The Tenth Picture

So this was really a fun "tag", and I hope you give it a try. It reminded me of going through these old boxes of photos (you recall me mentioning it to you? Amanda's project?) and finding such wonderful photographic treasures that we had forgotten about.

The Details:

I was tagged by mrsfatface to choose the first folder of pictures that I came to, and then to chose the 10th picture in that folder. The next step was to post and share a little story about that picture. So I went to my external hard drive to the ALL PICTURES HERE folder, and the first folder there was 2005. Inside were more folders, so I chose the first folder THERE, and then the 10th picture.

What I found:

I found my grandson, Mr ADR, at his kindergarten graduation! The celebration really was fun, but Asa was rather sober as he stood in front of the many assembled dignitaries to receive his diploma. I am sure that he was thinking about the grave responsibilities of first grade and all the many things he had to learn, coming up in his life. Or maybe he was just thinking - get me off this stage so I can get a cookie!

I love this picture, and in fact, I love the whole series of pictures we took that day. Asa looks so young compared to now, at 10. He has grown so much, grown so tall, grown so smart, grown so funny! I feel the need for a scrapbook page coming on.

We were not able to make our grand-daughter's kindergarten graduation this year, so I will have to get some photos from her momman and do a page or two for her as well, so I can capture the moment and remember it, even without a blog challenge. In anticipation of that, take a look at this shot of her, in 2005, at the above referenced event. What a doll!

And what FUN this challenge has been!

What's Next?

I have five people to tag, so here we go:

1. Janine at http://altheap.wordpress.com/
2. Ama at http://aproprose.wordpress.com/
3. Joon at http://www.joonbeam.blogspot.com/
4. Chrissie at http://www.niminyfingers.blogspot.com/
5. Pam at http://magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/

I Won!! I Won!! I Won!!!

Out here in the blogosphere, some people tend to turn their noses up at awards from fellow bloggers. They aren't "official" enough. They aren't awarded by some august body of special judges.

But I say that one of the great things about the blogosphere is our ability to reach each other in unexpected ways, across many miles. To make new friends, learn from each other, and find common interests. To appreciate the life and loves and hardships and strengths of each other. And to share the unexpected and true gift of awards accorded to each other without pretence and out of personal admiration and love.

And so, without further adieu, here is the news!!!

That talented mrsfatface has awarded my blog with the Kreative Blogger award! I want to thank the Academy, my producers, my ETSY teams, and most of all, my incredible co-stars, my family, for the wonderful stories and content and enrichment they provide to my everyday life!

I know! I know! I am all, like, oooh! aaah! Excellent Fun!

Please, please, before all the congratulations, I do have a tiny little speech.

The rules that I accepted along with this award (do all awards come with rules? hmmm.) are that I am to list seven (7) things that I love, and then pass the award on to others. So, while I am holding this highly coveted award let me share some loving surprises.

1) I love my husband, the one and only Mr. R. L. Bryant. Now who of you is surprised by that?

Mr. Bryant patiently lets me take one more picture.
But who can resist that Man in a White Shirt?!?! Smokin' Hot!!!

2) I love my family, everyone. Here are some of them....

That crazy James and Karla, dearest brother-in-law and Wonder Twin!



Mr. Bryant and Rose



Aunt Nancy, Uncle Mike, Mrs. and Mr. Hanson, after a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The assembled crowd before the caves and the picnic and the hike!

ADR, SRR, ADR, and JPR. :)

At the beach. (Oh yes, I love the beach too, but I go there with my family so I am counting it here. Nothing in the rules about that. Nothing at all.)

3) I love PEACH PIE! Can't wait for summer and fresh peaches. Recipe here! Can't Wait!

I really need some peach pie now.

4) I love THESE! They were made just for me by the very talented sixsisters at ETSY. Fantastic and beautiful work! I have been very slowly using them, as I don't want to use them up too quick! Thanks so much, LOVE YOU SIX!

The Snow Hare - hand pulled print by
http://sixsisters.etsy.com

5) I love ART. In every form. All the time. Making, sharing, viewing, appreciating. Love It. I am really lucky to be surrounded by incredible artists at every turn. Painting, drawing, welding, cooking, dancing, smiling, spinning yarn, and making castles. Art is everywhere around me and I am grateful every moment.

