Happy Trails

A Great Spring!

2011-05-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

The babies are now nine months old!!! What a blessing! Attached are some of the latest... some family shots, and also one showing my sister Jan and her husband Don who were here for a visit... their first time in Texas!!!

Babies!!!

2011-01-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

Had a great photo session with my little ones! Being a grandma ROCKS!

Tennessee Holiday

2011-01-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

I took a week-long trip to Tennessee the week before Christmas to be with my Mom and sisters and their families. Unfortunately, my niece in France couldn't make it, or one nephew, and my guys weren't there either, but we had a blast, and it was wonderful to be with family. My sister and I made my niece Megan a photo album of her life up to high school graduation, I included one image of her looking at the album. She was pleased; we knew she would be.

Thanksgiving Photo Shoot

2010-11-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

Blessings... #1. My Mother

2010-09-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

My Mother. She's a wonder. She's superwoman. She's intelligent, a caregiver extraordinaire. She put herself through school and was an RN and then a school nurse. She is so good at so many things, it's seems unfair, but I could never think negative thoughts because so many of those things she's done for ME. She's an excellent cook, seamstress, housekeeper, wife, mother, grandmother (now great-grandmother). She isn't just those things, as many are, she's the BEST at those things. She really is. I'm not just saying that because she's My Mom. She's always made us feel special, and took TIME with us... really, isn't that what kids really want anyway but don't always get enough of? TIME. With me, and more noticeably, since I'm older and can understand these things, with my kids. She makes incredible handmade gifts for everyone she loves and cares about. The possession I hold most dear in life is the quilt she made for me. And she's classy... dresses to perfection, head to toe. I don't understand where she gets all her energy, which has never diminished, even at age 82. She's been an incredible role model. I admire her more than anyone I know. I love her so much. Here's a peek at her awesome life. Isn't she beautiful? Inside and out.

Grandma times THREE

2010-09-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

So now I'm a grandma to THREE gorgeous grandchildren. My daughter-in-law Michelle (Carl's wife) gave birth to twins on August 2nd. Here are Taryn (6 lb 7 oz) and Leyton (6 lb 6 oz) at 4 hours old, with Daddy Carl, sister Kylah seeing them for the first time, and last but not least Uncle Bryan and Aunt Joanna holding the babies. My cup overflows!

Bend, Oregon

2010-07-16T19:16:00.001-07:00

I had the privilege of traveling to Bend, Oregon to be the photographer for my dear friend Jeff's wedding. Here are some of my favorite images of the wedding and of my time exploring this incredibly beautiful place. He works at a place called "Crystal Peaks Youth Camp," a haven for abandoned and abused horses where disadvantaged, disabled, and/or abused children can come and experience bonding and sometimes even healing. It's an amazing place. And ps - that heart shaped design on the horse is not photoshopped.

My Timberline Home

2010-06-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

I'm ready now to list my house, and I went around and took pictures this weekend for the realtor to use for the listing. I'll miss this house, it has my personality written all over it... built in 1935... a "center hall colonial" I have been told it is called. I've included images of the spare bedroom, the grandchildren's bedroom (since I only have Kylah, it is her room basically), my bedroom with fireplace (2 images), the kitchen, dining room and living room (2 images).

A New Quilt

2010-05-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

Here's the new rag quilt I made for my niece Megan (sshhh... she doesn't know yet, and I'm pretty confident she doesn't know I have a blog). These are her favorite colors (brown and turquoise), and I found some fun flannel that really shows her personality.

The Real Me

2010-05-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

I found this article recently, and it sounded so much like me, at least the "old" me. I think, at age 56, I'm finally the real me. What took me so long? Maybe it has helped that I found my soulmate, someone who accepts me as I am, and loves me with all my idiosyncracies, even thinks they are funny. Go figure! But it's great to be "real."

"Ten years ago I still feared loss enough to abandon myself in order to keep things stable. I'd smile when I was sad, pretend to like people who appalled me. What I now know is that losses aren't cataclysmic if they teach the heart and soul their natural cycle of breaking and healing. A real tragedy? That's the loss of the heart and soul themselves. If you've abandoned yourself in the effort to keep anyone or anything else, unlearn that pattern. Live your truth, losses be damned. Just like that, your heart and soul will return home." Martha Beck

Another Wildflower Adventure

2010-05-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. Every spring I spend as much time as possible hunting down the Texas wildflowers. Here's a couple of the images I shot this weekend... enroute to, and at the Wildseed Farm in Fredericksburg, Texas.

10 honest scraps from me

2010-04-26T11:39:00.001-07:00

Jessica inspired me to try this. Let's see how it goes:

Someone asked me once to describe myself with one word, and without hesitation, I said "mother." Of course at that time my kids were still at home and they were a huge focus and priority in my life and me in theirs. But that has really been true for me my whole life. I remember talking to myself (yes, I do that) when I was in high school, and wondering how I was going to have babies without a husband. I LOVE being a mom, LOVED every moment with my children, through all their ages and stages, challenges and joys, and now I LOVE being a grandma!!!

Another huge part of me and what makes me who I am is that I'm a cancer survivor. When you go through it, it is something that never leaves you... it is a constant in your life... not only because of the repercussions of the treatments (and there are some that I will have to live with forever), but because of the changes that occurred DURING treatment emotionally. I found out that I was a strong person when I had to be. I know faith played the biggest role there, but I was encouraged that I didn't fall apart, and that I handled things pretty well. I gained a new perspective on life, which emphasizes that one should really "stop to smell the roses" as they say; and express to those that you love what you mean to them on a regular basis, and not wait for another opportunity, which may never come.

