FMTSO: Favorite photos from 2012

Anyone who knows me at all knows that just about everything is my favorite. I never have just one or two favorites of anything. I find it very difficult to narrow my choices down to a favorite when there are so many lovely, beautiful and fantastic things in every category imaginable, including colors. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite color is, I am unable to tell them that my favorite color is blue. I tell them my favorite color to wear is black and green but I also love blues and purples and pinks and browns and greys and whites. So imagine how difficult is was for me to choose my favorite photos of 2012.  Some of these aren't really great photos but they are great moments, great memories, good feelings.  So I hope you enjoy just a smidgen of my favorites for the Friday My Town Shoot Out.

Getting ready for the wedding. 

The maid of honor kisses her daughter, a flower girl, unaware that I am snapping the photo.

My oldest and dearest friend's son, Brian taking a box to the bride.

Same wedding as the first photo.

I am really proud of the above photo. 

This was taken at Techatticup ghost town for a workshop I attended.

I got a 2nd place ribbon on this photo in Nevada Camera Club monthly competition.

I just like this one because it's ice cream.

This is a photo of the Hoover Dam bridge.

It has no significant meaning except that my friend Deyanira dragged me out of the house one day and we went shooting with our cameras. 

I like how it turned out. 

I saw a postcard with almost the same image and I actually like mine better.

This was taken down on the Las Vegas Strip.

Five of us from my camera club including my husband went photographing for only one hour with specific settings that we were  not allowed to change.  

It was a challenge and it was fun.

The above photo was taken at Techatticup.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures.

I really love it a lot.

I don't know if that face is Alfred Hitchcock but I think of his movies every time I view this photo.

This was also taken at Techatticup.

 I like this photo becuse the window frames the scene outsie.

This photo isn't necessarily great, however, It was one of those moments where seeing these burros made my heart swell with joy and peace.  

It was shortly after Sasha passed away and I was really depressed.

I like to drive to Blue Diamond and park at the little Church whenever I need to get out and clear my head.

The wild burros like to hang out in the yard at the homes across the street from the church.

There were so many babies this day and seeing them play and romp around gave me the smile that I was missing.

Me and my shadow.

I love this picture.

I don't know why.

It was a fun day.

Me, Deyanira, Gayla, and Darryl drove to a reservoir in Utah and spent the day photographing.

This is a self portrait, camera on tri-pod and I love this pic because of the clouds in the sky, the colorful cars all lined up in the background and because my arm actually looks somewhat toned....even though it's not.

This was one of the funnest days I had on my vacation in 2012.

After this picture was taken, Justin and I went to the Tri State fair in Amarillo, Texas.

It was the best day EVER.

I put the photo of the cow up here because I had a real moment with this cow.

Sounds crazy I know.

We were in Texas and I was driving and for some reason I just had to stop and get out and take a photo of the cows.  

My truck is parked across the highway so I had to cross the street.

Normally, when I see cows, they run from me.

They're sketchy and non trusting.

But this one cow out of all the cows in this area took a chance.

She was curious and a little sketchy but she still kept walking closer and closer to me.

I felt like my dog Sasha was with me in spirit.

Finally this cow got to the fence and I walked closer and closer to the cow.

I then put my hand out so as not to scare her away and then........................

she licked me.

I was giggling like a kid.

It was the most enjoyable experience I've ever had with a cow.

I can't even describe the feeling inside of me but it was soulful and spiritual.

Again, sounds crazy but it's true.

I will never forget this moment.

I took this photo in White Sands New Mexico.

It's probably my favorite shot of the year as far landscapes go.

This theme wouldn't be complete without photos taken with my phone.

And if you've already guessed that I have lots of self portraits on my phone, you guessed correctly.

I'm kind of egotistical when it comes to self portraits.

Me in Mt. Charleston when it's snowing.

I wasn't feeling well at all on this day.

It was April of 2012 and again, Deyanira talked me into going for a drive to photograph.

I am so glad I went because we had no intention of driving to Mt. Charleston, nor did we know it was going to snow, but somehow the snow made me feel good. 

It's funny how the simplest things can change your mood.

This was in May 2012, the last photo of Sasha enjoying herself.

This was on a field trip with my camera club and I am so happy that we brought her with us on this day.

This is the same field trip as the photo above with Sasha.

I really like this photo a lot.

I used an instagram effect.

it makes me think of the twilight zone as if the photographers were abducted by aliens.

Taken June 2012 in Bakersfield, Ca.

I like this photo because there aren't too many photos of me and Justin together unless I take them.

And if I don't take them I usually look horrible and don't want to show anyone.

But this one is somewhat decent even though we just drove 5 hours, then went to dinner with my parents, and my brother and his wife, and then came to this candy shop afterward. It's about 10:00 or 11:00 p.m.

Our first trip without Sasha just two weeks after she went to doggy heaven.

August 2012.

I do not recall where we were when this was taken but I like it a lot.

August 2012

NYE 2012

Happy New Year!

Check out the Friday Town Shoot Out Home Page.

FMTSO: Gifts

This week's theme for the Friday Town Shoot Out is gifts.

Here are just a few people shots from this Christmas.

 

There is nothing like seeing the joy on the face of a kid.

It's so real.

 

Super Hero Gifts.

Big brother watching little brother open his gift to see which one he got.

 

Rome and Titus.

Sheer concentration on the first gift they opened.

Santa books, courtesy auntie JarieLyn.

