Heart Drop

I was simply walking
when I stumbled upon this heart.

I thought to myself how it appeared to be all alone.

Its color ~ deep and rich as it stood in front of everything else in the photo...

and somehow...
it seemed so powerful to me.

Zoo Day

AHHH: the field trip that I try and avoid. The dreaded zoo field trip. I woke with an achy back, a minor migraine, a low grade fever and I am sure it was a psycho-semantic because truth be reminded: I did not want to go to the zoo. But Jenna picked me to go and so as the good mom-I went.

AHHHHHHHHH: the dreaded bus drive to the zoo. This was nearly worse than the entire concept of walking around the normally crowded and hot hot hot day at the zoo while chaperoning a half dozen kids scattering like ants. My lord, a bus driver I could never be....just sayen'!

I only chaperoned Jenna and another little girl--NOT BAD! And we were with three other small groups--again, NOT BAD! Whooooooooo hoooooooo! Except Jenna wanted to be the leader
child while Zariah wanted to hang out towards
the back. It was like watching a tennis match
keeping my eyes on the two guests of the zoo.

There were tons of photos of the animals and Jenna chose these to share on my blog. She called them the Kissing Giraffe & the Laughing Giraffe!

Which is funny because when she was a baby, her Auntie Jenniffer would call her Jenna Giraffe.

Dentist Day

Today was Matthew's very first dentist appointment. He was very excited about the entire adventure especially because he was able to witness three of his siblings have their appointments right before his. Yes, I took four kids to the dentist at 8:30 AM. God Bless the dentist and his staff because we made a ruckus...or two. Right before Matthew was about to get the Panel of his teeth I told him it was like a huge camera. "That's not a camera" I told him it was like a camera... After she was done he looked me square in the eye, "See it's not a camera."

In all honesty, Matthew was such a great patient! Our dentist, Dr. Adam Grant is totally the coolest guy and has such a good time razzing the kids while easing them of any dental fears. With camera in hand, I informed him I needed a picture and he swooped right on in at the perfect lounging angle to match how Matthew was laying in his chair!

Way to go Matthew: No Cavities!

Spots

Spots on spots on spots.

Spot On.

Farmer Journey

I drove passed this farmer and he waved.
I returned the gesture.

I pulled over to the side of the road; took a picture of a tractor out in a dirt field.

I watched this farmer watch me.

It was one of those moments where you wonder, "What is he thinking right now?"

His tractor grumbled passed my car. I waved to him; and he kindly smiled and waved back.

I watched him continue down the road.

I wonder if he had any idea I took this portrait of his journey.

This may not be one of the best photos but it was one of those great moments.

It's A Sign

Yes, quite literally....

Country Ivy

Like I keep sayen'...Things just look prettier when you look at them through old eyes.
I am sure that decades ago this shell of a frame was once clean and bright. I am sure it was a home to a family. A family that tended to the hundreds of acres surrounding this one small building.


I thought it was cool to take a photo of this old place since I have driven passed it about eleven million times.

Trespasser & the Barrel

This water barrel is hidden at the far end of an isolated dirt road. I thought I would sneak on this path, ignoring the No Trespassing sign because I was in search of a photo. This path was a one horse road, if you know what I mean. As I drove across such bumpy terrain I clinched my jaw knowing full well that I would end up with a jacked up alignment. As I took the final turn, I found myself head on with a car exiting the property. I kindly smiled praying I would not get a bullet in the rear...but the lady waved back just as sheepishly as I had. We each had to maneuver our cars to let the other trespasser go by.

Outside Again...

There is way too much going on in my life. It is taking away from my picture taking and blogging.

How dare life get in the way.

So today with Connor as my co-pilot, I stopped on the side of the road to snap a photo of this old shack. A quick moment of pleasure rushed through me as I stomped over the grass and towards this strangers fence for my photo opp! SNAP of camera = GRIN on face
Pleased as a kid on Christmas morning I looked over my shoulder and into the car because surely Connor would love to share in this joyous moment! There sat my son with a mouthful of gauze because he had just had four teeth extracted. (Grin was instantly replaced with "bad mommy, baddddd mommy" thoughts about myself) Reality set in so I returned to the car and took my numbed up, zombie-like son home to lay down.

At least I was able to get one photo taken to fulfill the need!

Thank You Berry Much

Strawberries. In a hanging Pot.
That pretty much sums it up.

