All Aboard

It's not Union Station, but still it's a good go to place for people watching and picture taking.

Today did not disappoint.

Around the Block

It's been almost a month since I've gone out shooting. Haven't had the energy, felt the desire, it's been too hot, life has gotten in the way. Since heat wasn't an issue today, I made myself go out for a walk after work with my iPhone in hand.

I wasn't hopeful that I would find much to photograph, but...

an amazing thing always happen when you head out at the golden hour on foot with a camera in hand.

The ordinary becomes...

extra-ordinary.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed.

 and I felt exhilarated and alive again.

 I forgot that there is beauty all around,

even in our little neighborhood park.

It may not be Italy,

Boston,

 or found anyway on a top 50 list of places you must travel to before you die,

but if you get out and walk around your block, you just might be surprised.

Let There Be Light

It was a gloomy drive to work and on top of that, I spilled coffee on my white pants all because I didn't listen to that little voice of mine telling me not to use my cute but curvy cup from Venice.

I was afraid that I would come home to be a bump on the log since I didn't get a good night's sleep last night so I headed off to lunch with my laptop in hand hoping to do a little writing. I was disappointed to learn upon arrival that my laptop had no charge left in the battery and I didn't bring my power cord.

Still, it was a good day at work, but there wasn't a shot worth taking until I pulled up to a gorgeous yellow school bus on the drive home. It was the perfect golden yellow, clean and shiny. At first I thought I was on the wrong side of the sun, but I couldn't resist. I framed up my phone, click. Inched my car up a bit, click. Inched it up again and that's when I saw it...the perfect light, click. I was just getting ready to take another shot when the light changed.

No matter, I thought I got the shot. As I crossed the intersection, I suddenly remembered that I had changed the "film" on my phone to B&W. I was deflated. There was no way B&W could capture the look I was hoping for.

As I drove into the garage, I saw my redemption. The light was streaming onto the console of my mom's car. Oh, so lovely!

My first photo of the bus, proved I was right. B&W ruined it.

But then redemption...while it was different than I imagined when I took the shot, I still love it.

Like a Kid in a Candy Shop

I took Monday afternoon off, thinking we would be watching our Maximus. I decided to still take the afternoon, but instead Brie and I went back-to-school shopping.

She hit the jackpot.

I was proud of the fact that she had her own money from her first job.

I could not believe that we were shopping for college clothes! It was okay that my job was to sit and wait, but I was happy that she still asks for my opinion.

Of course, I stopped to take a few photos.

But most importantly was that we laughed, talked and just enjoyed our time together.

Giving Kisses

Got to see my little babies this weekend.

It was heaven.

It was so cute to see Maximus give his little sister some loving.

The plan was for me to take Maximus for a few days. He wasn't feeling 100%, but we were willing to take the chance, especially since he was happy and peppy while I was at Matt & Ash's.

The drive home was gorgeous.

Alas, Maximus wasn't feeling good the next morning which added to a bit of homesickness was too much for the little guy.

I ended up taking him back two days early which made us sad, but I knew he needed his mommy. On the plus side, it allowed my mom the chance to see Matt & Ash's new house and hold her great granddaughter.

Joy in My Heart

Woke up 40 minutes late, traffic on the five was a bear, forgot my glasses, forgot my sweater, but I had the joy of Jesus in my heart. Besides that, I got 40 minutes extra sleep and got a beautiful view of the sunrising.

Ended the day with a little treat :)

He's in the Air I Breathe

Thankful Thursday, so much thankfulness today.

Retrospect

It was a good day, from start to finish.

Made good time out the door.

The sky was extra beautiful.

I could see and feel the glory of God all around.

I wasn't even nervous about my pending doctor appointment and I finally drove up to this building that is always reflecting light for a close up.

And stopped on the way in to take a photo of the sight that greets me when I first walk into our office.

The view from my office gave me hope.

She looked bored so I had to stop to take her picture and then give her some loving.

A delish dinner after the doctor appointment.

And beautiful skies on the way home to end the evening.

God is good. All the time!

Evening Light

My car needs a bath something horrible. But the evening light makes everything look better, even a dirty slug bug.

Pink Cookies

These delicacies are part of my Mexican heritage. On Sunday's my grandfather would often drop by the house in the morning with a pot of menudo in one hand and, much to our delight, a bag of pan dulce in the other. He didn't often bring the giant pink cookies, but when he did it was a tough choice between those and the ones with crispy sugar crusting the top of soft, sweet bread.

Years later, our local grocery store began carrying the big pink cookies and every once in a while, I would grab a few from the bakery shelf. One day the grocery bagger looked at the clear plastic bag holding my cookies and asked me, "What are these called?"

"I'm not sure," I replied, "I call them pink cookies." And that's what they are.

Who Cares How Hot It Was

It's August, which means it's ridiculously hot outside. But there was still beautiful light in the morning and cool enough to start the day with some fresh air.

Routine

Perfect drive into work this morning. It was a shame that I had to go inside.

Summer Goodness

Need I say more??

My Sunshine

Morning light on my sunshine.

Doesn't matter that she's beginning college this month. She'll always be my baby girl.

Endurance

This snapshot depicts the way I felt yesterday. The old me would have languished in self-pity, but the believer in God knows there are better days ahead.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8

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