Netherlands Nuesday 52

Light Fixture at Het Loo

First Snow

Each year
Our beautiful changing seasons
Descend
So suddenly
Into winter's death

During the first snow, I always think of my first winters in Michigan. The first, I remember looking out of a hospital room and my mother bought me a blue coat with fake sheep fur insides to wear home. During my next first snow in Michigan, I looked out of a dorm room eating donuts and drinking hot chocolate. At least I always stay warm.

Someone is 57 Today

Oma Boyer (who I have mentioned several times this week already), Uncle John, Uncle Alan & the Queen Mother as a child

It's a little hard to believe they had color photography like this back in the olden days, isn't it? But yes, the little toddler in this photo is Uncle Alan and he's 57 today! He wrote me yesterday how my mom had gotten him his first camera, a Kodak Duaflex II almost like the one I just got for my birthday. SO I would say this camera-love-thingy runs in the family.

Go Alan, get your game on, it's your birthday, hey Alan...if I was there, I would do this cheer for you and it would be so fun wouldn't it?

Falling Leaves

TTV, Backyard, November 7, 2008

This past week has been so beautiful - 60's-70's and sunny - that I've been able to do a lot of raking in shorts, thus feeling very much at one with nature. Yesterday, I don't know why, but I felt like Oma Boyer as I gradually talked Maria into bagging 5 leaf bags with me. I think because she thought it was only going to be 2 bags and before you knew it we had done 5. I just kept talking about how we were always going to remember this time together, and it was really fun.

Now, as I write this on Saturday morning, snow is falling. I don't think it will stick though.

Flash Back Friday 94

Edward & Maria with the Queen Mother, 1992

Love Thursday

I knew Sharon was up to something for my birthday this past Monday at work. Well, I arrived Monday morning to find 5 heart shaped leaves on my desk! I had a feeling it was going to be a great day.

I soon found out that she made a red velvet cake - from scratch - just like my grandma, of twins lens reflex fame, made for me every year. Sharon remembered this and made this work of art:



Oh, and the part that makes it extra -worthy for Love Thursday? She made it in the shape of a heart! Thanks Sharon and Happy Love Thursday!!!


The blogger in her red velvet birthday shirt and the red velvet birthday heart cake.

The Toy I Got for My B-day

When John was asking for birthday present ideas, I suggested he go on an e-bay expedition to find an old twin lens reflex camera. He scored the one below which I realized as soon as I opened it that it is the exact same camera that was in my grandma's toy box back in the 60's - a Kodak Duaflex III. This model was made from 1954-1957 which means I got a present that is older than me.

My mission for this camera is not to shoot film with it though - although you can respool 120 film onto the 620 spools that it uses. I want to try through the viewfinder (TTV) photography where you shoot your digital throught the viewfinder of the old camera, by means of a contraption you make. Last night I tried a couple even though it was really too dark. Interesting.

Today, when I got home from work, I took this little peek out our front door with my contraption. I was in a rush to pick up Maria from school, so I didn't fuss too much.

I think the camera itself is so darling that it's okay if I don't take a billion pix with it.

Netherlands Nuesday 51

Fountain at Het Loo

I Love Birthdays

How's that for a birthday candle? We use our imagination here.

Today is actually my birthday, but since Edward came home from college on Sunday, we had to have a little celebration yesterday. The kids gave the greatest present again to their photographer mom: With totally willing hearts, they went out for a photoshoot with John & me. John drove us all around and brought us to settings which inspired us all. So it was a good day. Sharon is cooking something up for work tomorrow and the rest of the week's celebration will include lunch and hot tubbing with friends...

Sunday School 1970

"Aunt Senetta's" Second Grade Sunday School Class

"Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost." Proverbs 22:6, The Message

Humor in the Ugly, Part 3

Old Mum still enjoys the fall color. For Mum's background, click here.

Flash Back Friday 93

Trick or Treat, 1997 (you see, I'm not a total Halloween scrooge)

Love Thursday

Do you know how every fall tree looks so different? When I saw this group of leaves, I fell in love and HAD to take their photo.


I love my walks through the neighborhood during this time of year.


I can never get enough of this color!


And oh, the amazing ones that are full of color!

Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.

-Albert Schweitzer

(saw this quote and other beautiful leaves over at Red or Gray)

I'm Actually Pretty Witchy About Halloween

What I mean is this: I've never been a fan of the black and orange combo or evil spirits and ugly things. I know, I've said it before. I've seen so many decorations out lately! Last night, I thought I saw Christmas lights up in our neighborhood, but upon closer inspection, I saw they were orange. A couple of years ago, I did put a ghost out on the porch, so I can be a sport about it.