Tag Archives: Annie
365 Project Day 353: Christmas Pony
Posted on 22. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Love
Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8L, 2.8 aperture, 1/13 shutter speed, 1250 ISO, tripod used to avoid camera shake
I couldn’t resist photographing someone in front of the spot lights and drizzling rain tonight. It was magic waiting to happen. The perfect subjects? My lovely Annie and my sweet horse Jackie. It was precious. I didn’t know how Jackie would react to the house all lit up with Christmas lights, but she didn’t seem to notice. In fact a couple times she fell asleep with her chin resting on Annie’s hands. She is simply wonderful. She might come into the house if I ask her. Maybe later.
I have my Santa girl and a Christmas pony. That will bring a heart cheer, even in the rainy mist. Lots going on here at the Morgan house, as I am sure there is at yours. I am endeavoring to slow down and breathe in the beauty and joy of the season. Usually all I have to do is open my heart and eyes at the same time. I found it tonight in a spotlight, the rain, and a couple of very special subjects.
May the God of all hope meet you this day and cheer your heart.
Happy Thursday.
Romans 15:13 ~”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Favorites
Horse Whispers
Sweet Friendship
Green Booted Cutie
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365 Project Day 350: Bringing a Birdie Home
Posted on 19. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Together Again
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 1.2 aperture, 1/125 shutter speed, 640 ISO
We decided to meet Annie at the airport in style tonight. We knew she would have been traveling for almost 24 hours and might need something a little special to cheer her. The kids and I shopped at Goodwill today for these lovely outfits on the way home from church. It really was fun. I know some wonder why my world dims a bit when we are not all together. This is one of the reasons why. My family is fun and full of life. My kids are very close and supportive of one another and I am so grateful. We are not perfect, but we do love one another.
I wish I had gotten shots of Annie’s face when she saw us tonight. Her plane came in early and she was waiting at baggage claim alone. When we saw her we began to shout her name across the airport and run wildly toward her. Johnny literally jumped over the wall of phones to get to her. She seemed a bit stunned by our actions and our apparel. She was still a bit far away but I could tell she was laughing. I think it was just what she needed. We definitely made a special memory (and an impression on other people at the airport). Good times. I did have Katie take a few of me with Annie just to prove that I got dressed up too.
Chris looked like something out of a Charles Dickens book. I love that man. He worked all day leading worship for four church services and then came to the airport at 10:30 at night dressed up like a Christmas geek. I will keep him. He is so patient and loving.
Here are a few more of our geeky Christmas welcome for our Annie-bird. I cannot begin to wrap my heart around the fact that all my birdies are in the nest tonight. I know it is temporary. I plan to soak in every moment.
Happy tonight.
Proverbs 17:22 ~”A joyful heart is good medicine”.
The Crew
Love these People
Safe Place
Christmas Nerds
Happy with Daddy
Keeping a Watch Over the Luggage
These Bags are Secure
Santa Earrings
Sunshine in my Arms
Let's Go Home
Snazzy Daddy
So Much to Tell
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365 Project Day 341: Still Dreaming of Oxford
Posted on 10. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Magical City
Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8 L, 20mm focal length, 2.8 aperture, 1/100 shutter speed, 800 ISO
I am still unearthing treasures from my time in Oxford with Annie. It was pure magic. A blessing the reaches all the way to my toes. I do not think I will ever forget my time there, or cease to be grateful to my God who gave me that gift. My heart is still overflowing from the beauty, the adventure, the people, the delicious delight of all that is Oxford. Hope you don’t mind that I pulled a few more trinkets out to share tonight.
I am just so grateful.
Dreaming Spire at Sunset
City Shining at Dusk
Color and Life
Soon my Annie Bird will fly home. I will be so glad to have her home again, but I pray she delights in every exquisite moment she has while she is there. When she comes home we will gather around her and just stare at her for a bit. Then we will hug all our missing away.
Fly Home Annie Bird
Beauty in Oxford
Colossians 3: 15-17 ~”And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
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365 Project Day 325: How do you say goodbye to a birdie?
Posted on 23. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Shining Birdie
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 3.2 aperture, 1/400 shutter, 1/160 ISO
I am behind on my blog today. Overwhelmed with fatigue and emotion, I went to bed last night without blogging. This is the first time I have done that during the whole project. But I was incapable of stringing sentences together. Flying across the ocean and back in five days will rattle one’s sense of time. But more than that, I left a little birdie in England, and that will wrench a mother’s heart. I have wept on and off during the day today mostly for joy. I am so grateful for the gift of traveling to England to see my Annie. My world, my experiences, and my heart were all enlarged for the joy of it. As I perused images today to post I was overcome with tears and emotion again and again. For the beauty of this city and the love for my daughter. I am a blessed mother. I have stored these memories in my heart, but I am thankful for the gift of photography that has allowed me to hold these treasures a bit longer and also to share them with you.
I left a part of my heart in England. As long as my Annie-Bird walks the soil there I will be tethered to that place.
I did not know what to share, so I pulled the most sparkling treasures from my pockets and have laid them out here to show. There are quite a few and I have a feeling there will be more later. It was hard to choose. Blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving season.
Psalm 118:29 ~”Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Saying Goodbye
My Heart Standing at the Station
But onto happier images from Oxford…
Come with Me
English Horsies
Happy Company
Chasing Other Birdies
Get 'em Annie!
