Day 64 of 365, Headless Photog Geek & BREC Botanical Gardens

Day 64 of 365, I think I will caption this one, "Headless Photog lives to shoot again". :) I went to Train Station Park for a quick self portrait.  I am reading Vic Orenstein's book about photographing children.  I am super excited that soon, I will get the chance to photograph some of the cutest kids!  I met Brandi H. and her two little ones in the grocery store parking lot.  Her kids caught my eye.  She was busy trying to get them in the buggy so that she could do her shopping.  Her vehicle was parked next to mine, so when I rounded the vehicle, I noticed her little daughter with crystal blue eyes standing in the bottom of the cart.  Her adorable, charmer of a son was in the baby seat.  They are both gorgeous with a captial G!   I told her that I bet she has some beautiful pics of her little ones.  She said that she would like to have their pics taken.  lalalalalalalal...that was music to my ears!  I told her that I would love to photograph her children.  We exchanged contact information and finally got together to try to schedule a photo session.  As Brandi and I were talking over the phone, I heard her little 18 mo. old rambunctious baby boy in the background.  Then, I heard her say, "Oh no!  He just learned how to climb on the cabinet!"  lol!!!  I didn't have a little boy, but I can definitely imagine what a combination of joy and handful they might be.  

So, I tried a different angle. I can call this one, "Geek, tie your shoe laces." hehee~

I had to go return some books at the Goodwood Branch Library today. So, I decided to visit the BREC Botanical Gardens today. This is a volunteer worked garden project. I could tell that they are beginning to re-work the gardens after the winter season. There were a few flowering plants that I thought were pretty as a picture. So, here they are.

Day 63 of 365, Brandie, Books & Me

These are our book selections for the month of March.  Brandie suggests "A Bargain for Frances" and my featured reading selection is "Amerlia Bedelia".   :)

Brandie and I went to Barnes & Nobles tonight.  Terry went to watch a baseball game and I wanted to go to the book store.  I knew just who to call to ask if she would accompany me, my niece Brandilyn.   Isn't that the prettiest name?  I love it.  Anyway, I knew that she would jump at the chance to go to Barnes & Nobles.  She is a very, well read 10th grader.  When, she picked up an interest in reading somewhere around the 4th grade, I believe, she became an avid little reader.  I am quite impressed with the breadth of literature that she is familiar with.  And, her acquintance with these works are not necessarily from required reading.  Brandie and I have a common love for books.   

As customary and reasonable, one must slide over to the in-house Starbucks to sip a little indulgence, all the while, perusing their new reading material.  Oh, yeah...!  We did a snooty little 'cheers' clink with the bottom edge of our drink cups then slurped it up!  She ordered a Venti Mocha Frappa and I had Pomegranate Cherry Juice.  We sat at a table by the window and put our heads together as we read through the 225 Baton Rouge circular.  I noticed the dates are listed for Sunday in the Park beginning April 11.  yay!  I am planning to go to some of those concerts in the park. 

We finished our drinks and decided to make one last swing through the store.  Then, I remembered that I had my little Panasonic Lumix point & shoot in my purse.  Of course, immediate ideas popped in my head, I would say,..."hey Brandie, go over here.. go over there..."  She is such a good sport!  Instead of Where's Waldo?  We can play Where's Brandie?

Thanks to my sweet niece for coming to B&N with me and being such a great book buddy.

the Karmyn and me

Karmyn and I went to lunch at a new little Mexican Restaurant.  We were seated next the the bar to our left.  She looked over and said, "Goll, look at all those bottles!"  I laughed.   

As soon as I whipped out the p & s, I get, "Talk to the hand!"

But, when the fajitas came out  sizzling, I got this...  :) ...!!!

Can you hear it and smell it now?  Yummmmm, yum.

