What Love is…

On February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life19 Comments

When I started this post – What Love is. I planned to write about what love means to me. How special certain people truly are. How it’s not always the outpouring of words, but the small everyday things we take for granted.

When he brings home a box of chocolate. Just because…

And it means there is sweetness beyond any kind you can buy. It represents a gesture of thought. Of being on his mind. Being on his heart. He thinks just to see you smile.

When he programs the new remote with your favorite channels.

I have the hardest time finding channels on our 400+ channel Uverse program. I end up watching the GUIDE for an hour. And for him, to always think of me, to set up my shows in a way I can access quickly. To record my favorite shows (without my asking), and to program in my channels (and knowing what they are). It may not seem like much, but the meaning isn’t lost on me. Little things done in a big way.

When a cute Valentine plant sits on the counter after he takes a trip to the store. For me? Oh that? Yeah. It’s just a little thing.

Just a little thing, but full of beauty. And not the beauty of flowers, but the beauty that love creates. One that will continue to grow.

When a person will help you launch burning lanterns into the sky in the dark of night. All for the love of your photo project when he could be in the recliner watching TV. Well, that is something special indeed. In fact, we almost lit the whole place up with the fiery glow of lanterns. Eek! Click on the gallery to read the story.

Jason launches our first balloon. It flies up and into a tree. Thankfully it burnt out and dropped into the water.

Our 2nd launch looked so pretty!

And it flies right into a TREE. This time it doesn’t fall into the water. But thankfully, it burned out without catching the park on fire. Phew!

The remenants of our burning balloon in the tree – WEEKS later.

Love is simple.

We make it complex. We put conditions on it. We decide when to give it and when to take it away.

But in the end, regardless of gifts, of deeds, of misunderstandings, of the good, and even the bad – love is complete acceptance. Complete and total acceptance of a person no matter what they do or say. No matter when or where. No matter how or why.

And then, I realized. Love is so much more than that. It encompasses family and generations. It is a kaleidoscope of moments so pure and precious they take your breath away.

I saw it so clearly this week as I did my photo shoots, for my projects, and for my family.

These wonderful people in my life that go above and beyond for my joy. How incredible is that?

To go above and beyond even at the risk of embarrassing photos.

And real love? Well, it’s family, fun, and beautiful girls (big and small).

It’s fuzzy mustaches and a heart that says hug me.

It’s very special eight-year old.

And a very mysterious debonair almost eleven-year-old.

And it’s a precious baby that is growing too fast. And a hundred times harder for Grammy to photograph.

And sometimes Grammy has to put her in a windowsill with heart gels to paste and smear on the window. So I can love every fingerprint…every smile…and every second of joy on her face as she discovers this “new” thing.

I know the moment is fleeting. I have watched too many little girls grow up. And I hang on to this with all my heart.

It hurts how much I love them all. This tenderness fills my soul. A tremendous blessing bestowed by having love this sweet and unconditional.

My family.

My life.

My acceptance to be who I am.

And who is that? Well….

Part of this family for sure.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When a Mockingbird Calls

On January 22, 2015 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life14 Comments

I think you must answer…

When walking by our big window, I noticed the cat notice some back-yard birds. She rushed to the window sill and crouches for the attack. Pretty sure, she forgot about that thing called glass. I laughed at her and then looked to see what visitors we had.

And there he/she sat. All prim and proper in the holly bush. For this post and lack of bird anatomy, I will call her she. As SHE was very dainty, and soft. She seemed to enjoy the soft rain. I wanted to go get my camera, but I knew as soon as I did she would fly off.

But she didn’t.

It’s been raining here. And when, I walk from the office to the kitchen. There she is. Enjoying the rain. I didn’t see her get throaty or sing-song. She seemed fairly quiet for a mockingbird. She didn’t seem to mind when the dogs were let out or I peeked at her from the window.

I made a Bob-White whistle and she dove into the bushes. Only to emerge after checking to see if the coast was clear. I guess she met one too many of those fellas.

So this was our rainy day excitement. A little Northern Mockingbird visit.

Isn’t she sweet?

