Little Things...

...Thursday

A wave of nostalgia washed over me this past weekend. That usually happens when my husband, Frankie, leaves on a trip and I have morning quiet time and cleaning the kitchen. Just the night before we were all sitting around reminising all the fun we had in Vegas when our daughter Jamie turned 21. Now, 9 years later, it's Austin's 21st Vegas birthday trip coming in August. 

So, while he slept, I made pancakes...like I often did when he was little. 

It wasn't even that I wished he was little anymore~but more when times and things and life in general was just more simple.

 It's tough raising kids these days...and getting tougher. I see it everyday at school.

And so...for one little moment...life was as I remembered...uncomplicated...

...like pancakes.

Linking up with Kim today.

and

Lisa

Happy (syrup dripping)  snapping!

xo

Kelly

Little Things...

...Thursday

I've kinda been on cloud 9 since Sunday. Sixty states and countries participated over the weekend for the annual global photowalk. I spent a lot of time scrolling through the #clickinwalk2016 IG feed off and on the last few days~taking in all the amazing shots that were posted. Spending the day with other moms and photographers was just what my creative spirit needed. We walked, talked, squatted, laughed, and clicked for several hours and finished the day at the most amazing restaurant.
It was the perfect day for shooting.
I'm going to let some photos do the talking...

You know my love for old buildings! Managed to sneak a quick snap on our way to dinner.

I EVEN entered a few photos in a contest (gulp) that is being held over on the ClickinMoms site...

Can't wait to do more exploring...

Linking up with Kim today.

Happy Snapping!

Kelly

xo

Little Things...

...Thursday

I'm happy to report that I'm typing on a new Mac-

Holy cow- what a difference a decade makes in laptop screens! Not only am I using a new laptop, I went from PSE 6 to PSE14...a lot has changed since #6! I love all the new features the program has to offer-even though it's a tad overwhelming learning a newer way of editing. I'm a creature of habit so really the best way for me to learn anything new is to just get in there and play. 

Reading tutorials is just not my thing!

I went into my archives for this week's photos because I just didn't shoot anything new. The new PSE has a dozen or so photo effects to choose from. I played around with a few of them and applied a vintage and a light leak effect to the Queen Mary's smoke stack. 

Speaking of the Queen Mary, the annual Clickin' Moms ClickinWalk2016  is happening this weekend. I'm signed up and headed to Long Beach on Sunday where the Queen Mary sits. It's always exciting to meet other women photographers & Long Beach is a great port city. I'm hoping to share that little excursion next Thursday.

This is not a photo taken from Long Beach but one of an old abandoned building on Alcatraz.
I wish there were more abandon places to visit around here.
There's just something about run-down, forsaken buildings.

 This is the first spring season in 4 years that I won't be rearing Monarch caterpillars. I'm kinda, sorta missing them. I'm hoping in a few years when we retire that I'll get the green house I need to raise these beauties again but in a more controlled environment.

Only four more Fridays til summer vacation-I think the kids even sense that the school year is winding down. This is going to be a "do-over" summer for me as this time last year I had my "girlie" surgery and was laid up my entire vacation recovering.

I've started a list of places I want to go and things I want and need to do. Although, I'm trying to keep the "need to do" list considerably short.

Our youngest is turning 21 this summer & that means a trip to Vegas is in the works.
My daughter and I also started talking about our quartely get together.

I'm hopping over to Kim's and sharing here...

Little By Little

Happy (almost summer) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Little Things...

...Thursday

I remember the first time I had a creative block. It was a terribly scary feeling to be on a creative high and suddenly wake up one morning feeling like I had used everything up. It wasn't until I put it out into the universe that this was happening did I learn that everyone goes through dry spells. 

Those moments force me to focus on other things that need my attention and not worry (too much) about when the creative mojo will return. Eventually the fog lifts.

The difference now is that I don't panic~I've learned to confidently and patiently move through it.

 So it was no surprise to me when a few days ago I actually wanted to pick up my camera and shoot a still life scene but needed fresh flowers. Then wanting to drive to Trader Joes specifically to buy those flowers to shoot that still life.

It was comforting and natural, wandering through the house, finding the props, setting the scene, picking up my camera and hearing that familiar click...

...like old friends that haven't seen each other in awhile, picking up where they left off as if no time had passed between them. 

 

How do you move through those times when you have no desire to create even when beauty surrounds you?

 I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'm sharing over at Kim's today.

Happy (I'm back) Snapping

xo

Kelly