Every Sunrise Is Proof God is Still in the Miracle Business

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Sunsets give us a chance to pause and reflect on the day behind us, a chance to stop and look back, a chance to calm down and relax.  Sunrise, however, is a different story.  I rarely see a sunrise, but when I do, I'm always happy I made the effort to drag my body out of my cozy cocoon and force myself to make the transition from sleep to wakefulness before my morning coffee.  Today was one of those days. I decided last evening that if I happened to wake up in time, I'd go out and capture the sunrise and lucky for me, nature called me awake around 4:50 - allowing me just enough time to get to a good location to welcome the day.

Sunrise represents new possibilities.  It represents a new day, a new opportunity to get right what you got wrong yesterday.  It represents hope and fresh starts.  It is bright and beautiful and full of life. Don't you agree?
Round Lake Preserve

This morning we opted to enjoy the sunrise on Round Lake (seems to be my theme this week), because it's close and it's a beautiful venue for watching the sunrise.  

Foggy Morning at Sunrise

Round Lake NY
Peace is seeing the sunrise or sunset and knowing who to thank.

Round Lake Sunrise

Once the sun peeked from above the horizon, we quickly made our way to the Round Lake Preserve where things got even more beautiful.

Life As I See It, the blog

Round Lake Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Round Lake Preserve
Each morning we are born again.  What we do today is what matters most.  - Buddha

Sunrise at Round Lake

Round Lake Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Sunrise at the Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Sunrise at the Preserve

Round Lake Preserve

Life As I See It Photography

There's something sacred and serene about watching the sunrise, about witnessing the start to a new day.  Maybe it's the way the rising sun fills the day with the soft glow of light, maybe it's the chorus of wildlife singing its morning prayer, maybe it's simply the blessing of knowing we've been given another day to savor life and get it right.  Whatever it is, sunrise is truly a special time - a time I need to make a point to appreciate more often.  How 'bout you?  Do you love watching the sunrise?

May every sunrise hold more promise,
and every sunset hold more peace.


Disclaimer:  all quotes used in today's post (including title quote) were taken from the internet.  None of them except where noted had an author listed.

The Beautiful and Serene Round Lake - One of Saratoga County's Best Kept Secrets

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

If you live in or near Upstate New York, no doubt you've heard of Saratoga Lake, Sacandaga Lake and Lake George.....three of the more popular lakes in the area.  Of course there's several others too....Otsego, Champlain, Grafton, Moreau, and the list goes on and on.  As most of you know by now, I grew up on Saratoga Lake and I'd be lying if I said any other lake could ever hold a bigger piece of my heart than Saratoga Lake. But another local lake has crept its way to my list of favorites.  I'm sure the locals would probably prefer to keep this lake on the down-low, but Round Lake deserves a moment in the spotlight and that's just where it is today on the blog - in the spotlight.

Round Lake NY

Round Lake NY

Round Lake

Round Lake NY
Whether you're watching the moon rise or sunrise, Round Lake is a beautiful place to stop a while and savor.
Round Lake, New York

Saratoga County

Round Lake is relatively small, with a surface area of about 321 acres (according to NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation).  You won't find too many speed boats but on most calm days you'll see an abundance of kayaks and canoes and lots of fishermen.  One of our favorite pastimes is to sit a spell and enjoy the view, which almost always includes a number of folks launching boats and kayaks or returning from some time on the lake.  Round Lake is the perfect place to relax and unwind because it is so calm and quiet, unlike the bigger area lakes.

Life As I See It Photography

Life As I See It Photography
It's not uncommon to see a lone fisherman casting his line off the dock.

Round Lake NY

Round Lake NY

Canadian Geese
It's also a favorite for the wildlife.

Beautiful and Serene Round Lake

Geese

I couldn't tell from a distance what the white flecks were in the water last week, but upon closer inspection (thanks to my camera's zooming capabilities), I got a closer look.
Round Lake

Wow....aren't they beautiful?
Round Lake

Round Lake

Round Lake isn't only beautiful during the warm seasons.  It's a popular venue for winter sports too.  In fact...here's my son-in-law Eric and our granddaughter, Elena, enjoying a little pond hockey about a day before the ice became unsafe.

Round Lake NY

If you haven't lately, be sure to stop by and check out Round Lake.  In 2014 a beautiful new boat launch opened as well as the gorgeous Round Lake Preserve.  The Preserve is located on Route 67 just before the Sweeney Farm with kayak access to the Anthony Kill.  For more information on the Preserve, you can read my earlier post using the link attached.  


Thanks for reading.  I hope you'll come back soon for more local destinations.  Please share this post with your friends using the links below and consider subscribing to receive all new posts in your email!  

A Rose Never Smelled So Sweet As David Austin Roses - at Rosewood Gardens

Friday, June 17, 2016
There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of existence.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are posts that require a lot of words - stories, history, description and detail, and then there are others that require none. (or very little)  Today's post is the latter, a place so beautiful that the only thing required is a lot of looking followed by some sighing and maybe a little longing and envy. Come along with me as I take you on a trip to Rosewood Gardens in West Charlton, NY.

Rosewood Gardens is a local retailer seller of the gorgeous David Austin English Fragrant Rose and the home of Joanne & Paul Strevy.  If Rosewood Gardens sounds familiar, it's because I wrote about them last year too, and will probably write about them next year as well.  If you missed that post, I'll leave the link to it at the end of this post.  For now though, sit back and turn on your smell-a-vision and enjoy a look at my visit yesterday to Rosewood Gardens.
Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Gardens Charlton

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Garden

Rosewood Garden

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Garden

Rosewood Gardens

Rosewood Gardens

David Austin Roses at Rosewood Gardens

Peonies in bloom

Rosewood Garden

Rosewood Gardens


Rosewood Gardens Charlton NY

This is called 'The Lark Ascending"...Gorgeous!

Rosewood Garden
Rosewood Garden
With over 200 petals, the only thing better than the look is the amazing fragrance of these roses!

Rosewood Gardens in Charlton NY



Are you ready for more?   Head on over to Rosewood Garden and experience the beauty firsthand. Rosewood Garden is open Thursday-Saturday 9:00-6:00.  Joanne is also available for garden consults and speaking engagements.   Rosewood Gardens is located at 2309 Route 67 in West Charlton, NY.  It's a short drive from Burnt Hills or surrounding areas and I promise you will be glad you went.  In addition to carrying a large assortment of David Austin Roses, Joanne also carries a selection of complimentary accent perennials for your garden including delphinium, foxgloves and clematis.  For more information, check out the Rosewood Garden website and Facebook page, link provided below.

Thanks for reading and come back soon to Life As I See It.   To share this page with a friend, please use the links below to share on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Email.  No ensure you never miss a post, subscribe to the blog by using the box at the end of the post.

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