Strolling down Main

Today I was thinking that I needed to increase my happy meds.
Instead I went back to a happy place.
Life is hectic, but so full of rewards.
Enjoy.

Solidly Enchanted

Did a post-wedding shoot tonight for two people that I truly love.

Bryan is my godson and he brought Kristen into our family circle.

She is a solid foundation for him, and he is a rock for her.

Together they have a beautiful family, which I will share with you next week.

In the meantime, here are a couple of my favorites from this evening.

A solid foundation for the two of them.

Here they are, ending the evening, with a group of their fans cheering them on.

But they didn't pay attention. They had their own little private moment.

Love and happiness to both of you and your perfect little family.

Going Green

On my Top Ten List of things I like to do, one of them is spending the day at the Botanical Gardens. We have a beautiful garden in my city and it is a never ending source of pleasure and wonder for the senses. Last week I spent the entire day wondering through the gardens until they were kicking us out at closing time. I even discovered two gardens that I have previously not seen. As an added bonus for myself, two good friends were my garden buddies for the day. One of them a Master Gardner. That really put a new twist on all the flora - actually learning the names and not just trying to describe to my local nursery "the pretty green plants with leaves that are sort of small, rounded with a point, and tiny purple - or was it yellow - flowers in either the spring or fall". Now I am armed with a little notebook with the species name and gender. The other bonus was having a buddy along who would sneak off with me to smoke. It was the perfect day. I am going to schedule more of these on my calendar. We need them.

And what's a trip without yet another shot of the gorgeous Chihuly chandelier? Here's the latest and I love it still. That piece of art always takes my breath away.

Last night we attended a trivia night fundraiser for a family member who is battling cancer.
He is 21 years old. I am happy to report that his mamma found him treatment in another state that seems to be working. We were so very thankful to have heard that wonderful news.
The event also raised several thousand dollars to help defray some of the expenses. It just goes to show that miracles DO happen and that there is nothing stronger than family pulling together to help one another. It warmed my heart to witness such happenings.
D, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

BTW - for the inquiring minds who wondered about my search parameters when I found the amazing boots, in my defense I did find these draperies on that same site first. See Exhibit A below.

Give a Sis a Camera.....

and this is what she sees.
What a pretty photo.
It has my 3 essentials for landscape -
a beginning (foreground greenery)
a middle (church and buildings)
and an end (background forest).
Way to go, little sis!

A little retail therapy

I am supposed to be finding the perfect drapes for my newly remodeled dining room.
Found these luscious leathers that I think would be a much wiser investment.
I think they would even help me take better photos.
Hmmm, I could just make a statement this Thanksgiving with some silk floral on the drapery rod, don't you think?

Baby A

Sweet baby Ava Jane
was very cooperative today.
Isn't she a beauty?
Congrats to J & G.

Brave Sam and Double Bubble

Samantha gave her poor mom and dad an awful scare.
Not only did she break her arm, but she broke both bones in her arm.
Adding to that she was transported to the hospital in an ambulance.
All of this happened the day before they were leaving for their beach vacation.
Sam was a real trooper. She's a brave girl!
Thanks for letting me autograph your cast. I hope the itching has stopped
and you are dreaming of cotton candy.

Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble - Macbeth
They may look like double trouble,
but these are the sweetest little guys!
I am lucky enough to call them family.
They came to us through marriage,
but they stay through the heart.

Bubble, Baby, and Tea Time

Another shot of little P modeling the wonderful creations of Juliebugs

I asked her for a Mona Lisa smile.

Big P waiting on third base while a new pitcher was warming up

I was so inspired by Nicole V that I had to set this up for a shoot with C
I would love to follow Nicole around for a week. She inspires me.

A Biased Commercial

This is a sneak preview of a photo project I've been working on for Juliebugs Boutique.
You can find her super cute items here and coming soon......here!
Litte P had a blast modeling for her GP today. She even patiently waited while
her laundry was drying. Thank goodness it was a nice, breezy day.
The hair adornments are the nicest I've seen anywhere. The flowers actually clip into a piece on the headband or hat, or they can also be worn alone by clipping the fabric covered clip into a piece of hair. One of the little neighbor girls had all the big ones clipped on the hem of her skirt. The onsies, or t-shirts, are so imaginative and fun. We had a great time the last couple of Fridays working on the photos which I will soon share.

Happily and counting

Today marks the 35th anniversary of Glen & I saying the "i do" thing.
Little did we know what we were in for when we said those words at 18 & 19 years old.
But you know what?
We'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.
That's what he told me, and I feel the same.

The kids had a really nice luncheon for us today
and tomorrow we are off on an adventure all by ourselves.
It's a secret. We aren't taking any little people with us.
Don't even ask.
Well, you'll be in school anyway.
Except the baby.
No, I don't want to take a diaper bag on our special day.
Maybe we'll just rest up for an evening with the kids.

No alarm clock in the morning
and a nice long nap in the afternoon
doesn't sound so bad!

Happy B day and a little bit of Life

Since my dear friend is one of the most creative, talented people I know, I couldn't simply post a photo of her on her birthday. It had to have a little pizazz. This happens to be a photo I took of her when she and some other good friends drove across the state to surprise me on my own birthday this year. Happy birthday, sweetie! Hope it's a great one and wish I was there to celebrate with you. Relax and enjoy!
template by Rhonna Farrar

Speaking of birthdays, here's a quick shot of the little P on her first. Traditional lamb cake, since my sister's first birthday, compliments of Gram. More photos to come of the BIG PARTY just as soon as I can get them loaded. Take my word, it was a blast!

