Catch Up days....Jan 22-Feb 9

Been remiss at posting photos...Here are some that I liked.

 Fat quarters for our Ronda Halloween Quilt...ahh the possibilities!

 Leisa's cat...love that his eyes are the same color as pumpkin's mouth..He loved the quilt...

 Memorial for Ted Seeholzer at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort..Thanks for the Ride, Ted!

 Dear Sweet Ronda...what a sweet heart..

 Garrett's attempt to be a photographer...he's got talent.

 Audrey's kiss face...her mom used to do this very well when she was this age.

 Ali Jane trying to give her mom a doggy kiss----yup, a great big "lick"!

 Depth of field exercise...missing summer right about now.

 Warm rainy weather in February - destroys the ice and any chance to ice skate...

 Ali Jane...love those blue eyes and innocent face.

 Kate's eyes are like warm dark chocolate! Delicious....

 Selfie shot...love the eyes....all about the same color.  What a surprise!

 Forgotten row boat that was filled with snow...loved the bokeh of the farmyard!

My favorite orchid in bloom again...what a dependable joy in the winter months.

Rain, Rain Go Away

I'm working on Shutter Priority and Freezing/Implying Motion.  I decided to stop at the Merlin Olsen Park Outdoor Ice Rink tonight on my way home from work.  It was slightly drizzling when I pulled up. I tried 3 different lenses to see which one to use...the Fifty Nifty won!  By the time I left, the rain was coming down mightily and I had to run for cover....it's supposed to SNOW in January! Duh??!!

A willing subject...

Note for self:  ISO too high, but I really love the light reflection on the ice from the lights.

Talented Hubby

Nathan striving to please me, his wife...finishing the pillars in the basement!  Hurrah!

Relaxing at Home

Sometimes, it's a beautiful thing to just relax.  The girls came over for the holiday and we read a book, visited, played with the kids and were just plain.....LAZY!  What a treat.

Garrett and Kate playing on the iPad

Don't you love those big brown eyes.....

Fleeting Opportunity

I've been trying all week to capture a photo that exists only in my mind apparently.  It should be of the Logan Temple hit by the morning light with the smog trapped in the valley appearing like "mist" and the Wellsvilles hit by the light as a backdrop.  I can't find the right time or place to get the effect that I wanted (even if I did run through someones backyard - hoping they didn't see me or wonder who the crazy lady was in their yard at 9:00 am).   Now the haze is too thick for the temple to be clearly seen...oh well....

Creative Play....on silk

I attended a workshop on silk watercolor painting today...I'm posting my work since this is my blog...but everyone's creations were joyful and lovely.

Sea Shell - wet in wet, dry brush and salt texturing

                                                 my Monet's garden ---waterlily 

 My little helper joined me while mom, dad, grandpa and Kate went skiing...she was delightful.





the group...we painted sea shells and then our own

compositions

Wedding for Annie and a lovely Show and Tell

Annie got married today...I love this photo of her and her mother....

I was able to be part of her day by doing her wedding flowers.  The flowers were gorgeous and so was the bride...

Yellow Callas, White Freesia, Yellow Billy Balls,
Akito Roses and Dusty Miller...

and I loved this photo of two ladies that were willing to be photographed....

                      and I wish I could own a design company and create all day like this lady....

Trunk Show at Winterfest 2014

I was a little worried about having the right kind of quilts to share with ladies that love quilts as a passion.  But when Amy asked me to do the trunk show, I was a wee bit flattered.  After suggesting several other quilters that would be more prepared, she still insisted that my quilts would be awesome...and I relented and said "yes".  I shared over 35 quilts and this one is the quilt I taught as a workshop as well.  It is definitely an heirloom quilt and I love the "happiness" that it evokes in me.

This the whole quilt...there is one star that was made by my friend, Kris M....if you squint, you will see which one it is...the value of her star is somewhat different than mine and can only be noticed if you train your eye to see the subtle changes....for some of you, it will pop out very quickly.  (Don't cheat....but it is the star on the right in the second row from the top)

Bougainvillea Blossoms

My boss has several of these vines potted and on display in the atrium part of our waiting room.  They are messy and get unruly in the summer when the light doesn't get low enough to hit them.  Unexpectedly, in the wintertime, they are at their best...sending out blossoms to remind us of warmer days.  I particularly love the light hitting the petals making them transparent with sunshine.  They are lovely to behold....and our patients love them.

Begonia Escargot

My Snail Begonia enjoying the warmth of the sun room 
                                                                          during the cold days of winter....

Easy-to-care-for Begonia 'Escargot' was named from the charming way its leaves curl back into themselves -- not unlike the shells of a snail, made all the more vivid by colored bands of pewter, chocolate and green; the pale pink flowers are a subtler pleasure. 

......and snow blankets the ground.  The pale blue of the sunrise gives 

a hint of shivery light.

Wellsville Mountains

Missing Miss Julie

My niece, Julie, has been living with us since last April.  She was assuming her stay would be brief...short and sweet.  But best laid plans always seem to have a way of not going the way we think they will.  It is now January and Miss Julie has decided to move into her own apartment and rejoin the life of the single people.

We are excited for her new adventure, but I'm feeling a little sad.  As I walked past her room, it is very apparent that the change is for real and I won't be able to leave a light on at night for her to know we care about her and that she has arrived at home safely (when I wake up in the middle of the night...if the light is still on, the children are not home yet!...  when it's 3:00 am, I'm in panic mode).  I can't ask her to clean the bathroom and vacuum upstairs...since she isn't making any messes anymore.  And I will miss the "girl talk" and the late night sewing parties.

I'm glad you decided to live with us for 8 months instead of 4-6 weeks...and please come visit us soon.

 Last of the belongings

Remnants of a bedroom dresser in use

We love you, Julie!

Ali Jane's Posing Talent

Ali Jane is pretty good about posing for the camera

...once in a while, you'll get a great "cheeser".

Celeste and I took a single run without the little kids today at The Beav...a tree run.  Well, the trees got the best of us.  Celeste lost a ski....just for a second...it was hiding under the snow.  But my little 5" diameter quakie didn't move very far as I straddled it...My knee decided it was a pretty sturdy tree...

It doesn't look too bad, but ice has helped the swelling.  

I hope not to meet up with another tree this season.

Yogurt at Grandma's

The kid loves this stuff....

She makes me beautiful....

Natalie always seems to make me   “Foxy”.     She let me practice my photography skills today after my hair color and cut.  Thanks so much.  You are a beautiful person.

Charlie is a fixture at the salon...a gorgeous breed....

Happy Birthday Celebration

It's my birthday and I'm havin' a party...

 Appetizer and Dessert....best part of the meal! 

 A Willing subject enjoying a delicious cupcake.

There is Beauty in being a Grandma

I 

Love

being a grandma....

these are the moments that shine through!

 Sweet kisses