On the Road ...Again...

I am on the road again after a lovely stay in and around Charlotte North Carolina. I am off to the mountains, then to Virginia, through Tennessee and to visit Alabama. I have several photo cards for my camera and some fresh batteries so I am all set. Can't wait to explore some... Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

Digital Journal Page...It took me a long time...

This is one of the hardest things not to do to yourself. Look down deep inside and figure out who you are, who you want to be, and how to accomplish this. Life will be so much happier. I am still working on the who I want to be... I am happy trying to figure it all out...

#19 and the Red Doors...Digital Photograph

The red doors

These are my favorite doors from this weekend. This old building served many people in many ways. The past few years it was a church. A small church. The doors have seen a lot of things pass through it's threshhold. I love the red and the way they sag from all the memories.

The Rose...Digital Photograph

This antique climbing rose I found on a driveway on the way to an 1890's farmhouse. You often see them in cemeteries and along roadways. They are so small yet sweet and fragrant. These are one of the little things that make life wonderful when you stumble across them.

The Silo...Digital Photograph

This past weekend I went house hunting. I have been looking at farms on the side. I would like some chickens and maybe more. Trying to decide if I am up for the challenge. This was one of the places I visited. I have been fascinated with silos lately. The large bird followed me from building to building. I think she had a nest in the equipment barn.

Kodak Moments...Freebies

Isn't she simply wonderful? One of my favorites.

Simple and easy camera to use. I have several of these. They came in different sizes.

They really knew how to market. At one point they had cameras for only a dollar.

This camera reminds me of a pinhole camera. Same type of results. I have seen several purses made out of these cameras.

Darling ad. I love how they have set everything up. I only wish my boys would sit that still.

This is a fun camera to have on display. It is very cute.

Two friends off to have an adventure. Love their hats!

This week my freebies are a bit late. With blogger doing their maintenance it has been hard to post. Again I am sorry for any comments that were lost and any I did not respond to. I decided this week to give you some camera freebies. I have been taking lots of pictures lately. Also, I stumbled across a couple of old cameras to add to my camera collection Friday night.

I have had a thing for old cameras for years. My third son and I would look for them whenever we were out antiquing, yard saling, or flea marketing. We would pick them up for a dollar or less. Through the years we have probably accumulated close to 50 or 60 of them. When we moved to the beach we started on old movie cameras.

The leap to ad's and paper ephemera was not far behind. Kodak was a genius in advertising. I love how they targeted women to sell their cameras. Very smart. These are just a small smorgasboard of ad's for you. All of them are 1922 and before. Enjoy!

Saturday's Textures #11

All of these textures came from a Cones Mill Plant that use to make corduroy. It was the biggest plant to make corduroy in the United States. It is now shut down and developers are arguing over a price so they can convert it into condos, shops, and resturants. At least that is what their security guard told me.

As I was shooting photographs through the fence, I heard from behind me "Can I help you with something?" I turned and said "no I am just taking some pictures, I am an urban artist." He sort of shook his head. I said "here look at some of my photographs." He looked, then unlocked the ten foot high gate and gave me a tour. Sometimes it is that simple.

Digital Photograph...The Mill

I found this old Mill up in the foothills of North Carolina recently. It is huge. Three stories tall, and just a shell of its former self. As I was taking photographs the farmer/owner came along on his tractor carrying a large round bale of hay to feed his cattle. He stopped to chat. At first suspiciously, then for just the conversation. He must have been in his 80's and he said his folk had always had the mill. After about an hour he went along to finish his chores and I to taking photographs.

The World Keeps on Spinning...

Blogger has been in a mess the past few days. It deleted then returned - minus all of your lovely comments - the last two posts. It is doing maintenance. I love that saying "doing maintenance". I should be so lucky that I could be doing maintenance on me. At night while I sleep, I am doing maintenance. Tickles me to think of all the ways I could use the phrase. I have not been able to post this week's freebies and I am crossing my finger's on Saturday's Textures. Please bare with me I am under maintenance.

Digital Photograph...The Tree

Trees, I have a passion for them. The past couple of years as I travel I look for that "tree". The one sitting out in the middle of a field. It's branches spreading out and up. Giving shelter from the heat of the day. I have not found the perfect tree, yet. I have found a lot of beautiful trees. This one sits on a hill along the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Digital Journal Page...Listen to Your Heart

This is advice that actually has some relevance to me right now. If I do not listen to my heart at this stage of life, I am in for some real disappointment. Do you always listen to your heart or are you following someone elses? [Some credits in helping me make this page - deviant textures, Tim Holtz stamp, a French Graffiti artist.]

