Zimmages

Sunday Citar ~ Autumn

2011-10-29T23:40:00.002-05:00

It's Sunday! Join fresh mommy, Tabitha, and other bloggers with the Sunday Citar. Join in the Citar fun, by sharing a quote or two. Brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
George Eliot

Early in the week, it didn't feel much like autumn yet. We went to an apple orchard and had a bunch of fun.

It's cooler now and feeling like it's supposed to. I love Autumn, when it feels like Autumn!

Praying for rain....seriously

2011-08-22T22:04:00.002-05:00

I've been ending all of my prayers lately with a petition for rain. Seriously, this photo is from September of 2009. It has rained since then, but not much, and not when I had my camera handy. We're ready when you are Lord.

Lines, lines, and more lines....I can't get enough of them

2011-07-13T21:29:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure why I'm drawn to them, but I am. Maybe it's the symmetry, or lack of, lines don't have to be orderly, but they almost always appear to be. I just love them. Lines and clouds. What grabs your attention and begs for you to capture it?

Sunday Citar ~ exploring, climbing, and having fun

2011-07-10T00:15:00.005-05:00

It's Sunday again, I've been lacking in my posting but fresh mommy, Tabitha, always pulls me out of my slumps with the Sunday Citar. Join in the Citar fun, by sharing a quote or two. Brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“We are all one. In the human form we are pioneers embarked on a wonderful journey, exploring and experiencing the physical world.”
~ Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

"Climbing may be hard, but it's easier than growing up."
~ Ed Sklar

"The more fun you have, the greater your value to yourself and to your society. The more fun you share with others, the more fun you have."
~ author unknown

These photos are from a trip to a local museum here. There kids love it! I have to remember to get a family pass next time so we can go often throughout the year.

Sunday Citar ~ Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T23:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Mother's Day! Come share a quote, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"I love my mother for all the times she said absolutely nothing.... Thinking back on it all, it must have been the most difficult part of mothering she ever had to do: knowing the outcome, yet feeling she had no right to keep me from charting my own path. I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, "I told you so."
— Erma Bombeck

Sunday Citar ~ answered prayers

2011-04-02T22:48:00.003-05:00

It's Sunday again! Time to share a quote, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it
~ Fleur Conkling Heylinger

I had the opportunity to shoot the finalization of an adoption for a friend. I have been praying for her and her husband for several years now regarding adoption. It was such a blessing to get to document answered prayer for them.

details, details, details

2011-02-28T15:13:00.003-06:00

When shooting an event, be it a birthday party, or a wedding, or a quinceanera, it is always important to remember to get the "detail" shots. The little things that make the party unique and special, from the invitation to the seating arrangement to the flowers, cake and wine glasses. People shots are very important, but the detail shots show how much work was put into the event.

Don't forget to shoot the details!

By the way, these are some of my favorite shots to take. You don't have to worry about red-eye, odd faces or mussed hair. LOL

Sunday Citar ~ Good days

2011-02-06T01:06:00.002-06:00

It's Sunday again! Time to share a quote, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“Good days are to be gathered like grapes, to be trodden and bottled into wine and kept for age to sip at ease beside the fire. If the traveler has vintaged well, he need trouble to wander no longer; the ruby moments glow in his glass at will.”
~ Freya Stark (French adventurer and explorer 1893-1993)

I was shooting some senior portraits for and old friend yesterday out on the river walk, and took my family along to help. I got in a few shots of the kiddos while we were there and some other "surroundings" shots. It was a great day. It was fun seeing my friend again, and her kids were fantastic and mine behaved and now I know that my daughter wants to stay at the Hyatt on the river walk for her birthday this year. Yay!

Every 26 years or so

2011-02-04T22:01:00.002-06:00

...it snows here. The last time we had "measurable" snowfall was in Jan of 1985. I remember it well. It was a lot, for us, thirteen inches if I remember correctly.

So last night, it was time, we were ready. It still hadn't started by bedtime, so I told the kids we'd go to bed early and wake up early to snow.

We got less than an inch, and the consistency wasn't very snowlike. It was more like very cold salt. But that didn't stop my kids from enjoying it. We got up early, threw out some seed for the birds and the kids played for a few moments in the icy stuff. It was a good day.

Happy girl:

Happy Boy:

Happy birds:

Sunday Citar ~ Discovery

2011-01-29T23:32:00.002-06:00

Do you love quotes? It's time to share a quote, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”
~ Mark van Doren

I love to watching the kids learn and experiencing their daily discoveries, like this "fossil" my daughter found in my sister's backyard.

fixing old photos

2011-01-28T03:07:00.003-06:00

I've been looking through a lot of my older digital photos lately and now that I am more confident in my post processing capabilities, I am having fun "fixing" them.

