Another Tower of the Americas experience...

...and how wonderful it was.  Randy took me to the Chart House for my birthday.  Although it poured down rain, the day was beautiful.  It was quite an experience being in the Tower during such a downpour.  Randy and I watched as the dark clouds rolled in and unleashed their load.  The timing was perfect...as it stopped raining when we left the Tower.

Here are some pictures from that day...

My personalized menu.

Randy enjoying his Coors Light.

Here is the birthday girl.

My dish...salmon with lobster sauce and marinara on the side.

Randy's dish.  Steak and potatoes (the steak was cooked to perfection).

Check out the rain drops on the window.

Around 10am on 24 December 1975...

I was born.  Thirty-five years later around 10am I was out running 2.8 miles. And I thought to myself, "What a beautiful morning to be alive! What a beautiful morning to be out running!" How grateful and blessed I am to be here on this Earth, enjoying this morning and this moment. Thank you life!

Here are a couple of layouts I've created this month:

Created with Studio Gypsy's Number Badges, Flashy Alphas and Painted Canvas.

Created with A Little Merry by Charm City Scraps.

This was created for a Word Art Challenge found here. Products used:  Christmas Memories by ScrapDZines (flowers); Merrily by Creashens (brackets, ribbon element); Crazy Stitches by Mira Designs.  Fonts:  Print Clearly and Bebas Neue (outlined) both from DaFont.com

 I used Kara Dudley's Jude, Dawn Inskip's Little Stitches, and font from DSP--Henrietta.

Every day is a day to give thanks...

but the month of November and the Thanksgiving Holidays reminds us to take time out from our busy schedules and reflect on what we are thankful for.  This November I reflected on one of my favorite past-times...digital photography.

This was created for PDW's ATC challenge with Linda Alexis.  I am thankful for family and friends, yes; but I am also thankful for the little pleasures in life that bring joy to my everyday.

I love the holiday season...

but its nice to have a break from holiday kits!  Marta van Eck created a wonderful new kit Sakura.  Here is what I made with it:

Another Day of Life:  This layout was inspired by Christina Martin who wrote, "Each morning I roll out of bed leaving behind unfinished dreams and warm pillows, to bow my head and give praise to the most high for allowing me to see another day of life."  You can get more of Christina Martin at her blog Soul Aperture.

Chinese Lanterns: I fell in love with Sayeed Mehmood's images in the 10 November issue of COLOR.   Thats where the inspiration came for this piece.

CHEERS!

I know, horrible pictures with the red eyes and all.  But I did not want to manipulate these in Photoshop.  So I'm stuck as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Goodness, I had forgotten how good a Samuel Adams lager tasted!

Have I mentioned...

...that I LOVE the city of Boston.  I've been fortunate to travel there twice.  I have to go back though...so much I was not able to visit.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from my most recent Boston trip:

Orange is one of my favorite colors.  I was very happy to capture these red-orange colors of fall.  I just don't get these colors in San Antonio.

Randy at the Frog Pond.

The view from my hotel window.  Every morning when I opened the blinds I said "Good morning,  Boston!"  Yeah, I'm cheesy that way.

Some more Boston Pictures

On the way to the Boston Commons

I was so excited to catch fall colors; and amazed when I came upon the sea of golden-green gorgeousness!

At the Commons

Stopping to ponder at the Frog Pond.

I'm sad.  I have to leave.

Off to a good start...

I won't be able to accomplish much this November in terms of layouts...lots of traveling and holidays!  I LOVE holidays!  But here is what I've done so far (my designers are creating such fantastic material to work with...woot, woot!)

Created with Ode To a Muse by Holliewood Studios and Finecrafted Designs.

Created with Spooky Night by Southern Creek Designs

Also created with Ode To a Muse by Holliewood Studios and Finecrafted Designs

I've been experimenting with different styles too:

Created with kits by Dawn Inskip

Also with Dawn Inskip products.

Created with Sunny Winter's Day by Sunflowers Studio

Mission Espada and San Juan

Up close and personal

Patterns and Textures

One of my favorite aspects of photographing plants and nature, is find patterns and textures...