Family reunions

About this time last year, we were preparing to head South for another family reunion.

I still remember that weekend. The weather was glorious and the light spectacular, but being around family was even more remarkable.

I don’t know what it was about that day, but I knew my habit of taking pictures whenever I could would be important. So I snapped.

And snapped.

And snapped.

One of those images earned me a spot in the JCC’s Undiscovered Photographers show. I was one of 60 photographers chosen for the juried competition. My work was on display for a month.

I also shot this photo (below) of O.B. Davis, my grandfather-in-law, who was affectionately known as Pa.

He and Grandma Berta were the first people JM3 and Super G wanted to see when we visited – aside from their grandparents, of course.

Pa always called the kids, “That Boy” and “That Girl,” and shined whenever they talked his ears off.

Sadly, he died late last year and this one of the last photos taken of him. He will be missed this weekend as he has been every day since he passed. So in honor of O.B., here is another look at his life.

Taste bud temptations

It’s been a while, but I’m back and with some tasty videos no less.

First up is a peek into the inner workings of the Bombolini Pasta Company. JM3 and Super G begged to try the pasta while on a visit to an area Farmer’s Market. Amazing is all I can say.

Next is the latest installment of Clare’s Kitchen.

This time, Clare works her magic on some blueberry muffins. They, too, were quite the thing and that’s saying something since I don’t eat fruit and bread together…as in no pies, no fruit muffins, no cake with fruit filling.

Despite my texture issues, these muffins smelled too good to pass up.

For more on Clare, visit her blog, Clare Fare, or catch up on her  monthly video series at TimesDispatch.com. To learn about other interesting people and places around Richmond, check out past episodes of the (804) series.

Enjoy!

All videos © The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Marching onward

I’ve been busier than ever lately.

Not all of my time has been spent creatively, but I’m trying to squeeze in bouts of creative luxury when I can. Sometimes all it takes is 20 quiet minutes to exhale, focus and…snap a bit of history.

Above is one example. A rag-tag Lego Army “held the line” on Desktop Hill in JM3′s room while he slept. The light was too gorgeous to ignore. So instead of drifting off to sleep where I needed to be, I grabbed my camera and zoomed in.

Twenty minutes and more than 60 shots later, I finally had something I liked.

It wasn’t the image I first saw, but that’s what I love about visual storytelling. Perspective and subtle changes in point of view transform subjects in unexpected ways.

It’s what I love about writing and having found that link makes this visual life I lead now, all the more sweet.

 

Cupcakes and courage

This is the year I’m gathering my courage and taking it on the road.

Where it will lead me is yet to be determined, but I’m vowing (read, trying) to enjoy the scenery. Too often I’m thinking and planning instead of seeing and doing. Or even, relaxing.

So off Super G and I went, last Saturday, to the home of her good friend Lucas.  She could barely contain herself when we pulled up and she spotted her buddy standing at the door waiting.  As we made our way up the walk, he bolted out the door and started jumping to the tune of Super G’s name.

I wish I would’ve had my camera out to capture either of their glorious smiles.  I took scads of photos later, of the pair, and Lucas’ little  sister, Sophie. She didn’t join the fun until late in the afternoon, but when she did, she held her own with the toys and cupcakes.

She didn’t hesitate a millisecond once she took that neon orange treat in her hands. You’ve got to love such belief – where you know in your heart that the cupcake will taste good.

That you and your friend count the minutes until you can build Lego forts together again. That cupcakes are best shared.

That courage, is a play date away.

To you and yours…

Pudding with a holiday twist

 

I don’t know what it is about holidays and fruitcake.

I love the former but not-so-much the latter. There’s something about fruit and cake together that just makes my tongue curl – and not in a good way. It’s a texture thing that goes waaaaaay back to when I was shorter than everybody else because of my age.

(I told my mom to marry a taller man, but she didn’t listen.)

Height deficiencies aside, I’m always fascinated by international holiday traditions. The English, for example, make Christmas pudding, which isn’t anything like American pudding. (I don’t eat that either…Yes, it’s a texture thing.)

