Birthday wishes…

When you’re twelve your future consists of what’s happening in the next two minutes…what you’re going to wear…what you’re going to eat…who’s posting on instagram or snapchat. For this birthday girl, turning twelve is all about fun, giggles, birthday cake, and presents! Happy birthday, Sweetie!  

Whatever their name tulip magnolias signal spring is near…

The first sign of spring in my yard is my tulip magnolia. The blooms are a deep purplish pink and remind me of origami. After searching the name of this tree that sits at the corner of my house, I discovered it was called “Little Girl Magnolia” and they come in a variety of colors and names – Betty, Ann, Susan, and Jane. Whatever…

My Modern Day Little Miss Muffet…

Dressing up for Halloween comes naturally to this little drama queen. Her costume was a Pop Star Diva Vampire, but she ditched the teeth when she realized she couldn’t eat candy with them in! Here is her version of the modern day “Little Miss Muffet” and the spider. She is way too funny!

Sparks in the sky…

I absolutely l-o-v-e fireworks…the bright colors against a dark background, the surprise of the shape when it explodes, the oohs and aahs, even the loud booms. This year I was able to get to see two firework events and would have tried for more if I could. I am amazed at how they can pack the shells in such a way that when they…

To shoot or not to shoot…

As a photographer I’m always trying to follow the “rules” and work hard to “find the light,” but over Memorial Day I had to choose whether to break the rules and take the shot or to wait until later in the day when the light was better and possibly miss the shot. To shoot or not to shoot? The real question is…do you miss…

Dinner with Vittles…

My wandering son, a.k.a. Vittles, has been hiking the eastern U.S. since last April and is on his way back to California to hike the western part of the country. On his journey back to the Golden State he made a stop at home and took the time to prepare a wonderful meal for our dinner: roasted pork loin with a cream gravy, lemon…

A holiday tradition…”A Christmas Carol”

Going to see “A Christmas Carol” at Memphis Theater has become a holiday tradition for my granddaughter and me. This year was our third performance of watching Scrooge transform from a lonely, miserly, miserable human being to a loving, kind, and very generous man. As I was watching the play this year, it dawned on me for the first time that what Scrooge was…

My cute little elf!

This cute little elf is such a joy to have around. After I finished taking her photo, she had to take photos of her babies. The unfortunate thing was that I gave her the remote for the camera and 50 photos later I realized what I had done!! She is becoming quite the photographer and I totally love that!!  

A Creek + A Bridge = Fun…

I love the holidays when family gets together. This year three of my great-nephews and nieces and my granddaughter were here for Thanksgiving ranging from ages three to eight. It was so fun to hear their laughter and sequels and, yes, even their crying. Kids seem to have fun anywhere doing anything and add a creek and a bridge, and their in heaven! (Have…

It’s Raining Leaves…

What is with kids and leaves? If there are leaves around, kids just naturally have to play in them. They just can’t help it. They have to jump in them and throw them, then rake them back into piles and do it all over again! Even for adults, leaves are fun. They crunch underneath your feet as you walk across the yard, they swirl…

Making cupcakes…

What better way to spend an afternoon than baking cupcakes with my favorite little baker. She’s learning to crack eggs (which she does without breaking the yellows), measure the water, and use the mixer. Her favorite part, of course, was licking the bowl. And waiting for the cupcakes to cool – that can seem like an eternity for a 7 year old who can’t…

When little girls sing, “I love my new bike.”

When this sweetie girl got a new purple bike, she sang a little song that went like this, “Oh, I love my new bike. I love my new bike. Oh, I love my new bike. I love my new bike…,” as she rode up and down the driveway. The happiness just oozed out of this little girl with a new bike, and I got…

Love Missing Front Teeth

Don’t you just love it when little kids loose their front teeth. They are so cute! They get so excited when they come out. But moms (and grandmoms, aka Nana) know it means that their little ones are growing up…and it comes way too fast!