Black and White Wednesday

I love these soft, sweet moments captured in the midst of the chaos.

My fav of Milana. I posted it before in color. It's even more poignant in blk&wh, I think.

Make sure to check out all the great entries at Lisa's blog.


And now, more of China.

These were taken with my Sony point n shoot so they're noisy but who cares? It's the memory they invoke that's important.

One of my favorite things is the silouette of tree trunks - the more twisted the better.

Our Great Wall photo is so misty but it's the only one we have so it's precious.

This sweet face breaks my heart. She was so lost and scared.

But big Sis could crack her up even then.

I sure love my girlies!

...and the oscar goes to......

...ohh....sorry, not the oscar

but,

Yesterday I received this award from this blog I often visit - Montrealaise en Californie.

The rules are - state 7 random things about yourself and pass it on to other beautiful bloggers. I'll happily share 7 things about myself and I'll name a few beautiful blogs but I want no one to feel obliged to follow through. In other words....no pressure....feel free to smile, knowing you are a beautiful blogger and do nothing more. 'K?

Seven Random Things ( you never asked for but are getting nonetheless)

about "moi"!

1. If I don't laugh (I mean a real belly laugh) at least 100 times a day, I'm having a really bad day.

2. I'm really good at re-inventing myself. I've fallen flat on my face or slid slowly into the dust many times, but I've gotten up everytime, dusted myself off and changed direction. (In other words - I actually think I can do everything. I can't, but I think I can. 'Nuff said!

3. A saying that describes me is - "Occasionally wrong - Never in doubt".

4. Of all of the things I have done and been in my life - being a mother gives me the most happiness.

5. I hate strongly dislike e-mails with a threat attached, like "if you don't send this to 10 people in the next 10 minutes a flock of pigeons will descend on your head and have their way". You know what I do? I delete the threat and send it on, if it's good.

6. My all time favorite saying is from Henry Ford - "if you think you CAN or you think you Can't......YOU"RE RIGHT!"

7. I believe life is a gift and should be unwrapped daily!!!

And now, here are some beautiful bloggers I'm happy that I know.

Jennifer - Our journey continues.

Dita - Dita's darlings.

Valerie - Tadpoles and Tutus.

Lisa - Destination Taiwan: Our forever family

I ♥ Faces (Jump for Joy)

My Dahlia turned 7 this week

and has always been happiest

airbourne!

Just everyday craziness.

Any guesses who (or what) this is?

I came up the stairs to see these whirling dervishes and just had time to lunge for my camera.

(I didn't get one thing in focus but I caught the spirit of the day!)









I just love their imaginations. "Make believe" is still alive and well chez nous.

Now to update on our lastest folly, here is the 20 foot dumpster in our driveway.

Isn't it lovely?

AND THE WINNER IS..............

Drum roll please....................

Yes.......it's Lisa (Half Gaelic, Half Garlic) from The Long Road to China!!!!!

I'm thrilled it's my friend....but then you all are my friends and I wish you all could have won. We'll just have to do this again.

Thanks to everyone for playing along and for your sweet comments.

I'll treasure them!

Now wer'e off to Chinatown for the day.

It's Dahlia's 7th birthday (with a big scratch on her face, courtesy of Zizi - I didn't have time to edit it).

Have a great day!!!

Black and White Wednesday

It's

.... and I converted a few more of my pictures from a couple of sessions awhile back.

Between our massive renovation (here) and my one-year blogiversary (here)and assorted birthdays (mine on Monday and Dahlia's coming up on Thursday) and being on March break - I'm feeling a little disjointed. (Ever noticed how that word is used to mask the true meaning.....CRAZY.)

Ahem!

Here are a few more pictures from our China trip. This was the entrance to the restaurant in our hotel in Hangzhou. I've always loved rounded entryways. They speak to me.

Come on in - something wonderful lays inside.

Dahlia found some angel goldfish. Had to put her finger in the water.

Gorgeous wooden carved table and chairs.


We found this little secluded garden outside the hotel. Dahlia and I enjoyed our little get-aways.

Just a little reminder, in case you haven't been by.

March 1st marked one year since I opened my blog and I'm having a give-away to celebrate. So go here to enter. (Hmmm...this link doesn't seem to be working. The give-away is on my post from Monday-March 1st. Just one down from here.)

And Happy Wednesday!

One Year Blogiversary Give-away!!!

Here it is!!

It's been one year since I opened this blog - At Last...

So, to celebrate that and my birthday (it's today!) I'm doing a give-away of

one of my original paintings.

It's an oil on canvas - 20 inches x 16 inches.

And I will be mailing it out to the winner.

Here's what you have to do to enter.

Leave a comment on this post - say whatever you want, not looking for compliments here, I just need to know who you are. I'll leave this post up till Wednesday (March 3rd) at midnight. On Thursday (March 4th) Dahlia will pick a winner out of a hat. I'll announce the winner on Thursday.

Also, if you're not a follower yet, please join my little gang. I like to see my friend's faces.

(I'm just crazy like that!)

If you'd like more of a peek at the work I do,

visit my Art Gallery at www.ode2beauty.com

(My site needs to be updated and upgraded but it'll give you a taste of my art. It's been a busy year.)

So, before I hit publish on this post, I want to say something. When I opened this blog I had no idea the pleasure I would find in entering the blogisphere. I have met some of the nicest people I could ever have imagined, right here at my desk. Who knew this community was filled with intelligent, talented, passionate,compassionate, loving, giving, thoughtful, sharing, caring..........................people.

Not me!

I didn't know.

But I've been delighted to discover this on an almost daily basis this past year.

We have been blessed during this year with many things.

And you all are among those blessings.

And I am grateful!

You asked for it..........

Voila.......

The Mess!

Tearing the kitchen apart.........

Ripped up that carpet......

Knock down a bunch of walls, remove toilet, 3 sinks, kitchen tiles.

Result = one inch of dust on every surface throughout the house. Oh Yah!!!

The last of that wall removed, steel H bar inserted to brace the upper floor, all plumbing moved, cut, re-directed.

Burly men, grunting and admiring their work.

Man in hole - standing on, who knows what in the basement, to finish off the plumbing changes. So, we're 5 days into this insane project and hoping to be done by.......April??!! (Oh help!)

Now....just in case you wanted a peek at our current kitchen...

well....

brace yourself

Ain't it sweet!

Come on back on Monday - March 1st - for my give-away.

Enter one and all!

Black and White Wednesday

Time to play around with some black and white conversions. I picked three of my favorite shots of a fun little session I had with a boa and my darlin'.

I just can't get enough of that face!!! (That face that very soon will be missing a front tooth......sniff..........that's me sniffing.)

Update: At 2:30 in the morning, an excited, bouncing Dahlia jumped on our bed shouting....Mommy,Daddy,Mommy....my tooth came out. She was euphoric and we were all up for at least an hour after that!!

It's funny, I think I mentioned in my first post of Lisa's black and white challenge that I had never really been a fan of black and white photography. I've had a 180 degree turn-around. These pictures are in a soft pink, which is so pretty, but in blk&wh they just feel so different. I love the contrast and how the white just pops.

And here are some more pics of our China trip.



Daddy and his two darlings..........

....and the girlies.

Don't miss all the other black and white fun at Lisa's blog here.

And come on back here on Monday, March 1st, for my 1 year blogiversary give-away. If you missed them, the hints are here and here.