Sunset, Moonrise

Carpe Diem

Grabbing the gusto, baby! Gotta love a man who knows what he wants and goes for it.

Robb & Meghan's Wedding May 30

Robb's younger sisters rehearsing before the wedding.Luke's last-minute whisker trim.Elegant bride.
The wedding was a worship service.Communion music
Mr. and Mrs. Robb Robins

Backyard receptionMint limeade
Listening to toasts.
"Robin's Nest" home-brewed ale and beer!

Luke approves. (He's a hobbit.)

Beautiful couple with beautiful hearts. May the Lord bless them with many wonderful years together.

Abraham Lincoln's Home in Springfield May 29

On our way to a wedding in the Chicago area, we stopped to tour Lincoln's home in Springfield, IL. This is his writing desk.
Mary Todd Lincoln's bed and one of her dresses. The wallpaper is the original pattern.
Toys in the boys' room. The Lincolns had four sons, but only one lived into adulthood.
Their kitchen.

The loo. So, this is how important politicians live. Nice to know.
The balcony railing is also original. Some of the ornamentation was broken off by the rambunctious boys.
After touring the house we walked into downtown Springfield. A church door.
Another church door.
Building across the street from the outdoor table where we ate lunch.
Also across the street.
Likewise.
My lunch. Chicken teriyaki salad with mango salsa. Yummy.
We passed the state capitol building on our way back to the car. Charming downtown area. And Lincoln's home is definitely worth seeing if you're ever in the Springfield area.

Knox Presbyterian Women's Conference May 1-2

Friday, May 1, I spoke to the women of Knox Presbyterian Church in Detroit. They color coordinated the decorations and flowers to match the cover of Parting the Waters. :)
This yacht club is a famous landmark.
Saturday morning the conference organizers took me to breakfast at The Pancake House.
Lesley Graham promoting Parting the Waters to pancake lovers everywhere.
Love these women. Such tender hearts for the Lord. Check out the size of those "omelets." Yowza!

Thanks again for the lovely time we had together, ladies!

Kiley Nees' Bridal Shower May 3

Such a precious and beautiful bride. Many blessings on your marriage, Kiley. xo

TCBC Retreat April 24-25

Much to my honor and delight, the women of Trinity Chapel Bible Church invited me to speak at their spring retreat. On my way to the retreat center in Glen Rose, Texas, I met Heather Goodman for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in Dallas. After lunch we posed for a few wind-blown portraits.
Colorful, creative table decorations
The women arriving.
Andrea McCarthy performing a powerful skit. (She also created the wonderful Parting the Waters book trailer!)
Beautiful worship.
Bouncy Jesus and a Tootsie Roll. (Ask Tina Howard.)
TJ loves her husband.
Artistic response.
Such a sweet time connecting with each other and Jesus (the real One, not the bouncy one). Lots of laughter and tears. Thanks, ladies, for inviting me. I loved being with you!

George's Birthday Dinner April 22

George requested homemade chicken pot pie.
Most of the ingredients were growing in the back yard.
Pot pie filling.
Strawberries and sun-lit Riesling.
Fresh from the oven.The birthday boy with his birthday basket of goodies. We also had death-by-chocolate cake, but the pictures look like all the other death-by-chocolate cakes I've photographed, so I'm not including one. Trust me--it was beautiful. And delicious. :)

Happy Birthday, George!

Book Signing at Barron's April 18

"Fused Glass Has Evolved" (Thought you might want to know.) Barron's in Longview has all kinds of lovely stuff for sale. Go there and buy some of it.

The only picture I got of myself all day. This lovely young lady asked a bunch of great questions and made some insightful observations before she purchased a copy of the book for herself. She's ten.
My friend and former critique partner, Nanci Huyser, sat beside me. That's one of the nice things about a multi-author signing. Always someone interesting to talk to! :)

Baby horse!

Tuesday evening I went to a dinner at the Roseville Bed & Breakfast. When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw this baby horse lying near the fence in the pasture.
The B&B owner saw me taking pictures and came out. He told me the baby was only one day old!
The mom kept pawing at him and nudging him with her muzzle to wake him up. I think she was nervous because we were so close.

I loved it when he stood up hiney first!


Hungry baby.


Isn't he precious! :)

Flowers and Pixies

Last Wednesday I drove to Dallas, expecting to fly to Colorado the next day, but a blizzard interfered, our flight was canceled, and my sister and I had a day in Dallas to play.
We decided to head to the Dallas Arboretum.






The spring foliage was in full bloom, and the overcast skies provided wonderful lighting for photos.






