The theme at I ♥ Faces this week is 'Pets Only'... I had to contribute!

This is my latest favorite picture of Burley, taking a look at him from a little *different* angle. If you've never read here before, Burley is one of our dogs. I don't even have the words to explain how much we love Burles. He's not our 'friend', he's our family. Loyal, sweet, beloved, strong, brave, a little bit chubby, and a very good napper. ;)

Go to I ♥ Faces to check out the other entries! I have the feeling there's a lot more beloved pets out there!

Here's my submission for The Pioneer Woman's latest assignment. Since there were thousands upon thousands of submissions, I just thought I'd share it here.

I didn't win.

I didn't expect to win.

But it's still fun to share.

(Oh, and by the way, to see who did win and all the other finalists, visit PW's site! They are ALL amazing. I don't know how she ever chooses.)

As I look at this photo and think about the assignment (bugs), I can't help but wonder, is a butterfly technically a bug?

Anyone?

I'm just to thankful for Google. (Which is where I'm headed now to answer my own question.) It helps me mask my ignorance.

A food photo on the photography page? What?!?!? Did Farmer Gal get her site pages mixed up or something?

No, folks. This photo of Strawberry Meringue Pie (a.k.a. Lovebird Pie) is here in honor of I ♥ Faces photo challenge this week... Desserts!

You can find my recipe for it here, and the little story that goes along with it here. And just in case you still want to bask in its glory even more, you can check in here to see where it was featured on the Tasty Kitchen blog!

This pie... It gets around. What can I say...

If your waistline and willpower are strong enough, head on over to I ♥ Faces to see more desserts!

Tomorrow I'm going to ramble on about how much I love spring. But for today, my photo of the week is a bit more frosty. Shadowed. Cool.

One winter day, back in our other life when we were mountain-dwellers and resort workers, we were on our way home when we came around the bend, and all in one intstant, the light and the fog and the whole scene was in just such a way that it took my breath away.

I still remember that moment. Luckily I had my camera. (Although I don't know if this photo really does it justice.) We drove back and forth to the resort day after day, after day, after day... And I know there were many times that we never even acknowledged the beauty of the mountains around us. But there were times -- like on this day -- when we couldn't help but be completely awestruck by them.

I just stumbled upon this photo today and knew it was the one I wanted to share, and that's what 'Photo of the Week!' is pretty much all about... Simply sharing a photo that you love, for whatever reason, because it ignites some little spark inside.

How about you? Any sparks? Share what you've got!

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Miss 80 has shared once again...

Early morning sunflowers. Breathtaking!

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For more details on 'Photo of the Week!', click here. Then join in the fun!

Okay, okay, so it's April 5th. You caught me. I'm late. Again. I'm sorry. But I'm here now. And I'm ready to share my photo. Are you?

This was taken last week, in the evening when 'we' were plowing up the soon-to-be vegetable garden. Mr. Blue Eyes was primarily the one (i.e. the only one) actually doing the plowing, so the kids and I basically loitered around and watched. It had been a long week of child-rearing for me, to be honest, and my patience was about at its end. Then the kids decided to take up rock collecting for a blissfully undetermined amount of time, which captured their attention, and I was able to simply sit back, watch, and photograph them.

It was one of those days when I just wasn't feeling all that good about myself as a mother. I guess that's why it was all the more encouraging to see them playing quietly and happily. In that moment, and a few hours later as we sat together on the lawn in the twilight and watched their dad plowing up the sod, I hoped that those were the moments they would remember, rather than their mama's dwindling patience and short temper.

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And now for photos from others...

My brother-in-law (Mr. Blue Eyes' brother) is playing along this week! Here's what he had to say about the above photo...

"This simple photo of my brother helping his son is such a good reminder to me. We have 4 boys and they are all much older than my nephew but ahh, they still need a helping hand, a hand of guidance. I sometimes get overwhelmed by all that I think they need. But the simplicity of this picture helps me remember...its just him and me. One moment at a time."

I wasn't thinking of his submission when I chose my photo, but now I see how the two tie together. Oh, the challenges of parenting. They're not going to end, are they? I'm thankful for the experience of my brother-in-law, and his willingness to share. They have done such an amazing job raising their boys... He and his wife are an inspiration.

(Thanks, G.!!!)

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Next we have the lovely Miss 80...

Miss 80 says...

"The first photo was taken last year of Flying Jae with his Grandma. Late Spring they found a stream out in the cow pasture at Grandma's farm where Flying Jae looked for frogs. Reminds me of an old fashioned painting."

I think this photo is beyond sweet. And I love the angle and the way the stream winds around. Catchin' frogs... I would have loved to see his face when he got his little hands on one!

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Do you have a 'Photo of the Week!' you would like to share? It can be of anyone, anything, anywhere. (But family-friendly, please!) Whatever you would like to share, please do! For more details on how to share, look here. Then share your pic!!!