Timeless Joys

About last night...

2007-05-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

I left home at 5:30 to drop the boys off at their first formal event. The night ended with an 11:00 showing of Shrek III with us getting to bed around 2:30. What a blessing that my teenagers want to include me in their late night outings with friends.

2007-05-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Shrimp anyone?!

I often feel like this hydrangea. I just can't decide if I'm going to be sweet or sour!

A butterfly plant ready to take flight!

2007-05-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

The flowers of summer are just as beautiful as those of spring, but here in south Louisiana the weather is so hot and humid you just don't stay outside as much to enjoy them, so photographys are the next best thing.

2007-05-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Flowers of summer-hydrangea a classic!

PTI

2007-05-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

uh! I've been sidelined by someone who didn't stop at the stop sign! A broken clavicle and some serious contusions that have still not yet healed completely. Today was the first day I felt like taking some pictures. I didn't take this one. My car is the white one. this was taken on March 31. so it's been a while. take this to heart he was getting off work and was in a hurry and just didn't stop. So its the other drivers out there you have to watchout for because they are not watching out for you.

Yippeeeee!!

2007-03-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

He's home and he's my favorite!!!

Baseball + Water ='s ??????

2007-03-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

Just as my oldest was warming up on the mound the sprinklers came on! It meant a twenty minute delay, but the boys enjoyed the diversion. Life is full of surprises isn't it.

Wednesday

2007-03-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun taking pictures on the Ferry yesterday that we came back again to day. Here's the ferry coming into port.

We then met my sons' good friends at Dairy Queen for ice cream. Even though it's not the best picture, I wanted to post this as a reminder of what a blessing it is when God brings into your life, young people who love the Lord to befriend your children.

2007-03-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

We had to cross the Ferry to get to Joe's game on Tuesday. It was a beautiful and brillant spring day. I was able to capture just some of the blue sky and sunshine behind the Ferry's flag.

Class Assignment

2007-03-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

The assignment for my photography class this week is to take photos of ordinary things in a way that makes them extraordinary. I decided to do it myself. They is titled Bulb .

2007-03-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

Photographs bring beauty to the most mundane tasks-like washing dishes...

...and cooking.

My azaleas are in full bloom, and they beg me to take their picture while they are so glorious! I just can't resist their lush beauty.

2007-03-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

Friday was almost as busy as Thursday, but I did have time to snatch a few shots of some of the flowers blooming at my house. Sadly they will be gone too soon.

Joe had a great game tonight. This is him rounding 2nd going to 3rd after slamming a ball to deep left field. It ended up being a grand slam (there were 3 men on base ahead of him) in the park home run! He is so blessed to be on this team.

2007-03-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

As usual Thursday was nonstop from start to finish. I won't miss the hectic pace of WFAAS, but I will miss the people.

I just love little ones. They speak my language.

Swamp Beauty

2007-03-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

We went back to check on the alligators today. While there I snapped a few shots not expecting to see much. But once again my camera found beauty where I only saw murky water and shade of brown. I don't know which I like better the colors of the first one or the simple lines found in the B&W. Which do you prefer and why?

Can you find the alligator?

A Walk Through Town

2007-03-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

I am blessed to live is a beautiful, quiet and historical small town. My youngest and I strolled through our own little slice of heaven this afternoon. There were so many photo ops that I took 76 photos in about 20 minutes Most of them were pretty good photos so I had a hard time picking what to post. I settled for these 5 as my favorites.

This one was taken in a lovely little gift shop that overflowed with merchandise for the romantic at heart. I like the geometric sensations of this shot.

I think my husband will appreciate this one. It's more of the flowers he loves to see each spring.

I just love this shot and I don't know why. I feel I'm being invited to sit for a while and enjoy the beauty of the day.

I love photographing flags. They have a freedom and a power that draw me in.

Pink always makes me smile and think of dancing curls and gigling little girls.

We Won 9-7

2007-03-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

My ds was the starting pitcher in our game against our biggest rival. He allowed 5 runs in the first inning just so his mother could have a nervous breakdown in the stands! :) After that he pitched just great. 5 or 6 strikeouts, no other hits and no more runs. The last 3 innings it was 3 up 3 down as he got 9 batters out in a row! His good buddy Chuck came in and closed out the game allowing only 2 more runs. The bats got to smokin and they came back to win with a final score of 9-7. Great Game Patriots!

I love to see the comraderie between competitors who are also believers in Christ. Makes for fun sporting events.

