challenges

It turns out “gratitude” isn’t so easy to capture in photos.

Words, sure. I think any one of us could express in words what we have gratitude for. Alas, when snapping photos, I don’t always think that way.

Obviously there’s a certain subject I have a lot of gratitude for.

I also feel as though gratitude as a whole can be tough to capture in photos, so I’ve done the best I can with that.

As I write this, I can see snow outside. And despite it being a few weeks still until Christmas, I know I’ll have some gratitude if we get it white on that day. My area hasn’t had a white Christmas in a few years and it kind of stinks. It’s the one time of year that snow will make me smile and be happy!

And as I get older, the things I have gratitude for change. It’s not all of the materialistic things that one may accumulate (though, not going to lie, I am pretty happy with my new recliner …), rather the people you surround yourself with and the memories you make and the good times you have.

I also have gratitude for those of you who hang on with this challenge. I know my timelines isn’t as good as it should be, but the truth is I often forget. What I need to do is kick myself in the ass and try and post 4-5 times a month and then I’d remember that this has to be done as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful December and close out 2024 in a great way!

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for November.

1-2. Four seasons

I definitely have gratitude for living in an area where we — usually — get to experience four seasons. While it’s true that the seasons may not last as long as they once did and we’ll get wonky weather in all of them, we do get to experience them. And in November we got to have a wonderful fall, but also the start of winter! Harper likes those two seasons!

3. Family

I’m lucky in a lot of ways with family. And it’s nice to have them close by, for the most part. Though over the past several years the family has gotten smaller as some have passed on, the reality is I think most of us have embraced family a lot more and tried to make sure we see one another more often. This photo is of Harper and my mother on a nice fall day out for a walk.

4. Friends

I’m blessed to still be able to call several people good friends. Despite everybody having different life experiences and schedules and everything else, I keep in contact with close friends. We all age and things change. Some people get married and have kids; some don’t. Some people move away; some don’t. But in the end, you know who you can count on. I don’t have a photo to capture my own friendships, however, I also have so much gratitude for Harper’s pals. And I am sure she would have gratitude as well. This is of a royal rumble between Harper and her friend Lucy during the first big snow we got.

5. My best friend

Gratitude can’t be larger than with Harper. I knew that having a dog was a big commitment, but I had no idea about a lot of things. And having a shadow dog, such as Harper — I’m not sure how I would have dealt with it when I was in my 30s. But now? It’s the best thing going. To have this pup who shows unconditional love and is my companion through it all… I can’t express enough gratitude. I can’t believe she’ll be four years old in April. (I also do more selfies now with Harper than I ever would have in the past).

BONUS PHOTO

I really like this one, too. This is another of my mother and Harper during our one walk.

There’s my five (plus bonus) and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s November! And our theme for the month? Holly Jolly! Interpret as you see fit!! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) November 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!

Photo Blogging Challenge: November 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

Life is about experiences.

I think those of you who take part in this challenge know that many (if not most) of my experiences over the past three-and-a-half years include Harper.

This month, certainly, is no exception to that rule.

Alas, I’ve tried to put a few other things in it as it was a month of some fun experiences.

Life is awful short. In the big scheme of the world, we’re a speck of dust. So we may as well make the most of our time here and who knows what happens beyond. I’ve tried to get better about that — and I keep trying to improve myself with experiencing different aspects of life. Though I didn’t really do any major trips this summer or fall, as I’ve done in the past, I have tried to make sure I got to see and do different things.

One thing I do each year is try to take some time off around my birthday. This year was no different and during that time, Harper and I took in two baseball games, I met up with a former co-worker for one of them, and I saw the Phillies (unfortunately without Harper) clinch the NL East.

Harper and I have continued to explore and experience the world and it’s been wonderful doing so.

So what did you experience this month? It’s always fun to look through the eyes of others!

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for September!

1. On the field

One thing I like to do around my birthday is baseball. This year included Harper’s first “Pup in the Park” at a major league stadium! I met with a former co-worker and went to a Washington Nationals game. Harper did exceptionally well and enjoyed herself. She even got an extra portion of a hot dog as it was too late after I bought my normal two (she gets one as well) that I realized how big they were. I couldn’t make it through all of mine, so she happily pitched in. After the game, they set up the field for a pup parade, and we had the chance to walk the outskirts of the field. It truly was a fun experience! She loved it! We’ve done this at minor league stadiums before, but at an MLB stadium was very cool!

2. Sunset over the field

The second night of our mini-trip took us to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and a minor league game. One cool thing about going to games in September is the lighting is usually different. The sun setting over the field was really wonderful. Our seats gave an awesome vantage point. I really love baseball and I love that Harper gets to experience it with me.

3. New ball

Fun story. Again, at Harrisburg. Harper has gotten balls at games before. I had to do this in two photos. I went to the team store to get my passport stamp and despite a friend being with me, I decided to take Harper with me to the store. When I got in there, a young lad asked if he could pet her. Of course, I said Then he asked if he could give her this ball (a foul ball he got). It seems he had gotten 4-5 balls that day and he was just giving them away to kids and dogs. She carried it back to the seats and was so proud of it!

4. Blackstone fun

Though I probably don’t use it as much as I should, I’ve been having a blast cooking with my Blackstone. It’s a fun experience to learn the speed and the heat etc. This was a breakfast at night meal. The potatoes were with a parmesan ranch, which made them delightful.

5. Get lost

I have found as I get older, I am definitely way more interested in flat and somewhat paved trails. It’s nicer on my knees, that’s for sure. So when I travel with Harper, I try to find rail trails or anything else we can have a good walk. This was in Pennsylvania and we enjoyed a mile and a half or so walk, which included this creek. Harper, of course, had to wade in and enjoy the coolness!

