A Little White Space

Linked | {in the} Quiet {time}

2012-02-11T00:17:00.001-08:00

This afternoon I stepped away from my computer and work to take a break and make some lunch.

I remembered the brussel sprouts waiting for me in the fridge, so I turned on the oven and pulled out a cutting board to prepare them for roasting.

That’s when I became inspired to photograph them.

As I took in the kitchen preparing and photographing those little green brussel sprouts, I realized something –

It was quiet. I mean REALLY quiet.

I had been so busy creating that I wasn’t even cognizant of it at first. But it struck me as I stood in the warm sunlight of the kitchen; my home was empty and quiet. I breathed in the contentment of that moment.

Sometimes I forget just how powerful and healing the quiet can be. When there is no TV, no music, no family members talking and most of all – no noise in my head of what needs to get done, where I should be, what is next, who needs to be where. Just QUIET.

I prepared the brussel sprouts for the oven by marinating them in a couple table spoons of olive oil, some Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.

They roast in the over at 400 degrees for about 30 to 40 minutes. It’s ironic, I've gone from swearing I would never eat brussel sprouts – ever again, to loving the smell of them roasting in the oven.

They end up dark and crunchy outside, flavored by the salt and pepper and soft on the inside with a more mild taste when roasted long enough.

Within the hour I was back to work, the noise in my head turned back up to full, albeit I longed for more of those yummy little balls of crunchy green. I’m telling you, it’s a serious new love affair! I actually make a conscious choice to BUY brussel sprouts!

Brussel Sprouts?
Seriously, I’m not in my right mind.
But I just want MORE!

Linked In: Stacey, Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Kristin, Heather, Amy, Liza, and Veronica.

“Great. Now I have guilt!”

2012-02-09T15:08:00.001-08:00

I love Toy Story, don’t you? And Rex is the best… well, I love all the main characters. Although Harrison gave his Mr. Potato Head away because he said Mr. Potato Head has bad behavior and isn’t always nice.
As usual, I digress.

Back to my guilt.

Last week I started Harrison’s valentines for his class. I planned to get Trader Joe’s Organic Lollipops, but I was rushing and happened to be at Target where I spotted some heart-shaped lollipops on the cheap.

On the cheap.
Translation: filled with high fructose corn syrups and, more so, several artificial colors and preservatives that I can’t announce and would never endorse. Plus there was my internal voice saying “WHAT?!!!”, that I was ignoring with a figurative hands-over-the-ears-saying “la-la-la-la… I can’t hear you!!” motion. (I learned that from a college boyfriend who did that to me once – literally. [WHAT?!] But that’s another story.)
Anyway, I bought them and moved on.

Then, earlier this week, I was reminded about the evils of food dyes when I posted an article about the subject on my Facebook wall. That’s when I felt it, I looked at that pile of valentine cards with a shoulder-slumping sigh of defeat. That was not what I planned, heart-shaped or not, I can’t in good conscious give a candy to another child that I wouldn’t give to my own. (Even though I let Harrison try one – DOH! Maybe that’s why he was hyper the other night.)

Food coloring dye. Maybe you have heard of Red #40 and are familiar with the studies on the effect of [petroleum based] food dyes on children’s behavior, especially children with ADHD. I first heard about the effects of red#40 from a friend while at Disneyland in 2008, she asked me, “Do you notice a difference in Harrison’s behavior when he consumes food with red#40?” “No”, I answered. She responded by telling methat it’s in everything including Kraft Mac and Cheese. I thought for a moment and realized I hadn’t bought Kraft Mac&Cheese for some time. I went home that night and looked through my cabinets and I discovered I no longer buy most name brand packaged foods. […reason why I suck at collecting those silly Box Tops.]

Fast forward to today and the ongoing war against food dye, while the FDA has recently concluded that there is not enough evidence to link food dye with hyperactivity and voted not to add warning labels to ingredients, others beg to differ including the CSPI. Even the UK removed artificial dyes from the food beginning as early as 2008.

