Taking a Break

I look at my last post date of September 26, and I wonder where the time has gone. I've been silent but busy for the past couple of months. Have you ever found something you love to do so much that you can't seem to focus on anything else? That's how I felt about knitting last year at this time. It grabbed me and held me all winter long. But this year, it's something else that's taken over - taking and editing photos. It's got me good! You can see some of my work at my photography blog.

Anyway, I plan to be back on Sunflower Way a little more regularly when my photo obsession settles down a bit. With Christmas around the corner, I'm starting to think about some yarny gift ideas. But I better not wait too long, right?! Oh, and I have a new grand baby due next spring, and that means the crafty me is going to kick in gear as soon as the he- or she-ness of the little one is discovered! So I hope to be back soon with a plan or at least a sneak peek a the beginning of some projects. But I'm still here. Just wanted to throw that out to blogland.

In the meantime, I leave you with a photo from my silent time - my little grandson - taking a little break from running, jumping, pedaling, and playing. Yeah, I've been taking a break, too, clicking away at this little man. Enjoy. ~CJ~

Benches

I must have a fascination for benches, because my photo collection is full of bench pictures. I like to see their lines, curves, colors, and materials. That I do know. For something so simple - a seat with something to hold it up - there are so many different ways of making it. It makes sense, because that's what art does...it takes something ordinary and turns it into something unique and interesting to look at (and use!). And then someone places it in its own special setting, and wah-la! It catches my eye in my viewfinder! So, for whatever reason, these benches called out to me somewhere along my paths and here they are, in all their uniqueness - just waiting to be sat on.

Navajo Bridge, Northern Arizona

It seems I've been blogging about places I've visited this summer instead of crafty, stitchy, knitty projects I might be working on. The truth is, I have been taking a bit of a break from the studio while the days are long and warm.

Recently, I took a road trip to Flagstaff, Arizona to visit my sister and her family. On the way home I chose to take the alternate route in northern Arizona that goes over the eastern tip of the Grand Canyon via Navajo Bridge.

It was a warm day and the sky was magnificent; an afternoon summer storm on its way. The Colorado River is hundreds of feet below. On the west are the Vermilion Cliffs, and on the east are the Echo Cliffs.

There are actually two bridges. The first bridge that was built isn't wide enough for today's traffic and trucks, so a second bridge was built. That's what you see in the photo above.

The first bridge on the left above is reserved just for pedestrian traffic. For many years as I've traveled back and forth to visit family in Arizona, I've stopped here and walked the bridge, marveling at the Colorado River below. It's a fun detour. Those are the Echo Cliffs in the background above.

 This is looking west at the pink-tinted Vermilion Cliffs.

And this is the traditional favorite photo that I always take from the bridge, looking north, with the Echo Cliffs on the right. As you drive to Navajo Bridge from the flatlands, you really have no inkling of what lies below - the deep gorge cut by the Colorado River. It's simply amazing.

It wasn't long after I passed through here that the rain began and followed me most of the way home to Bountiful, Utah, just north of Salt Lake City. The sky for most of the drive was filled with changing clouds and colors with the summer storm - truly remarkable. I heart road trips! ~CJ~

Downtown Salt Lake City

As wonderful as my jaunts into the country are, I can't escape the city, nor would I want to for too long. Downtown Salt Lake City is beautiful, and it's getting more and more exciting as construction continues with the huge Downtown Rising project. For my job recently, I spent a day downtown in the Zions Bank Building up on the 18th floor, which has a magnificent view of the city - south, west, and north. Of course, with a photo opp like that, I made sure to have my camera with me.

Looking north, here is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in front, with the towering Church Office Building behind it, and further back is the Utah State Capitol. Yes, that's a helicopter flying by.

This is one of my favorite photos. It was a bit of a surprise when I looked at the downloaded photo on my computer and saw the flag from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building waving in front of the Utah Capitol. It's amazing what a telephoto lens can do! I cropped in pretty tight to get this layout. It looks like I photoshopped the flag in, I know, but that flag is the real thing...believe me!

 

And here is the elegant Salt Lake Temple and surrounding Temple Square. That's the famous Tabernacle (as in the Tabernacle Choir) on the left and the enormous Conference Center behind the temple to the right.

After my meetings I walked around temple square clicking away with my camera. Every time I'm there, I seem to find new views and angles to photograph. The old (and new) architecture is amazing, and I never tire of it.

The gardens this time of year are to fall in love with!

This is the Eagle Gate Plaza.                                And here is the Church Office Building again.

I love this statue of a mom with her children, which is one of many statues throughout Temple Square depicting our church's history and beliefs. 

This is a partial view of the Conference Center across the reflecting pool.

As a member of the LDS faith, Temple Square holds a special place in my heart. There's a wonderful and calming spirit there that I can't help feel as I walk around. Time seems to stand still.

After weddings take place in the temple, newly married couples come outside and are joined by groups of family and friends for celebration photos around the temple. Everyone is so happy. I caught the tail end of a wedding as I was walking around...

For visitors not of the LDS faith, there are volunteer missionaries who give tours and are glad to answer questions. If you're reading this and would like to know more, you can start with this website.

This guy guards the Lion House above it's door.

This is the Beehive House and its garden. I LOVE the old fashioned garden!

And this is where I was spending my day at work, at the Zions Bank Building...up on the top floor (just to the right of the letter K in Zions Bank!).

Here is the view of the city looking south - so many changes in the past year or so. The walkway connecting both sides of the street is one of the cool new additions that will be opening soon.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the heart of Salt Lake City! ~CJ~

Albion Basin Wildflowers

Holy belted cow! Albion Basin at Alta Ski Resort is unreal this time of year. Its majestic mountains are full of wildflowers of every color!

Lupine (blue), Indian Paintbrush (pink), Leafy Jacobs Ladder (white)

I was here - I really was! In this beautiful meadow of wildflowers. As I look at these photos, I'm in awe of Mother Nature's palette. There are hardly words for the beauty my mom and I encountered on our hike up to Cecret Lake. Enjoy! ~CJ~

Sunflower and Lupine

Blue Flax

Cow Parsnip

Columbine

Thickleaf Beardtongue

Hi Mom! Love you!

Cecret Lake