« September 2014 | Main | November 2014 »
When you're living in the midst of tumultuous times and it feels like everything around you is swirling and spinning out of control; I find that nature quickly pulls me back to the real world. Here, I find my sense of trust, faith, hope and confidence in the universe returns.
I'd scooped a couple of very pretty leaves when I walked past Theresa's Tree the other day. I put them in my journal to press. As I was journaling about everything that was going on; there they were. As soon as I wrote: "I love the leaves," I knew I'd found my peace.
-We Love the Leaves-
Over the years of growing up, a common refrain was those things "are too nice to use."
I love a pretty table.
A pretty table makes me feel good, whether I'm having company for dinner or not. With company though, I do try to dude it up a little more.
Knowing my brother Jim was going to be here for a bit, I decided to have a little dinner party for Jim, Mom and Mike the evening of Jim's arrival. Everything had already been made except the pasta. A couple days earlier, Mom sat with me while I cooked and chopped the onions for the meat sauce...a team effort.
I'm very excited about those tiny croissants I've found at Aldi's. They are just the right size and meet so many needs. We used some pretty plates, pretty napkins and placemats, the good silver ware, wine glasses, and the special glasses that Mom and Dad have that say "Larry and Helen" on them.
Prior to my arrival, I don't remember ever seeing us use those pretty dinner plates. It feels so good to have pretty: crackers and chips in a basket on the table instead of sitting there in the bag; dips in a 3-sectioned dish instead of sitting on the table in those nasty plastic containers; and, kirs and wine in real wine glasses!
Maybe I've spoiled myself. Mom looked at me after everyone left and asked: "Why did you go to so much trouble?" I didn't feel like I had gone to so much trouble. I had time. Mom and I shared an experience together. I was able to say: "Because I enjoy it, Mom." But, I probably should have said: "Because I enjoy it and I love you."
And, I plan to use every pretty thing I can while I'm here. I understand the concept of "special occasion", but I'm for enjoying everything we have in our lives while we still can. Why have them if we're not going to use them? I'm sure those of you who know me well will smile at the photo below...you will see a kir "my way".
Wishing everyone a happy Sunday of enjoying everything and person that you have in your life! That's the real special!
...the night!
Mike Edwards has been surprising me with photos ever since our first face-to-face meeting at our 2013 International Overalls Weekend celebration on Columbus Street last November. It was so much fun to get the photos he shot at the party and other events we shared. And then, there was my second "4" in Cadrieu this summer!
He'd take photos of Marina's and a photo of Evelyn's and adjusted them or mixed them in various ways.
It may have been just a cropping, like he did on this shot that Evelyn took the day I bought THE HAT and then sat on the steps of the church at St. Cirq Lapopie. Or, it could have been the different colors and treatments of some of the shots that Marina took of me on the day of Dali's memorial coffee.
No matter what the method...we have fun and I enjoy seeing myself through the eyes of my friends. It appears that Mike and Marina have made contact. I'm waiting. The two of them could be a dangerous combination! Huge Merci to Mike!
Marina has enriched all of our lives with whimsy photos of us and our loved ones over the years. She often takes her photos, or the photos of others and goes wild. As you can see, they are so creative and so much fun. I've shared two of my favorites here: the poppy hat and Laury Mona Lisa. A Huge Merci to Marina. Enjoy!
Evelyn and I met through blogging back in 2009. Our lives entwined in a way that allowed us to help and support each other, with Cadrieu continuing to be our common thread.
Like Marina, Evelyn is a "chronicler". Even more so, since she moved to Cadrieu 2011 and we are "on the road" neighbors. Having Evelyn in Cadrieu has made this vagabond life of mine these last few years more possible. A lot has happened during these 5 years, and I'd have to say that Evelyn has managed to capture quite a bit of it for me on film. It's not the good, the bad and the ugly, but it's certainly more interesting and funny.
We've shared moments that I know I'd have never captured on film, if Evelyn wasn't living right down the road.
It's fun to be silly!
With Evelyn nearby, I could send silly thank you photos to Joan for the tiger-striped, hoodied, footied, onesie that she'd sent for my birthday that year. We caught me playing Moon River with Monsieur Winkelmann. And not only were we able to capture the transfer of the Christmas Tree by wheelbarrow from the Chatette to the Train House; I could put on my silly Christmas hat when it made its return.
In the many, many photos that Evelyn has taken; the shot of Dali and I together always warms my heart. It is my very special favorite. You can see how happy we are (were) together.
I have so many photos of Evelyn that I've taken myself, that it's difficult to choose just one. Considering how I feel about the one of Dali and I; it's no wonder I've chosen the one below of Evelyn and Lucie to share with you. Huge Merci, Evelyn. I'm looking forward to our future photo ops together!
Marina and I became friends back in 2005 when she began coming to stay in Cadrieu with a friend of hers. We spend a lot of time together when she's here and have so much fun. These shots she took this summer are special to me. They were taken the day we had our celebration of Dali, and captured sides of me that I don't even realize are there.
Marina is more than my photographer, she is a chronicler of my life and times in Cadrieu when she is there with me.
I love these beautiful, soft somewhat staged photos of this summer, but looking back over the years...so many of the others scream my life, loves, and the fun we share.
On the wall
With Dali and Sam
Home
60th Birthday Fun
Any time I've posted a photo of Marina that I love, she doesn't. So, I've promised not to post any more of her. Instead, here's one of her shots from an afternoon we shared on the Lot together. We always seem to have more fun than any two people could stand...sharing our lives, loves, the Lot and a lasting friendship. Merci to Marina!
I'm sneaking another photographer friend in here to share today. Once I began to go through my photographers in chronological order (the order in which they came into my life), I realized that I must include Joan.
Joan and I became friends back in 2003, when her family purchased the place next to the Duponchelles in Cadrieu. Joan was always bright spots and giggles, when Sammie Cat and Dali and I returned to Cadrieu in 2006 to clear our heads and make difficult decisions after Hurricane Katrina.
We went just a little crazy with my first digital camera
But, boy we had some fun! Our paths don't cross as much as they have in the past, but I know that we'll catch up in Cadrieu whenever we can. Thanks for all the wonderful photos and wonderful memories, Joan. I miss you.
Even though Tom and I both live in New Orleans, we also connect from time to time on 411. Tom usually spends a month a year up here with our parents, and this was one of those times we collided. I was trying to capture the new shocking pink overalls on this visit. I think he did a great job, don't you think?
He did such a great job, that I was able to crop one of the photos to get this head shot that I've used on profiles, brochures, and other publications that require one.
Too bad they wouldn't have taken it for those passport photos I just had taken...Halloween Scary! Happy Sunday and thanks Tom for all your good work over the years.
This shot of Tom was taken on 411 by our sister Kathleen. It's one of my favorites of Tom!