My Inspiration

Have you ever come across a song or a phrase that just makes you stop and think about life and its meaning. I love this song from Nickelback. It provides inspiration for me when I hear it (plus it's got a great sound). So many times I've looked up to the sky and really felt and sensed how small we are in the scale of life.
I also wished that more people cared in the true sense of caring. Reaching out to others without expecting anything in return. To swallow your pride and realize that everyone needs someone to care at different times in their life if not always. I think this is what gives being alive purpose. It's not all about us! It's about others as well and taking the time to show you care. This song puts into words what my internal perspective senses and it inspires me.
Enjoy my new soundtrack on my blog

"If Everyone Cared"
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
And I'm singingAmen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive(I'm alive)
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day, we'd see the day
When nobody died
We'd see the day when nobody died

hummingbird resting

It's quite difficult to get a sharp shot of a hummingbird sitting still let alone catching him in flight but, I'm determined to try and get one photo where I freeze the motion in flight. This is a challenge to say the least but the undertaking is one that I enthusiastically approach in hopes of success. I also get a little help from the cuties as they warn me with their hum before approaching, giving me ample time in my "ready, set, focus" mode . Check out their ruby necks. These little guys always make me smile!

hummingbird in flight

Not for the faint

Can't believe I never even noticed this snake slithering over my foot. I found out it happened in retrospect after post reviwing my images on my digital camera. I'm absolutely positive that had I known when it happened the whole mountain side would have heard my scream for miles. It was bad enough that a loud "OH MY GOD" came out of my mouth when I zoomed in on it!!

Count to 4 real fast

That's how fast it was when first entering to exiting the creek. I felt so grungy after a long bike ride and hike in the mountains that I just had to wash up. I thought what better place then in natures own bathtub. It was extremely cold and numbing but exhilarating at the same time! I'll save my vanity from showing the photos of me screaming. My puppy Scooter had to follow suit and jumped in and out about as fast. It was a hoot to see him jump on a boulder and slide all the way down, sideways of all things until he plopped in. He and I slept like a baby last night. All is good experiencing life in the mountains and now I'm feeling clean and rejuvenated for another adventure seeking hike.

Hooked on

A few of my favorite things these days.

Capri pants(I hope they never go out of style) and summer sandles. Fuze Green Tea with honey. Such a great way to detox and it's so clean tasting and yummy.

My favorite appetizer at a local restaurant called Sweet Onion.

CALAMARI FRITTI

3 lbs. squid-cleaned,

and cut into ringsoil

for frying1 cup of flour

salt lemon wedges.

Blue Moon beer with an orange slice. If you haven't tasted this beer your really missing something special!

1000 count bed sheets with a down comforter. Windows open at night to feel and smell the mountain air. Tone Island mist hand soap and Spa Sugar body lotion by Beauty Control. Addicted to that stuff.

and the most obvious favorite of all is taking pictures and learning more about photography and light.

New wedding portfolio

Trying out something new. These are the wedding portfolios I made the other day for marketing with my photography. I'm very please as to how they turned out. The next one will be a chartreuse book cover/cloth with a orange poppy ribbon making it more fresh, funky and modern.

Garden time is here!

Love the first rush of spring. The first shoots the first blossoms. The birds singing and building new nests for there up nad coming brood. As I was meandering throughout my garden yesterday, I noticed so many reminders of my mom. Plants she planted, the garden art, too many to show but here is a sampling of her contributions. So glad to have them as a reminder of our shared passion and time together.

This rock, like many in my garden come from the North Carolina mountains and are full of mica. You can actually see all the mineral layers and tones. There was one occasssion where a rock split and I had sheets of it. It's so pretty and useful for future projects. "smile"

My little tazmanian devil. Secretly, I think this look I captured is a hidden personality trait for when he doesn't get his way. So sweet and cute on the outside until he takes your leg off when you don't give him what he wants. A lhasa chrachteristic for sure... a little stubborn, fiesty tenacious...a bit like me actually. Who says we don't rub off on our pets?

Feels like spring??

I'm not holding my breath....it may feel like spring but when your up in the mountains like we are, you just never know for sure if another snow storm is around the corner.

In spite of the potential for more snow, I'm thinking optomistically that spring is upon us. I made up my mind the cleanup just couldn't wait any longer. So, here are the sore arms, neck and back not to mention blisters. I think a jacuzzi sounds really good right now. Yes, there is the satisfaction of a job well done after all the hard work but cleaning up one of the five banks was torture for me. Hello Tacho!...(the name of our yard man) Pleading with Dean to please call Tacho to come and help me ..... I just can't do this all myself!! BTW- I do this pleading thing with complete conviction and drama! The female distress call loud enough for all to hear. It works wonders in this kind of dilemma. So, in the end, I have to write a check. I think to myself, " at least I won't get writers cramps from that." Oh, the delight of a fresh new season. I just love the smell of fresh dirt and the feeling of spring fever, thankfully for today it just doesn't have to be with a rake or broom in my hand ;)

OK, so I did feel a bit prima donna-ish as Tacho was frantically trying to get it done before the storm arrived, after all, I was sitting on my duff drinking a margarita, but somethow I secretly think he understands.

The only bad news that could come out of all this....if I don't do the work myself, I can pretty much rule out my jacuzzi idea. No, I'm quite certain that won't go over very well.

