California Dreamin' by alophoto

California Dreamin'

Just thinking about summer and warmth and feeling the sun on my skin. I got these great sunglasses for a steal (under $4) and thought that they'd make a good photo prop. And I took them out in the white snow to make the illusion of the beach. It made me miss my old homes in beachy places...CA and FL. I especially miss them in the endless gray and cold of winter. Lately, though, I've been blessed with pretty sunny skies and days...cold, but lovely.

In the early days of being home full time with my first child, I was asked the pointed question, "What is it that you DO all day long?" Watch soaps?"

"Um, No...ah...I keep pretty busy..."

I am a woman who wears many hats, plays many roles. I am a sunrise photographer (you sick of my sunrises yet?). I am a full time mama. I am a wife. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a storyteller, a boo-boo kisser, a character shaper, a cuddler, an encourager, a tucker inner, a homework helper, a taxi driver, a meal and snack fixer, a cookie baker, a bath giver, a hand holder. I am a shaper of the future, a maker of tomorrow. I also look for and capture beauty. I am a light bearer. I am a light sharer.

So, What do YOU DO all day? Hmmmm...?!;)

Happy Weekend, my friends!!

And for fun here is a shot from my first year on 365 that better captured the stress of day to day motherhood: http://365project.org/amandal/365/2012-08-08
so funky.... :)
January 31st, 2014  
Brilliant!
January 31st, 2014  
Great shot and Wonderful story!
January 31st, 2014  
Pea
Fantastic shot. Love how you've caught yourself and the sun on the left glass and your write-up. Fav!
January 31st, 2014  
Beautiful capture, very creative composition, and great description of your many hats :) you're a busy lady.
January 31st, 2014  
Ha!Such an warm snowy image!Many beautiful elements in this image!Fav!
January 31st, 2014  
--U just made my day,fav :)
January 31st, 2014  
@joemuli LOVE that...thank you!:) You helped make mine, too. Happy Friday!
January 31st, 2014  
@my_photofun Thanks so much for that, sweet lady!! So appreciate your fav!!

@deeganp Aw, thanks sweet Pea!! Happy weekend!!!
January 31st, 2014  
Fabulous, you've brightened up my day, but please translate Boo Boo Kisser into my version of English!
January 31st, 2014  
@seanoneill Owie kisser. Scrape and bruise kisser. Taking care of their pain:). Thank you!
January 31st, 2014  
January 31st, 2014  
Tucker inner, love it!! Brilliant shot, fabulous!
January 31st, 2014  
Creative and lovely picture !! Fav !
What is a tucker inner? didn't get it in the translation...:-)
January 31st, 2014  
Awesome shot! Cool dude shades :)
January 31st, 2014  
Hi Amanda, just clicked on your project to peek at your work and OMG - LOVE this already :) Very cool and super creative idea.
January 31st, 2014  
@sjouk Putting the kiddos to bed, tucking in their covers:). Thanks so much, Sjouk!:)

@vega Aw, thanks so much. Following you back!!
January 31st, 2014  
Meg
Fun shot...like the colors
January 31st, 2014  
and a nurse.......coz I am sure you do more than just 'kiss it better' Mothers are awesome..............Love your image.....and just realised you are in February but is still January in the UK LOL!!!!
January 31st, 2014  
aw, love the description. mums have pretty good jobs! great shot - love the sunnies with the snow :-)
January 31st, 2014  
Wow, Amanda, this came out fabulous. You are so creative and giving me ideas, especially at the beach. Love how you set this up and shot your photo. Amazing. FAV
January 31st, 2014  
I think this is gorgeous; the narrative is wonderfully funny and the flashback shot amazing.
January 31st, 2014  
Great idea, wonderful shot.
January 31st, 2014  
You summed it up perfecty ! the best, most tiring but also most rewarding 'job' in the world!

Love your glasses and the reflections
January 31st, 2014  
Love the reflections in the glasses, beautiful
January 31st, 2014  
Brilliant reflections and composition. Great shot!
January 31st, 2014  
I am California Dreamin too! Fav!
January 31st, 2014  
If only!! Not much chance of that here!! Wonderful capture!! FAV!!
January 31st, 2014  
Ha ha - sun or snow I said either would do and you have both. Not fair!
January 31st, 2014  
@fueast Come on over:). I'd share. I'll try to send you both. I need someone to send me some warmth...actually we will be well above freezing this weekend. Maybe 40s and 50s! Yes!
January 31st, 2014  
@carolmw Thank you so much for that, Carol!!

@mzzhope Such a great place. Loved it there. Thanks, Hope!!

@alisonp True true words. I wouldn't have it any other way (ok some days I think I would, but...it's amazing, too). Thank you!!

@darsphotos Thank you so much, Darlene. I've seen it done before on the beach and on docks and such and I always love them. I'd thought I give it a colder spin with the snow. So wouldn't mind a sandy version today! Happy weekend, my friend!
January 31st, 2014  
Brilliant words. I so wish there wasn't so much pressure on Mummies to get back to work. It's so true that we're the shapers of the future. What we do and how we behave with our kids when they are small makes a big difference to the kind of adults they become. Good on you. Great shot too :o) The combination of sun and snow is lovely xx
January 31st, 2014  
This has such an interesting feel of summer/winter to it. Very well done. Winter isn't half as bad when the snow shines is it.
(Linda @se7en )
January 31st, 2014  
@happysnap I LOVE when the sun shines on the snow. Just wish it would warm up a touch. Luckily it will be above freezing this weekend:). Thanks, lady!!