 

 

 

My youngest brother's girlfriend and her children.

(we consider them his children)

 

My youngest brother, Joey.

My sister standing behind him ready to unwrap a naughty picture.

I never did see what was inside that package.

Hmm.........

 

Me, my sister-in-law Tabbitha, and my sister Cheryl.

 

There were lots of presents opened on Christmas Eve but the best present was visiting with my siblings.

 

The following present is one I bought for myself.

Justin and I do not exchange gifts.

We buy something for ourselves and say it's from the other one.

Not very romantic, but it works for us and it alleviates a lot of stress.

 

This arrived just in the nick of time.

 

 

I've been using it every day for a week now and I love it.

I thought it was good value for the money too.

 

 

We draw names in our family because it just makes it easier on everyone.

However, this heart ornament was a little something extra that my brother's girlfriend got me.

I love it. She said she saw it and it reminded her of the mail art I sent her and so she wanted to get it for me.  Thank you Sara, I love it.

 

My mom drew my name.

I sent her a wish list from Amazon, mostly books, stationery, washi tape, postcards, etc.

These gloves and hat was a surprise.

I've always love gloves, hats, and boots and these are perfect for me.

 

 

Two postcard books that were on my list.

Some of you may or may not know that I started another hobby.

It's much more fulfiling than my photography.

I love writing letters and sending mail and creating mail art.

It's a lot of fun

You can check out my incoming and outgoing mail here

 

My sister got me a blouse and a Starbucks gift card.

She is always so thoughtful.

She wasn't supposed to get me anything.

 

 

A letter set that I had on my wishlist.

From my mom.

This is from my mother-in-law who lives in Oregon.

She is not part of the name draw.

 

One of the books my mom got me from my wish list.

I read it as soon as I had free time.

It was quite interesting.

Now, I need to get the original book about Gryphon and Sabine.

Has anyone ever read it?

 

Another wish list item from my mom.

I love any kind of book that is about letter writing and writing in general.

 

I got this cute necklace form my MIL.

 

Also, from my MIL I received two coloring books and a box of crayons.

We were shopping one day and I mentioned that I still love to color in kids coloring books.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I opened that package.

I actually colored in it last night.

It's very relaxing.

 

Well that's it for now.

Lets click on over to the Friday Town Shoot Out Page to see who else posted about gifts.

 

FMTSO: Rainy Theme

Happy week-end everyone. 

Well, today's theme for the town shoot out is rainy.

We don't get a whole lot of rain in Las Vegas, and the other day about a week or so ago, when it finally rained, I forgot to photograph it falling down to the ground.

But, I did capture some rainfall on our vacation last September.

This above photo was taken in Tombstone, Arizona.

You can see a few people out and about.

But as you can see, Tombstone really is a ghost town especially, when it rains.

This is somewhere in Texas just before Galvastan I believe.

I wish I had taken more photos of the rain during our vacation because it rained a lot.

We traveled through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma and it rained the majority of the time while we were driving. It's so funny because the rain would clear up every time we would reach one of our destinations, just in time for us to enjoy the city or town where we stayed.

I do enjoy rainy days.

If you enjoy them to, why don't you check out what others see through the rain.

CLICK HERE.

Twas 11 days before Christmas......

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air ... they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. "Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. "This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house." When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their Savior; the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms and He called them by name, and in that moment with joy that only heaven can bring those children all flew into the arms of their King, and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. and as if He could read all the questions she had He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad." Then He looked down on earth, the world far below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, "Let My power and presence re-enter this land!" "may this country be delivered from the hands of fools" "I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!" Then He and the children stood up without a sound. "Come now my children, let me show you around." Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can, and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, "in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT." Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

FMTSO: How Do I Celebrate My Favorite Holiday?

If you know me, then you know that Christmas is my favorite holiday.

I am always with my family and although chaotic at times, we do have a lot of fun.

The Christmas Tree 2009

My youngest brother going for some treats before dinner.

2009 Hanging out in the kitchen. Dinner is almost ready. Sister-in-law, Tabbitha in the foreground.

Me & Sasha 2010

I sure do miss my dog, more than anyone will ever know. 2010

Sometimes we do karaoke.  2010

My parents are still in love.

Money can be very useful. My niece 2010

My brother Bobby, My sister Cheryl and me.

Christmas 2011. My youngest brother Joey is missing.

Every year, I go to my parents house for Christmas.

Sometimes, not all the siblings are able to be there at the same time.

We have a big dinner on Christmas Eve.

We have lots of goodies to munch on throughout the day and evening and the days that follow.

After dinner, we open our gifts.

Sometimes we do karaoke and sometimes we play Wii.

There is usually some form of cocktail or wine for the adults.

Christmas day we don't do anything special, maybe go to the movies or something, but normally we just relax and watch TV, etc or take a drive somewhere.

There is one Christmas tradition that I created.....

It's a journal that everyone has to write in before they leave.

I like this tradition because it reminds us of things past.

This is a program from my nephew's kindergarten class.

It was the first thing to go in my journal.

1998. Justin and Me.

Wow, what a horrible picture.

It's fourteen years later and I think I look much better today.

The most precious entry in the entire journal.

It was written by my grandma, her last Christmas with us.

It's very special to me that her last Christmas was the best one she remembers having.

I miss her very much. 

She was my best friend in the whole world besides my sister.

I thought I had a lot more pictures that were good enough to post, but I'm sorry to say I don't.

Happy holidays to everyone.