Easter weekend

Spent the weekend relaxing for the most part. Hanging outside like we're camping (wishful thinking). Dean and I both have the itch to be outdoors, preferably roughing it in the mountains. So much so that our car is already packed and ready to go the very second we can get away. In the interim we have this awesome table out on our sitting area that can hold a fire. It was perfect weather with beautiful blue skies. Just enough chill in the air for warming up by. We just love our time spent outdoors!!

This made me smile today

I was going through my photo collection in my browser and came across this absolutely delightful photo of my niece Shea and her girlfriend. I remember last year when I took the photo, Shea hadn't realized I was in town yet and I was going to surprise her. She saw me with my lens from far away and both she and her girlfriend decided to show off for me. So adorable and so Shea.

Symbols of love

There are 2 things I wear each and every day. My wedding ring and my Mothers ring. Knowing that I have these to wear as a constant is not only comforting but it's also a beautiful reminder of the 2 people I love most in this world. I liken my wedding ring as an old rugged canvas cloth. It shelters, provides security, protects and is a safe haven from storms, it's strong and stable.....just like my marriage. The other more delicate ring which I recently and most joyfully received after my Mother passed away is like a quilt to me, cuddly, warm, fuzzy, soft, handmade and comforting..... like my Mom's love was for me.

You may have guessed it, I'm an old sentimental fool and these two symbols of love keep me confident in not only knowing that I love completely but I am also loved in return. What could be better than that in this life? Beats me if I know!

Sweet and Beautiful Alli

A pretty page for a

pretty girl

Shea update and other news

For my friends who would like to be updated on my lovely niece Shea, and her ongoing progress, here is her very own Shea Blog with pictures and a journal.

She would love to hear from you and if you are so inclined to leave her a message it's really easy. Just go to her guestbook and sign in ;)

On another note....I finally went back to my treadmill routine!! This past year was the longest I ever stepped out of it. 3 months of lack of motivation. It feels good to be back in the groove again. I really forgot how good it makes me feels.

Well, I received my new car. It's an adjustment but not a hard one. The Acadia has more umph than the Envoy and feels more like a muscle SUV. Bigger tires and a sportier fells to it. It has a ton of really cool bells and whistles. One in particular is a refection of the dash projected onto the windshield. I guess this will give me no excuses for speeding now...lol The doo dads will take me a year to figure out.

When I first had it delivered and before I ever sat in it, it was involved in an accident. :0 In a parking lot with a parked car. The person who delivered it didn't see the little white 2 seater BMW (expensive) car next to him. The bad news is her spoiler is cashed and will probably cost about $2000 to replace (glad for insurance). A coincidence to the whole mess is the owner of the car knows Dean's daughter. The good news to come out of this is that scratch is not a scratch on mine but rather the rubber from her bumper . It came off with a little elbow and fingernail action. No repairs for me :)

This is what had me full of delight yesterday afternoon..... a little birdie called a ruby capped king something or other. He kept tapping at the window like he wanted in. As true to Colleen fashion, I grabbed my camera to get some convenient close ups of the little fellow To my amazement it looked like he was starting to pose for me. It was so dang cute!

I caught this series of shots and upon later reflection, I don't think he was posing at all. Is what he's doing equivalent to "flipping me the bird"??? I guess I should be used to it by now, I mean...it has happened before from my total addiction of putting the lens to the eye thing. NO I won't be posting those pictures either!! You know who you are...LOL

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!
My little Irish dude!

Something to ponder

I found this incredible site Tera's Wish , whereas, through her workshops she offers challenges to the self-proclaimed artist in having them think like an artist. Some of her ideas, statements and thought provoking questions and answers are to enable or jump starts the process of creating. Her suggestions make you think about exploring different avenues in order to tap into the creative process as well as solutions to overcoming the obstacles that prevail every artist who wants to create something unique in their lives. Creating things for an artist is to express something about themselves to share their perspectives on life or it can be as simplistic as to feed their inner soul by letting loose their imagination and giving freedom to their dreams. Below is a quote from her site that resonates to me:

Creativity

"Creativity is generally defined as the process of creating or the intellectual process of creating or being inventive. Creativity is usually referred to in the context of art and craft, but in truth, creativity affects every facet of our lives. If you rearrange your furniture or cook a meal, you are using creativity. Sometimes creativity involves creating something wholly new, but usually it is an interpretive process -- your own version of something already in existence."

I find this statement to be extremely liberating on many levels, especially considering there are so many preconceived notions that we as artists mustn't copy another's work or it always needs to be fresh, new and inventive. In this phrase, I find that I have more freedom to pursue the essence of creating without labels or dictates. I can say I am an artist and even if it's not on paper or made from scratch, I live it by the very things I do or by the choices I make, like she says by "making a meal" or even in picking out a pillow for my couch! Ha what a revelation :P

I am an artist!

I am creative and

I live art everyday!!

How awesome is that!

Totally Syched!!

Envoy XL Denali-old car

New GMC Acadia

It's time to trade my car that I enjoyed so much these past 3 years!. Lease is up on it already and they don't make Envoy Xl Denali's anymore :( ... so Dean got a call on the new GMC Acadia and as it turns out it's a really good deal for trading up with no payments for 6 months :O. Coming to my drivway soon the black on black super awesome GMC Acadia!! Whoo Hoo!

Our Atlanta Meeting

Last week was good. Finally feeling like myself again after many days of being sick. All our meetings in Atlanta went well and were productive. So much work ahead of us.....

A picture of the process with Dean heading up the meeting at Urban Design Group offices.