Consider this from the CSPI:

On my Facebook page alone, a friend brought up that her son is allergic to all synthetic food dyes, which is in EVERYTHING from our food (including fresh fruit) to our clothing. I’ve heard stories from friends about the change in behavior they observed when they cut out the artificial colors and preservatives from their child’s diet. But my other concern is that most of these dyes are more carcinogenic than once thought to be. Why do we continue to fill our bodies with petroleum based preservatives? It doesn’t even sound appealing!

And I’m not even going to start on High Fructose Corn Syrup, that’s another entire can of worms.
But think about this – HFCS and food coloring started to be used in mass in the 1970’s, less than two decades we began to see a shift in the health and weight of our children and now we are in an obesity epidemic.

Just to keep it real, I am not perfect and I’m not a food Nazi either. We do consume HTCS and food colors when were out and about it can’t always be avoided, but I don’t buy products with those ingredients. It’s one of my baby steps to better eating along with better planning and fresh ingredients.

So when Harrison takes his completed Valentines cards with a little treat attached to school next week, I will have no guilt.
Next to a home baked goodie, it’s a treat that a mom can be proud of giving.
Okay, I’m pushing now.

But even a 1st Grader can pronounce every ingredient on this lollipop label.

One Month Down

2012-02-02T22:38:00.001-08:00

EDITED TO INCLUDE: My 'Linked' post will be over here this afternoon.

I got through a picture a day for January – Phew!!
Made it by the skin of my teeth, I need to find my groove (and inspiration for the creatively blank days). It’s hard to believe that it’s February already. Boy, did January fly by, I still feel behind the eight ball – heck I think there’s a big comfortable seat with my name embroidered on it behind that eight ball.

I don’t plan on getting comfortable…

Maybe that’s why I decided to ~~torture myself~~ attempt the 365 Project again this year.

I’m looking forward to traveling life’s road this year.
One picture at a time.

Up in the Air {or how I spent time waiting}

2012-01-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

If you’ve flown anywhere in the last 10 years since 9-11, chances are you have had to wait at least once. Whether in the plane on the tarmac or in the terminal for a late or cancelled flight, or you just have a big layover, you’ve waited.

I ended up on planes and in airports four times in 2010. That was a new record for me. I’m not a good flyer, so a career that included a lot of travel was never “in my future”.

Now with all that flying, I also did my fair share of waiting and what better to burn up time in an airport terminal then wait?
Watch!

I’ve always been a people-watcher and I love just sitting and watching people coming and going in a large airport (probably because I ‘m often too jet-lagged and anxious to concentrate on reading something).

So on one of those trips I pulled out my camera and played.

Let me tell you something; if you want to stay inconspicuous while sitting in an airport for three hours, don’t sit right in front of the people-movers with a camera at your face. You will get a lot of stares.

But still, I just sat and played with a REALLY low shutter speed and my aperture stopped down– not looking for sharp, clear images of people frozen in time. I wanted to capture the blur and distortion of constant movement that takes place in a busy airport - every. single. day.

Yes, I ended up with a kah-zillion images as I changed settings on my camera to account for the back light and movement and experiment...
But, boy did that layover fly by! (no pun intended)

And just like that, I was back up in the air.

linked | breakfast

2012-01-20T21:06:00.001-08:00

When I think of breakfast I think, “The Most Important Meal of the Day”. I’ve spent most of my life eating cereal – hot and cold. The older I get the less of a morning person I become. The more tired I am, the less chance I have at making a good bowl of hot oatmeal until I’ve had my first cup of coffee and awoken a bit more. Heck, just the other morning, in my tired state, I poured orange juice over Harrison’s cereal.

Now if I’m starving when I first wake up I can always manage a bowl of cold cereal (as long as there is no orange juice near by). But I love breakfast and I always eat more later… when my body is awake.

