Mary Anne Morgan Blog

365 Project Day 336: Simplicity

Posted on 05. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.

2

Sunshine on my Table

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/25 shutter, ISO 500, Canon 580EX ll on camera at 1/8th power bounced off ceiling

I feel it breezing in as my year comes to a close. A simpler season. Ahhh, there is so much joy to be found in the simple and the small. These lemons caught my eye in the store yesterday and I knew I had to bring their cheerful demeanor into my home. Their fresh smell, the way they tumble together and beam sunshine from a blue and white bowl, all sweetness to my soul. Simple and sweet. It is time to clean closets, take care of the concerns of my own home, and throw out or give away the excess. I feel God calling me into simplicity and I gladly follow Him there.

Happy Monday. May you find joy in the simple today.

Acts 2:28 ~”You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

Simple Joy

Blue and Yellow Cheer

Cheerful and Sweet

Tumbling Together

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 335: Sometimes I Imagine

Posted on 03. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.

3

Pretty Posies

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.5 aperture, 1/125 shutter/ 160 ISO

Often, when I feel weary and in need adventure, I imagine that I am somewhere wonderful. When I walked into my grocery store tonight and saw the flowers tumbling together, laying their colorful heads softly one upon the other, I imagined that I was in a flower market somewhere far away. In this market, there are children playing in the open street and bakers selling fresh bread. I am there on my walk home, getting the supplies for a fresh supper that I can carry in one arm, or perhaps in the basket of my bicycle. On the corner there is a gentleman playing his fiddle. He is there every evening around this time, his black derby hat laying at his feet for a few extra coins. I toss in several that are jingling in my pocket.

I gaze at the flowers before I leave, pondering my choice for the day. The soft pink tulips? The coral roses? I settle on the magenta tulips and the musician winks in approval. I lay one by his hat. A small boy brushes past my skirt as he chases his sister in a game of tag. He pauses and looks up at me, blue eyes sparkling, to beg an apology. I nod and he hurries after his red-headed sibling again. My heart is full and happy as I think about a quiet evening at home with my sweet husband, who waits for me at the end of the lane.

Sounds kind of nice doesn’t it? My life is full and rich as it is, but it is fun to dream. What would you dream for yourself?

I leave you with this sweet song to help you remember your blessings.

Ephesians 3:20 ~”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

All the Lovelies

Hard to Choose

Blessings this Sunday.

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 334: I Married a Cowboy and Didn’t Even Know It

Posted on 03. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.

9

Friendship

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 4.5 aperture, 1/640 shutter, 200 ISO

I have loved horses all of my life. They are woven forever into the fabric of my heart. I have spoken of this passion many times on this blog. I had a horse when I was younger for a brief time, but had to give him up due to financial difficulties in my family. It was a shining bit of color in my growing up years. I will always be grateful to my mom for trying so hard to make it work.

As I grew older I began to mourn the loss of dreaming about horses. I didn’t believe I would ever really have one of my own. I was in college when I met Chris, and I remember sitting with him on the quad of my campus one day as I pondered the dreams of my little girl’s heart. I asked him if he thought God might give me a horse in heaven since I had come to believe I would probably never have one in this lifetime again. I had shifted my dreams into eternity. That seemed the safe thing to do. He didn’t really have an answer for me and I gave up dreaming about it.

For awhile.

Ready to Ride

At least until after we were married. Some dreams just won’t die. After Annie was born, my passion for horses returned in spades when someone we knew was selling theirs for a reasonable price. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I am pretty sure Chris was questioning his choice of wives at this point. He thought horses were nice, but did not understand this obsession. He did love me though, and he gave in to my desires and we bought that first horse. She was the beginning of a long string of equine purchases we would make over the years. Many of them were not good decisions. But, the three we have now are wonderful.

I am grateful for the tenacity of God-given dreams.

Just in Town for Supplies

Here is the amazing thing. God has once again surpassed my expectations and kissed me straight on my forehead with this husband of mine. I never thought I would marry a man who loved to ride too. I married the man I fell in love with, fully believing that there were some things I just would not get to have. I secretly wanted a man who loved horses too. One who would saddle up and mosey down the road with me into the sunset,with the sounds of hooves clip-clopping melodies onto pavement. This is the stuff from which my dreams were spun.

