Guilty Pleasures...

Musicals, coffee, children's books, maps, browsing antique shops or book stores, and mint chocolate chip ice cream are all coveted pleasures for me. Some are guiltier than others, however, I enjoy these treats! :) Another pleasure of mine is to photograph the bounty of summer. Here are a few images from my flower gardens, veggie garden (which is not very big this year, but still filled with wonders) and a few from my neighbor's field of Christmas trees, which, in summertime, produces a field of wildflowers! My camera calls to me during this productive, magical time of year. How could I resist this splendid temptation?!! ;) 

 {Moon & Stars Watermelon ~ completely took me by surprise! Sweet!}

Here is a "volunteer" growing out of the compost pile ... hmmm, I wonder. Is it zucchini? We shall see!

Hydrangea blooms, purposefully planted for their beautiful colors...

The hardy, prolific Rose of Sharon . . .

 

Another Swallowtail butterfly. We have abundant beauties visiting our garden!

The next 3 images are from the neighbor's field of wildflowers! Wow!

 

it's a small world, after all . . .

 

Do share! What are some of your guilty pleasures, my friend?

Thank you for viewing my summer delights! 

Enjoy your summer days!!

All the best, 

Barb 

Summertime Beauties

Thank you for viewing a few favorites from my garden.

Enjoy your day, my friends!

Barb

dare I say this, but ...

You, my friend, are not going to believe this! I can hardly believe it myself! After I poured my heart out on the pages of my blog "Truth be told..." last weekend, things began to churn in the universe! Or else they were already churning and I was not able to see the trees, butterflies, and the beauty of all good things in good time through the thick haze of my foggy, threadbare faith. So much has happened since last weekend! I am still a little hesitant to even comprehend the fortunate turn of events, let alone announce it to “the world!” ;)

Prayers have been answered. My husband had an interview at a well-established commercially outfitted construction company on Friday. Things went swimmingly well, and he was offered a job worthy of his skills ~ with benefits no less!! He has yet another interview with a different company this coming Tuesday. It’s either feast or famine, as they say! We are simply in awe of the recent attention, and the job offer that he received. Our glasses met in a toast last evening, as he told me all about his interesting meeting with the owner of the construction company. 

After nearly a year of struggling to find employment, return to some sense of normalcy, along with the means of a steady income in order to earn our way in life, things are actually looking up for us! I would very much like to express my deep appreciation for all your prayers, positive encouragement, and friendly kindness that you have shown us. The emails, comments of support, and phone calls in response to my earlier blog "Truth be told..." overwhelmed me. I was brought to tears on many occasions by your tremendous acts of kindness. It’s true about the nobleness of the human spirit, and I have been reminded of that yet again.

Thank you ever kindly, my friends, for everything! God is good, and definitely works in curious ways sometimes, doesn’t He?! My heart is glad to know He hears us and answers our calls for help, and just in the nick of time too! He’s smiling broadly, probably saying, "I told you so!” ;)

With abundant gratitude, and a joyful heart,

Barb

P.s. I just love this shot of us in our backyard at home. Thank you again, Morgan Taylor, for your talents! :)  

dreaming

It wouldn't be summertime without a little dreaming...

How about you? Have you been dreaming lately?

Here's to your dreams, friends. And long, hot summer days too!

Dream on,

Barb

The Corbett Family at Longwood Gardens

I had a very inspiring time at Longwood Gardens last weekend. Not only did I get to explore some of the dreamy gardens, plants, sights and sounds, I was also blessed to photograph the Corbett family. As they were travelling from Maryland, Longwood was the perfect half-way location point to meet and get a bit acquainted. 

This little guy stole the show... 

While going through the images in my "darkroom," I found this gem. Some moments with my clients I am not even remotely aware of until they reveal themselves later.

This is one of them.

 

Here are the newlyweds of the family. :)

And here is more of the 2 year old Master of the family. He's a little heartbreaker! 

Simply put ~ I love seeing joy come shining through on married couples' faces.

This one is no exception. 

This is my favorite group shot.

Thank you, new friends, for this terrific opportunity. I had a nice time getting to know you! And I'm so grateful that we had our session at Longwood ~ a little piece of heaven right here on earth. :)

With warm appreciation,

Barb

Truth be told ...

