Our Word View - Zen

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word zen was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

I never realized how much peace and love an animal could add to a family until Flicka came into our lives two years ago.  She is the most beautiful and loving creature.  Sitting for a short time with her next to me brings me such peace.  She is truly a blessing in our lives. 

For Flicka, zen is a ball and a roll in the grass!  The simple things. 

Peace!

Our Word View - Youth

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word youth was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

The summer time brings with it many birthdays for my family, including the birthdays of my two children.  It is hard to believe that my children will be 15 and 13 this year.  They are young adults, no longer small children.  I have known this for some time.  When I look back at my old photos I do miss those simpler days.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Xenophile

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word xenophile was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

So when I began to think about the definition for xenophile: an individual who is attracted to foreign peoples, manners and cultures, I immediately thought of my daughter!  She is intrigued by travel.  Give her a camera and a ticket and I believe she would go just about anywhere!  She is brave, spirited and lovely.  I hope that she will have many opportunities in her lifetime to travel abroad.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Weathered

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word weathered was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

One of my most favorite gifts from my students has always been hand painted tera cotta pots planted with colorful annuals.  As I use these pots year after year in my garden or on my deck they weather beautifully.  Paint fades and peals as the pot chips and shows it's age.  My metal containers become pitted and rusted.  The texture of it all is so pleasing to my eye.  Weathered is a good thing. 

      

Peace!

Our Word View - Venue

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word venue was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

I immediately thought of my trip to Washington D.C. when I saw the prompt that Liz chose for this week.  I have been thinking about DC a lot lately.  My son just returned from a whirlwind class trip to DC.  He and his classmates were able to see so much of the city.  Much more that what n and I saw during our trip.  I would love to return to DC and explore the history again.  

In thinking of the word venue my mind wandered to a long trek we took through the back roads of DC.  We were in the search of a very special site and we certainly were not disappointed when we finally approached our destination. 

The Washington National Cathedral is a sight to behold!  It is absolutely magical.  At first glance through the wall it looks like an enchanted castle.  Perhaps the home of a fairy princess.  

Then you see the magnificence of the structure and it takes your breath away!

Within the rock wall is a courtyard with a reflecting pool and fountain.  The perfect place to cool off before entering into the holy space. 

The grandeur of the interior of the cathedral simply could not be captured in a photograph.  Can you imagine choosing the National Cathedral as the venue for a wedding or funeral.  I'm not sure the average citizen could even make such a request, but it would be amazing.

You can learn more about the National Cathedral by visiting their web site.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Unique

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word unique. was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

It was simple to come up with an image for the word unique this week!  I have just begun to produce family tree sculptures.  I have made two and have two more on order.  This unique creation takes the birth months of loved ones and transforms the information into a sparkling gemstone tree.  I use materials purchased from US companies and natural elements that I harvest myself from my neighborhood beach.  It is an honor to create meaningful and beautiful art.  

You can check out BM Pagnotti Designs here on Facebook

or check out the website!

Peace!

Big Day

Well today is a big day for me and my son N.  He is off with his 8th grade class on a learning adventure  to our nation's capitol.  He is riding a bus from MA to DC and will have a whirlwind learning experience until Friday at 3pm when he is scheduled to board the bus for the trip home.

I drove him to school today.  He was waiting for the bus at 3:30am.  I didn't wait for the kids to board the bus.  I knew he wanted me to go along.  He is spreading his wings and flying.  I am beyond proud of him.  I will certainly be on edge until he is home again on Friday but I refuse to let that 'mother's worry' dampen my pride or excitement for his experience.  It's funny it feels very much like the first day I left him at Woodside in the arms of my dear friend M.  A parent's job is truly amazing.  We work so hard to build up our children; raising them to be competent, caring young people just to open our arms and let them go!  It is truly the most heart-wrenching and rewarding job on this earth!

I can't wait until Friday!

Peace!

Our Word View - Traditional

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word traditional. was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

I immediately thought of my white bouquet of flowers when I saw our word for this week.  It evokes a feeling of tradition for me and on top of that I received it during teacher appreciation week at my current school.  Many children gave me a wide variety of flowers and I chose to group all the whites together.  I love how they look.

Peace!

BFFL

This made me think of my very best friend!  Love her so much!

She has no idea how precious she is to me!  Going way back she has always been in my corner ready to give me a hand or lift me up with encouraging words.  I would NOT have made it through the time after my Mum died without her daily calls.  She helped me get through my Dad's illness and death.  She has been here for the good stuff too... I talk to her almost every day... and when I don't talk to her I miss our conversation.  She is kind, talented, creative and beautiful inside and out... words she would never say about herself.  She is amazingly strong.  Stronger than she even knows.  I just wanted the world to know this about my best friend!  

Peace!

Our Word View - Sparkle

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word sparkle. was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

When I read this weeks word immediately I thought of a series of photos I took at the beach where the light and sun were just right to create the most beautiful sparkle on the water.  I long to sit by the shore in the warmth of the sun and enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean.  Soon summer vacation will be upon us and we will be enjoying the lazy hazy days of summer.  With any luck I'll be going on many photo adventures, designing new art pieces and preparing to go back to my own classroom.  

Peace!

bmpagnotti designs

bmpagnotti designs is born!

After the recent loss of my dear friend M I have been inspired by her memory and spirit to pursue my creative side and put myself and my creations out into the world.  I have no idea if this will become something larger than my creative outlet but I feel like I must give it a go.  With summer quickly approaching this is the perfect time to jump in with both feet.  I'll have all summer to build up an inventory and market myself before going back to my teaching.  We shall see what happens.  I'm hoping that being creative will include coming back to Surfside and posting more often.  My blog has been woefully neglected.

So you might be wondering what I'm designing.  I was struck by a beautiful rendition of a gemstone family tree and have decided to focus on creating trees in a variety of ways to share with family and friends.

I have done full family trees from great grandparents to children as well as a mother daughter tree.  Today I have completed my own family tree pendant using gemstones that represent my children, my husband and myself.  I am also finishing up a grandparent to children family tree wall hanging.

These are images of the Mother/Daughter tree I mailed out yesterday. 

I would love for you to LIKE my facebook page.  Follow this LINK and hit LIKE if you are interested.  

I'm also on twitter.  I am also working on a website!  Here is where you'll find me.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Reality

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week  the word reality. was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week. 

photo by npagnotti

Wouldn't it be amazing if your reality revolved around your favorite baseball?  Life would be so simple.  

Peace!