3, 34, 70

This weekend we got together with the relatives up at Tassajara to celebrate three birthdays and the general awesomeness of our family.  I rented a wide angle, large aperture lens (the monster 24mm, f/1.4 by Nikon) and I took pictures of the event, which consisted of kids, babies, ducks, dogs, and more kids running around like crazy and having a jolly good time.  We had cake, we drank wine, we talked a bit, and we watched the kids being kids to the delight of my father-in-law John.  He's turning 70 this summer, and for awhile now I had this idea to get all of his grandchildren in one room for him.  It turned out great, and I am not even going to complain about the long drive there and back, and the fact that Johnny was sick most of the way.  It was worth it, and I am glad.  Family is important.

A couple of notes: There are 5 candles on the cake instead of 3 because this is how Johnny wanted it, and you don't argue with threenager logic.  Also, the photos of my pretty kitty Shelby were test shots and obviously don't belong in the series, but I included them anyway since she's so very cute.

I hope you guys had a great weekend too!  

P.S. Oh, and one more thing - I will be migrating my photo blog to a new domain soon, along with a new design and content.  Stay tuned for updates.

Thanksgiving Part Three: The Mountain (and the beach again)

We had a great Thanksgiving with my in-laws and the puppies, and the only challenge I had was to accept the presence of the big giant dead bird that was sitting in the middle of the table.  The winter holidays are always tough on me as I am a vegetarian for moral reasons.  But this aside, it was a wonderfully intimate and lovely family gathering, and I hope you had a nice time with your loved ones too this Thanksgiving!

Tassajara is this enchanted place.  There's no describing it, or at least I am not ready to do so, not yet, and surely not here.  You must see it and experience it for yourself.  Reading Steinbeck might help too, and drinking lots of red wine.  I hope that these images would help you get transported and sense even a little bit of the freedom, beauty, and magic that reside there...

And on the way back we stopped at the Monterey State Beach, you know, because it was right there.  

Favorite images: the portraits of the three Johns and the flare blasting sun paired with the American flag at the beach.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Part Two: Petting Horses

This white horse and his friend, the pigmy donkey, are the cutest couple.  I ask John to pull over at every chance whenever we pass by their enclosure so I can pet and talk to them.  This weekend Johnny met them too and he loved spending time with them.  I am really, really resolute that he won't grow up not knowing what farm animals are like.  Anyways, here are the photos - my favorite is the one in which John is introducing Johnny to the horse: "This is my son!"

In summer, the song sings itself.

~William Carlos Williams

A few days back, at sunset, my Brother-in-law and I climbed up the cliffs that overlook our house.  Sometimes young people go there and build bonfires we can see burning at night.  The view was splendid, and somehow pacifying, probably because we were so high up, and everything down there looked very small.  I brought my 300mm lens and I even captured my parents and Johnny waving at us!

I admit I'm craving to photograph something more urban lately, yet I'm still not tired of being in the country. 10 more days and I'm back in suburban California... Gosh, how time flies when you're having fun!