Michelle Dion ~'s photostream  

“Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.”
― Samuel Johnson

I was going through some old picture files and came across this gem that I took on the shore of Lake Superior at the Point Iroquois Lighthouse. It was July and I was with my brother and husband. It was so cold that evening and there was a strong breeze. I was wearing my brother's Carhart and also had on gloves. It was July and I was wearing a winter jacket and gloves! Crazy isn't it? I remember this day because I was still learning how to use my camera and I was really excited to use my new tripod and remote shutter control.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse is one of my favorite lighthouses in Michigan and has a beautiful rocky shoreline. I wanted to try and capture a sunset and thought the rocky shoreline would be perfect. When I was a kid, I would spend two weeks every summer and numerous weekends in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with my grandparents. One of the places my grandparents would take us grandkids was to this lighthouse. It was not too far from their house and we loved it's rocky shoreline. We loved finding the perfect skipping rock to skip into the lake. A few miles down the road we would go to the spot my grandma called Big Pines to go swimming.

Swimming in Lake Superior was not always fun. Most of the time the water was freezing. But sometimes when the wind was blowing just right, moving the warmer surface water to the shore, the lake was actually pleasant to swim in. Believe it or not, I do remember a time swimming in Lake Superior when the water felt warm. I was in the Whitefish Bay area and I still can't believe the water was warm.

A new year brings new beginnings. It's a time for new dreams, hopes, and adventures. This time of year I always think of New Year resolutions. It's something that I have done since I was a kid. I reflect back on the previous year and think of what I liked, what I didn't like, and changes that I want to make. I think of what dreams I have and then ask myself if I am doing everything to achieve them. I think about what my hopes are for the future and ask myself if I'm taking the right steps to get there. I think about what I would like to change during the upcoming year and think about what I have to do to make the changes. Every year brings difficulties of some sort. These difficulties allow us to become stronger and develop into the person we are today. 2011 has taught me that the most important things in life are your family and friends. I have some amazing family and friends and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I love them with all my heart.

2012 is a new year. A time for new beginnings. A time to start over. A time for new dreams, hopes, and adventures.

I took this picture during our family vacation while we were in Grand Haven, Michigan. I love our family vacations at the beach. It is my favorite time of year. I forgot I took this picture and came across it today while I was editing pictures from our summer vacation. Yes, I am a little behind. The sunset wasn't spectacular, but it was still pretty nice. I look forward to another family trip to the beach this summer.

I woke up this morning wanting to get out there and capture another sunrise but the clouds just weren’t going to let that happen. This weekend was a bust for getting any new shots. That’s okay though. I have some catching up to do anyway.

I took this shot of the grapes when my family and I were on vacation up in Traverse City. It was a rainy day so my husband and I decided to go do some wine tasting. Michigan has some stellar wines and wineries. I really liked Bowers Harbor Vineyards. Their Cabernet Franc was delicious. I also loved Chanteau Chantel. Their Pinot Noir is one of my favorites. Chanteau Chantel also has s beautiful patio off the tasting room with breathtaking views of the Grand Traverse Bay. If your looking for something to do this summer, I suggest taking a tour a Michigan wine tour. I personally like Old Mission Peninsula the best. But that might be because it was the first place I ever did any wine tasting. Michigan has some spectacular wineries. Check them out at Old Mission Wineries and Leelanau Peninsula Wineries.

It had been a long time since I was out shooting pictures and boy, did I miss it. Life had gotten in the way and I was really itching to get out there and get some shots. It was so peaceful out there the other morning when I was shooting this sunrise. I kept thinking, “What a beautiful way to start a new day. A new beginning.”

I had been wanting to go to this spot for awhile. I just never got myself out of bed early enough to catch the sunrise. I really do love sunrises. I think they are more special than sunsets. You have to get yourself up early and drag yourself out of your warm comfy bed when it is still dark and most everybody else is still sleeping. And I love my sleep. And I love my warm comfy bed. And I love being lazy in the morning. But not this morning. This morning, I was on a mission to take some pictures. I needed to take some pictures.

I tried to capture what I was feeling this morning. The peacefulness. The new beginning. Hope on the Horizon.

I am still going through my pictures from my trip up north a few weeks ago. This one I took on the drive home. It was such a beautiful drive. Michigan put on a great show this year!