A little fall in Texas for you.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and so has the turkey. But, not to say that there won't be turkey served on Christmas day. I read my friends blogs, and realize that they have so much to day. And I with all that I have endured this year really do not. However, the news of my life is but merely that I am training for a 5k. A lot of people have looked at me and said..."It's just a 5k", but for me it's not. It's an accomplishment of gargantuan proportions being that I have never...let me repeat NEVER EVER been a "runner". It is a challange that has plagued me my whole life. But its funny how certain occurances in your life can suddenly alter your outlook on what you can do. OK OK OK.....Enough about me...on to the good stuff. I'm hoping yet to capture more good stuff before it's all gone. But here it is...a little fall in Texas... Enjoy!

Another Chapter in my Learning Process

This week has given way to 2 new chapters in my learning process of all this photography stuff. I completed my first fully digital book for a whole year of my daughters life. 94 pages of fun, and I can't wait to see it in print. I also order large prints of some of my photography images for framing and gifts to the g-parents. My nerves will be settled when I get the prints in hand. Until then I'm both excited and nervous to see how they turned out. So getting the mail next week should be very exciting.

Reflections of Another Garden

The photo above was taken at our old house. We had taken a lot of time and effort to develop a beautiful side yard that became home to some of my favorite blooms. The rose is a Marylin Monroe. A creamy pink blossom with a mild scent. The background is my Hydrangeas.

I ran across this photo the other day while working on Grace's photo book. I found myself reminising about my garden, and the hours it took to put up the wall. The sod cutter we rented to attempt to remove the grass. Us working after dark and by the light of a workshop flood. How I loved my bushes, and flowers! I don't dare drive by now because I'm sure that it hasn't beenn trimmed or cared for the way I would have. So I hold on to the memory of those large beautiful blooms. The happiness they brought to me and my family.

I anxiously await turning my current little assortment of plants that were planted with my house into something that is truly my own. Look out Covington's Nursery I have a wish list, and you will probably get to know me once again by name.

One of my favorite Texas Wonders

It is no secret that the state flower of Texas is the Bluebonnet. There aren't many sites in Texas so splendorous as summer wildflowers where they still exist, and fields filled with miles of bluebonnets. It is a bit of a spring tradition to head out to find the local bluebonnets and take photos of families, and children. But what photog can resist just a photo of a bluebonnet?

The perfect and not so perfect blossoms of blue topped with a tuft of white are incredible. These had been bloomed for a while as you could start to see the seed pods appearing. I never knew that bluebonnets had a fragrance until I was standing in a field amongst thousands of the beautiful blossoms. A light floral fragrance that is appealing and not overpowering. And the greatest thrill of all is to kneel amongst them and look on the stems. Never have I seen so many ladybugs. Unfortuantely this year they were fast and I was unable to capture the combination of red and blue. So I dug back to last years archive, and behold the gorgeous photo.

Alas though I did take some photos of my daughter enjoying this spring time treat. This photo was my favorite.

I'm so blessed to have these opportunities. It's no surprise to anyone that I love living in Texas. There are plenty of places that I love to visit, but definitely no place I would rather lay my head at night and call home. It's always nice to come home. "The stars at night are big and bright....Deep in the Heart of Texas!"

Spring Photos of Sorts

This has been a very busy spring. I am amazed that I have found the time to get out to some of my favorite spots and take any photos at all. In March we were able to trek down to Austin for a brief weekend trip to see friends and attend a baby shower. Our dear friends Dennis and Karen expecting their first child. Who, was born yesterday. Welcome to the world Kara Austin Rylander. I can't wait to get back down there to see you in person.

AUSTIN, TX

On our trip to Austin we wanted to stop at one of Texas' great secrets, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center. This was truly a treat, and I would greatly enjoy to go back at various times of the year to get a full perspective of the wildlife within the center.

Grace enjoying the free running time.I made friends with the frog but was unsuccessful at getting Chris or Grace to sit on the frog.

On our way in and out of the perserve there was a water feature. And this family of turtles was enjoying the balmy spring day. Funny part is that the little one was balanced on top of the big one when we went in. We were inside for almost 2 hours. When we came out, still balanced in perfect sync with each other. And then as if on que, the little guy slid off and into the water.

THE LOCAL NURSERY
Another of our favorite places for both photos and shopping purposes is a local nursery named Covington's. The quality of plants is always superb. The owner Joe is always kind and friendly, and his staff very knowledgable.

DALLAS BLOOMS
My third place of topic is truly a place that can't be missed in the spring.

Grace in her element! Posing squirrel. I promise, I think he was looking for a modeling contract.

Tulips in perfect bloom!

My favorite Japanese Maple. At least 30 years old.

Who couldn't smile with her around?!

Blossoms that amaze me. Nature can be so inspirational.

A Layout that is ME

I finally found a layout that is more descriptive of me and my personality. This feels better.

So you will notice that my blog is Anne Elliott Photo. Let me preface that I am not the portraiture that my friend Sharon is. She captures beautiful photos of people I know and love. Her artistry decorates my home via photos of my child. And I am not a wedding photographer like my friend Lynn Michel

le. OMG! I wish I had the experience to capture things the way she does. I am merely an amateur photographer at this point with a passion for capturing nature, and life in the moment.

My daughter is my most captured subject. I love to capture those moments that being a kid is all about. Bare feet in the grass and staring at the sky. Smelling flowers like you have never seen them before.

Recently we had a crazy snow storm here in Big D. We got a record 12.5 inches of snow! This was incredible. I could hardly believe the awesome beauty of it. It made me see the nature around me in a whole new way.

Here is a teaser from the first day we awoke to a snowy wonderland.

More to come once I get them loaded and edited. I welcome comments and suggestions to grow my talents. I hope you enjoy my work.

We may finally be near a resolution

So, everyone blogs. And I'm not sure blogging is completely my thing. But, I decided to start using this tool more to grow my talents. And hence, and update is in order. Over the last 6 months, we have been enduring the challenge that is building a new house. It seems the end may be near. We are scheduled to close within the next week should we get everything in order. YAY!!!

And so for now, I bid you adieu. I'm exhausted and need rest. Look for new pic blogs coming soon!