Mine

This is what I am living in now. A dream beyond all I had hoped for. God went the extra mile. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I have my cowboy. Sometimes God takes the long way in giving us the desires of our hearts. I now believe I should never give up on the dreams He has sown deeply within me. He gives us desires so that He can meet them. It is His joy. He just wants to know that we love Him more than we love anything He can give us.

From my Perspective

I am grateful for my Cowboy tonight, and for my God who sees me and blows me kisses daily.

Never stop dreaming or believing in the God who put those dreams into your heart. He is the Kind King.

Sunset Ride

Back in the Saddle

Let's Go Down the Road

At the End of the Day

Psalm 16:11 ~”You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 333: My Mom’s House

Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.

5

Sweet Tree

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L 1.6 aperture, 1/200 shutter, 320 ISO

I have always thought that my mom’s house was beautiful, especially at Christmas time, but this year a lot of other people get to see that in person. Her home will be featured in Stone Mountain’s Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 10th. If you know my mom, then you know she has the gift of hospitality. She loves to have people in her home, and people love to be there. It is always warm and welcoming, mostly because she is there. But, it is also very lovely. She has worked hard to make it that way. She and my sister Liza have worked especially hard this year to make it sparkle and shine a bit more than usual.

I took a few images to give you a taste, but I encourage you to drop by if you can on the 10th. Tickets are 20.00 in advance and 25.00 at the door. Hers is not the only home featured, (there are five total) and the proceeds go toward the Ronald McDonald House, Operation Christmas Child, and the Heifer Project. I hope you can stop by to see her!

Here are a few images of her beautiful home.

Mom in the Guest Room

The Guest Room

Living Room

Living Room View 2

The Lovely Master Bedroom

The Master Bath

Guest Bath in Pink

Kitchen Window

Back Porch in Yellow

Glassed in Porch

Special Touches Everywhere

Nutcrackers from Germany

Her Puppies

Musical Direction

Room for Love

Best Part of Grandma's House

Merry Christmas

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 332: Cowboy Tells a Christmas Story

Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.

7

Story Time

Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8L, 2.8 aperture, 1/25 shutter, 100 ISO, Alien B800 to camera left in a large soft box at 1/16 power.

Cowboy asked if he could tell a Christmas story, and since he does not have a blog of his own, I told him I would let him use this one every now and then. You may recall some of his wisdom that he shared on day 122 of this project. Anyway, I now give the floor to Cowboy (who insisted on dressing the part for his story).

“Once there was a very special family who had an amazing dog named Cow.. er, uh, Bob. His name was Bob. And he we was a golden retriever, like me. Anyway, this family got a very sparkly tree and put it up in the house. They did this every year at Christmas, and, er, Bob thought it was very special. The best part about the tree was that it had a ginormous bowl of water at the bottom of it and the water tasted like Christmas. (At least that’s what Bob told me.)”

It Tasted Like Christmas

“One day, while the family was gone for a very, very long time, Bob got very, very thirsty. Yes, he had water in his own bowl, but the sparkly-tree water was soooo refreshing to Bob. So…”

"I Like This Part!"

“Indiana, don’t interrupt me!”

“As I was saying. So, Bob thought he would have just a small drink from the refreshing bowl at the bottom of the sparkly tree. After all, it was Christmas time! So Bob nosed his way in through all the clinking toys that were hanging on the tree. There were so many of them. Just a little further… and then he was in! He lapped up the water with delight, just taking small sips, but before long, it was all gone. ‘Uh oh’, Bob thought to himself. He knew master would not like this. So, Cowboy, I mean Bob began to back out carefully.

"I Saw the Whole Thing"

“As I was SAYING, Bob began to back out very, very carefully, but his big fluffy tail got caught on a branch or something, and he heard a big noise. Bob ran very fast in reverse! You should have seen it. It was very cool! The next thing he knew the big sparkly tree was on the floor and the toys were all broken. Bob went into the corner and hid. He knew master would be very upset when he got home.”