I am "anti-judgmental." I have a really hard time with judgmental people. I also can't stand sarcasm. But then again, does that mean I'm judging sarcastic people?

I have a fear of heights. I never thought so until recently, now I find that parts of my body get this weird tingly feeling when I am up too high on a ladder or I'm looking down on something steep, and I have to get down to safe ground asap.

I hate spit. Period. Why do some men think that is ok to do in front of people?

I can't stand reality shows. Do those people forget that there are cameras in their face recording everything they say and do? Even so, why do I watch some of these programs? They are a downer. And speaking of TV... I watch too much.

People tell me I'm creative... but I'm not. I'm very crafty, I love making things and have given handmade gifts since junior high school, but I'm not creative. I'm a great copycat.

I'm an insomniac. Always have been. My Daddy told me that he never saw me completely asleep. Every time he would come into the room to check on me or my sisters, I would say "hi Daddy." It's true. I can rest, though, and I can lay perfectly still for the longest time and actually rest, even if I'm not sleeping. Comes with practice. I don't beat myself up about it anymore, and I get up in the morning and go to work and I do fine... most of the time.

I'm athletic. I had so much fun as a kid... it was always great being the captain of the team or picked first. I think about that now, and I wonder if I was nice and kind to those that may not have had that advantage in sports... I don't think so.

I love food way too much. Bummer. What's that saying... "I live to eat"... it should be "eat to live." I'm working on that. Always. For the rest of my life.

Post Processing Experiments

2010-04-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

I don't typically use "actions" when I post-process, but I thought I'd give it a try with these photographs taken recently. This is fun! I'm looking at them right now on my computer at work, and they are darker here than at home. Hmmm. I wonder which (maybe both?) monitors need a color/lighting adjustment?

Wildflowers and my Granddaughter

2010-04-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

Spring has sprung! Kylah and I went to my favorite bluebonnet location (Ennis, Texas), this weekend to take pictures of the wildflowers. She was a trooper... so patient and a great model!

Be True to Yourself

2010-04-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

What a concept. I wonder why I'm sometimes not "true to myself." I'm going to work on that. I've been having some difficulties at work, some people not "liking" me... which is hard, because throughout my life, people have generally "liked" me. I don't like conflict, so I generally avoid all potential episodes of conflict and just stay quiet. But why? Maybe I should just say the thoughts that are rummaging around in my brain and forget the fall-out effect. I suppose that wouldn't be true to myself either, because it's not in me to blurt out thoughts and feelings if they might upset someone. So what do I mean, personally, about being true to myself? It means that I can say "no." It means that I can't do anything about what people think or feel about me, and if it's an unflattering appraisal, or simply untrue, which seems to be happening here at work, there isn't anything I need to do about it; it's their problem. I've always been the "middle child." I want to smooth things over, make everyone happy and have everyone like me. Some people just aren't going to accept it, and I need to just go on and not worry about it or obsess about it like I have been the last 24 hours. I don't have to be their friend. They can pretend I don't exist and walk by me with eyes averted and I don't need to try to change the situation. Be true to myself. I love fruit. Why don't I eat more of it? I love walking, why am I not doing it more often? I love being outdoors... why am I spending too much time on the couch in front of the TV? I love being in God's Word, why am I neglecting that sometimes? I'm rambling. Forgive me. See... there I go again.

Random Thoughts

2010-03-02T08:27:00.001-08:00

BIG NEWS EVERYONE! Carl's wife, Michelle, is pregnant with TWINS!!! This is such great news! My heart spills over with love for my granddaughter, Kylah, and more little blessings will just be incredible!!!

Phew. I'm so glad the Olympics are over. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE the Olympics. But every day after work and all evening, and way too much time on the weekends, I was a couch potato watching it all unfold. Ok, give myself a break... it is only two weeks every four years, well, two weeks every two years if you also include the summer Olympics. And I'm sorry, Canada is a great place I'm sure, but at the closing ceremonies I was pretty tired of hearing about it and seeing the oak leaf on EVERYTHING. Geez... what's the matter, Eileen. You usually aren't quite so critical!!!

The sun is out today, and it is a welcome change from the cloudy and rainy weather we have been having. I'm ready for a Texas spring. People, it is as beautiful here in the spring as it is in New England in the Fall, truly. I walk around taking deep breaths and exclaiming how gorgeous it is everywhere I go. I can't wait!!!

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful day it was; and so unusual for Texas. Perfect for snuggling in at home with a quilt and a cup of tea.

SNOW!!!

2010-02-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

OK, this isn't so serious or insightful or transparent. BUT IT'S SNOWING! I'm at work, and I have these huge picture windows, and I have been peeking around my shoulder all day watching it come down. I ran around outside taking some images. The Library is closing early (3:00 pm) and opening again tomorrow at 12:00 noon because we are expecting icy roads (and Texans don't know how to drive on ice!!!). What a gorgeous day!

Transparency

2010-02-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

After reading a friend's blog today, I realized that my blogs were rather generic... usually showing a picture of something or someone that I love or an event like my granddaughter's play or snow in Texas. Those are all good things to report on, but I am never transparent. And I am a very transparent person. If I'm hurt about something or mad, it is written all over my face. I can't fake it. And for those of you who actually read this (and there are so few), I am going to commit to being a little more real, and transparent, like all of you are. My life isn't perfect, but I do feel that I am in a very "comfortable" place right now. I have a job, I have my sons and grandaughter nearby, I have met and fallen in love with my best friend forever (and we are slowly but surely planning a life together - I guess at this age, things don't happen as quickly as when we were young), and I am now at 11.5 years post-death-sentence "you'll never go into remission" diagnosis. Here's to more transparency and more frequent posts! (picture circa 1972) Love you all!

