This week's theme is PARTY. 

A party in honor of St. Patrick. Gramma's ready to party....

Proper party attire....

Right down to the shoes....

(On February 14, 2008, a gunman walked into a classroom on my daughter's campus (Northern Illinois University) and shot 22 people, killing 5.  The crosses above were erected to memorialize those who died.)

This week's theme is FREE. 

I took this picture of my niece almost 6 years ago at a family reunion.  For me, it has always symbolized everything that is good about living in the United States of America....especially freedom. However, today I am struck by the stark reality that freedom carries a price.  In a free country, a gunman is free to walk into a crowded classroom and open fire. Despite this, I thank God for our freedom and remember that ultimate freedom is found in Jesus Christ. 

John 8:36  "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly FREE!"  

This week's theme is Heavy.  

I've got two very different takes on the theme this week. 

The first picture is of a very HEAVY pumpkin all loaded up and ready to go to the Topsfield Fair.  For East Coast Pumpkin growers, winning at Topsfield is what it's all about!  In 2003, the year this picture was taken, the winning pumpkin was 1301 pounds.  This pumpkin, third place at Topsfield and grown by our friend in Deering, NH, was 1121 pounds.

My second picture needs only a song...

"He ain't heavy, he's my brother!"

This week's theme is Narrow.  

These pictures were taken on the same narrow road in Deering, NH.  The first picture was taken after a brief snowfall in mid-October. The second was taken 4 months, and 3 feet of snow, later! 

This week's theme is Skinny.  

I love this picture of a skinny daisy on the beach in Northern Wisconsin. 

This week's theme is "Delicious". 

Nothing looks more delicious than the food you CAN'T eat!

 

Of course, the food you CAN eat is pretty delicious too....

This week's theme is "Messy".  My first picture is the quintessential Christmas morning mess photo. I figured I had to put at least one of these in!

 

As I looked for pictures which fit the "messy" theme, I began to see a trend!  Little boys and messy faces just seem to go together!