Optical Illusions

Once in a while, you just come up with a photo that is an optical illusion. I recently made the wedding cake for a friend and one of the pictures I took of it looks like it is ready to fall over.

In actuality, the cake was just fine although shortly before, someone had taken it upon themselves to put their own flowers on the cake.

Such meddling! Needless to say, I was not happy with their "additions" to the cake I had made and immediately set out to provide first aid. In the end, the cake was beautiful - especially with the dimmed lights to "hide" little flaws. And the bride and groom were delighted both with the look of the cake as well as the taste. Now that's success!

Introducing My Granddaughter

How could I forget?!!!!! Last September, I became a Gramma for the second time and I haven't posted any photos. Shame on me!!!

My grandson has a baby sister. Although these photos aren't especially flattering to my beautiful granddaughter who was only about 3 weeks old, they do tell a story. Big brother loves his baby sister and when asked to give her a kiss, he did so without hesitation. But when you really just want to watch "Thomas the Train" and you've had enough of Gramma taking pictures, well . . . the photo below absolutely says it all.

"O.K. I'm done! You can have her now."

Delight in a Child's Eyes

The look of wonder on a child's face is always a joy. This is my grandson at the apple festival on Sunday. I can't tell you how many times I saw this beautiful look of delight on his little face.

Tonight, we carved the family pumpkin. I missed getting photos but will always treasure his sense of adventure reaching into the pumpkin for the "fun, yucky stuff". Some things, even a picture cannot capture. When we were done, it was bath time and Dada carved Thomas the Train into the pumpkin. Soon, it was time to leave. Until January!.

In the Pumpkin Patch

October at the pumpkin festival / apple harvest festival. There were more pumpkins than apples. But, oh! The joy of watching my grandson in the pumpkin patch!

I Thee Wed

Great wedding, but I really struggled with the backlighting. My flash wouldn't go off. When all else fails, there's always photoshop! LOL

This was a family wedding and we followed the family tradition of making the cakes and one of my sisters arranged the silk flowers. She did a great job!

Many Blessings!

My friend, Maria, at Castel Gandolfo to see Pope Benedict XVI. He will bless all our rosaries and other sacramentals!

Pilgrimage Silhouette

John was our guide on our pilgrimage in Italy in 2008. As we waited for permission to have Mass in this little church, I turned to see John's silhouette in the doorway. Outside, you can see someone in a car. Interesting symbolism here. Our faith prepares us for the journey - beginning with Baptism. The entire journey is a sort of pilgrimage. Notice the font on the left side of the doorway. In this Church is the body (without the head) of St. Catherine of Siena. Her head is in Florence, I think.

Three Flags Unfurled

The flags are country, state and church. The Vatican flag flies closest to the Church. I caught these children playing at the base of the flagpoles and just had to snap some pictures. The quality would have been better if I hadn't been shooting into the sun. It was good to see the wind blowing the flags. The whole scene is full of energy!

Child of God

This photo was taken at the train station in Rome. This little girl was just precious. I asked her parents if I could take her picture and they said yes. So, here she is. Don't you just love her big brown eyes and here little puckered lips?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. ~ Matthew 18:1-6

Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit

This photo was taken in Assisi, Italy outside a little church called Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The church was built at the site of a temple dedicated to the Roman goddess, Minerva. You can still see the ancient columns of the temple. The site is now dedicated to Our Lady. As I walked up the street, I saw this nun coming down the steps and thought it would make a great picture. I did not see the man in the shadows until later. There is lots of interest in this photo.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  ~ Matthew 5:1-16

Drake the Man

What a smile! My grandson.

River Walk

Taken on the San Antonio River Walk on August 6, 2010.

The Corapi Letters

Fr. John Corapi book signing at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel

in San Antonio, TX on August 6, 2010

I Could Have Danced All Night

The one the professional photographer missed at my nephew's wedding. Much of photography is about being in the right place at the right time.