Hey Lucy, I'm Home!

We got back from Chicago late this evening and I'll be glad to get into my own bed (even though we had a heavenly bed at the Allegro). It's always good to be back home.

I'm not going to be too wordy tonight, but wanted to share a few of my favorite shots from this weekend. They are in no order whatsoever because I am too tired, so I'll add them to my flickr page in the next couple of days.

I would like to say that Audrey Woulard is the most down to earth person I've met in a very long time. And SMART! She is one smart lady. Kind, generous, insightful, and many more adjectives that I cannot think of because of the hour. I had a fabulous time at her workshop, part of it being attributed to the wonderful people that were there with me. I feel like I now have 17 new friends. What a talented group they are too. I've added some of their links for you to go look at.

This is the side of a building being torn down. It reminded me of a giant filmstrip.

Here I am in front of Audrey's loft. photo by Teresa Reed

A snail's view of the loft.

Pigeons on LaSalle Street.

Glen & I calling it a night. One last shot in the large mirror in the hotel by the elevators.

The grand staircase at the Allegro.

Is it a fisheye lens? Nope. It's the reflection of the city skyline in the SBC bean at Millennium Park.
Another portrait of me and my pal.
SBC Bean, full view.
The bars stay open until 5am and the taxi's run all night long.
This is the church Glen went to on Sunday morning. He took me by there later that day to show me how beautiful it was. I especially loved the crucifix on the front of the building.

Just caught my eye.
This is underneath the SBC Bean, smack in the center looking up. It made you a bit dizzy walking through it.
This shot was taken by Teresa. We were so lucky to have found a new couple to call our friends. She was a delightful to be with and her Joe gave Glen a run for his money. Probably a good thing those two live in different cities.
I was AMAZED at this clever fixture. A vertical tissue spindle.

Even a man could change the roll.

I call this "When opportunity knocks, open the door". The entrance to Audrey's loft.

The Firing Squad. This was one of our field trips. See that alley in the background? That's the backdrop for many of Audrey's infamous portrait sessions.
Another snail's eye view of the loft building.
Glen kept a watchful eye on me as I wandered the city streets taking some night shots.
Anywhere, USA, late at night (but really, it is Wells Street)
nite.

Headed for the Windy City

I'm heading to Chicago to attend Audrey Woulard's photo workshop.
I've been waiting to do this for two years and can't tell you how excited I am.
Last week while going through a shelf of "memories" in the basement, I ran across a treasure chest. The treasure was hundreds of slides that I had taken during the time I was taking photography classes so they go all the way back to 1980. That's how long I've had a love affair with SLR's. It is still going strong.
So I'll leave you with a few of my favorites that I had put onto slides. At $1/slide it's going to take some time to get them all transferred, but it will be worth it. I can't believe I don't have prints of these......
My precious little chicks circa 1984 One of my first "assignments" circa 1979
Daddy, the fisherman, showing his girls how to catch the big ones circa 1983
Happy weekend!

Spies Like Us

My little buddies are growing up.

They don't want to go to a playground to swing anymore.

However, if it is a Secret Spy Mission they are all over it.

Our mission today, to find the dognapped Murphy and rescue him.

Here we begin, Captain Grandma Pam giving secret information

to Agents Peyton and Chloe.

In the spy business, you've got to watch your partner's back.

(don't know why, but if I had to name this photo it would be

the Professor and Mary Ann - P is always so serious while C, well, is C)

After finding their first clue by the lake and decoding (it was sent in frog talk)

they found the old tree with a lot of lines in the trunk.

There they got their second clue.

Off to the tunnel of China (aka the playground slide).
Even though it's usually cut from movie scenes, spys have to take a break for nourishment. PBJ's and blueberries are a favorite energy meal.
After finding the dognapped Murphy, Agents Peyton and Chloe hopped on their super-secret plane and flew back to Missouri, in the United States.

(and this happens to be my fav photo of the day)
They were happy to report a successful mission to Captain Grandma Pam.

Over and out.

Leapin' Leprechauns

As I was reviewing some of the shots from today my mouth dropped when I came across this one. I rubbed my eyes then made sure there was no light shining on my monitor.

I was walking around this old shed to take a door shot for my monthly photo club assignment, when this little corner caught my eye. I thought it was interesting because you could see through the shed to outside the back wall. This side was in total shade and I had my lens hood on. This is the sooc (straight out of camera) shot with absolutely nothing done to it.

