your stage

I don't know your name

You don't know mine

I hear your beat grow louder when you see me come your way

You make my Saturday's better

I wink at you and tell you are a star

You always thank me

You wait for me to get a few footsteps away

And your shy smile lights your stage up

I see you baby, I see you.

Shine on. ; )

"You're a shinig star, no matter who you are
Shining bright to see what you can truly be
Youre a shinig star, no matter who you are
Shining bright to see what you can truly be"
Earth Wind and Fire

; )

ode to cottage grove and the corners

"Corners leave souls opened & closed hoping for more
With nowhere to go rolling in droves
They shoot the wrong way cause they ain't knowing they goals
The streets ain't safe cause they ain't knowing the code
By the fours I was told either focus or fold
Got cousins with flows hope they open some doors
So we can cop clothes & roll in a Rolls
Now I roll in a "Olds" with windows that don't roll
Down the roads where cars get broke in & stole
These are the stories told by Stony & Cottage Grove
The world is cold the block is hot as a stove
On the corners"
Lyrics from the corner by- Common

Peace ; )

in pictures the making of a portfolio

I haven't found the exact words I would like to place here yet. Hmm... how about love? I will place the word love here and push- publish post.
; )

pretty

There will just be days in life when pretty must be the theme of life.

I accept this. I love this.

I appreciate being thought of.

I appreciate your comments and thoughts you share with me.

You bring tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.

Mostly you teach me.

Frankly, I think you all are the coolest, and most lovely bloggy friends, a girly girl, could have. ; )

Christina,
I saw this perfume bottle in the store and it reminded me of you. Am I right or am I right? : )
In case you don't like the smell, I bought you flowers.
PS: I believe in you.

I don't know dear husband... that perfume bottle is awfully darn cute! By the way, that was mad game, using the flowers as a back up. I adore both scents.
; )

Hello Monday!

4 days ago

It's a funny kind of, strange thing.

4 days ago...
I was looking forward to having my work published

I didn't have plans for August 22nd

I hadn't been approached by two local (brilliant) play writes

My camera wasn't waiting to sit on a custom flash bracket

Yesterday I found out my work wasn't going to be published. The magazine is folding for financial reasons.

I wasn't thinking about the celebration the plus size woman deserves
(we are beautiful and deserve to been seen and heard) ; )

My heating bill came out of the delinquent stage

My bucket list wasn't as full ; )

Nicaraguan red beans and rice wasn't on my saturday menu ; )

The creativity and ideas weren't swirling

These flowers were still buds

Today they are in full bloom


I find that being patient and being gentle with myself can make all the difference. For the last 4 days I wrote down the changes that came about in my everyday life.

I watched the good and bad in my life unfold.

Life...

I dig it! I love it!

What has your last 4 days held?

Happy Sunday!

sugary ramblings

The other day I got off the train and just stopped. I saw the cutest bakery and it's workers frosting cupcakes. I really do believe cupcakes are the cutest food on earth ; ) I used to dream of owning a cupcake shop.

I stood there in the rain for what seemed like forever, watching the bakers work. Baking is a craft I respect, immensely. You bakers have saved this chef more than once in my lifetime. : )

I was quickly brought back to reality as I remembered I was headed to photograph an event. I put my camera away and my knees went back to shaking at the thought of ME going to take pictures as the photographer. I was literally afraid to put the pass around my neck that read photographer. All this pass really said to everyone was- BLAME MY ASS IF THE PICTURES DON'T TURN OUT! ; )

This day brought out a ton of emotions. Fear mostly. What is that? Life is too short right? Yo fear you ain't invited to my life party! ; )

I really would love to share more of this story with you if you want to hear it. I know I'm rambling but there are just days where rambling is just the only way to work my way through to a brighter side, or at least a better understanding of what I am feeling.

I'm thinking of you Kath. XO

Have a sweet Saturday, my friends!

in the meditation position to your left

chicago art institute

A certain calmness came over me as I approached.

A consciousness of what's important and what's not.

peace

tolerance

respect

A deep breath in I took, and let go, as I walked away.

Smiling at the thought of not only seeing what I came to see,
but feeling an emotion I would have never expected to feel.

One love
; )

please and thank you

photo taken by tangobaby
If you would please take a moment to read tangobaby's post on this beautiful family it would mean the world to me.
There is also an update on Kelaya on tangobaby's blog today. Find out ways you can help.

