Best Face Photo from Summer 2011 | iheartfaces

Summer is defined many ways. According to the dictionary it can be the hotter half of the year. The definition I love best is the period of development, perfection, or beauty previous to any decline: the summer of life. Wow! Fitting, don’t you think? (NOTE: I don’t care for the previous to any decline part, so since it’s my blog, I scratched it out!)

There is an interesting challenge this week at iheartfaces. It’s “People’s Choice” week. After all entries are narrowed down, we get to vote on our favorites from The Best Photo from Summer 2011.

My choice to enter? Well, it was difficult, but when I read the definition of summer, I felt this photograph summed it up. Damp, wind swept beach hair, dancing waves glistening in the background and that soft sunset glow. Then there’s the little touch of curiosity from an almost 4-year old as to what she’s doing, thinking, looking at.

Perfection and beauty all rolled up into one. The summer of life.

Please take a moment to peek at all the entries at iheartfaces. Voting starts Wednesday and I will keep you posted!!

Finds From The Weekend

What a great weekend! I went for a visit to see my parents. It’s always so nice to go see them, especially by myself. It gives us time to focus on each other and that’s always special!

One thing I LOVE to do is visit a huge home decorating store and an awesome antique shop. My sweet parents graciously indulge me, of course they love these places just as much as I do. Both of these stores are located in old mills. These businesses have certainly repurposed old buildings.

The home décor store is located in Jeffereson, Georgia. Not only do they offer the “fixings” for arrangements, they also create beautiful arrangements. I picked up a wood bowl, a few stuffed scarecrows and some elements to create an arrangement. I’ll have to post my final creation over the next few weeks.

The antique shop (above) is located in Monroe, Georgia in an old cotton mill. This is a beautiful building and I would love to just go around it and photograph all of its glory! Inside? Well, inside there is an overwhelming about of beauty too! I could have spent hours and hours there!

Old tools, an old soda fountain that works and great 8-track tapes. Remember those anyone?

Retro freezer and a great old sign. That door? That door was awesome! It’s a fire door and the date on it is from the 40’s.

Fun pictures! Not the greatest of me, but what the heck! It was fun!

Some of my great finds: lots of old books, two almost identical Raggedy Anns, dishes from the 40’s (I’m replacing all my current dishes) and two pumpkin guys (these actually came from the home décor store). Love!

The cutest book was a kid’s cookbook from 1950. I love the simplicity of the recipes and the beautiful illustrations. The frankfurter recipe is so funny! Love this so much!

Now, for my big find. I’ve been on the lookout for one of these for years and finally scored it!! Love!!!

Look for more posts about my visit with my parents in the following days!

iheartfaces | A Touch of Sun

What a great challenge theme this week. Especially as we are ending summer and welcoming fall.

Earlier this summer we took and trip to the beach. While there we took the opportunity to take some family beach pictures toward sunset. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were beautiful subjects. As the sun was setting, we decided to try a heart-shaped silhouette. After I uploaded this particular, picture I was taken back by the little tiny heart their three hands formed toward the bottom AND it looks as though my sweet granddaughter is holding the sun in her hand. What a lovely unexpected treat! I truly love this sweet, golden, touch of sun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a little time to visit the entries over at iheartfaces! There are so many amazing ones!

Just Around the Corner

Meemaw and Gigi

Life brings us so many blessings. One of the greatest blessings in my life is that I have two sets of in-laws. Okay, lots of folks have two sets of in-laws (and no, I am not married to two husbands), but I do have two of the best sets of in-laws.

When I was 16, Dillon and Geneva came into my life by way of their son. In 1985, they became Meemaw and Gigi to a beautiful granddaughter and in 1989 to another beautiful granddaughter. Through moves out of state, divorce from their son, my remarriage, their granddaughter’s marriage, and other life changes, they have steadfastly remained Meemaw and Gigi.

In 2007, they became great-grandparents to a beautiful little Cupcake Girl. They adore each other.

The picture above cracks me up! They were just making silly faces. Couldn’t be more perfect!

They love my sweet husband and whenever we make a trip to St. Augustine, we treasure the time that we spend with them. I wish it was more often, especially with views like below.

For 33 years these wonderful people have cared for me, laughed and cried with me, advised me and stood by me. I cherish their love and friendship. Through them, as well as my own parents, I learned about grand-parenting. Even as a young parent, I knew that one day I wanted to be a grandparent, just like them. They created a special bond with their granddaughters consisting of sweet memories and loads of laughter. I watched their beautiful relationship and knew I wanted to have that experience one day. Now? Now I am creating that special bond, storing away sweet memories and most of all, having a ton of fun!

As a grandparent, you have lived long enough to know that every single moment of the day is a gift from God. That every smile, laugh, hug, cry, and even that whine are precious. And that tiny soft hand curled in your rough, wrinkling hand connects your hearts and souls. It is so precious.

Thank you Meemaw and Gigi for loving us. All of us.

Now, a special note…..

Last Sunday Gigi celebrated a birthday. He is a quiet man, but his actions speak loud. He loves fully with his heart and soul. He speaks the truth, take it or leave it. He secretly hopes that you take it and if necessary, learn from it, but he never pushed is ideas or opinions on you. He would just state them, Again, take it or leave. He is what I call a tootler. There were many a day when I would be over at their house and he could found in the backyard or carport just tootling around. Sometimes fixing things, sometimes building and sometimes just getting the heck out of the house to be alone! He loves being outside, weather it be in his backyard, garden, creek, beach or porch. He is a great dad and an awesome grandfather.

I once read that a grandfather is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things. This, folks, sums up Gigi. And all those that know him will agree.

We are all so blessed that you are our Gigi and we love you deeply! All of us.

 

P.S. Happy Grandparents Day this Sunday!