Digital Collage & Photograph - Discoveries

The photograph is from an old meat packing plant in Eastern North Carolina. I stumbled across it while looking for something else. I spent an hour or so there walking around exploring and taking photographs. The local kids had turned it in to a meeting place. I thought the place would have bad vibes, instead it just felt used and forgotten. [The numbers and quote are Tim Holtz Stamps - thank you Tim.]

A Digital Journal Page...

Home...Digital Photograph

I found this little house in North Carolina along the Virginia border. At one time it meant a lot to someone. I like to think that these places are filled with good memories and lots of stories. It has been six months tomorrow since I sold my house. I am beginning to feel the need to set down some roots and surround myself with the people and things I love. I am officially looking for a house to buy. Very fun, yet very scary. A lot of decisions. Keep your fingers crossed that I find the perfect home for me.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am sending out Happy Mother's Day thoughts and good wishes to all of you who have ever mothered a child. You do not have to have given birth to be able to mother. Many times it is the teacher, the friend, a grandmother, or the aunt who steps up and mothers the child. What is important is that each child out there in this world has a safe haven and someone looking out for them. That they are everything to somebody.

I am one of the fortunate ones. I have had a wonderful Mother my entire life. She has been a glowing example of everything that is right in mothering. Even now she knows how to nudge me in the right direction. Being a mother is no easy task. It is full of worry, sleepless nights, and double thinking your decisions. However, in the end it is one of the most exceptional experiences I have ever had. It is a gift that definitely keeps on giving. It has been an honor. I hope each and every one of you has a spectacular day.

A Birthday Wish for Youngest Son...Digital Collage

Today is youngest son's birthday. A true Mother's Day present. It has been such a joy to watch him become his own person. How truly blessed I am.

My Mother's Cheese Grits

Thought I would share one of my Mother's recipes with you. But first a little history. On Sundays we eat our big meal during the day and a smaller meal at supper. For our family we do breakfast on Sunday nights. This is usually eggs, ham or bacon, pancakes or waffles, and that Southern favorite - cheese grits.

I know, I can hear you groaning. Grits? Really? Do you eat Polenta? Same thing. Try this recipe it is fantastic. Good with all breakfast fare, but super with shrimp. Shrimp and Grits may be my last meal if it ever comes down to that.

Cheese Grits

6 cups water

1 1/3 hominy grits

3 eggs

3/4 cup butter

16 ounces of cheddar cheese

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce [tabasco]

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees/175 degrees C

In a large pot bring water to a rolling boil. Add the grits, reduce the heat to low. Stir while the grits thicken. I use a whisk to keep the grits from getting lumpy.

When the grits are thick, stir in the eggs, then the butter and cheese, then the salt and pepper sauce. Stir till the butter and cheese have melted.

Pour mixture into a 9" by 13" greased baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven. Cut into squares and serve.

Digital Photograph - Barn...

Thought I would share this awesome building with you. I love the multicolored roof and the various stabs of trying to paint it. Makes for a quite a story I am sure. I am off taking photographs today with one of my boys. It is fun to see their perspective on things. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend!

Saturday Textures #10

Here are this Saturday's Textures. The blue textures are from a door mat at my Mother's house. [Thanks Mom!] The last two are from the front steps of a friends home. I have been out and about with my camera all week. Unfortunately I haven't downloaded the photographs yet. Lots of fodder for next week. Can't wait to play in photoshop...

Digital Collage...It's the little things......

Rusty, I feel so rusty. I have been slowly practicing my digital work. I have spent several evenings scanning and downloading various images, freebies, fonts, stamps, textures, etc. I am using my lap top as I travel and it does not have the array of things my desk top does. Nor does it have an accurate screen color. So basically, I am winging it. It still feels good.

The Things that Make Us Moms...Freebies

I love this photograph of these lovely children, their pretty dresses contrasted with their worn shoes, the way their hair is curled. You can tell this was a special moment.

One word - Precious!

What a feat to get three young uns this age to stand still!

I love her dark bow and the lace on the youngest gown. Beautiful!

They are beyond cute. Look at that hat! and the puppy dog, oh my this always makes me smile.

I thought I would share a couple of these darling children with you. Children are the gift that bring out the Mom in us. That ability to nurture and summon up patience when we are tired. They bring us lasting joy, sometimes heartache, but most of all they are a part of us. The best part of us.

A little true story...Yesterday when Miss Mischief got up from her nap she came running into the room to inform me "I am big!" Apparently at pre school they have told them to get lots of sleep so they will grow big and strong. I wish life could be as simple as her little eyes see it.