Take this photo of my kids for example. The white balance was set wrong so they look all purple. Not a great shot.

But with some color correction, cropping and creative editing, I was able to fix the colors and now it is one of my favorite pics of the kids. I wish they would look that happy together more often these days.

Old lousy photos are great to practice on when learning the ins and outs of post processing. It's also another reason why I rarely delete photo files. There is always some kind of hope that with a little work, it could still be an awesome shot.

somewhere back in time

2011-01-23T23:04:00.003-06:00

I did a portrait session at one of our Missions yesterday. Mission San Jose or "Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo". I don't think I've ever been to this Mission. Like most San Antonians, I've of course been to the Alamo numerous times. I loved this place, and I have to study up on it and go back. Sounds like a field trip is in the works.

I got a shot of this window in what was left of a building. I imagined what it must have been like to live there and be looking out this window at what was going on outside. As I get older, I am more and more interested in history. I wish I had this passion for it when I was still in school.

more cardinals

2011-01-19T22:54:00.003-06:00

I keep trying to get decent shots of our resident cardinals. I either need a better lens or more patience. Either way, I'm getting some "pretty good" captures. Just nothing perfect yet.

goodbye 2010

2010-12-30T20:41:00.002-06:00

I have grown a lot during the past year. I have learned to "take a punch" and "roll with the changes"....I'm not sad to see 2010 go, though. It's been a rough year, mentally, and financially. I sincerely hope I can get it together in 2011.

Goodbye 2010.

Sleep in heavenly peace

2010-12-24T23:41:00.003-06:00

I love the candlelight service on Christmas Eve. It's so pretty when the lights are turned down and the candles are lit and we sing "Silent Night".

Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T15:59:00.002-06:00

Wishing all of my family, friends, and blog followers a Very Merry Christmas! May God bless all of you this Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:10-14

Comfort and Joy to you all!

Watch out Martha

2010-12-09T17:47:00.002-06:00

I attended a Christmas luncheon yesterday at a co-workers home and was amazed at her lovely decorations. She had TWO trees and just lots of prettiness everywhere. I had such a wonderful time with such good company.

Thank you Mary Ann, you have a lovely home!

Here's hoping your surroundings are beautiful this season!

about time

2010-12-07T22:58:00.003-06:00

I don't think I've ever posted a pic of my sweet husband here on my blog. So I guess it's about time. I had to do some sample portraits for a Lottie Moon fund raising I will be doing the next couple Sundays, and my hubby and kids got to be my models. They are such good sports.

REALLY good sports...

Family is awesome.

I Heart Faces ~ scenic B/W

2010-11-30T12:41:00.002-06:00

Just had to use this shot from last weekend. The kids uncle took them fishing while we were visiting for Thanksgiving. They had a blast. I love the reflection of the trees in the pond.

Sunda Citar ~ stars

2010-11-28T23:20:00.002-06:00

I'm just getting it in under the wire. It's still Sunday though, and Sunday means it's time to share a quote or two, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

I got to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and her husband deep in the Piney woods of East Texas. I decided to give astrophotography a shot and see how it came out. Being so far away from any big cities, the skies are awesome for viewing stars. I used a pocket flashlight to "paint" the tops of the trees with light during a 30 second exposure. It was fun! Can't wait to try it again.

"The stars at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!"
~ June Hershey

just another Texas autumn

2010-11-15T23:59:00.003-06:00

We try to make it out to Lost Maples every year since there are few places in Texas that get any kind of "fall color" to speak of. I think we were a little late this year, I really wanted to go last week, but I had to be home all week for the major plumbing repair that was underway.

Anyhow, we went today and even though most of the "spectacular" color was gone and on the ground already, I still managed to get some good shots in and we all had a great time on our short hike through the park.

Here are a few of the shots I got.

the entrance to the park...probably the most colorful thing we saw

I thought this was kinda pretty, so I zoomed in and got a nice close-up of it

another pretty plant that I'm sure is what was making me sneeze throughout the day

the path ahead

Ronnie teaching the kids to skip stones

some color!!! It really was few and far between, though

I saw this ONE leaf from a distance and had to get a close up shot of it.

Had to end this post with one of the kids...they really did have fun today, and so did I. Can't wait til next year.

I Heart Faces ~ orange

2010-11-08T13:27:00.004-06:00

It's about time I enter another photo into an I heart faces weekly challenge. When I saw the theme was "orange", I knew just what to use. They are growing up way too fast.

