Posted on by Anne Sandler · 33 Comments

Lens Artists Challenge #407: Celebrations

What gives us cause to celebrate? Birthdays, anniversaries, travels, friendships and more. This week Patti encourages us to share celebrations from historical festivals, various travels, religious events and more.

I won’t say that we are not world travelers, but much of our visits to other countries were done when we were much younger and I wasn’t taking pictures. So I’m doing the twist again and celebrating family and friends.

Here’s a blast from the past when our children and their children helped us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. We toasted this special milestone at the Spaghetti Factory, basically because that was the one place the kids could agree eating at!

This was taken 13 years ago, and we are now married 63 years. Oliva (in her dad’s arms) is now 15 and her brother Ryan (falling asleep on his cousin Madison) is now 17. My how time flies by! My older two grands are now in their 30s. Also in the picture from left to right: daughter-in-law Teresa, her husband Will; daughter-in-law Jessica and my son Greg; Richard and I; and grandson Christopher.

Birthdays are another cause for celebrations. We celebrated my son Jason’s 40th down in Southern California.

Regarding religious holidays, Passover was always one of our favorites. I’d make chicken soup and matzo balls. It being course number three of the celebratory meal. We had to move our living room furniture around to make room for the number of people gathered around our table.

Weddings are a reason to celebrate, especially when it’s your granddaughter getting married and you are playing the photographer. Madison and Ryan!

Last but not least are friendships. Here are 10 women whose friendship I hold dear. Sadly two of them have passed away, but I hold them close in my heart.

I celebrate my family and friends each day. When I turned 50, I remember my Mom saying, “I can’t believe my baby is turning 50!” Well, soon my baby will be turning 50! Another reason to celebrate!

Do you celebrate family and friends? Have you found special celebrations during your travels? I look forward to reading about all your causes to celebrate. When you post, please remember to link to my post and use the Lens-Artists tag. Thank you Patti for this wonderful challenge. Next week Egidio will be leading the challenge. In the meantime, stay safe and be resilient!

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 27 Comments

Out and About: High Hand Nursery

Happy Birthday to us–Marlene and Anne! My dear friend Marlene and I have June birthdays, and each year we celebrate with a delicious lunch and photography. This year we chose to dine at High Hand Nursery’s Cafe in Loomis. We made our reservations–yes you need reservations for this cafe–and needed to do it two weeks in advance!

Lunch was delicious and the photography delightful. The only drawback was the high afternoon sun. Here are some of the pictures of the nursery.

Now we’re looking ahead to next year. Destination unknown.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 11 Comments

Sidewalk Fun: Chalk it up 2021

Remember when you were a kid playing with sidewalk chalk? Each year Sacramento takes it a step further with their Chalk It Up contest held Labor Day weekend. Artists are invited from all over to paint with chalk at Fremont Park. Some squares are sponsored by a business or organization.

Last year, because of the pandemic the 2020 festival was shown all over Sacramento, typically in front of the artists’ homes. In 2021 the show returned to Fremont Park and other venues around Sacramento — a big change for us visitors.

We went to the park early, before the start time, in the morning before the crowds came. Fortunately, some of the artists started early; unfortunately some had their work covered by plastic sheeting.

But there were enough to make the trip worthwhile. Here are some I liked and then I’ll show you my favorites.

Now my favorites.

I’m always amazed with what these artists create with sidewalk chalk and liquid chalk. I can’t wait for next year.

Posted on by Anne Sandler · 22 Comments

Lens Artist Challenge #128: And Here Comes The Holiday Season

Ann Christine’s challenge propelled me back in time and brought me back to the now. As a kid, I didn’t look forward to this time of the year. Most of my friends celebrated Christmas, and my Jewish friends celebrated Chanukah. Each received wonderful gifts. My family didn’t have money for gifts, but we had a family menorah (or Chanukkiah). I remember we’d light the candles each night, but going to school and hearing the other kids talk about presents was tough.

This is why I started collecting menorahs, and gave each of my children, their spouses and grandchildren their own Chanukkiah. At our Chanukah celebrations, we’d light them all and turn off the lights. I delighted in watching the candles burn. When I see these lights, I’m reminded neither Christmas or Chanukah originated with gifts, but with love and hope.

Now we have a blended family and I get to participate in both Chanukah and Christmas. I love to go and photograph decorated homes.

Most of all, I like to zoom the lights and rotate my camera while the shutter is open.

Although we didn’t get down there this year, my favorite place is California’s Capitol building and tree. The building is beautiful in its own right, and the tree adds a wonderful holiday feeling.

My wish for you is to have a safe and wonderful holiday season! We need patience and resilience in 2021.

Posted on by Anne Sandler

Some senior fun on the 4th of July!

Who says seniors don’t know how to dress up and have fun? In my senior community they do–well they dress up their golf carts and cars! It was the annual July 4th parade, which ended at the club house for a hot dog lunch.

This year I concentrated on the golf cart decorations. I also took photographs of our World War II honoree. I road in my neighbor’s car. It was great fun. Have a look. Happy Independence Day to my USA readers. I hope all my followers enjoy independence and can follow their dreams.