2010 is almost here!

May your coming year be filled with :
• health
• joy
• adventure
• love
• creativity
• contentment
• friendship
• and peace!

Christmas Morning

house finch

We had a white Christmas this year. A winter storm rolled in yesterday and it snowed around 10 to 12 inches. After the presents were opened, I bundled up and took some photos of the birds in the backyard. This is one of my favorites. Hope you had a great day!

My wish for you...

My favorite holiday movie is White Christmas, which I watch almost every year.  It is on my to-do list.  One of the songs that Rosemary Clooney sings is Count your Blessings.   My wish for you is that you take time to count the blessings in your life.  I realize that everyone struggles with something.   So I know this will be more difficult for some than others.  Gratitude can be a gift to yourself.

Merry Christmas!

Cat

winter at the garden

I tend to be a fair weather photographer and when it turns cold, I focus more on my jewelry. But Kauffman Memorial Garden was calling me and I had to go for a visit. I know it really isn't winter until the 21st, but with temperatures in the teens, it sure feels like it.



The conservatory is beautifully decorated for Christmas. A family with small children were there all dressed up ready for photos. They were posing in front of the snowman that is made out of dried hydrangea.

My husband decided to stay inside and sketch Crazy the cat while I wandered outside. She was a very good model. She only rolled over a few times.


Crazy


bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin


rose hips

The garden was very quiet that morning. The only sounds were the birds having their breakfast on a crabtree. They weren't happy with me disturbing their meal. They would fly away and then quickly return for more fruit.

As a child, I would play outside as long as there was daylight. Visiting the garden brought back memories of that simpler time. I can't wait for my next visit.

30 years ago

It was December 14th, 1979. I was a senior in nursing school and had to repay a debt to my friend by going on a blind date that I wasn't looking forward to. My date had moved to Kansas City a few months earlier because of a job offer from Hallmark. My friend, Margo, had been trying to set us up for a month and I kept saying no. As it turned out, that was the evening that I met my future husband. We liked each other right away. We had a short engagement and were married in June of the next year.

Happy First Date Anniversary Warren!

Unique Giveaway

Mockingbird

The winner is Bella...congrats!
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In an earlier posting, I wrote about an Etsy shop and blog called glazedOver and her first giveaway. This time, she is featuring my shop in her blog and you will have a chance to win this 5x7 Mockingbird print. The deadline for the drawing is midnight on December 13th. Thanks so much for this fun opportunity Jill! Click here, to link to her blog and learn how to enter.

The winner may substitute the Mockingbird photo with any listing in my shop! Good-luck :)

Creative Weekend

Last weekend my husband and I went to a few garden centers so I could try out my macro lens. Whenever we go out, he brings his sketch book and a small set of paints. Here are a few sketches that he did while I was shooting.



I had also asked him if he wanted to go with me to Lawrence, Kansas to check out an Art Fair. He isn't fond of crowds, but said yes anyway. I am totally aware of the gem I have in my spouse! While I was shopping, he stood back and did a few quick sketches of vendors. I love the Santa look-alike.



I had a wonderful time with my husband shopping, shooting, and wandering the streets of Lawrence.

My Birthday

Today is my birthday and the sun is shining in Kansas City. I haven't seen a movie in ages and I plan on going this afternoon, taking a walk, and doing absolutely no chores! My husband and daughters surprised me with beautiful flowers last night...so sneaky. I'm off to enjoy my day:)