With sport sphotography you just never know what you're going to get. Notice that his left foot is about 2 1/2 feet off the ground. He was throwing the ball as he twirled and made a good throw. I have no idea how he can do that!

2007-03-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Can you find the hidden creature?

Curls in the Sky

Nature's Curls...there was a little girl...

Floral Glory

2007-03-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

These are for my husband who's away working in Australia. He loves spring time here. He most especially loves the beautiful flowers that bloom all over our parish. So honey, these are for you. Wish you were here!

Gator Surprise

2007-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

The main street where we live meanders out of town to dissappear into the Mississippi River. Between town and the river is a small swamp area that borders the street. My son and I were headed to the River to get some pictures when we spotted these 3 alligators. It's such a blessing to live in a town where we have access to McDonald's and alligators in the wild! We both went crazy taking pictures, so I don't know which of us actually got the shots I've posted.
a youngster about 4 feet long

A teenager about 6 feet long

The big boy! He's about 10 feet long.

3 Guesses

2007-03-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

3 guesses as to what this is!

A Boy and His Kitty

2007-03-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Cats are like people. There are certain individuals that we just take to and claim as our own. Our cat Homer is this way about my eldest son. He won't let Joe sleep alone and often keeps him warm when there is a chill in the air.

Cristina's Place

2007-03-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

I call this one "Madam"

"Roses at the Window"

Cristina's Living Room

The Fireplace

Cristina's Dining Room

Angel in my corner.

Homer Fuz

2007-03-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Cats love to be in fun little tight spaces.

Evening after Rain

2007-03-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

I went out a few minutes ago just at sunset to try to find a few good shots. I love the new growth on my rose bushes. The Christmas red and greens of the new leaves signal that roses will be blooming again soon.

Here's more new growth found on my variegated hydrangea. I just thought it was interesting in b&w.

I want to get as many shots as I can of the azaleas blooming because my dh who's away will at least get to enjoy them from our photos.

I underexposed these last two with fun results. I rather like the mysterious tone to them.

My Son's Rooms

2007-03-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

There are some days that getting my teeth brushed is a reason to celebrate. Today was one of those days. All that lovely yellow pollen floating in the air makes it hard to breath! Any, this afternoon I noticed the light look especially interesting in my two son's bedrooms. AFter looking at the shots, I got to thinking how each personality is reflected by what you see by the windows. I also thought that one day I'll probably miss the zillions of treasures displayed like works of art in one room and the cyclonic after effects found in the other.

My Fears Have Been Realized...

2007-03-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

...it's taken over my life :)!!! Can you find the self-portrait?

Japanese Magnolias are one of my most favorite flowers. I stopped to get some shots of them on the way home from the P.O. as they will be gone soon.

My dh gave me this climbing rose bush two years ago I thought it was going to leave me for a while, but it seems to have decided that it likes it here and started blooming.

2007-03-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

We got home LATE after the baseball game last night, so I just took a few shots to mark the day. Surprisingly, without a flash I was able to capture some shots that I thought were ok. I'd love to master being able to photograph without flash. Natural light is so warm.

This next shot had such fun lines in it that I had to make it look like pointillism.

2007-03-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

These were taken on a different camera earlier this week and I forgot about them. I am trying to learn to capture the beauty of light. This is my friend's new house. She has candles, interesting lights and beautiful things everywhere.

Home Schoolin' Style

2007-03-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

One of many great things about home schooling is that you get to do your school pictures any way you want. I loved the way these turned out. I took the ones of ds#2 and a student in my photography class took the ones of my older son, ds#1.

Catch a Setting Sun

2007-03-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

ds #1 and I went for another driving lesson just as the sun was setting. He and I took turns getting shots of a glorious sunset.

God's Beauty is Everywhere

2007-03-07T05:43:00.000-08:00

Some days are more challenging than others. Yesterday was just such a day. But as usual God was faithful to give me just what I needed to be able to enjoy his blessings. A friend of mine reminded me that "He who freely gave up His own Son" was cetainly going to give me what I needed this day. It was just what I needed to hear. God gave me the opportunity to meditate on that as I discovered these pictures. They are of things that brought a smile to my lips and for which I continue to be grateful. They are all blessings in my life.

My dss' baseball team after practice. God has blessed our lives with these young men and their families.

The glorious sun peeking through on a overcast day.

Anna's eyes. She is so beautiful. Looks just like her mother.

ds#2 "playing" centerfield?

A precious little girl hopping around repeatedly chirping "flutter, flutter". She was wearing a pair of butterfly wings (only one side is visible) and it was obvious to all who saw her that she was a butterfly for the day.