Check out the lower left corner.

Yes, you are seeing it correctly. A miniature rainbow! Could this be a gathering place for the Leprechauns of O'Fallon? I even printed it out in 8x10 to see if it would come out on the print.

It did. Then I added a layer in PS and hardened the light. Same results below.

So, for those of you who think this is some kind of a glass reflection, well that's okay. You are entitled to your opinion.

For me, I'm just going to keep on believing that what my Grandma said was true.

And here's the proof.

An old-fashioned treat

My grandma used to help us make these special donuts out of biscuit dough.
I'm sure her dough was made from scratch,
but this grandma likes the convienence of the canned biscuits.
You start with 2 cans of homestyle biscuits.
Lay them out on a cutting board and press them down just a little bit
with the palm of your hand.
Using a 1 1/2" circle cutter, cut a circle from the center of each biscuit.
From that circle you just cut out use the 1/2" circle cutter and cut that center out.
This will give you a large and small donut with a little bitty donut hole.
(I use a 3 piece set of Wilton Marzipan circle cutters).
Fill a skillet with about 2" of oil and heat to 325 degrees.
(This is the part for the adults to do and the kids to watch)
Drop each biscuit donut into the oil and let cook about a minute or two on each side.
Lay out on a paper towel to drain.
Have 2 brown paper lunch bags.
Fill one with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
The other you can fill with powdered sugar.
Place the drained, but still warm donuts (about 2 at a time)
in the bags and let the kids give them a shake.
WALAA! Look at these tasty treats! You can even use them as sugar-coated glasses if you'd like.
Hope you enjoy this special treat that Chloe wanted to share here tonight.

And go check this out. It made me smile.

Another 12 hour day

Wednesday.
Get out of bed EARLY to get ready for a 1st grade field trip to the zoo.
(Grandmas should be exempt from this but I promised a certain someone I'd go).
I thought at least I would get some cool photos.
This one, which is an awesome metal-of-some-kind sculpture, was shot from the car
(note: I was NOT driving with any juvies in the car, just my pregnant daughter)
Then I thought we should take a pic of Baby Bozo's first trip to the zoo.
I don't want to post any photos of the kids here for privacy reasons,
but I was able to get a few good ones of them.
Thankfully I didn't have the flip camera or all we would have heard was the
continuous shrieking of one little girl who thought she was constantly
seeing snakes.
This caused me to have to take two Excedrin's as soon as I got in the car.
We saw a lot of animals, but this one was my favorite of the day.
The Polar Bear. Isn't she (or he) beautiful?

Dropped off Baby Bozo's mom and was invited in for cake.

Actually, I was invited in to take a photo of the BABY CAKE one of her clients made for her.

Aren't those itty bitty pink Crocs the cutest little things? And those pink shades have an elactic band to hug little missy's head so she doesn't get all those nasty rays burning her eyes. The layers are made up of blankets, bath towels, diapers, washcloths, with all kinds of goodies tucked in each layer. A pretty pink bottle with a bow tops the whole thing.

Someone has too much time on their hands, but is darn creative!

So I get home - HOURS later - and check my email to find this.

The boy thinks WE need a vacation. He found this for (all) of us. A quaint little four bedroom beach house complete with built in pool (an extra $25/day will get the pool heater turned on), and a carriage house that can be used as a romantic getaway. Wasn't that thoughtful of him? I called and told him that his dad and I will take the carriage house and chip in $250 for the week. The rest of the family can have the house. Hey, it seemed fair to me. I'm wondering if he's going to fall for it.

But wait, that didn't end my day.

Someone needed to go to Barnes and Noble for a book that I promised. (I've got to pay closer attention around here when these people ask me for something). So off we went again. While I was sitting on the floor looking for age appropriate books my cell phone rings. Baby Bozo was hungry for ice cream. I didn't scream. I picked up two more of the clan, making it a full load in the car. I went to DQ and pulled up to a line of 12 cars ahead of me. I didn't scream. I parked and went in with the two little ones who couldn't make up their mind, and came out $20 later, with arms loaded with all kinds of gooey goodies. BTW - I do NOT like ice cream, so this was beginning to stretch me to my limit.

Finally, 12 hours after I left my house that morning I pulled into the garage.

I can't wait to go to work tomorrow for a little rest.

sorry for the novel......sometimes i can't stop myself.

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.