It was only a minute ago that I was complaining that Spring would not allow Summer to come with full gusto!

Summer seemed to last forever when I was young

(only a couple of years ago I might add– hold on Im choking) 

Now, I seemed to have blinked and it’s on the way out!

But– what this fantastic blog has taught me, is to try and capture my day to day wonderfulness, and with my DipityRoad I can review easily what has gone by.

This fast journey as been a good one!

Case in POINT!!

(When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change.) Wayne Dyer

Taking a moment to stop – look a wee bit closer– Mr. Hornet is modeling for me!

I’m posting this late at night and love hearing the very talented Melody Gardot — Sleep tight! She is what I sound like in my DREAMS

BTW…

I have a little tease coming on Friday — it has to do with some very fun DIY Halloween ideas!

Hope you will check back and for sure… plan on joining with us on Friday Finding Beauty.

HUGS!

TTFN~~ Claudia

A dear friend asked me to photograph her daughter’s engagement party.

I happily agreed to the date and time– then she replied…

“You do know that Vietnamese Engagement not like American?”

(no I didn’t know)

So I hoped on Google the night before…OOOOOOOOOOH my!

Often the Engagement is grander than the wedding itself.. I was in for a surprise.

The Bride-to-be’s family waits in the home, while the Groom-to-be  family lines up in a processional and makes a grand entrance with gifts in hand.

An alter was set up on the living room awaiting the ceremony.

After the gift’s are presented …

the Bride-to-be is brought into the room by her mother. (isn’t she stunning?)

In front of both families, the Groom-to-be, asks for her hand in marriage…

(I am assuming this, as all of the ceremony was conducted in Vietnamese) I just did what I was told–

“stand here and take picture!”  so I did.

A family of 8 girls!  8 gorgeous women!

American tradition is for the family of the Bride to put on the wedding… however, I am told, that Vietnamese tradition is the opposite.

This Dad got off easy!

What a delightful event this was for ME!  What a privilege to participate and I learned so much! I found myself just watching and sometimes forgetting to get the camera up and snap away.

Everyone seemed to have such a wonderful time… I hope they enjoy their engagement.

See you at the wedding NEXT year!  Thank you for asking me.

TTFN~~ Claudia

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Remember to stop by Beverly’s Pink Saturday where they are celebrating a very lovely miracle.

Join with us this week as we celebrate the BEAUTY in our lives… be sure to link back to us in your post.

Of course leave a comment!

Remember:

“When you change the way you look at things… the things you look at change.”  Wayne Dyer

I found this video and HAVE to share– Can you believe what a great example she must have in her lil life? Every woman should start her day off like this!

Heck EVERY person should!

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Each week as I go about my life and think  how I will share my vision of beauty … I often turn to mother nature.

She takes my breath away…

This week however, I have decide to take a bit of a side track and share a couple of videos that really bring a smile to my heart–

and OFTEN a tear to my eye.

I imagine you have seen all of them — but re-watching just goes to show how beautiful FUN can be.

NOTE: go to my side bar and turn OFF the music this week and listen to the music in the videos. —>

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I remember the first time I watched this — the looks on the by standers were just precious!

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I was totally sucked into this one and watched it over and over — I love the TRUCK driver

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JK Wedding Entrance Dance
Uploaded by DemetriAuthor. – Discover videos of people, family and friends.

Lastly — this one kills me!  These kids obviously didn’t have tons of money for the wedding– but oh my goodness the joy they must have had planning and sharing and then to KNOW how many millions they have touched. Well done!  Chokes  me up every time.

Pink Saturday is a favorite of mine for you to visit!  Beverly would love your company.

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Now is YOUR time to share what you find is beautiful in your life.  Be sure to link back to this post and mention it in your blog post.

I love your comments as always.

Have the BEST weekend! And … remember

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

~~TTFN~~  Claudia

This might be the last post on my Vegas trip. (Heavy on the MIGHT)  Thanks for indulging me.   The Atrium at the Bellagio is so full of fantastic visuals I just had to share a wee bit more.

In the evening there are so many more people out and about… remember it was only 105 (degrees) at 9pm in the evening.  So, my first visit was in the evening.  I just had to return the next morning… not only because of the beauty …BUT  the roulette table was being very nice to me– so of course I didn’t want to be rude — I had to return some of the money they had so generously given me  (not much but SOME)

The glass flower was stunning in the evening…but by day the Bumble Bee was very showy.

The Song: What a difference a Day makes – REALLY works here don’t you think?

What a difference a day made, twenty four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers where there use to be rain
My yesterday was blue dear
Today I’m a part of you dear

This frog was about 6 feet long and 3 feet tall.  And those yummy hydrangeas were really that BLUE.

Then we headed off to the Paris — The Eiffel Tower By night is glowing– by Day the statues really become apparent.

“They” (not sure who They are) say, that the Vegas Eiffel Tower is about 1/2 the size of the original.  It was so cool and huge!  I would really like to visit Paris to see the original. (Did you know it’s the most photographed building EVER??)

Then there were these boys on the Bus –

(how did this photo get in here??)      They were really REALLY cute. (Hey…just appreciating the beauty)

Caesar’s Palace has the greatest statuary.

