Deep in the Cold Heart of Texas

On December 9, 2013December 9, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, Wee Wee Wee all the way home!29 Comments

It’s the great flash freeze of December 2013.

And when this happens?

This happens!

And even though, I work from home and don’t get any “ice” days. I do get to enjoy my kids and pets on their “ice”. It is amazing what one can accomplish during a lunch hour.

These two cuties never fail to amuse.

Cable lines, and no, our cable, nor electricity went out.

You can’t have an ice day without our furry friends. Clothed in love, and maybe embarrassed a bit, but hey, that’s okay. They were compensated for their troubles with lots of snuggles and treats.

Anna in her Santa hat. You think she is cute now; you should see her in her elf suit.

Salem in her ugly sweater.

Nothing says, “Texas”, more than sliding down the yard and driveway on a cardboard box top. Sleds? We don’t need no stinking sleds!

The girls had so much fun.

Hours upon hours of playing outside.

And that box top? Well, I found its remnants on the floor of the garage. It wasn’t pretty. May it rest in peace.

The flash freeze left color in full bloom.

And happy children.

This slick stuff has lasted four days and the store shelves are empty. But fear not, I bring tidings of good news….the icicles are finally starting to melt.

I guess we will stay on the map after all and we should be open soon, ya’ll.

Dec. 7, 2013 – A Walk To Remember

On December 7, 2013December 7, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, In my heart forever & ever, Timeless Treasures33 Comments

Although today was my day off and I finally got to enjoy our wintry weather, I have worked very hard.

I have worked hard to make sure this day is exactly right. Perfect, if you will.

See, today is one of those days that you never forget. The moment the clock strikes midnight, it settles over your mind. This presence doesn’t just linger around, but it gets comfortable. It fluffs up the pillows, shakes out the covers, and leans back to witness every part of the next twenty-four hours. And although, I want to fast forward the day, because there are other days, I would rather remember…

I just can’t.

I find myself not running away or speeding through it, but settling down too. Fluffing my pillows, kicking my feet up, and just enjoying my time with it.

So, I can remember.

And remember well, as I celebrate my wonderful treasures, and uplift them with great honor.

I thought of a million ways to get this right, but in the end. I made a video.

I hope you enjoy my day, and my walk. I hope you see the beauty in how it is lived and presented.

Click here to watch the video online.

My Dad died while I was blogging and it means the world to me that this blog holds what was in my heart that day (and continues to). I don’t ever want to forget them and I am so grateful to WordPress for this means to journal and share – the good stuff and the tough stuff.

God Bless you all for watching.

We are having a bit of winter here in Texas…..more on that later.

YouTube Cover Photo

The Making of a Pet Star

On February 3, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angel Lia's Photography, FAMILY, Posessed by Nikon, The good the bad and the beautiful23 Comments

First you take (preferably) a camera-shy pet.

Laughing kids and pets — Notice camera shy pet - faces away from the camera.

Give them a little boost of confidence. Like a nice scarf to wear.

Shy pet training — Have the pet face their fears - like modeling.

Encourage their performer to break out.

Pet zebra scarf model — Calm them with sweet words and lots of pats.

Speak nothing of lights, camera, and action. That will make them nervous. Speak of fame, fortune, and top shelf kibble.

Pet modeling nerves — A scared pet model just needs direction, and the right clothes.

If nerves show in the eyes. Never fear. It will only magnify their fear. That is not what we want.

We want star performance. We want runaway strut. We want diva.

Hug of encouragement — Help them embrace the calm and find their inner focus.

Praise them with love and whispers of encouragement.

Encourage pet expression — Have them envision world peace and yoga breathing.

Inside your pet, there is a canine goddess waiting to be free. Give you dog the bow to WOW.

With these tips, a chic wardrobe, and a great photographer (heh), your pet will shine in no time.

Straight to the top.

America, just in time for Valentine’s day, we have the next sweetheart of Animal Planet.

Pet Star — Miss Anna in her high fashion winter garmets.

Please give her some paw. What a lovely lady and faaaaabulous pet model superstar.

Disclaimer**No pets were harmed in the making of this post. Special thanks to costume designer Molly and stylist/acting coach Sydney.**

**This post may or may not be a result of abnormally cold temperatures affecting the minds of warm bodied (mostly normal) family members who suddenly get the urge to dress and model their dogs.**

**Anna is fine**

**I promise!**

That’s a wrap!

Ice Ice Baby – TOO COLD

On February 2, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angel Lia's Photography, Don't ever leave the house, Mon Dieu! and all that stuff.24 Comments

I am being featured over at The Red Dress Club today (Feb. 2nd). Be sure to click over and read my interview. I tell you what animal my husband most resembles (snicker). In all seriousness, they are well worth the click. All my fiction writing has been inspired by these wonderful women and the writers that take part. This is an incredible site to grow your love of writing and have a lot of supporters offering feedback. So big thanks to them!

These are the steps at our house.

You see…..nothing has melted. Our lovely temperature high was 17. The low 10. Windchill somewhere around zero. Let me just assure you, I have NEVER been this cold in my LIFE. We don’t have a fence. So, when the dogs go out, I have to ~~make sure they don’t run away~~ supervise them. I think I mentioned yesterday, they LOVE the snow/ice and go out often.

I can’t take it.

My fingers freeze within about five minutes (with gloves on). I am a wimp.

Black Lab checks out the ice steps. — I told her not to go there and guess what? She slipped!

I’ll admit. The good folks of North Central Texas are weak. We are soft. Our blood is very thin. We break out the big coats when it hits 50 degrees. Seriously!

It is day three of ICE. It is not going anywhere tomorrow either.

WE ARE FREEZING!!

Ice, Ice baby – too cold, too cold.

On a happier note, Sydney and Jason spotted a beautiful cardinal out the window. I didn’t see it. I repeat: I didn’t see it! After much yelling and carrying on about WHERE this cardinal was and I still didn’t see it. The camera was snatched from my grasp by The Teen. In my SHOCK (yes it was the new one), she pointed and shot through the window to show me the cardinal. I finally SAW IT! Then I cropped the pic and added an edit. It sure is a welcome splash of color in this dreary land of ICE.

I am breaking out of this joint tomorrow. The walls are closing in. My mind is going flat and I am sick of TV. I can’t even do anything productive because I just sit and try to stay warm leaving me thoughtless. I admitted I’m weak!

Yes, every Packer and Steeler fan are entertained by our “little storm” in Texas. Shaking their heads and giving us a “there, there now”. We are pitiful. I know.

All schools are canceled tomorrow. The wrath of the Snowpocalypse and the great freeze of Superbowl town continues.