Soft Southern Winds of The Live Oak Trees

I flew the friendly skies, through oceans made entirely of clouds, wishing a certain little boy were with me to see just what it is like to make shapes from the top of a cloud instead of the bottom. I found myself finding a lot of dinosaur shapes. That's the funny thing about leaving your kiddo behind sometimes. You know and feel you need to. Your sanity needs it. But it's like leaving one of your appendages behind.

We landed in South Carolina. In the mid day heat and humidity only to be saved with the cool breeze of the air conditioning of the rental car. We traveled south of Charleston to Edisto Island. I love picking Islands that I've never heard of to visit. Makes it kind of mysterious. And here's the thing about my travel plans...most of the time, I don't have them. I don't have time to make them. I have a destination. I have a place to sleep and a way to travel. But that's about it. The rest is winged.

Winging it seemed the perfect plan for this particular trip. I met some amazing people and saw some of the most amazing things in the short time I was there. There has to be something said about southern hospitality. Their sweet soft drawls just make me melt. I could be scolded and still be smiling because I love the way the letters all flow together like a wave.

Edisto Island is right off the back woods and roads of South Carolina. It's surrounded by live oaks. Cicadas. Sand. Heat. Gators. Loons.....and quiet.

Here are just a few shots. More to come, along with the stories behind them.

In The Brush

Yesterday I got to spend a little bit of time on the other side of the HR ranch. A side that is new to me and completely different. It's wide open. Vast. Gorgeous. It over looks farm land and the prairie all in one view. Pure Wyoming. And this family let me haul furniture out to the sage brush! I love hauling furniture out to sagebrush!!!!!!
They were ready for me too. I love this family! They are all so energetic and excited not only see me but my kiddo as well (whom they had never met before!) Thank you guys so much. We had sooooooo much fun!!!



It's not very often that parents want photos together...so I was thrilled when they asked me to take these. I love them. You can just tell how much they love each other.

This one I really, really get a kick out of. She's really hard to catch. The first time I met her, the first thing that came to my mind was the little girl from "Fried Green Tomatoes." A free spirit.

Perfect

We ended the summer (I always think summer as ending at the end of August, and we're nearly there) on a great note around here. It was 103 degrees today. It hasn't been that hot all summer and then it cooled down to a bearable temperature this evening. Can't get any better than that!!!!

I think it's a beautiful thing when one of the last days of summer is spent running through the sprinklers. I also think running through the sprinklers is a lot like getting tickled...you laugh a lot, but most of time your kind of miserable. A warm towel is an easy fix though!

After we ran, er um Park, ran through the sprinklers we made some homemade lemonade. I had about twenty peeled lemons that needed to be made into something (you will find out later why I had twenty peeled lemons...let's just say I kinda feel like a moonshiner.)

So, today I mixed, 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar. I heated them in the microwave until the sugar was dissolved. I squeezed (with the help of a certain 3 year old that lives here) 5 lemons making sure to take out all seeds. Ok maybe not all..but most. I poured the sugar water into the lemon juice. Then I added two cans of sprite and then filled the rest of the pitcher with water and ice. MMMMMM, perfection!!!


Tomorrow I will try another recipe and it's going to be even more awesomer. ( I know that's not a word, but it's fun to say. Try it. )

Just About

She just about to start walking.
She's just about to start talking.
She just about to have parents running ragged.

She's just about to turn one.

And she's got 6, count them 6, teeth coming in at the same time. Talk about torture!!!!

I Got One!

This little man is one of my serious babies. I'm pretty sure you've met him before. Normally I could hang upside down from a tree like a monkey and there still wouldn't be a crack from him...but this time.....

With a little help from his mama...

These came out... and look at those teeth. He's got teeth!!!!!

I'm soooo happy I got a few grins from his this time!!! Thanks for smiling for me!!!!!

Going, going...

Do you feel it? Can you hear it? It's summer whispering its goodbyes. Its warm afternoon rays find my face and its cool evening breezes skim my arms.
It don't want it to go. For once, in a many many years, I'm not ready for it to go. I don't want to let go of its hand.

Banana Fana Mo Mana

I've been thinking about the smell of Banana Bread for a while now. The way it warms the house. But since it's not officially fall...( I only really make banana bread in the fall, I know it's a thing I have), I thought I had to get a little creative with it and make it more end-of -summerish. Plus I really wanted some frosting....and not just any frosting. Frosting with a little something extra...Banana Cream Cheese Frosting!!!!!!! So I married the two together. Banana Bread muffins with Banana Cream Cheese Frosting. (Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my face)

Ummm...unexpectedly......THEY ARE FABULOUS!!!!! Love them. Love, love, love them.

Look at that...you know you want to lick the screen.

Banana Bread Muffins with Banana Cream Cheese Frosting

¾ cups Sugar
½ cups Margarine
2 whole Eggs
1 cup Ripe Bananas,about 3 Large Ones
1-¾ cup Flour
3 teaspoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoons Salt
1 package Cream Cheese
¾ cups Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Butter/ Margarine
1 teaspoon Vanilla
½ cups Ripe Banana, About Three Quarters Of One


For Muffins:

Mix first 7 ingredients on medium with mixer. It doesn’t matter which order you put them in. Spoon into greased muffin cups. Cook at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes (depending on your altitude) until golden brown and pass the clean toothpick test.

For Frosting:
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and 1/2 cup banana. Mix well for 3-4 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. Spread over muffins.
Dig in!!!!

500

Well this is post #500 and this is where it began. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought this little area of the Internet would have kept me so busy and led me to so many people and led so many people to me. It's been a fun ride so far and I plan to continue on with the adventure, sharing it with you!!!!

It's been fun to see how much I've changed not only as a photographer (two years ago I didn't even like to call myself a photographer....I didn't feel I was worthy of the title. But now...thousands and thousands and thousands of pictures later, I think I've improved a little and found a style all my own) but as a person as well. I look different and feel different and my life is just, well...different. Good different!

So thank you everyone for tagging along with me.

Oh and mom... yes they are still the jeans with the holes from 2 years ago...they are my favs...sorry. And at least I can say I haven't gone up a pant size. (haven't gone down one though either!)

It Doesn't Take Very Long

What I love about most girls, is that give them five minutes in front of the camera and they will give you the best they have. Sometimes they pretend to be shy, but deep down inside, girls like photos. Most girls. Not all.

This one was a prime example... she was very shy at first and by the end... we were getting this! Awesomeness!!!




Her little brother on the other hand.... would have run to Kansas if we would have let him!!!!! He was a busy bee and a runner at that. Even candy wouldn't slow this one down!!!

You Never Know What You're Going To Get

His mom told me he was into skateboards. So, I of course think this kiddo is going to show up with spiked hair and leather on. Maybe even a nose ring or two. Maybe a fake tattoo here or there.

That's not what I met yesterday morning when I met this little handsome heart breaker. He's pretty clean cut with some piercing blue eyes. And take it from me... I know what piercing blue eyes can do. They can wrap you around their finger is what they can do...with just one little look!!!!




Boy oh boy..... he sure does love his skate board!!!!!!

Maybe next time we can do the spiked hair and tatoos!!!!!

Competing

She will be competing in the Miss Wyoming Pagent later next month......I think she'd win with just her eyes alone!