Festival Family Togetherness

Day 57 of 365, Debbie's Heavenly Gems

Day 57 of 365, Today was a lot of fun. Terry had a pretty hard week at work last week so I think he needed a little extra measure of R&R! Kayla mentioned to me last night, that a Spring Festival was going on at a church close to us. I decided to grab the camera and head over there to catch some giggles and smiles from the cute little kiddos. Oh, there were plenty of giggles and smiles alright. I still have not processed all of those pics yet!

The video file above is of my friend, Debbie and her wonderful oldest daughter. I happened upon her booth of gorgeous handmade jewelry that she calls Heavenly Gems. This jewelry is soooo beautiful. I love, love, loved all of it. Everything that Debbie touches turns out so neat! She is one of those kinds of people with a little extra magic in her crafty little fingers. Even her home,... my daughter said that her house could be in a magazine because, 'It is so perfect!' That is Debbie. She is a first class Christian mom who always has a smile to share and a listening ear. She and her oldest daughter, Katie, will be making a trip to Israel soon! I am sure they are eagerly looking forward to their upcoming travel date.

When I picked up one of the beautiful necklaces that caught my eye, I felt the fine quality & luxurious weight of the beading. It was not heavy, but substantial. If you read my blog post for Day 6 of 365, Money and Truth, you would know I am an avid QVC/HSN watcher! I see jewelry all day long. Honestly, I figured I was holding at least a $75.00 necklace. As I squinted my 40+ year old eyes, I read $35.00. huh? I wondered, "Am I seeing that price correctly?" I made sure again...yes. That was her price. Not only that, she had some fine, and I do mean fine, earrings that she was selling for $5.00! You have got to contact Debbie and see her jewelry if you live in the Baton Rouge area. If not, she will ship her products at the standard shipping rate. Her email address is LOUMCDC1@aol.com. She can help you with product and pricing if you contact her at that address.

I had to refrain from taking, oodles & oodles, to the point of overkill, pics of Debbie's booth. I did not want to embarrass her.  But, just look at those sweet  pearl necklaces.  Can't you picture one  for your little princess? Oh, you want all of 'em! I know you do!


p.s. I have a pair of her drop earrings-not too big, not too little, but juuuust right. I luv 'em. Thank you Debbie.

Festival Faces

Day 56 of 365, Surprise Start to My Day

Day 56 of 365, Today started out with a very unexpected phone call.  I met a lady last summer at the nail salon. We were getting side by side pedi's.  Of course, we started chatting away.  I can't remember exactly how the conversation started but I told her about my photography enthusiasm.  I remember how cute and friendly she was.  She seemed to be a busy lady who has 'lots of irons in the fire' at once!  I gave her a composite card with some bridal engagement pics that I had recently taken.  I was so happy with the way the little cards had turned out so I happened to have one in my purse.  Before I left, she told me that she had a daughter that would eventually be needing a wedding photographer.  I had butterflies in my stomach at the possibility of being the photographer chosen for the very special day. 

Well, this morning, I was piddlin' around in the kitchen and my cell phone began it's obnoxious tune.  It is one of those shreaky, wordless, doop-de-doo ringtones that is so annoying.  It is a Go Phone, after all.  I have to use the Go Phone because I put my new phone on top of my car and peeled out!  I am sure it is waterlogged in some ditch.  So, back to the obnoxious ringing.   I think I was off in never-never land because I was totally not phased.  Karmyn, who was sitting at the bar, asked with sarcasm, "Mom, do actually NOT hear your phone?"  Oh, okedokie...I think I came back to earth and reached to see who called.  hmmmm?  I didn't recognize the number.  As I was scratching my head in thought, up pops "1 Voicemail".   So, I proceed to go check the message.  Guess who it was?  One guess, go ahead, take a gander...yep!  You got it.  It was the lady from the nail salon!  She wanted to talk with me about photography for her daughter's wedding.  What?  Come on!  I really could not believe that she had kept my contact information for so long. 

We played phone tag a few times today.  But, by the end of the day, we came to an agreement and I have the supreme honor of being the photographer chosen to capture the memories of a very special time in the life of two young people.  Remember the butterflies that I had on our first meeting?  They came back today!  Butterflies of exitement...and, dare I say, a bit of pride in my photography and how it has grown to mean so very much to me!

p.s.  Toni, if you read this,....Thanks!  Everything is going to work out beautifully. 