Breathing
Indignant
A Bridge over the Thames
The Thames at Sunset
Heading to the Perch for Cream Tea
Sparkling Path
Dusk Outside
Oxford at Dusk
Beauty Everywhere
Formal Dining Hall
Let the Rain Come
Style Everywhere
Birds Along the Thames
Window Shopping
Annie at the Cloisters
So Much Color
In the City
Local Fare
Yes, it is this Magical
On the Bus to the Airport
Shop Owner Opening for the Day
In the Clouds Again
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365 Project Day 324: Annie at Oxford
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Standing by the City Wall
Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8L, 2.8 aperture, 19 mm focal length, 1/80 shutter, 400 ISO
As promised, I took several portraits of Annie today at her college here in Oxford. There are 38 colleges as part of the Oxford University system. Annie attends New College. She took me on a tour there today and I snatched up every opportunity to photograph her. I wanted to gather memories for her to keep and also to show everyone at home who loves her where she is spending her days. She is so blessed to be where she is. As you will see from the images below, Oxford is indeed beautiful and she looks like she belongs here.
I leave early tomorrow morning to begin my long journey home.
Here are just a few things I will miss once I am gone:
1) The sound of my daughter’s voice and laugh. I especially loved hearing her count off ”two!” when her rowing team was calling out their numbers as they began the race. She is in position two and when she counted it off, I laughed with joy. How I love my Birdie’s voice.
2) The sound of the train that passes by her window at night. Soothing.
3) The sights and colors of Oxford. (which I will continue to share once I get home.)
4) Morning hugs and kisses from my daughter. Her sweetness lights up my world.
5) The incredible architecture and structure of this town, from the buildings to the cobblestone streets to the colorful and carved wooden doors.
That is just to name a few. I have loved this gift and will savor it for years to come. I am grateful for my time here, and now grateful to go home to see the others I love so dearly.
Here are some more portraits of Annie at her college here.
Psalm 126:1-3 ~ “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.”
Lamppost Beauty
So Lovely
Alcove Cutie
New College
Autumn in Oxford
Gotta Make a Call
Oh the Trees
Lovely View
Under the Ginkgo Tree
New College Gate
Classic Oxford Beauty
Walking in the Rain with Ty
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365 Project Day 322: Racing on the River Thames
Posted on 19. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Beauty in Both Directions
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 1.6 aperture, 1/50 shutter, 500 ISO
Today was an exciting day. Annie is on the rowing team for New College at Oxford, and she had her first regatta today. I have never experienced anything like it. There was a wonderful sense of tradition, mixed with competition and camaraderie. Annie is living the dream and I got to see it in person today. I have way too many images to share here, but I am going to share a few highlights from our morning.
Taking the Boat to the Water
Heave
Placing it in the Water
Rowing Cutie
Ready to Go
Digging In
Beautiful View
On the Sparkling Thames
Tyler Heading Out
Getting it Done
Post Race Relief
Pensive
Flying the Colors
New College A-Boat Team
I am having such a wonderful time. Lovely, as the English would say, but so much more. I feel my heart stretching to receive this incredible gift. It has been a delight to my senses. So much to see, experience and take in. I hope to show it all to you. The beauty of the city of the dreaming spires.
Stay tuned. I have so much to share! Sigh. Happiness.
Ephesians 3:20,21 ~”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
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365 Project Day 321: When You’re Flying
Posted on 18. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Sea of Clouds
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 7.1 aperture, 1/50 shutter, 250 ISO
Today is a travel day, (or yesterday was. I am not sure what day it is,) so I am keeping it short. 24 hours with no sleep is keeping me from piecing coherent thoughts together. I took these images from inside the plane (s) that I rode in to see my Annie-Bird in England. I am here, but in body mostly. She is not allowing me to sleep today so that I can stay on a good sleep schedule. Seeing her face at the bus station was the best thing I have seen in a long time. I have missed that face. I will photograph her tomorrow, racing in her regatta.
So glad I finally made it.
Until tomorrow.
Rainy Layover in Boston
Blue Sky Between
Hello London
Landing as the Sun Rises
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365 Project Day 234: Surprise!
Posted on 23. Aug, 2011 by maryanne.
Surprised
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/125, 100 ISO
Katie has been trying to plan a surprise going away party for Annie for weeks now. However, Annie has been trying to plan her own going away party. Every time Annie would bring it up with the family, Katie would get an “oh, me” look on her face, and roll her eyes. It was pretty difficult. Enter Annie’s friend Kate to the rescue, who announced to Annie last minute that she had tickets to a “festival” and that she wanted to take her as a going away present. Annie of course agreed. She loves Kate, and she loves “festivals”, whatever that may entail. Kate instead brought Annie to the dinner Katie had planned for her, with many of her friends. The above photo was Annie’s response. Priceless. It was a fun party. It warmed my heart to see how many people came out to tell Annie they loved her and that they would miss her as she travels to England for her next semester.
Here are just a few images of the fun we had. More party images to come as we hope to celebrate both girls this weekend at the house.:)
The Boys are Back in Town
Annie and Beth, Her First Roomie
Rudy the Rock Star
Handsome Luke
Trying to Order, Here
Best Friends
Overwhelmed with Love
Roommates
Hams
Sweet Julisa
Watch Out, Rudy!
Daddy with the Blue Eyes
More fun to come soon. It will be a roller coaster week, I am sure. You have probably heard how I feel about those. :) Hmmmm.
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Favorite photo of the week 2
Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by maryanne.
I love this photo of my Annie. She will be twenty this week. Although this photo was just taken last year atop our horse Jackie, you can still see the little girl in her. My little girl. The little girl that loves to come home and ride horses, sit and read on the porch swing, dance in the kitchen and make me laugh. Annie. Only one.
