Photography Through The Eyes of a Three Year Old

This is Riley & Leonard. There is another side to Riley, her hidden talent as a photographer. She has always liked taking pictures with my camera. Riley even got a cool pink camera from her Mommy & Daddy for her birthday a couple of months ago. The other day, Riley had gotten hold of my camera without my knowing. She took about 35 photos, and it was really interesting to me what she chose to take pictures of. And actually, as you will see below, she did a pretty good job with her photos!
One of my favorites, Riley's feet!


"Riley's hand print that her Aunt Brande made with her for me last Christmas"


"a photo of Riley & me at Disneyland on her second birthday"


"a picture of Ruby & Max from her coloring book"


"Riley's desk with her globe and cookies"


"a stained glass window in my family room, must have been into the colors"


"a framed picture of Katie, Brande, and Bryce in Maui for their dad's wedding several years ago"


"a photo of my backyard"

It's interesting what attracts the attention of little kids. Their minds aren't all cluttered like ours get with unnecessary junk! Guess I'll have to keep encouraging Riley to take pictures. After all, it's photographs that tell the real story of life.

New "Looks" at Country Roads

I didn't have time this week-end to take too many pictures at Country Roads. We were busy, which is a good thing! What caught my eye first was this great "Fall" look by Ginny!
"Tim & Lisa" looking good, as always"


"Cinnamon, as I call her, elegance and style"


"Robin & Christilyn, freshly painted"


"My Boy Bryce" steppin up his look"

Check back this week for some more of our "local talent" here at Country Roads. It truly is endless! And let's hope I have a bit more time for photos today!!

You Watch Them Grow

When I got home from "the store" last night, Morgan was sitting on the couch with Justine. As I walked up to her, and called her name, a big smile lit up her face. She knows me! Not sure how long ago that recognition happened, but it is awesome when it does. I babysat Morgan last night. I love to watch babies when they sleep. So pure and innocent, life doesn't get much better. I watched her sleeping, wondering what she would be like as a toddler and knowing that special bond that Gramma's have with their babies. And eventually fell asleep with Morgan next to me.
This is Riley at about the same age Morgan is now. I remember those days well. She too would fall asleep on my bed and I would sit there in awe just watching her so very peaceful as she slept. These are the moments I cherish because we all know, as Zach Gill sings in his song "you watch them grow, then you let 'em go, you watch them grow, then you let 'em go"!

What Makes Me Laugh

I'm easily entertained, ask anyone. Usually my Friday nights involve me watching all of the Ellen Shows I've recorded all week. I know Ellen isn't for everyone, but her sense of humor and the things she does always makes me laugh. And I will also confess, I LOVE the games she plays with the audience. Take for example, the new game, "Rip Your Face Off"! Yes, it is lame, but yes, it is very funny. I've always been easily amused by silly, stupid things in life. I much rather watch women walking around with paper bags over their heads than all the news shows that are on now. I don't want to hear about inflation, or how the unemployment rate continues to rise. I know these things already. I much rather kick back and laugh with Ellen. Come on, she IS really funny. With all that said, I'm out the door to go to work. Country Roads, the happiest place and earth! And lets hope the "fancy girls" go easy on us today. Maybe they would want to play, "Rip Your Face Off"?

Compassion & Respect

I always wonder not only when little kids learn "compassion & respect" but when do they sadly lose it? I love to watch Riley role play with her baby doll, "Baby Riley", as she calls the doll I got her for her birthday. I watch her role play with Baby Riley, the compassion she shows, the love she gives so freely. There are days I wish I could shield her against the big, bad world out there. The same wish I had for my own kids when they were little. I'm in love with her innocence, the compassion & respect she shows to her cousin Morgan and her little friends. I'm happy she doesn't understand the news or the tragedies of everyday life that so many people, including little kids, live with daily. As Riley gets older, I know she will grow-up and begin to understand the social injustices so many live with daily. Sadly, she will see the not so good and the ugly in our world. But with a little "hope" in my heart, maybe as time moves on, some how, some way the world we live in today will learn to have just a bit more compassion & respect for others. As Louie Armstrong wrote, "And I think to myself, wonderful world it is".

Gramma's Girls!

Okay, this is a total "Gramma" post today! I confess, and hey, Riley likes to look at the pictures so this is for her. Bryce loves "his girls" as you can see! And I love this picture as well. Nothing like a toddler running around with a box on their head, way to go Riley! Morgan is checking out her Halloween card that Teri & Linda sent her. Teri is my sister, and Linda is her girlfriend, and yes they are gay and I'm very proud of both of them. Morgan was really happy with her own Halloween card, can you tell by that smile? Gramma's girls looking at their cards together not that Morgan really sees a difference. Although Riley & Morgan are cousins, they are just as close as sisters are! Morgan gets a hand learning to sit on top of the couch thanks to her Dad. And of course Riley needed NO help to sit on top of the couch. At three, Riley likes to do things herself these day. You know, sometimes my house gets crazy, really crazy with my grown kids, the grandbabies, and all their friends. But I wouldn't trade it for anything! And believe me, I KNOW how very fortunate to have my family be a part of my daily life! I'm am very thankful for this!!

White Wednesday

For this "White Wednesday" I've got some pictures of my favorite seashells. Growing up here in Southern California, I've always lived close to the beach, and still do. My bedroom is filled with my favorite tropical things, especially my seashells!





I found this vintage crab catcher for sale at Country Roads and knew I had to have it. It hangs from one of the lower beams of my bedroom ceiling and is filled with a variety of seashells. Please take the time to go visit Kathleen to see many more great "White Wednesday" photos. And thanks Kathleen for hosting "White Wednesday"!

It Feels Like Halloween

It rained last night and is absolutely beautiful outside this morning. It feels like Fall & Halloween! These pictures are of Halloween "outside" of our house this year:


Here are some pictures of Halloween "inside" of our house this year!




All the vintage jack-o-lanterns I keep year round in my favorite stepback cupboard with the antique funeral sign on top, surrounded by vintage oil lamps. And of course Gramma can't forget to put Riley's and Morgan's Halloween books out on the coffee table. I love this time of year, especially when I have my babies to enjoy it with.