Do You Want To Play A Game?

Remember the old days as a child, sprawled across the living room floor with a board game? Okay, I admit we do that occasionally now too, but times have sure changed! This photo has Matthew in midst of a very serious game of Memory---on a cell phone. Technically this boy is pretty advanced and will play cell games for hours on end if I allowed such. Which of course I never do...unless were at the doctors or on a long drive or if he is driving me nuts at a restaurant or... okay, I surrender that argument.

I know I have bought the mini cardboard games of Memory. But in a blink of an eye we are missing a square here and a square there and before we know it, Memory has turned more into a game of Hide and Go Seek out the missing pieces. I will stick with the cell phone, because in addition to his memory skills it is helping his hand eye coordination. (I think all parents say something like this at one time or another while defending something :)

Meow

Wow the kittens are really getting big fast; yet they still seem so small and sweet. To give a little size comparison look for the penny to the right of the kittens. Mollie is finally letting the roam the house which of course is cute and annoying. It is sad that all of the kittens have received names, because there is no doubt in my mind---there will soon be a Free Kittens sign posted somewhere.

The names are: Guido (who has the big rear-end like an Italian man who has eaten way too much pasta--sad I know, but since I am Italian I guess it kinda flies?!?!?), Screech (seriously this is the most cry-cry kitten I have ever heard), Yoda (I have no idea, Haylee thought it was adorable...nuf' said!) and the little striped one who we orginally named Old Man. Then we realized he was a she so Matthew named her Grama. Haylee informed him the kitten needed "a little baby name"... so he renamed her Little Grama. *ha* She will be the kitten that stays with us.

Little Grama. Wow! that is about the oddest name for a cat. Can you imagine me yelling for her in the yard? "Little Graaaaaaaaaaaaaama! Little Gramaaaaaaaaaaa! Where are you Grama!" The neighbors will call the police on us for sure.

Wheat-ish

This weed reminds me of wheat, hence the "Wheat-ish" as my the photo title. This picture was taken while using my new understanding of the ISO and many other cool gadgets on my camera. I am still struggling with using the camera under settings where I choose according to light, angle, time of day, etc. etc.etc...lol

I have to determine if the joy of a well taken photo outweighs the frusteration of potentially missing the perfect photo opportunity because my settings are incorrect!

Another photo taken from the hidden destinations of the backyard!

Bear

Meet Jaye's new pup. She calls her Summer. WE call her Bear. She is about as big as my shoe. I cannot recall what she "is"... except for that she is the darnedest cutest little thing! She is tough to get a photo of because she doesn't stop wiggling! We will be "babysitting" her for two weeks...by the time Jaye returns Bear will not only believe that "bear" IS her real name, but this is her real home.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~ I think that is part of our plan!

Roses

A Rose

A lovely rose with petals soft

A scent so sweet and light

So beautiful a flower

With colors shining bright.

But something not so savory

About the fragrant rose -

The thorns, so sharp upon the stem,

That sharpen as it grows.

Yet still lovely is the flower

Despite the thorns that prick

Just as life and love are sweet

They too have thorns that stick.

But do not fear to live or love,

Life's not exempt from pain.

So pick a rose, you may get hurt,

But you will also gain!

by Elizabeth

Grand Parents Day

Today was a special day for grandparents at our K-8th school. My friend Yolanda and I nicely roped in so many wonderful helpers that our two man team turned into a HUGE team of wonderful women (thanks to all of you!)!!! Here is one of my favorite photos that shows how large the crowd was. We had over 170 grandparents *which is monstrous for a small country school like ours!* --This was more than double than the school has had in the past! Mind you, this did not count all the grandchildren!!! The luau theme just made it a blast and confirmed that woman can multi-task like no other creature on this earth! Somewhere in that crows is Jenna and both of her Poppa's...and Matthew, too! (just don't ask me where Matthew was...I am sure he was doing the hula with his best buddy, Emily!)

Skyset over the Grapes

Another beautiful sky over the vineyard...

Paint Paint Paint

Had a little fun playing with PhotoShop.

I have not been using this type of program and now that I have it I feel like a kid in a candy shop!

This shot is from the side of a river bank in Tivy Valley, California. It was a beautiful warm day.

You can see my original then my interpretation of the same photo as if I were sitting with a paint brush in hang instead of a camera!

