Look Who's Two

How can it be...where did the time go...the night of his birth now just a distant memory. The fading away of the stress and worry we endured because of  his frail and delicate birth.  Two years of healing and growing and yes, they said it could be like this, but at the time it seemed hard to believe...Jaxson was born with a spirit like no other child that I personally know...Today when I see how far he has come and how smart and funny he is...I know in my heart of hearts that same spirit was in him when he was born and it is what got him through...he is no wimp this boy of our family..

Today, at two...he runs and plays and picks flowers for his Nana...we watch as Liam plays T-ball.  I watch him learn about life amongst the dandelions, throw away flowers to most but not to Jaxson.  To him they are beautiful and deserve a place in a glass of water on my windowsill and of course we put them there when we go home...And along with picking those flowers, he chats to me about how "pretty" they are.  His speech is well above most children his age...he is charming in his choice of words. and his stories are very entertaining. I, of course, am thrilled at how far he has progressed..It has really been an amazing journey with this boy of light and love.

His eyes are what get you first...and he knows how to use them...then his sweet and loving personality kicks in for added insurance so he can manoeuvre his way around you...and if none of that works, he moves into high gear to let you know he is not happy with your decision.  Now I know, as a parent and now as a grandparent, that you are not suppose to encourage a stand-off with a two year old..but can I just tell you with Jaxson it just works..OMG, the look on his "angry face" is so darn cute and the pouty lips moving into a "raspberry" is just to funny.. Now that he is two I have to turn away and laugh..in one way...he is moving away from this gesture as he grows and learns some rules..and honestly, as much as I know he needs to move on...I will sure miss his spunky attitude..his knowing what he wants and that look on his face.  In defense of him though...he moves out of his "mood" so quickly you wonder...did that really happen...He is such a joyful, happy baby.

Every once in awhile he gives in to the tiredness of his busy schedule and catches a few winks in the car...It's not easy being two and learning the lessons of life.  Fortunately he has his big brother Liam to help him along...and now that Jaxson is "a big boy" they are so much fun to watch together...so when Liam is being quiet in the car...Jaxson folds his hands and tucks them into the seat belt, I like to think he is asking God for more strength for his journey ahead.  To keep him safe and strong.  I love to see him like this and so I capture him.  I capture both him and Liam in so many everyday, anytime situation.  Someday they will have a journal of their young years...or at least that is my hope...but it also is my gift to myself...to be able, as the years move by, to remember all the tiny, everyday things that they have done...and of course the milestones also..

So Happy Second Birthday Jaxson...you deserve all the love that surrounds you.  You give back more than we give and you shine your magic on us each time you visit.  Where did the two years go...they went into the hearts and souls of all of us who know you.  He has built his network from frail beginnings but he is a powerhouse now...I just can't wait to watch him go, go, go...I love you Jaxson, a bushel and a peek and a hug around the neck...Your Nana

Insight..into Meditation

I've been taking meditation classes for awhile now...some of you probably already know that my son, Chris, owns his own studio...and he is wonderful at what he does...along with teaching us how to meditate, each week he explains more about the 4 Noble Truths...in a way that we can understand it.  It is not always easy but with his words..and gentle coaching I'm starting to get it...this week he explained how the Breath is really the body within the body.  I loved the sound of that and when I close my eyes and think on those words...I get it..Simple right.

So Lesson 6 of Be Still, my class with Kim Klassen, also has an emphasis on slowing down, taking time, breathing..all before hitting the shutter button.  To set ourselves up for quiet and harmony in our images...this water lily fits both Kim's and Chris's perspective on life right now..in this moment. Insight into ourselves...slowly opening our awareness..strange that they both meet me where I stand with with the same intention... without knowing each other. Karma..perhaps, from two people I very much respect.

"In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness."  Mahatma Gandhi

On the image above I processed it a bit in light room and then used Kim's pre-set darkmood.  At first I wasn't sure if I liked it because it wasn't bright and brilliant but the more I thought about the theme today...it's the perfect processing for this flower..very moody and thought provoking.

On another note...I have spent two days working on getting an e-mail subscription up and running  for those of you  who have asked for it...I am so happy to say that finally it is up working, I find new things so challenging but so pleased when it all comes together...So please, if it is easier for you, give the e-mail subscription a try...I would love to hear from you in the comment section...thanks so much for stopping by...you all inspire me to continue doing my best both in my photography and my writing... 

Looking For Papa

I'm not quite sure who is the most fortunate in the threesome of "boys"...is it the little boys or the one very sweet Big boy..I do know that their "game" is having fun.  Whenever they are together you can be sure Papa is right in the middle, not only taking good care of them but totally enjoying his experiences with them...It's like being a Dad all over again, without any of the responsibilities...as for me, I get to witness it all and take the photo's...and yes, I get my fair share of love also....but today is Papa's Day..and the boys are coming to Maine...and I can guarantee you...there will be lots of Papa request.. and he never says No...