Sunday Citar ~ siblings

2010-10-16T23:23:00.004-05:00

It's Sunday again! Time to share a quote or two, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet."
~Vietnamese Proverb

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you,
as you are to them."
~Desmond Tutu

Every year I take the kids pics in a pumpkin patch...and this year I had to find a new patch to use. It's fun to look at the old shots and see how they've grown throughout the years (too fast, if you ask me). Here is a peek at this years pics - to see more, click on a photo and it will take you to my flickr album.

Sunday Citar ~ to be yourself

2010-09-18T21:55:00.004-05:00

I've been in a bit of a blog funk recently, but I'm ready to get back into the swing of things, it's Sunday!!! Time to share a quote or two, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this shot of my girl just being herself. Doesn't hurt that I didn't have to edit it at all, it's SOOC, and in my eyes, it's just perfect.

cooling off

2010-08-05T07:28:00.001-05:00

So many things I love about this pic, besides the subjects. I love that my daughter had no problems running outside in her pajamas to play in the water. That my son actually put on some shorts (he HATES wearing shorts) so that his favorite pants would not get wet, I love that they had so much fun, so early in the morning with no complaining or fighting. It was a good day.

Scott Kelby's 2010 Worldwide Photo Walk

2010-07-26T02:30:00.006-05:00

I got there a few minutes late, but I made it! It was a blast this year...we walked from La Villita to the San Fernando Cathedral and took pics all along the way. Here are some of my favorites.

After getting home and looking at what I got, I noticed a theme. A lot of lines. I love finding texture and lines and patterns.

more lines...

I love this shot. The paved road was drawing my eye and the fire hydrant just finished the look. The funny thing is that it looks like a deserted street...but there were people everywhere. Good timing I guess.

Reflection of a building in a puddle.

This looked like a castle in the distance to me. Too cool not to get with the sun setting behind it.

Happy Birthday America!

2010-07-04T18:56:00.002-05:00

I'm using pics from last year's 4th of July celebration. This year, I have a killer migraine and we're not venturing outside the house. But I didn't want to let the day go by without a holiday post of sorts.

Hope everyone has a safe 4th!

Vegas.....take 2

2010-06-17T01:58:00.002-05:00

Exactly a month has passed since I've posted any photos....I am guilty of being very lazy as far as picking up my camera has gone. Though, I did go to Vegas again during that time and took some fun shots.

I actually made it to Fremont Street this time and it was pretty cool. It was totally worth the pain my feet were in after the evening ended. I got some great shots of a cover band playing (Secret Agents). They were really good too. Awesome, AWESOME band...and they were fun to shoot.

All in all, it was a good trip, considering it was a work trip and all. Now that I'm done with work for this season...I really must pick up the camera and make myself take some photos.

Favorites

2010-05-16T20:19:00.002-05:00

After posting that pic of my mom and the kids on Mother's Day, I thought I would try something a little different every now and then. I'm going to pick a favorite photo from years past, do some post processing magic and post them here. This will be the first one.

I took this one of the kids watching a storm coming in. Funny, because they are terrified of storms now. Anyhow, I love that they are not "cheesing" for the camera, that I was able to catch them unaware of my presence there.

trees

2010-05-11T14:40:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned previously, we went to a nursery Sunday to look at some trees. Ronnie has this sudden desire to plant a tree. We just can't agree on what kind of tree. I would like a Live Oak or even a Magnolia tree. Our neighbors have a Magnolia tree and it smells heavenly. He wants a Texas Red Bud...but, we already have a Red Bud. He wants a nicer one. I think we will have to come to some sort of agreement to get both a magnolia, AND a red bud. Win win.

The nursery

2010-05-10T16:24:00.003-05:00

After lunch yesterday, we went to a big nursery here to check out some trees. There were plenty of other cool things to check out as well. They had some awesome garden statues, benches, and other ornamentation. This was one statue (the book part is up on a pedestal) that I thought was pretty cool.

There was also a neat building with a big water wheel by the koi pond. The kids liked looking at the fish there.

I also thought these bird feeder/bird baths were pretty.

We didn't get a tree...yet. But we had a lot of fun walking around checking things out.

Sunday Citar ~ Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T07:43:00.003-05:00

It's Sunday again! What a beautiful day to honor Mom with some quotes! Join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." ~ Washington Irving

This is my mom with my kids a few years ago. I'm so blessed to still have her in my world.

IHeartfaces...."Smiles"

2010-04-27T04:18:00.003-05:00

It's all about "smiles" this week at I♥faces. I thought I'd share this one of my buggaboo at lunch a couple weeks ago. Head over to I♥faces to see some more fabulous smiles!