Jenna & Megan

Jenna is five days older than Megan.

Megan is easily five inches taller than Jenna.

Their moms met and built a friendship while experiencing pregnancy and the aches and joys of those months. It has been wonderful to see the two girls grow over the years - via email and FaceBook. The last time the girls saw one other they were toddlers fighting over cheerios. As I look at them now, I see two beautiful little young girls just a few months shy of being 7 years old. They had a wonderful weekend playing together. They are looking forward to writing letters to one another too!

This photo of Jenna just thrilled me. I know the exposure is not perfect but the photo shares pure joy. This photo expresses innocence. Her eyes are bright and free with laughter and yet somehow, she attempts to hide her grand smile and happiness behind a little piece of tulle.

I hope this is how I always remember Jenna as a child.

Old Eyes on Old Glory

It was absolutely marvelous to drive through the countryside with another lover of photography! I am used to driving and thinking how wonderful a scene would be, but being alone in this little photographer frame of mind. Not this weekend! It was so awesome to have Lisa asking me to stop at many of the exact places that I either have or have wanted to over the last few months!

This is the little country store in Minkle, CA. The town is about as big as a skeeters backside. However, this is one of several buildings that represented charm to no avail! This is the first time I had used a program to remove all color except for the significant part of the photo that I wanted to emphasize-- the American Flag.

Light Tricks!

Drawing in the dark!!

My photographer friend, Lisa came into town from Valencia with her daughter Megan. Within a matter of hours, she had taught me more dog n' pony tricks to do with my camera than I had learned in a year! It was VERY exciting! I will be adding in a few photos from this weekend, but decided to show that learned to write with a light in the dark! Okay, so the spacing between the letters of "Kris" are not perfect, but it was a giddy evening as kids drew smiley faces and adults drew their names! I am sure I will be trying this out many many more times with the older kids!

Time For Some Old Eyes

It has been awhile since I wandered back into my old place viewing a beautiful world that appeared only in black and white; or so innocently a child might have thought. Imagine the many journeys that have begun or ended passing across this old bridge. Look closely, there is actually an old-timers truck crossing to the right as you read. I bet he is a farmer and going to sell his trade to those who live on the other side of the bridge. At one time a train journeyed over the strong metal pass through carrying goods across the quick flowing river below. I have always thought that times were simpler then, but I realize they were actually tougher.

Purple

From the corner of my eye, something caught my attention. It was bright and filled the sky...but it was purple. I knew I needed to steal a piece of this moment that lay before me.
I thought it too beautiful to miss, too bold to ignore, and too beautiful to keep hidden away. Therefore, I share it with you. No matter where you live, no matter who you love, and no matter what you have ever done in your life...I hope that you can share in this same beautiful purple sky.

"PURPLE"
Don't ignore me
I am regal
Unusual and beautiful
at the same time
the color of lilacs, violets and eggplant
plums, grapes and
the inside of the rainbow
the sky before the sun sinks
below the horizon for its nightly nap
amethyst, magenta, indigo, and lavender
I am purple.
Katley Demetria Brown

Fence vs. Tree

Dog-Window-Syndrome: This is my new terminology. And quite possibly one of my favorites---at this time.
If you have been following my blog, you fully understand what this means. If you have not been following then please pause and please listen as my tears fall to my keyboard...*listen carefully, my friend, for I am crying*

Now that you are a full-fledged follower, Let's discuss this photo! The concept of this photo was very clear in my mind when dangling my camera out of the car window. My mind raced as I thought of the contrast of the "scene" that we were about to pass!
Squares: old and rusty but perfect in shape; Limbs: abstract in its own mindless direction - challenging the perfection of the squares behind it; Greenery & smaller white fence: just perfectly adding enough color in the background to make the rusty metal stand forward, challenging that darn tree for his rightful attention. Really that fence was so fetching cool.

Yes, I swear this is what my mind was thinking traveling at 35 miles an hour down a city street. No, I was not driving, Dog-Window-Syndrome, remember?

CrackBerry

Meet my 6th child: my cell phone. It is a Blackberry... or better known as a Crack Berry-- thus *drum roll please*
My name is Kristi and I am a Crack Addict.

A few mornings ago Matthew combined two of my addictions together: my cell and my coffee.

It had deadly consequences.

