~The Look of Love~

     So, the only room in the house I have not cleaned out was Austin's. It really doesn't do any good to force him into it-I knew he'd eventually ask for my help. That day was yesterday We spent hours meticulously going through book shelves, drawers & papers upon papers!
      With Austin turning 16 in a few weeks, I'm a hot bundle of emotions, so it was fun reminiscing back through the years & spending quality time together.
     Meet "Nigh Night Bear"! He sits on the top shelf in Austin's closet with a few other "friends" that he's not ready to dump. (Shhhh-he can NOT know I said that!) Austin used Nigh Night bear as a pillow & i'm pretty sure that's how the name came about. You can see he is well loved & was quite the world traveler!

There was ALWAYS room for a boy's best mate!

And now it's like he'll watch over that boy for ever.

The time Austin has left at home is fleeting & some days I feel like I can't catch my breath. In a blink-he'll be off chasing his dreams.
 Life's a trip Austin, I hope you'll always know the way home....Same goes for you Justin & Jamie~
xo
Happy Snapping
Kelly (mom)

~Aye Aye Skipper~

You know those stories where people go about their day, lets say gardening...and they dig up a small trinket or coins that end up being worth tons of money? Well, that didn't happen to me today as I was weeding!   lol
 Yeah, I figure the people that that happens to are in need & I say good for them! All I found was an empty snail shell, a bird feather, got stuck by a rose thorn-twice, grimy fingernails and mud in my eye when I yanked a weed to hard! But if I wasn't out enjoying the cool(ish) fresh air, I would have never seen that Skippers were out early today. They don't sit for very long!
 Frankie also planted milkweed for me in hopes that the Monarchs will pay us a visit next year.  Hope you are having a fabulous day! Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

It's the Little Things' eDition

Its Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen's Cafe & the theme is "it's the little things".  But what these represent aren't little at all, in fact they are really quite big. But how do you capture, affection and gratitude, trust, kindness, love and devotion or any of the hundreds of other adjectives I could list? This was the only way I knew how...In the little things.



I used Kim's new Water Stained frame and Scripted here and converted it to Florabella's  B&W Chestnut.

Happy Snapping!

xo

Kelly

~West Side Story~

Just having some fun on the movie title. So besides the ravens we have scrubs (playing the part of one of the Sharks.) That is a ringtail dove in the background, (playing the part of one of the Jets). Unlike the movie, these two "gangs" don't really give a darn about each other-but they ALL sing! The scrubs come for peanuts every morning. There are 2 clans on opposite sides of us but it's really hard to get a good photo of them in the same frame. It's really like a zoo at my house until about 10 a.m. when it starts getting too hot. I've been building trust with these little guys and they let me stand pretty close to them as long as I'm throwing peanuts. I do talk to them and i've learned a "birdcall whistle" they respond to! At any rate...here are a few more.

Are they not stinking cute? I'm loving my new camera-I'm ready to sell my rebel!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

~The Grapes of Wrath~

You know, I'm embarrassed to say I've never read the book OR seen the movie but I think I'll put it on my "bucket list". I know it's a classic and shame on me for letting it go unread & unseen this long.  I didn't go to a winery, these are actually growing on our property. You know, there's an Italian proverb that says, "One basket of grapes does not make a vintage." So...then...what do I have with so few hanging from a fence? Exactly that, a few hanging from the fence! lmao
They are not sweet yet, & I'm not sure if they even will. So....I guess I'll just have to eat one a day until they are all gone! I'll get back to you!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

~Blackbird singing...

...in the dead of night~
But actually early, early morning! Some people have roosters, some pooches & kitty's to wake them up. But we have the joy of this little guy. A family of desert ravens have decided they liked the food we put out & every morning this little one comes between 6 & 6:15 like clockwork. (Glad I'm a morning person!) He croaks and belts out songs like nobody's business! He was very brave as I was sitting on my patio with my big honking lens staring at him. He's calling for his mama here~she's never far away. I suppose because we are privileged to be watching the adults rear their fledgling-this little one is  beautiful to me....Yes-beauty IS in the eyes of the beholder.
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

~Fruit of the Vine~

Our tomato plants are looking pretty sad this year so how lucky am I that "Neighbor Sharon" has an abundance of red, juicy tomatoes!? What makes this even sweeter is this is the 1st photo with my NEW 50D! Yup-I took the plunge after Frankie found a great deal for me & she came yesterday. I'm glad this wasn't my 1st camera-because for sure i'd have been a bit lost and more than confused! My Rebel has been good to me & even though she's been on the fritz-i'm not ready to give her up so quickly! HTT for anything goes e-Dition over @ Kim Klassens!
P.S. YES they taste delicious!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly