The Catching Pool

March 2005 - Pompeii, Italy. This is one of my favorite shots from our visit to Pompeii in March. The houses all had open areas inside where the sun came through and there were pools in them. The pools were used to catch the rain water for use in the house. I loved the columns in this house.

The Blood of Italy

Italy - July 2005. I've been meaning to get out on the country roads around here and take some pictures of the crops around the base. There's plenty since the Italians use every inch of land for something. There are small vineyards everywhere and the main task was just finding one close enough to the road to get good pictures of the grapes themselves. Then, the other hard part for me was getting stares from all the men on the road or in the fields when I stopped to take pictures. What is that stupid Americana doing? I finally came across a road that wasn't so busy and some grape vines that were butted right up next to the road and the fence was easy to take pictures through. And, there weren't any men making faces at me.

Fiesta

Since I got such great comments on my fiesta flower pot, I thought I'd share with you another one of the pictures I took at the same time. I'm still trying to figure out the settings on the camera and on this one the colors turned out a lot darker and warmer but it emphasied the pot more. Thanks again for the great comments. They made me beam with pride.

Sunrise

On the Balcony, Naples Italy - July 2005. I love colors that flow through our balcony in the early mornings. I'm always the first one up and I sit at the computer doing my daily routine, sipping coffee and watching the sun creep across the table outside.

Running Through the Sprinklers

Carney Park, Italy - July 2005. Old camera, cool summer time sprinklers.

Facing the Sun

Carney Park Italy - July 2005. I took a picture of this rose in full bloom and the rose bud behind from the front, but when I came around to the back, I loved how the sun was shining through the leaves better.

A Teen Dream

Naples, Italy - July 2005. I contemplated for a long time on posting this picture of Brad. It's blurry and was taken with the hundreds of pictures we took while trying to figure out the new camera. The original was very dark because the setting I was playing with on the camera didn't work in doors. So, after using the photo program to lighten the picture and then turning it black and white I'm happy with the outcome, even though I still don't like that it's a little blurry. I do love Brad's expression here though . He's becoming such a loveable young man. He's always looking for hugs right when I'm busy washing dishes or doing laundry.

That's Tight

Naples, Italy - July 2005. As Brad and I were going through some of the pictures on the computer that we'd taken with the new camera, I came across this one and Brad says, "That's just tight, Mom." In other words, he really liked it. So, I thought I'd post it for his sake. Brad is having a grand time playing with the camera and the photo program that came with it. He's already turned a picture of Colby blue so now Colby looks like an alien.

The Push Off

Swim Lessons at Carney Park, Italy - July 2005. Here is the first picture I've posted with our new camera. I'm very pleased with how well it's working. I took about 50 pictures of Colby during swim lessons and love the capabilities of this camera. The zoom is fantastic. He is pushing off for a backstroke.

California Dreaming

San Diego, California - October 2004. This is my favorite picture of all time that I've taken. As we were hot air ballooning for our anniversary last year there were several other balloons up in the air with us. We were all just floating up and down, drifting along with the breeze. I was taking pictures of the fantastic sunset when all of a sudden another balloon started going up in between us and the sun. It was only luck that gave me the shot of the balloon with the sun behind it. We were in the right place at the right time.

Up, Up, and Away

San Diego California, October 2004. One of my most favorite things we did while we were in California was go on a hot air balloon ride for mine and Eric's 17th anniversary. It was awesome!

Garden of Italy

Caserta Royal Palace, Caserta, Italy - May 2005. The garden inside the gates is a beautiful place to stroll and dream of the kings that strolled the paths so long ago. Statues were tucked into bushes and trees while grand fountains dominated over pools where goldfish swam. There weren't a lot of flowers about as you would expect a garden to have, but what was there was still beautiful.

Lovers Lane

Caserta Palace Gardens, Caserta Italy May 2005. Going through the gardens I walked past this road and much to my delight saw this older Italian couple strolling along towards me. I wish I could have gotten closer. It looked so romantic, but I surely didn't want to spoil their moment.

Learning to Whistle

Yesterday during Brad's golf lessons, Colby and I were sitting on the patio waiting. I took a ton of pictures of Colby; him smiling goofy, smiling for real, and him rolling his eyes saying, that's enough. Then he started practicing his whistle which to me sounds like a dove call. He can do it now but his sounds like a little baby dove.

Coffee, Computer, Cat

A must for every person's morning. The new kitten was awake and crying at 5:30 this morning, and so how can I sleep through that. So, I got up and played with the little fellow. He finally found a place to snuggle and the camera was handy.

Road to No Where

Syracusa Sicily, Italy June 2005. The ruts in the rock were created thousands of years ago by the greeks who quarried the rocks in this area. It's such an awesome feeling standing in a place and knowing that it's been this way for 2000 years.

The Colors of Italy

Syracusa Sicily, Italy June 2005. Along the waterfront these houses look out into the bay. The water is calm and tranquile here while on the other side of the small island of old town Syracusa, the sea churns. All of Italy (or at least the Italy I've seen so far) is a million shades of beige. I took this picture because I loved the contrast of the sand colored homes and the light green of the trees. The contrast complemented the two so well.

Riches in the Sun

Syrcusa Sicily, Italy in June, 2005. I loved the sunlight shining on the bay and boat while the clouds were approaching in the background demanding attention.