  

Jaxson and Liam both know that if they have any problems with any toy, bike or something that needs batteries, Papa is the fix-it man...and you know what...he always gets it right...lots of times, during the day, I hear a little voice calling "PAPA"...and I know that a repair job is needed..I love that Jaxson looks on, just to make sure Papa knows what he's doing...and Liam also has his lists of request during the day also...Papa is a busy guy when the boys are around.

All Jaxson has to do is smile that smile and flash those baby blue eyes and Papa becomes putty in his hands...actually, we all do...who can resist such sweetness...He's a charmer and a manipulator for sure..

Liam learned to trust in the process with Papa...he is always there to catch him when he falters or leaps in the wrong direction..Papa's arms are always stretched out to comfort and hold them whenever a hug is needed or a story read.  He gives them the assurance that they need and then they move forward again..

The boys have been walking a path with Papa since Liam was a toddler...holding hands as they go, they navigate through conversation and trust...learning of life and of each other...comfortable in their stride and building beautiful memories...these moments are some of my favorites and I'm sure both Papa and Liam would agree...Jaxson, starts this year to be able to walk the paths with Papa...should be just as beautiful.

Maine the way life should be for both grown men and little boys...Freedom to be outside and experience all that is most prescious in life.  Learning how to steer the boat and swim...learning at the feet of a Grandfather all life's most important lessons...but mostly learning how to value time and love.  To smell pine needles and watch the sunset, to hear the cry of the loons...to toast marshmellows or make smores on an open camp fire..to run and yell and cook on the grill...all the time, with your Papa close by watching over you..and at night...two boys tucked in between a Papa and a Nana, storying telling...in the big bed.  Bliss

Wherever these two boys travel in life...I know that they will take all the love and lessons of a very special Papa with them...they are his entertainment and his joy...in the same sense, they are very fortunate to have such a loving and attenative Papa....a Papa who, like small children, doesn't know what the word No means when it comes to being a great Papa...yes, is his word for them, not matter what they want...

Happy Father's Day Papa....the boys are here.

"Great fathers get promoted to grandfathers"

"a grandparent has the wisdom of long experience and the love of an understanding heart."

Last photo taken by Jenna Barton of the boys...but I just love it...

Although my blog is used for all my photography, it's main purpose has always been a journal to my family. Some day..I hope that all of my children will have the desire to read it and understand my love for them...so please excuse me if sometimes it takes a more personal turn...on the other hand I love when anyone visits. 

When Old Is New Again

I am someone who gets caught up in all the latest gadgets, bells and whistle...I'm a gatherer by nature I think? If I read a review about a great book, I have to have it now.  When in France I loved the shoes there..oh I could have gotten the same brand when I got home, probably for less money, but no, I had to have them right then and there and I wanted them to be from France..the same thing happens when I listen to Kim Klassen tells us about all the great books she loves, or the props she uses and then she gives us the list in our on-line class, I go like crazy to research it and find it.  My photography community is wonderful..the people are great at sharing and answering questions..and if you admire someone works, they more than likely will tell you how they have accomplished their style...and then I sit and ponder and plot.. 

I love to take photo's of the boys..and I've used all kinds of lenses...as a matter of fact, recently I just bought the 24-70L 2.8 because it would be good for both still life and the boys...indoors..still not what I was looking for for outside shooting...it is however great for still life..along with my 35mm.  For awhile now I've been following two very creative and unique photographers of young children and the out of doors...their photo's were sharp as a tack...they had a great bokeh background and the photo's just popped.  I have faved many of their shots on Flickr and just love what they do...and always..I'm thinking tri-pod.  Well that is great if your kids stand still but I wanted to shoot them in all their daily activities...sooo, finally, I got up my courage (because I didn't know either one of them) and I wrote to them...and guess what...one of them wrote back.  We had a dialogue..it was informative and lovely...She told me that she used a prime 85mm...and that was how she got those shots..of course her subjects were cute and somehow she did get them to pose and her creativeness in composition was outstanding...I'll have to work on that. 

In the end we had a lovely conversation and I was really impressed with her sharing...and since I had recently bought the 24-70 I didn't think I could press for another lens so soon...but I stored the information. The problem with me is once I have the information...it never leaves my head until I make a definite decision.  Oh I let it sit there for about two weeks and bam...I was off to Hunt's and B&H doing my research...shocker...the prime 85L series 1.8 is around 2,000.00.  Well that wasn't going to work right yet...so I set in on that shelf in my brain...marked "ideas".   It has been there for awhile now but for some reason this week I started thinking about it again..so I went to my "lens shelf" and found my 35mm and took that outside..and shot the boys with it all day...really nice photo's, really nice, but not the look I was trying to capture...and then, when returning that to the closet I saw my prime 100mm macro...BINGO.