It was Very Scary

“It seemed like hours went by. Bob could not think about anything else. He kept seeing master’s face all crinkled up. He did not like that face at all. Then he came up with a plan! When master came home, he would act extra-cute! Master loved the cute, especially mommy master. She could not resist the cute! So, he practiced making his eyes big and round and stretching his paws back and forth and making his cute noises. He felt this would work for sure! Master would not even see the tree and the broken toys.”

Practicing the Cute

"This is the Cute, Cowboy."

“Then he heard the door open and he got ready with all of his cuteness, although he was kind of nervous inside. It was mommy master! He was in luck! So, when she came in, he pretended he did not see the sparkly tree on the ground. But she saw it and began to get very loud. Her face turned very red as she picked up the broken toys. Bob got ready to show his cuteness. She yelled at Cowboy, I mean BOB, for what seemed like forever. She kept asking the same question. ‘Did YOU do this? Did YOU do this?’ Bob heard her the first time. It seemed like she was stuck. So Bob stretched out his paws, and made his cute sound, rounding out his eyes as much as possible. Her face changed a little. Then mommy master began to smile. It was working! But, then she looked at the tree again and she stopped smiling. It had only worked for a minute. Bob left the room and doesn’t know what happened after that. The End.”

"That's an Abrupt Ending"

It's my Story

Well, I guess that’s it for Cowboy’s Christmas story.

I think it may be based on a true story with the names changed to protect the innocent, or the guilty in this case.

Looking forward to a joyful and happy Christmas season, whether the tree falls this year or not. (Last year we ended up bungee-cording it to the bannister.:)

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Proverbs 17:22 ~”A joyful heart is good medicine,”

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 331: Two Weeks Ago Today

Posted on 30. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

4

Holding Daddy's Hand

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 640 ISO

Two weeks ago today, I was driving to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning in the rain, hoping I would make it in time to see sweet Isabella Sarai come shining into our world. I was not disappointed. It was just two days before I was to leave for England and so I am just now able to post a few pictures of that glorious morning. Her name aptly means “beautiful princess”, and that she is. But I knew she would be. I wrote about her a couple months ago when I photographed her mommy Cynthia.

This princess will command a court consisting of two brothers, a daddy who is already wrapped around her perfect fingers, and her lovely mommy. I am so honored that I was able to be there when she took her first breaths, had her first bath and her many first kisses from her mommy and daddy, her grandma and her aunt. This is the second time I have been with Cynthia and Mike during the delivery of one of their children. I also got to see sweet their son Hayden be born, and capture his first moments in the arms of his parents. How I love this sweet family. They are very special to me.

Blessings, Kelly family. Welcome, Isabella Sarai. Beautiful Princess.

Psalm 127:3-5 ~” Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”

Perfect

Mommy Kisses

Daddy's Here

Getting Weighed

First Bath

Daddy's Girl

Holding Grandma's Hand

Being Born is Exhausting

Smiles for Daddy

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 330: Surrender

Posted on 29. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

1

Surrender

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 1000 ISO

“Why do we raise our hands in worship? Because it is the universal sign of surrender.” ~ Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong Church NYC

It is good to surrender again and again to a God who is much greater than any worry, any concern I could ever have. I surrender to Him, the kind King, the one and only God, and my heart is safe in His hands. I surrender.

Need some rest? Take time to listen to Jadon Lavik’s version of ”I Surrender All”. I pray it will help you to open your hands and heart to the Father, who loves you so deeply.

1 Peter 5:7 ~”Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

All to Jesus

Sweet Peace

Free

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 329: Answered Prayers

Posted on 28. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

7

Father of Lights

Canon 5D Mark ll, 1.2 aperture, 1/640 shutter, 125 ISO

James 1:17 ~”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

I still marvel at the thought of it. I have held this treasure close, letting it’s light warm my heart over and over again. He heard me. I am still dancing, twirling like a little girl in her daddy’s gaze. God heard my prayers, and He answered them.