My friend, and new family

2010-04-25T07:59:00.002-05:00

I will confess right here and now, that I do not normally like to shoot weddings. Not only is there a lot of stress (you don't want to mess up documenting the most important day of their lives) but a wedding is usually an all day event. That being said, I love to shoot weddings of people I know, or for friends. Yes, the stress factor is still there. But I get to share in this intimate moment and be part of it. When I know the couple, and care for them, it just makes it all the more special and I feel like part of the family.

That was the case this weekend. I got to meet some really awesome people and spend a good amount of quality time with them. And the best part was, it was a beautiful ceremony and reception, it didn't last until 1 am and I got to share this important day with a very wonderful friend of mine. She has truly been blessed to become part of her husbands family. I haven't met a nicer group of people in a very long time. They made ME feel like part of the family.

Congratulations my friend, may the road ahead be happy and blessed for you both. Love you lots!

Sunday Citar ~ and here we go!!!

2010-03-28T02:21:00.004-05:00

It's Sunday again! Grab a cup of coffee or tea or whatever you like, sit back, and share or enjoy our favorite quotes. Join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth.”

“Some may wonder why I chose wildflowers when there are hunger and unemployment and the big bomb in the world. Well, I, for one, think we will survive, and I hope that along the way we can keep alive our experience with the flowering earth. For the bounty of nature is also one of the deep needs of man.”

“The environment is where we all meet; where all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share. It is not only a mirror of ourselves, but a focusing lens on what we can become.”

~ Lady Bird Johnson

We finally got around to going on a wildflower shoot yesterday. It was lots of fun...I'm so grateful for Lady Bird Johnson, because I'm sure that the wildflowers we enjoy here today are a result of her love for them before.

If you want to see more of the photos from our excursion, click on any of the above pics to go to my flickr album. Have a beautiful Sunday!

accidental perfection

2010-03-24T15:21:00.001-05:00

Okay, so technically, it isn't a perfect shot. But I just love when I'm looking at my photos on the computer and notice I did something really cool that I hadn't even intended.

Notice the reflection in this pic? That's my oldest daughter in that reflection. I love it.

Suday Citar ~ coffee

2010-03-21T07:32:00.002-05:00

It's Sunday again! Time to share a quote or two, join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

"I believe humans get a lot done, not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee." ~Flash Rosenberg

through the looking glass

2010-03-19T15:18:00.002-05:00

I dug out my grandmother's antique hand mirror yesterday for a daily shoot assignment. When my girl picked it up, I couldn't help taking a few shots of her with it. I'm so blessed to have children who don't mind me taking their photos all the time. At least for now. I hope they will always be my willing subjects.

Sunday Citar ~ What can't be seen

2010-03-13T22:40:00.002-06:00

Join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“I believe in the sun when it's not shining, I believe in love even when I feel it not, I believe in God even when he is silent.”

~ Irish saying

anxiously awaiting....the wildflowers

2010-03-12T03:57:00.002-06:00

We are supposed to have a bumper crop this year of wildflowers. I'm ready...it's been FIVE years since we've had a decent wildflower season to speak of. That was when I took this photo.

I'm ready to take some more...more than ready.

I'm just sayin'....

2010-03-10T05:58:00.002-06:00

I wonder why people look at me funny when I'm photographing my dinner?!?

iHeartfaces..."jumping for joy"

2010-03-09T13:14:00.003-06:00

They're jumping for joy this week at i♥faces!

I actually thought of this shot AFTER I made my kids go outside and jump for me...LOL. I didn't like the shots I got and I remembered this jumping ride that they always want to go on every year at the fair grounds for our Stock Show and Rodeo. They love these jumping bungee things. I swear, if I had a big inflated bed in one room of the house with elastic cords attached to the ceiling, they would never leave it. So here is my girl, about to flip for I don't know, maybe the hundredth time. Perhaps she'll be a stunt woman when she grows up.

Sunday Citar ~ let's go fly a kite

2010-03-07T00:16:00.001-06:00

Join in the Citar fun, brought to you by Tabitha at Fresh Mommy.

“You can't fly a kite unless you go against the wind and have a weight to keep it from turning a somersault. The same with man. No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities.”

~ William J. H. Boetcker

Sunday Citar ~ thinking positive

2010-02-28T00:06:00.001-06:00

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
~Aldous Huxley

"Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow."
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Got a new camera this week, been studying it and playing with it and I hope to do great things with it.

iHeartFaces....week 8 "hands-on fun"

2010-02-21T21:43:00.002-06:00

They're focusing on hands this week at i♥faces!

We had an old western shoot-out after church a couple weeks ago. This is one of the shots I took. I love hand shots.