Some mornings when I’m really lucky, the G.I.D. will make us eggs (once he’s first-cup-of-coffee awake). Let me tell you, he makes Awesome eggs.

Still, I tend to romantically wish every morning started out relaxed and tranquil, sitting at the table bathed in soft sunlight, drinking tea and eating homemade toast with fresh strawberry jam. Then I realize where that sweet dream comes from. Mornings at my grandparent’s house during childhood. Precious memories that I want to recreate with my own child.

And for a long time I really tried to make Harrison well-round breakfasts. Then Grade School happened. The rush to get ready, to get him breakfast, dressed, shoes on, teeth and hair brushed, lunch made and out the door for school. He eats his fair share of cereal.

After all that, I quickly grab my coffee mug (which has been lovingly filled by the Guy-I-Dig with coffee he set to brew that night before). The one I use EVERY day, day-in, day-out. It’s not a cool photographic retro mug or a colorful, fun mug that doubles as a food photography model.

Oh no…
it’s an old travel mug that I am literally lost without. I mean go-through-withdraws lost without. Like OCD lost without.

Lovely, isn’t it.

Luckily, we have a backup copy.

Oh wait, I LOST that one.

Get linked each week this year with: Tracey, Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Sara, Janet, Lesli, Amanda, Amanda, Naomi, Tracey, Rhonda, Carla, Lena, HeatherA

“They had me at Fresh” Part II

2012-01-19T00:07:00.001-08:00

I finally came clean about my passive relationship with the kitchen and how that all changed back in September.

Looking back, here’s a few things I discovered after only one month of pre-planned meals:

I REALLY am a messy cook .
My fridge is chuck-full of fresh, unspoiled vegetables, herbs and fruits for the first time in… EVER.
Electric burners really do have more than two settings {HIGH and LOW}.
Who knew cooking over MEDIUM heat would do wonders in saving my food AND pans.
I can make food fly.
I can still burn a decent sauce even over medium heat .
I can MAKE a decent sauce.
That REALLY BIG knife in the block {that I rarely used} is NOT just for psychopaths in horror flicks – it’s FREAKIN’ AWESOME!
I ♥ kitchen gadgets
Fennel!
For the first time in my life, I have made dressings, lasagna, chicken dumpling soup, beef stew and alfredo sauce - from scratch.
COOKING FROM SCRATCH – GET OUT!
I still don’t like brussel sprouts, period.
On any given evening my kitchen is an even balance of Ratatouille
tasting fireworks
and Julie & Julie
I ~~want~~ NEED more BIG, sharp knives! Bwahaha!!
How have I lived without a salad spinner this long?
Apparently three sets of measuring spoons are not enough for me.
blanching – who knew?! I love fresh meat and fish wrapped in brown paper
I have never chopped so many onions in all my life.
I make soup from scratch!
Okay, maybe I like brussel sprouts – a little bit – roasted in the oven with Sea Salt and Olive Oil.
I know I like how they come on a stalk...
And Above All – I REALLY need an apron before I ruin all my clothes!! (told ya I was messy)

Seriously though, we are eating better, fresher less processed foods and Harrison tries everything put in front of him.

That’s what really counts in the end.

Just Create

2012-01-16T13:48:00.001-08:00

In recent months picking up a pen, a paintbrush or even my camera for leisure seemed farthest from my mind with all the other “noise” going on in my pointy little head. I wasn’t feeling inspired or creative so how could I possibly BE creative.

However, as with anything in life. Sometimes you just have to do it.
Step out.
Jump in.

That’s just what I did one day last week when I made a stop at the pier as the sun began to settle low in the sky.
Pictures for only me. The way I wanted them. No rushing, no posing, no cares but my own.

Although I let Harrison pick out the image for my 365 Project…

I decided that one way to open my creative floodgates after a dry year, is to once again resurrect the 365 Project for myself. The last time I tried it, I only got about 104 pictures taken in 129 days. Not so successful.

