visit

I am getting ready for my cousin and his family, to come over for brunch. I just went out to the garden and got a few sweet flowers for the table. I look forward to catching up with them. We live way too close to one another, to not see each other often.
This has been on my to do list~ visit with friends and family more.

Happy Weekend, friends!
: )

slow

I am in need of a slow morning like this. A few thank you cards to be made, and dropped in the mail ; ) The static of an old record player, as the needle nuzzles up to the vinyl, of Duke Ellington. Just a simple, no frills, nothing planned, kind of day.
Happy Thursday, my friends.
; )

"the makings of you"

The beauty of a butterfly is something, I will never try and fully understand. I admit, I chase them with camera in hand, head in the clouds. I would never have the heart to jar them... I love them, so dearly. Butterflies must, flutter freely ; )

Butterflies are~
daughters dancing on fathers feet
finishing a book and the characters remain with you for days
the laughter of children
having enough food to last another day before going to the store
grandma braiding your hair
unexpected good news

Curtis Mayfield once sang-
" The love of all mankind should reflect some sign...
Of the words I'm trying to recite...
They're close, but not quite...
Almost impossible to do...
Reciting the makings of you..."

Peace~
Join in the pet parade at planet m files and red or grey depends on the day.
Blessings~

horizon

click on pic for bigger image*
I can't express how much I enjoy, the early morning. A walk along the beach with just me and my camera. Missing those who are gone with a good cry. Taking a moment, to give thanks. Not worrying about all that laundry, that is waiting for me, at home ; ) Appreciating the footprints in the sand, of those who walked along here, before me. The mixture of cool and warm air, on my face. Deep sighs, for the glorious water. Nodding my head yes, at my favorite poems saying to myself~ this is what they must have felt. Catching a glimpse of lovers, in the distance. Loving the horizon above, that is painting the sky, with brushes that man nor woman, has yet to create. ; )

One love~

and the moon cast it's light

As I stood outside this evening, watching the fireflies glow. I felt the warmest tropical breeze. It was the type of breeze that takes it's time through palm trees, and eases it's way through, dread locks.
The evening air, made me think of thick shavings of sweet coconut and women sweeping their doorways clean, after a day of cooking escoveitch, and loving their family.

As the rain threatened to arrived and my mind drifts...
the gentle drizzle began hitting the tin roof of a house, filled with very little material things, but so much love ; )
Praise the most high!

A steep hill with a trickle of water, leads me to you. We walked along 9 mile, just like we said we would. Laughing most of the way, like we are children. We stop for a moment, to dance to familiar voice...
"We all defend the right; Jah - Jah children must unite:
Your life is worth much more than gold."
Bob Marley~
We continue our journey of friendship, catching up on life, as the rain ends and the moon begins to cast it's light.

Happy Birthday, to my dear friend Se'lah. You take my heart home and back.
My pillow could be a rock, my tummy empty, long as I got you by my side. ; )
I adore friendship.
One love~

lattes and biscotti

There is this little coffee shop, where I meet those that I love. We laugh until we cry and honestly, we talk for hours. I think the vanilla lattes there, are just the best. There is also this small biscotti, they serve on the side, with the lattes. I am fascinated with them. The biscotti has fennel seed, walnuts, and currants in it. It just makes my meetings, so much sweeter. It is yummy!
I bet the combination would be great, in a scone too. I think all the wonderful flavors blend, so well together. ; ) Maybe throw in some, mini chocolate chips and create a, chewy type cookie. Let me stop here.

Just wanted to stop in and say- happy weekend!

Peace

love in the form of clouds

There came a time in my life, when I realized that I, like many others, didn't choose the art medium, I love. It seems there is a day that something changes. Poetry comes knocking, paints start calling our names, paper becomes an obsession. And sometimes the words won't come to form, so we pick up the almighty camera and begin speaking through photographs. Painful, loving, angry, peaceful, truthful and beautiful photographs.
I tell ya, the most honest place that I have ever stood, was behind my lens. Today exposure and all that blah, will have to take a back seat.
Today, I saw love move in the form of clouds, and shook the hands of a stranger who leaned on a cane, and loved to talk about cameras.
It was so lovely.
Peace~

that moment

Last night, as I took a moment to write in my journal, the sun seemed to dance off my pen. The suns warmth found its way, right to the cozy chair, I was perched in.
There was a time in my life, where the sun could rise and set in the palms of my hands, and I wouldn't notice. I would walk without even looking at the beauty, that stood in front of me. I was a child who was finding her way, with eyes closed. But I digress...