No, not for my boy, but for my Crack Berry. Trying to tie Mothers Day into the loss, I was able to get a new Droid; which I hated. I hated it more than... people licking their fingers. More than...walnuts!

So today... I returned to the store and replaced all that is good and holy in this technical age: the Crack Berry "Tour".

Welcome back pictures. Welcome back friendys. It was like a homecoming...so I even shared a bouquet of roses for you to see!

Pillar of Light

I am not very good with taking photos at night. I need to take a class --soon-- because I have no idea about all the gadgets on my camera. I thought that these pillars would be very dramatic on film. Sadly, they didn't evoke the historical point of view as much as my mind had envisioned . It was very dark out and I wanted to have the drama of the lights as they crept up the pillars. NOTE TO SELF: learn about taking photos when it is dark out!

Spot-On

Once again, dog out of the window syndrome and all....I took this picture of a street lamp. It was in a very modern district and I thought how perfectly it matched the symmetrical buildings that surrounded it. There is nothing soft or gentle about this photo in comparison to the scenic countryside photos that I prefer. But a girl must break out of her norm once in awhile!

Muffins With Matthew

Today was a special day with Matthew at his preschool, Bethal Christian Preschool. We had muffins, blueberry pancakes and fruit. He made two gifts for me: one was a fill-in-the-blanks sheet about me and the other was a card.
A few of my favorite fill-in-the-blanks per my almost four year old:
"My mom would buy "POPTARTS" if she had a million dollars".
"The best thing my mom cooks is: "POPTARTS IN THE TOASTER" (seriously I DO feed this kid a real meal!)

But my favorite by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
"I know my mom loves me because
"SHE CALLS ME HER BEST BOY"!

This is the first time I have seen Matthew write out his full name too! What a perfect Mothers Day gift from my best boy!

Track To?

I practically sat on this track to take a picture.
In the background I could hear the whistle to the train.
But I was determined to get the photo.
Glad I did.
I like the simplicity of the photo with the curve in the tracks.

Glass Portraits

My PTA friendys and I went to a restaurant called Fat City's in Old Town Sacramento. The name gave me the illusion we would be in a bar setting, maybe some bar stools, stale peanuts in a bowl or two. To my amazement the building was filled with a beautiful layout filled with private rooms with glass cut walls bezzeled by ornate woods.

Above and around us were numerous stained glass windows, chandeliers and pieces of art. Each piece carrying its own personality as the illumination of colors showed through.

Fodders at The Capital Garage

We found a little cafe near our hotel, that without a doubt became our favorite dining place in Sacramento.


It was quaint yet modern. The customer service was top notch on every account! We made sure the management knew we felt his staff was the best!

There was a unique style to their decorating and therefore, I
looked very much the tourist as I took photos while we ate!




And yes Kerri......I said Fodder.

Bridge

Old Town Sacramento had many great sites to see. I had never seen or heard the bridge horn before. It was very grand as it lifted into the air to allow the large ferries to pass beneath.
These are the stops that emerge from the road to prevent traffic to enter the bridge.


This is my favorite:



Here are a few pictures that showed the architectural beauty of the bridge in the evening.


Just great curves on the bridge. I normally do not take these types of photos, but I really did enjoy the change!

Unusual Views

I wont lie. We did not go here. I simply did my camera-out-the-window-like-a-dog routine and here are a few of the shots I took and wanted to share!


...This was part of the Convention Center that we lived at over the four days.


...This is the church that we walked past about half a million times.

Randomness

I had the pleasure to be part of a State PTA Conference in Sacramento for four days. I spent a wonderful MANY hours with the 11th District PTA: *in order below* Michelle Barnett, Kerri Lacy, Tiny (this would be the nickname given to me by Mz. Lacy), Ashli Russell, Deb Johnson, and our wonderful Madam President Tammy Wolfe. Four days of legislation, classes, laughter, maybe a tear or two. Please don't ask about the near collision with the tram, or the motorcycle or the curb...just glad I wasn't driving! *grin*

Of course I was taking pictures of random items for my blog too.... the first one.

This is where we sat our butts....for many many hours. And where we drank tons of Starbucks over those many many hours!

Enough Rain!

A day of sun, then a downpour of rain...I am not sure that Mother Nature can decide which season were in. I really wish I could have lightened up the grape vineyard below, but the sky just left such a deep and dreary darkness below its cape.