Graceful in Green

Last year, I went on a photo shoot with some friends. Learning how to use a new lens, trying some new ideas. I never posted these particular photos, not sure how I didn't get around to them, so here they are now. My friend's daughter was one of our models :). This shot was from the beginning of our session.

You can tell she's a true model because she brought an outfit change. And a prop :). And spiffy croc boots :).

Of course, there are lots of things to see when we go on shoots. Brick roads to skip along, grassy yards to play in, songs to be sung, dances to be danced.

And modeling is hard work. Pose this way. Pose that way. Do this. Do that.

And pretty soon you are all tuckered out and ready to go home, but the photogs are still doing their thing. And you just get to sit and wait it out. It's a tough life being a model.

(Seriously, she did a great job! Thanks!) I posted some other shots of this same model one other time. You can see those pictures here.

A Civil War Photo Shoot

A couple months ago, Kali and I were traveling up north for a tournament. Probably NCFCA Nationals in Virginia, not sure. Anyway, I don't travel well. I get tired and sleepy after a couple hours unless someone is awake in the car talking with me.

On this particular trip Kali had been taking a nap, leaving me to drive and drive and drive. I started having problems staying awake, so at the next exit - I zipped off the interstate . . .

. . . with absolutely no idea where we were. The first place I saw was this cemetary, so I pulled in. Any port in the storm - so to speak. Kali woke up and asked me what we were doing. I told her we were going to do a photo shoot. She said, "where? In this cemetary?" To which I replied, "Of course!" So. Welcome to our cemetary-photo-shoot-in-a-location that couldn't be named, because I had no earthly idea where we were.

We saw a lot of plots like the one above. At the far end you see two stones - that's where the parents are buried. Then you see at least seven small stones. These are where the children are. Smaller stones, and no names. We saw a lot of small stones and small slabs that simply had the words "child", or "infant", or "boy" or "girl," imprinted on them.

We notice a lot of children died around the age of seven. This particular stone and slab has no identification engraved on it all. In the background you see several more.

This lady lived a long life. The writing is typical in the fact that her full name isn't inscribed.

This woman must have been of some importance. Her first name is listed. Not so the baby. Kind of sad.

Most of the stones with engraving were from the 1880's. There were lots of military stones and inscriptions. Awesome, I just did a google search with the information on this stone and found out that this is the Confederate Cemetary in Forsyth, Georgia. Private Henry Hobbs died on April 27, 1862. He was a volunteer enlistment with the Georgia Cavalry during the Civil War :). Gotta love google!

I love angels. I'm guessing these angels probably haven't been there since the Civil War. I'm guessing they are newer additions.





You just never know what you're going to find when you take a rest break! (And this isn't my first photo shoot in a cemetary! You can see the first one here :).

The Vinery in the Gardens

I think the Vinery is my favorite part of the botanical gardens. So beautiful!

This is the entrance to The Vinery. The trails, the lattice works, and vines go on and on and on. I've not been able to complete the trail in the two trips I've made there. On a side note - Ashley and Otis were probably getting tired of all the kissing by this point, but they were great sports :). Hahaha!

This was the first structure.

This was the second structure. Total coverage from the elements. And so beautiful!

I just love the way it all looks! The perfect backdrop for these engagement photos :).

Ashley and Otis are getting married in June. We had a fun, fun day taking these pictures!

This was around the bend from the last set of shots. Beautiful kudzu plants. I like the way they look and the way they blanket everything in their path. I think the state of Georgia is going to be covered in kudzu before long - and I'm not even joking!


Congratulations on your engagement! I can't wait for the wedding!

This little fellow is Jayden. He just turned one. Isn't he precious?

They are a sweet, loving and caring family. I love this shot of them in the Water Gardens.

There is a machine at the foot of the bridge where you can buy fish food. There are some serious koi in this pond - just waiting for the food.

And they all like to eat! Otis gave Jayden a piece of food to throw to the fish. Jayden looked at the food in his hand for a second, then he looked at the fish, then back at the food, then at Ashley, then he quickly tried to tuck the piece of food into his own mouth - hahaha! But Ashley was ready for him :).

Jayden is seriously loved!





I loved watching the three of them together! Such love and tenderness! I can't wait for the wedding! Love you, Ashley!

Love This Lady!

I love this lady!

Almost a year ago she married my son. He definitely picked a keeper :). We think Jason was a pretty good pick for her, too! They seem made for each other.

This photo was taken when Bobbie was getting her hair done for the wedding. She is always beautiful, but that day she looked like a princess!

Love you, Bobbie! So glad Jason and you are together!

Missing This Girl!

Can you do me a favor?

If you see this girl - can you tell her that her momma misses her? A lot!

And loves her - a lot!

Thanks - a lot!

Calling All Ladies!

Yes, I know my 'title' could be construed as sexist. B U T I want to point out - that it is that time of year again!

I personally know two women who hunt, but for the vast majority we are talking men here.

This was today's BC cartoon - I love BC - they are always timely in their cartooning :).

So. Get ready, ladies. Ready for the stacks of hunting clothes all over your house. Ready for the gun cases to be left laying all around the rooms and on the furniture. Ready for all those special soaps to wash the body with, special soaps to wash the clothes with. Ready for all those bottles of unmentionable-animal-body-waste-stuff to put on said-clean-hunting clothes so the animals don't smell the hunters. Ready for the boxes of ammo, and loose ammo rolling around the floor boards of your vehicles. Do you get the general idea? It's that time of year . . . again!

Dude! I'm Hungry!

This is Sawyer.

Sawyer is pretty much always hungry.

He eats. All the time.

Ho loves hay. He loves feed. He loves treats.

"Anybody in there? Maybe I can find something to eat! I can't believe the two-leggers left the door open! It's my lucky day!"

"Duh. While you're in there, could you check for some extra treats. I'll take anything. Dude! I'm hungry!"

Ashley and Otis

A couple days ago, I posted some engagement photos of Ashely and Otis. Here are some more captures from that day.

I really love this spot in the water gardens. The park boasts about their waterfalls. Well, here's one - lol! I grew up in Newfoundland where they had waterfalls that were a hundred feet or more. But this is still a really peaceful, beautiful location for photos. And Ashley and Otis were beautiful together here.

This photo really should have gone in the previous post. Oops! Better late than never :).

We were admiring the beautiful trees just outside the Vinery and I asked what they thought about climbing trees. lol! They both ended up in the tree and I think these were some of our best pictures from the day :).




I know there are duplicates here. But. This is my blog and I can do that :).

Waiting on her Prince Charming.



On Facebook, Ashley made the comment, "In this together." I think this is a perfect statement and here is the picture to accompany it.


In June, I hope to be showing you photos from their wedding!

Congratulations, Ashley! Congratulations, Otis! The two of you are perfect for each other. Two parts of a whole!