Beach Life

I'm back home.  This beach has consumed my senses and stolen my heart, it has become my happy place and I'm thrilled the rest of my family feels the same.  It is a rare thing to have such a joy, a place you love and long for and to be able to revisit whenever you need it.  My greatest pleasure comes from sharing my home and everything that means with family and friends.  I love filling the walls of this place with the energy of everyone who visits...my sister and her family, my mom, my dad, my dearest friends and my dogs.  Life is good.

For more beachy goodness look here:  
www.kms-photography.smugmug.com

Red Poppies

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.  Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.

Take up your quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

John McCrae

I was delighted to find fields upon fields of these gorgeous red poppies in Georgetown, Texas this weekend.  I had no idea they were so plentiful and was fascinated by the history of these little gems.  Please check it out for yourself!  

https://mainstreet.georgetown.org/visit/history-and-historical-tours/red-poppy-history/

Ginger in the Blue Bonnets

Here's our little ginger among the beauty of the Texas blue bonnets.  What a glorious sight!  Love my little mini-me so much.

A walk with my dog

There's no better therapy than taking a walk with my dog on a clear morning.  I think it makes her just as happy as it makes me, which brings me even more pleasure.  As she lays beside me while I type or follows me around the house (my shadow), she gives more love than I'm capable of giving.  If you ever had a pet you loved, you know this feeling...it's a pretty wonderful gift.

My sister says good-bye to one of her old friends today and my heart is heavy for her.  I know the razor sharp pain of this loss all too well and I hate that her family is experiencing it now too.  The only thing that comforts me is the image of our dogs playing together across the Rainbow Bridge and then probably sitting beside our dad at the end of the day.

Mellow Johnny's

My favorite people in front of the coolest bike shop/coffee shop in Austin.

Bracelet Factory

A successful leader has mastered the art of empowerment, clearly, Siena has accomplished this by age 7.  Dad has been here for less than 48 hours and she already has him working in the bracelet factory while she enjoys a cinnamon roll and a movie.  Not too shabby, Little Girl.  

Beautiful Faces

How wonderful to meet Walt Disney, Sacajawea, Martin Luther King, Daniel Boone, Betsy Ross, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, Dr. Suess and many many more in one morning.  Aren't they inspiring?   

Baby It's Cold Outside

Yes, those are icicles in Austin, Texas!  I think the truck was secretly smiling...she loves crappy weather.  Our daughter wanted to break them off and eat them...poor kid, the closest thing to winter she's seen in a long time.  

On another note, I have been working on my website (finally), I still need to upload images but please check it out and let me know your thoughts.  I am proud that I did this all without my IT guy but there are a few tweaks I still have to make and have yet to figure out.

http://kms-photography.smugmug.com

Killer Balloon

We enjoyed a sneak peek into summer on Saturday and enjoyed some outdoor play.  Is this the coolest balloon you've ever seen or what?  I should have bought 2 of these because I wanted to play with it too!  FUN!

Circle of Life

I had a special opportunity to meet the daughter of one of my besties this week.  She is a lovely, perfect, little gift and I fell in love with her instantly.  As I was walking through the hospital I realized that the last time I was in a military hospital was when I was saying good-bye to my father...only 5 short months ago.  However, I didn't feel sad, I felt at peace thinking about this new life and how cyclical everything is...all of life returns new life.  Welcome to the world, Little Girl.

Snow Day!

I just love big, fluffy snowflakes!  Yes, I did stick my tongue out eventually.

48 Hours in Old Town

Here's a quick shot I took in Old Town tonight, while we walked through Old Town to dinner.  We enjoyed a TON of sushi, sake and chit chat!  Loved It.  Old Town is such a charming place, I always enjoy spending time here--as long as it's not too long because I hate the cold.  Chilly night!

Hotel Rooms

What is it about hotel rooms?  A boutique hotel can put me in such a relaxed state, ok, add a glass of wine and I'm even blissful.  Sitting here makes me want to throw away all of my nick-nacks, get new bed clothes and put an ice bucket in our bedroom at home.  My husband will be giddy reading this as he has great disdain for clutter, however, what does a mommy do with all those crafty gifts made lovingly by our daughter?  And what about the photos that bring me a smile at each glance?  Perhaps I'll simply have to enjoy the hotel room and keep dusting our bedroom.  

Sonnet 98

Sonnet 98

by William Shakespeare (1609)

From you have I been absent in the spring When proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, That heavy Saturn laugh’d and leap’d with him. Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odour and in hue, Could make me any summer’s story tell, Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew: Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; They were but sweet, but figures of delight, Drawn after you, you pattern of all those. Yet seem’d it winter still, and you away, As with your shadow I with these did play.

Ricks

I took this shot for my friend, Angela, because she told me this is where she met her husband.  I smiled when I saw it imagining them meeting for the first time and him falling for that crazy, cute red head!

Bracelets for Charity

We have quite a production line at our house tonight.  Siena, and a boy from her class, decided to make these bracelets and sell them for 25 cents each to raise money for charity.  She said she wanted to give the money to doctors who could buy plane tickets and travel around the world to help people.  How amazing?!  We will donate the money to Doctors Without Borders.  She also wants to buy some dog food and give it to a local animal shelter.  It's pretty awesome when your child is selfless.

Tin Roof

Here's one of the cool houses we saw in Key West this past weekend.  One of my favorite things about this area is the architecture.  The homes are mainly historical, they have tin roofs, fantastic porches and lots of stories.  This house really grabbed me as we walked past, I just imagined how many different people lived here, the love that was shared, the fights, the celebrations and the sorrows.  If the door wasn't locked, I would have walked in...

