Even When Skies Are Gray | BSM

You are my sunshine.



You make me happy, Corazón.




For more Best Shots, head over to Tracey's.

BSM ~ Gratitude

When I describe my husband as an industrious little ant, I mean it. He can work, work, and work, and do these amazing things that would probably take most husbands 3 times as long to get done. He works non-stop, especially when it comes to a project. He wants it done. Weekend before last, he spent all weekend demo-ing the fence and pulling up the posts so we could get our back fence replaced. We hired a guy to replace the fence because, well, Mike has to work during the week.

I then told him I wanted the garden expanded. He had the double gate moved to the other end of the side fence to open up the area by our current garden, and he expanded the garden area this weekend. About 6 times its current size, from a meager 130 sq feet to 850 sq feet. He got himself a heavy duty tiller, put the tiller together and tilled the yard for approximately 10 hours straight yesterday. TEN hours. All while pulling out hundreds of pounds of the annoying limestone and caliche rock that is abundant in our area, along with the old posts from the first fence that we discovered. Domi helped. Then, the hubby came inside and made dinner for us.

Today, starting at 8 am, he brought in compost, from our own compost we’ve been “harvesting” for the last year, and an extra truckload of Turkey compost from the garden center, shoveled that in, then tilled it into the garden. He later tilled up that dirt and moved it from the flowerbed to the new garden area, (about 25 wheelbarrows full) then went back to the garden center for 2 more truckloads of really good Rose and flowerbed soil, shoveled it in, then tilled it. Domi was still helping. I don't think my boy has ever worked so hard in his life. Last year, he helped, but it doesn't compare to what he did today. They finished off by replanting the rose bushes. They're still in the yard cleaning up. I’m in here waiting for him with a cold cerveza and their favorite buffalo wings.

This is what makes my husband (and son) amazing.
AND the hubby still makes the time to read to his tot.



This is only the newly tilled area. The existing garden is to the left.


Replanting rose bushes.



I took this photo below, of our blossoming plum tree while the guys were tilling yesterday, and I intitially chose for my BSM, but now that I've typed all this up, I think the others deserve to be my BSM. Whatcha think?

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Sneak Peek

I can't post photos from this family photo shoot because they are supposed to be a surprise for their extended family for the holidays. I'm crawling the walls to post the rest because they came out so beautiful, but I'm happy to be able to post this one for now.

What Feels Good

For Halloween, during the day, I did something a bit different this year. Sophia, Lulu and I, joined Lori and Meredith and their children for a visit to a nursing home. The children passed out treats to the seniors. Several of the seniors were incredibly thrilled to see the children, especially with them donning adorable costumes. And, many of the Seniors were wearing costumes themselves! They received sugar free candies, homemade cards and notes.

I was very proud of the girls. They did very well with their manners and with passing out the treats.
I left there with a great feeling and lots of warm fuzzies. It felt good to do a little something extra, rather than simply putting Sophia in a costume.











And here's my Best Shot below. The lovely lady couldn't get enough of Sophia. And it melted my heart.



For more Halloweeny images, visit Mother May I.

BSM ~ Glimmer of the Season

From the Pumpkin Fall Festival at Greenwood this weekend.



More more Best Shot Monday images, visit Mother May I.

BSM ~ Tender Moments

Friday afternoon, Sophia and I went to visit her cousins. They have such a nice time together, and I love how gentle and tender the girls are with her. They wore themselves out playing outside and jumping on the bed.





I can't get over how the little guy follows the girls all over the place, even outside (without shoes) and the rocks don't even phase him when he walks on them, or even when he falls on them. He just picks himself up and keeps on moving. He climbs into, and onto, EVERYTHING. Yeppers, we even found him in the sink!







These kids just melt their Auntie's heart. I'm so thankful they will have each other growing up because there was a moment in time, a reckless and foolish moment, on our part (the parents), in which they almost didn't even get to know each other. But that all thankfully changed this past summer.

This next photo speaks to me on so many levels.
I know I've said it before, but everytime I look at Serena, I see my mother.
Her brown eyes, fair skin, and red curls get me. Everytime.

This is my Best Shot Monday.

BSM ~ Newborn Beauty

Here is one of my favorite shots from the homebirth I photographed this week.
Amazing, that just a couple hours earlier, he was inside his mother.

BSM: Vision of Fall

For my Best Shot Monday, I chose this image from my trip to Sulphur Springs last weekend in the backyard of our hosts' home. It shows the ever so slight hint that fall is on it's way, and I can't be more excited.



