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