Round Robin Challenge: Gates

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Round Robin Challenge: Gates

It's THAT time. Time for my first challenge back as a co-host! Like I said in the announcement challenge post, it's going to take me a minute or two to get back up to speed, but it's nice to be back! So, without getting all wordy, here is my gallery of GATES! Most are oldies but goodies from the archives, I have been fighting a really bad cold. As of Monday, it will be four weeks old, but my doctor says it's normal for the particular strain of cold. Things are weird... don't you think?

Anyway, on with the show...

Lets begin with the red gate I chose to inspire you with. As you probably know, I photographed that gate last summer, while watching Woody Allen film his latest movie, Blue Jasmine! I wonder why he chose such an awesome gate, all bright with crimson red, then named the movie Blue Jasmine? I can't wait to find out, but I guess I will have to. It's being released the weekend of my birthday at the end of June. :)

"And Their Off..." Golden GATE Fields, Berkeley, Ca

 

Golden Gate Park Conservatory, GGP, San Francisco, Ca

"Maiden Lane Gate" San Francisco, Ca

"The Part That Went Over The GATE Last" Believe it or not, that's not Dylan, that's Elvis's friend Ernst!

"The Cemetery Gate" Half Moon Bay, Ca

"Pier 14 GATE" San Francisco, Ca

Beautiful Spring GATE!, Mt. Hamilton, Ca

A Golden GATE Bridge Sunset

Every New Day's GATE

Shakespeare Garden GATE, Golden GATE Park, San Francisco, Ca

Okay, those are my GATES! Now that you have seen mine, be sure to drop by the official Round Robin blog, to find the links to all participating Robins, then go see what they have come up with! We have the best photographers on the net!

 Round Robin Challenges: GATES

Mood: Happiness

~Me :)

A Soup Or A Stew?

"A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting."

~Abraham Maslow

Alan made me Chicken and Dumplings last night for dinner. Soup, glorious, soup! Wait, is Chicken and Dumplings considered soup or stew? As of right now I am not sure. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and it doesn't really classify it, except to say it is comfort food! Umm... yes... yes it is! Chicken and Dumplings is a winter favorite in our house, although we don't have it every year. This year we only had it on the very last day of winter, and then it was more about Alan wanting to surprise me with not just comfort food, but with gourmet comfort food! His version of the classic southern dish is a-ma-zing, and he made it just for me! How lucky can a girl get?

I love you Alan! :)

"The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they're right if you love being with the all the time."

~Julia Child

Mood: Still sick, but HAPPY :)

~Me :)

That Spring Day...

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall."

~Nadine Stair

Oh my, oh how I love a rainy day, especially on the first day of spring! There were umbrellas everywhere!



And look, even Rasputin is ready to burst into song!



And speaking of Rasputin, isn't he interesting? And by interesting, I mean fascinating?

Hark! The hours are softly calling
Bidding Spring arise
To listen to the rain-drop falling
From the cloudy skies
To listen to Earth's weary voices
Louder every day
Bidding her no longer linger
On her charm'd way
But hasten to her task of beauty
Scarcely yet begun.

~Adelaide Anne Procter

Mood: Hopeful :)

~Me

Spring Equinox 2013

"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?"

~Neltje Blanchan

By the time you read this, it will be spring! We in the Bay Area are experiencing some rain, and frankly it thrills me to have the first day of spring be all about the dark and gloomy! But if I am telling the truth, I love the way the sun looks when it is shining on a newly opened spring blossom. It makes me smile inside and out. And throw in a wonderful bumble or a honey bee and I am an at my happiest!

The Huffington Post has asked it's readers, "Why Do We Love Spring?" You already know why I love spring, I love spring because of the sheer joy of color! COLOR, COLOR, COLOR! And when I found that gorgeous autumn tree, next to the tree with the brand new blossoms, I got out my camera and spent the day photographing the magic of earth tones and pastels. But I admit, I also love a few other things about spring...

Warmer temperatures in the early morning, when everything still has a glisten to it.
Baby birds... everywhere!
Transitioning to my lighter sweaters.
Beginning my rose garden, and planning for summer vegetables.
The way the sun shines through the window on Dylan, when he is sleeping on the bed.
The first meals we get to eat outside in the garden.

But most of all, it's all about the color...



Why don't you go over to the Huffington Post and share why you love spring! You can also share on Twitter, with the hashtag (#LoveSpring).

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Spring Whispering...

"The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."

~Harriet Ann Jacobs

Sick, or not, I had to go out and run a through errands yesterday. Blech. I would have rather just laid in bed and waited to die, but for whatever stupid reason, I am in... ahem... perfect health!? LOL. Oh well, it was what it was, if I had to be out in the world, I knew I had to bring at least the little red Kodak because, there is always catching the eye of this photographer, even if it is just out the office window!

Spring has stopped whispering "Let me in" and is now banging on the door!





So tell me, has spring, sprung, in your neck of the woods?

:)

~Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Face In The Crowd: Mr. Napa

"He had the look of one who had drunk the cup of life, and found a dead beetle at the bottom."

~P.G. Woodhouse

One of the good things about being home bound sometimes, is the fact that through mind numbing boredom, good things will come! While tip toeing through the archives for October 2013, I came across another photo of a face, in an unexpected place. This time it was resting comfortable, under the shade of a lovely tree on a hillside, in Napa County, which was crying gorgeous crimson leaves.



Sometimes when I look at the face I think I see an old Italian chef, with a bit of an edge with that super manly goatee his is rocking! Otherwise, I also kinda see a chimpanzee. Do you see that? Either way, the face seems happy, of course who wouldn't be? He is resting the day away in Glen Ellen! LOL. He is just all mellow from the wine! LOL.

Mood: Tired

~Me :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

"Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems, and songs with popes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes."

~Unknown

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know...

If you forget to wear green, a leprechaun to pinch you!

St. Patrick's true given name was Maewyn Succat

The very first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in Boston, in the year, 1737

According to Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14.

It has been estimated that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover.

Each leaf of the four-leaf clover has a special meaning: the first for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

At one time, there were more Irish living in New York City, than Dublin, Ireland

Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland

The type of tree that Leprechauns supposedly live is the Hawthorn

I can't decide if I am wearing my pretty green skirt today, or my new Old Navy green dress!? I am thinking its all about the skirt today, as I will probably not go out. We'll see. :) This will be the first St. Patrick's Day I have had with Alan in a long time. He is home today because, poor baby, he has caught the nasty cold I am currently fighting! Fortunately, he bounces back from things pretty fast, let's hope he gets through this ailment just as fast!

He'll definitely need the LUCK OF THE IRISH! ;)

"What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?

A Rash Of Good Luck.