People have asked me why I’m taking on 365 again.
It’s three fold really.

To challenge myself daily. (pushing myself to SEE outside the box more often)
To chronicle our lives (I love looking back at over the blog and remembering events and days and our home)
To Create (by my own rules).

Feel free to follow my my 365 roll here.

Break Down and Moving Forward

2012-01-12T11:03:00.001-08:00

Hard to believe it’s 2012. 2011 flew by and I realized that I posted (cough-cough) a mere 20 times last year.

Twenty times. Wow.

Honestly, when I took my business to a new level and blogging became about building business, I lost a creative drive to blog. I froze up didn’t want to suddenly sound superficial in my posts. Each and every client last year still brings me joy every time I look at their images, for so many different reasons; and somehow I felt I couldn’t properly and authentically express this.

I see so much in their faces – Beauty blossoms before my eyes, out of the brief moments with them when I’ve captured them living… getting married, becoming a Bar Mitzvah, renewing vows, tightly hugging each other, laughing together, embracing new life, rejoicing in generations being together. Thank you for trusting me to capture those memories with you all, I am more honored than you can possibly imagine.
And I Still plan to share some here as I begin to pick up my virtual pen once again - if only for my own fulfillment.

On a personal level, our little family experienced a lot of bumps along the way last year. Bumps that we pushed through – if only by the Grace of God. And I can now see in retrospect that over the last two years I slowly lost my “voice”. Stress and fear tried often to rule my thoughts and actions; and I confess, sometimes I let them win.

Somewhere I broke-down. Not physically, not consciously and I didn’t realize this fact until this last Sunday while sitting in church. My pastor shared a video about a Olympic athletic hopeful, Derek Redmond, who tore his hamstring during a semi-final but got up, insisting on finishing the race – ultimately with the help of his father. I was left in tears at his, agony, disappointment, strength and courage.

So there I was, realizing my creative and spiritual break down, however that’s all it was. A break... separation, fracture, crack, divide.
No drama-worthy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Girl Interrupted moments, I came to a stop.
Just a season that, too, will pass.

Along that vein - for the first time in three years, 2012 came in like a quiet Lamb. No illnesses at all. No flus, colds, sinus infections or pneumonia to join us inringing in the New Year. We are looking to 2012 with renewed strength, health and hope (Romans 12:2). There will be new challenges that stretch us; but that’s okay – we’re moving forward anyway.

We can never see where the road leads, still…

We’ll always move forward.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Friday | I’m thinking…

2011-12-09T00:54:00.000-08:00

that this [missed] picture of the Boy contently sleeping next to Daddy will always make me smile when I look at those sweet little six-year-old lips and the little-boy hand that isn't so little any longer.

And it will always bring the full vision of both of them snuggled there together, sleeping heads turned toward each other. If I could draw an imaginary line around their heads and hands, finishing it off with a point. You would see my heart wrapped around them.
On my way out of the house for a shoot, I tried too quickly to capture the moment; I had the 50mm on and didn’t want to disturb them as I held the camera high over my head.

I missed.

But it still makes me smile.

What friends are thinking today...

stacey

michelle

tracey

susan

georgia

heather

naomi

andrea

jessica

liza

barbara

Shawntea

Ashley

Tami

Kelly

Karli

happy weekend.

Thursday | I’m Thinking…

2011-12-08T00:08:00.000-08:00

even though he’s got the whole Smee-thing going on, that’s still just a nightcap on the top of his head.
Santa on a Pirate-themed vacation, maybe?
Just sayin’.

More thinking going on

stacey

michelle

tracey

susan

georgia

heather

naomi

andrea

jessica

liza

barbara

Shawntea

Ashley

Tami

Kelly

Karli

I’m thinking there is still time to share your thinking.

Wordless Wednesday | I’m thinking…

2011-12-07T00:20:00.000-08:00

that the Guy-I-Dig is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Thoughtful Friends Below
Tracey
Michelle
Stacey
Georgia
Heather
Susan
Andrea
Naomi
Shawntea
Jessica
Liza
Barbara
Ashley
Tami

Wordless Wednesday Here and Here.