Snow in Texas!!!

2010-01-14T06:30:00.001-08:00

Here's Star, fat and muddy, in the snow. We had more snow than I've ever seen in Texas during the holidays... it was great! The mini-cabin is the dog house Robin made for our dogs (his one cocker spaniel, my two lab mixes), and the "outhouse" is actually a well house that Robin made to look like a 2-door outhouse! This is Robin's house in Joshua, which will be my home some day soon I hope. It seems like selling my house is going at a snail's pace.

A Christmas Pageant

2009-12-11T06:49:00.000-08:00

Kylah's after-school daycare had their Christmas pageant. Kylah participated in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" song. She was "three french hens." She did beautifully and I was very proud of her; she always knows her part and is a very enthusiastic performer!

2009-11-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

My latest creation uploaded to my stock photo site.

Tennessee!!!

2009-11-04T18:36:00.001-08:00

My trip to Tennessee was so incredible. Of course, it was awesome being with family, in particular my Mother. We went on a 6 mile hike through the Smokies, walking alongside a roaring river, tumbling over rock faces with small waterfalls, and covered with awesome autumn trees. The leaves were falling around us... it was so cool. A definite highlight. We also went barn-quilt searching. There are actual maps that lead you to hundreds of these quilt patterns on the sides of barns. Of course we only got to about 15, but it was a lot of fun and very interesting. It took us to places we never would have gone otherwise. We also took a two day trip to North Carolina, to tour the Biltmore Estate and stay one night at the Biltmore Inn. This is a world I'm not familiar with... the ultra rich. It was incredible, and again, so gorgeous set against the spectacular fall splendor. We took another drive through the Appalachian mountains, getting a different, more landscape-like view of the Fall color, and discovered a cool, small, somewhat undiscovered campground that the Ranger says never fills up. We are going to go back there some day, I hope, for actual camping. And then it was the best part... simply time with family... Mother, my sister Stacey and her husband, my niece and her family. That is my niece Megan's son in one of the pictures... Riley. He is just adorable, and treated me like he sees me every day... allowing me to love him up and play with him. And it was my Mother's 82nd birthday. It was so great spending this time with them all.

Soccer!!!

2009-10-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season... here's Kylah all decked out and ready to play!!!

Scout and Star

2009-10-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Do these babies have it rough or what? My gorgeous paints tweaked with a vintage look.

Grandchildren--- Such Joy!

2009-09-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

Here's some shots of another wonderful time with my Granddaughter, Kylah.

Family Fun... and "my little fish"

2009-08-17T19:27:00.001-07:00

Had a fun family day at a lakefront home on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, with Carl, Chelle, Kylah and Robin. We had brunch, cruised in a boat, and jumped in the lake fully clothed (hey... I haven't worn a bathing suit in a very long time). Then we sat poolside watching my granddaughter (the little fish) imitate baluga whales, float, swim like a pro, and have underwater tea parties. And then a game that Kylah won (of course!!! - and no favors there, she really won). A wonderful family day!!!

Scout, Star & Clyde

2009-07-15T15:33:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of our four legged babies. The menagerie includes four dogs, a handful of chickens, two ducks, two horses, and one donkey. So far. hehehe. These three new babies are SO WONDERFUL. They love attention, and treats and come when called.

The upcoming move is progressing... new job, check. yard sale, check. mortar work done on front and back porches, check. 20 crepe myrtle trees trimmed, check. Now we need to do some other minor repairs, some touch-up painting, a major cleaning job, putting my house up for sale, marriage, and VOILA... off to Joshua, Texas!!! (Notice how I just put marriage in there as if I was listing off groceries... MARRIAGE!!! OHMYGOSH!!!)

Tarrant County College - South Campus Library

2009-06-23T07:24:00.001-07:00

I'm here!!! Finally!!! I have been trying, for about a year, to get transferred to the South Campus of the junior college I work for. There are five campuses, and this one is closest to my house (about 5 minutes away) and CLOSER to Robin's house. When I move to his place which will be our place, I will still have about a 40 minute commute, but that is certainly better than the almost 90 minute commute I would have had while I was on Northeast Campus. I'm in the Library, which is shown above, and if you can imagine my window office on the 2nd floor... voila!!! That's me!!! The people here are GREAT... such a sweet, great group! Thank you, again, Lord... it's all falling into place!!!

Kylah Time!!!

2009-06-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

I had Kylah time this weekend, and a great bonus was some time with Crystal too. Crystal and I have not been able to get together much lately, due to conflicting schedules, so she joined Kylah and me at a pottery painting shack in Dallas (in truth, it was Crystal's idea, since I had yet to come up with a special treat for Kylah). We had SO MUCH fun, Kylah got to pick out a project to paint - we all three did actually). Such great moments, such great memories! And doesn't she look FABULOUS in her pretty dress!

My "Blooming" Portrait Studio

2009-06-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Robin and I started planting various bulbs and throwing seeds into the soil about nine months ago, and we're starting to see the fruits of our labor... SO many varieties of flowering plants are coming up. I wanted it to be a hodgepodge of color, nothing formal or geometic, and I think I achieved the results I wanted! It's hard to see from far away in this particular image, but everything is starting to bloom! The studio is becoming a storage shed for now, but when I move to Joshua, it will transform into the portrait studio I have always dreamed of!!!

Kylah graduates from pre-school!!!