But photographing flowers wasn't our only goal. We also brought along an assortment of dresses and accessories snatched from one of my mom's over-stuffed closets. If we couldn't be skiing in Colorado, we figured we might as well amuse ourselves with the Ever-Popular First Annual Gown Girls Spring Show and Model Shoot at the Arboretum. (I just made up that name. Work with me.)
This lovely shot was taken using my dad's ghetto-quality, cob-web encrusted tripod and my camera's self timer.
Action shots courtesy continuous shooting mode.
Raaawr!
Cute sister.

Ethereal and ephemeral. Isn't she a dream?

My imitation of a prompt garden sculpture. (The watch helps.)
Album cover.

These poses dedicated to Women's Council Founders, Margaret McDermott and Virginia Nick. Thanks, ladies; you're an inspiration!
One singular sensation
Two dweebs (if you count my reflection)
That's all, folks! (Unless our flight gets canceled again next year.)

Thailand Album 4: Stilt Village

We visited this Muslim village, entirely built in the water on stilts.

Construction?

My lunch.








Almost every house had a birdcage outside.

Thailand Album 3: Monkeying Around

Ever feel like you stepped into an Indian Jones movie? I definitely recommend clicking on these shots to enlarge them.

Thailand Album 2: Phuket

You need this outfit.

Thai Barbie?
For the metal art collector who has everything
One fish, two fish, red fish, polka-dotted fish




Furry fruit
Patong Beach district


Plumeria

















Typical sight: supplies and workers piled in the back of a pick-up.
We got some interesting looks from locals when we did the same.

Thailand Album 1: Chiang Mai

This colorful fellow greeted us in the Bangkok airport.
If the boxes started falling, I don't think he would have been able to stop them.
Thai girls preparing to dance at a wedding reception.
Carved fruit and vegetables.
I can't resist an old door!
Feels like stepping into a painting . . .




Food and goods for sale at the Chaing Mai night market . . .



Grace modeling some shades.








This tree and the next three shots were taken from an elephant ride.



I can't resist photographing babies. Isn't she adorable? (By the way, this shot was not taken from an elephant ride.)

Phuket

We're in Phuket now. Beautiful place. Beautiful people. Here are a few undedited shots taken at the market and the hotel. Buy squid and other yummies from a cart.



Grace shopping in the market.


Night life in Phuket

Chiang Mai

Here are a few unedited photos from Chiang Mai.
Misty mountains, taken from an elephant ride!
Baby elephant. :)

Grace taking a Thai cooking class.
Nim hugging Grace.
Nim painting a picture of herself!




Delicious!

Parting the Waters Book Trailer

My friend Tina and her friend Andrea made this. Better grab a tissue before you click play.

Introducing Dr. George Damoff

Isn't he cute?
In the hood. (Yo.)
"You're gonna make it after all . . . " Oh, wait. You already did.
I'Kuai and Jenny Hung prepared a fabulous Chinese luncheon at their lovely home in George's honor.



George had to play for his supper.
Before he moved to America from Taiwan, I'Kuai sang John Denver songs to learn English. He still loves them.
"Country roads, take me home . . ."
George played, I'Kuai sang, and this little cutie danced.
After the concert, we lingered around tea and pleasant conversation.
Congratulations, Dr. Damoff. I'm so proud of you! xo

Parting the Waters Book Release

Thursday, December 4, we held our local book release at the Marshall Visual Arts Center. My dear friend, Pam Dowd, made three beautiful arrangements for the tables.
As our way of saying "thank you" to a community that played a huge role in this story, we gave one free copy per family. Additional copies sold for $10 each.
Friends made cookies.
Jacob also signed books, with the help of his long-time aide and friend, Rusty Mauldin.
Messing with the camera man (my husband). I told Chloe to stick out her tongue, too, but she was too polite.
Guests mingle in the visual arts center, a spacious old building that was originally a laundry and now hosts art exhibits and other events. We enjoyed a steady stream of come-and-go visitors, and gave away/sold almost 300 books.
It was so much fun to sign copies for dear folks who prayed and ministered to us in countless ways.
Precious friends. I'm the one without any books. :)
Claudia Jones is the wife of the man who dove into the lake on impulse and found Jacob at the bottom. She drove to East Texas from Little Rock, Arkansas to be with us. Pam Dowd remained a constant presence throughout our ordeal. Her daughter, Natalie, was Jacob's best friend. They are both important "characters" in the story.
Another dear friend, Jeff Franzen, sent this bouquet. It was delivered to me at the signing table mid-event--one of many beautiful moments in the evening. Thanks to everyone who came and the many who continue to pray for Jacob. We love and appreciate you!

