Where Did the Time Go?

Working in the tallest building in town can have it’s benefits! We have an observation deck on the 51st Floor.  Recently I wanted to capture photos of a sunrise.  All I had with me was my cell phone, but I was not going to let that keep me from taking photographs!

I was glad I had made it before the sun starting to show. By the time you go to your office, set up your computer and take the elevator to the 50th floor, then take an elevator to the 51st floor some time has passed. These were shot through a window so the conditions were not the best. However, you can still enjoy seeing the sun emerge.

Sun’s up! Better head back to my office!

Playing "catch-up" with pictures since I'm on vacation right now.  Sorry for the out of season pictures, but I wanted to show the beautiful Fall colors at Pickwick Lake.

This Christmas was extra special because my sister and brother-in-law traveled from Oklahoma to meet at my parents' home in Mississippi.  My nephew also flew in from New York and was able to meet us there.  During their visit, we spent a night in Nashville, TN at the beautiful Opryland Hotel.  If you've never been, it is worth the trip! The hotel is comprised of several atriums that are beautifully landscaped with multiple waterfalls.  It was so much fun and relaxing! Here's a few pictures of our time at the hotel.

Just had to add this funny video from our Christmas eve.  We were seeing who could kick the highest! LOL

By Angela ~Merry Christmas!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Just thought I would post a picture of my snowman tree I made this year.  Got the idea off Pinterest!

~Angela~ "Faith"

Not sure if I have posted this on here or not.  I took this last year soon after I told someone that my dream would be to travel around the world and take pictures of beautiful locations.  The funny part is that I took this picture while standing in my own driveway.  Maybe it was God's way of showing me that his beauty he has created is all around me.  I just have to take the time to slow down and look around.

~Angela~ "Fall has begun!"

I'm loving the beautiful colors during the Fall.  Here's the view from my back porch.

~Angela~ "Handcrafted by God"

It's the simple things in life that remind me of God's awesome presence.  I took this picture on my way into work this week.  (Sorry the picture quality is not the best, but I had to use my cell phone for this one.)

Angela ~~~ "God's Gift"

Well, it's been so long since I've last posted.  I'm going to post a few pics I've taken recently.  I'll start with this sweet picture of what I will entitle, "God's Gift."  I have a friend that has tried for years to have a baby with no luck.  However, at age 36, she became pregnant with a precious little boy.  He is truly a gift from God!

~ February: Love ~ by Angela

As I continue on with the MCP photography challenge, here's my February entry on the theme of the month: "Love"

~ January: Resolution ~ by Angela

Once again, it's been a while since I have posted, so I think I'll get back into the swing of things again by participating in a photography challenge called MCP Project 12. The concept behind MCP Project 12 involves each participating photographer to use his/her own work and submit a photo that incorporates the theme that is assigned each month. I missed submitting an entry for Janaury's theme, "Resolution", but I'm going to post it on our blog anyway so that all month's will be represented. I usually do not make resolutions because I can never keep them; however, I do know that I can keep this particular one because I enjoy trying to challenge myself in photography. So here's my January entry on my resolution - to challenge myself to take photography to the next level. (By the way, this is a photo collage of my son and his girlfriend right before the school's Snowball dance.)

R.I.P. "Happy"

Well, it's been quite some time since I last posted on our blog. I thought I would update everyone on some sad news about a dog that I blogged about earlier on. If anyone remembers, the dog's name was "Happy." He was our school dog at a small elementary school in rural Mississippi.  I'm sad to announce that "Happy" passed away earlier this week. He was found in a ditch next to our school barely alive. A teacher and our principal rushed him to the vet, but unfortunately it was too late. "Happy" came to our school approximately 13 years ago as a stray and has been with us ever since. You could always find "Happy" at the front door step of the school, on the playground with the children during recess, and standing by the children in the afternoon as they were all lined up for bus and car lines. "Happy" was loved by many throughout the years and will be greatly missed!

"New" ~ Angela

Well, my sister has introduced me to Faith's Simplicity blog and the fun photography challenges that are offered on it. I thought I would have some fun with it and enter this week's challenge - "NEW". My first entry on this blog is of my son's best friend's horses. This baby had just been born the night before I took this picture. I think he was probably only 6 - 8 hours old. Mom's name is "Bella" and had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen on a horse! Anyway, I'm excited about participating in the photography challenges and learning more about photography from Faith and all the participants!

"New" ~ Delores

Angela and I have decided to participate in Faith's Simplicity Photo Challenge (right click on the logo to the right or on the name of her challenge and open in a new window to see Faith's blog). This week's challenge is "NEW."

During this Spring season I think of new growth and new roses. I took this photograph at the Tulsa Garden Center. TGC spends countless hours planning and planting their rose gardens so visitors can enjoy a long season of beautiful roses.  As always, you can click on a photo to see a larger version.

Everyone is invited to participate in Faith's Weekly photography challenge. Click on the logo below to find out more.

To see other entries in this week's challenge, click here.

Here's to something NEW,

Delores

Week 15: Magenta ~ Delores

"Dad, Did You Bring the Camera?"

Spring is finally here so I set out for one of Tulsa's wonderful places for photography.  The Tulsa Garden Center has plants indoors and outdoors. Today's Project64: Out of The Box photograph was taken in a greenhouse at the Garden Center. While I was taking photographs with both my Olympus and my cell phone, I overheard a young man who was watching me take pictures ask "Dad, did you bring the camera?"  I had to chuckle inwardly when I heard the father reply, "No, that would have been a great idea!!"  

This is a Bird of Paradise. There were two or three of these beautiful plants in full regalia in the greenhouse I visited.  For this particular plant, my mobile phone camera gave me the truest color. 

The sun was really bright outside when I had a chance to visit the Garden Center so I stayed with indoor photographs. I also went to the Orchid Show in the main building and I will be posting some photograhs from the show soon.

To learn more about Project 64 and to see other submissions for Magenta , visit the official Project 64: Out of the Box blog (right click on the name to view their site). We would love for you to join the fun. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Another crayon "Out of the Box"

Delores

Saturday's Lunch Special

Catfish delivery! Strange though, when Hiram delivered this to the nest, Julia hid the catfish under the straw. I didn't see the babies or Julia eating on it at all. I guess she decided it would be saved for later! (Some may wonder how we know what's going on in the nest. Two of the photographers have a

wireless camera scanner that picks up on the frequency of the camera that is installed above the nest. This allows one to view exactly what is going on in the nest. I want a scanner so bad, but it's around $400. Guess I'll have to wait!)

Hiram bringing in a fish as Julia checks it out

Here's Hiram bringing in a catfish for dinner as Julia sits checking it out. Check out his wing span!

Sibling Rivalry!

Well, this was an interesting and rather lengthy fight between the two babies. And yes, the babies actually get into fights in the nest. Twice now, I've seen on the video two actual knock-outs in which the baby was hit so hard by his sibling, that he fell over knocked out cold and lifeless in the nest. With this particular fight, there were no knock-outs - just a lot of head butting and "beaking" going back and forth between the two babies. And what does Mom do during these fights? She just sits and watches. I've not seen her intervene not one time.

A baby peeking out. They're growing!

Fish guts - Yuck!

Yuck! You never know what nasty stuff you will see in their beak or talons!