How I Failed my Blog – Part One

On May 20, 2013May 27, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Life..Camera...Action!17 Comments

I had big plans to post about my daughter’s 19th Birthday. Her LAST teenage year. Her beginning as a mom…..

Fail….Her birthday was May 6th. Luckily, I took a photo.

My next big blog plan was to post about Mother’s Day. I wanted to be all weepy as my daughter is becoming a mother and I am her mother. How I drove to Oklahoma for the day to see MY MOM. Then, spent Sunday with my other mom, Jason’s Mom. And of course to end it with photos of Sydney and me. I handed my camera to Hubby and had him photograph us for her weekly pregnancy photos AND Mother’s Day.

It was sweet.

But it never got posted.

I, also, did not post about my photography groups’ first reception at the Arlington Museum of Art. We had veggies, fruit, cheese, and crackers. Not nearly enough wine…like only an hour’s worth.

I bought this beautiful bouquet from Central Market. We put some of the flowers in little lens cup holders and set them on the table.

It was so incredibly cute. Of course, after the reception I took them home and enjoyed them another week. I think pink gerbers are my very favorite. Now, we have had our second reception. It was not near as crowded as the first, but lots of fun. Did I mention how beautiful all the photographs on the wall are?

How about how I failed at Spring? You know….the season of beautiful blooms. A nature photographer’s haven. Well, I took them. I took TONS of photos at my Momma Sue’s beautiful spring yard on Easter Sunday (I took some of the kids too – heh).

Her hyacinth bloom. A new edition to her potted plant collection.

Her gorgeous wisteria. A yearly favorite as they are always gorgeous and wisty.

The incredible clover. A favorite of the bees every year, and who knew clover was so pretty!

And most importantly, a BLUE BIRD!

I love blue birds.

And this is what I meant to show you on my blog…..but didn’t.

My last blog miss is from my staycation at the end of March. That’s right. I took a whole week and stayed at home….sort of….I kinda went to Oklahoma for my Mom’s birthday and I made lots of other plans and lunches too.

My stay at home week ended up being a busy one, but super fun. And over wayyyyy too fast.

But one of the things I did on my vacation was go to the Fort Worth Zoo. A favorite place of mine. I happened to catch this little Road Runner at feeding time. I must say I have never seen a bird SO proud of his dinner “catch” in my whole life. He pranced around and around to every window showing off his find and shaking his tail feathers.

I’m sure many will think it gross, but I thought it was so funny. Not to mention, he is a beautiful bird, with or without mice in his beak.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for the second part of How I failed my blog…..

It may include…anniversaries….and more zoo photos.

On Top of a Mountain

On August 23, 2012 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life20 Comments

Oh, how I love to reminisce!

About travel, about birthdays, and most especially, about my MOST favorite place – California.

A year ago, I celebrated turning forty on a mountain above Palm Springs. What a spectacular day. I couldn’t get enough of the forest, the cliff hangs, and the beautiful desert and city views.

These are nice memories to have (and photos too!).

This year, I celebrate year forty-one by working. Meh.

But hey, it’s not so bad. My husband was out-of-town for a week, and made it back justintime. I have never been happier to see someone in my life. I consider myself pretty tough and independent. And really? It was fine. I wasn’t some kind of weeping, lonely mess. But man was it empty – inside and out. Believe me, being on a mountain is great, but having the best man in the world by your side? That is fantastic.

This is not the best photo, but it’s the only one I have of the sign.

I must say, I LOVE the ocean. LOVE IT. My second love? The MOUNTAINS. Any mountain. My grandma was from Pueblo, Colorado. We visited the mountains every Thanksgiving. This is what I love MOST about California. You have the beautiful beaches. AND (like the Coke Zero commercials) You have the gorgeous mountains too. Just a hop, skip, and highway drive away.

I believe this flower is called Yarrow. It peppers the mountain side and really gives it that pop of color that is so breathtaking among the boulders.

I saw lots of wildlife – lizards, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds.

The enormously towering trees were also amazing. I live in the city and we just don’t have this view outside of our door.

And the fresh pine scent? Heaven.

I don’t know what is not to love about a mountain.

I climbed a rock for this view. It was a little scary as I have zero balance and/or climbing skills.

My husband climbed a rock too.

Show off.

While my king was gone, I was visited by a random black bird.

Um, yeah.

He decided to land on the very rock I was perched on (out of alllll the rocks on the mountain). It was a bit unsettling in my zen state. Wings are VERY loud on a quiet mountain side. And he just kinda marched around flapping and looking at me very curiously. I got quite a few photos of my bird visitor.

Then my husband surprised me with restaurant reservations at this fancy place.

I had a delicious piece of salmon, but mostly I enjoyed the fabulous views.

Table-top flower.

My view from our dining table.

Sunset view from the balcony of the restaurant.

And this? I can’t even describe. As the sun set and the contrast changed, I couldn’t take my eyes off the captivating landscape of the desert.

Truly, my year forty is one to remember – from the start to the finish.

Now? I am ready for the next. Come on forty-one show me what you got. I know it’s going to be good.

Don’t just count your years, make your years count. -Meyers, Ernest

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

On July 26, 2012 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography39 Comments

Huntington Beach pier is an icon that graces the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. But have you ever wondered what secrets it holds inside?

The distresses it has faced in war, and mother nature.

What waters have crested its anchors?

The strength of the ocean current pulling and pushing.

What winds have pummeled its tresses?

The earth shook and it fell. Only to be rebuilt to the pier we see today.

What secrets does it hold inside?

It holds the secrets of facing giants, of holding tight to a history of its people, and the many surfers that have gone before it.

It holds the wonder of sea life, and the power of walking on water.

It holds mysteries far greater than any eye can see………

And I bet you thought it was just steel and concrete.

Photos taken May 2012 by Angelia’s Photography.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Create

On June 27, 2012June 27, 2012 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Posessed by Nikon27 Comments

There is a lot of art and skill that goes into rock stacking. You may have seen some formations while hiking, or on a beach. I happened across these last summer on the beach of Ventura, California.

I was, of course, enthralled……..

Where did they come from? Who stacked them? What do they mean? Are they symbols? Is this a type of zen garden?

I couldn’t help but stare at these lovely bones of minerals. I couldn’t help but wonder about their creation (or creator). It was astounding to see so many.

After the trip, I did a few searches, but couldn’t find much about them. They say the stacked rocks appear in the morning and no one knows who, or how they get there. The balance of these odd shapes and sizes are striking, and despite the wind and surf, they do not waver. I saw people taking photos and moving a few stray rocks around. Who knows? Maybe, they were starting their own stack.

Whatever the mystery is…………..I hope you find them as fascinating as I did.

Create…