I just wanted to take a moment to share the beauty that danced, right in front of me. I see it, with eyes wide open.
I appreciate the wonderful people in my life, who stopped what they were doing in life, to love me unconditionally. It made all the difference, in the way I see life. Loving myself, helped too. I dig that. ; )
One love~

more daisy love

I went to the mailbox this morning with my hair sticking straight up and looking crazy as ever. I was completely in awe, when I saw the newest issue of artful blogging magazine, staring at me through the pile of bills and junk mail.

Seeing my spring- soul aperture banner, in the magazine, honestly made me jump for joy. There was mail all over my porch when I opened the magazine!! lol I dig that!
Big ups!- to my sweet and patient neighbors. Sorry if I woke you up. ; )

Thank you, artful blogging magazine!
I'm grateful.


Peace~

"and forget not"

My husband gave me a used book, of glorious words, by Khalil Gibran. One of the sweetest parts of this beautiful book, is that there are notes scribbled inside of this book. Bliss!
I would like to believe the woman (Genevieve) who scribbled next to her favorite poems, was strong, hopeful and paved the way, for other women ; )

"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
Kahlil Gibran

One love~

masterPEACE

As I was pushing my really loud and annoying grocery cart, around the store last night. I stopped to smell the roses. Well needless to say, I found something I wanted for my birthday ; ) Go figure. I grabbed the marked down, bag of rose petals, and home they went with me.

This morning I began placing the petals towards my peace vision; ) The wind was SO not cooperating and my moans and groans brought little helping hands from the neighborhood, to my rescue. I gave a few directions that went right out the window (lol) and eventually WE created this sheer masterpeace. Seriously, this moment of watching my kids, and kids that are not my kids, but I consider my kids- helping me make this peace sign, was enough to make me break inside.

Before I actually got my peace sign, my petals were turned into...

a transformer

the letter J

a cornflake

a number 23 for my age~ don't you love kind children?!

and a bumblebees butt
: )
I dig that!
I had to step in after half the petals, were down the street. lol

Of course I took many shots of the masterpeace but decided on the one with the dirt and weeds in the picture. I love it!

I know I promised cake today, but my husband is still trying to figure out how he will get the "pretty monster" home. If I happen to get any pictures this weekend. I will share them here of course.

Thank you so much for joining me for birthday week. You made it the most beautiful, of times.

Peace~

rambling* blessings*9~updated

It was such a beautiful, stormy night. I had the windows open and the breezes were just right. It made me think of the picture above. I snapped this photo, on my rainy day with Maddie, as the peonies were making their exit.
Aren't converse the coolest shoes? My husband keeps asking me what I want for my b-day. I told him I really can't think of one thing, I want or need. EXCEPT...if he wants to splurge! A new pair of Chucks, would be nice ; )
Won't you excuse me while I ramble? : )
i love converse kicks
mexican food
i am part chinese
prayer comes first
i am just gonna say it! i attract men with gold teeth! Specifically bad boys, with gold teeth/grills. i love you too, but Dudes i am SO married. ; ) lol One love~ and thank you for always sending the biggest smiles my way. ; )
yum to a good latte
i sing to myself everywhere~ yes i am that person. especially while picking out my fruit and vegetables. lmao
i am trying to learn the chinese language (yeah good luck Christina) Wow I am bad at this.
Jamaica da 9 mile~ i send you love. Eh naw!

No matter where I go, people speak foreign languages to me. Spanish, Arbic... it doesn't matter. I seriously think, that is the coolest blessing. I have met the most beautiful people, along my journey, because of this.

I would love to choose a name from todays comments, and send you a little gift. After all, it is birthday week.
How are you today?
One love~
Updated~ An open heart has won the little giveaway.
I laughed so hard. I really loved your sweet comment. Send me your snail mail addy, please.
Thank you.

sway with me

I am honored to be allowed to raise my lens, toward such a precious thing, as life. Each time I look at the photos I take, I don't see all the flaws, or wrong camera settings. I see life...
unfolding
being lived
coming together
falling apart
enjoyed

If I have accomplished one thing through photography, it has been that I feel something when I look at my photos. I feel for the community in which I live, I feel for the world in which I couldn't even begin to understand.

