Jumping Lambs

There are countless opportunities to witness and experience life, in nature and among humanity. I am always charmed by the innocence of new life, from babies, children and animals. When I see a young calf, colt or lamb I feel as if it were the first time I saw one. I am filled with a burst of energy that has no fear or threat, but fun and peace. One of my favorite signs of spring, in Normandy are baby lambs. I coo at the sight of them! They are a great example of living in the present moment. Gather a group of them together and it is child’s play, but with springing legs and all four hooves off the ground. So, several years ago in the evening I saw some lambs walking on a stone wall. I immediately stopped the car and just started taking pictures - it was the ‘coo’ inside me. As a photographer one needs to go with the moment, the subject, intuition and inspiration. There are no guarantees of a perfect shot, but there can be surprises. I am happy to share with you a surprise shot I got of lambs playing, jumping and leaping in action. I am not sure if sheep jump over each other, but I believe in counting lambs to sleep. Wishing you sweet dreams tonight, from Normandy, France ;o).

#‎Normandy #‎LaManche #‎France #Jumping‎Lambs

Sunday Afternoon in New York City

New York, New York!!! Oh, I love New York City. This is my old home that comforted me, encouraged me and pushed me. You can not have a dime in your pocket and still be energized and entertained by the life of the city, the people. There is no such thing as a restriction to self expression and creativity. I believe that New York is ground zero for originality and showing one’s individuality. This is highly encouraged. The ability to keeping an open mind will allow the experience of life that much more stimulating! This is a Sunday afternoon through my eyes walking, in NYC.


Washington Square Singers

Entering Washington Square, from Fifth Avenue, here we are standing under the arch with soul singers. This is a great example of New York interaction.

Sandman

WOW! I was astounded by this artist’s creativity and the ability to translate his talent and design, with his hands and colored sand. Washington Square Park

Music Duo

We continued to casually walk in Washington Square Park, taking in all the expression and freedom of a Sunday. These two guys seemed to be only in their music wonderland.

Birdman

When one thinks of New York nature does not come to mind, but it is everywhere. The more you seek it the more you find. Well, this man had a real connection with the birds. The first picture I took was through a chain link fence. You’ll notice the outer edges of the fence. The second photo was taken through a hole of the fence, handheld with a 300mm lens.

September 11th Memorial Tiles

I was living in NYC on September 11, 2001. This is a day that impacted and changed many countless lives around the world. New York showed a great strength and coming together on this day and after! This is one of numerous memorials in tribute. It is across from St. Vincent’s Hospital, in Greenwich Village. Whenever I passed it I would take a moment of timeless observation.

Model and Photographer

We turned a corner in the Meatpacking District. Et voilà ! A model and photographer. This was across from The Standard Hotel. There was some excitement in front of the hotel, but it was hard not to notice these two.

#‎NewYorkCity #‎WashingtonSquarePark #‎SoulSingers #‎Artist #‎Birds #‎September11thMemorialTiles #‎GreenwichVillage #‎MeatpackingDistrict #‎ModelandPhotographer

Snow Light

It was the beginning of a blizzard, although the color in the sky gave the tease it was only a light snow. An hour after this photo was taken all went white. This picture was the last we would see vibrance and dancing clouds, in the sky for one week. All of Basse Normandy, in La Manche was in a heavy thick blanket of snow. It was not possible to drive for days, and to see couple hundred meters, in front. Nature gave us a gift to rest in the beauty of pure white, without a choice. Life reminded us to slow down, relax and enjoy. The small village we live in, of less than thousand people had the roads cleared by, it’s follow neighbors, farmers with their tractors. The community was energized, and did not wait for government to get to work.

#‎Normandy #‎NormandySnow #‎LaManche #‎France #‎11thCenturyChurchSnow

Summer Spirit in the Winter

This winter has been harsh and intense, in the United States and in France. Here in Normandy, we have had hurricane strength winds and rain. The East Coast of the United States just got hit with a snow storm, after being sabotaged by extreme icy temperatures. I want to send some warm thoughts to you, as the thought of summer may have crossed your mind. When most people think of the Alps skiing comes to mind. There is a magical city in the French Alps called, Annecy. It has the cleanest lake in Europe, with crystal clear water and the feeling of silk, as one swims. The environment of the outdoors is very inviting for bikes, hikers, boating, paragliding, dining and other exterior activities. The lake and the mountains work in ensemble to provide a serene and beautiful landscape. Honestly, it is like walking in a painting with the kiss of the sun on your skin and inhaling purified air. Annecy is an easy drive to Geneva. There is a rich history with these two cities dating back to the 12th century. Among this oasis of nature is a medieval town, with flowing canals from the lake. It is easy to be seduced by Annecy’s natural and manmade wonders.

Boys in the Summer

Two friends sharing an afternoon and creating a memory.

Annecy Beach

This is a nice example of Annecy’s beauty and activity. Although, not seen in this picture across the lake, on the top of the mountain there were dozens of paragliders jumping.

Yellow Umbrella

A lifeguard watching over the swimmers and being protected by the strong sun.

Opposite Directions

This is a classic childhood event, to ride the rented wooden horses, by the lake. Even my husband did this as a boy.

Annecy at Dusk

This picture is not in the summer, but the spring. It shows the medieval town and the canal swollen with the melted snow, from the mountains.

#‎RhoneAlps #‎RhoneAlpes #‎Annecy #‎AnnecyLake #‎AnnecyLac #‎France #‎Alps #‎AlpsBeach #‎BeachUmbrella #‎FrenchMedievalVillage

Cooking Class

An early Saturday evening in Normandy, France, with six cooking students, aged seven to nine years olds. This was the first of February. The winter has been very wet with high winds, averaging 75kph/45mph and a cool chill. The environment inside is charming and warm, in the modern space. The glass doors and windows invite all, to overlook the country fields descending to the seaside town, of Agon-Coutainville and the English Channel, in the distance. The hard wood floors are a stained a calming light violet, covering a large sitting room and an open dining room. The classroom, is a professional kitchen with the feeling of home. Annabelle, is the teacher and creator of this ambient environment, with jazz music playing in the background. She is a former cooking student herself, now a patient and enthusiastic chef wanting to share her passion, with children. Her custom kitchen is protected by two glass barn like sliding doors. The center stainless steel table is adjustable to the height of the students.

Slicing and Mirrors

One of the young student chefs is focused on slicing a mango

Chef and Daughter

Annabelle, is teaching one of her students, her daughter how to peel a mango

Peeling a Mango
The class shares a mango, to complete the process, of peeling the skin

Class Work

A group effort, to make an Asian dessert of mango and litchi crumble

Measuring

Emile, is focused on his measuring, as the others look at a recipe

Chipped Bowl

Attention is made to a sharp edge, of a chipped bowl

Butter

Explaining the markings on the packaging of butter

Ingredients
Explanation is given of the ingredients, that will be added to the chicken and coconut milk

Cutting Mushroom

There is a clear focus and attention given to a mushroom

The Pause

A moment in between preparing courses