the highlights :: personal story






































2010 highlights

• the birth of "bump" and the few weeks that followed.  i never took maternity leave with "the monster" so i was extremely grateful for the time i had home with my family.  all 4 of us were together each day and plans were made an hour before; if we did anything at all.  this is the only time in my life i haven't had a schedule to follow.  it was bliss.
• my best friend's wedding.  this event and the months leading up to it caused a range of emotions from stress, to love, to excitement, to feeling so blessed with God's love.   
• my new camera
• strengthened friendships.  you know who you are.
• my first photography award (people's choice @ lincoln memorial garden's art in the garden)
• the proposal
• really hugging my dad.  really.  my dad got sick recently and while he was lying in the hospital, i would hug him, kiss his forhead and smooth his hair.  i haven't been this affectionate with my father in years.  probably since i was a little girl.  isn't that silly?

happy new year friends!  i'm so glad you are here.

wood working :: project idea

"psuedo hubby" does very dangerous work.  he lives on the edge.  he's that kinda guy.  one "hobby" he has is climbing very tall trees and cutting them down.  don't worry... he only cuts down the ones that are dying or about to fall on someone's home.  sometimes, he cuts down trees that are made of beautiful wood and someday, we will build a cabin with that wood.

until then, i like to come up with little projects for us to do.  he does the sawing and i do the sanding, staining, etc.

this time, "cousin b" came up with the idea and it was a wonderful one.  we made cutting boards and/or cheese trays.  they are pretty incredible i must say. 

here's how we did it:

• we found wood that had been drying out for a couple years
• "pseudo hubby" had it sliced up and then he sawed it into shorter pieces for us (see first pic)
• we sanded.  and sanded.  we even had an electric sander, but it still took forever.  one tip we learned the hard way was to wear a mask.  breathing sawdust isn't fun.
• "cousin b" made our finish out of mineral oil and beeswax so it's food friendly
• we smeared on the finish and let sit until it soaked into the wood a bit.  we then buffed off

that's it.  we did it all in a day.  but i was pretty tired when it was over.

resolutions :: photography :: personal story

are you thinking of new years resolutions?  something happens to me each year after christmas...  at first, i'm sad it's over and i refuse to do much for a couple days.  i just lie around basking in the mess that is my house and the enjoyment of relaxation.  and then, i'll wake up one morning and i am suddenly excited about what lies ahead.

today is that day.

i woke thinking of all the wonderful things that will be happening in 2011.  all the trips i will take, all the people i will see, all the love that will be shared.  i also started thinking about resolutions, or as i like to call them... goals.  here are a few that i would like to work towards:

• get a facebook account (am the only one that sees this as overwhelming?)
• do this race: http://www.warriordash.com/
• open up a second etsy shop for my paintings
• go to church more.  seriously.  maybe even join a group.

what will you do?

calendar sale :: etsy shop

it's the last week of the year!  time for a sale.

my 2011 desktop calendar is currently 1/2 price for just $9.00 each.  just wanted to let you know...

buy here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/60059215/sale-2011-desktop-calendar-photography

white christmas :: photography

i love the snow. i'm still like a kid in that way i guess.

merry christmas :: kid projects

merry christmas, from my family to yours.

an afternoon in the garage :: texture photography

the beginning of my photography story is a little different than most.  i wasn't really interested in taking beautiful photos.  instead, i was intrigued by textures.  i used to walk around the city and shoot grunge and gook.  and i'm sure i looked like a fool, bent over, zooming in on that tree bark.  but i liked it.  it was art to me... and well...  it still is.

feel free to download any of the above textures.  sometimes one can layer these images onto other photos and create an interesting affect.

lunch plans? :: cooking for kids

here's a fun way to celebrate christmas vacation with the kiddies.  "the monster" told me it was his favorite lunch ever.

light blur :: photography

how do you photograph your christmas tree?

i know someone special who just got a new camera and i'm sure would like a few tips. blurred lights seem to be everywhere these days. it's the hot design element in print & video. here's the diy.

• set your camera to the aperture priority mode (av)
• lower the f-stop denominator (f/1.8 or f/3.5)
• use manual focus until the lights are blurred

christmas cards :: photography

this year, for our christmas cards, i created a little winter scene with just a few white blankets and some chalk.  o, and some christmas sweaters, warm hats & an antique sled.  cute eh?

menus :: christmas

will you host a dinner this holiday?  each year, christmas eve is celebrated at our house.  because of the big dinner grandparents host on christmas day, i just serve appetizers and finger-foods the night before.  it's simple and allows me to leave the kitchen and enjoy special family moments.

here's the menu for this year:

• seasoned shrimp skewers.  i plan to roast them in the oven (http://annasrecipebox.com/2009/07/21/oven-roasted-shrimp/) but do a more creative seasoning.  at least add some garlic.
• cucumber sandwiches.  i could eat these all night.  (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cucumber-Sandwiches-I/Detail.aspx)
• greek pasta salad.  there's just something about feta.  (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Greek-Pasta-Salad-I/Detail.aspx)
• cheese & crackers.  smoky & sharp.
• fruit & dip.  "pseudo hubby" & "the monster" love the fruit dip. (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fluff-Dip-for-Fruit/Detail.aspx)
• chex mix.  each year, i make it a little different.  there are so many recipes out there! here's the plan (http://www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=45853&CategoryId=447)
• red velvet cake with cream cheese icing for dessert.  if i get creative on the decorating, i'll post pictures.

untitled :: composite photography

so i started on the image above a few months ago.  and it's sat so i could stare at it and decide if i should be done with it or if i should add/remove something.  i kind of love it and i kind of don't.  any thoughts?

things included in the composite above:

• a photo from a building downtown
• a photo of flowers in my garden
• a photo of a whimsical painting i began (and then painted over).

what to do...

just breathe :: photography

aren't these photos dreamy?  i want to share a little secret with you.  right before i snapped the photo, i fogged up the lens with my breath.  you should try it.

peppermint :: cooking & photography

i love peppermint.  loveit, loveit, loveit!  it makes everything better.  and christmas(ie).

here's why you should love peppermint too:

• it provides relief from migraine headaches
• it can soothe a nagging cough or scratchy throat
• it's calming and energizing at the same time!
• for those who are trying to quit smoking - pop a peppermint - it curbs the cravings
• it relieves an upset stomach
• it's super yummy (this could have been my only reason)

first snow :: photography

c hearts c

painted market bags :: christmas

wanted to show you the little market bags i'm using as gift bags this year to wrap christmas presents.  aren't they fun?!  instead of regular fabric paint, i used silk screen paint so that the surface would be smooth.  just remember to iron after the paint dries.  this will help the paint last longer and the bag can be thrown in the laundry if needed.

reclaimed wood :: etsy finds

i haven't done an "etsy finds" post in a while.  i think it's a must during the holiday shopping season... don't you?

i simply adore anything made from reclaimed wood.  especially if it hasn't been painted and you can see the interest in the tree.  it's such a miracle really - the lovely lines and color that come from weather and age.  when i see a piece of art or furniture made from reclaimed wood i love to imagine and wonder about the life it has lived.  was it a tall tree?  did it bloom beautiful flowers?  was it then used to build a barn?  and now this?

below are a few creative uses for this incredible natural resource i found on etsy. 

Bare - Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy

Punk Block Bot

4 Baskets and a Board Wall Storage / Hanging

Leaf Bowl

Reclaimed Wood Jewelry Organizer

iPhone/iPod docking station

p.s.  i'm working on my own little reclaimed wood project too.  i can't wait to show you!

december chill :: free desktop background

to download, click on image above.  then right click & save.