Take the time to contemplate where to plant your energy over the next few months — “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Maybe because I live in Minnesota, but…

A writer, one part content blended with one part creative — My name is Ellie Jacobson, which you probably gathered by the article title. I’m also part Irish so excuse my sarcasm. My life I grew up in the ’70s and the ’80s (the best time I tell ya!). I was born and raised by the most wonderful (not sarcasm) Mom with red…

Book Shelfie: Freestyle — We’re supposed to organize our bookshelves? I follow a lot of book lovers and writers on Instagram, which makes sense since I’m slightly book obsessed. I saw a recent Instagram challenge for people to post book shelfies. My inner librarian became quite ashamed of my shelfie skills after seeing chic bookshelves organized by colors, sizes, and…

A week in photos: June 9–15, 2022 — “But on paper, things can live forever. On paper, a butterfly never dies.” ― Jacqueline Woodson, Brown Girl Dreaming Or in a photograph. I adore butterflies. The moment I see one, I jump up (a rare sight LOL) to grab my camera. I snap away without knowing if I’m taking…

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Kitty Freestyle — Can I come with, pretty please? Look at that face in the lower right-hand side of the window. It melts my heart. Since the kids have been home on summer break, we have been going on family walks, usually in the evenings after dinner. As we were gathering in the driveway, deciding which direction to walk…

Making a connection through nature and photography — A few weeks ago, our apple tree was in bloom. It only lasts a few days, so I knew I had to get out there to take some photos. Ever since being inspired by Anne Bonfert’s approach to taking photos of trees from below, I’ve been even more obsessed with…

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle — It’s that time of the year. The other side of the sign reads, “Come on in,” which is the side that is normally displayed on my office door. I have mother guilt; I never want my teenage sons to feel like they can’t talk to me. But now this mama has flipped the sign to the…

A week in photos: June 2–8, 2022 — My kids’ last day of school was a week ago yesterday. Another school year done and away. As a work-from-home mom, my schedule has always revolved around theirs, which is the way I like it. Except for that first week of a new schedule. …

Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Kitty Freestyle — Squirrel and kitty accessing the situation. About a month ago, I spent the day cleaning our sun porch; my annual tradition once the weather warms up. Washing windows and the corner cobwebs away. I took in one of our squirrel feeders (from a different tree) to give it a good cleaning and sprinkled seeds and peanuts…