I don’t have very many jumping shots. But this one came to mind. It’s a little unconventional for a submission to I Heart Faces’ Week 10 – “Jump For Joy!” Photo Challenge, but the back story explains it, I think!

This was taken in 2008 during the Perilous Plunge in Eureka, CA. Community members dress up in teams and JUMP into the freezing Humboldt Bay to raise money for the Discovery Museum, which is a great marine educational resource for local children.

The Perilous Plunge is their yearly fundraiser – and a HUGE hit.

Be sure to head on over to www.iheartfaces.com to check out all of the beautiful face entries this week!

February’s wallpaper is a cherry blossom from last Spring. I’m already seeing the buds and it’s the first. Spring is here early this year.

Available in 1280×800.

What would you like to see for March?

One year ago., originally uploaded by stephaniehaller.

“One of the things Ken Quigley misses most about his daughter is her dancing.

”I don’t even know where to begin,” he said about his favorite memories of his daughter Nicole Lynn Quigley. “We miss her so much … . We miss watching her dance. Dancing was her thing. She danced all over the house.” (Times-Standard, Oct. 6, 2009)

Nicole was a beautiful 9-year-old ballet, jazz and tap dancer who died in a tragic car accident a year ago today when a car allegedly street racing slammed into her mother Debbie’s Tahoe at 100mph, causing it to fly down an embankment, through a telephone pole and into a fence. Nicole’s twin sister, Ashley, survived.

I’ll never forget the feeling in my gut when we got the fax of the CHP report in the newsroom that night. Never in my wildest dreams would I think I would know the family.

Debbie and I worked together closely when I attended Humboldt. Her girls were her life. I can’t imagine how she’s managed to get through this past year. Her strength is deeply inspiring.

The candlelight vigil for Nicole ended a bit ago in Humboldt. While I’m here in Seattle, my heart and spirit was there with them.

The quote above is from Lee Ann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance, which Nicole’s dance troop performed to at her service. The courage of those girls to get up – I’m not sure I could have done it.

But the show must go on – and it’s what Nicole would have wanted. She would have kept dancing.

Every Oct. 6 I’ll remember her. I’ll smile. And cry. But most importantly, I’ll dance.

May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…”

freesia., originally uploaded by stephaniehaller.

We moved to Issaquah from California in February, and I finally made it to the Washington Park Arboretum last weekend. I had visited University Village before, for my H&M fix, but hadn’t even known about the Arboretum. Over 200 woody acres to explore, all for free!

What a gorgeous place! The new Pacific Connections Garden was where I spent a lot of my time – I loved how sustainable it is. The day started to slip away once I discovered this small freesia garden adjacent to the large grassy lawn.

After being sick for a week, it was refreshing to sit outside, enjoying the crisp air and sun. :) I hadn’t picked up my camera in awhile and it was beginning to feel neglected.

I’ve done a bit more processing than normal for this art print, including a texture and a gradient. I’m very happy with the end result, though.

Look for a tutorial to get this look in the next couple of weeks!