Look at this, for example. A pencil drawing of Karla and James. Picture taken through glass. Like, wow.

Or here, as a sand castle begins to take shape. From the artist's mind and into life on the beach!

6) I love reading. Did ya know it?

On my bedside table. The books change, but the size of the stack never seems to diminish!

7) I love the music. Especially orchestral and choral music. Singing or listening to choral music reminds me of playing with or listening to an orchestra. I love all the parts, the harmonies. Love it! But, oh, my favs? Pachelbel's Canon. Moonlight Serenade. Yep. There they are.


And just like on my birthday, I am going to add one love to grow on. I love SCRAPBOOKING, putting all these memories where they will last and last, telling the stories of our every day lives, creating a legacy. I have incredible inspiration here from honored artists like Donna Downey, Jennifer Stewart, and Cathy Zielski to everyday people like the amazing Nilla in Kuala Lumpur and the inspired and Very Fun Debi Ellis.


And now, in these last few moments as I prepare to pass this award on, let me tell you that each and every one of these nominees is fabulous, special, talented, and WONDERFUL and that I am lucky lucky LUCKY to know them and learn from them every day. Each one of these award winners has taught me something precious, and I thank them. I am still learning every day, and everyone I meet is giving me the gift of enriching my life!


I bequeath the Kreative Blogger award to the following highly deserving bloggers, with no rules at all. :) Congratulations to....

Janine at AltheaP - a fascinating blogger and artist
Chauncy at her blogspot - a wonderful creative glass artist with a lovely blog
Chris at NiminyFingers - a very talented felt artist with great heart
Olivia at TheFiligreeGarden - a wonderful creative jewelry and fiber artist and a fabulous writer
Jean Hood, The Texas Hill Country Painter - one of my favorite painters with a great blog as well
Joan at SixSisters - a mult-talented artist with a fun and informative art blog
Pearl at Fehustoneware - a fabulous potter and interesting and creative blogger

Thursday Theme - Remembering

Kimberly's Flowers

Five years ago this month, Mr. Bryant and I eloped.

Five years ago TODAY I was thinking about our upcoming vacation, how much fun we were going to have, and how excited I was to see my favorite cousin Michael after a year! I couldn't wait for Sonoma and San Francisco, and for the Pelican Inn and Muir Woods.

I hadn't yet experienced any of the nervousness, fear, concern, and euphoria related to the wedding. But I remember it all - the trip, the fun, the surprise, the fear, the drinking, the flowers that I could only keep for a single day, and the wedding. I remember afterwards too, when momma was mad and we were in Hawaii. I remember coming home and wondering what we had done.

I remember how different every day was, and how wonderful every day has become.

I miss you Michael, and think it must be time to plan another California vacation!

Two handsome men I love

And, while we are remembering....

remember that fabulous Give Away from earlier this week? With the great necklace from mrsfatface? Well, the comments were wonderful and I loved reading all about your favorite items from her shop! Many thanks to every entry. Random.org has provided us with a winner - comment number 5, left by RACHEL!

Congratulations Rachel, we will be reaching out to you so we can send you the necklace.

Thanks everyone for entering, more giveaways coming!

Oh Give, Give, Give!

I want to extend a spirit of generosity and kindness into the world this year, and one way I plan to do that is to give things away much more regularly.

For my first give-away of 2009, I am going to share with you all the talents from the etsy shop of MrsFatFace. The jewelry in this shop is typically natural stone and high quality materials. Really lovely items with some very beautiful designs.

So without further adieu, here is a photo of the necklace for our give-away. There is an incredible Imperial Turquoise focal bead strung on a Sterling Silver chain. The accent beads at the clasp are gorgeous Smoky Quartz. All wire, chain, and clasp materials are Sterling Silver.

Imperial Turquoise and Smoky Quartz on Sterling Silver Chain

To win this necklace, please go to MrsFatFace's shop and browse around. Leave a comment here telling me which of her items you liked best and why. Reading your comments will give me great pleasure, and so, on THURSDAY (February 19th) I will choose a random post from those left here and one of you, gentle readers, will win the necklace!