Sunday Citar ~ miracles of nature

2010-02-20T22:59:00.004-06:00

Time to share your favorite quotes and photos and post a link at Tabitha's blog, Fresh Mommy. Check out her beautiful new baby boy while you're there, congrats Tabitha!

“The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.”
~ Anonymous

the undertaker

2010-02-15T21:31:00.001-06:00

His real name is Dale, but he's known by many (former Texas Ranger pals) as "the undertaker". What character he has, he's one of the sweetest guys I know.

Sunday Citar ~ A single rose...

2010-02-14T01:24:00.003-06:00

Sharing some sweet quotes for Sunday Citar this week. Join us over at Tabitha's blog Fresh Mommy, and share a favorite quote of your own, or just check out the many others posted.

"A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world."
~ Leo F. Buscaglia

Sunday Citar

2010-02-07T00:40:00.003-06:00

Time for a cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer) and some wonderful quotes. It's Sunday Citar time, brought to us by Tabitha of the Fresh Mommy blog.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I always watch the sky at sunset...even if I'm inside, when I know the sun is going down, I have to see if there is something wonderful to capture. Every once in a while, when the clouds are just right and the sun is in the perfect spot, I get something spectacular. Lovely.

rodeo fairgrounds

2010-02-05T23:41:00.001-06:00

I try to take the kids out to the rodeo every year on their "dollar day", it costs a dollar to get in the gate, a dollar for each ride, etc...they have a blast - and there are many educational exhibits out there, so we call it a field trip and don't do any worksheets for the day.

We got a pretty decent parking spot this year across the street. THAT was not a dollar, and just after I took this photo, a guy came and told me to keep the kids off the grass, but I love this shot.

deserted nest

2010-01-28T14:45:00.002-06:00

I have to wonder what got to the eggs, because there used to be three, and I'm pretty sure there were never hatched. Oh well. It's very cool to find a nest low enough to check out. This one is in a Crape Myrtle by our front door.

Sunday Citar

2010-01-17T08:38:00.005-06:00

Where does the time go? It's Sunday again, my favorite day of the week, for not only does my soul get fed by worshipping, but I get to participate in the Sunday Citar, brought to us by the wonderful Tabitha of Fresh Mommy blog fame.

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."
~ Lady Bird Johnson

****************************

I just needed a little floral "hope" this morning. After all the cold, and all the rain, I'm eager for a little spring.

bear

2010-01-14T14:26:00.003-06:00

Katdish inspired me today with her monkey post over at her blog Hey look, a chicken! Her monkey story made me think of my girl and the bear she received as a gift on her 3rd birthday. She has yet to lose it, to my chagrin. Though, now when she plays with it, she is usually playing catch with her brother and seeing how high they can toss it in the air. Poor "bear" has seen better days, he gets no respect.

This is one of my favorite photos of bear and my girl.

iheartfaces...week 2 "best face photo"

2010-01-10T23:41:00.002-06:00

The theme for this weeks photo challenge over at i♥faces is "best face photo".

I looked over several photos from the past six weeks and I kept coming back to this one. This is my Mom on Christmas day 2009. I guess I was drawn back to this one over and over because I ♥ her face so much. She is Mom to seven kids, six girls and one boy (I'm number 6). She is 76 years old and has had to deal with Crohn's disease for most of her life. She is loved by all her kids and grandkids and anyone who knows her.

I didn't do much editing on this shot. I cloned out a few flash glares from her glasses and cropped it a little and that was all it needed.

Love you Mom.

baby it's cold outside

2010-01-10T23:04:00.002-06:00

This is our dog Zoe....she's been spending a lot of time in her doggie house with a pillow and some comforters. She's ready for summer.

So am I.

Sunda Citar ~ Sunsets

2010-01-10T00:37:00.003-06:00

It's Sunday!!! Join Fresh Mommy for another Sunday Citar. Check out her blog to see more wonderful citar entries.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

happy birthday to i ♥ faces

2010-01-05T20:12:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite photo-sites. This weeks contest involved incorporating the "i ♥ faces" logo into up to 5 of your pictures. I only had the energy to do one. Hope you like it.

I am submitting this photo into the I Heart Faces logo photo contest. By entering, I am granting I Heart Faces LLC permission to consider my photo for use in the marketing and promotion of their website.

testing 1, 2, 3

2010-01-05T18:51:00.007-06:00

I thought I'd give my photo-blog a bit of a face-lift this year. Hope it works the way I want it to.

Here are a couple photos of the kids...not fantastic photos by any means, but they do show them being silly and their true spirit when at play. Just ignore the junky backyard.

Sunday Citar ~ Hazy Shade of Winter

2010-01-02T23:20:00.007-06:00

Time to join in with Fresh Mommy for another Sunday Citar. Check out her blog to see more wonderful citar entries.

“Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry, won't you stop and remember me

Look around, leaves are brown
And the sky, is a hazy shade of winter”
~ Paul Simon

Happy 2010!!!

2010-01-01T02:40:00.001-06:00

IMG_1896, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Many thanks to Annie (my eldest) for figuring out how to write "2010" backwards in the air. This shot only took two takes.

Happy New Years to all my blog reading friends. I pray for a year full of good things and abundant blessings for each and every one of you.

a prayer cross and NOT a puppy

2009-12-30T00:25:00.001-06:00

IMG_1837, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Okay...I laugh at the commercials, but she has been BEGGING me for one of these crosses. I think they are kinda lame, but it was that or a puppy, and I can tell you right now that I am not ready for a puppy and neither is she. She is convinced she can take care of a puppy, but that would last about a week and then the job would fall on me. So, no puppy for Christmas this year, but I went ahead and got her the cross. See the look of joy on her face? It was worth it.

fun with photoshop

2009-12-28T23:24:00.001-06:00

fun with photoshop, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I posted this on facebook and got absolutely NO reaction. Not surprised, most people are bombarded with stuff on fb so I shouldn't expect comments on every little thing I post. But I seriously thought I was being clever with this one. I realize that the tot and NOT a coney is cutting the cheese here, but there was no coney in the picture, I suppose I could have photoshopped a coney into the photo as well, but I wasn't that up to it.

Anyhow, I had fun doing it. **snicker, snicker, snort**

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T03:18:00.001-06:00

IMG_1773, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

My joy before bedtime Christmas Eve...I love these sweeties with every ounce of my being. I am so blessed.

finale

2009-12-16T17:23:00.001-06:00

IMG_1359, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Went over to a dear friends home last night to take some Christmas portraits of her family. Once we were done and she was walking out to my van with me...I asked her if she wanted some photos of her house all decorated....she said "sure!", so I got the camera back out, set up the tripod and took a few shots. This one of their tree through the window is my favorite.

All dressed up...

2009-12-13T22:52:00.002-06:00

IMG_1410, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Took the kiddos to see our favorite Santa at our favorite mall today. The mall was dead...so sad, it's a beautiful mall with a water fountain area where they used to have music festivals where you could picnic and listen to the music. There were only two food places in the food court still occupied and open, and only a hand full of stores open.

The good news was, we didn't have to wait long to see Santa. We were second (and last) in line.

i ♥ faces..."sweet dreams"

2009-12-07T13:03:00.003-06:00

When I found out the theme for i♥faces this week, I knew exactly which photo I wanted to enter.

After attending two birthday parties, complete with pinatas and tons of screaming kids, we got home and my son exclaimed quite adamantly "I am NOT tired!". Ten minutes later, I found him on the living room sofa like this. Had to grab the camera and capture the moment.

Stop by i♥faces to see more "Sweet Dreams" entries for this week.

from a moving car...the sequel

2009-12-01T02:35:00.001-06:00

IMG_1225, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I just had to shoot this on our drive back from Houston this past weekend...and with traffic being the way it was (bumper to bumper) I knew Ronnie wouldn't be stopping for me to get a clear shot. Anyhow, I think it turned out pretty well, considering. I love windmills, don't know why, they just seem charming and nostalgic to me, and the broken down shed had to be included as well.

a girl and her horse

2009-11-23T22:56:00.002-06:00

IMG_0988, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

After church on Sunday, we had our annual Thanksgiving fellowship dinner. As an extra treat, the pastor's granddaughter gave the kids a ride on her horse, Keno. I shot this through the space on the cookout trailer where some awesome bbq chicken was being grilled. That's why the shot looks hazy, it's the smoke from the pits.

iHeartFaces.....Autumn Beauty

2009-11-17T09:38:00.003-06:00

This is the look I got from my girl after a long hike through Lost Maples State Park last November, we're about to head out there again and see what the trees are doing this year. Down this far South, it's one of the few places we can go to see what Autumn is supposed to look like.

Stop by i♥faces to see more "Autumn Beauty" entries for this week.

Happy Fall

2009-11-07T14:33:00.001-06:00

IMG_0821edit, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Nothing like a big assembly of assorted squash and gourds to get you into that fall mood.

Pumpkin Patch Portrait 09

2009-11-03T15:51:00.001-06:00

IMG_0787, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I just barely got in under the wire this year....I took the pics on Oct 28...usually I try to get out there the first week of Oct. Anyhow, I'm glad I forced myself over there after a busy morning. To see the complete set of shots, click on the photo above.