Then the replica of David — simply GORGEOUS.  But I have always had an issue with this statue.  Have you?  Do you notice a proportion issue at all?

His HANDS seem overly LARGE.

Lastly–  the presentation of the Gelato!  Not only was it so creamy and cool… but the art work that went into the show case did NOT go unnoticed.

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Remember to visit Beverly at Pink Saturday.

Need some inspiration? Stop by Melissa’s Inspiration Room

I’m hoping that Mary at Little Red House will be back with Mosaic Monday, so check her out as well.

Now it’s your turn to LINK up with us on Friday Finding Beauty.  Please make sure you link BACK to us so that your visitors can see with the rest of us are celebrating.  Also, I always adore you sweet comments!

Have the Best weekend!  TTFN~ Claudia ♥ ♥

I am wondering how many post I can get out of my Vegas trip?

It’s been some time since I have taken a real vacation. (you know the REAL kind — where you plan and scrimp and save and anticipate the very hour you GET OUT OF DODGE.)

Truth be told, I did none of the above about my Vegas adventure, but on a whim grabbed a buddy and set out for Vegas!

Visiting the Bellagio was tops on my list.

The glass artist Dale Chihuly said:

“Steve Wynn started talking to me about the ceiling at the Bellagio long before construction even began. He wanted me to make a “spectacular” piece in the lobby of the hotel that would rival the aquarium at the Mirage, and generate more interest. Back in Seattle, we built the entire seventy-by-thirty-foot ceiling, full-scale, at my studio. The commission, as contracted, called for a whole new armature type and about a thousand new “flowers.” Steve visited several times, loved it, and wanted even more glass. Finally FIORI DI COMO was installed with over two thousand hand-blown glass elements.”

A bit closer…

Closer still…

Close!

People watching is one of my favorite past times and since I returned home I’ve been kicking myself for not taking photos of Bellagio visitors as they emerged  from the revolving doors–their heads immediately popped up as they stared at the ART FULL ceiling. “Wow!!” was  often the response. (next visit I will remember to do this)

(Some one remind me of this some day

I read a post some time back where the blogger felt that a summer vacation was her opportunity to reboot her life. Functions and features were still the same, but life had just become a bit sluggish, so like our computer systems we just need a reboot or reset.

My simple goal for my get away was to have maximum fun in the short period of time. (I’m a firm believer one can stay too long in Vegas.)

Especially if your pocket is EMPTY.

Goal accomplished! Thanks for joining with me on my revisit to the Bellagio’s lobby.

Here’s just a tease and glimpse of the atrium– I can probably pull a couple of posts out of that gorgeous place.

There’s a saying that says, “you could cut the energy with a knife.” Well, it was true!   Visitor’s were all smiles, as we wandered in awe.  I ran into  life long friend who greeted me with a huge hug.  She made my day, my month and maybe my year with her beautiful smile and greeting.

Be sure and visit Beverly with Pink Saturday and all the gals there.

Also, a new meme I am joining is Romantic Home where its Show and Tell day!

Need some Inspiration?  Stop and say hi to Melissa at the Inspired Room.

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Friday~~Finding Beauty

Now’s your time to shine!  Show us all that you are enjoying this HOT summer!
Make sure you link back to this post and mention Friday Finding Beauty in your post.
Of course, I love hearing from you in the comments! Please say hi.

Enjoy your weekend. I hope to get by and say hi to all of you soon!

~~ ♥ ♥ ~~TTFN~~Claudia~~ ♥ ♥ ~~

Took a little trip to Vegas…  It was Very Very hot even at 9:00 pm 105 degrees — people were CRAZY — but then it was a full moon what did I expect?

Fun night for a few colorful shots.

My favorite casino is the Bellagio —   the view of Paris from Bellagio bridge.

Please be sure and stop by Mary’s for Mosaic Monday and see all the other delights!

With new camera in hand I wanted to visit our local zoo; so who better than Mr C to be my guide?  Isn’t he just the most handsome? (very serious checking out the zoo map) By the way — look at those darn eyelashes! (What is it with the good lord giving BOYS and gorgeous animals all the eyelashes?– another topic for later)

Momma and 1 year old baby were featured today…

Perfect example of the eyelashes — She is so darn cute! I offered her my tweezers for her chin hairs but she wanted nothing to do with them.

*sigh* More eyelashes 

These gorgeous monkeys have the coolest long tails. It was very hot, so they just lounged around. (I am still working on my camera settings) I was trying to get the animals BEHIND the chain fences — but have to admit I got some lovely shots of fences instead. (I will work on that) anyone have the magic trick for that — send it my way.

I don’t know for sure but something just tells me he is NOT having that much fun. He kept playing with this hanging ball just to amuse all us people who were saying…”ahhh, look how cute.”  He was thinking… “uh huh… sure … I’m cute… this is what I get paid the big bucks for.”

Mr C was kinda worried the beautiful Giraffes would gobble his hair, thus the concerned look…

Yet another example of the eyelashes…

But seriously, I wouldn’t put him in harms way… he was pretty far away.  (now my sister can breath again — break out the resuscitator) I told you I would take good care of him.