Tuesday | I’m Thinking…

2011-12-06T00:33:00.000-08:00

that sometimes a fork in the road is just that.
A fork in the road.

More Thinking Friends…
Tracey
Michelle
Stacey
Georgia
Heather
Susan
Andrea
Naomi
Shawntea
Jessica
Liza
Barbara
See you tomorrow.

Monday | I’m Thinking…

2011-12-05T16:13:00.001-08:00

That I need to spend a lot more time right here.

Stopping.

Breathing.

Feeling.

Smiling.

Renewing my tired Soul.

Check out what my other blogging friends are thinking today.

Tracey
Michelle
Stacey
Georgia
Heather
Susan
Andrea
Naomi

Come back all week to see what we’re thinking.
And join us if you like.

What are you thinking this week?

For the Love of the Craft | Tilt Shift Photography

2011-10-23T12:33:00.001-07:00

When I started moving back into photography a few years ago, I spent a lot of time experimenting in photo editing software starting with Microsoft PictureIt, then Photoshop Elements and finally professional versions of Photoshop. But as, business and life took priority, I accidently left behind learning and experimenting with my photos.

As the Cardinals moved into the World Series last week, I remembered some photos I took while up in the top of the St. Louis Arch last Christmas. Photos that, shamefully, didn’t make it to my blog. But after recently reading a blog post about tilt shift photography (the process of making a life size image look like a miniature model) I was inspired to revisit them!

Obviously, I don’t have a tilt shift lens, but revisited these images in Photoshop with a very easy tutorial that you can find here, gave them a new life that I love. I honestly think I took them with photoshop in mind - I don't get to shoot from this perspective often and I'm happy with how they turned out! You can see the originals here and here.

I’m going to have to go through my archives and see what else I can fake into a tilt-shift photo.

But that’s for another day.

Wordless Wednesday | Tea Time

2011-10-19T13:59:00.001-07:00

Working from home can be challenging at times; but when my paperwork is piling up, the deadline is looming and I start to get grumpy-flustered; it’s nice to walk up and see this waiting for me. “You need a tea break”, he says.

Suddenly everything is put back in to perspective.

Happy Wednesday.

They had me at “Fresh”

2011-09-24T13:08:00.001-07:00

On our wedding day, I had promised the Guy-I-Dig that I would learn to cook – it was written down on the little index card that was clutched tightly in my joyfully, nervous hand – my vows {in addition to traditional vows} that I read to him like a laundry list: I promise to always cheer for Florida State, I promise to laugh at all your jokes, I promise to learn to cook for you...
At that moment I think I heard a chuckle rise in unison from those sitting in the church who knew me too well, as if saying , “yeah, like that will ever happen”.

But let me clarify, I really did KNOW how to cook.

For the most part.

My mother was a great cook and had taught me a thing or two in the kitchen, my brother is also a self-trained chef and I picked up some tips from him along the way. And I love cooking.

Until I HATE it.

So skip ahead a decade from that day to four weeks ago today. I came home from a long day at the office - tired, with no plan for dinner, no back-up… and NOTHING in the freezer to fall back on in a pinch. An all too-common phenomenon in recent months.

I was in a bad way.

I served up a nice heaping on the self-loathing, guilt and shame for myself; but that doesn’t feed the family. Although a quick trip to Del Taco by the hubby did. {But let’s NOT go there.}

You see, I STINK at meal planning… and forget it if I don’t have a recipe in front of me for anything other then spaghetti! I’m a rules girl – give me EXACT measurements, please!

