Remembering

Picture courtesy of S. Williams

Remembering the service men and women that have lost their lives in the name of freedom.  I am thankful for their courage, strength and honor.

...Remembering my friend Nathaniel who was killed in a Hummer rollover while serving overseas.   Also remembering many of my family members who have served in the military and no longer with us. 

Be Strong and Courageous

photo by me at the church where the wedding will take place

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."    Joshua 1:9 NIV

I'm trying hard not to be nervous for my first job shooting a wedding for a friend's brother.   The big day is in a couple of weeks.  He's not looking for an uber professional photographer and asked my friend if she knew  a high school student that could do the job.   I'm very flattered that she gave my name... but also don't want to mess it up!  

I can be a bit of a perfectionist and I know it's impossible to do everything perfectly. 

This is going to be a great new experience for me and I am excited to capture a beautiful day for a beautiful couple!  

Stack Stack Stack

Building in progress (courage AND my portfolio)!

Summer Lovin

June is not even here yet but we are topping up to 90 degrees here this week!  I am finding myself really enjoying the sunshine and blue skies.  It's a little humid but I'm not going to complain because our last winter was absolutely horrible and almost unbearable.  I don't ever remember post-poning Christmas because of a blizzard.  Ew! I don't even want to go back to think about it!
So I am going to try my best to enjoy this summer. 
As I was driving around I was enjoying seeing some folks in their convertibles with the wind blowing through their hair.
Tonight "Grease" is on AMC and that movie is hands down the movie that will instantly make me smile and bring my mood up! 

You see, it brings back happy memories of me and my cousins running around a drive-in and watching the movie.  Not to mention many hours of singing along to the album on one of our record players and fighting who gets to be Sandy!  None of us wanted to play the "boy". 

Oh man how we loved it when she got all vamped up for the finale of "You Better Shape Up"!  I heard they sewed Olivia into those pants.  Crazy!

When I hear the lyrics to some of the songs I am thankful none of us girls knew what they were saying!

Now I'm off to watch "Sixteen Candles"  - Oh boy another one of my "classics"!! 

What's a movie that makes you smile?

Anywhere But Here

Ever get that feeling that you have to get out of town?  The feeling you want to be "anywhere but here" and get some new scenery to soak in? I have that feeling! Sometimes a lot!

Over the weekend I went to see "Letters to Juliet" with the girls. Oh to be in Italy... It looks so glorious.

I have a dream to go there one day. I was close to planning a family trip there but the plans unfortunately fell through and life's circumstances changed. Someday...

Caparzo Winery 

Vanessa Redgrave and her love Nero looked fabulous in this film!  Those Italian blue eyes would make any woman melt not to mention remember that handsome man from 50 yrs ago!  Bella!

Sometimes I wonder if I have some gypsy blood in my veins.  I am from German and Italian descendants that made their way to the midwest and it's opportunities.   My grandparents used to be snowbirds and take off in a RV to Texas every winter.  They were like star-crossed lovers running away from the ice cold Nebraska winters.  I can see the lure after this last winter in my town.  Thank God that's behind us now!

 My mom also likes to jump in a car with my dad and see where their travels take them.

I definitely have the same feeling sometimes.  There's nothing like a sunny day and the open road ahead!

Dot Dot Dot ...

I think whimsical things are fun and sweet.  They bring out the little girl in me.  That may be why I like polkadots, especially when I'm creating a card, painting, or decorating something.  They add little something special!

Country Living

Country Living

Aren't polka-dotted cakes adorable?  Sunny yellow, baby blue.  Anyone having a birthday to decorate for? 

Country Living

Polka Dot Party

Tea, anyone?

The Afternoon

Well if we're going to have tea we should put on our pretty tea party dresses, too!   Don't ya think? 

                                                    Etsy

   Ok time to sit, eat our cupcakes and sip some tea!  Isn't it fun to pretend?  

   Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 

Retro Redheads - fun site - I actually have this tablecloth

       

 

             

Happy Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers out there!  Thank you for all the unconditional love you give, kisses on boo-boos, open arms to cuddle in, an ear to listen and the countless hours you spend being there for your children.  You are amazing!

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

-Washington Irving

I love this quote because I've been blessed with a very loving and supportive mother.  She prays for me and cheers me on, always wanting the best for me no matter how old I am.   I appreciate her more than words can say...

Legally Fun!

Oh hello!  I feel like I haven't blogged in a month but it's only been a week!  I have been quite a busy woman and I didn't get a chance to share some of my fun with you until today.

Last Saturday I went to see my childhood friend Jonathan Rayson in the Broadway tour of "Legally Blonde The Musical"!   I was accompanied by my lovely mama, aunt and friend Michele.   We couldn't get the boys to come with.  I guess it was just too girlie for them!

It was so exciting to see my old friend Jonathan Rayson perform for his hometown crowd!  I wasn't able to take a lot of photos because cameras weren't allowed past a certain point.  I also borrowed a small compact camera that I wasn't so great at working.  Can we say "focus"??   Can't seem to get the gist of holding the button down for a moment.  Oh well! 