Peteet Family Portraits

I recently spent about an hour and a half photographing this adorable family. We went to the park, downtown, and to an abandoned lot next to an old building. I need to post a close up of their daughter's eyes. They're two different colors--very cool looking! (Click a shot for a larger view.)

Sorry for the long absence. For the few who faithfully stop by, I'll try to do better!

Ps CS3

I downloaded photoshop CS3 yesterday, and I feel like a third grader trying to wrap my mind around War and Peace. Of course, I immediately started playing with colors and filters. This daisy has been color-adjusted, twirled, sphericalized, underpainted, and I don't remember what else. I could amuse myself with some of the funky fun features for months, but I'm also determined to learn the important technical stuff, too.

All you photogs in the crowd, feel free to share your success secrets and favorite features! (And please use small words. Thank you.)

They really are easy to love

Jubilee just returned from their west coast tour, and Grace put together a video montage! Check it out:



Background music is "Easy to Love" by Jubilee. Wouldn't you agree? :)

Now available for pre-order . . .

Isn't that a lovely cover? :)

Pre-orders available here or by calling 877-421-7323. If you live in the Marshall area, come to our book release party (location and date TBA), and you'll get a copy for free!

Show Me . . .

You! (Er, me.) Today's assignment from Robert (Thoughts of a Father) is to "show me yourself," so I'm taking this opportunity to share a few updates with the pictures. In this first shot I'm modeling the lovely necklace and bracelet George brought back from Ivory Coast, West Africa--a gift to me from Soro Guebessonguile and his wife Rachelle, an African family with whom he stayed for a week and who adopted him as their father. Cool (long) story.
September 9 was my birthday, and George baked a death-by-chocolate cake! Here I am photographing it . . .
And here's the photograph I took. (Despite the number of candles, I didn't turn twelve.)
I took this shot specifically for the project. It's a self-portrait of most of me, minus the parts that get me in the most trouble.
And these are my TOMS shoes. Cute, comfy, and one small way to help a needy child. Click the link to learn more!

Now I'm heading over to Robert's place to get a look at some of you!

Show Me . . .

Robert of Thoughts of a Father has been hosting a photographic challenge all week, and I'm finally jumping in. His theme is "show me . . ." with the object changing each new day. Today I grabbed my camera and shot them all. Here are the results. On Sunday, he said "show me your mailbox."
Ours is built into the front door. Here's a close up. Monday was "show me your kitchen."
This is the only shot I didn't take today. I borrowed it from the shots I took for Anna Carson's Project Blue. Tuesday was "show me your front door."
I've always loved how thick and heavy our door is. (Here's another view of our "mailbox" too.) Wednesday was "show me an object of sentimental value."
This rocking chair belonged to my husband's grandfather. We found it in the old family barn in rural Ohio. The varnish was black and the original metal-spring, leather seat had been converted to a nest by rats. George refinished it, and I reupholstered it. Now its honeyed tones warm our hearts and our living room. Thursday was "show me a favorite view."
Photographs of my kids, each taken when they were 18 months old. My house is full of photos from many eras of our lives. I love them! Friday was "show me something that relaxes you."
When I need therapy (or just want to make music), you'll often find me here.

Tomorrow is the last day of the "Show Me" project, and the assignment is "Show me yourself!" See you then. :)

Party People

Happy bride.
Dancing groom.
Happy niece.
Dancing nephew.
Happy feet.
Dancing maniac. (I had a hard time keeping him in the frame.)
Sassy sister. (I need to teach her to behave . . . as soon as I figure out how.)


One of these days I'm going to purchase PhotoShop and start putting cool filters and stuff on my pictures. Meanwhile, thanks for all your kind comments in spite of my lack of snazzy effects. :)

More wedding pics

Or, I should say, pre-wedding pics . . .
Rehearsal
Fixing the bride's hair
Adding a veil
Bridesmaids
The first shoes ever worn by Mrs. Jon Martin.

More still to come . . . (Thanks for asking!)

Wedding Sampler

A few shots from my niece's wedding Saturday.

Colorado

On June 30, Luke returned from nine months in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The next day we drove to Colorado where we spent a week with my sister's family. This is Luke listening to an outdoor concert by the band, America.

Obligatory Fourth of July fireworks shots--only this show happened on the 3rd.



The next morning we watched the parade. The floats are lots of fun, but most of my favorite shots were of children.


The Lion's Head area of Vail has been completely remodeled to resemble a European village.






Summer in Colorado means beautiful flowers everywhere.

(My apologies to Robert for posting these all at once. Don't hate me forever, okay?)