2009-05-29T19:52:00.001-07:00

Not to brag or anything, but she was salutatorian of her graduating class, and gave an awesome speech! She was given two awards... "Most Theatrical" and "I Can Read." I'm a proud grandma!!!

A Wedding

2009-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of shooting a wedding this weekend, it was so beautiful, heartfelt, and fun!!! Isn't the bride gorgeous?

It's a Birthday!!! Five Years Old???

2009-04-26T09:30:00.001-07:00

Where does the time go. My grandaughter, Kylah, is five! Here are pictures from her family gathering for her birthday at The Purple Cow... her favorite hamburger-malt shop joint!!! Happy birthday sweet baby girl!

Tina Marie

2009-04-03T07:50:00.001-07:00

Here's my new girl. I am beyond excited that this dream of over 40 years has finally come true!!!

Round Top, Texas

2009-03-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

I took a drive to Round Top, Texas this weekend. If you've never heard of Round Top... it is famous for it's HUGE, and I mean miles and miles long HUGE antique sale. The City of Round Top boasts a population of 70, but all the surrounding farmers and homes rent out space on their property, and dealers from all over the country come and set up their goods, some under tents, some in buildings, some in homes, some set out on the lawn. It's an almost a three hour drive for me, but I have only been once when I first moved here, and I wanted to check it out again, particularly to see how the bluebonnets were doing on the drive... yes, the Bluebonnet Chaser is still at it, and will be for probably two more weekends. It was a long drive, but a pleasant one with my Sugarland (and other) music for company.

More Images from my Sister's Visit

2009-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Stacey sent these images to me... How unusual to actually see a picture of ME on my blog... doesn't happen very often since I don't like pictures of myself. Here's me doing my thing, my sister is calling me "Bluebonnet Chaser" now, yes, it's true. I'm a bit obsessed. Then one of me with Kylah, one of me with my honey, and one of the whole gang with Stacey.

Texas Storms

2009-03-27T12:58:00.001-07:00

The clouds over Texas can be very interesting, here are cloud formations over our office from our most recent storm... incredible. (Thanks Susan, for the two cell phone images and the top image from Chrissy!!!)

Where The Wild Things Are!!!

2009-03-26T09:15:00.001-07:00

Are you kidding me? I can't wait!!! This looks SO GOOD! This was one of the guys' favorite books. (Thanks, Joanna, for the link!)

What a Spring Break!!!

2009-03-25T10:32:00.001-07:00

My sister Stacey surprised me with a phone call on Tuesday during my spring break, and said "I have a free ticket... can I come?" WE HAD A BLAST! We always have fun together, but this time seemed extra special, maybe because we had a lot of time for just the two of us, maybe because it was so spontaneous. Whatever the reason, it was a time for awesome memories and bonding, alone, with Carl, Michelle, Kylah, Bryan and Robin, or out exploring the sites and countryside. Here's a smattering of some images of the week... starting at the bottom is Stacey in the wildflowers... the bluebonnets are awesome this year, as you can see. Next the gang (Bryan must be hiding behind the tree?) playing croquet on the front lawn, then we have Sis and Carl being themselves (i.e. having fun), the outhouse race in Granbury, the hippie-harley outhouse close-up that won the race, another bluebonnet image, this one in Ennis, curious cows discovered on one of our countryside wanderings, and a close-up of one of the cowboys in Fort Worth's stockyards.

A Day With Kylah

2009-03-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Kylah and I had a day of fun recently, and here's a few selected images from our special time together. We went to the Japanese Garden in Fort Worth, and also had a photo session in my studio... the one above is Kylah playing in the box that came with my new computer!

What a Photo Shoot!!!

2009-02-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

I had a great photo shoot with a former co-worker and her kids... we've done shoots before, and they are always up for anything... and often coming up with their own ideas! We had a blast!

Caramiya

2009-02-15T18:59:00.001-08:00

I had the priviledge of shooting precious little, six day old Caramiya. She's only a little over five pounds, and already a beauty!!!

Grandparenting... What A Joy!

2009-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

I picked Kylah up at her pre-school yesterday, it was so great to see her face light up when she saw me at the gate, then run to me and give me a big hug! She took my hand and led me to the office so I could sign her out and so that she could pick up all her crafts, schoolwork and daily report (all positive). And at home after dinner she drew this great picture, of my house, with stairs, attic, kitchen and couch (which she had to point out to me with rolled eyes, because, duh, I'm grandma). And while she was drawing the X's and O's she said "and this means hugs and kisses." - oh my melting heart.

Wear Red Day

2009-02-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Join with millions of women, as well as companies, organizations and cities across America on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. By wearing red and making a donation, you'll help the American Heart Association support ongoing research and education about women and heart disease. (quoted from their website)

My Latest Project

2009-02-01T15:49:00.000-08:00

I just finished grouting my ceramic mosaic table, and I'm so pleased with the results. I've been collecting broken ceramic pieces for about ten years, waiting for the day I would find just the right table, and be able to do this project. I have two matching white iron malt shop-type chairs, and I will find some matching fabric to cover the seats with.

Love

2009-01-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

My new favorite song... by Sugarland.

Snow and Ice in Texas

2009-01-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, it snowed... not much, but it did snow! When the puppies went out this morning to do their business, they tentatively walked out on the crunching sheet of ice and stopped... didn't know what to make of this new feeling! Everything is a big block of ice right now, and Fort Worth has shut down!

A Wedding - January 27, 1951

2009-01-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

To my beautiful parents... one still with us, one with God. Happy Anniversary!