Peace

celebrate the earth

Let's celebrate our glorious earth. Take a few pics and share them here.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
Native American Proverb

we share

The lovely Gillian has invited me to be a part of earth mosaic tomorrow. I hope you will all join in and celebrate this beautiful earth we all share. ; )
See you tomorrow.
Peace

the streets and that moment

a tribute through my lens to the wonderful and talented Piri Thomas
inspired by "Down these mean streets"

the streets of chicago allowed me to raise my lens this past weekend

it could be the sound floating in my head of Clair de Lune Suite Bergamasque:3 that moved my feet

or the beat of a young man scratching on his turn table

who knows...

i thank you downtown

i am most gracious to you south side

you are not forgotten

your love and respect has reminded me why i look through my lens

Have you ever had a moment, where you were reminded so deeply, why you photograph life?

Yeah...

i dig that feeling.

Peace

; )

"come on a baby"

don't you want to go
"back to that same ole place
sweet home chicago"
the blues brothers

a weekend away with my sweetheart, was just what my soul needed. the love, the rhythm, the blues, the concrete...

i will share more tomorrow.

Peace

life list

art museums

caramel popcorn

almond latte's

freeing my curls from my winter hat

people watching

cool messenger bags

street art

picture taking

holding hands with the love of my life

sidecar martinis

checking a few items off of my life list

did i mention art museums?
; )

Have the sweetest of weekends, my friends.

sexy and smart

Last night I opened my book, Einstein's Dreams. As I sank deeper into my sofa, I seemed to have read the night away. This book just pulls me in each time I put my finger tips on it's pages. So beautiful, sexy, intelligent, inviting.

The above photo is my attempt at photographing sprinklers on the forth of July, last year. The pic has eased it's way into my heart. It has officially become wall art in our home. One in each color, my daughter requested. I dig that.
; )

you don't say ; )

Q: What is your current obsession?
That handbag (3rd to your right, white handles). It's too cute and gordon (my camera) would fit in there perfectly. ; )

Q: Which item from your closet are you wearing most lately?
Sweats. Were on Spring break. ; )

Q: What’s for dinner?
Homemade sweet potato fries and salad.

Q: What was the last thing you bought?
Jelly beans and a american scholar magazine.

Q: What are you listening to right now?
Sia- breath me. I heart her!

Q: Say something to the person who tagged you:
m. heart you rock my world. i want to collaborate with you one day. Please.

Q: Favorite vacation spot?
Hmm...i don't have one. I really want to go to Cuba.

Q: What are you reading right now?
A hungry heart, by gordon parks.

Q: What four words would you use to describe yourself?
Sexy, hot to trot, coordinated, skinny.

Q: What is your current guilty pleasure?
All things British. Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, malt on my fish and fries. My husbands, high school pics.
The show Chef!- thanks to the lovely, tangobaby.

Q: What will be the first spring thing you do?
Spring? This is Wisconsin, my friends. Heee. Oh, I will turn the heat off.

Q: Where are you planning to travel next?
Chicago to see my friend. He is visiting from Australia. We began as pen friends when we were 15 yrs old. ; )

Q: What's on your coffee or bedside table?
Packages getting ready to go to Canada and the Bronx. Train tickets.

Q: What flower are you most anxious to see bloom this spring?
Tulips

Q. If you had one super power what would it be?
To sprinkle fairy dust that was filled with peace. I have wand, will travel. ; )

Q:What four words would you really use to describe yourself?
Peaceful, kind, passionate, bookworm.

Thank you, m.heart, XO

Rules of the meme: Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your own blog; replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention; add one more question of your own. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

I invite you all to play along.
Happy Tuesday!

light

i went to the phone today and began to call my sweet David. i remembered quickly, that wasn't possible. i chuckled and had to shake my head. what was i thinking; )

as i sat with my camera, beside the water; i finished the story i wanted to tell David on the phone. laying my lens hood to the side, i allowed the sun to shine it's rays on me.

my soul began to fill with love, trust, prayers, light.

i felt as though my palms could touch the sun, as i raised my hands with gratitude.

the light, it was amazing.

peace

petals playing

‘a small thing, singing…’
~ theodore roethke ~

As I moved my pretty flowers from the kitchen to the family room. I noticed one of my stems broke. Ohhh... that would be perfect for the four, I though. I must have been dancing, I mean dusting, too much. That means it's time for a break.
Wink.
Happy Day!
; )

springing

I have Easter egg dye on my finger tips, along with the smell of lemons. Last night I made, pecan pie tarts, and lemon pound cakes. By no means am I a baker. I will however, attempt cookies tomorrow. ; ) I'm setting up the craft table; loving all the colors of purple I have seen this week; ready to pick up my camera again.

