2015/12/21

TJH: Inspire – Ode to Joy

Da Goddess @ 08:12

Tis the season for joy, is it not?

Yesterday, while baking cookies with King Arthur’s daughter and grandkids, I’d noticed something interesting: an upside-down candy cane cookie was right next to a wreath cookie, which was next to a mitten cookie. Looking at the way they were laid out there, it read “Joy” to me. Everyone else came over to look and they saw the same thing. It was appropriate for the occasion, as well as for the season.

Which brings me to my next bit of joy: my kids.

Mojo was down from Fairbanks the 2nd-9th. We only got a bit of one day together, but it was wonderful to see her, AND LD, again. Yes, they both met up with us at a little place down Temecula way. I’d told them we were going to do some photos for Grammy and Papa and they were cool with that. Here are a couple shots from that day.

Mojo 1

My sweet kids

LD 1

My Mojo girl

LD 2

Mojo 2

Handsome LD

A wonderful pair

Beautiful Mojo

2015/04/24

TJH: Inspire – Faire Prep, Spring 2015

Da Goddess @ 02:16

We leave later today for faire. Part of my faire prep includes going through photos from last year to get in the mood.

First up, we have King Arthur with our friend from another guild. I have no idea what KA’s looking at, but I had to get a shot of him with the collar he received upon being knighted. He rarely wears it (don’t know why). I think it suits him well.

King Arthur aka Captain and Brent

During Spring, we get horses at faire. I’m not sure why they aren’t there during the Fall, but I’m always excited to see them. Both are black and very tall, sturdy steeds. Our buddy spent a good 15 minutes nuzzling the one horse and the affection and interest looked to be mutual.

Brent with the black stallion

Brent's buddy

This next little guy, sigh. I miss him so much! When I first met him two years ago, he was peeking through a canvas wall and was just as adorable as could be. I said, “hi! You’re cute!” and he replied, “I’m not cute! I’m Edward!” I always made it a point to greet him with, “hi, I’m-not-cute-I’m-Edward” at least once each faire weekend. He and his mom and dad moved back East after faire ended last year. E was the best little buddy in the world. We had “sword fights” and read books and played and basically had a good time.

Edward

Family L with Edward

This little boy? His name was Felix. He came by the guild and we dug through a bin full of books so he could take one home with him. We had a lot of books about animals, but the one animal he liked most was not amongst our collection. His favorite animal? A rhino! A boy after my own heart.

Felix who likes rhinos

Below, you’ll find a photo of a young man who happened to be a boxer. We ran across him at Southern (which is the oldest faire in the country) with his family. He spoke not a word of English, but his uncle was kind enough to translate for us. Not only was this young guy a boxer, he was also a model. My photo doesn’t even come close to doing him justice.

The Boxer

This float? One of many we use to decorate our encampment. I usually like to grab a few shots while we’re setting up just to remind myself how things were set up the previous season. This was one of two that I remembered to edit.

Glass float

Finally, we have this. Do you know what it is?

Do you know what it is?

2015/01/23

TJH: Inspire – The Beach, part III

Da Goddess @ 04:21

On the rocks

Really rocky

2015/01/22

TJH: Inspire – The Beach, part II

Da Goddess @ 04:04

The beach in Encinitas

Wave Detail

2015/01/21

TJH: Inspire – The Beach, part I

Da Goddess @ 19:04

I need some help deciding between two images. Please, decide for me. Send your friends over to tell me what sucks and what doesn’t. Send your dentist. Send your dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs, and personal chefs! Really, I just need help deciding between the two images. Which one do you prefer?

Option A or Option B?

Which one do you like?

2015/01/17

TJH: Inspire – Mmm Mmm Good!

Da Goddess @ 03:41

Exhibits A and B as to why I have a big butt.

Raspberry Sherbet

More Raspberry Sherbet - Macro food photography

2014/10/16

TJH: Inspire – Just a Couple Faire Folk

Da Goddess @ 01:07

Here are a couple of friends from faire. These ladies are in the guild next to ours. The purple blouse? I gave that to L. I could never get the chestal region to fit quite right so I passed it along and L made it work. I love when that happens!

