the shining sun...

summer is happening here
finally...
sun shining, birds singing,
mosquitos the size of small airplanes...

meat defrosting for a tonight's bbq'd supper,
lawn mower ready for action,
a freind coming in town to meet up for lunch,
lilacs in the backyard.

things are good, very very good...
cold sliced watermelon in the fridge...
enough change in my pocket for an ice capp...
bring on summer...i am ready.

you may kiss the bride...

the wedding photos are finished...
it was so much fun...
stressful and fast,
but cool to be on the outside
just watching for those moments
that i would want documented
if it was my wedding...

this wedding had so much emotion...
sadly, the bride's mother passed away recently
after a lengthy illness...
but she was still with them in mind and heart.
often members of the family were tearful,
as shown in the bottom picture above
as the bride read her speech...

and this, this photo tears at my heart...
the bride's father, helping the bride's little daughter
get ready to be flowergirl...
his wife's name tattooed on his hand...
breaks. my. heart.
with. sweetness.

and in the end, i have decided,

i like weddings...i like being
on the outside looking in,
i like being the quiet observer.

more pics available on my website
and here

shades of blue

not sure what is wrong with me today...
just feel
sad
and quiet
and
on the verge of tears...
for no apparent reason.

frustrated and tired and messy inside...
a tornado built up
of shades of blue
whirling and tearing and ripping at me...

and i don't know why.

and the winner is....

and the winner of the prints?
spread your wings!!
email me, leslye,
with your address
and i will send the photos {and surprises} out to you!
{arlenegiddings AT hotmail DOT com...}

thanks to everyone that played...
that was fun...
i think i will do it again
very soon...
:O)

happy thursday-giveaway time!

this week is flying by...

maybe because it's been all sunshine and
good news and planning for the wedding saturday
and getting a call to do another wedding in august...
so excited...

have been working on this "pretty little teacup" series
and am liking how they are turning out...
and yet, at the same time, my mind is churning
"what next, what next?"

does that happen to everyone?

in honor of thursdays and sunshine and good news
and karma and just starting to bloom lilacs,
i am having a giveaway...

visit a blog in my sidebar {there are lots to choose from}
and leave them a comment...then leave me a comment
telling me who you visited...
the winner will get a set of 3 photos from the
clementine series...and a couple of sweet surprises!!

contest closes sunday night, june 7, 12 pm my time...
winner to be announced monday june 8th...

{link back to the contest and get 2 extra entries!!}

happy thursday
:O)