Tag: photo challenge

Sunrise & Sunset – Texas Style

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Photo Challenges, Photography, Texas2 Comments

I never tire of watching the sun rise or set and, I never tire of photographing it, either.  There are way too many beautiful ones I’ve taken pictures of to limit this post to just one.  Although I did manage to keep it to ‘just’ five.

Spectacular Texas…

On-the-go-picture of the sunset: driving north on HWY 287 to Amarillo

Allen, Texas: sunset at the grocery store

Sunrise on Lake Lewisville at the Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House

A heron at sunrise also at Montserrat

Sitting on the dock watching a spider and the sunrise

 

WPC – Experimental

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Boys, Family, Photo Challenges, Photography, Teenagers, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc3 Comments

Our son, Patrick, is a senior in high school this year and I want some nice pictures of him.  Always looking for ways to save a buck or two I decided to take some shots on my own and see if I liked what I saw.  He’s been playing marimba for the band since his freshman year and music is a big part of his life.  Naturally, I want  to include this monster instrument in some of the shots.

Being 18 he, at first, gave me nothing but scowls and eye rolls but, then, once we had a little smile-or-else chat (that’s the polite version) he cooperated and we actually even had a couple of laughs.

Round 1 was strictly experimental and I haven’t decided if I’m happy yet or not.  We will see.

Wanting some close-up shots I enlisted the help of younger brother Ben.  These may be the funniest of the series because there is no way to crop Ben’s rear end out without losing part of Patrick’s head.  Suffice to say there will be Round 2 because the shot hasn’t happened yet.

Stay tuned.

 

Tea in Jiading, China

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Daily Prompt, International Travel, Photo Challenges, Photography, The Daily Post, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc6 Comments

A repost from July 2016:

Last year we spent two weeks in and around Jiading, China – a ‘suburb’ of Shanghai.  Our oldest son, Joshua, was living there with his wife, Emma, and we were fortunate enough to visit.  A rainy day had given us a break from sightseeing and when it stopped we ventured out.  What we stumbled onto ended up being one of my most satisfying and favorite memories.

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When the rain tapered off we ventured out for lunch and ended up exploring the streets and shops in the surrounding area.  Our group split up which left my son, Patrick, and I hanging out together.  JIading shoppingWe were wandering around, ambling in and out of the little shops when I spied a sign with a teapot.  Loving all things tea, and especially drinking tea in Asia, we went into the shop to see what was what. The shopkeeper seemed excited to see us and began talking.  Unfortunately, we had no idea what he was saying.  We wanted to ask him questions but were not able to communicate effectively with him.

Between using hand gestures – and speaking super slow (as if that would help) – we found no success asking if his teapots were for sale or just display.  We left the shop to find Joshua – who speaks fluent Mandarin-and, upon our return, discovered this gentleman was completely delightful and wanted nothing more than to share his tea while working on his painting and flute-playing.

Jiading Tea
Jiading Tea
Jiading Tea

One of the things I love about staying in less touristy areas is stumbling upon these amazing experiences that you can’t buy with money.  It had been a lazy, rainy day calling for a ponytail and no make-up.  No matter that I was ultra-casual, our host could have cared less.  Discovering this hidden gem and being treated to an absolutely wonderful encounter completely made my day and ended up being a highlight of the trip.

Jiading Tea

If you would like to see other posts from our China adventures check out these pieces:

Eyes of Asia

What’s In A Shanghai Name

Mass in Mandarin

Confucius Temple and Huilongtan Park

Looking Up

Life Around Jiading

 

 

 

 

 

WPC: Reflecting

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Catholic, Daily Prompt, Faith, God, Photo Challenges, Photography, The Daily Post, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc7 Comments

It is wonderful to walk into the church when it is packed with parishioners ready to worship.  It is also amazing to visit when it is completely empty.

I took this picture of the crucifix reflecting  in the baptismal font with my iPhone.

It was just me and Jesus.  The peace was overwhelming and the beauty of the moment wondrous.

WPC – It IS Easy Being Green When It’s Springtime in Texas

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn animals, Boys, Daily Prompt, Dogs, Nature, Photo Challenges, Photography, Seasons, Spring, The Daily Post, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc1 Comment

An ordinary Sunday afternoon spent enjoying my boys, my dogs and lots of sunshine. (The Hubster was out of town)

Luxurious Green-ness is abundant during springtime in this great state of Texas!

 

 

WPC: Atop the Circle of Life

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Family, Grandchildren, Photo Challenges, Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc5 Comments

Life ends, life begins and life goes on.

Feeling atop the circle of life with the death of my aunt followed closely by the birth of my grandchild, it has been a hectic week. As they always do, each of these life happenings kindled those deep emotions reminding me, once again, how I need to love deeply.