Autumn sunset

2009-10-31T23:23:00.001-05:00

IMG_0961, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I love the color the sky turns this time of year...I think some of the prettiest sunsets must be in the Autumn.

from a moving car

2009-10-09T17:53:00.001-05:00

IMG_1363, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I'm posting this mostly to prove that nice photos can be taken from a moving car. Not a good idea if you are the one driving, however. I wasn't here, Ronnie was driving and I was shooting out of the drivers side window with my Canon Power Shot A560. See, a point and shoot! I set my ISO to it's lowest setting (80 I think) and turned off the flash and shot away. I had to crop out a bit of the frame from the window.

Sunday Citar

2009-09-19T22:42:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite blogs, Fresh Mommy is the inspiration for Sunday Citar. Check out her blog to see more wonderful Sunday Citar entries.

“Waves of a serene life pass over us from time to time, like flakes of sunlight over the fields in cloudy weather.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

chiming in

2009-09-04T20:54:00.001-05:00

IMG_0671, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I heard the wind chimes clanging around outside and decided to investigate, it turned out ot be a nice little thunderstorm churning up the wind.

We haven't had decent rain in months, and I haven't touched my camera in weeks, so I thought I'd try to get some rain shots. I kept gravitating back to the wind chimes though. I love our wind chimes, we have four sets hanging in the carport. These are by far the largest set, they have a deep low tone. My favorite.

Goes well with the thunder.

iHeartFaces.....bubbles!!!

2009-08-18T17:17:00.002-05:00

This weeks theme at i♥faces is bubbles. I had to go back a few years for this photo. The kids were having a blast playing with the ginormous bubbles from their "jumbubbler" machine.

Look at how green the grass was, I think I'm going to cry looking at the lawn that is now brown and dead.

amphian portrait

2009-08-13T04:42:00.001-05:00

IMG_0598, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I never knew that toads didn't like having their photos taken...until last night. Maybe it was just the flash that was spooking him, but he didn't want to sit still for anything. Fun stuff....we had rain, and got to chase a toad. What more could one ask for?

IHeartFaces....crazy, silly, funny faces

2009-08-10T12:44:00.003-05:00

Had some fun with this entry to this weeks I ♥ faces http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ crazy, silly, funny faces contest. I'm so blessed that my kids will perform on demand for me. They're goofballs just like me.

They grow up so fast.

2009-08-09T21:21:00.001-05:00

IMG_0584edit, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Seriously, I wish they'd slow down. I mean, I want them to grow up and become independent, productive citizens, but just not so fast.

Slow-mo please.

Evelyn's baptism

2009-08-09T15:36:00.001-05:00

IMG_0577bw, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Almost a year after Ben's...she's wanted to come forward for several months now, but was too "bashful". I explained to her that it was nothing to be bashful about, but proud of.

She's a very happy girl today.

photo funk

2009-08-07T22:35:00.001-05:00

IMG_7536, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Haven't been taking many pictures lately...life has been catching up with me and been giving me a bit of a beating. Anyhow...I figured I should probably post something so I dug up this picture I took in Feb while playing with my new lens.

water would be nice

2009-07-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

water would be nice, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

It's so hot here, even the cactus-type plants are dying. Or at least thirsting. This one looks like it could use a good gallon or so of water.

lamplights

2009-07-24T12:18:00.001-05:00

lamplights, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

The architecture in the King William area is magnificent. The historical stuff is great, but even some of the newer buildings are just cool, like these lamplights along the roof of one building. Sure makes my neighborhood look boring.

reflections of fiesta

2009-07-22T18:03:00.001-05:00

reflections of fiesta, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

This is another shot from the photowalk last weekend. I'm still going through and editing some to see if I like them 'all fixed up'. This one is a reflection in a storefront window on St. Mary's.

iHeartFaces (feet week)

2009-07-21T15:37:00.002-05:00

I've been wanting to participate in an i♥faces contest for a long time....this week (feet week - LOL), I'm finally doing it. Click on the link above to see more fun foot pics, and find out more about the iHeartfaces community.

Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk 2009

2009-07-19T21:47:00.002-05:00

boarded up, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I registered for this back in May (I think). It was a lot of fun. There were about 50 photographers who met up in the King William Historic District and walked around for two hours shooting whatever. This is the second annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk.

I think I'd like to do something similar in much cooler weather.

It was fun, I was pretty hot and sweaty when it was over, but I had a good time and got a bunch of cool photos. Click on the photo above to go to my flickr account and see the rest if you like.

Sunday Citar

2009-07-19T07:42:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha @ FreshMommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

"Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence."
~ Og Mandino

one hot little boy

2009-07-17T20:40:00.001-05:00

IMG_9939edit, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Outdoor wedding receptions in the middle of July, in triple-digit temperatures are tough. But it was bearable last weekend with several giant fans to help move the air around.