So as I sat down and got online that Friday evening, over-stuffed from Del Taco burritos - I stumbled onto a blog, that led me to another blog that led me to a website that moved me to a different website and that’s when I discovered it… The Fresh 20. [insert angels singing here]

I really wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said the Fresh 20 saved my life! (Okay maybe just a little… but not much.)
I had checked out other meal planning services in the past, but they just didn’t capture me. I either didn’t want to pay the large fee or I didn’t like the how the planning was laid out. Then I would forget about the whole idea of pre-planning meals for the week and continue my fantasy of winning the lottery and paying a person to cook dinner every night.

But let me tell you when I got to this website, they had me at Fresh. It’s a clean, inviting website with pictures of beautiful food in the home page. [I LOVE pictures of beautiful food!] They offer Classic plans, Gluten Free and Vegetarian Meal plans. I love the convenience of the shopping list that breaks down the items by what day they are used and an estimated price. The menu page includes a prep guide that can be done ahead of time and then the recipes for 5 days. All this for a great LOW price! Best of all, REAL ingredients, REAL food, no short cuts.

I had been CRAVING, I mean CRAVING!, more vegetables in our {my} diet. We had become so sloppy in recent months with our eating – not UN-healthy, just not healthy enough. And with the exception of an occasional roasted asparagus, vegetables had been reduced frozen green beans or corn.

We have moved into our fourth week of planned dinners, the Guy-I-Dig darts into the kitchen excitedly asking, “what’s for dinner tonight!?” Harrison has tasted everything, complained less and eaten more plus I have been completely stressed-free in the kitchen, even enjoying the process of shopping for and preparing my fresh ingredients for dinner.

In fact,
I think I LOVE cooking!{again}

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Eighty {+ One}

2011-08-09T00:02:00.000-07:00

August 8, 2010 would have been my dad's 80th birthday - had he lived a full life. Wow, that is hard to believe. As it is, he passed away, far too young, two days after my birthday and only one day after his own birthday. I realize that I don't talk about my dad much. It's not for lack of thinking about him; it's just that - it really has been a lifetime.

The anniversary of his death quietly comes and goes each year on the tail end of my own birthday and I admit, I tend to not be the type to dwell on anniversaries of deaths. But the other night my son asked me questions about his grandfather and I owe it to him to record what few concrete memories I have left of my relationship with my own father.

The funny thing about memories is that as we grow and age our memories become memories. Those childhood memories I had are faded and blurred themselves; like a mist that I once walked through, dimly real, yet not tangible.

So what is left of that little girl's memories in this grown woman's body? Fragmented moments in time, like little chunks from an 8mm movie reel or a stack of well worn, much loved postcards capturing images of long ago... pieces of what was once.

My dad chasing me around and around the house until I was hysterical in laughter, giving him just enough to stop and hide then jump out to scare me with a "BOO!" only to finish with a hug.
He was a carpenter of sorts, he BUILT me a doll house, a play house and a sand box - I remember faintly going with him to a rock quarry to pick out the sand.
I remember how he took the time to fix up an old swing set, that came with the house my parents purchased, with red & white candy-cane stripes and new swings. I was very reluctant to let that swing set go when my mom updated it a few short years later and can even still see the monster-ish trash truck crunch and bend the candy-cane poles in it's large iron jaws.
I loved going to his appliance shop with him and playing with the neighbor kids behind the store, or playing hide-and-seek amongst the appliances.I sometimes wonder what happened to those kids.
He served in the Air Force and took pride in serving his country and I was so proud of him. I wanted to marry someone in the Air Force.
I loved having my birthday right next to his.
My dad loved children and children loved him. He was an only child and wanted a big family even though it wasn't meant to be.
I found out later in my life that he went to school at night, studying to become a History Professor. He loved history and I now understand where Harrison and I both got the same love and curiosity for history.
I love that he loved my mom more than anything in this world and that he asked her to marry him the very night they met.
I'm thankful that when he swerved to miss a dog, but hit a tree on their honeymoon, God wasn't ready to take them home that day.
I love how my dad absolutely adored his in-laws and that they loved him like their own flesh and blood. My grandparents lived on a fairly nice sized parcel of land and offered to give our family a few acres to build and live on; but my mom didn't want to love deep in the hills of South Dakota. Sometimes I wonder where would the road have led had our family taken that route?