2009-01-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

Here's me... my senior portrait. I'm having fun on Facebook getting reconnected with people from my high school, some I knew, some I didn't. And it's reminding me of so many incredible memories. Those were great (and interesting) times... Vietnam, war protests, civil rights movement, hippies and flower children, sit-ins and streaking, rock and roll, VW bugs, long hair, drugs and counter-culture, Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock, pop-art, Twiggy, women's liberation, Laugh-In. Those were the days!

A Taste of Old Town Americana

2009-01-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

I discovered this little hamburger stand about 15 minutes from what will be my new home of Joshua... a still functioning, tiny little hamburger stand. The size inside is about the size of my bathroom, with a cook behind a grill and two stools at the grill bar. I love discovering these "remember when" images.

Portrait Studio Sign

2009-01-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here's my new sign for my portrait studio. Carl and Kylah contributed the painted bluebonnets and our house!

Strep Throat?

2009-01-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Yup... I didn't get better after all, I GOT WORSE!!! How is that possible? So after being in bed for a couple days, I'm back at work, hoping I can make it through the day. But so far I feel pretty good, and it's been a couple hours!

The Flu

2009-01-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

I (think) I'm finally getting over my flu bug... but this is ridiculous... about two weeks and counting on this one! This is the first year EVER I've gotten a flu shot, and look what happens. Any connection there... coincidence... any thoughts anyone? It may be my last flu shot.

Images of Christmas 2008

2008-12-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread House Crafting

2008-12-28T14:41:00.000-08:00

This was a great day and a great craft with Kylah, Grandma, and Great Grandma! Fun, fun, fun!!!

Kylah as Mary

2008-12-20T20:55:00.000-08:00

What a night! Kylah was asked to portray Mary in her pre-school play. You can imagine how proud we parents and grandparents were! She did an awesome job! And she asked her teacher if she could say a pre-show prayer (not a part of the original program... all her idea!!!) and although she forgot her practiced prayer, the heartfelt prayer she did say was INCREDIBLE!!! (Of course I'm grandma, but I still think it was very impressive!!!) And yes, all our bouquets may have seemed a bit over-the-top, but why not? She's our girl, and we were proud!!!

... thought provoking

2008-12-10T11:52:00.001-08:00

Do They Know It's Christmas?

2008-12-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

If you can get beyond the mullets, make-up and interesting personalities, it's such a great message!

Snow in Tennessee

2008-12-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

It may be hard to see, but it was snowing!

Here's my beautiful Mother and equally beautiful Sister!

Thanksgiving in Tennessee

2008-12-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

Here's just one image from my amazingly beautiful Mother at her front door, all decorated for the holidays! It was GREAT in Tennessee, not only with Mother, but also with my sister, her husband, and my niece and her family. It SNOWED while we were there, nothing stuck, but that was rather fun! It rained every day except Thursday, so that was a bummer, but rather than be able to take a drive through the beautiful Smokies, we played games and drank hot apple cider! It was GREAT!!!

Weekend Update and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

The neighbor kids came knocking on the door this weekend... I LOVE it when they are up for another photo session! Here's PART of the gang all together. And the top image is the new addition to the family... Billy... two weeks old!

I also had a colonoscopy on Monday... that's not such a big deal, but Sunday trying to keep the horrible concoction they make you drink on an empty stomach was. Awful! No results yet. Tomorrow I leave for Tennessee to have Thanksgiving with my Mom, Sister and her Husband, and my niece and her family. I'm really looking forward to this, I haven't had Thanksgiving with my Mom in about four years.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving all, we all have so much to be thankful for!!!

Robin's Home - A New Color

2008-11-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of my boyfriend Robin and his home with the new paint on the outside (he's there on the bench in front recuperating from cataract surgery. He's been doing a lot of redecorating in preparation for me (he's so sweet and good to me) and we both worked on painting the outside. The second picture is a view from the front yard, looking out west at the 75 acres of cattle grazing land. Looking southwest are 35 acres with cattle grazing, and behind him is a new neighbor with about 5 acres and a home. It's rather cool to be surrounded by so much land... it will be a very peaceful and beautiful place to live! Hopefully that event will happen in the spring, or as soon as I can get a job transfer or change!

Change is Hard

2008-11-16T19:25:00.000-08:00

My co-worker Abby has gotten a new job, and has left our office for greener pastures. She's become a friend forever, and I have confidence that this is not the end. But not seeing her beautiful, bright, face and wonderfully fun personality every day in the office will be hard! Abby, I kept saying "this is not goodbye, just see you later" and I meant it!!!

Happy Birthday, Mother!

2008-10-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

2007

as a child

Happy Birthday, Mother. I wish I could be spending it with you in Tennessee!

My dear Mother. When we were growing up, she sewed all our Halloween costumes,

then my Dad would take us out treat-or-treating, and she would be at home alone passing out candy. Not much of a birthday! Even now she says she's always resented the fact that her birthday is on Halloween! She's always been an incredible role model!

There's no Mother who is more awesome and talented and beautiful in her 81 years!!!

Weekend Photo Session

2008-10-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

My neighbors are SO GREAT and the kids so accommodating. Here's a few from my photo session with one of the girls this weekend... she's fourteen going on twenty! We had so much fun! They love having their pictures taken. They often come and knock on my door to see if I can take their picture. I usually print some for them to pass around to family and friends, and I often have popsicles in the freezer to bribe them to be good (the little ones)!