When Annie left for England I wished secretly to go too, but I never uttered a word or whispered a prayer about it. At least not until a couple months ago. The desire grew in me, but I evaluated it internally and dismissed it as too ridiculous to bring to God. We have bills to pay and a trip to England was an extravagance that didn’t seem to fit into our budget. I guess I thought it was my job to decide what was okay to ask God for. One day as I struggled over these thoughts I felt I heard Him speak. ” Why don’t you do the asking and let me decide how I will answer?” He was asking me to give Him my whole heart by laying my desires bare before Him. Why was I embarrassed to ask God for something like this? I don’t know. Funny how we find ways to make God small. So I prayed. “God, I would like to go to England. If that is okay with you, will you provide a way?” I whispered this prayer many times, quietly. I only told a few people that I was praying about it. Some agreed to pray with me. I really didn’t believe I would go, but I did what He asked of me. I asked God for the desire of my heart.

Then, several weeks ago, the answer came. Someone offered to pay my way. I was speechless. Dumbfounded. Could this be true? It took days to wrap my mind and heart around it. God was answering my prayer, and He was saying yes. I was humbled to the point of tears. This was a quiet wish of my heart, and my Father heard me. This was my first time to travel across the ocean, and I would be going alone. It was a very big deal for a girl who rarely leaves her country road. I had to stretch my heart wide to receive the gift, and the realization that the God of the universe cups his ears to hear my prayers and answers them so tangibly. Even now, my heart glows in the light of His reply to my almost imperceptible whispers.

I will never forget flying across the ocean on my way over during the middle of the night. The stars shining brightly, the moon reflecting on the wings of the plane and soft tears of joy slipping down my face. How my Father loves me.

I am still unearthing treasures from my journey. Today, I wept when I saw a photo of London on another site. I did not go to London on this trip, but I am now realizing that I serve a God who loves to give gifts. While I was there He told me to take “small bites” and not worry about seeing everything. I did as I was told, comforted by His words to me. I took small bites believing that there will be more when I need or want it. I am learning to trust in a God who loves to fulfill the desires of my heart.

I am humbled and grateful. I encourage you to ask God for all that is in your heart, and let Him decide the outcome. I believe you will see how much He loves you.

Here are a few more treasures from my time in England. How I loved it.

Over the Ocean of Clouds

Just Through There

Such Beauty

Stories and Art

Ginkgo Leaves

Beautiful Maples

Bikes and Maples

Don't Forget to Write

Charming

Magical Path

Houseboats on the River Thames

Attention to Detail

Christ Church College

Every Path Leads to Blessing

Fly, but Come Back to Me

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 328: Under a Watercolor Sky

Posted on 27. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

1

Peaceful Companion

Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 3.5 aperture, 1/4000 shutter, 125 ISO

Come and ride with me under a watercolor sky. Soft hooves clip-clop on pavement as we gently sway above the earth. My heart beats in time to the gentle cadence. We ride along as the sky unfurls a brilliant palette. Oranges, magenta, yellow and blue, me and you.

If life is this good now, what will heaven be like? Will my heart be able to contain it? You laugh at the thought of it. Heaven.

How I love you under this watercolor sky.

I Corninthians 2:9 ~ “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Watercolor Sky

Add your comment...

365 Project Day 327: Favorite Moment of the Day

Posted on 25. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.

3

Happy Meeting

Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, 180mm focal length, 4.0 aperture, 1/100 shutter, 160 ISO

While walking my older horse down to the barn today, I glanced back to find Katie standing in perfect sunshine bringing a bag of carrots to our other two horses. As soon as I got him back into the pasture I hurried to get my camera. A daughter with carrots in hand in her bright green sweatshirt fresh from England, and two happy horses in golden light. I wanted to freeze that moment. My camera helps me to do that. Amazing, wonderful tool that it is. Before long, Cowboy and Chris joined the scene and I was grinning and giggling. These are the magic moments when everything slows and I find myself breathing all the way in and then out again. Our lives are strung endlessly, intricately with these pearls, these gems. How many do I miss because I am worrying about getting things done?

Too many. But not this one. This one is captured, cherished and framed to share with you here today. My pockets are jingling with the treasures I have stored up this year during this project.

Beautiful blessed moments to savor and share. Click. What was your favorite moment today? You don’t to have just one.

Acts 17:24,25 ~”The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. ²⁵ And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.”