May 31, 2011
Then & Now. Irvine Baby Photographer
What Happens at the "End" of a Shoot ...
You put tired babies down for a nap. Brother is exhausted.
Sister, however, is experiencing her second wind.
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Must. get. to. brother. and. WAKE. HIM. UP.
Plan implemented. Mission accomplished. 
And that, my friends, is what happens when a shoot is all done. [grin]
Aliso Viejo Baby & Family Photographer
May 29, 2011
In All Your Ways ...
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life,
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
AND do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body,
And refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:1-8
May 24, 2011
Grand Times–Dana Point Family Photographer
One very delightful Grandma arranged for me to come take pictures of her darling granddaughters. I was beyond excited to have the privilege to observe their enjoyment in each others’ company, their laughter, their mutual love …
One of their favorite activities together is cooking and eating! And one of my favorite activities is photographing people doing their favorite activities [grin]. Mock tacos were the dinner du jour.
I know, I know, it’s a silly picture – but one of my favorites, nonetheless. These dear doggies were in the middle of EVERYTHING we were doing. And I love that their beautiful blue eyes fit in perfectly with this family of blue-eyed beauties.
Our other activity that night consisted in creating a “time capsule” of sorts, recording favorite musicians, books, friends, and attributes of each other. How spectacular is it that these sisters included each other on their short list of best friends?!?
All around a truly delightful evening, showcasing beautiful life, beautifully lived.
May 23, 2011
Grammy.
I feel like I've been saying painful "goodbyes" to my Grammy for the past several years. Dementia (Alzheimer's?) is a cruel beast. But yesterday, with family and friends, I said a much-less painful goodbye as we all celebrated the wonder that was my Grammy...
If I had photographs in my hands of some of the memories in my head, these are the pictures I’d have of Grammy:
Sharing my bedroom with her whenever she visited; listening to late night stories of the “Get-Hot-Stay-Hot Girls” and their adventures on Catalina Island.
Collecting shells on the beach and collecting the prettiest rocks from the River to add to our “rock garden” behind the wash house.
Going out on the boat waterskiing in the morning & evening with Papa as the driver/instructor and Grammy as the cheerleader/flag-holder.
Swinging from the dock ramp in the River to cool herself off, before heading back to her homemade mesh deck chair in the shade with crazy flies everywhere, drinking beer in a can surrounded by styrofome insulation, talking and laughing with everyone, playing backgammon.
Sleeping under the beautiful quilt that Grammy made me from scraps of material she’d saved from all the clothing she sewed for me over the years.
Hair blowing everywhere as we drive back from Havasu in the Hornet with the windows rolled down (y’know, A/C against those 100+ degree days) and the coolers filled with food we’d bargain shopped & couponed for from 3 different stores.
Making dozens of batches of chocolate chip cookies with her, and still not being able to duplicate exactly the same yummy taste. Everyone always accused her of holding back a secret ingredient. I think it was just her love.
Watching Wheel of Fortune each night, always trying to beat her to solving the puzzle, which was, of course, nearly impossible. Grammy was a gaming, puzzling fiend. Agonizing & whining while tv wasted time with contestants spending their winnings on such treasures as the ceramic Dalmatian.
Getting up early to clean trailers in the cool of the day (y’know 98* instead of 112*). Hanging the sheets to dry on the line, knowing it wouldn’t take too long, and dreading putting back together those horrid bunkbeds.
Watching Grammy suck-up ceiling spiders and their ever-present webs with her hand-held vacuum.
Eating homemade cherry pie while calling Mom and saying “Mmmmm…..” So cruel.
Walking to Macs Market in the evening, knowing Grammy would probably spring for a popsicle.
Lingering over the breakfast table. Picking a coffee mug from the wall rack. Knowing someone in the park would always drop by and grab a mug and join us for a while. Grammy’s hospitality knew no bounds.
Playing cards morning, noon & late night. All manner of cards: Fish, Kings in the Corner, Gin Rummy, Rummy 500, Garbage, Spite and Malice, Hearts, Spades, Canasta … Knowing I would likely lose. Being careful NOT to sit in front of the mirror or the reflective window. Not that Grammy would cheat, mind you. But DJ might. ;-)
Crafts, crafts and more crafts. (which is funny, because I don’t really like crafts now. But I surely loved them then). Cross stitching, fancy yarn hangers, yarn potholders & placemats, hook rugs, yarn chairs (we went thru a LOT of yarn …), painted t-shirts…
Bingo over at B&B. In the days before they cracked down on minors “gambling”. Oh, those penny stakes …
Papa daily making Xerox copies of the crossword puzzles, because he and Grammy both needed their own.
Food. Always the FOOD. Food to feed armies. Spaghetti, chicken tortilla casserole, lasagna, enchiladas, green salad with Papa’s special dressing, cherry pie, jello-poke cakes, orange rolls …
Grammy always present for all the biggie events: all the graduations, weddings, great-grandbabies’ arrivals… Gosh, I feel like an era's come to an end. I miss her.
