up the alley, down the street

{linking up: growing in him photo contest}

I would like to introduce you to some of my neighborhood friends. Lucky the beagle, Puggy the...(yep, you guessed it.) pug, and sol the live wire. I think she must be at least part russel terrier, because she never stops moving. Yep, these are the neighbor's dogs. We've watched them a couple of times, and become great pals. Unfortunately our dog doesn't agree.

 

 

 

Recently I've gotten into the habit of taking an evening walk around the neighborhood with my family. Actually it's kind of a tradition. I remember taking family walks in the evenings years ago. Then it was my dad that carried the camera, and an eight-year-old me that ran ahead, picked wildflowers and climbed trees along the way. We've moved several times since then, but we've carried on the tradition wherever we go. Now I carry the same camera that we used back then, but I haven't changed much. Sunsets still leave me breathless, and I still pick wildflowers to take home. It's really great to think that wherever I am, I can still go and watch the sunset every evening and be reminded of all the memories that go along with it. 

Do you have any family traditions that you love?

--Carli

6 o'clock adventure

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It was that lovely time of day right between afternoon and night. The golden sun colors everything in a tint of pure gold. It had already been a full day–including school, friends at the house, and a graduation party–but that didn't stop us. Being the spontaneous, crazy people we are, me and my three siblings headed downtown to go to the botanical gardens without a second thought. Even though it was six o'clock, and the drive was about 45 minutes. "Who cares?" we said.  We piled into the car with some music cds and the old guitar. The ride went really fast, 'cause people, my siblings are some of the greatest people everr. After a lot of laughing, singing loudly, and waving at random cars along the highway, we arrived at the gardens. It was amazing. There were people with shiny black cameras all over the place so I didn't feel a bit out of place. There were flowers in every color, iron gates, stone buildings, and gazebos. I think we were all a bit spellbound. "This is the place to propose to a girl." Rob said. (Yeah, I know, he has amazing tastes. ) It really was magical. We walked around and around the gardens, and more often than not, I was lagging behind snapping pictures. When we were worn out from walking around, the camera battery had died, and most of the people had left, we sat down and talked. It was getting dark when we left. On the way home we left the windows open, and let the evening air blow through the windows. We stopped half way home, topping off our six o'clock adventure with a few ice cream cones. Wanna come along next time?

         --Carli

February 14th//a day in review

 

   It was a quiet day. We all enjoyed extra free time, and the simplicity of our celebration. It's strange how over the years things change, but when you get to a yearly holiday like Valentine's day some things are always the same. Every year we buy candy hearts and Mom and Dad hide them around the house. After they've all been hidden, we kids run into the room where they are hidden and begin searching. Once we've found them all we split them up six ways. This year my dad bought us girls some flowers, which I really enjoyed since we don't buy fresh flowers very often. For dinner we roasted hot dogs over a campfire pit in the back yard. All-in-all, it was a beautiful and memorable day. How was your Valentine's day?

--Carli

Yours Truly

Dear new (old) piano,
I love you already.
I think we're going to be best friends.
--once you stop busting keys.
your (almost) friend,
Carli
 

Dear morning coffee,
I can't get over you.
you make morning so much fun.
thankfully yours,
Carli

Dear Rob,
you're the best.
your little sis,
Carli

Dear Winter,
couldn't you just decide
what you're going to do?
-Carli

{a Photo} challenge; someone you love

I'm going to enter another contest at allie photography, since the last contest I entered in here, was cancelled. I love this shot. It is a picture of my brother...I love him so much. He is a great brother to me. I just love 'thoughtful' pictures...this one is hopeful somehow.  It was a beautiful sunset out on the lake. The golden sunset was gorgeous....don't you just love sunsets?

     

Until next time,