For more visions, visit Mother May I

BSM: Serious Art

Getting someone else's name inked on your body, I think, is a HUGE deal. I don't have any tats, nor does my husband. I don't have many 'inked' friends, so when I caught a glimpse of our good friend donning a tat on his back, I quickly snapped a shot. This type of photo is not usually what I post, however, I think it's worth sharing. I don't think there's a more meaningful tattoo, than that of your child.



For more stirrings of the heart, visit Mother May I.

BSM: Girls, Just Wanna Have Fun

My nieces came to Austin with my inlaws, and we got a heavy dose of what teenage girls are all about. I used to be one myself, but I almost forgot what it was like. I'm used to having teen boys around here, so it was different change of pace. We had a great time, swimming, shopping, eating, and hanging out. They were wonderfully compliant when I asked to take some photos of them. I have a few more pics from our camera play, and will post those soon,but for now, I'll leave you with this image, which I chose as my Best Shot because it shows how happy, playful, and alive they are.



For more inspiration, head over to Mother May I.

Birthday Girl ~ BSM

My camera just loves this little Lady. This is Anika during her 2nd birthday celebration.
Everytime I see her, I fall in love all over again. She, and her parents, are simply beautiful people.

Pollack Art, Toddler Style ~ BSM

Last week, I hosted an Art Pollack playdate at my casa with the O'Mamas. Mel cohosted and we hung up canvas and let the kids go to town with splitters, splotters, dribblers, and blobs of paint. Once the kiddies got tired of it, the mamas had some fun of their own. And yes, there was paint EVERYWHERE! From the concrete to the hanging potted plants (and some even landed on my camera!).

I've hosted probably close to a dozen art playdates, but this was the first time we (read, the hubby and boys) had to pressure-wash the patio afterwards. There was THAT much paint and layers of it. All in the name of ART. But it all came off! Later, I cut up the canvas into rectangles and I plan to stretch ours over a wood frame and hang for display.

I have lotsa great shots, but this one of Mr. Z takes the cake as my favorite.



And I probably should note that Mia's Mama and I both have shots from this same playdate for our BSM, and like I joked around with her, maybe we're spending too much time together??? ;)

For more treasures, visit Mother May I.

Best Shot Monday ~ Diligence

I always enjoy summer, because I can spend more time with my boys. I'm savoring every minute I have with them and it amazes me how my they are now young men. They both tower over me now.

Their faces have facial stubble. Lots of it.
Their legs are long and hairy. Very hairy.
Their hands are big and manly. Especially Jay's.

Athletic, strong, and diligent hands.





For more summer fun shots, visit Mother May I.

Best Shot Monday ~ Prosper

Received these lovely tulips from mama Andrea and her lil' man on his last day at Casa T since I'm closing for the summer and he'll be starting at a new school this week. Like this tulip, he was once a small seedling waiting to grow. He soaked up all the food I gave him, and has now blossomed into a vibrant and bold flower. And I hope I have helped provide him the strong roots to continue to discover and be creative as he continues to flourish and evolve.






For more Best Shot Monday images, visit Mother May I.

Best Shot Monday ~ Past and Present

The images I share for my BSM were taken a couple weeks ago while visiting a friend's 100 year old home that they recently purchased. I love things vintage and am incredibly drawn to historic places and homes, so naturally I end up taking photos of such things.

The chipped fence that has surrounded this home for probably a century, I found charming. And then the classic, wooden toy that's probably older than I am, which I'm certain has given many children countless hours of joy, I loved. These shots are to honor the past and present, and to keeping the balance of both.





For more magical shots, visit Tracey at Mother May I.

Best Shot Monday ~ Childhood

I captured many beautiful things this weekend, however, my camera was particularly drawn to this lovely little lady. She reminds me of a Madame Alexander doll. And that's a tarantula she's got there in that jar. How cool is that? For my BSM this week, I honor childhood innocence.



For more Best Shot Monday photos, head on over to Tracey's.

Best Shot Monday ~ First Haircut!

After watching my daughter's hair grow slowly into a rat's nest, I realized it was time for a haircut instead of letting it continue grow out. I was nervous since I had no idea if she would be fidgety and wail the entire time, but to my surprise, she did wonderful! She wasn't too thrilled with her blow dry, but managed to continue to sit throughout it all. I guess they put those TVs with the videos in front of the kids for a reason. Nonetheless, I'm so proud of her for sitting like a good little girl the entire time!

Best Shot Monday ~ Whimsy

There's just something about this photo that makes my heart skip a beat, which is why I chose it as my best shot Monday.
Only in Austin. And I love that.

Best Shot Monday

I was lucky enough to capture a little *sunshine* this week.
There's no sound like the laughter that my daughter squeals while swinging in her hammock.