Nor is this “pudding” like our fruitcake, which I doubt has to steam-cook for six hours. The one is this video, however, is much lovelier than any of the fruitcake’s I’ve seen. And the wall of brandy that hit me when I zoomed in to capture the lighting of the proverbial “pudding” left me feeling chipper the rest of the day.

So enjoy and be sure to check out Clare’s blog, Clare Fare, for stellar recipes. Or, watch the rest of the video series.

All content  by Penelope M. Carrington. Video @ the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Twinkle, twinkle flash of light

Tis the season…

To cherish. To smile. To grant a wish or two.

You don’t even have to do the latter by the light of the moon as dear old St. Nick chooses. You can try it under cover of millions of tiny night lights winking throughout your city.

Whenever we finish dressing our tree in ornaments new and old, we plug in the myriad of lights and stare.

I don’t know whose smiles are bigger – mine or the kids’ – because with each blink, I hopscotch around my heart.

To the rhythmic swish of my sister, mom, and I pulling the branches of our aluminum tree out of frayed, brown paper tubes.

To the tin-like crackle of the “leaves” as we wove strings of lights ’round and ’round the silver landscape.

To the pop of the fire pooling sweat on the back of my neck as we worked.

To JM3′s first Christmas and the sparkly ring hidden beneath his blankets.

To Super G’s slack-jawed wonder at Santa’s ingenuity in delivering her pink bike to our living room when we don’t have a chimney.

To the fierce whir of cars rounding a racetrack for the 3,000th time on Christmas afternoon.

To my grandmother’s gut-reaching laughter.

Together, they illuminate home.

Video by Penelope M. Carrington at www.timesdispatch.com.

The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Front and center

Remember this photo?

I took it Thanksgiving night during the pre-Black Friday sale at a local Toys R Us.

I was supposed to be shooting video, which I did, but I decided to practice shooting stills, too. I’m still trying to get a handle on the new camera we recently switched to – the Canon 5D Mark II – so the camera has become as important as my purse.

(Did I mention I love the 5D more than my purse? Seriously.)

Anyway, a handful of my photos seemed strong enough to submit so off they went. A couple were posted online. One, however, made it to the front page of the paper Saturday.

So there it was, right under a great photo by Eva Russo, a coworker and friend whose work I adore. She has photographed my kids and took some of the last, lovely, photos of my grandmother last year at Thanksgiving. One, that included Mimi, myself, my mom and Super G, is the only group photo showing the four generations.

Rarely did my stories land on A1 and now, all of my work is presented online. So seeing my byline in the paper again – and on the front page – was as special as that moment Eva captured.

I still feel the loss for what I used to be, but this was heady praise for what I’m becoming.

Shopping madness

It’s Black Friday, but more and more stores are pushing back their early-morning openings to late night.

Toys R Us did and I was there – for work – not to shop.

Sadly, I always seem to be in the red on Black Friday. Yet even if I had any extra dollars, I can’t see getting up early or staying up late to shop.

Why?

Because someone will always beat you to the front of the line and that Must-Have item on your list.

Hundreds of shoppers found that out when they showed up at the West End store at 10. There wasn’t a parking space to be had and the line wrapped around the store and stretched for miles in the parking lot.

Well, um, maybe they weren’t real miles. But when there are that many people between you and that Razor Scooter your kid has to have or else, the distance feels as long as Richmond to Toronto.

Growing up, my mom said we could have one thing we really, really, really wanted and a few small things. The rule made the choice harder, but I appreciated my gifts more. I still remember the art desk I got one year.

My movers broke it when I moved to Richmond from Florida years ago and it still makes me sad. I sketched many an bear design and other artwork on that table.

But enough nostalgia. There is a nap with my name on it.

I may not have any gifts to show for pulling an all-nighter, but I do have these photos.  Nosh while you heat Turkey Day leftovers.

All photos by Penelope M. Carrington at the Richmond Times-Dispatch and www.timesdispatch.com.

The views expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

 

Cap city holidays

Hug your loved ones. Share your leftovers. Thank your parents.

Yes, it’s time to be grateful, but also remember to breathe.

Deep.

Not just today, when the smell of turkey and fresh bread rise above  the mountain of bills and attitudes.

Every. day.

Hope, is free.