The Cold of Winter

On January 16, 2013January 16, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography41 Comments

Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while. ~Kin Hubbard

Yes, it’s still winter.

It will be still be winter tomorrow, and the next day. No matter how many sunny and 70-degree days happen to ~~tease us~~ come our way…..

It’s still winter.

And it’s still cold.

A blast of ice and snow hit the metroplex yesterday morning. It surprised me awake at 6am when my husband says those magical words we don’t often hear in Texas, “It’s snowing outside.”

Which means….I jerk awake, and jump out of bed, because I don’t want to miss it before it is gone. Plus, I might get some more snow pictures for my collection.

And I will admit, the snowfall itself is pretty weak, but the sleet…..THE ICE…..it is fierce. Thankfully, it doesn’t last too long. AND, it is not below freezing. Right at freezing, but not below.

Still…..I feel pretty bad for all the commuters. Iced overpasses are a real nightmare. And not many can drive across them, they more or less, skate and crash. Or go super slow and get stuck. It is quite the dance on sleety mornings. Trust me, I have done my time. Almost twenty years of commuting across the city. It is not pretty.

But the white crystals are pretty, at least, I like to admire them when I don’t have to commute. I have a new appreciation for the freezing rain and I view it through my lens.

I took photos in the ice and snow….before it melted away by noon.

And it DID melt, but not before I got my Project 52 photo. It’s a mini-snowfall for the mini-theme this week (and look there are mini-berries too). Lots of great entries this week on Flickr Ellenburg Photography Group for Project 52. Stop by or join in on the fun any time.

That is our week so far.

How is yours?

Christmas in a Snow Globe

On December 27, 2012December 27, 2012 By AngeliaIn Angels among Us35 Comments

It happened……again!

I can’t say it is the first time the Dallas/Fort Worth area experienced snow on Christmas, because guess what? A few years ago, snow gently tumbled into Cowtown just in time for the big day. It made Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning so beautiful……I was moved to write a poem about my Christmas Dream it inspired.

That year marked my very first white Christmas that I can remember since moving to Texas – twenty, or so years ago. You might say….I have been deprived. And perhaps, that is why Old Man Winter granted me another – a mere three years later. And this time, I have my camera with me. And honestly, I am perfectly content to watch the kids stomp in, and out of the house. Eyes bright, and cheeks red as they warm their hands in front of the portable heater only to beg, and plead, to return outside – five minutes later.

I look through the window at the falling snowflakes – tumbling, swirling, and drifting. Mom, husbands, and sister-in-laws chatter about life while glancing out the windows in time to see a child’s back dash from a flying snowball. Shrieks and giggles ensue.

I am heavy, and stuffed from turkey, ham, and the best sweet potato casserole in the whole universe. I enjoy this relaxed view, observing, rather than partaking in any fun outside with no coat or gloves. Did I mention it wasn’t snowing or super cold when we left for Grandma’s house?

Well….

As I was saying…toasty and happy, I have no problem keeping my feet dry inside the house while waiting to dive into the wondrous desserts of CHOCOLATE PIE (my fave!), and many other goods – iced sugar cookies from scratch, cheesecake, pumpkin pie.

Utterly and totally satisfied……..until I saw her……

And once I saw her, I couldn’t NOT see her.

With her bowl of snow, and her cherub cheeks. She practically begged me to come take her photo.

So…I did.

I grabbed a plastic bag, made a hole for my lens, and out I went. No coat. No gloves.

And it was wonderful.

The more I looked. The more I saw.

The more I saw. The more I had to take.

There was something about them…….all covered in snow.

Reverent in their crystal white setting.

I venture to all parts of the yard – front, back, and side – looking at every thing I can find transformed by the wintry atmosphere.

I guess I got carried away.

But having wet feet and cold fingers is absolutely worth it.

In the end, my little wonderland adventure got me some great prints for my mom-in-law of her snow-white garden(Christmas present next year?).

And the chocolate pie for dessert? Tasted even better.

Hope you all had a very Merry and wonderful Christmas.

Did you have a white one, too?