If I had photographs in my hands of some of the memories in my head, these are the pictures I’d have of Grammy:
Sharing my bedroom with her whenever she visited; listening to late night stories of the “Get-Hot-Stay-Hot Girls” and their adventures on Catalina Island.
Collecting shells on the beach and collecting the prettiest rocks from the River to add to our “rock garden” behind the wash house.
Going out on the boat waterskiing in the morning & evening with Papa as the driver/instructor and Grammy as the cheerleader/flag-holder.
Swinging from the dock ramp in the River to cool herself off, before heading back to her homemade mesh deck chair in the shade with crazy flies everywhere, drinking beer in a can surrounded by styrofome insulation, talking and laughing with everyone, playing backgammon.
Sleeping under the beautiful quilt that Grammy made me from scraps of material she’d saved from all the clothing she sewed for me over the years.
Hair blowing everywhere as we drive back from Havasu in the Hornet with the windows rolled down (y’know, A/C against those 100+ degree days) and the coolers filled with food we’d bargain shopped & couponed for from 3 different stores.
Making dozens of batches of chocolate chip cookies with her, and still not being able to duplicate exactly the same yummy taste. Everyone always accused her of holding back a secret ingredient. I think it was just her love.
Watching Wheel of Fortune each night, always trying to beat her to solving the puzzle, which was, of course, nearly impossible. Grammy was a gaming, puzzling fiend. Agonizing & whining while tv wasted time with contestants spending their winnings on such treasures as the ceramic Dalmatian.
Getting up early to clean trailers in the cool of the day (y’know 98* instead of 112*). Hanging the sheets to dry on the line, knowing it wouldn’t take too long, and dreading putting back together those horrid bunkbeds.
Watching Grammy suck-up ceiling spiders and their ever-present webs with her hand-held vacuum.
Eating homemade cherry pie while calling Mom and saying “Mmmmm…..” So cruel.
Walking to Macs Market in the evening, knowing Grammy would probably spring for a popsicle.
Lingering over the breakfast table. Picking a coffee mug from the wall rack. Knowing someone in the park would always drop by and grab a mug and join us for a while. Grammy’s hospitality knew no bounds.
Playing cards morning, noon & late night. All manner of cards: Fish, Kings in the Corner, Gin Rummy, Rummy 500, Garbage, Spite and Malice, Hearts, Spades, Canasta … Knowing I would likely lose. Being careful NOT to sit in front of the mirror or the reflective window. Not that Grammy would cheat, mind you. But DJ might. ;-)
Crafts, crafts and more crafts. (which is funny, because I don’t really like crafts now. But I surely loved them then). Cross stitching, fancy yarn hangers, yarn potholders & placemats, hook rugs, yarn chairs (we went thru a LOT of yarn …), painted t-shirts…
Bingo over at B&B. In the days before they cracked down on minors “gambling”. Oh, those penny stakes …
Papa daily making Xerox copies of the crossword puzzles, because he and Grammy both needed their own.
Food. Always the FOOD. Food to feed armies. Spaghetti, chicken tortilla casserole, lasagna, enchiladas, green salad with Papa’s special dressing, cherry pie, jello-poke cakes, orange rolls …
Grammy always present for all the biggie events: all the graduations, weddings, great-grandbabies’ arrivals… Gosh, I feel like an era's come to an end. I miss her.
May 12, 2011
Antonio and Bassanio are in the house ...
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The curtain rises on the Dudes' school's performance of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice next Saturday night. I can't wait. It's gonna be good. :-)
May 11, 2011
Crossed off the list.
The yearbook, that is. It's uploading to the printer even as I type. Crossed off this year's list. I totally feel like celebrating. Or sleeping deeply tonight.
Woohoo! Except, of course, that it means that this school year is nearly done. And that makes me a little bit sad.
Btw, for anyone who may be interested ... I've printed my school's yearbook for the last 3 years at Docucopies. Their prices CANNOT be beat. Their product is quite nice. And their customer service is top notch. I highly recommend them.
Woohoo! Except, of course, that it means that this school year is nearly done. And that makes me a little bit sad.
Btw, for anyone who may be interested ... I've printed my school's yearbook for the last 3 years at Docucopies. Their prices CANNOT be beat. Their product is quite nice. And their customer service is top notch. I highly recommend them.
May 10, 2011
Pink AND Blue! ... Aliso Viejo Newborn Photography
I adore how this family does life. They understand the preciousness of relationships and value and welcome FAMILY. Cousins are best friends. Sisters and brothers, grands, in-laws and future in-laws drop by often ... and often bring their dogs with them. :-) This [extended] family does life TOGETHER. And it's beautiful.
Know what else is beautiful? This darling, little, brand new baby girl. Already she is very loved.
Know what else is beautiful? This darling, little, brand new baby girl. Already she is very loved.
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Orange County Newborn, Baby, Child, & Family Photographer
May 9, 2011
PINK! ... Orange County Baby Photographer
I'm currently elbow deep in pink, ruffles, feathers, flowers, & chandeliers ... while editing this very-girlie, darling 5-lb newborn session. More to come later this week :-).
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