My aunt was a favorite and my childhood memories are filled with her laughing, joking, making smart-aleck remarks and her family famous German Chocolate Cake.  The last several years, especially since the death of her husband, finding joy in daily life seemed to be more of a struggle but, she still made us smile with her constant repetition of phrases like, “I’ll tell you for durn sure” and “well o gosh o Friday”.  (I never knew what the second one meant or where the saying came from but it was a staple)

She had a full life – even went parasailing at the age of 80.  And, while I know she is no longer suffering, and has been reunited with those she loved so dearly, I will miss her.

And, so, as death passes a new life begins with the birth of Colette Grace this week.  Colette is apparently a very laid back and relaxed baby who is in no hurry to go anywhere fast.  She took her sweet time introducing herself but, when she arrived, her birth was beautiful and filled with a quiet that was broken only by her first breaths and a good cry with the doctor announcing, “it’s a girl!”.   As Colette’s life began on the outside of her mother’s womb, there was a peace prevailing in the room.  A peaceful beginning for Colette and a peaceful ending for my aunt.  A lovely way to end and begin life.

When they got home I watched her sleeping in the bassinet and I was surprised how tiny she looked.  It really is so easy to forget how little they are as newborns and how fast they grow.  This was driven home that evening when we got to video chat with our grandson in Japan.  At 3 1/2 months old he is already getting big and is smiling, talking and changing everyday.

Birth, life, death – it is all closely entwined and serves to remind me how lucky I am to have so much love in my life.  I hope those around also feel deeply loved by me.

 

 

Waiting for Baby

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Daily Prompt, Family, Nature, Photo Challenges, Photography, Seasons, The Daily Post, Weekly Photo Challenge, wpc7 Comments

The ‘official’ due date for my baby girl to deliver her baby girl has come and gone so now we are all sitting around staring at her, waiting for her to announce, “this is it!”

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.  We aren’t actually sitting.  Or staring.  We are keeping busy and carrying on with life as usual.

Yesterday, in an effort to remain occupied we took advantage of some beautiful springtime weather and spent time at the Dallas Arboretum.

I’ll tell you – no matter what the season this place never fails to amaze me with its beauty.

In the fall you have Autumn at the Arboretum with pumpkins galore

For the Christmas season, it’s the Twelve Days at Night

Right now, it’s Dallas Blooms.  A beautiful array of springtime flowers punctuated with carpets of amazing tulips in vibrant colors.

It is stunning.

This years theme is ‘Peace, Love, and Flower Power’ and showcased Volkswagon’s covered in blooms.

Texas-sized games were available that kids and grown-ups alike enjoyed.

Cute grandkids and lush backgrounds made for great photo ops.

In hopes that a lot of walking would help jumpstart labor we stayed for a long while. Apparently, Baby is quite comfy and all we managed to do was wear mom out.

A lovely family waiting for a small bundle of joy to join them.

Any time now Baby K…

I wish, for my daughter’s sake, that Baby comes sooner rather than later.  Even though she feels, at this point, like she might be pregnant forever, we know she will go into labor.  For now – we continue to pray for the blessing of a safe delivery and the joy of new baby snuggles.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

 

Eyes of Asia

On By My Crazy Graced LifeIn Family, Grandchildren, International Travel, Photo Challenges, Photography4 Comments

Linking up with a travel blogger who chose the theme ‘eyes‘ for this week I am sharing pictures from China.

I love to watch people.  I love to take pictures of people.  Our stay in Jiading – a ‘suburb’ of Shanghai – offered me ample opportunities to sit and soak up the local atmosphere.

The plaza just on the other side of the canal from our hotel was a perfect spot to sit.  During the day the children ran and jumped and played and roller skated.  They loved that I was taking pictures and would come right up to me and pose.  Their eyes shone with curiosity about the blonde-haired, fair-skinned lady with the camera.

jiading dancing

When the work day ended the adults would gather, the music would start and an impromptu dance would begin.  They danced and they laughed and they left the stress of the day behind.  It was absolutely delightful and the happiness in their eyes was contagious.

jiading baby

Several times I was approached by those who wondered who I was, where I came from and why I looked so different.  They were not shy about asking gesturing for me to take pictures with or of them. Like this mom – you can see the excitement in her eyes.  She was so eager to have her baby ‘meet’ me that she took out her Iphone and asked gestured for me to pose with her little girl.  I reciprocated and asked gestured for her to pose, too.  I think the baby was just confused – that’s what I see in her eyes.

Jiading eyes1

This man was taking a break from his street sweeping as I made my way back to the hotel.  His eyes look a little tired – maybe because his day had been long and he wasn’t quite finished yet.

p b j j p b

These guys.  My three boys.  Walking across the plaza they did not see me.  I had to yell out a couple of times before they figured out who was making a racket.  Their eyes were covered but, I promise you, they are the most beautiful shades of brown, green and hazel.

01-jan-dfr

And, finally, these beautiful eyes.  They belong to my new grandson.   Babies are wonderful.  Just wonderful.