May 29, 2008
Recent Sale - Beach Couple Paperweight
Thank you to the nice lady in La Jolla who recently purchased this paperweight from me! I hope it brings you happy beach thoughts on a daily basis :-)
New Picture - Eat, Coffee Shop
I took some really cool shots on my last road trip. Unfortunately, I've been really busy and haven't had a chance to work on much lately. Here's one that I finished. I'm loving the vintage look these days. Hope you do, too!
May 21, 2008
May 10, 2008
Celebrating My Mom!
Good morning, and happy day before Mother's Day to you and your moms! In a few minutes I'll be jumping in the shower, loading up my car with the plants I bought yesterday, and I'm off on a road trip to spend Mother's Day with my mom.
This year for her gift I'm planting a new garden in her little backyard. She's been a little under-the-weather this year, so I think she needs a little something to keep her busy and give her some peace. What better to do that than a garden?
Here's the plan; Two large night blooming jasmine plants against her back fence, for privacy and to perfume the evening breeze that comes into her bedroom window. Star jasmine for fragrant days. A rainbow of geraniums and a heliotrope plant to give glorious color.
It's a small little backyard, so this will be plenty for her to take care of and will give her a Mother's Day gift that will last and hopefully remind her of her daughter who loves her when I'm not there to tell her.
This year for her gift I'm planting a new garden in her little backyard. She's been a little under-the-weather this year, so I think she needs a little something to keep her busy and give her some peace. What better to do that than a garden?
Here's the plan; Two large night blooming jasmine plants against her back fence, for privacy and to perfume the evening breeze that comes into her bedroom window. Star jasmine for fragrant days. A rainbow of geraniums and a heliotrope plant to give glorious color.
It's a small little backyard, so this will be plenty for her to take care of and will give her a Mother's Day gift that will last and hopefully remind her of her daughter who loves her when I'm not there to tell her.
May 04, 2008
April 25, 2008
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
I just got home from seeing "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - OMG, it was so funny! If you liked "Superbad" then you'll definitely like this one. I drank a (free!) soda, and two bottles of water, and REFUSED to get up from my seat to, um...reverse the process, shall we say? I didn't want to miss a minute of the movie.
Go see it. Go now. Don't drink a lot.
Go see it. Go now. Don't drink a lot.
April 22, 2008
Surf City, USA
Sunday was a nice sunny day, so H suggested we take a short cruise up to Huntington Beach, also officially known as the original Surf City, USA.
We had a great time checking out all the cool kites, surfers, live music, and a art/craft fair going on. I wanted to get some more TTV shots for a book I'm creating, so it was a win/win!
April 21, 2008
Birthday's Looking Good For This Year!
One of my flaws is that I am hyper-sensitive on my birthday. Christmas is awesome, anniversaries are great, but there's just something about my birthday that makes me feel super special.
Unfortunately, sometimes the whole world is just not on board for my special day, and I've had some pretty downer birthdays where it just didn't seem like anyone really cared. I know everyone has their own lives to live, but I guess I see my birthday as a window to my world. If no one seems to care, then to me it's like...no one cares.
Yes, I know that's completely over-reactive, and usually I blow off the antics (or non-antics) of the absolutely adored and loved, if not flaky, stars in my universe, but is it in the rulebook that I can't be critical on MY day?
Well, there's really no choice in the matter - but I'm w-o-r-k-i-n-g on it.
BUT, the good news is that after having a really bizarre (and not in a good way) birthday last year (although I have to admit, my H really pulled out all the stops and saved the whole thing for me), this year seems to be looking pretty great!
(What happened last year? Well, one example is I won an art show! Awesome! Got ready to go the awards ceremony, pick up my prize, get some glory, and I'll be damned if some nut job didn't call in a bomb threat. Argh! Not on my day!! Yes. True story. Gallery got shut down, no glory, but I still got my prize. Other negativity abounded, but I'm over it and still love those who wrecked it for me.)
So, needless to say, as Barbi-Gras *wink* approaches, I'm always a little cautiously excited about what the day will bring.
Having said that, I must add that this year is already looking pretty great! (Insert collective sigh of relief here) Barbi-Gras isn't quite here yet, but I've already gotten a few cards, emails, birthday mentions in phone calls, some nice gifts, and I just won an art show. I was taken to an awesome pre-birthday birthday dinner at Morton's, The Steakhouse, got a lovely, and very unusual looking orchid, and H has, once again, outdone himself and made reservations for us at a very cool restaurant on the beach in Malibu.
So, as Barbi-Gras comes and goes for another year, I am feeling happy, validated, quite special, and at peace.
Cheers!