BONUS PHOTOS

I couldn’t just stop at five. This first one was at a dock diving competition. We figured the best way to attack it and Harper had a qualifying jump! She made it 7 feet, 3 inches! It was truly wonderful and she had a blast! I did, too. A great experience.

Second bonus

After the Phillies game, I had the chance to meet Cody Bellinger of the Cubs. A really cool experience. Super thankful to my brother and his girlfriend as it was through them where I got this experience! Bad lighting on this photo, unfortunately!

There’s my five (plus bonuses) and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s October! And our theme for the month? It’s fall, y’all! Interpret as you see fit!! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) November 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!

Photo Blogging Challenge: September 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

The world is a vast place.

I love to explore. It cane be near. It can be far. It can be in a car! But exploring is a part of life that allows you to grow as a person. I think anyway.

Alas, I have realized as I get older, I am not into certain things anymore. While I like to travel and see things, it’s also harder. It’s also more expensive. So I try and do things close when possible, or at least try and keep a tighter budget.

Usually.

And I also have Harper now. When I go exploring, I love having her with me. But that also means I have to plan things out a bit more. I don’t do many things without here. I hate leaving her in the car for even five minutes, so it’s even hard to run into a store or whatever sometimes.

I do my best.

So exploring is different with Harper. But I love it. This month had exploring and adventure.

Did you explore? I hope so!

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for August!

1. Geocaching

Geocaching allows you to really explore the world. August took a couple of us, as well as Harper, to Canada for a mega event. One of the days, we were bouncing around picking up finds and we ended up here. The cache was really good, but the area made it great. We were second to find on the cache, too. Would have been even better to be first, alas, it was still awesome.

2. Taking a ferry

Same trip to Canada. We stayed on an island, which was cool. It means we had to take a ferry to the mainland. What was cool was we took seven ferry rides on four different ferries. A very cool experience and an interesting way to get around to explore!

3. Baseball

It’s a different type of explore, I’d imagine. When we go to bark in the park games, Harper gets to see different things, lots of people and lots of other dogs. So she does more of the exploring. And it’s fun to watch her as she interacts and takes in new experiences.

4. Just seeing new places

Exploring just will take you to different places. Some of the best is to just follow some signs, end up in different areas and see what you can find. This was also in Canada on the island where we stayed … we just followed some signs to a spot that told about all the windmills. Very cool.

5. Follow the …

… road less traveled. Or the one traveled most. But get out and explore. Harper says it’s the best way to live!

BONUS PHOTO

Exploring gets you tired. Take naps!

There’s my five (plus bonus) and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s September! And our theme for the month? Experiences. Interpret as you see fit!! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) October 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!

Photo Blogging Challenge: August 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!

As much as I love this blog challenge — I have to find a way to make sure I post on time. I think part of the reason is my lack of overall blogging. And funny enough, I have a whole bunch of posts almost written. I just need to find that push to post more often, even if it’s just 2-3 times a week.

That being said, this month’s theme seems fitting. My Timehop (if it’s an app you don’t use — check it out. Well worth it) has been loaded with photos of Harper from the past three years. It’s crazy how she’s grown and I’ve now had her for three years.

Time certainly does fly by.

Alas, you knew she’d be part of this post, right?

This world is a wild and wonderful place, even when at times it drags you down. So there are a lot of things to love.

Harper will be a big part of this post as she’s taught me a lot about love and other things. Whether it be just the love between somebody and their dog, or just the way one can change looking at so many things because of said dog.

And Harper has done that for me.

There are so many other things to love in this world. From nature to seeing new things to vegging on the couch for the purpose of binge watching something on Netflix. What did you all love this month?

Anyway, I’m late enough as it is this month. So I’ll quit babbling! Here are my five for July!

1. Dock diving

Harper and I have tried a bunch of dog sports. Some have gone over better than others. But she loves the pool, swimming, and dock diving. She’s not quite the best at it (I often have to be in the pool for her to jump to me), but it’s fun. We have several dates booked in August with the hopes that I can get her to jump from the upper dock by herself without issue. If so, then we *might* try a competition over Labor Day weekend, or a little later in September. I love this photo as she swims to grab her toy. See the bonus photos at the end for ones I really wanted to share, but had too many to make three dock diving photos part of the “5!”

2. Cookin’

This summer my Blackstone was finally put together and it’s been great. Breakfast is a blast and I’m learning more and more each time I use it. Harper was curious what all those smells were, too!

3. Geocaching

It’s been great to get outside a bit and explore. Though I haven’t done a lot of caching this month, we did get out on a local rail trail to grab a bunch. We have a road trip this month to go into Canada for a mega event as well!

4. Fridays in July

In my town, Fridays in July are the “Fair on the Square.” It’s a tradition of more than 50 years and I have enjoyed bringing Harper each week for the past couple of years. It’s always full of great music, lots of great smells and so much more.

5. The crew

I know I have posted photos of all of these knuckleheads before, but … I love that Harper has friends who can come over and play. While I realize that not all dogs get along, I am lucky that Harper has some dogs in the neighborhood that get along so well and come to play. It makes life a bit more enjoyable when you can sit out back at Harper’s Landing and watch dogs just enjoy life.

BONUS PHOTOS

This month I had a few extra I needed to share. This was from the first dock diving day. The top one is my mother on the dock with Harper and then Harper jumping at me. The second one is the splash down as Harper jumped in.

There’s my five (plus bonuses) and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s August! And our theme for the month? Explore. Interpret as you see fit!! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) September 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!

Photo Blogging Challenge: July 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!