Sunday afternoon I decided to load my two moms and the little people in the car for a road trip. We decided to slow down and smell the sunflowers.......

It was about 4pm when I was able to take some photos of these beautiful sunflowers.

I thought these deep orange ones were especially pretty.

The day couldn't have been more gorgeous. Look at that pretty blue sky
(thanks to my handy polarizer lens filter).

The Sunflower Scouts.
They tramped through the field scaring snakes and mice away
for their beloved Grandma Pam.

Rewind to last Friday. I had my little Rock Star making noise at my house.
Love her sweet little feet holding her up on her tippy toes!

She made all kinds of music. Check out her duds.
Gotta love a girl who loves peace!
Note to self: teach baby girl the meaning of peace.

Fast forward to Sunday. The daddy decided to surprise the grandmas on their road trip by loading up the little P and her mamma and surprising us at the luncheon destination.
He got a bag of chocolate from his mother in law for that one.

Sorry, gotta run.......my ride is waiting.

le Fleur

Just a little eye candy from a walk down main street.

Special Auntie

When I saw this mannequin all dressed up, beckoning customers into a small boutique, I stopped dead in my tracks. A serious, dead stop.Not only did she make me all happy inside just by looking at her,
she reminded me of someone.
Someone who loved me unconditionally.
Someone who thought I was something special.
Someone who giggled at the silly pranks I played
(after first acting like she was upset with me)
Someone who had an infectious laugh.
Someone who taught everyone around her right from wrong.
Someone who would send beautiful works of hand-drawn art on postcards to me in the hospital
every time I had a baby.
Someone who didn't judge others.
Someone who encouraged you to be yourself.

It didn't take long to recall who that happy, pretty lady reminded me of.
I miss her very much, but if I listen closely I can still hear her infectious giggle.

I hope that I am a special aunt to my nieces and nephews
as I remember my Aunt Kate was to me.

Guess who's ONE?

Yesterday we celebrated our little Presley's first birthday.
So much love surrounds that sweet little baby girl.
So much love fills my heart when I think of her.

Happy Birthday to my precious little granddaughter.
xoxo
GP

Back at it again!

I've been in Wonderland, behind the looking glass.................okay, really, I've been busy with my photography and have been gardening like crazy! Front yard is looking good!
I've neglected my poor little blog for so long that I wonder if anyone still drops by?
Here are some shots from last Saturday's Scott Kelby 2nd Annual Worldwide Photowalk.
There were over 30,000 photographers shooting around the globe on July 18th.
We worked in our own little corner in St. Charles on Main street.
The group was great. Nice, nice people! I made many new friends and had fun with those I already knew. The nicest part for me was having my sister along.


Love these Blog It Boards from Jodi at MCP.
I'll be back......the little Miss Presley turns one tomorrow!

Roses in Bloom

Last week Deb, Chloe and I packed a picnic

and headed out for the Botanical Gardens. After a bit of a hassle when we got there (keys locked in car)
Deb & Chloe enjoyed themselves while I watched Dwyane jimmy the door handle of my mother's car to retrieve the keys.

Here are a few of the shots I was able to take while waiting for them - before my camera broke.

(yes, the day just kept getting better)

Love the reflection on this one.

Isn't this lily lucious looking? Reminds me of a chocolate goody.

I think I'll plant some of these lucious lillies in my own garden.

This was ready to burst open. Some kind of a lily.

My favorite was the roses.

They were just coming to the

end of their full bloom and were a sea of beautiful colors.
This pretty deep pink rose made a nice landing pad for the bees.

Aren't we lucky that the Chihuly sunburst remains as a permanent fixture in the rose garden? I'm going to get down there some evening and shoot this in the twilight hours. It is stunning in person.


I'll have to get back down there next week.
It's a beautiful, peaceful place to spend the day.

Cheap Cheap Fun Fun

Just look how happy my little pals are. What made them smile?
I picked them up this evening and announced we were
going to have a pizza picnic at the park.
Quarter drinks (thanks Cards!) and a $5 hot 'n ready pizza
provided a perfect picnic, without any fuss or muss.

Try it sometime.
I promise it will bring a smile to your face.

Blessed

Last Sunday was a special day for our family.
We celebrated Glen's birthday
and Presley's baptism.
I turned Peyton loose in church with my camera.... an interesting perspective of things.
Godfather Joey, Presley, Jeff, Lindsay, and Godmother Katie.

I think she has that "control issue" gene in her.

She didn't like being on her back, and wanted to see

where that water was coming from.

Maybe if she pulled her mommy's dress down far enough

she could twist herself around.

Isn't she pretty in Chloe's baptismal gown?

Here's the whole clan who came to celebrate with us.

Gary, Lindsay, Presley, Jeff, Jade, Nicki, Rick, Sharon, Amy, Sara, Abby,

Gram, Joe, Grandma, Tim, Katie, Aaron, Linda, Steve, me, Glen, Grace, Cindy,

Peyton and Chloe.............whew!

Looking at this photo, I know how blessed we all are.