B
Unfortunately, sometimes the whole world is just not on board for my special day, and I've had some pretty downer birthdays where it just didn't seem like anyone really cared. I know everyone has their own lives to live, but I guess I see my birthday as a window to my world. If no one seems to care, then to me it's like...no one cares.
Yes, I know that's completely over-reactive, and usually I blow off the antics (or non-antics) of the absolutely adored and loved, if not flaky, stars in my universe, but is it in the rulebook that I can't be critical on MY day?
Well, there's really no choice in the matter - but I'm w-o-r-k-i-n-g on it.
BUT, the good news is that after having a really bizarre (and not in a good way) birthday last year (although I have to admit, my H really pulled out all the stops and saved the whole thing for me), this year seems to be looking pretty great!
(What happened last year? Well, one example is I won an art show! Awesome! Got ready to go the awards ceremony, pick up my prize, get some glory, and I'll be damned if some nut job didn't call in a bomb threat. Argh! Not on my day!! Yes. True story. Gallery got shut down, no glory, but I still got my prize. Other negativity abounded, but I'm over it and still love those who wrecked it for me.)
So, needless to say, as Barbi-Gras *wink* approaches, I'm always a little cautiously excited about what the day will bring.
Having said that, I must add that this year is already looking pretty great! (Insert collective sigh of relief here) Barbi-Gras isn't quite here yet, but I've already gotten a few cards, emails, birthday mentions in phone calls, some nice gifts, and I just won an art show. I was taken to an awesome pre-birthday birthday dinner at Morton's, The Steakhouse, got a lovely, and very unusual looking orchid, and H has, once again, outdone himself and made reservations for us at a very cool restaurant on the beach in Malibu.
So, as Barbi-Gras comes and goes for another year, I am feeling happy, validated, quite special, and at peace.
Cheers!
B
April 19, 2008
"Grandeur" Wins Second Place!
I just got notified a few minutes ago that my picture, "Grandeur," won second place in the Spring Reflections 2008 art competition sponsored by the Saddleback Art League.
Thank you!!
April 10, 2008
New Picture - We Sailed Far, Far Away
"In my dream we sailed far, far away, until all we recognized was the water and our own boat. Where was this place, in all its fantastic mystery?"
"...Far Away" is a mixture of my original photography and fantasy layering in muted tones to give the final image a dreamlike quality.
"...Far Away" is a mixture of my original photography and fantasy layering in muted tones to give the final image a dreamlike quality.
March 28, 2008
I'VE BEEN M.I.A. LATELY...
Sorry for being missing in action lately. It's been busy, busy, busy, but I do need to get caught up on my comings and goings, AND post new pictures!
Here's what I've been up to...
* I've been working on a few commissioned pieces lately, which I'll photograph and upload once they're ready for delivery.
* Also, I spent a little time in L.A. a week ago, and got some pretty cool grab shots (grab shots = pretty much just taken in extreme haste, anywhere I could "grab" them). I'll be going back to L.A. over the coming few weeks and I'm hoping to get some amazing shots. Not that hard in L.A. where there's so much to see and photograph.
* I had my Blossom Trail photos posted on the Fresno County Tourism website!
* Our art show was a great success and the owner invited us back! We'll be setting up our outside exhibit again tomorrow at the Franciscan Plaza DURING the Swallows Day Parade.
* I've been printing, matting and framing like a crazed banshee lately.
* I won First Place in another art show!!! (Man, that's a great feeling)
* I'm getting artwork ready for an exhibit and two art shows that are fast approaching.
* I learned how to make Polaroid transfers last week, and they came out great! Very artsy. I also need to photograph those and upload.
* I'm going on a field trip with my friend, Ellen's, photography class. It's so cool to see the students exploring and setting up their shots.
So, as you see, I have not been sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping a Pina Colada (wow, that sounds great!), but have been busy and productive.
I will get caught up eventually and share the visuals with you all.
Gotta run :-D
Ta for now!
B
Here's what I've been up to...
* I've been working on a few commissioned pieces lately, which I'll photograph and upload once they're ready for delivery.
* Also, I spent a little time in L.A. a week ago, and got some pretty cool grab shots (grab shots = pretty much just taken in extreme haste, anywhere I could "grab" them). I'll be going back to L.A. over the coming few weeks and I'm hoping to get some amazing shots. Not that hard in L.A. where there's so much to see and photograph.
* I had my Blossom Trail photos posted on the Fresno County Tourism website!
* Our art show was a great success and the owner invited us back! We'll be setting up our outside exhibit again tomorrow at the Franciscan Plaza DURING the Swallows Day Parade.
* I've been printing, matting and framing like a crazed banshee lately.
* I won First Place in another art show!!! (Man, that's a great feeling)
* I'm getting artwork ready for an exhibit and two art shows that are fast approaching.