I remember my daughter in bonnets and my son in short pants and suspenders. Ahhh... memories.

I am making Spring risotto, this weekend. Yes, now this I can do.

I am comfortable in the kitchen. Especially when Beethoven joins me. Sonata Pathetique, Opus 13, 2nd Movement.

I just wanted to stop in and leave you a bunch of love ; )

Happy Weekend! Happy Easter!

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
Dr. Seuss

i gladly lost this one

My daughter decided to lay in bed with me this morning... Camera in hand, full of 12 year old smiles and giggles.

Grumble, grumble. I did.

There are laws, she said...

You can't hit snooze after your dressed mama!

There are laws for taking pictures. No pics of women who are beating 40's door down, before 8am.

Pretend your the sun mama. You photograph the sun before 8am.

So I did.

And oh, did it warm me.

Bless her heart.



: )

don't let the wings fool you

I spotted the wings from the train.

As I straightened my scarf heading toward the exit sign, I knew I had to share.

the wings

the strength

the peace

the power

the courage

We must never underestimate the strength that is earned along with those wings.

Wink : )
xo

my way back

Milwaukee Art Museum- Andy Warhol

I am slow today; finding my way back into my normal world. : )

taking a moment to breath

looking into the faces of my 2 kiddos

sipping frothy coffee

picking out pretty flowers for my sweet David's grave

reading the most beautiful stack of glossy magazines

listening to the rain

making grilled cheese sandwiches

doing the dishes

loving the sweetest man

making a grocery list

cleaning that gunck out of the kitchen sink strainer

thinking of a new board game we could play over Spring break

wiping down the nose prints miles has left on the living room window

i may even make my way to the post office and grocery store tomorrow

i love making my way back

Have a beautiful Sunday, my friends.

; )

for mrs. reyez's 9th grade photo class

the jumping of the broom

I wanted to stop in this morning and thank you for every single comment and email that you have sent my way. I love that you enjoyed the wedding pictures, I have placed here.

Again, I am inspired everyday by your words and pictures. These bloggers out here, are the best!

About the photographs;
As most of you know, I am still learning quite a bit about photography. We all are, right? ; )

I am bad at tooting my own horn...

I would say that its the small details I see and passion inside of me, that drives me to get some of the unexpected shots, that seem to go over so well. Give me a bit of emotion to shoot, and I'm all over it. But I can find emotion when you tie your shoe! lol I am like - Awww... look she is tying her shoe. That's just me.

A wedding photographer once told me- never mind the aperture, just don't miss the shot. Okay, done!

I shot mostly everything in AV for this wedding. I do have a creative mode on my new camera and caught a few things like the rings and food details in that mode.

Scenario; the church had dim lighting, red carpet and a purple hue from the stain glass. This is the type of thing that can ruin a day. I tried my best to do what I could. I shot at a very high iso- being careful not to go too high to cause grit or noise; set my camera according to lighting and went for it. For group or planned shots always bring out the tripod. It allows you to bring your settings down and no camera shake.

I shoot extremely old school. Camera, reflector, tri pod and prayer for good light. ; )

I am a Canon girl all the way. ; )

I am now shooting with a 50D BUT, I have shot with a canon xt for years. It's true what you hear- it's not about pixels, it's about capturing the shot.

I do not use actions, light room or anything else. I rock an old (tangerine) imac and an original photoshop. I don't do much besides a bit of contrast or brighten. Sepia or black and white, is as far as I go. Again, I am old school when it comes to photography.

You wanted honesty... Geesh. ; )

I am not an expert on this subject but, I can be real and tell you about my experiences. I love photography and I study something pertaining to it, almost daily. : ) I prefer to shoot buildings and urban areas. For family though, I like to be able to help out when I can ; ) Photography equipment is pricey. I feel it is a snowball effect. You need lighting, oh but a light meter would be nice and then a flash but the flash has to match your camera brand name. I try not to get caught up that. Not until I find my jobs are paying for a lot of those things. Long way to go on that stuff. I do keep up on it though. Wink.

Good luck to Mrs.Reyez and her 9th grade class (in New york) who found me in blog world. The class will photograph a bride and groom this Saturday! Good luck to each one of you and check out some of the other blogs, they are truly talented and wonderful people.


Peace

; )

a mothers love

"No baby girl." She quickly said.

The mother of the bride kneeled down, so her daughter wouldn't have to buckle her own shoes.

The room fell silent.

Her mother( legally blind) worked carefully, not to get tears of happiness on her "baby girls" bridal shoes.

One love
; )