Another Happy Birthday New Year

On January 5, 2015January 5, 2015 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life17 Comments

Yes, I married a New Year’s Eve baby. I fondly call him the last gift of the year. He dislikes that his birthday is the same day everyone is partying for a different reason. I suppose he has a point…

BUT, we do make the best of it. We don our hats. Present our gifts over dinner and cake. Sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY at the top of our lungs. From morning to almost midnight is birthday, birthday, birthday!

Then, we quickly switch out hats for the countdown to midnight.

Phew! What a rush.

A good Happy Birthday, Happy New Year kind of rush.

So far this year, I have eaten a BIG BOWL of black-eyed peas.

I have driven my new car – every day. See, I bought a car on my husband’s birthday. Well, I leased it.

We planned on using one car for the next three years and that is why I traded my car in a year ago. It did work out the last year. There were a few challenges. The break-in hit me especially hard. No car in the driveway…but really, that wasn’t the only reason to get a car. There were many. It was time and I needed it.

I didn’t think my credit would be good enough to lease, but lo and behold.

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I have "shared" a car with my husband for the last year. Today, I leased my first vehicle. #inlove #myownwheels #toyota #2015 #me #selfie #love #car #ride

A post shared by Angelia Hardy (@angeliahardy1010) on Dec 30, 2014 at 4:45pm PST

A brand new car!

I love it.

So, a very HAPPY NEW YEAR from our family to yours!

2015 – Be good to me.

How is yours going so far?

Another Year Comes to an End – So long 2014

On December 31, 2014 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life24 Comments

Well, here it is.

Another year (year!) has passed by. This one as lightning fast as the last few years.

But I am not going to stress about it. I think I will just climb on up and take off into 2015. No use waiting around, let’s fly!

Ah, but first, we must recap the year. And you know how I like to do it? In photos, of course!

Last year, I posted one photo for every month of the year. I just read back through it and questioned several months. Did that really happen in 2013? Seems so long ago! But, no. It did and this year, I have no doubt will seem just as surreal. I think having a baby and young girls around has something to do with it. It makes me question my sanity, my memory, and my timelines.

Good thing I have this blog to keep it all straight. Heh!

I didn’t stick to my one photo rule this year. But I am making galleries of each month.

Just click on the photo to scroll through all the photos and captions.

January
I had the honor and privilege of photographing the birth of my cousin Tasha’s twin babies. I can’t even describe what it meant to me to see these two precious babes as they are born into this world. To see the faces of all the family as they meet them for the first time. To see these first time parents cherish and count little hands and feet. It was just too beautiful for words. So, I took photos and I really do hope they always remember them.

Ready for the delivery room.

Twins are born to Tasha and Jason.

Baby Jaxon.

Baby Tori.

Mama and twins.

Daddy and twins.

Two little miracles.

February
I tried to photograph a snowflake. I was part of a hunter’s wedding (as photographer). I did not partake in the odd groom’s cake that “bled” when cut open, but I did eat a piece of hog meat. It was pretty good! Also? My grand baby turned six months old!

Our first snow!

A Hunter’s wedding!

Her favorite boots.

The camo ring.

The beautiful couple.

A perfect wedding cake.

A hunter’s groom cake. Um, interesting to say the least, and no, I could not eat it. LOL.

This little gal turned SIX months old.

March
Jason and I visited Mayfield park in Austin. They have beautiful paths and gorgeous peacocks! A photographer’s heaven. This is the first place I saw spring start to come alive.

April
G-Baby visits the zoo for the first time. We took her to the Dallas Zoo. We loved it, but she mostly slept. Jason had surgery on his shoulder (not pictured). Molly turned ten years old. And Brandon turned the big 21!

Baby’s first trip to the zoo.

Brandon and Baby ride the carousel.

A tiger!

Feeding the goats.

Albino alligator.

Molly turns 10!

Brandon turns 21!

May
My daughter’s first Mother’s Day. G-baby is 9 months old! And I got to visit with Norie Sato at the opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway. A parkway that has the image I took of a Texas Toad made into a mosaic designed by Norie on a pillar next to the road. It is part of the public art program in Fort Worth, Texas. I keep meaning to post about it. It is the coolest thing I could ever be part of. Part of my “work” on the side of major freeway…forever? Wow…

Her first Mother’s Day.

Averey is 9 months old.