Tag 2nd generation

2008-10-24T08:37:00.001-07:00

Ok, I've been tagged by quite a few people lately, and there are two different "tags" rolling around. Here's the second one, which is quite fun, I think:

1. I LOVE wind and severe weather. I love watching the leaves fall from the trees as the wind blows, the sounds it makes whirling through the trees. I LOVE snuggling up on my couch in my flannel blanket on cold winter days. I would love going out to play (or shovel) in the snow if I still lived in my mountains, but unfortunately that's not the case anymore. I LOVE my nose going purple from the cold but the rest of my body being warm under layers of clothes.

2. I LOVE the fact that I'm a flower child, or I was anyway. I LOVED the sixties and that I was a part of that remarkable season... cheering on returning soldiers (and wearing a bracelet with a POW's name on it to be reminded of our soldiers' sacrifices - my guy - unknown to me - spent seven years as a POW but came home!!!) but protesting the war. I actually passed out flowers at the local park when I was a teenager and said "make love, not war." It was a tumultuous, invigorating, sad, wonderful time to be a teenager.

3. I LOVE to write letters and send cards. The old fashioned way. I still do it, just because.

4. I LOVE rock and roll - loud. I love all kinds of other music too, and I'm even starting to get into country.

5. I LOVE blue cheese dressing... on everything... hamburgers, salad, in mashed potatoes (instead of the milk), on veggies broiled.

6. I have a few things I can't stand... people multi-tasking when they are communicating with you... so rude... hey, call me back when you can give me your full attention. And being late. Again, selfish and rude. Is your time more important than mine?

7. I LOVE taking time to smell the flowers... meaning, I LOVE to lay down on the grass and stare up at the sky. I LOVE to stop my car at random moments when I see something gorgeous. I LOVE spending the day with my camera photographing beautiful and interesting things. I LOVE breathing in deeply, exhaling slowly and intentionally, and taking in all of God's wonders.

There's so much more, obviously... I didn't even mention PEOPLE. But the rules said seven, and those are what I thought of first.

Ok, and now I tag Jolene, Jessica, Crystal, Rhonda, Christy, Chelle.

Tag!!!

2008-10-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

You asked for it! This is a picture of my great-great grandfather, with his second wife. If I showed you a picture of my great-great grandmother, you might not question why he took a second wife 21 years his junior so quickly after her passing (oh, that was bad). She was a rather sour looking person in her pictures... poor thing! Maybe not in good health... I shouldn't judge!!!

Here are the rules of the tag:- Go to your Pictures folder- Go to the 6th folder- Go to the 6th picture- Publish it to a new post and tell the story of the picture.I tag: Susan and Rhonda and anyone else who wants to play!

Dorothy

2008-10-20T06:46:00.001-07:00

Here's my little Dorothy with her Toto! We had a picture session this weekend with Kylah in her Halloween costume. I couldn't decide which image I liked best, so I uploaded all my favorites. Which one is yours? She's such a great poser!

2008-10-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Above are two images from this weekend's photo shoot. Thank you for your patience, Crystal, you are a gorgeous model!

2008-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! Crystal and I got to do lots of things we love... talking, of course, shopping at some interesting, sometimes quirky, places, having brunch together at a sidewalk cafe, enjoying a new dish for dinner (one of my old family favorites that Crystal wanted to try... and she did GREAT... it was so yummy), taking photographs, looking at pictures, discussing plans for my wedding, specifically the flowers and centerpieces which Crystal is going to do for me, and giggling like teenagers at midnight. An awesome time and weekend!

At The Lake

2008-10-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

I was invited to join Carl, Chelle and Kylah at their Dad's vacation home on the lake, it was great fun, a gorgeous day, and so relaxing! Here's some pictures of Kylah enjoying herself and posing for Grandma:

There's also a pool, as shown above! We had a great time!

The Impressionists and The Kimball Museum

2008-10-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Eileen Hart's London Street; Rainy Day - 2008

Gustave Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day - 1877

Carl, Chelle, Kylah, Bryan, Joanna and I had a blast at the Kimball last Friday night. I won first place in the Van Gogh Impressionist Photography Contest, and our prize was free admission, a private tour by the curator of the Impressionist Exhibit and dinner for six. Unfortunately Robin couldn't make it; he had an appointment that ran late. But we enjoyed it, and felt privileged to have a personal tour. The photograph that won was my impression of Van Gogh's still life of grapes, pears and lemons, but shown above is the photograph that I entered in the "other" contest sponsored by the same museum, this time I won second place! The resemblance to the original painting is amazing, and was not planned. I took this black and white photograph of my sister and her husband Ken while we were in London this past May.

Affirmation

2008-10-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

I think this is an extraordinarily important word. I befriended a guy once who was going through a divorce, and I asked him what he felt was lacking in his marriage. He thought for a moment, and said "affirmation." Wow, I didn't expect that answer. There were many other choices he could have made that I don't need to list. I've never forgotten that, it was a very valuable lesson for me. I realized then how important it is to affirm all the people in our lives that we care about. Here are the official definitions:

Affirmation:
1 a: the act of affirming
b: something affirmed
c: a positive assertion
2 a solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines taking an oath

Affirm:
1. a: validate , confirm
b: to state positively
2: to assert (as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed
3: to express dedication to

Feeling blessed...

2008-09-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

No special reason for this sentiment, just feeling especially blessed at this season of my life... in remission, living near my children and grandbaby, debt free, and with a special someone to share life with.