I feel.

As I head toward my celebration of life, I hold in my hand a photo I shot, a sweet glass of wine, in the other.
Swaying to a Afro Cuban All Stars piece, coming from the stereo...
Al'Vaive'en de Mi Caretta (To the rocking of my cart)

Photography has made me more compassionate...
more understanding.
I trust photography with all my heart.

I wipe my feet before I approach with the lens, as though I am entering a home with new carpet.

Ya know, with respect. ; )

At times I have to catch the tears, from my eyes when I go into my world and photograph it.

I try not to worry if I get a shot. The feeling in my heart remains a reminder to me, that more than a picture was gained.

I really think it is important to accept and understand what I see. To love it, to dislike it. To want change. To come completely apart when hope is distant and then come together within seconds, when faith arrives.; )
I am grateful.

; )
One love~

easy as... raspberries~updated

I really think that this season has brought with it, the most beautiful berries, I have seen in a long time. ; ) After a trip to the farmers market, I was able to throw together, the sweetest and easiest, of Sunday suppers.
The raspberries made, the yummiest vinaigrette dressing. Yes, they did. ; )
Do you have a favorite meal? Or food? I would love to hear about it.
If you would leave me a comment on this post, I will gladly pick a name, and send you a little gift. ; )
Let the celebration begin.

Happy Monday, my friends.
; )
Updated and a winner!~ Debi/ smith kaich jones. You seriously rocked, with your comment! I do believe, we share a love of food. Fried Okra, yes!: )
Please send me your snail mail addy and I will send you a little, something something.
xo
Thanks for playing along. ; )

you are invited

What a beautiful, lazy day. It's a coffee and banana bread, kind of day for me.
Today I have managed to do a whole lot of nothing. ; ) I love that.
I just wanted to stop in and gently mention, that in about a week or so, it will be my birthday. ; ) Bliss!
I would love to celebrate by giving a few gifts away, during next week.
Oh and Thursday, won't you stop by the blog, there is sure to be cake. ; )
Peace~

deep sigh for true love

it seems that the peonies have left the garden for the season. i fell in love with the beauty of this one that lay on the ground. i photographed it many times, left it behind and came in the house. yesterday my daughter brought it in the house for me. deep sigh, for true love. ; )
i don't have a reason that i love it. i honestly don't need one, it warms my soul so much. i can't forget the joy the peonies brought me this season. ; )

as i went to remove the "pesky" shadows i caught on the photo, i couldn't do it. i didn't have the heart to remove the shadows, because for me, the shadows became the outline of a voluptuous, beautiful woman.
Do you see her? She is sliding off her top, over her bra or maybe a swim suit.
her back
her side profile,
and well... quite frankly,
a gorgeous a**. ; )
Auntie told me not to swear. lol

To me, she is beauty.

I seriously, dig art.

I send you a sweet hug and thank you for playing along, in the simple things. I appreciated every single word, you all shared.

Deep sigh, for true love ; )

One love~
Christina

its simple really ; )

It seems that for me, the simple things in life color my world most vividly, at a days end or when my life needs a bit of slowing down. There are times when I purposely pull the car over, and swing on a parks swings, with my children. Or looking at the palms of my husbands hands. These are the times I want to remember. These are the times I want to pause, and be grateful for.
It's the simple things in life, that touch my soul the most...

the sound of a violin* being told by my husband i was laughing in my sleep *hope *walking past a house and hearing laughter come from the windows*sun bursting through my camera lens *having a place to lay down my burdens*walking along the water*butterflies*water to drink when i am thirsty*knowing what it is to be without a home*a home*unexpected hugs*books to read*cotton candy skies*the poetry of pablo neruda*a cool breeze on a warm summers day OR an angel spreading her wings; ) *black and white photography*taking life one day at a time*long talks over burning candles*new friends*watching adults ride bikes and holding their hands out in the air*grilled cheese*looking at my sons eyelashes*missing my loved ones openly* *swaying to the sounds of the wailers*remembering cornmeal porridge- hello jamaica ; )*waking from a nap with my daughter sleeping next to me*prayer*balloons*paris dreams*a bunch of farmers market flowers placed just right on the windowsill*love*

One love~
; )

PS: Below is a list of bloggers that are part of the fun.
Let's have some fun!
xo

a list of the blogs...

