365: 2015 162/365 – I left the chalk here overnight, thinking my family might take the opportunity to modify my work. They did not dissapoint. Poor Sparki. [I am being told by my teenager that he did not turn the word “chalk” into “Sparki” but “Sparta” as in “This is Sparta!” Oops.]

View this post on Instagram

Ah, strawberry and cherry season 😊

A post shared by Lisa Clarke (@lclarke522) on

View this post on Instagram

That proverbial bowl of cherries. 🍒

A post shared by Lisa Clarke (@lclarke522) on

View this post on Instagram

Cherry heart. 🍒❤

A post shared by Lisa Clarke (@lclarke522) on

Friday

18753558641_b0999a4e7f_b-flickr

365: 2015 163/365 – And the writing on the steps continues to evolve. I suspect this will go on for as long as there is a usable piece of chalk nearby.

Thanks for taking a peek at this week’s photos! If you want to see this stuff as it happens, please feel free to follow me on Flickr.

I may already have plans to blog about some of these things in greater detail over the coming week, but be sure to leave a comment if there’s something in particular you want to know about!

P.S. This is my52nd week doing TWiP! That makes one full year. Cool 🙂

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Sign up for occasional Polka Dot Cottage news and get a coupon for 10% off your next order!

Don't worry, we won't bother you more than once or twice a month!

Posted on Leave a comment

Leave a comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.