I took that lovely out and thought, well if an 85 is good, why can't I give my 100 a try...and I was off and running..I have used this lens many times for my macro work and I love it for that.  It's a prime lens, 2.8.  I have also used it for portrait photography...up close and tight shots...but on Tuesday I used it for every kind of shot and I was amazed at the sharpness, clarity and the bokeh that I love.  I went shopping in my own closet and found a treasure.  I have since culled those photo's and I'm sharing some of my favorites here today for Friday's Finds..and what I found this week is that perhaps we should take more time to check our own supplies before rushing off on a treasure hunt..I am so happy right now with my closet find..and I can't even begin to tell you how exciting it was to upload and view the boys through this new/old lens...the only thing that I'll have to work harder on is focus because the focusing field is pretty precise but when I got it...it was magical...all the photo's here today are mostly SOOC except for a bit of desaturation.  I wanted to share with you what the lens is capable of doing..not what I'm capable of doing in lightroom or Photoshop...that will come another time...so what about that 85mm lens...I can't say I'm done with the wanting of it or the researching of it, because my understanding is that it's a pretty fast lens, but I have put in on the back burner for awhile and I'm going to keep working with my 100mm...see how it goes, you know.  Maybe next week I'll start looking around here for photo props.  Who knows what I'll find when I start opening up draws and closets...and for sure there must be some boards I can steal out of Jim's workshop...

 

 

"You don't get the same moment twice."

Props and Finds

Be Still...reflections and finds...It was a lovely week of finding my props for the Be Still 52 class...It all happened so effortlessly and unexpectedly, like most good finds do...So this week I was in search for props of all kinds...table linen, backings, maybe tile for the "from above shots"...what did I have in my house already and where could I get others...I certainly didn't think I could accomplish this all in one week but with the generous suggestions provided in class, I now know in what direction I'm heading...and I like nothing better than a great challenge and a Great Price...

Memorial Day weekend and my family came to Maine..first family gathering of the season and all the great antique shops were re-opening.   My son loves to find great antiques...his home is mostly all great finds from many different shops...and a few from my house.  He knows his wood and he knows a good price...let's just say he knows how to work it.  First stop...I got a very old white wicker rocking chair..more on that later. Then a lovely child's wooden chair.  Then we moved on.

Our next little shop in Bridgton, Maine just makes me smile..their antiques have a history and the employees know the background of most of the pieces and on Memorial day I got one of my best finds...two really, both I just love..which brings me to the photo above...Baby's Breathe, sitting in a lovely little bottle...oh my, you are going to see a lot of that little baby...1940's, ready for this, Listerine bottle.  I almost fell on the floor..those of you that know Kim Klassen, know that she has a Listerine bottle that she loves...I would not have known about this bottle if not for her...and it thrills me that we share our little bottles, although I think her's might be bigger...I tried to get the price down a bit but they told me that it was already priced very fairly...so I handed over my $8.00 and was happy to do so..Great Find right?  There were other great finds from that shop but I'm saving some of them for another post...come back and check it out.

O.K. now the props..from the above photo...Tin tray..from TJ Maxx...love it.  Cheese cloth draping..to make my flowers seem like they are sitting on a cloud...finished it off with a texture and a lovely quote...Be Still my heart...love the lessons..

Those of you who know me, know that I love a good cup of tea...It is no surprise then that wherever I am, whatever space or country, without even looking at a clock, I know when it's 4 o'clock.   My Prince Albert tea set is always on display in my living room.  It resides on an antique table well over 100 years old that my friend Ms. Margaret left me..that table is one of my prized possessions and she would love that my Tea Set sits there...her and I shared many a cup of tea together when I was growing up...Now the Harrord's Lemon Curd was not my find...but my daughter's.  She was in London recently and her and I have shared tea over there a few times..so home she came with the best Lemon Curd anywhere..my opinion.  Now for those of you with a bucket list...I really encourage you to add Tea at Harrod's..it's such a gift to sit and be waited on like they do there and honestly, they really know how to make a cup of tea...no bag please...So normally I would not share that liquid gold curd but if any of my faithful followers would like to join me for tea...not only will I share it but I'll make you some lovely scones...oh, what the heck, I'll make you clotted cream also...Did I tell you that tea is at 4...

Like the Lemon Curd...I also did not find that book...it found me, in my mailbox.  I had heard of it, and I had wanted it...another bucket list item perhaps...but it made it's way to me...Now just imagine this scene...it is Friday...4p.m, the water is boiling..loose Earl Grey in the strainer.  Ginger and pecan scones fresh from the oven and Harrod's lemon curd and homemade clotted cream...quiet time, restorative time.  A time to Be Still and enjoy the end of a busy week...on my porch, with my Gracie, tea and a very Good Book...

Life isn't always easy...sometimes it's down right hard...so whether we find our props or friends help us out...we have lots to be thanful for...For Sons who shop with Mom's, For Daugthers who hand carry a special treat, to friends who pop things in your mailbox...Be Still and know that you live in Grace...

GRACE

Life is a classroom, we are both student and teacher, each day is a test. Each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject; grace. Grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence and the list goes on. It's something money can't buy and credentials rarely produce.  Being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest or even the poorest can't help. Being a humble person can, and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.