Then we rounded a corner to find a fenced in area… Sign said: RED PANDA… I looked and looked.

“ahh Bud… doesn’t look like he is out for us to see today.”

“nope… I know he is here, I remember from when I was here last.”

“When were you here last?”

“In Kindergarten.” (That was 3 years ago.)

So he kept looking then pointed to the tip tip top of the tree…

“look!  I told you he would be here!”

” Are you sure? I can’t see him.”

“Ahem! Look right up there!” pointing to the top of the grove of trees.

“Well, darlin I am not so sure… seems like we are just looking at a bunch of branches and leaves.”

“Nooo, come around here! You will see him!”

So I walked a bit closer to him and looked up.

“Well, what do you know! Look at that cute guy. You are the best Zoo tour guide I have EVER had!”

“Yah, I know.”

(lovin my new Zoom lens)

This nervous female  was obviously behind a pane of glass that needed our local window washers!  She walked back and forth…

… and Back and Forth…

This sweet heart loved posing for me. I am sure she was saying,  “hello, yes I am lovely and fluffy and don’t you think my ankle bracelet is the coolest?”  Yes, I did in fact.

Last but not least… PERFECT example of something on a typical, ordinary day I do NOT find Beautiful… but today, behind that lovely safety glass I think this green guy is kinda cool. *shivers*

Biggest thanks to my MR. C who brought me more laughs and smiles than I have had in a very long time. You brightened my heart like you will never know. Thanks for having the patience to put up with me. Smooch! you cute thing!

Please stop by Beverly’s for our PINK SATURDAY meme.

Now, let’s all link up and share with everyone what you are finding Beautiful!

Remember to Link with in your blog BACK to this one and please leave a comment and tell us what you are doing this summer just for fun!

Thanks so much for joining us — I so appreciate all the comments and lovely friends I have made with this weekly meme.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

I might just break out my own person water pistol if one more person asks… “is it HOT enough for you?”

A good pioneer woman I would NOT have made.

The trail would’ve killed me OR my trail-mates would’ve shot me because of all the whining I would’ve been doing.

I am a lover of Air-Conditioning. *blowing kisses* to the inventor of such a wonderful life saver.

In the spirit of keeping cool… I am staying inside and playing with some shots of Summer.

This one is straight out of the camera…(SOC)… from the ants point of view.

Simply just Black and White

This one is a setting called Vibrance

Holga-ish is a fun one!

Orton-ish is one of my all time favorites — I use it a lot (but I tone it down a bunch)

Which one do you like?

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I work near this wonderful play land — I stop by and let the breeze blow some spay my way… ahhhh

A little more water pleeez!

All- right-y then! No wonder this is called Cowabunga!!
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Join with us as we celebrate  Friday~~Finding Beauty

No matter your definition– share with us by linking to your blog post, wherein you will be sure and link BACK to this one.

Of course, please leave a comment as I love to hear what you are all doing this summer.

If I am looking at the map of the United States– we are all pretty much HOT– how’s the weather where you live?

Have a wonderful weekend!

~~TTFN ~~Claudia

It’s scorching hot!  But not too hot to enjoy the gorgeousness of mother nature.  I know I have been on a flower kick lately but in the summer time I think we have to be allowed a little indulgence.

It’s when I am alone on a walk or appreciating the beauty around me that I realize had I not taken the time to be still and listen and look –I would not have been open enough to find something new or revisit something I long ago appreciated that may be coming back into my life.

A second chance if that is what we want to call it.

Ahh the beauty of blogging — a place to share something that we might have appreciated before but now can again and with others.

Now the “only ifs” set in… Only if I could paint something this brilliant and inspiring. (maybe that will be NEXT summer)

Hope you are enjoying your little spot in the world with the BEAUTY that is around you.

~~ Welcome to Friday- Finding Beauty ~~

Join in and Link with us all as we celebrate our definition of beauty.

(you know the drill — Link back to this post somewhere in YOUR post)

Of course leave a comment!  Love hearing from all of you.

TTFN~~ Claudia  ~~ ♥ ♥

When you were young, did summer seem like it went on forever?

Walk with me as I visited some of my favorite gardens this morning…

It was so quiet. The wind decided to take a break and the bugs and the birds were  just waking up.

A perfect spot to get lost in a book.

Didn’t your grandmother’s garden have hollyhocks?

After playing around with this shot a bit, I could almost picture the princess that lives here.

Summer stretches forever in a child’s eye
A delicious haze of play-filled days
and pink tinged evening skies.
Castles at the beach, croquet on the lawn,
flying kites from windy heights, birds twittering at dawn.
Picnics in the meadow, waltzers at the fair,
Sticky ice-cream fingers, and all without a care.
Let me never as an adult, let the pace of life and reason
mask the joy of the simplest pleasures
of lavender-scented season. (author unknown)

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Be sure to visit Beverly on Saturday and the Pink kids

Thanks for joining us on Friday~~Finding Beauty

Please be sure to link your post back to us for others to enjoy.  Also I would love if you left a comment.

Enjoy your lazy hazy dayz…

TTFN~~Claudia  ~~ ♥ ♥ ~~