@psychographer Aw, I appreciate that, Lisa. Thank you. You know, it's not for everyone. Some have no desire to stay home, some can't do it without the income. I am blessed to have the opportunity to do it. My mom did it, her mom did. It's what I knew and always planned on. We struggle financially, but we are making it. I just can't get any new fancy photo gear and we don't have the latest greatest stuff, but that is ok. Down the road, maybe. Thanks again and happy friday!

@pixiemac Oh Sarah, I have been a posting nut this week. For days I have been a day ahead of myself with posting. I think that I will take tomorrow off. I do like to give myself more of a break on weekends due to time with the family. Hope that you have a great weekend and please keep us posted with Alan's progress.
January 31st, 2014  
Fav my friend. I like your dream.
January 31st, 2014  
Also dreaming about the sun. Love the photo
January 31st, 2014  
oooooo! Love this! Great idea and perfectly executed!!
January 31st, 2014  
...FAV
January 31st, 2014  
love everything about this photo, love the sunlight on the snow, the colours , love how creative this is just fabulous….fav
January 31st, 2014  
@tracelee Love your sweet comments, Tracey. Thanks so much for them and the kind fav:)!!

@eyesmile Aw, you are the best. I've seen beachy version of this, but I needed the feel and thought that I should try to capture that. So glad that the sun cooperated for me:). Thank you!!!

@adamj Ah yeah! High Five. Thanks, Adam!
January 31st, 2014  
Wonderful photo and wonderful words. FAV. Now that my kids are away from home, I'd have to take off a few of your tasks from my list, but I'd have to add administrator, tax expert and travel co-ordinator!!!!!
January 31st, 2014  
You did a great job on this one, Amanda. By the way, love the song and the selfie of you too.
January 31st, 2014  
@darsphotos All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray. The Mamas & the Papas were great. Thanks, friend!!!
January 31st, 2014  
Brilliant shot! Love your creativity. Love your post, too. So well said! FAV
January 31st, 2014  
Awesome job on the reflection and that awesome sun flare here too! Great 'reflection' on yourself too. :)
January 31st, 2014  
Love this very colorful and clever pic and, if it's any consolation, Santa Monica, CA is overcast, damp and dreary today.
January 31st, 2014  
@amanda l just had a chance to completely read through what you wrote above. I love it. You tell it wonderfully, life of a woman, Mom, wife. I remember the photo that you linked to also. How I wish that we had the chance to have met up when you were still here but so lucky to be on here with you and on FB. Wish I had what you have to keep up and the creativeness and the wellness. How I miss driving, my independence, my life as it was. I think I have said it before but I think this is one of your best photos. It really expresses you and what you love so well and where you live now. How the heck did you get it to come out so clearly in those sunglasses? Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
January 31st, 2014  
Lovely words and beautiful image
February 1st, 2014  
very cool
February 1st, 2014  
@darsphotos Aw, thanks so much, lady. So wish we had met and hung out, too. I focused on the left lens and then I often post edit and sharpen the image up. You have a great weekend, too. Thanks again for your kindness and friendship.

@sailingmusic Thanks so much, Myrna!!

@mrslaloggie Aw, glad that you are getting rain, though. Thanks, lady!!
February 1st, 2014  
Fabulous narrative, fav on the photo, and I remember your shot of motherhood -- smiled then, laughed a bit now.
February 1st, 2014  
nice
February 1st, 2014  
very clever selfie! i can't for the life of me explain what i do all day... so, y'know, i just don't bother ;p
February 1st, 2014  
@amandal Thanks for explaining what you did.
February 1st, 2014  
This is great, love the colours and contrast of sun and snow! Your words are so familiar, they pretty much sum up my life too! fav :)
February 1st, 2014  
You are one incredible woman!

I love this and your creativity is inspirational.
February 1st, 2014  
can see you wearing one of those hats! fav
February 1st, 2014  
I should call you a copy cat! Just kidding! I love your sunglasses and I would definitely be dreaming of a warmer place if I was covered in snow! Well done! :)
February 1st, 2014  
@pixiefsu50 I had so seen these types of shots and have always loved them. I've been wanting to do a reflection sunglasses shot for awhile and finally got a pair. I have another cool shot idea for the future that involves paris:). Thanks for the idea...be flattered I copy:). Thanks, Dana!!
February 1st, 2014  
@gozoinklings Thank you sooo much, lady!! Sure nuff. Guess I am a hat lady after all.

@gailmmeek Love your words. Thank you!!!

@heidihp Love that you get me. Thanks, Heidi!!
February 1st, 2014  
What a contrast -- warm, sunny glow on icy snow -- how clever of you!
February 1st, 2014  
This is such a cool shot
February 1st, 2014  
gotta fav ... super ... !!
February 2nd, 2014  
FAV! love the sunburst, and the reflection is so perfectly focused!
February 2nd, 2014  
Awesomeness! :)) fav!
February 2nd, 2014  
awesome colors and reflections! fav!
February 3rd, 2014  
Wonderful image. I take my hat off to you and all that you do.
I too am a stay at home mum and wouldn't change it for the world.
February 3rd, 2014  
Jo
A great read and a great shot, the colours and reflections are fab.
February 3rd, 2014  
Kudos for all you do! And I love the summer/winter paradox!
February 5th, 2014  
@wind_of_the_sothern_sea Thanks so much, man!!

@cameraholic Aw, thanks very much Lena!!

@vickisfotos Really appreciate that, Vicki. Thank you!!

@friend2303 Thanks, man...really appreciate your fav!
February 5th, 2014  
@pflaume Thanks, Lisa. Really appreciate that!
February 5th, 2014  
Kev
Super selfie. Fav.
February 6th, 2014  
@snaggy Really appreciate that, my friend!!
February 7th, 2014  
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