Two pots of gold

We've had nothing but rain and thunderstorms all day today. I was thinking how all the people who were flooded this past month must be feeling about even more rain as I was driving carefully around flooded roads.
I was so glad to get home where I felt warm and dry, still thinking how lucky I was to come to a dry home.
Then Chloe got very excited and started calling everyone to come look out the backyard doors.
We saw the most beautiful double rainbow I've ever seen!
I couldn't get my camera fast enough, then discovered that I still had a portrait lens attached.
Darn! Back in the house to switch lenses, finally I got outside. Here's what I shot.

This was right off my deck (with the portrait lens, before I changed it) This is only half with my lens set at 28mm.
I never could get the whole thing, but I was happy to get this with Chloe standing under it,
then looking again, in wonder, at the beautiful sight. She wanted to go find the TWO pots of gold.
Sorry, Chloe. We have to get back inside because I left the chicken cooking.
We are trying to eat healthier, lighter dinners and Chloe found this fancy way to serve the
rice pilaf in her newest cookbook.

It was good, but after everyone left the kitchen I had to sneak an oreo cookie to fill that last empty spot.

Anyway, I hope that some of the flood victims saw that double rainbow tonight. I hope that it gives them a feeling that good things are coming, that it's not all that terrible, that tomorrow holds promise of a brighter day.

Baby, what a day!

This morning started off with Joey, Abby & their nephew, sweet baby D. picking me up for church. Normally I go to mine and they go to theirs, but this was a special day. Our good friend's babies were being christened today. Steve & Emily's baby Nicholas and Sara & Danny's baby Anna. The babies are cousins, one month apart, so they were doing a double ceremony.
Here is Steven showing us how his very smart (and isn't he cute!) Nicholas can wave. This should make Sister Mary and Sister Cathy cringe.......Steven and Joey are procreating! LOL! Actually if the Sisters are looking I have to tell you that these guys turned out pretty darn good and they hardly ever get into trouble anymore.
Baby Drew was so good during the church service. See his Aunt Abby smiling at him in the background? He's such a cutie!
Had to sneak up and catch this quick shot of little Miss Anna with her mommy and daddy. She's so pretty!
We weren't able to stay to the very end because Chloe and I had to go to a baby shower and little Drew was getting hungry and tired. Look how happy he was when he got back in his little car seat to go home. Joey called and said he took a 3 1/2 hour nap. They are going to miss him when his mom gets home from Chicago.
I had my fix on babies today but looking at these photos this evening makes me miss all of them!

We had a good time at the shower with all of my cousins and aunt. I was amazed at all the new inventions that have come on the market since we've had an infant around here. I found myself taking notes on things to pick up for Lindsay's new baby.
I am getting really excited about this baby. Seeing all that little bitty stuff today made it all seem more real. It was fun seeing her and Steph both preg at the same time. Happy that they will each have a little cousin close in age.

I have a BIG PROJECT I'm working on. Will fill in with tomorrow's post.
nite.

The Queen's Tea

Here we are,
the little queen and me, the Queen Bee,
keeper of all things,
in our spectaculicious crowns
made especially for us by
our friend Susan E.
We received them just yesterday and have been wearing them around the castle.
When it's time to go out and garden, we will wear them outside
as long as the sun is shining.
The beautiful diamonds and other fancy gems will sparkle in the sunshine.
Won't we just be the talk of the kingdom?
If you look closely, you will see the special velvet shamrocks
that adorn one of the top points.
We absolutely love our new crowns!
Thank you, Susan E.!

Along with the crowns came a treasure of goodies.

Here's a little peek inside the treasure box:

(oh, look! my very favorite blend of tea!) and the little queen wasn't forgotten.

She had her own bundle of shiny, fancy treasures.

Off to the royal sleep chamber.

All this queen-y stuff has worn us out.

A few proofs

Sometimes I long for the days of film.
All I did was shoot, then drop off the little canister to be developed.
Now it takes hours at the computer
tweeking, cropping, and proofing.
BUT.....then I get really excited when I see
the cool things I can do, like adding frames,
changing to b&w,
popping the color.......
It really opens up a whole new world
for photography.
Here are a few of my favs that I worked on this weekend.

ET - all 6'3" of him - some fun sr. shots we did
J & M - so in love and both so attractive!
I was unable to take a bad photo of these two!

Recognize the door? It's becoming one of my favorite places to shoot.

My daughter tells me that the building is haunted. Maybe that's why it's always so stinking cold when I'm down there. You will NOT see any night time shots at this place from me!

Here's their little guy B. He is the cutest thing with a personality to match.