For the Love of Mud

2008-09-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

That was my Grandfather's favorite saying. So here's what's muddy in my world... whose idea was it to have another type of internet connection service, like "Facebook?" - It's not that I mind Facebook so much, but now I have to belong to it, Myspace, and Blogspot. What's next? Come on, people, can't we just learn to get along? Seriously, what's the deal? And some of my friends say they only do Myspace, and some say Facebook, and most say they don't even know what Blogspot is. Phew! I love the internet, but I'm afraid before the decade is out, I'll belong to a dozen of these things just so I can stay in touch with all my friends. Am I just an old fuddy duddy?

My Favorite Movie of All Time

2008-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Has everybody seen this movie? To Kill A Mockingbird should be required reading and movie watching for every adult. It is absolutely my FAVORITE movie of all time. I watch it occasionally, a couple times a year typically, because it moves me so, and I think it is so relevant to the history of the United States, to America's race issues, injustice, and a single dad's relationship with his children in the 1930's. Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch is AMAZING... it was the role that he considered his best and he was quoted as saying that he most admired this man over any that he ever portrayed. The American Film Institute recently voted Attitus Finch the number one hero of all time in film. Wow! The performances of the children actors portraying Scout and Jem are amazing; as are all the actors in this film. And the cinematography is incredible. Have I said it enough to convince you? I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!

Precious Angel

2008-09-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

I know, my posts lately are all about Kylah! Do I love being a grandma or what? Here's my sweet little one, pretending to be a sleeping angel.

2008-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

It is so fun to find out where your stock photos go! I rarely know... but here's a particularly interesting one. Carl emailed me this advertisement which includes Kylah. Carl works for Lockheed, his Dad does as well, and this is an employee relations club, apparently, that was announcing a cookie party. Of the thousands of little girl images with cookies available on stock sites, they picked this one!!! Too funny. I took this of Kylah over a year ago.

The picture below is of my very wonderful (and willing) co-worker Abby, posing with her son Ethan. This was also taken over a year ago, and one of her friends called her to tell her she was in a magazine ad (and then mailed her the magazine)!!! I'll never forget that photo session with her and all three of her kids. A blast (thanks Abby)!!!

Grandma Time!!!

2008-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

Grandma had another overnight with Kylah... what a blast! We went to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Dallas. I was worried about Hurricane Ike, because it was supposed to touch down at the same time as I would be driving to Dallas, but fortunately the eye of the storm decided to head a bit east, and although it was raining, the storm was much less than predicted and the roads were not bad at all. Kylah and Nikki were dressed to match, and a lot of the shoppers in the store were commenting on how cute she looked and where did I get that outfit? (can't take credit for it, though). We had lunch - Kylah had cheese fondue for her appetizer, with mac & cheese and fruit. I had spinach dip with crackers, panini sandwich and tomato soup. All yummy, but WAY too much food, we hardly ate half of it. It's all one price regardless of your age, and the portions are the same for EVERYBODY! I let Kylah pick out one outfit for her doll, and after looking through the whole boutique and all the amazing choices of every aspect of life offered, she selected a gorgeous indian leather dress with moccasins, choker and feather hairpiece. All of this girlie stuff is new to me, and is SO MUCH FUN!!! I loved watching all the other patrons with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It was a perfect weekend with my precious girl!

A Day With Kylah

2008-08-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

I know... it isn't Christmas yet and I'm exactly four months ahead. But I'm shooting seasonal holiday shots for my stock work! Isn't this one fabulous? Kylah is so darn cute! And such a good little grandbaby! We had a day together yesterday; we went to Central Market (a high end market - a little bit like Trader Joes) to pick out what she wanted to eat while she was at Grandma's house. She knew just what she wanted, and at one point I had to tell her that we had more food than we could eat in a day and we needed to stop!!! When I tell her "you can pick out ten little fish" (the mini candied ones) she counted out ten and no more. She is SO GOOD, no demands or tantrums. We went to the National Cowgirl Museum, watched Shirley Temple in "The Little Princess" and played together. She sang and danced for me (she's REALLY GOOD... got the rhythm going and knows the words to the Jones Brothers and Hannah Montana (and other) songs). At one point early in the evening she started to get a little tired; she climbed into my lap, layed her head down, and was just quiet for a bit. She's a mover, so this was a surprise treat! I was in heaven!!! A perfect day with my precious granddaughter.

2008-08-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

I was working on some Christmas pictures for my stock collection, and Shadow decided he wanted to be in on the act... TOO FUNNY! My babies don't like to pose when I want them to, but are curious and want to get in on the act when I'd prefer they be sleeping peacefully someplace else!!!

Memories...

2008-08-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

I inherited my Grandpa's slides (he was an avid photographer, fortunately) and occasionally I go through them and the memories come flooding back. These are four generation pictures taken in my Grandparent's backyard, with my two sisters, my Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. I'm the middle child, about age 4, far right in both pictures. Pictured on top is my Great-Grandfather and Grandpa.

2008-08-11T05:28:00.000-07:00

Had a photo session with the family this weekend... we were having a birthday celebration for Carl... his big 30!!! I'm not really happy with these, the settings on my camera weren't right, but it's still a great picture simply because it's my beautiful family! We had a great time!!! Carl requested french toast (we had a brunch) and pineapple upside down cake!

2008-07-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

So, my friend Abby says she read someplace that the average American has only read six of the following books. I've read 23. Now if we were to count again and include the movie versions... well, never mind.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Studio Photo Session

2008-07-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple images from a photo session I had this weekend with my willing neighbor kids... both four years old! Aren't they handsome? I picked up these desks recently while driving by a church... they were putting them out for trash pick-up (I snagged three - all I could fit in my car). Fun, fun, fun!

2008-07-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

This is the San Antonio Riverwalk. Such a beautiful place. Robin and I visited here this weekend, in addition to going to Sea World and the Alamo. It was a great, fun, but HOT weekend.