A famous artist and I meet over the making of public art. She used my toad photo as inspiration.This was opening day of the parkway and it was HOT.

This is the mock up we are holding.

This is the actual pillar off the Chisolm Trail Parkway.

A close-up of the mosaic.

June
We took a road trip to Oklahoma. Enjoyed a few food truck Fridays at the park. And met a baby kitty who eventually came to live with us. We call her Maya. She is probably the gutsiest cat I have ever met. I guess she has to be to live with us and four dogs. She was one of Bridget’s presents for her 8th birthday.

We took Averey to Oklahoma see her Great Grandma (my mom).

We met this little angel at four weeks old (so she looks!).

Baby Maya kitty gets acquainted with FOUR DOGS.

Anna pup and Maya kitty.

Maya kitty wonders what Fred (the dog) is.

Maya lounging in a blankie.

Bridget turned 8 years old.

The last food truck Friday of the summer.

The girls love food truck Friday!

Food truck Friday with Averery.

July
As if four dogs, and a new kitty weren’t enough. We decided to renovate our house. Top to bottom. New floors, and paint. We took down wallpaper and we took down chair rails. We textured walls. We even painted all the brass a nice oil-rubbed bronze. This was exhausting!

Wood tile starts to go down.

New floor.

This is in the office, entryway, living, and hall.

Grouted.

Me taking down wallpaper. I am pretty sure wallpaper is evil. Very, very evil.

Our kitchen remodel.

Remodel of the fireplace.

I painted it.

The finished product.

Kitchen remodel before and after.

I was the art teacher at vacation bible school. This is my helper.

We took the girls to a baseball game.

Because I can.

August
Honestly, the remodel was still in full force. My cameras were put away from all the dust and debris. But I did get it out for baby’s ONE YEAR PHOTOS and party. G-Baby is a whole year old! I didn’t post the party pics (since there is a post on that). These are few outtakes from our photo sessions (never seen before images!).

She wasn’t too smiley on our picture days.

This would be a great Ford ad. Lol.

Her 1st Birthday!

September
My baby Salem turns twelve-years old. Oh my heart. She is still my baby even though she is 80+ in dog years. Also, I took photos of the 9/11 rainbow. This was seen all over the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex on the morning of 9/11. Pretty cool.

Salem turns 12!

Rainbow on 9/11.

October
I took a five-day trip with my sister. We went to Oklahoma to hang out with my mom and take her on day trips to where she grew up. It was a lot of fun to see “our history” and spend time with my big sister and mom. This is also the month my (now famous) Texas Toad print got displayed at the Art7 Gallery in downtown Fort Worth. They did a Fort Worth Public Art exhibit.

Colgate, Oklahoma where my mom grew up.

This is my great-grandparents homestead located on Dead Horse Prairie. You can still see the original stone chimney behind us.

This is the picnic pavillion donated in honor of my Papa Eclair.

My mom and sis at the pavillion.

My Texas Toad framed and ready for Art7 Gallery.

Me at Art7 with my toad.

Halloween 2014 with the girls.

November
I got real sick. I had surgery to remove my gall bladder. And I got much better. On my last recovery day, after sitting around ALL DAY. I thought to myself. WHY? Why am I sitting here? This is my last recovery day and I should go to the gardens and take photos of fall color. So, I did. I got there 45 mins before closing. Phew. Thanksgiving I was well enough to travel and got to spend it with my sister and her family in Houston, Texas. Of course, we took G-Baby to the beach on the last day. She does not love the water, but she dug the sand (heh, get it?).

Flowers and balloon after my surgery.

My last day of recovery, I went to the Japanese gardens.

Gorgeous fall color.

Love this season.

Spent Thanksgiving at my sisters.

The whole family.

The last day of the trip, we took baby to the Galveston Beach.

December
Lots of fun in December. One of my candlelight photos from a past service got shared (with permission of course) on the UMC (United Methodist Church) main page Christmas Eve. It received over 7,000 likes. This floored me. Such a nice way to end the year. These are photos from this year’s service and a few Christmas thrown in as well. My husband’s ex-wife makes me cookies and fudge every year. This year, she really outdid herself. And this time, instead of to the family, it gets labeled as mine. Ohhhhh yeahhhhh…. She knows! She knows!