Documenting the Magic

As you know, I take pictures every day. No, seriously. Every. Single. Day.

With the advent of smart phones, it's too easy not to. I think that I still have some deep, internal scarring left over from when my family had to leave Cuba and we had no pictures of ourselves from that time, but that's not important right now.

So I'm always taking pictures, because, as I like to tell my kids, "I'm documenting the magic of our lives."

I already do Project Life, which means I document our lives week to week. And I love the hybrid quality of digital and traditional scrapbooking.

When Instagram came along, I fell in love. It feeds my artistic side and lets me tell our story in bright day-to-day photos.

This past week would be titled...

The Last Week of June 2013 in the Land of the Darbys

Sunday afternoon swim at the local YMCA. I try to get in the water at least 5 days a week. Sometimes I bring my people with me.

Festive patio lights and Fiesta-colored flags decorate our outdoor movie area. Lucy sewed up the flags. It makes the whole place like so bright and happy.

If you come over for a Darby Outdoor Movie Night, there will be concessions. (Don't judge me.)

Wednesday was a perfectly perfect beach day in Southern California.

My Bleeding Heart vines are in bloom. They go completely dormant in the winter and I always hold my breath because I have such little faith that they'll return. I'm always amazed and delighted when they do.

Coffee & muffin & computer. This pretty much sums up most of my mornings.

Eric went surfing early one morning this week and Nefret found a happy place to shelter from the heat.

Surprise gift of "Pamagranate" Jelly. And it's not even Christmas. Totally made my day.

I make a whole, Roast Chicken at least one night a week. (Two if we're having company.) It's just too beautiful, isn't it?

My kids saw this in the dumpster area of the local market. Score! I'm keeping the sign on it, too.

We're having a heat wave in So Cal and our air conditioner conked out. So we made the best of it by turning on the outdoor lights and they made music. I can't even tell you how much I love this.

I know it doesn't look glamorous. But that's how our days and weeks go. Of course, I will always take pictures at birthdays and holidays and all that. But this? This is the stuff of our everyday lives. This is where the magic happens.

“The days are long, but the years are short.” ~Gretchen Rubin

“My job is to document the magic.” ~ Marta Darby

Comments

[Dariela]

And you do such a great job Marta! I love how you document everything!!! I can't tell you I have a favorite photo from here cause all of them have the magic :) :)

[Dawn]

Thank you for sharing your magic. I feel it :) :) :)

[Marta M. Darby]

Gracias, Dari!

I try. ;-)

[Marta M. Darby]

Thank you, Dawn.
This pleases me greatly. xo

[Ada S. M.]

Your so lucky to have your kids at home now, savoring every moment...God bless...love the pics! Thanks.

[Pandora Richards Pensiero]

I love your blog and your stories! I'm also glad you love my jelly! I feel like I finally have a nitch for something I known for! I was so happy to find that last juice to,make a batch again. Gene said we are keeping it. And I said except one for my BFF!! I love you and appreciate you more than you know!

[Marta M. Darby]

Thanks so much for thinking about us and for the jelly. You are a treasure. xo