Faire Folk 1

Faire Folk 2

2014/09/08

TJH: Inspire – Mother & Daughter Art Collaboration

Da Goddess @ 04:15

I know title=”Pamibe” target=”_blank”>Pam will like this, but I’m betting there are others who will enjoy this as well: mother of toddler uses her daughter’s drawings as the foundation for paintings.

I now wish I had thought of this. What a beautiful way to look at the world, to be inspired, to encourage your child’s imagination and love of art! Well done, Ruth Oosterman!

2014/08/08

It’s International Cat Day!

Da Goddess @ 16:51

Not that we don’t celebrate cats each and every day here, but it’s nice to know other people celebrate, too.

title=”Amazing cat photos” target=”_blank”>International Cat Day is a thing, people. C’mon, do your part to make nice with the pussies of the world!

International Cat Day model Celia

2014/04/09

TJH: Inspire – The Lovers (may or may not be safe for work or even for human consumption)

Da Goddess @ 00:12

We came home after a trip to the vet a few weeks ago to find the most blantant sexual act happening on our front steps.

(more…)

2014/03/11

TJH: Inspire – Balboa Park

Da Goddess @ 02:33

After court a few weeks ago, King Arthur and I went to Balboa Park to see the pirate exhibit at the Natural History Museum. It’s there until September, so get your hiney out to San Diego and see it. It’s impressive! (They didn’t allow photography of the exhibit, so no photos of any of it.) We took a short break at one point and had snickerdoodles. KA did his best Cookie Monster impression, as depicted below.

King Arthur as Cookie Monster

Then there’s the obligatory shot of the California Tower in Balboa Park. From any angle, it’s an impressive structure. I just had to capture it.

California Tower in Balboa Park

And finally, as I was sitting on a park bench, I was faced with a serious, philosophical question:

Philosophical question in the park

My answer: I don’t know. But, I keep going. That’s what I do. I move on. I move forward. I move. I just keep swimming because that’s what Dory told us to do.

2014/03/06

TJH: Inspire – Ghost Ship

Da Goddess @ 00:13

When I had to go into court against the insurance company a couple weeks ago, we saw a naval ship off the coast at Camp Pendleton, practicing loading and offloading of gear. The haze and the sun and the angle of our vehicle made it look rather ghostly, as if it were floating up in the thin clouds. By the time we pulled over at the rest stop, it looked a little less ghostly, but I took a few photos anyway.

ghost ship

ghost ship

I couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I separated myself from the crowd (who were also out shooting with cameras and snapping with cell phones), wandered behind the one tree that stood off to the side, and figured I’d play NCIS agent to get the next two shots. King Arthur had the same idea and was trying to find me certain angles, which didn’t work so well because he’s taller and, guess what? I’m not. So I stuck with my range of view.

if I were a spy

if I were a spy

Yeah, I’m a total geek when it comes to making something easy a lot more difficult. I think they turned out okay. Sadly, I had no DiNozzo to slap upside the head, although I think I called KA “probie” in keeping with the NCIS theme. (I’ve already admitted I’m weird. No need to say it again, unless you absolutely must.)

2014/02/17

TJH: Inspire – Keep Calm

Da Goddess @ 12:40

This is what I see from the shower. The shower has a huge frosted glass window and this is what I see when I step in.

My view

The bathroom window

It makes me smile

2014/01/24

TJH Inspire: Horny Mike and His Helmets

Da Goddess @ 03:27

In an effort to distract myself momentarily from the dreaded sinus crud that’s invaded our home, here are some photos from last year’s trip to Vegas. We stopped at Count’s Kustoms and had a look around. Ran into Horny Mike as he was moving in a display of his helmet work. Pretty cool stuff.

Horny Mike Pinhead helmet work

Horny Mike

Horny Mike Helmet

My favorite is Pinhead. Striking as all get out.

2013/12/05

TJH: Inspire – Jerry Mahoney

Da Goddess @ 19:02

More of the dummies.

Jerry Mahoney 1

Jerry Mahoney 2

Jerry Mahoney 3

Didn’t know a lot about Jerry Mahoney, so I looked for more info.