Fresh Poems

You know how much I love a beautiful poem, this scene made me giddy last night.  

Key West in Winter

Not a bad place to be on the cusp of Spring!  

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Love is...

still getting butterflies in your tummy after all these years!

Fun with Art

We went to a wonderful, public art school over the weekend and enjoyed some outdoor sculpture.  I used a "retro" look to edit this shot because it reminded me of the pictures my parents took of each other when they were young--silly eye teasers.  I remember looking through old photo albums and loving the shots where my mom was "holding" a tiny version of my dad in her hand.  This moment just brought me back to those images...enjoy some fun art yourself!

Shadows and Light

Beauty in the everyday...

ps. Ally, this took me about 60 seconds to edit in LR, smile!

Skating Like Champs?

I took mini-me ice skating today!  After watching Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner, and the amazing duo Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapier skate, she thought we should give it a try.  She was frustrated that after her $10, 15 minute lesson she couldn't perform a twizzle.   Typical of mini-me, if she can't rock it out the first time, she quits.  However, she did say that she wanted to go back out again soon and even seemed to enjoy herself. It was fun for old mom too, I didn't even fall when I let go of the wall! 

Come Back Soon

Enough said...

Smokin Good Times

This is so "Old Vegas" and this sign even points to the best martini bar on the old strip...

Holiday House

How can you go wrong with Cable TV?  What is this -- 1985?  Love it.

Holiday Motel

Here's another favorite from the "other end of the Strip" -- one of the many motels that have fabulous signs!

Golden Gate Girl

Well, a sick kid all week has kept me from posting so here's the start of my catch-up!  I'm wrapping up my neon series today (my Vegas Neon).  I am learning that editing images is no different from editing writing...you can do it over and over and over until you finally have to just STOP!  I reduced the contrast on this one maybe a little too much but otherwise, I have always loved her.  I hope you do too.

Pause for a Good Friend

We said good-bye to our sweet friend, Zoe, a year ago today.  I know she's up there walking beside my dad now and that image makes me smile.

Neon - Welcome

Here's a daytime shot that I'm adding to my neon series called "Welcome."  (I do have another one that says, "Good-bye".)  I took out all of the power lines that formerly cluttered the background but left the classic palms, perhaps I should remove those too...but they always feel like Vegas to me.

I am hoping this image fits in with my night shots.

Neon Series - 18b

Neon Series - 18b (aka The Arts District in Las Vegas). 

Neon

My theme of the week is neon.  I'm getting my website organized and refreshed and I need organize it by series...so, I'm starting with Neon!  I also want to work harder in post-production to make my images look and feel like a series so I will be editing each image to have, what I think is a "Vegas look" to it.  Please let me know what you like or dislike about each, I love feedback since I'm not in classes right now.  These are previously captured images, but when you edit them, what's old is new again!

Here's the famous El Cortez Hotel, I love this sign.

A Grandma is...

"A Grandma is..."

A grandma is someone who spoils you
and takes care of you when mama's not near.
She's always happy to see you
and brings plenty of hugs and kisses to share.
Helps you when your down.
Catches you when you fall.
She'll brighten up you day,
even on the stormiest night.
She'll tuck you in and read you a book,
till yours eyes grow heavy and tired.
but soon enough you'll see her again,
with bright eyes and smiles.

 Author: Valerie Dupont

Fences Between Us

There’s a fence between us and I want to knock it down,

I miss you.

I can see you between the spaces, but I can’t touch you,

I long to hold you.

You can see me, but you can’t hear me, the weather is cloudy and dark,

I want to talk to you.

Our whole marriage has felt like a waiting game, these fences keep coming between something…a new place to live, a new home, a new job, our future,

I want to smell the cologne on your neck.

Another fence sits before me now and I want to knock it down.

I love you.

kms

Daddy Doll

Ha Ha!  Apparently, you had to go to the bathroom because this is where I found you tonight on our daily "hunt for Daddy" at bedtime.  I love how you are always lovingly covered up by her other "precious"--towel.

PS. If anyone wants one, here's where we got him:  https://www.daddydolls.com

Little Weed

Oh, Little Weed, how you grow so fast,
In spite of Daddy's wish to make childhood last
Your legs are sprouting beneath your pajamas,
as you morph into a mini version of Momma.
Our credit card is aflame just keeping up 
seems like just yesterday when we had to pick you up!

kms

Grieving isn't easy...

I took this photo of my dad only 7 months ago, at my nephew's high school graduation.  He sits next to my brother, a man who grew up to call Dad his best friend.  At the time, we didn't know how sick he really was, how soon he would leave us and how much we would cherish moments like this as we look back.  Grieving isn't easy.  The ache in my heart hits me hard and very randomly.  I often hear his voice in my head, mostly his laugh, the way he answered the phone "Yellow!",  his closing, "I love you, Baby" and his wonderful bear hugs.  He wasn't perfect, we had many moments that were frustrating and annoying but they were trivial and quickly forgiven and forgotten.  God, I hope you're taking good care of our dad because we sure miss him.

I'm a lush for Lush

These little beauties are pretty enough to eat!  I just love to indulge in bath products, I'm sure I was a very wealthy woman in a former life...I'm sure my daughter was too.  These bath bombs, soaps, facial scrubs and lip balms are so decadent, if you haven't tried, do--you deserve it!  I choose this shop, Lush, because they never test on animals, all of their products are handmade and fabulous!

www.lush.com