Can I just tell you straight how my life has been for the past year? Firstly, I’ve got to say that my husband would not be in favor of me talking to my online friends about such matters. His pride gets the better of him at times. But that’s what I love about him. So, anyway, here we go. . . Being that my husband has a background in plumbing, construction, blue-collar work, he was given a “permanent” pink slip by his former boss the Friday before Labor Day holiday weekend last year. He helped to start this company from the ground up. He’s a very dedicated, hard worker, and prides himself on being able to take care of his family, and that of his family’s honor. Albeit, he would totally hate that I am venting this stuff all over “the world!” He doesn’t understand the benefits of the relationships that I have formed on the web, mostly due to Facebook, he wouldn’t even want to ~ it’s just not his style. Are you getting a clearer picture of what I’m trying to convey? It may be a bit fuzzy just yet.

Reasons, causes, all run through your mind. You know, “Why me?” “Why us?” “We are decent people, why did this happen?” Although, the handwriting was on the wall when we heard all the reports about the job market failing, the economy crashing all around us, especially in the housing industry, which includes the local blue-collar people too. Hey, that’s us!

Shouldda, wouldda, coulddas start to run through your mind too. Why didn’t I push him to leave his job when the job market was still flowing with life? He sure wanted to leave!! He was obviously unhappy with his employer, and would have benefited from either starting his own business or finding employment elsewhere. But, complacency takes hold. We get comfortable with our daily routines and obligations for the sake of our families’ needs, wants, needs, needs, wants … You get the picture.

So here we are, 11 months later and he hasn’t been offered a job (with benefits) yet. Interviews? Yes. Not as many as I would like for him to be going to in order to find a decent job. Now, I invest my thoughts on his age, health, credit rating, overall experience and knowledge. You know, the basic things that employers are reviewing. And I think he’s doing okay in these departments, except that he is reaching his mid-forties. And he has an extensive resume to boast. I wonder.

Through it all, he has been encouraging my photography business, and spurring me on. Watching the girls when I go on shoots with my clients. Watching the girls when I need quiet time to sit and go through my images, and then through the editing process. He’s my biggest fan! Man, doesn’t get much better than that.

So, here’s my ‘big picture’ thought pattern: Why does the US send it’s jobs overseas, or south of the border?! Why do Americans need everything to be so darn cheap all the time?! Why are we such in a hurry to get nowhere, fast? Why doesn’t the government encourage more jobs in our country, instead of elsewhere? Why aren’t we focusing more on the now of life, rather than rushing to get 10 years down the line? Why does it feel like the small percentage of upper class in our society is keeping thumbs on us? Weighing us down? These and other questions flow through me on a regular basis. Did you ever ask these questions yourself?

In my mind, a society built on mutual respect, accountability, and reverence for its fellow brothers and sisters is one that will thrive and grow in the positive; a general lifting up of its people has ideal, eclectic and utopian qualities. That’s the one I want to live in. It feels as though we are on a direct oppositional crash course to this dream society of mine. Or rather, it simply doesn’t exist.

I must also tell you that I am very proud of my guy. He’s an upstanding person. He’s definitely not perfect, far from it. But who is?! And, I don’t want you to feel that I am some sort of whiney chick who believes she’s “all that!” Because that ain’t the case! Included in these imperfections that I bestow, I am an eternal optimist at heart. I probably have too much confidence in people, in our society, in myself. I always believe in happy endings. This same optimism has gotten me into trouble in the past too. Sometimes it’s a blessing, and sometimes it’s a curse.

I am so thankful to be able to get this out in the “open.” Air it out. It certainly feels good. I will tell my husband that I have vented, or told, my side of the story. I’m sure you would get an entirely different story talking to him. But, oh yea, this is my blog, not his ;)

God bless, good friends,

Barb

Longwood Spectacular

After my photo session with the Corbett family last Saturday, I had some free time all to myself to explore and play with my lens at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. I was able to see roughly 15% of this enchanting site ~ Still so much to explore there! I'm ready to go back!! Here are a few of my favorite images ...

Can you see why I'm eager to go back and explore more of this little piece of heaven on earth?! It's magnificent beauty will amaze. Thank you for viewing! :)

Peace,

Barb