Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Birthday Girl!

Raine and Mom Laurie

I've just returned from a fabulous week in the Los Angeles area. My dear blog reader Judy- So.California and husband Dave were my wonderful hosts. Oh what a grand time I had sightseeing and getting to meet and finally get to hug the necks of my blog friends in the area. Karin, (Altadenahiker), Laurie (So Pasadena Daily Photo), Tash ( Palos Verdes Daily Photo), Kathy ( The Chieftess), Ron (Mr. Earl's Musings), and Petrea ( Pasadena Daily Photo), joined us and a grand time was had by all. On Thursday, Hiker gave us her very best "Huntington Garden Docent" tour. Well she tried. We were unruly and stopped too much to talk and take photos, but she did her best to reign us in. A very special "guest" was Raine, Laurie's ALMOST five year old. Today the Birthday Girl is my star. Joyeux Anniversaire dear one.

My 100 Strangers Challenge is featured in this month's issue of B-Metro Magazine. Take a look here!
V

29 comments:

Petrea Burchard said...

Raine is lovely and so earnest! You can tell from this photo that she has one gorgeous parent, but I can vouch for the fact that she has two.

Tash said...

Ahhhh, how darling. She is so very special & this is such a special photo.

Tash said...

Love the banner! You found color in the sky even.

Pat said...

It's always fun to meet other photo bloggers and put a face to the name! Lovely portrait you have here.

Can you believe my WV is 'mingle?' You did!

Olivier said...

felicitation pour l'article dans le journal B-Metro, cette serie etait superbe.
Beau portrait b&w

Laurie Allee said...

Wow, Virg. This is so special. I adore you and I miss you already. Finally, someone actually got a picture of Raine and me! I'm usually the one taking the pics!

Judy - So California said...

V - I love this mother-daughter photo. What a special birthday present this is! Happy Birthday Raine!!!

We did all have fun didn't we?

Laurie Allee said...

I keep coming back to look at this. I love it so much. (And thanks, Petrea, for the incredibly sweet comment above. Hugs to you!)

Babzy.B said...

Lovely portrait , you were lucky to meet all these bloggers !

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour Virginia!
I came from Tash's blog, to visit your blog.Adorable post, adorable energy!Happy birthday for the cute kid!
Congratulations for your magnificent pictures!You are very talented.

Léia
(from Luxembourg)

Judy Williams said...

What a fabulous portrait. Laurie looks like a movie star with those shades. So glad you guys got to get together!!

brattcat said...

A sensitive portrait of two graceful beauties. A holiday with fellow bloggers. A garden tour. Some of us are very jealous right now. But also very happy to coattail.

Yvi said...

What a beautiful portrait...
So lovely...

Mister Earl said...

Great photo, V. Laurie is a rock star! Raine is a lucky girl!

Also love the airplane shot!

Anonymous said...

That's a work of art. Lovely, and more.

(Unruly isn't the word for Virg. I had to give her a time out.)

Nathalie H.D. said...

Dear Virginia I hope we'll get to see lots of great photos from the blogfest. Looks like you all had a grand time

Congratulations on your feature appearance in B-Metro Magazine, a well-deserved recognition of your fantastic portraits. I wish I had the nerve to take it up myself. Maybe one day...

And what a sweet birthday girl you chose to show us today. Great portrait of her and her mom.

Margaret said...

Welcome home. Sounds like you had fun.

ben wideman said...

Brilliant photo! Sounds like you had a fabulous time in our neck of the woods.

Daryl said...

How sweet .. Joyeux anniversaire, ma petite fille

MadAboutParis said...

Leave it to Virg to find RED 30,000 miles up...Karin, I already have her time-out chair ready...

Jilly said...

What a truly fabulous photograph. An enchanting child but goodness, what a beautiful Mama! I can see the sensitivity in her face which tells me why she writes such beautiful words on her Pasadena blog.

Again, Virginia, many congratulations on your great achievement with B-Metro magazine. As I said, I will now have to buy an even longer red carpet to welcome you when you get to Menton!

Beautiful lady, Laurie! - in all respects.

Virginia said...

Welcome to all the nice commenters from the California blogs!! It's nice to have you down south. Come back often.

Judy,
I got to see first hand what wonderful birthday gifts Aunt Judy sent! :)

Laurie,
Well you and Lil Bit are trés photogenic. How could I miss??

Hiker,
HA! I'll bet we were the wildest group you've ever had to tour. I warned you ahead of time,if you'll recall!

And yes, it was wonderful meeting all my blog buddies face to face. It was like we had been together forever! I'm still laughing.

Shanna said...

What a beautiful portrait of my two darlings!
Laurie has been one of my main models all her life. Thank you, Laurie!
Doesn't Little Bit look like she is right off a 19th century greeting card?
Thanks Virginia for capturing a lovely moment of the two of them!

Katie said...

Awesome portrait. You have such a wonderful way with people, as evidenced by your amazing photos and all the fun you have wherever you go. So cool that you got together with so many fun people in the LA area!

Bob Crowe said...

I really like this. It has the feel of a 60s newspaper or magazine photo. Laurie reminds me of Jane Fonda a bit. Must be that California thing.

Virginia said...

Bob,
You're right of course. I had such wonderful friends to photograph. One day, mon ami, YOU will be my subject!

Katie,
We missed you. Sorry you are too far north. One day á Paris! :)

Shanna,
I loved the time I spent with Laurie, Raine and Jon. So very special to meet them face to face.

Thank you everyone for sharing this special time with me.

Kim said...

This is so special, V. That tender little caress, the beautiful light. Two very adorable subjects. And 5 years old! Now THAT's special.
-Kim

Shanna said...

Next time you're out, I hope you will count me in! I would so much adore meeting you. Maybe when you dine at that Italian restaurant on Petrea's blog - or some such wonderful occassion!

Cafe Pasadena said...

At the least, you deserved a pr agent for your visit.