Day 62 of 365, Prop as Still Life

Day 62 of 365,  I received a call from my bride that I am going to photograph.  We had planned her bridal shoot for tomorrow and we were both very excited and looking forward to it.  At around 4pm today, Maria called and said that she went to pick her dress up from the seamstress.  When she did the fitting, it was still a bit too loose.  Therefore, the seamstress kept the dress to make the additional alterations.  Maria was told that it should be ready within a time frame of 4 days.  Oh, well, no bridal shoot tomorrow.  Earlier today, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some flowers that Maria might want to use as a prop.  I also found  this little wicker purse that I thought was cute.  It is really not a purse for real life.  It is more like something to hold little doodads!      

Day 61 of 365, Taxes

Today was tax filing day.  I have been putting it off.  But, finally, I gathered up my info and headed over to mom's.  She is the expert tax filer from WAAAY back!  My mom has filed everybody's, and I mean everybody's tax information from back in the olden days.  Remember when you used to have to use an actual pen to fill in your pertinent information?  Well, yeah.   Taxes?....done.

Actually, it is not as bad as I had feared.  I'm just being dramatic.  But, honestly, the amount that is taken out of everybody's payroll checks is out of sight!  Something's gotta give.  I think it is time for a Tea Party!

Day 60 of 365, Something Sweet & Something Pink

Day 60 of 365, Our Daily Photo Challenge Subject:  Something you think is sweet.  So, I had a pic of a snowball (syrupy, sweet kind) as one option.  Another image that I had already was of the most delicious pie you ever tasted.  My sister-in-law brought her pie in the fancy pie plate with all the special touches to our Christmas gathering this year.  I really was thinking about using that one.  It is sweet and I'll bet you would swoon if you took a bite of her pie.  It is that good!  We all make requests for it in advance. 

Truthfully, the daily photo challenges are supposed to be exactly that....taken daily.  So, instead of going retro to my Christmas files.  I looked around me.  Of course who is at my feet?  And, what is the sweetest thing I know?  Mia!  She is the sweetest little doggy that could have ever come into our life.  When any of the four of us in the family walk in the door, we all oooh and ahhh and make a big to do over her.  She wags her tail so hard from side to side.  I always tell her to, "shake it, shake it, don't break it!"   So sweet Mia was going to be my subject.  Now, I had to figure out how I wanted to capture sweet Mia.

Okay, tell me something, what is today?  Yeah, yeah...that is right, today is Pink Tuesday.  (another photography challenge group)  Okay, the wheels start to slowly, creekily turn an idea. Just this weekend, Kayla and Trevor took you know who, OSD (one spoiled dog) to Petco to let her pick out a toy.  I guess she picked out two toys because she came home with a yellow duck and a pink football.  A-Ha!  The pink football!   

Something sweet? Something pink? check... check.   Now I had to figure out how to attempt to catch my something sweet and my something pink in one picture.  So, I decided to tempt her with the football up over my head.  I knew I needed to get low because Mia, well she is pretty low as you can tell.  I think I was laying on my ear on the cold tile floor, camera stuck to my face, football poised over my head as far as my arm would reach.  whew!  As I expected, she started circling around anticipating her target practice.  Then, I gave it a sling down the hall.  Of course, she shot out after the football and I was able to catch a couple cute pics.  I think it turned out cute for a last minute little photo shoot, in the hall, laying on my ear~ 

Day 59 of 365, Clay and the Timer

Day 59 of 365, I actually did take some pics today.  They were practice pics all around the house and yard.  S.O.Stuff.  So, I decided that I would  introduce Clay today.  Clay's dad is my 1st cousin.  His family came to visit at my parent's home  on Superbowl Sunday, Jan. 8, 2010.  Geaux Saints! Anyway, my mom (Granny) hasn't had a young kid around for a long time.  She didn't really have anything exciting for a kid that is Clay's age.  I think he picked up the clock timer and was curious.  So, Granny proceeded to show him how it worked.  She can make anything sound like fun.  Kinda like those commercials that make a person want to purchase ShamWow!  Ok, so you get the idea.  She loves kids and can get into their imagination.  My, Karmyn also calls her Granny a dog whisperer, but that is another story. 

Look at that sweet profile.  He is listening to Granny as she points out how to read the timer.  Can you hardly stand it?  O' so sweet!  Plus, he is sharp as a tack!  A very smart boy, that Clay.