* I learned how to make Polaroid transfers last week, and they came out great! Very artsy. I also need to photograph those and upload.
* I'm going on a field trip with my friend, Ellen's, photography class. It's so cool to see the students exploring and setting up their shots.
So, as you see, I have not been sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping a Pina Colada (wow, that sounds great!), but have been busy and productive.
I will get caught up eventually and share the visuals with you all.
Gotta run :-D
Ta for now!
B
March 17, 2008
March 10, 2008
Fresno County Blossom Trail
Road Trip!
I love driving to Fresno. It is a beautiful drive all year 'round, and especially in the spring.
This past weekend I drove the Fresno County Blossom Trail, and it was SO worth it. Just to be out in the country, away from city life for a few hours was heavenly, and to see all the fruit trees in bloom just made it that much sweeter. And to top it all off, I got to share it with my mom. She's recouperating from surgery, so it was nice to get her out for some fresh air and "us" time.
You still have about two or three weeks to catch it in all its glory if you happen up that direction. If not, don't worry. There's still time to catch the Orange Harvest Festival on April 5th!
So many white blossoms it looks like snow!
Kings River
A different kind of blossom. This friendly guy came right over to say hiIt was a fabulous trip, and will always be one of my fondest memories.
Happy Trails!
B
I Met An Angel This Weekend
It's true. I met a real, honest-to-goodness, angel this weekend.
I'm not going to mention her name, because that sort of attention would embarrass her.
I'll just call her "Angel."
She has been blessed with beauty, inside and out, but she's had her own share of heartache. Her first husband was an alcoholic, and was killed in an accident (not drunk driving), leaving her a young widow with two children to raise.
She's the type of person who has what some called ESP, or premonitions, or the term I like to use, "heightened awareness," about certain events. I know from personal experience that this gift, good or bad, usually intensifies when you're locked in a bad situation. When things are good, it goes away.
When she told me the story about her husband, she also told me that she "knew" something was going to happen long before it did. The feeling intensified, and then finally she "knew" when it happened. The very instant. She was watching television with one of her children, and had an urgency to go in her room and pray.
When the knock came on the door and she was told about the accident, and to hurry to the hospital, she simply replied that there was no need to hurry. He was dead.
And he was.
Once that happened, the feeling of doom was gone.
Fast forward.
She put herself through school to become a nurse. In the doctor's office she met a lot of people who really had troublesome health and personal issues. She was always a smiling face and helped them however she could. Especially the elderly, who are the most vulnerable.
When an elderly friend of hers recently had surgery, she took her to the hospital, waited all day, and then helped her during the week by staying overnight, cooking, cleaning, bathing her, shopping for her, taking her for follow-up doctor visits. No charge, no complaints, and never needing to be asked. She was there before going to work, and then stopped by again after work. She walked the lady's dog, she took her laundry home, and brought it back clean the next day.
A few days ago, once the elderly lady was feeling better, she took her to run errands, finishing up at about 1:30. She said goodbye, got home, and received a phone call from a different elderly lady who was feeling bad. Angel spent from 2:30 to 11:00 p.m. in the emergency room with her. When I commented that she was probably tired, she said it didn't matter. She told me that she knows her purpose in life, and that is to serve others. This is her calling and that is why she's here. She told me that the elderly lady had four children. All four have passed away. I said that was sad, and she agreed, and said, "See? She has no one else."
But she has an Angel.
Angel told me that she also knew she would get a disease. She knew from very young.
She was right.
First it was breast cancer. She survived. Now she has Parkinson's. She lives. She lives every day to the fullest, because she knows she is on borrowed time. She already walks with a noticeable shuffle and has to maneuver her hands slowly and purposely to retain some dexterity. She said it's okay. She has a strong faith in God, and says if that's her lot in life, then that's fine. She doesn't question it, she doesn't curse it, she simply works around it. Never complaining.
And she continues helping others wherever she is needed, and never asks for anything in return.
I was so blessed to meet her, and shamed to know that I am nowhere near as good a person as she.
God bless Angel.
I'm not going to mention her name, because that sort of attention would embarrass her.
I'll just call her "Angel."
She has been blessed with beauty, inside and out, but she's had her own share of heartache. Her first husband was an alcoholic, and was killed in an accident (not drunk driving), leaving her a young widow with two children to raise.
She's the type of person who has what some called ESP, or premonitions, or the term I like to use, "heightened awareness," about certain events. I know from personal experience that this gift, good or bad, usually intensifies when you're locked in a bad situation. When things are good, it goes away.
When she told me the story about her husband, she also told me that she "knew" something was going to happen long before it did. The feeling intensified, and then finally she "knew" when it happened. The very instant. She was watching television with one of her children, and had an urgency to go in her room and pray.
