Sometimes when we are too busy to get together for dinner we all meet at an event. Last Saturday evening we met at Austin's basketball game. In the audience we have Jack holding on to the railing, Bob turning and smiling at someone, Angie and Brent cuddling, John behind Casey, Joy in the front smiling at the camera, Peyton turned to the side (trying to avoid me) with her hands resting on her face and ...... Brooke, where are you? I know you were there.

Austin with the ball.

Austin was in the Battle of the Books competition last week. Their school did not win the contest but all of the kids were winners. You have to read several books and answer questions about details in the books. Austin is the one waving.

Twelve Weeks to better photos Lesson 3 The Color of Light

This shot was taken in full Auto mode including flash. This portrait of Jack looks the most real to the painting.

This is a photo of the portrait of Jack with the camera White Ballance set to preset. (Used a white sheet of paper to make the preset) The photo is indoors with probably 80% incandescent light and some sunlight getting into the room.

with White ballance set to

I am updating the paintings of my Grandchildren. This is Jack. He is 5 years old and has changed the most.

This photo was taken of Jack's portrait indoors with the camera White ballance set to incandescent light. There was probably 80% incandescent light and some sunlight coming into the room.

There were some questions as to where the water fall pictures were taken. They were shot at the "Mustangs at Los Colinas" in Irving TX. We took several shots of the mustangs and could not come up with the effect we were looking for required for the photography lesson.

Mustangs at Los Colinas in Irving TX.

12-Weeks to Better Photos Week2

These two photos are for week 2 of twelve weeks to better photos. This week's lesson is about shutter speed differences.

The first one is with a 1/80 shutter speed setting.

The second photo is with a 1/2000 shutter speed setting.

Bar-bar-a Bring Me Some Hot Choc-o-late!

These were some of the items I received in a box for Christmas from my brother Sy and his wife Hollie

Over 25 years ago I visited my brother and he greeted me by saying " Bar-bar-a bring me some hot choc-co-late." Immediately I knew what he was talking about because I watched "The Twilight Zone" the night before. Through the years he has continued to greet me in that manner. He even made a home-made birthday card one year with "Bar-bar-a Bring Me Some Hot Choc-co-late" written on the front.

We were both fans of "The

Twilight Zone" and laughed many times about that episode.

It was a chilly night in Texas. Bob and I made some hot chocolate, popped some corn, placed the DVD in the player and snuggled on the couch and experienced once more the nostalgic episode of Mr. Simon from "The Twilight Zone". Thanks Sy and Hollie.

I keep a wall of painted portraits of my Grandchildren. It has been about three years since they have been up dated. I finished this portrait of Austin this week. I plan to continue with the rest of them hopefully one per week.

After taking a half dozen pictures of the painting I settled for this one. I need more practice especially photographing the paintings.

Three Generations Taking Guitar Lessons

Yesterday marked the first day for guitar lessons. Rob, Joy, Austin and I are taking a class at once.

Our teacher is Cody. He is 28, married with a baby and also has custody of his 17 year old sister. He seems to be a very good teacher.

We are all excited! Isn't it great! You never get too old to learn.

Peyton and Jack trying on hats

Jack with his sweet face and Peyton with her beautiful blue eyes were trying on hats while at Disney.

Jack is 5 and is in kindergarten. He loves and plays baseball on a league.

Peyton is going to be 13 this month. 13! She is an A student, plays select soccer, volleyball, basketball and enjoys being in the band. Saxophone is her instrument.

Both Peyton and Jack have inherited their parent's sense of humor. Jack loves to tell funny stories and every once in a while you will hear a joke from Peyton which is usually slipped into the conversation.

My son John, his wife Casey and Children Peyton and Jack went to Florida during Christmas to visit Casey's Grandmother. They made a side visit to Disney.

12-Weeks to Better Photos Week1

The following three photos are part of the twelve Weeks to Better Photos course at http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ . Look at the effect the three different aperture settings have on the focus for the background of each picture.

This shot is with an Aperture setting of F5.6

This shot is with an Aperture setting of F8

This shot is with an Aperture setting of F36

This kiss, this kiss, this kiss,

This kiss was in Rome but last night the kiss was in our dry living room. We felt the painful results for literally minutes. Still talking about that kiss this morning when Bob called to report he arrived at work safely said "at least we still have a lot of electricity between us."

Today, January 1, 2009 the temperature got to 70 degrees. The pansies are in bloom. Knowing how terrible it is in the north and how tired everyone is of the cold weather I hesitated to to send this picture and mention how nice it is here. Somehow, I believe you will forgive me.

Happy New Year!

I put the tree up in the loft which over looks the living room. We like it because you can see it from the living room and the loft but it is not in the way. At night the lights reflect on the windows in a mirror image.

Jane, Ben and Jake come to Texas for Christmas every other year and Thanksgiving on opposite years. This year they came on Thanksgiving. John, Casey, Peyton and Jack went to Florida to visit Casey's Grandmother and Grandfather on Christmas Day. Instead of getting together on Christmas we had a small gathering on Christmas Eve. We were visited earlier in the day by Donna and Howard. Joy, Rob, Brooke and Austin were here for dinner along with Angie, Brent, and Robert. Taryn, Chris, Luke and Logan were also here for dinner. We had a nice time but it is not the same when loved ones are missing.