Show me... something that relaxes you

This is what really soothes me: a view of green pastures, farm life, hills and mountains. I grew up on a flat farm but married a man from the mountains! I took this picture on the way to my in-laws' farm. We had to stop along the way because of some unexpected road construction... I was about to complain when I thought to myself... There is got to be something good out of this situation, we had been traveling for almost 3 hours, the kids were tired of being in the car and we were very close to the farm... as I got off the car I was presented with the most relaxing view!

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul...
Psalm 23:2-3

Today's Show me project at Thought's of a father calls for something that relaxes you.

And this song came to mind mind: If you want me to (click to listen) performed by Ginny Owens.

Show me... a view!

A view from our balcony. I can see miles and miles away... We have gray skies today which is not unusual this time of the year and Spring is just around the corner! The trees are blooming all over. I can see mango trees, tabebuias of many different colors and sky rises surrounding the city...

This picture is part of project Show me that Robert is hosting this week, if you would like to see more wonderful pictures and stories or join in, please visit his blog.

Another view, to the right of the balcony, I zoomed in so I could show you a church that is across town, it takes me about 15 minutes to get there by car...

Show me... a trunk of memories

My mom gave me this trunk many years ago... it has a beautiful story behind it. When her father, my grandfather, made this trunk, her mother, my grandmother, was pregnant with my mom! I can imagine my grandmother wearing her long dress, and my grandfather carving the wood... Well, my grandfather passed away when my mom was only eight years old, and all I know is that he was a tall and very intelligent man, taught all his daughters how to read, and my mom still has his notebook with the birthdate of his children, they had 7 girls and only one boy. This happened in the 1930's... What a sentimental day... Robert at Thoughts of a father photo project for the day is to show an object of sentimental value and so many thoughtful and inspirational stories are being told...

Show me... your front door

Welcome friends to my home and stay for a while... We live in a 3rd floor (4th in the US) apartment and the front door is boring, so I am showing here the balcony door too, which has a nice view of the city.

If you would like to see more front doors, please visit Robert at Thoughts of a Father.

Show me... your kitchen!

I love coffee, tea, blue stuff, crafts and small things, such as the little guinea fowls in my kitchen. The old coffee pot belonged to my grandmother and I inherited it...

Robert at Thoughts of a Father is hosting his first photo project and today's theme is kitchen. For more details on how to participate, please visit Robert.

A real B&W wedding picture

My grandparents got married in 1928, and they would be celebrating their 80th anniversary this year... I'm so glad I got to spend so much time with them and live close to them for so many years. When I left for the US to be an exchange student my grandpa said he would probably not see me again... so when I came back a year later, there he was, and he lived to the age of 86! Life is so short... and we live a hurried life...

My thought for the day is: take a deep breath and un-hurry, take a break to enjoy things that are important, make a pause to pray and thank God for the gift of life!

For more pictures featuring the color black, please visit Anna Carson Photography blog.

A church vitral

This image is filled with memories of my childhood... the church we attended had beautiful vitrals that were even distracting to a child. Going back to my hometown now with my camera gives me the chance to focus on the beautiful surroundings and places that are so dear to me.

This is part of Project black that Anna Carson is hosting. There are many other blogs participating and you can join in the fun!

A black sombrero

A black and white sombrero made in felter and embroidered with beads caught everyone's attention during the International festival we attended a few days ago.

This is my contribution to Anna's Project Black.

Shiny black

Shiny black... two wheels... I tried to learn how to ride a bike many times, but I don't think I ever got the right bike for a beginner. Well, it was a dirt bike, no electric start, you have to kick start it... and so on. I still hope I will learn how to ride a bike, a regular bike... even though I love dirt bikes!

I shot this bike last week on our way to a friend's campsite and this is my entry for Project Black at Anna's blog. I had no idea black would make a such good theme for photograpy!

Blue barn doors

A barn with blue doors... the look of the distressed wood walls against the freshly painted doors brings me back to reality to tell me I am not in the last century... My grandparents lived nearby and I can only imagine what life was like in the 40's when my grandmother had 6 kids and my grandfather was the manager of this place. My dad has so many stories to tell about this farm where he spent his childhood...

If you are enjoying the Blue Project that Anna created, please visit her blog for more blue pictures!

A blue bench is so inviting

This picture was taken at this farm which is mostly painted blue! That's where my dad grew up. I would love to be able to go there again and have some quiet time, read a book or just sit down and enjoy the sounds of nature!

If you like blue, please visit Anna's blog to find out more blogs that have joined this adventure!

A blue coffee mill or grinder

One of my chores as a child was to grind coffee, not an easy task, so my siblings and I took turns, and we did not always did it for fun because we did not drink coffee at the time... It was a rough chore and I'm glad it did not affect our love for coffee today as we are all heavy coffee drinkers at home!

This old coffee mill was at display during the International Day held at my youngest son's preschool. I have a grinder that my dad gave me a long time ago, but it is black. Today I use an electric one...

For more fun blue stuff, please visit Anna's blog!

Jump!

The weather here is good all year round and beautiful blue skies motivate outdoor parties with inflatables slides and even a trampoline.

I think blue is my favorite color. You can see more people blogging blue on Anna's Project Blue.

An old school desk painted blue

The old school desk reminds me of my own rural school back in 1976. This one does not have the ink well holes.

My mother-in-law had them painted in blue and I love to sit there and chat. There are a couple of desks in the porch that has white and blue rails.

Please visit Anna's Project Blue to see how the world keeps spinning blue in many other blogs.

Bench marks

These pictures were taken last year after my niece's wedding reception. What I like about them is that the worn out grass shows that the benches are not just decorative, people really take time to sit and watch some really amateur tennis players. And they came to my mind after I saw Anna's post with a green bench.

To view more participants of Project Green, or if you want to join in the fun, please visit Anna's blog to add your name to the list, there are over 200 entries now!

An apple a day

The funny thing about blogging is that you become more aware of your surroundings and not even a simple errand can be done without a camera... So, while doing my grocery shop I spotted green apples that were so nicely displayed... I am not sure whether we are allowed to take pictures inside a grocery store, but I could not help it... And you know I always have a camera in my bag even when running errands.

My entry for Project Green at Anna's blog!

My Wellies!

Aren't they cute? I just wish these mini wellies were my size! My friend from the UK sent me this key chain and I love it!

This is part of Project Green, please visit Anna's blog and you will be able to view over 100 participating blogs!

Go Green!

This week Anna's challenge focuses on green. An environmental theme for April 22nd, which happens to be Earth Day and my birthday too... No wonder why I love green themes, even though it is not my favorite color. My shot for Project Green features organic grape leaves.

How green is your life today?

Looking through a pizza oven

This week both my themes revolve around food, first the window at a restaurant and now this pizza oven. I had made other attempts trying to shoot pizza ovens and failed. This time I did not have my tripod with me so it was more of a challenge but I liked the results. Happy Friday everyone!

Please visit Mark's blog to find out some great blogs that have been posting wonderful pictures for Project Looking Through!

Looking through the window

Looking through the window from a nice country restaurant. Fresh air, good food and no rush to leave. The check won't be sent to you unless you ask for it. Oops... it has some yellow, am I in the wrong project? I meant to send this to Mark's blog and his Looking through project!