When the knock came on the door and she was told about the accident, and to hurry to the hospital, she simply replied that there was no need to hurry. He was dead.
And he was.
Once that happened, the feeling of doom was gone.
Fast forward.
She put herself through school to become a nurse. In the doctor's office she met a lot of people who really had troublesome health and personal issues. She was always a smiling face and helped them however she could. Especially the elderly, who are the most vulnerable.
When an elderly friend of hers recently had surgery, she took her to the hospital, waited all day, and then helped her during the week by staying overnight, cooking, cleaning, bathing her, shopping for her, taking her for follow-up doctor visits. No charge, no complaints, and never needing to be asked. She was there before going to work, and then stopped by again after work. She walked the lady's dog, she took her laundry home, and brought it back clean the next day.
A few days ago, once the elderly lady was feeling better, she took her to run errands, finishing up at about 1:30. She said goodbye, got home, and received a phone call from a different elderly lady who was feeling bad. Angel spent from 2:30 to 11:00 p.m. in the emergency room with her. When I commented that she was probably tired, she said it didn't matter. She told me that she knows her purpose in life, and that is to serve others. This is her calling and that is why she's here. She told me that the elderly lady had four children. All four have passed away. I said that was sad, and she agreed, and said, "See? She has no one else."
But she has an Angel.
Angel told me that she also knew she would get a disease. She knew from very young.
She was right.
First it was breast cancer. She survived. Now she has Parkinson's. She lives. She lives every day to the fullest, because she knows she is on borrowed time. She already walks with a noticeable shuffle and has to maneuver her hands slowly and purposely to retain some dexterity. She said it's okay. She has a strong faith in God, and says if that's her lot in life, then that's fine. She doesn't question it, she doesn't curse it, she simply works around it. Never complaining.
And she continues helping others wherever she is needed, and never asks for anything in return.
I was so blessed to meet her, and shamed to know that I am nowhere near as good a person as she.
God bless Angel.
Easter Train Reminder!
Don't forget that the Irvine Park Railroad Easter Train is this coming weekend!
Here's the notice from their site again:
The Easter bunny is coming to Irvine Park Railroad on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th. Children ages 12 and younger can participate in an Easter egg hunt (children younger than 12 months can enter for free)… each egg will be filled with candy or a prize. Easter egg hunts will begin promptly at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on both days.
Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt.
During the Easter Eggstravaganza, children can meet the Easter bunny and have their picture taken with him at a cost of $6.00 per photo. Pictures will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff and available for pickup shortly after the picture is taken.
There will be other activities to enjoy during the Easter Eggstravaganza including carnival games, a moon bounce, picture stands and a lot more. Please visit www.irvineparkrr.com for full details including pricing.
While at Irvine Regional Park, be sure and visit the parks other activities including bike rentals, pony rides, paddle boat rentals and The Orange County Zoo.
Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM (including Easter Sunday). The cost for train tickets is $4.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free. Irvine Park Railroad is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869.
Here's the notice from their site again:
The Easter bunny is coming to Irvine Park Railroad on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th. Children ages 12 and younger can participate in an Easter egg hunt (children younger than 12 months can enter for free)… each egg will be filled with candy or a prize. Easter egg hunts will begin promptly at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on both days.
Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt.
During the Easter Eggstravaganza, children can meet the Easter bunny and have their picture taken with him at a cost of $6.00 per photo. Pictures will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff and available for pickup shortly after the picture is taken.
There will be other activities to enjoy during the Easter Eggstravaganza including carnival games, a moon bounce, picture stands and a lot more. Please visit www.irvineparkrr.com for full details including pricing.
While at Irvine Regional Park, be sure and visit the parks other activities including bike rentals, pony rides, paddle boat rentals and The Orange County Zoo.
Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM (including Easter Sunday). The cost for train tickets is $4.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free. Irvine Park Railroad is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869.
March 06, 2008
Top Secret Project
Shh... Got something really cool in the works.
That's all I can say for now.
Flying low under radar...
B
That's all I can say for now.
Flying low under radar...
B
March 04, 2008
New Pictures - Newport Beach
Still playing catch-up on loading my galleries. Here are some from Newport Beach. Full-size images are on my website. Please stop by and take a peek. Click HERE
March 03, 2008
Hawaiian Chair - Maybe Walking's Not So Bad After All
We're always looking for the quick fix to staying in shape. I think we have finally got a winner for the "I'm Not Trying That" award in the exercise category.
Make sure you watch Ellen's demonstration - I laughed so hard I cried!
Make sure you watch Ellen's demonstration - I laughed so hard I cried!
March 02, 2008
Some New San Clemente Pictures
I've got so many pictures that I need to upload! Here are a few new ones I just loaded into my San Clemente gallery.
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