Merry Christmas 2012

On December 24, 2012 By AngeliaIn FAMILY, Timeless Treasures38 Comments

I can’t believe Christmas is here already. This is the alternate year where we have the little girls Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It is such a blast to see all the excitement. It is also the first time in about five years that Sydney is home for Christmas. Normally, she goes to her Dad’s in Mississippi. But guess what? Her Dad moved back to Texas. Squeee!

This year, we are doing the Christmas tradition that I grew up with. That is the one where you open ALL the presents under the tree on Christmas EVE (today!). Then, Christmas morning Santa brings the “big” gift with more presents. The girls seem a little concerned. I think it must feel a little like cheating to open the presents Christmas Eve. But this is how I grew up and Sydney grew up, and honestly, it makes the most sense. The girls will be going to their Mom’s at Noon Christmas Day until the New Year’s Eve. This way gives them a little more time to play.

I have tons of photos and Christmas(y) things to post about, but I simply ran out of time this month. Too busy going, doing, and working.

So, I have decided to post my favorite photos in a slide show for you.

(Click on any image to enlarge and display)

Christmas visit with my mom and her Chihuahua Tiny.

Our four furry festive pets.

Our Christmas 2012 Family photo.

My three girls.

Sydney – my daughter from my 1st marriage.

My oldest step-daughter.

My youngest step-daughter.

Christmas photo shoot. -by Angelia

This is my favorite photo. My wonderful husband and precious girls!

Another family shot by tripod remote.

Rudolph decoration in my house.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. Youngest step-daughter lost both front teeth just in time for Christmas.

My beautiful and sweet Mom-in-law with the Church Santa.

My niece with one of the Church pups at St. Matthews.

Molly at the Church program.

Bridget at the Church program.

Christmas pup Candy at the Church program.

The St. Matthews reindeer sing at Church.

St. Matthews United Methodist Church.

Snowman taking a bath. This was in a window display in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Window display for a jewelry store in Hot Springs.

If you ask any of my kids, they would agree! This was tricky as these lights were blinking to music.

Part of a fountain display in downtown Hot Springs with the wreaths in the background.

Tree lights with green fountain in the background in Hot Springs.

Tree lights blurred with fountain.

Statue in downtown Hot Springs with star in the background.

Star on one of the buildings in downtown Hot Springs.

These are from our Christmas card shoot, St. Matthews children’s program, visit with my Mom in Oklahoma, and Hot Springs, Arkansas. All taken this month.

I’ve been busy!

Now, I need to clear a few memory cards to prepare for Christmas.

I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I know I don’t do well with the awards, links, and ping-backs. But I promise, I am deeply grateful for every one. I hope you know how much I appreciate you all. This year hasn’t been easy for me, and you have brightened it in more ways than you know.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Is it Fall? Or Winter? I’m confused.

On December 13, 2012December 13, 2012 By AngeliaIn Posessed by Nikon26 Comments

In the last week, I did two photo shoots in the beautiful Fall colors (besides the squirrels..heh!). I couldn’t believe the rich reds that came through. So pretty!

In fact, I couldn’t wait to share my FALL portraits.

Then?

It snowed.

View this post on Instagram

Snow!! #snow #winter #fortworthtexas #weather

A post shared by Angelia Hardy (@angeliahardy1010) on Dec 10, 2012 at 5:45am PST

Our backyard.

That’s snow people. I know it ain’t much, but we get excited when this happens. No matter how big or small. Even if it is gone by the time your teenage daughter gets up and your only proof is the iPhone 4S photo you took through the kitchen window. BUT really???? SNOW.

View this post on Instagram

Our snow the other morning. Why yes, I am still excited about it. Lol. #snow #winter #fortworthtx

A post shared by Angelia Hardy (@angeliahardy1010) on Dec 13, 2012 at 6:28am PST

See???

And it got cold…..FREEZING cold….for more than one day in a row! This is serious. This is turn on your heater kind of stuff.

So is it Winter? Who knows…… I have feeling we will hit 80 again in the next week.

In the meantime, I’ll just share my Fall foliage anyway.

I took these photos last week of a beautiful Belgian Mom with her sweet daughter. They are definitely a favorite client of mine. See the entire session on my Facebook fan page Angelia’s Photography.

Click on any photo to enlarge and display a slideshow.