Jonathan's handsome photo

My dad and Jonathan's dad used to play in a band together from before we were born.  He was one of my favorite childhood friends to spend time with.  We'd hang out together and laugh til we rolled on the floor and have tears in our eyes.  He really has been the only person that has made me ever laugh that hard and it touched my heart several years back when he said the same thing about me.  ME? Yeah me! I still wonder what was soooo funny way back when!  Them were the days! 

The cast for the Saturday matinee

Yay Jonathan! 

I cannot stop singing some of the songs in the show!  The song OMG You Guys was running through my brain over and over.  I normally do not like to say "OMG" but it sure was a catchy song.   Everyone did a stellar job and I was amazed at all the singing and dancing.  The cast is in tremendous shape.  There's a jump roping scene that had everyones jaw hanging down because it was simply inspiring to say the least.  Jonathan sang beautifully with Rhiannon Hansen.  Great harmonies. I got to meet Rhiannon briefly after the show when we all gathered down to give kudos to Jonathan for his great performance.   She was nice enough to let me get her autograph.  I got Jonanthan's as well.  I even got to pet Frankie AKA "Bruiser"  when he was being walked by the handler out back. 

Rhiannon Hansen

Below are some of Elle's outfits in the show - lots and lots of PINK!

"I can see my name in black and white I must be doooin somethin right" 

Backstage with the props

The tour is coming through the midwest so I hope some of you can catch it!  I believe Jonathan will be playing the role of Emmett in Indianapolis while DB is on vacation.  It's been a long tour and I hope to someday get to visit J in NYC when it's all over with! 

You won't be disappointed!

Nuts about buttercups!

photo from A Creative Mint blog

For some reason this Spring I have gone competely nuts over ranunculus flowers.  Their layers and colors are gorgeous!

Vibrant Pinks! 

Pale Peach!

I don't know if they are easily grown in Nebraska but I will surely find out!

Go visit the blog I tagged from the first picture.  You will have a feast for your eyes.   I hope to become as talented of a photographer (and decorator) as Leslie!  I am going to be on the lookout for some lovely blue pottery!

Puppy Love

Tonight I went to a girls movie night at a friend's fabulous apt movie room.  Comfy chairs, great sound, yummy treats and beverages and the best part was that I got to snuggle up and get TLC from a sweet Cairn terrier pup named Zach!   I was in dog-lover heaven.  He was sweet and looked just this the one in this picture.  Sighhhh I so wish I could have a puppy about now!

Sweet fragrance

Oh the sweet fragrance of Spring!  The trees and bushes are blooming and as my mother and I were walking through our local botanical garden we were swept away by the lovely sounds and smells throughout the grounds.
How precious was my time with my lovely mother on her birthday.  Just the two of us.  Stopping to sit on a bench in the shade or next to a bubbling brook surrounded by towering trees and limestone slabs.   It was a wonderful day in the city!
Here are a few pictures I snapped:

     I sure like bunnies - just not the ones that eat my petunias & hostas! 

Tulips are so pretty!

And here's what I gave Mom for her b-day.  I embellished it just a little bit with velvet ribbon & a pretty button.

More of Mary Carol's Home

Okay I couldn't resist sharing a bit more of her lovely home! Enjoy!

                     Here's the outside of her kitchen

... and the inside

I just love built-in cabinetry! 

More of her sitting room.  She has a lot of gorgeous religious art

Another look at that sweet window seat and the green wreaths

Ahhh screened in porches ... 

These are a few of my favorite things... When the dog bites when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad... Oh!  I lost myself for a moment there!

I so wished that we could have seen the upstairs and the bedrooms but it seems that would be too personal, perhaps?  If it's anything like the beautiful fabrics she has in her stores I'm sure it's romantic and utterly soothing.  Hope you enjoyed the visual candy as much as I did!

Nell Hills

My favorite decorating store, Nell Hills has a blog dedicated to sprucing up your nests no matter what time of year it is.  My favorite time of year to visit Mary Carol Garrity's store is during autumn.   Mainly because all the Christmas decor is out and the store is dripping with crystals, beautiful wreaths, and lots of other decorating goodness! My mother and I were able to take a quick day trip there before Christmas to check out the Nell Hills open house in Atchison, KS.  Lo and behold the lines and lines of women outside of the store!  It was truly unbelievable!  I had a great time chatting and getting to know some of the lovely ladies patiently wating to get in the store to shop.  Yes this was just to get in there and see what goodies were inside. 

But! Before we entered the line for the store we were encouraged to take a bus up to Mary Carol's home tour...

Yep - more lines! But it was fun and Mary Carol was outside greeting us all

Also greeted with a beautiful door display.  Mom bought one of the lanterns in the store. 

I love her home

Oooh I've ALWAYS wanted a window seat!  What a lovely place to relax and read a book!

 A pretty wreath with my favorite color green.  I can't seem to get sick of this color.  Who can get sick of green?  I've been missing it throughout the long winter, after all!

Well this is just a taste of the Garrity home and I'll have to share some other pictures another time. 

Hope you all will come visit her store and the cute little town of Atchison.  Tell her a nice blogger from Nebraska sent ya!

Have a great weekend!