Saturday nights = party time!

"Shelter from the storm"... the other night...

Found close to Princeton...

Relic from an old barn near Westminster, TX...

Out on Hwy 546...

More from the other day:

McKinney, Texas – November 2, 2006

Art Exhibit “Los Dias de los Muertos - The Days of the Dead” at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte

Los Dias de los Muertos, the Days of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is not a sad time, but instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

Celebrate this magical time as Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’ Arte welcomes back artist extraordinaire and gallery friend, Kim Lanus, with a gallery reception on Saturday,
November 11, 2006 from 7pm to 10pm.

Lanus has created a series of paintings that feature “Katrina,” her patron image of Los Dias de los Muertos. In addition to the “Katrina” series, Lanus will also debut several new paintings inspired by the famous Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo.

Lanus’ paintings are created on tin and wood in the old retablos and Italian style of painting. All pieces are sealed for longevity. Lanus’ collectors include former ABC anchorman, Sam Donaldson and President George W. Bush.

The gallery will be swaying to the sounds from salsa band, Watusi World Beat. Co-sponsors of the celebration are BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, D’Vine Wine, Main Street McKinney, Market Street, Market Square Antiques, and Poppy’s Garden Café. Admission is free, so grab some friends and join this lively celebration of the arts and the community.

For further information, contact Galleria d’Arte at 469.742.9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com.

Shooting with Scooby Roo on Monday we found the coolest old rusted out Ford Truck...

Shooting at the old mill with Norm and Leslie last weekend:

Saturday Morning rambling: First of all Halloween is approaching and lets all remember to use good common sense when letting the kids trick or treat ~ a good place to start would be Scare on The Square - in downtown McKinney October 31, 2006 - 4 p.m. - 6 p.m...There will likely be all kinds of ghosts and goblins down there for the little people to enjoy! And its probably a lot safer than a lot of other places they could Trick or Treat...

Kiran and his daughter Kasie and I went over to Cadillac last night to eat a bite and drink a few beers, and I used to opportunity to experiment with some different ISO settings on the digi, and caught the first set of a group called The Neighbors Band - good stuff - go hear them sometime if you have a chance. Its all good when you can go somewhere, eat something, drink a few beers, and crawl home across the parking lot if you have to, and still get some decent pictures...makes for an all around enjoyable evening out...and ya don't even have to drive...

We have a new addition to our family. Kaylee June Marie Simmons is finally here, a little early and not without some difficulties, but both she and mom seem to be doing pretty well for now...

If you're looking for a good time go to Cadillac Pizza Pub!...If you're looking for a fun place to take the family for pizza, go to Cadillac Pizza Pub where kids are always welcome till 9PM...If you're looking to meet some new and interesting people and listen to some great music then go to Cadillac Pizza Pub...If you wanna watch Monday Night Football on widescreen and enjoy some brewskies with friends, then Cadillac Pizza Pub is the place for you...it's McKinney's newest, coolest, place to be...You just never know who you might run into down there...

McKinney, Texas – October 5, 2006

Art Exhibit “Tutto Bene!” at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte

Gallery owner and resident artist, Carrie Cameron Garner, takes center stage as her newest creations are debuted at an art reception "Tutto Bene!" Loosely translated, tutto bene means “it’s all good” so say arrivederci to your troubles and buongiorno to celebration. The exhibit debuts on Saturday, October 14, from 7pm to 10pm at Carrie Garner’s Galleria d’Arte in downtown McKinney. The full exhibit will be on display from October 14, 2006 to November 9, 2006.

The artist’s newest creations feature Tuscany-influenced images. Working in the oil sculpture technique, each of Cameron-Garner’s oil paintings embrace bold, rich colors and heavy textures. She cites the works of Cezanne and Van Gogh as major influences, as well as close friend and mentor, JD Miller, of Reflection FineArt Gallery in Dallas. Cameron-Garner also credits color specialist Liz Richardson of the William Merit Chase School as integral in developing her style.

To quote the artist, “Art is a passion…it’s my passion…it’s my escape. To watch a painting come to life on the canvas is exciting and almost magical.” Join us in the gallery to enjoy a glass of wine and to listen to the soulful sounds of The Quentin Hope Trio as together we share an evening filled with the excitement and magic of art.

A lifetime resident of McKinney, Cameron-Garner is also a co-founder of the LoveLife Foundation, an organization for at-risk children to which she devotes much of her time as well as to other charitable endeavors. A portion of sales from the evening with be donated to the Art Institute of McKinney Scholarship Fund for at-risk children though the LoveLife Foundation.

Co-sponsors of the celebration are Alternative Furnishings, BLING!, Cadillac Pizza Pub, D’Vine Wine,
Main Street McKinney, Market Street, Orisons Fine Art & Framing, Poppy’s Garden Café, and Vim Studio.

For further information, contact Galleria d’Arte at 469.742.9509 or visit us online at www.carriegarner.com.

Cadillac Pizza Pub is open for business!! Located at 112 S. Kentucky Street in downtown McKinney, Cadillac Pizza Pub features scrumptious brick oven pizza, drinks, and live music. Be sure to join the excitement as McKinney welcomes its newest and HOTTEST spot, just off the square in historic McKinney.

Phone: 972.547.DUDE

More from Firewater...Has been a highly unproductive week photographically speaking...

October DPS Meeting:

We will be getting together on Sunday October 22nd at 2:00. Bring three
prints to share - Chris Regas will be joining us to discuss the classes he
offers and to participate in the photo sharing - Chris is a long time
professional B&W photographer who is represented by Afterimage and has work
in a number of museums across the US.

We will meet at DPS north - in McKinney

Thursday night at Firewater in Dallas...a gathering of the Dallas contingent of TPF...

McKinney, Texas – September 14, 2006

Alternative Furnishings Receives New Shipment....

Alternative Furnishings is proud to announce the arrival of its new shipment of unique, artistic home and office décor, such as architectural antiques and antique furniture. These items are hand-carved and hand-painted by the artisans of old.

Alternative Furnishings is located on the square in downtown McKinney at 100 E. Louisiana Street where you will find unusual antique architectural accents for your home.

As a result of this new shipment, Alternative Furnishings will sell wholesale to the trade as well as retail to the public.

BACKGROUND: Alternative Furnishings’ hours are Monday thru Saturday, 10am to 5pm and by appointment. To schedule an appointment please call 972.562.0716.

Some of the renovation work going on at the old Cotton Gin in McKinney..

A truly strange thing happened here in McKinney over the weekend...it RAINED! I say strange because we have not gotten a lot of that in north Texas for awhile, and drought conditions are rampant throughout the area...so this latest soaking rain was a welcome sight...it also brought relief from the oppresive high temperatures for a few days, something else that was welcomed...