Here is my boy cooling off. He had a blast, even with all the sweating involved.

Oh, peacock feathers!

2009-07-16T00:50:00.001-05:00

IMG_9876, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

This is a shot from a wedding last Saturday. Don't know why, but somebody brought the bride this peacock feather. I googled it to see if there was some sort of symbolism. Seems like some cultures consider them lucky, and some consider them VERY unlucky. I sure hope they weren't wishing doom upon the couple.

Anyhow, it was pretty and was catching a bit of the setting sun, so I thought I'd get a picture of it. It's actually one of my favorite non-people pictures of the day.

a little rain, a little sun, voila!

2009-07-08T13:18:00.002-05:00

IMG_9422, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

“The true harvest of my life is intangible - a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Star Spangled Banner...

2009-07-05T22:54:00.002-05:00

Billy Coffey's post yesterday, the banner still waves, inspired me to post this photo I took at the base before the fireworks. I have to admit, I enlarged the moon a little to make the image a bit more dramatic. Oh, and by the way Billy....amen!

Sunday Citar

2009-07-05T02:44:00.003-05:00

Fresh Mommy has a thing for quotes - if you'd like to join in the 'Sunday Citar' fun, click on the link above and see what it's all about!

"I often use the word "joy" when describing fireworks. It is a considered word, deliberate in choice. Not just amusement, entertainment, astonishment, but joy. Our art makes us all into children again for a while. We become one in our experience for the moment; lost in the sound and color and light. We see large forces, stronger than we could ever be, yet beautiful in their effects. Sometimes violent, sometimes restrained. Delicate beyond imagination at times, coarse and rude at others."
~Bill Withrow

before digital

2009-07-02T20:53:00.001-05:00

bebd, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

This is one of the last photos I took with my 35mm Minolta. I love this picture. A new big brother comforting his new little sister. I don't think he's looked at her so lovingly since. LOL!

Sunday Citar

2009-06-28T07:38:00.007-05:00

"Hummingbird shows us how to re-visit the past for the purpose of releasing it instead of being caught in a permanently backward flight pattern. It also helps us to see that if we step aside we may see our life differently. Hummingbird teaches us to transcend time, to recognize that what has happened in the past and what might happen in the future is not nearly as important as what we are experiencing now. It teaches us to hover in the moment, to appreciate its sweetness."
~ Constance Barrett Sohodski

to celebrate....

2009-06-23T11:51:00.001-05:00

IMG_7498, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

...hitting the 2,000 milestone on my blog counter, I thought I should post a photo of the kids. As much as they fight, squeal and drive me a little nuts on a daily basis, they do put up with me and my camera at any given moment. My willing victims if you will, and the lights of my life.

lunch with Dad

2009-06-22T03:39:00.001-05:00

IMG_1088, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

We went out for chinese food yesterday after church. I love, love, LOVE this restaurant. The service is always spot-on and the cook will come out and do little magic tricks for the kids. Seriously, I would eat all of our meals there if we could.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T08:37:00.001-05:00

1965goinhuntin, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. It was taken back in 1965, in Alaska, just before taking my brother (love the hat) on a fishing/hunting trip. I have mentioned before that I got my love for photography from my dad, and I think maybe a bit of my sense of humor as well. I miss him. But I'll always remember him.

Happy Father's Day to all you "Daddy's" out there.

It's gecko time...

2009-06-13T21:55:00.001-05:00

IMG_8912, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

Gecko's kinda creep out the kids, but I love them. They eat other bugs and don't bother me at all. And I love when they play on the outside of the kitchen window, because then I can watch them. Tonight I decided to take a few pics. It's more fun when there is more than just one, but still. Aside from the 100 + degree temps we had today, this gecko is just another reminder that it is summer now.

...so I cut off her cute little chin

2009-06-08T01:28:00.001-05:00

IMG_8901, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

I whipped out the camera yesterday in the parking lot of the grocery store while Ronnie was loading the trunk. The sun was going down and the light was perfect....look at those eyes. There is nothing like filling up the frame with a sweetie-pie's face, even if you do cut off her chin.

Miss Maddie

2009-06-05T15:30:00.001-05:00

IMG_8812bw8x10, originally uploaded by beckeyz.

A true Southern Belle. Maddie is from South Carolina and you can hear it in her voice. She is an awesome, AWESOME lady. She turned 97 on May 12 and I did some portraits of her as a birthday gift.

Maddie has such grace, it's no wonder she has lived this long. If I am blessed to live as long, I pray I will be like her.