God's Super Model. Oak trees with moss hanging are always photogenic. They never take a bad picture.

Wildflowers of the Spring. Dusted like powdered sugar over the field.

Hardt of Champions

2007-03-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the new athletic facilty where my dss learn the art of baseball. Gorgeous facility. We spend lots of time here. Good thing we like the people there! :)

There thousands of interesting shots to be found in the facility. The following are my favorite 3.

Heads Up!

Practice is over

Down

A tangled web

Another of Life's Milestones

2007-03-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

My 16 year ds's first driving lesson in the Toyota.

A Quiet Saturday

2007-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Poncho Villa enjoying family photos on the computer.

These blue flowers along with the pansies below are blooming in front of the town hall. It was a glorious day so I parked at the libray and walked to the post office enjoying the cool breeze, the warm sun and the splendor of early spring.

Snow in March? In Louisiana?

Old Fashioned Charm

Flags Flying in the March breeze.

Battles of Spring

2007-03-02T22:27:00.000-08:00

Here's the best shot I took today and my favorite. Ds#2 is the team manager and he loves doing this job. He takes it very seriously and does his job as unto the Lord. He takes such joy in life. As frustrating as this age can be at times, his smile, laugh and quirkiness are charming, and I cherish the time with him.

My shots were not very good tonight, so I did something different with the editing to make if more fun for you the viewer. This is called coloring book effect.

Baseball season is upon us again. This picture is not very good, but I wanted to remember how much fun the boys had tonight. They boys on their team are such quality kids, young men of good character. They also have great fun together and share similar quirky senses of humor.

More Fun on the Farm

2007-03-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

My sister and her husband came with their 4 boys to my mother's cattle ranch. All the pictures I posted last week that I took came from the farm. There are so many interesting and beautiful things to be discovered on a farm. If you don't live on one, try to go to one and be sure to take your camera. Here's my ds#1 with two of his cousins.

Which came first? The chicken . . .

...or the egg(s)?

My mother and brother are passionate about their cows. They are breeding and raising some very fine beef cattle.

Interesting shapes and lines. This is a feed trough my brother and nephew made for the cows at my mother's ranch.

Baby's Got Blue Eyes

2007-03-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

She's the daughter I was I'd had and she was gracious enough to pose for my ds's photography assignment. He did a great job and got some gorgeous pictures.

Treasures at the Farm

2007-02-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

Hiding Bunny

Camellias

Narcissus

Floral Spotlight

A Farm is Full of Interest and Charm

2007-02-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

Satsuma Blues

Cousin It

Hangin'Out

Blossoms at Sunset

2007-02-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

The leaves fall gracefully to the side announcing the new growth abounding on my rose bush as a visitor searches for some nourishment. The Lord's beauty is emerging in my front yard along with the weeds. As soon as our cold's clear up it'll be a day of mowing grass, pulling weeds and fertilizing everything.

My very sweet DS#2 came rushing inside the other day urgently asking me to come outside for a surprise. I was greated by the first azalea of spring outside my front door in a dress of vibrant pink. He knows it is my favorite color and I am passionate about flowers. I cherish thoughtfulness.

After I began to edit this shot, the image of 3 old ladies in their flowery Easter hats sitting in front of me in church began to evolve. I'm haunted with memories of giggles from my sisters while we were trying to be good.

DS#1 has evolved from an ubergoober who talked way to much to a young man, sensitive, creative, thoughtful and charming. He is a man doing his best to be respectful to us, while trying to establish his own way of doing things and to find God's plan for himself.

My eldest took this picture of his brother. As I look at it I see with sadness the little boy starting to fade away to be replaced by the man. He still wears a chocolate mustache when he eats ice cream, but war games, girls and muscles are infringing upon time in my lap.

Getting Started

2007-02-24T10:55:00.000-08:00

My youngest son and Homer, the dictator that rules our home, were hypnotized into a Cartoon Coma.

My first born is suffering from a baseball hangover. His team played a double header last night. Won 17-7 and lost 18-8. He pitched well, got 4 hits, and one peg in the rear by a hard throwing right hander. Baseball, my son and his team are such a blessing to me.

This is beloved clutter. Treasures granted to me by those I love-my friend, my son, my sister-in-law and my husband.

I think I'm doing this backwards, but since there's no grade I guess it doesn't matter. Breakfast just looked so happy and yellow sitting there in my favorite cast iron skillet waiting to be devoured.

My df Becky got me started on this. My only concern is that I don't let it take over my life! I love words and I love photography. This could be dangerous. So I started with a self portrait.