that will participate in the simple things on 7-8-09
if i forgot to include your blog or flickr account, just leave me a comment on this post, please. ; )
Thank you, to every single one of you, who are playing along.
Remember, no rules just have a lot of fun!
You all seriously, warm my heart.
One love~
Christina
necessary room

the magpie's fancy

are we there yet?

things about who, what, when, where and why

ramblins...

come sit by my fire

circles of rain

pink purl

a memory forever

the misadventures of kelly and kelly

red or gray depends on the day

persisting stars

concerning:pancakes

paris parfait

what would wanda do?

sweet pea's corner

retinal perspectives

jumping from one idea to the next

coco sunday

easy street

journaling through photos

swan of dreamers

more doors

sunnydaytodaymama

rochambeau

about new york

evenstar art

soeurs du jour

creative world

meandering pearl

six black dots

the dance of the painted lady

moments of perfect clarity

the metaphorical magpie

whimsical wispers

skyelarke

words from the heart and soul

the brown's zoo tales

a new york city life

little blue sparrow

planet m files

die, adjust or migrate

raptinlight

marinik's blog

sotto voce

gabriella kai photography

indigo blue

picturing the year

getting back to the basics

emma tree

graceful yoga

i choose bliss

a loner, dottie. a rebel.

tilting at windmills

daily reflections from atwater pond

spread your wings

be present be here

meri's musings

delights of the heart

geek ink

life is a banquet

the chic geek

everything feeds process

susanna's sketchbook

eat love jump

winter light

pretty baby

There are the prettiest flowers that grow each summer, in my backyard. As you can tell, I am in love with photographing them. Wink ; ) Some of the flowers, get the most lovely light and when the sun sets...Ah, it's glorious.

Once a little girl said- if I stand by your yard, I can smell all the different flowers. I dig that! : )

An adorable, elderly woman, who walks in the neighborhood each morning told me- "if you call your flowers, pretty baby, they will grow more." Just how sweet, is that? ; )

I thought this would be a good pick, to include with the four this week.

"sunshine"

Happy day!

; )

so simple~ wednesday

homemade strawberry jam
fresh towels dried on the line in the summer air
cinnamon spiced sugar in my coffee
sparklers being waved by my kids
these are just a few simple things in my life, that i am grateful for.

the simple things will be here on Wednesday. i hope you will join in on the fun.

remember, there are no rules, just place on your blog or flickr account, the simple things that mean the most to you.

I would love it, if you played along. ; )

can you please leave me a comment on this post, if you would like me to include your link for the day of simple fun.

thank you so very much. i look forward to visiting your blogs and appreciating your words.
One love~
Christina
ps: a sweet thank you to the vacationers, that were kind enough, to post their simple things early. ; )

a day through the lens and a friend

A few months ago I flipped through the sweet pages of the book "A year of mornings" by Maria Alexandra Vettes and Stephanie Congdon Barnes. In this darling book, the authors captured their mornings for a year, and shared the mornings, through pictures.

Of course I began wondering, about how different my days are, from yours. What similarities do we as bloggers share, through our days, if any?
What are you doing at 7:00am?
What does your 6:00pm in the evening, look like?

That's where the beautiful and talented, artist, Madelyn Mulvaney, comes in. I absolutely love, maddie's work. I began dreaming about what it would be like to photograph my day here in Wisconsin, and for Maddie to photograph her day, in Canada.
So... I put brave fingers to the keys and emailed her, asking if she wanted to hang out together, through our lenses. She was kind enough, to say- "Yes!" Wink ; ) I dig that!

So through photographs, we have both placed our day (7-1-09) on our blogs/flickr accounts. We haven't seen each others photographs, or spoken about what our day entailed. There is a two hour time difference between us, so when this posts, some of you will see the day of photos, before I do. Sweet!

as for here in Wisconsin, it poured rain most of the morning and was dark and cloudy, throughout. i loved it though, and couldn't wait to capture the day, as it unfolded.
7am
deep sigh and gratitude for the day


11am
untouched beauty


3pm
lots of veggies in tow


6pm
i could easily see myself living and creating art in this basement loft


9pm
a fitting movie for the rain filled day we had ; )


Thank you, Maddie. You hang the moon, sweetheart. xo
Maddies, photos can be found at her blog~ persisting stars.

PS: Because of the rain, my power was knocked out and this didn't post, at the time I promised. ; ) Wow.

Happy Day!
; )