Friday, February 15, 2013

...oh, those tulips...




...thank you...
...Trader Joe's...
...I love you...

...what I love...
...is that for $4.99...
...I can have such lasting joy...

...there was this beautiful little bundle...
...of nine tulips...
...in the most delicate shade of pink...

...I know...
...you are shocked...
...that I didn't bring home white ones...

...well...
...what can I say...
...these kept whispering to me...
...'take us home, take us home'...

...they really ganged up on me...
...those adorable little flowers...

...they have lasted for a week...
...always wanting to sit for photographs...

...one day I tried a black background...
...it's just okay...
...I still like my white...

...they are getting a tiny bit droopy today...

...but they are still begging to be photographed...
...this one especially leaned over...
...to get my attention...

...the pink is even more pale and delicate...
...than when I brought these little sweet tulips home...

...and then of course...
...I had to play in Photoshop...
...this creation I called:  Flowers for You...

...hope you enjoy your bouquet...

...Life is Good...

"When you arise in the morning,
give thanks for the food
and for the joy of living.  
If you see no reason for giving thanks,
the fault lies only in yourself."
~Chief Tecumseh

Sunday, January 20, 2013

...inspiration in detail...


...on a recent morning...
...as I looked around my living room...
...my realization was that...
... I'm still in awe...
...of the tiny little details...
...on my vintage pieces...


...so, of course... 
...I grabbed my camera...
...and snapped way too many shots...
...for one post...

...making these mosaics bring me joy...
...hopefully you will enjoy some of the detail...
...in our little white cottage...

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?” 
― Mary Oliver
 New and Selected Poems

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

...sharing a little white...


...we are having really cold weather right now...
...normally our winter temperatures do not include teens...
...playing with photos of my beloved white ironstone...
...is like being all wrapped up in muffler, earmuffs and mittens...
...I'm staying toasty warm...
...I'm staying contented...


“Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.” 
― Lao Tzu



Sunday, January 13, 2013

...what women should know...


...I've been taking an online class...
...given by the most talented teacher...
...the class is called 'Beyond Layers'...
...taught by Kim Klassen...

...sometimes I have a hard time keeping up with assignments...

...but I decided to share this one...
...we were to photograph a cup, book and one other object...

...then process it using at least one of her textures...
...she names her textures...
...the two I used are called chaos and calamity...

...Kim is the most generous person...
...if you want to learn more about using Photoshop...
...I would highly recommend taking one of her online classes...

...I chose a tiny white cup...
...a real bird's nest...
...and the most wonderful book...
...published in 1873...
...the author thinks she has all the answers for women...

...I snapped and snapped...
...digital photography is so fun that way...
...no worries about the time and cost of developing film..

...this is the version I finally decided upon...
...I like the vintage tones...
...I also adore the idea that...
 ...what women should know is all written in a book...
...so simple...

...as I searched for the perfect quote to end this post...
...I found this...
...hope you enjoy it...


One Flaw In Women 

Women have strengths that amaze men. 
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, 
but they hold happiness, love and joy. 

They smile when they want to scream. 
They sing when they want to cry. 
They cry when they are happy 
and laugh when they are nervous. 

They fight for what they believe in. 
They stand up to injustice. 
They don't take "no" for an answer 
when they believe there is a better solution. 

They go without so their family can have. 
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. 
They love unconditionally. 

They cry when their children excel 
and cheer when their friends get awards. 
They are happy when they hear about 
a birth or a wedding. 

Their hearts break when a friend dies. 
They grieve at the loss of a family member, 
yet they are strong when they 
think there is no strength left. 

They know that a hug and a kiss 
can heal a broken heart. 

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. 
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you 
to show how much they care about you. 

The heart of a woman is what 
makes the world keep turning. 
They bring joy, hope and love. 
They have compassion and ideas. 

They give moral support to their 
family and friends. 
Women have vital things to say 
and everything to give. 

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, 

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
- Unknown

Monday, January 7, 2013

...how can we make you any more comfortable...

...ah, the life of a cat...
...especially in our home...

...this is Squeek...
...who found us many years ago...
...and basically said...
..."I'm choosing you to be my family"...

...so we don't really know his age...
...we know he is 15 or even more...

...he is the true alpha cat...
...he lets the other kitties and us know that daily...

...this is how he spends much of his day...
...total comfort...
...is his daily routine...

...he is very demanding early in the morning...
...wanting food...
...but then usually rejecting whatever is offered...

...he has had some health issues...
...but now seems to be better...

...can you think of anything we could do...
...to make him more comfortable around here...

...he really doesn't like for me to photograph him...
...is that a look of scorn...

...I never wanted a cat...
...now we have four...
...especially never wanted kitties inside...
...let's just say I was outvoted...

...now I live with a kitty circus...
...trying to make each one more comfortable...
...that's my job...


"After scolding one's cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion 
that it understood every word.  
And has filed it for reference."
 ~Charlotte Gray



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

...celebrate every day...


...take a peek at the gorgeous centerpiece...
...our Tennessee family sent for the holidays...
...it arrived a few days before Christmas...

...everyone at our Christmas brunch enjoyed it...
...and it has lasted and lasted...

...baby's breath and two sizes of white roses...
...and at least five different kinds of evergreens...
...with just a touch of silver and red...
...thank you Lulu and Jimmy...

...this is my favorite of all the little houses I have...
...sitting under a cloche...
...all on a silver plate...

...purchased many years ago...
...it has been photographed over and over...
...hours of enjoyment from this sweet little cottage...

...and so...
...it became the focal point of my 'Happy New Year' greeting...
...we hope you have a wonderful year in 2013...
...take advantage of opportunities...
...wake up happy each morning...
...fill your heart with love...
...then share...

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” 
– Albert Einstein,
Theoretical Physicist

Friday, December 28, 2012

...a little bird told me...

...that I don't really have to hurry...
...to pack away all of my white sparkling...
...Christmas decor...

...this is a new little bird who now lives here...
...a gift from my dear friend Fran...

...I had just the place for this sweet little bird...

...you already know how much I adore birds nests...

...so a sweet glittered bird now sits...
...right on top of a nest...
...which is in a vintage, tarnished silver goblet...

...the real bird that made this nest...
...was a wonderful home builder...

...cute from all angles...
...oh, and...
...the eggs are not real...

...thinking about a mosaic...
...featuring the little bird...

...I snapped more shots...
...of ornaments on the closest tree...

...if you look closely...
...you might see me in the reflection...

...soon I will need to pack these little ornaments away...

...I'm still enjoying them...
...so...

...I'll keep everything up a bit longer...
...while I play...

...this nest is under a martini glass turned upside down...
...perfect little spot for a tiny nest...


...thanks to Big Huge Labs...
...this is the mosaic that I created...
...it is another of those 'magical' photos...
...run your cursor over the photo...
...and you'll see the original mosaic under it...

...this was fun...
...thanks Frannie...


"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
 ~William Shakespeare