Grace

2008-07-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

What is grace? I looked it up in the dictionary:

Elegance, beauty of form, manner, motion, or action. A pleasing or attractive quality. Favor or good will. Mercy, clemency, pardon. Favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity. The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. A virtue or excellence of divine origin. Moral strength. A short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given. A formal title. To lend or add grace to, adorn. To favor or honor. To be kind. Regarded with favor.

Synonyms are: 1. attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, comeliness, ease, kindness, love, embellish, beautify, deck, decorate, ornament, enhance, honor.

Are there those in our lives that scream out "GRACE?" I can think of some in my past and present life that show grace on a daily basis. Do I? Not so much, I don't think. Maybe in some circumstances, but in all? No way. I'm going to singularly focus on this for awhile, and make a special effort to improve on areas in my life where I'm not filled with "grace," where I don't offer grace to someone I'm in contact with, outwardly and even inwardly... that place or that reaction that no one sees or hears but me (and God... yikes).

Happy 10th Survival Anniversary!!!

2008-07-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOSH. I should have had a party. Someone just reminded me that it was 10 years ago (on July 10th - Bryan's birthday) that I was given a "death sentence." My doctor said he would not give me a time frame, but that I would never go into remission... his goal for me was quantity and quality of life. My second opinion gave me two years. Wow. Those were tough times, and beautiful times. It gave me an appreciation of all the little aspects of life... to appreciate each day's beauty (yes, I actually stop my car, get out and watch beautiful sunsets); it taught me how to be pro-active and be in charge of my body and treatment. I learned that some loved ones just don't know how to react to illness, and that other loved ones are gifted caregivers. It showed me the importance of church, fellowship and prayer. Thank you to those who were with me, cared for me, prayed for me... and simply loved me during those challenging and incredible months.

2008-07-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Here's my precious babies... Moon and Shadow. They were a bit confused during this photo session. "You mean, Mom, you want us to stand over here on this backdrop... the same one you trained us not to get near?" They sure don't look very happy. They are just a couple love bugs, and have always been SO good... even as little tiny puppies. Moon follows me around wherever I go, and Shadow is just a big teddy bear. Isn't it amazing how we get so close to our pets?

2008-07-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here's the first images using my new studio lights...

we had a blast... and the subjects are pretty awesome too...

(Carl, Bryan and Joanna... Bryan's girlfriend)

Goals and Dreams Wordl

2008-07-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed creating yesterday's wordl so much, I decided to do another one today. This one focuses on my goals and dreams. As you see, I have a lot of personal goals, and the dreams seem to focus a lot on traveling. I got the travel bug this summer. Fun Fun Fun!!!

wordl

2008-07-09T13:52:00.001-07:00

Just discovered this... (thanks Bruce)... thought I'd create one showing some my favorite things and things I'm grateful for! Click on the box above if you want to see it blown up!

2008-07-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here's my new portrait studio on Robin's property... he just added a porch, a rocker and a couple hanging plants... he is so supportive of my hobby/business. Now we need to add electricity, studio lights and an air conditioner! I won't really be able to start using it until we get married and his home becomes "our" home, but I can hardly wait!

My Slide Show of European Images

2008-06-24T08:03:00.001-07:00

Finally, here's a slide show of my European photos. These include a few select wedding photos, some family groupings, France, England and Germany (we were in Germany for about a half day). Enjoy! (I sure did!).

2008-06-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a view of the Alsace region of France... it was just filled with vineyards and tiny little old villages dotting the landscape. So beautiful! I'm still working on my photographs, I hope to have a slide show soon of my favorite images. It's great to be back, though... traveling is awesome, but there's no place like home! My latest happenings: 1) interviewing for a job on another campus closer to home, a lateral transfer (prayers please); 2) finishing up the wedding photographs and putting together a wedding album for my niece and her husband; 3) getting contacted by an advertising firm in Kansas to do a professional photo shoot of downtown Fort Worth at night (I'm hiring Bryan to do this with me and we're splitting the proceeds); 4) spending two nights and a day this weekend with my precious Kylah... it's tea party time!!!

2008-06-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of the beautiful bride and handsome groom... Emily and Marc! The wedding was in a beautiful old church with a pipe organ; the music was spectacular... two young nieces played the flute and chello, accompanied by the organ and four singers. The service was so lovely! They are a happy, committed and loving couple!

I'm back! What an awesome trip with incredible sights and precious time with family. The top picture is of Broadway Tower in the Cotswolds of England; the bottom picture is of Notre Dame at night in Paris. We were in France for twelve days, and in England for six days. Everything was old and unique and charming and just perfect for picture taking!

2008-05-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have a little time before I get on my plane! Crystal, Stephen and I went to a wildlife park a few days ago; we had a blast shooting images of wildlife and just spending time together. Here's one of my pictures from our great day! Doesn't she look like she's getting ready for a big smooch?

Europe... Here I Come!!!

2008-05-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm off for my first trip to France, England, and a peek of Germany since I land in Frankfurt. This is my niece Emily and her betrothed Marc. Emily graduated from Dartmouth as a Fullbright Scholar, and went to France to teach English for a year. There she met Marc, and the rest is history! Emily's wedding is in Strasbourg, France, near the German border. My Mother and I will also be touring Great Britain; I am so excited about having "high tea" with her every day while there. Jusqu' à la prochaine fois. à dieu.

2008-05-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Kylah is four!!! Here's a picture of my awesome granddaughter

with her Daddy having tea at the American Girl Store.