Day 55 of 365, Zoopidy Zoo Da Day!

"Suga, don't even think about hoggin' my spotlight!"

"Is this the no name Extra Value Brand?"

"Freeze,... huff, huff, huff...Don't Breathe!"

"I put a spell on you!"

Day 55 of 365, Sharing a few Zoo images that I captured yesterday on my little photo field trip. 

Day 54 of 365, Beauty & Strength

Day 54 of 365, Today's Photo Challenge was 'Something Icky'.  I will talk more about that topic later in the post.  I want to put that off a bit because something beautiful is just simply,...more appealing.  The first picture posted is of a Japanese Magnolia.  When I saw this tree today, it was beautifully and gloriously loaded with big white flowers.  I was attracted to it and I have lots of photos in my file to prove it.  The image that you see has been edited till the cows come home.  The original capture was very pretty, as shot, but I kept fiddling with photoshop layers to add a touch of lagniappe.  I like how it turned out.  For the vintage camilia, I did the same thing...tweak, tweak, tweak, layer, layer, layer.  I wanted to soften the image so that it would have a hint of an aged effect.  I like flowers, so I would consider top two pictures to be pretty.  Now, for the not so pretty...check out my elephant and my old post pictures.   Those images are not particularly what one might call pretty.  When I was challenged to photograph something icky, I did not straight off think of elephant hide.  But, as I was reviewing my files, I decided to used this capture as my 'something icky'.  I captioned that image with the title, 'Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize...Poor Baby'.  Obviously, the poor elephant's skin looks pretty decrepit.  Then, check out the image of the brown post with the rope around it.  It has a certain character, perhaps...but, pretty?..nah. 

Now, I am not trying to put down elephants and old posts.  Stick with me, I do have to make a point.  Actually, I would like to make an analogy.   These two brown, weathered, rugged images have a characteric in common.  For me, one word comes to mind immediately.  That word is strength.  Do you know someone who might have weathered skin from age or a lifetime of hard work?  You might think of them like the elephant because they are loyal, steady, dependable & strong.  Or, perhaps your elephant is not so weather beaten by age or sun, but you consider them an elephant, none the less.  Strength does not always mean physical muscularity.  You might know an elephant with admirable strength of character.  When you see them, in your mind's eye, you see a force of will power, determination & fortifude.  This kind of person, man or woman, is said to have 'backbone'! Wishy washy, noodle spine?  No, no!...not the elephant. When an elephant sets his/her mind, you might just as well take it the bank.  Yes sir, I have several people who are elephants in my life and I am deeply grateful.  If I need help, they are the first ones to 'be there'. 

As for the rugged post which is rooted deep and solidly into the earth, I am reminded of a song from about a decade ago or longer.  A Contemporary Christian Group called 4 HIM sang a song titled 'For Future Generations'.  Here are a few lines of the chorus which talks about standing strong (rooted deep and solid) for what you believe in.  ...

So I won’t bend and I won’t break

I won’t water down my faith

I won’t compromise in a world of desperation

What has been I cannot change

But for tomorrow and today

I must be a light for future generations

Lookin’ in the eyes of the children

Knowing that tomorrow is at stake

When the choice is up to them

Will they have the strength to say

We won’t bend and we won’t break

we won’t water down our faith

We won’t compromise in a world of desperation

What has been we cannot change

But for tomorrow and today

We must be a light for future generations

I have never thought that I wanted to be an elephant.  Actually, who has ever wanted to be called an elephant?  "Not I", said the little red hen.  But, the more I think about it, I would do well to aspire to be an elephant in today's world of turmoil.  The world needs more people who are steady, loyal, strong and dependable.  So, how about it?  Of the four images, how many depict beauty?  Perhaps, in a certain way...I might say, "All four".  What do you reckon? 

Live After Five - (Concerts in BR)

Hey y'all!  I gotta tell ya something. Live after Five is coming soon!  I really, really do not want to miss any of the concerts.  They all look great.  If you are in the BR area and interested, see dates and concert scheduling info here http://www.liveafterfiveonline.com/. 


Friday Nights,....After Five,... Live,... Hope to see ya there!