When in Rome...

This past weekend, Edward went to Rome during their short break and ran with the Giuseppe's and Paolo's and Giovanni's in the Crossa Della Caffarella. I found this photo online of the race and we saw another one of him that was copyrighted. I asked him quickly what the best part of Rome was and he said he "had spaghetti." Now I know he was tired and joking when he typed that to me, but he really does love spaghetti. I think he mentioned I would see a photo of him by the Colisseum eventually.

Sharing a Happy Birthday!

Maria, 5 years old with sister Andrea

Today, Maria is 18 years old. Wow, that went fast! She has been such a joy and blessing to us and I look forward to the years ahead.

Happy Birthday Andrea & Maria!

The Epitome of Dutch

John moved these to the kitchen window and I thought for a moment I was in Holland.

Flash Back Friday 156

Maria, 1992, 2 months old

In just a few days, this precious little girl celebrates her 18th birthday!

Love Thursday

My love brought these to me this week...



Such sunshine!



I had forgotten...



how much fun they are to play with...



Happy Love Thursday!

And Now We Wait...

for the birds.

Last year, all of a sudden they swooped in when we put it out on April 22.

Evidence

It's really here...

Good-bye Snow!

We hardly knew ye...



The thing that was so sweet about the snowfall we woke up to on Saturday morning on the first day of Spring is we knew it wouldn't last. It was gone yesterday already except for a little in the shadows...

Welcome Spring!

What we woke up to this morning...

The beautiful thing about it is it won't last!!!

Flash Back Friday 155

Maria & Edward visit their aunt's horse in California, 1998

News from Dutch Boy

We "talk" by instant message with Edward several times a week and he is doing very well in the Netherlands! About a month ago, I saw a Dutch friend of mine and I told her where Edward was, and it turned out her son was going to Amsterdam for a visit and we could send some things with him. That worked out wonderfully.

But you know how I love to see pictures! I did see some on Facebook, but thankfully, I found out about 2 more blogs of his female classmates which are very descriptive and include photos!

See Bonnie's "Adventures in Amsterdam" and Katie's "A Cup of Dutch" in the right side bar. Edward told me it was going to be his turn to update the class blog later in the week! Stay Tuned.

Early Evening Light

Yes indeed, with the switch to daylight savings time this past Sunday, the mornings are here with a bang! (Thank you Bridget for waking up your mom this morning.) The good side of it is of course the early evening sunlight.

Maria solving Math problems after supper last night. This is what daylight savings is all about.

Out to Eat

I met Sharon last night for supper, and wouldn't you know, we had the cutest waitress...

And she didn't even seem to mind the Mom with the camera!

If You Look

...hard enough
careful enough
long enough,

you will find green coming from the brown and gray.


Magnolia bud, March 2010.

Weekend Reflection

A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to practice with my reflectors and the girls were not in the mood as they were busy studying. I never thought I would be the kind of mom to pry them away from that!! I did manage a smile out of Bridget who happened to be studying with a pretty scarf on...

Flash Back Friday 154

Edward,Maria & Bridget, Colorado, 1998

Taken shortly before the infamous Grand Canyon shot.

Love Thursday

If you live in our family long enough...


you just might get one...


of your very own.


John bought this 1988 Volvo 240 Station Wagon from a music professor in East Grand Rapids. It came complete with this bumper sticker. Peace.

What to do on a Warm Sunny Day

Leo meows to get out

Sometimes the best time to get a shot of him is when he's waiting to get in or out.

Oh my!

She is the "baby" of our family and she's starting driver's ed next week. Gulp! Yesterday, after school she very seriously plunked right down on the couch and her fingers very seriously plunked away on the keyboard. A paper about maturing moments. I guess she's not a baby anymore.

Feel the Brown, Hope for the Spring

“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" - Mark Twain

We have had bright sunny days here and warm-ish temps for the past few days. The 40's!! I had to shed my coat yesterday when I went on a walk if that tells you anything. The snow is beginning to melt revealing the brownish-ness underneath.

When the sun comes out, the brown can be actually quite beautiful!

On my walk, I heard a rushing stream which came from the melting snow.

And then, to top it all off, I saw a neighbor who told me proudly of her daffodils sprouting through the earth. I wanted to see it for myself.

What to do on a Cold Sunny Day

Leo waits patiently at the back door while I get my tripod out a minute.

Flash Back Friday 153

“If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever” - Winnie the Pooh


Bridget with Pooh & Piglet, May 1997, 2 years old

Ping & Pong's Three Cheese Birthday Celebration

Last evening, I met my dear bright and shining star of a friend Cathy at Olga's Restaurant to celebrate her Birthday Eve. This is the third year in a row that we have celebrated by having a delicious 3-cheese Olga (so appropriate for 3/3) and it was time to capture the memory in photographs. We had a very sweet waitress named Treonna who was happy to help us celebrate! She brought us a tiny bowl of curly fries since we didn't need a whole one.

Then she happily tried her hand at my big old camera to take the Ping and Pong 3-Cheese Birthday Celebration Portrait.

Then, bless her heart, she brought us these wonderful chocolate mousse cups. Just the right ending to a perfectly wonderful birthday celebration!

Sunshine on the Deck Makes Me High

Sunshine, sparkling snow, slanted shadows... what's not to love?

Celebrating 4 Years of Blogging

Some of the highlights lately...

This past February 17 was the 4th anniversary of Kingdom Jewels and this is post 1334. When I look back to first post, I remember having no idea where it would lead, but soon it became a photo blog. I love having a place to share my photography and even more, I love meeting people from all over. Thanks for the comments, it's fun hearing from you!!!