A Spring Afternoon

Tickle Me Holden TMX

Is there anything more intoxicating than a warm Spring afternoon? No coats, no cold, no Winter. The flowers are blooming and the boys are bouncing off the walls. So we head outside to enjoy it.

Over the Fence

T gets out his tiny remote control helicopter - a Christmas present from his brother that the boys have been dying to play with. Luckily Daddy shares his toys. He flies it a few times and then Hollis takes over.

The Wonder of Flight

Eventually, the sun heads down for its nap and it is time to go in. But first, there is one thing left to do....

Make a Wish

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,

our whole life would change.

- Buddha

Norfolk: It's My Town Now

The view from our office conference room. That's the Norfolk cruise ship terminal on the right. I even dig the cranes in the middle. Cranes are pretty cool.
It's no secret that I miss D.C. I went to law school, bought my first house, got my first job as a lawyer, worked in the Pentagon, got drunk and closed many bars, heckled politicians, and had my first baby there. I cling to the home I once had, unable to completely let go. I had some of the best years of my life there. Hell, I still write for the D.C. Metro Moms Blog and I head up for happy hours every couple of months.

But I'm starting to dig this place where I live now. Yes, it's a bit less culturally diverse and there aren't as many cool restaurants, bars, and museums here. Let's face it; I can't go to many of those anyway unless I fork over $10/hour for a sitter to watch the little tasmanian devils in my home.

Hampton Roads has its own appeal, the beach being primary among them! It's a bit too early for beach photos, but I recently took some photos of downtown Norfolk, where I spend so much of my time. (In the office, of course.)


This is the old Customs Building in downtown Norfolk (with the green roof) and another historic building behind it. I've always loved the contrast of the red brick with that roof.


The sunset was reflecting off of this building about a block from my office, so I headed up to the roof of the parking garage to get a few shots. I just wish I'd been a bit higher up!



This is the side of the World Trade Center building on the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, where I work. I'll have to circle my office window next time, just in case Jenny wants to stalk me.


The Old Customs House again. I look at this through my office window every day.
I just love that roof.

So, it's growing on me. More than just the space around my house feels like home now. I might even tell people I'm from this area in the future. Maybe.

Color

Peacock on a Fence

There was a time in my life when I was almost afraid of color. I wore a lot of black. Or mostly black with a little red thrown in. Or mostly navy blue with a little red thrown in. Or mostly brown with a little red thrown in.

Are you sensing a pattern here?

As as adult, and with confidence in myself, I've learned to love color.

My house has every color of the rainbow on its walls. I like to tell people we got drunk and painted the house. My favorite color scheme in my home, the dining room, is orange and teal. I have almost a pumpkin orange on the walls, light teal window treatments and a teal, brown, and cream rug. It makes me happy every time I see it.

I wear color too. I'm not afraid of it any more. Well, maybe I'm afraid of yellow. It makes me look too sallow. But other than yellow, if I like it, I'll wear it. In fact, I'm toting around a patent leather kelly green purse right now. It's fabulous.

Today I wore a light orange sweater topped with a dark plum corduroy jacket, a black satin skirt with dark plum flowers sewn on and embroidered in orange thread. It sounds a bit out there, but trust me, I looked fierce. (As Christian would say.)

Color adds so much to my life. As much as I love the serene calm of white snow, all that white space calling out to me; I love the gorgeous fuchsia, celadon, kelly, violet, and all the blushing colors of Spring, more. Or the warm, rich colors of Fall deep with spices, the burnt red of crackling fires and falling leaves, and the deep shades of football jerseys.

I'm discovering that my personality and love of color is appearing in my photographs as well. While I'll always love the dark tones of a cool vintage photo,


or the peaceful feeling of a nice black and white conversion (or mocha and white),



color is my forte.



Rich, saturated, glorious color.



Color just suits me.



And I still love to add a little of my red every now and then.




What's your signature color?