Fragments and pictures are all I have had for so long that as I read through this post - trying to express what is left of a little girl's experience with her father, I find my words here fragmented and disjointed. Albeit, I'm leaving them here because they are all a part of who that little girl became... of who I am today.

And I'm happy with that.

So no, I don't talk about my dad often, but do I think about my dad, I love him greatly, I miss him always, I wish he were here. I wish he could have met my prom date when I was a teen or attended my high school graduation, walked me down the isle on my wedding day or held his newborn grandson in his arms. I have wondered what my life had been like with my dad in it. What direction the road would have taken. But I don't dwell on those thoughts long.

I just don't.

All The Rage..

2011-08-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I discovered Pinterest.com it’s a perfect platform to make and keep inspiration boards - without a gazillion bookmarks that I never seem to refer back to again. I can pin my own pictures, inspirational photography, pictures from yummy recipes, of home decorating, crafting ideas – you name it. I love it.

You can also browse and re-pin images from other Pinterest members.
Such was the case last month, right before the Fourth of July when I stopped by one afternoon and was greeted with ONE very popular pinned picture.

Apparently some pins are super-uber-popular…

I can honestly say I didn’t follow suit by pinning it; but then I don’t think I’ll ever have a problem finding this picture again.
As for the person who made this image, I’m pretty sure they are feeling the LOVE!

If you are want to know more about Pinterest, Megan over at SortaCrunchy (I love that name because I’m sorta crunchy- but not…) wrote a post on the beginner's guide to Pinterest. And if you want an invite, leave me your email in the comments, I’ll send you one.

BTW, I have started responding to comments within my comments (does that make sense?) Because it’s the best way I can respond quickly and efficiently. Something I should have done long ago when I had more than three readers; but hey. I’m moving forward from here!

Happy Wednesday!

Crafty Tuesday–I Don’t Need No Silly Sewing Machine!

2011-08-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

So the sewing machine is gone from it’s little corner of the dining room for a couple months now. But that hasn’t stopped me from crafting from fabric.
It also has been no secret that moving was hard on all of us; but I’m a believer of making lemonade out of lemons. At least I try… Along those lines, I needed to make something cute and cheery for my circa 1970’s kitchen (I am of the belief that the 70’s was not a good decade in the way of Kitchen design… although I know there are some who love avocado green appliances).
So to give my little 70’s apartment kitchen a little pizazz of it’s own (that doesn’t include the badly needed cabinet redux) I made more bunting flags – because they really make me happy.

Since I couldn’t sew them, I folded my fabric in half and cut triangles at the fold and then ironed double-sided fusing to the inside, I folded them over twine and ironed them again to seal them and they were ready to hang.

I love walking into the bright light of the kitchen and seeing those little fabric bunting flags hanging over the sink.

Happiness.

Crafty Tuesday | Only 39 More…

2011-06-21T22:50:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of offering a photography based fundraiser for Harrison’s preschool this Spring (something that had been discussed with the parent committee since last year while Harrison still attended)and delivered 39 3x3 accordion books to the parents. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these little accordion books! I have three for Harrison now and I order them with a magnet closures which make them perfect for a mom or grandma to pop in her purse.

They were a HUGE hit and I plan to offer again next year. Plus, a couple of parents have ordered additional books for family members from this year.

But… I wanted to add a little something to them, something to deliver and keep them in; but still cost effective since this was a fundraiser. I looked online and locally for a little bag to keep them in to no avail.

So what did I do?

I bought fabric in the color I liked and sewed not 10, not 27, but 39 little gift bags!

The bags are so simple – just straight lines – I cranked them out within a couple hours including breaks. And just in the nick of time, I might add, because the day I started the bags the owner of my loaner sewing machine called and asked for the machine back . Her four-year-old decided he was ready for a home-made cape! Can’t argue with that!