He was laughing at his Grandma through the window here.
Back to the proofing room.

My Birthday Boy

Lil' Egg Dunkers

14 eggs

3 defective dye pools

4 latex gloves

6 layers of newspaper

equals

another Easter at our house.

Happy Easter!

As the sun sets

I've been working on doing something different.
Taking photos of the sunset and the sunrise.
I'm sure you'll see more of the setting than the rising,
but I'm working on it.

Leprechaun Cupcakes

Those darn leprechauns thought it would be funny to sit my little guy on top of one of our little cupcakes I made for St. Pat's day. He did look rather cute perched on top of the sweet confection. I made this recipe from my new cookbook, Apples for Jam, by Tessa Kiros only hers were pink. They were YUMM-O! I slept in today until early this afternoon. Everytime I tried to get up I had a terrible dizzy spell so I just didn't get up! Finally, after a breakfast in bed, I was able to manage my way out of the sleep chamber. Must be working on a sinus infection or else my allergies are really bad.
Of course, now I'm not tired at all and will probably be up most of the night.
Maybe a cup of hot tea and do some reading. Valerie Bertinelli's autobiography has really caught my interest. It's a good read.

My Clan

Today I did something that is in my 25 Things I Love.......
I had my clan (or Chloe's folk) over for dinner.
It was a combination of celebrations.
First and foremost we were celebrating St. Patrick's day so the meal consisted of
Corned Beef, cabbage, potatoes - and hot dogs and fried chicken drummies for the wee ones.
It was such a pretty day that the wee ones decided to take sweet baby Grace out for
a ride in the wagon.
Looks like she's having none of that.
Complete with the well-known Irish trait we call "a-mind-of-her-own"
she decided she was going to push that wagon herself.
Yes. Herself.
So the bigger wee ones indulged her and kept the vehicle on course,
keeping her safe from all the bumps and cracks along the way.
Mamma Hen was bringing up the rear making sure that nothing terrible happened,
as all good mommies do.
Here they come around the bend..........
Gracie wasn't too happy that I was a roadblock, sitting on the ground in her path with my camera.
Herself let me know, and I moved very quickly.
The bigger wee ones decided to jump in the wagon and let
Herself
take them up the hill.
She wasn't too sure about this, had to give it some thought.

But since she has that other Irish trait "determination - nothing-will-stop-me"
she showed them how it could be done.
Sweet Sam gave her a helping hand at the front of the wagon train so we wouldn't

see yet her newest Irish trait "the temper when I-don't-get-what-I-want". Good thing all these little people are so smart to accomodate our

sweet baby Grace.

Have I said how much I love all these little people? They just make my heart laugh out loud.

Happy St. Patty's Day to you.

Aunties

Every girl should have a special Auntie.

One they can share a secret with.

One they can laugh with.

One that takes them out for a manicure and pedicure.

One that loves them unconditionally.

One that buys them books that are fun to read.

One that fixes their hair with pretty bows.

One that takes them to get their ears pierced.

One that lets them cook and bake with them.

One that lets them plant flowers unevenly in their garden.

One that calls them on the phone just to chat.

One that signs them up for a sibling class for her new baby to make her feel important.

Isn't Chloe lucky to have a special Auntie like that?

Something borrowed for the Big News

Box of Treasures!, originally uploaded by Pretty Petals.

Guess what we're waiting for?
Baby Bozo finally has a gender and it ain't snips 'n snails.

Sweet March

Doing this for the month of March and had a lovely story for today.
After coming home from a baby shower I walked out onto the deck to find Glen pitching baseball to Peyton. Now if that doesn't give you a taste of Spring I don't know what would.
He is gearing up to play baseball this year after finally realizing that he wouldn't be hitting the ball off of a tee. He didn't like that. He wanted to play real baseball like his Uncle Joey.
Doesn't he look super-cool with his uncle's old bat across his shoulder?
Chloe changed out of her fancy "going to a shower" outfit" and got in on the action.
She was the outfielder.

That got boring, so she decided to hop on the tire swing.
Meanwhile, Peyton put his bat down and decided he was going to pitch. He's got the moves!
Couldn't get by without sharing this special moment at the baby shower.

This is Momma Mandy and her daughter, Taylor. Big Sis is so excited about the new baby brother she is going to have and her ever cool, awesome Nannie Lisa fixed up this special Big Sis Diaper Bag, complete with all the necessities that she will be needing for taking care of the little guy. She was sooooo excited and the look on her face when she opened her special gift was priceless. She is going to be a wonderful big sister - no doubt about it!

Hope you had a happy Sunday too.

I don't think this one could have been much better for me.