Think Pink

Images processed with Kim Klassen's textures for Texture Tuesday. 

The theme for today's photos is "pink" for Texture Tuesday over at the Kim Klassen Cafe. What better to show than pink flowers? I purchased a bunch of tulips last weekend, forgetting that my cat Nipper loves to nosh on tulip leaves and stems. Luckily, there are plenty of leaves so that the chewed up ones won't be missed.

These peonies may not be real, but they are just as lovely. I bought my first bunch of peonies last year and I can't wait to get more this year. Just lovely, they are.

They are from the Shabby Chic collection by Rachel Ashwell. Target used to carry quite a bit in this line, but not so much any more. I wish they would increase the amount of goods as there were always so many pretties to choose from. Then again, I'm saving money!

I never tire of pink. It's so feminine and soft. Perfect for Spring. Ah, yes; let Spring begin!

Hello Spring

Image processed with Kim Klassen's texture "granny's cupboard" for Texture Tuesday at the Kim Klassen Cafe. 

Hello Spring!

Yay! I would love to say the dark days of winter are over but the truth is we've had a very mild winter. No matter, winter is officially over and Spring is here. 

Spring = Peeps! Garage sales. Spring flowers. Lighter, brighter days. Asparagus and strawberries.

It also means goodbye winter comforter and hello dainty quilt. Time spent in the garden. Shopping for flowers. Spring cleaning! Organizing. Baby animals!

So happy to greet you, Spring. Yay Spring!

View From a Cold

Actually, I should say this is the view from my bed, which is where I've been the last five days with the nastiest cold. I awoke with the cold on Tuesday, and it gradually got worse during the day until I finally went home from work after having a few hours worth of chills. Then, the bed and I became fast friends. 

While lying there this afternoon, I noticed how pretty the soft light was coming into the room. I appreciated having the view in the corner with its lightness and pastel accents to look at. That's opposed to the nightstand full of cold medicines, magazines and radio. 

Miss Gracie has been a sweetie keeping me company, cat napping along with me on the bed or under the covers. We played the cat game where I move my toes under the covers and she jumps on them on top of the bed. What do cats think are under there?! And then she did the funniest thing last night. 

I had my glass of water and pills ready on the nightstand so when I needed to take them in the middle of the night, all I had to do was reach over. I was in bed talking on the phone when I noticed Gracie on the nightstand. Normally she jumps up there on her way to my bed when she wants to get under the covers. This time, she hesitated. She had to check out the items on the nightstand. After a few moments, when she hadn't continued on to my bed, I looked over. I almost broke out laughing when I saw her head all the way inside my water glass and her tongue lapping up the water. So much for the convenience of not having to get out of bed! On that note, it's back to bed once again - hoping this cold goes away soon. 

Getting Ready for Spring

It's time to work with textures on photos again. Yes, it's Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday today. The challenge was to just show a favorite photo of the moment with any of Kim's textures. Since Spring is on it's way, I chose these recent photos that feel very springy to me.

Different textures were used on each but I really like the way this appears to be a painting. And since a full week of rain is currently forecast to begin tomorrow in the Bay Area, it's very apropos. I just hope this weekend's flea market is not rained out; I've been looking forward to it since last month's. I just know there is something with my name on it!

Yes, I admit I like to dress up. It was very fun to put on this vintage gown that I picked up last May at the Pleasanton Antique and Collectibles Faire. The dress was so dreamy, I just had to buy it. Two ladies who saw me looking at convinced me it was made for me. They then proceeded to negotiate a better price with the vendor because they really wanted me to have it. At that point, I had no choice but to take it home, just waiting for a reason to put it on. I'm getting quite a collection of vintage gowns - they just make me happy.

When the Cat is in the Mood to Pose, Capture it!

I love it when Miss Gracie stares straight into my camera and doesn't move. I'm never quite sure what she is thinking at the time.

Perhaps it's "let's get this over with" or "because I know you really want to do this, I'll hold still".

Regardless, I'll take what I can get! It's so funny how she can just stare, all the while I'm expecting her to jump up or to start bathing (Miss Gracie is a very fastidious girl).

She is such a sweetie pie - on this day she just wanted to hang out with me in "our" bedroom in the afternoon. However, she does not like it when I walk out of the room; sometimes she actually comes and retrieves me!

She especially likes it when I sit on my bed reading. That is her signal to hop on up and get cozy. However, she prefers to nap on the bed but underneath a robe, sweatshirt or sweater of mine. I have to leave the radio on for her as it lulls her to sleep and if I happen to step out, she is not as apt to notice. When she is ready to come out, she'll make tiny meows before peering her nose out from underneath. Finally, when she is up, I can get up too and not have to feel guilty! Oh, how we love our kitties.

It's A Rocky Road Cupcake Day

Or it was, I should say. Yum! A fabulous chocolate rocky road cupcake for my birthday. Straight from Vanilla Moon where they make a wide variety of cupcakes.

I must admit that the frosting is a bit sweet for me.

So what do I do?

 Why, I eat the cake (with surprise nuts on the bottom!), then the marshmallows and nuts on top. Yes, I know Gracie would love the frosting, but cats cannot eat chocolate so no sharing on this one!

A Happy Heart Day

Today we are using the texture "happy heart" for Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday. I layered on another texture with it to achieve this look. This photo makes my heart happy because my beloved Miss Gracie is in it. She's such a photo-shoot kitty - can't resist getting in the picture, especially if it involves food. She didn't care for the meringues though, she much prefers cupcakes!

And where did the meringues come from? Work, of course. There's always food lying around in the kitchen. When I see photo-worthy food, I nab it and bring it home to shoot.

I love the softness of this photo. It was taken in the late afternoon when the sun comes around the side of my house and lightly filters into the bedroom. I desaturated the colors to accentuate the softness. As spring and summer approach, this becomes Gracie's favorite place to spend the afternoons. And who can blame her? There's nothing like a cat nap stretching out in the sun!

It's Cherry Blossom Time!

You know what I love about February and March? 

It's cherry blossom time.

I'm lucky to have several cherry blossom trees right in front of my house. My city also has a lot of these trees around town, so I can see them every day when I'm out and about.

One of the shopping centers is dotted with white cherry blossoms which is so beautiful.

The trees by my house are traditional pink - how lucky for me, as that is my favorite color (wink, wink, as if you didn't know).

The worst part? These lovely trees are only in bloom for maybe six weeks or so.

Now is the time to enjoy them before they disappear. 

I photographed these around mid-day today on a very spring-like day with temperatures above 70 degrees. Tomorrow we are back to cooler weather in the low 60s which is still very nice considering that technically it is still winter. Just two more weeks until it is officially spring!