I guess it’s time to invest in a new sewing machine…

(sigh)

Wordless Wednesday | My Style

2011-06-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

People often assume I'm this:

Although I always secretly wanted to be this:

BUT...

in reality...

I'm this.

Just Sayin'

More WW here and here.

Crafty Tuesday

2011-06-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

So a few months ago I had this eleventh hour, light bulb idea to sew gift bags for all of Harrison’s birthday party guests… not just make goodie bags; but personalize each one with the letter of their first name. Crazy. I know.

But they came out great and I only ended up with two extra. (Mainly because I didn’t want to take a chance on two people who RSVP’d “maybe”). Now I admit I am not savvy enough to come up with these on my own (let’s not forget my sewing machine woes) but I stumbled on them at Lovely by Design. And if you haven’t heard of Lovely by Design, go over and visit her (or her store) because it really is lovely.

I really wanted to make something that was reusable and personalized, something special for the day (especially since I had no control over any other aspect of a party at Chuck E Cheese) that could be used in the car or in some other way without quickly landing in the trash and off to the landfill.

Inside was a pencil, mini composition book, a pencil sharpener [because I can’t tell you how many pencils we received this year!], Trader Joes fruit bar and a couple other small things. They were a hit and really fun to make!

Oh, did I mention I made 27 of these puppies!!

Happy Crafty Tuesday!

Not Even the Crickets Stuck Around

2011-06-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

I know, I've been absent, too absent. Even the crickets stopped chirping and the spider webs dissolved from neglect. (can spider webs dissolve?) Let's just say all signs of blog life had diminished.

But I came to the root of my problem!

I no longer have a laptop. It won't even start.
This isn't new, it has been over a year since it's last big hurrah.

Yet that, my friends, is what truly started the downward spiral of my blogging existence. I try, really I do. But when I spend all day on the computer for everyone else, by the time I sit down to compose the blog post to go with the pictures I took, or share an experience or thought... We'll let's just say it gets ugly in my mind's eyes.

Even now, I'd rather go eat hand fulls of Pringles chips rather then sit at this desktop another nano-second and type. Although that sofa over there is looking comfy...

I want my laptop back!!

What is even harder to believe is that Winter and Spring both blown through since I last blogged; and it's not like nothing is happening around here. On the contrary, much has happened, and I want to share, I will share.

I just want to tell you from the sofa.

Creating Beautiful Music

2011-02-14T23:48:00.000-08:00

Kelby Bruno has an incredibly beautiful voice and a mighty love for God. We met during MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) at our church; she is one of those few people that make you feel at home – like an old friend - from the moment you first meet her.
And true to that sweet spirit she exudes, I felt immediately loved and embraced.

So I considered it a privilege when she asked me to help her with her latest album.
Not only did I provide the photography for her; but I actually took on the task of the CD case layout. Wow, what an experience.

Not so bad for my first official CD case layout. Not sure I want to start doing them regularly; but it was a great experience and it gave me an opportunity to use my gift to bless a very talented person who uses her gift to glorify God and bless others. And I’m all about giving God, my maker, the glory.
I encourage you to check out Kelby’s music here, it’s well worth it!

Me and You

2011-02-14T10:07:00.001-08:00

To the Guy-I-Dig,

On a warm, Spring evening 13 years ago I got a message on my machine about a job offer. I didn’t call you back right away because I had accepted a different position and who were you to call me months after I applied anyway? (yah, I’m groovy like that some days.)

Only you weren’t who I thought you were. I found that out when I finally called back to be polite and let you know I wasn’t interested. That’s when I found out you were calling for a completely different reason – because my friend had referred me to you and, well, I had forgotten.

We hit it off on the first phone call.

Then I met you in person, you were handsome – I could see that right away – even through the sunglasses and ball cap.
Oh, and I how had this thing for ball caps!
But what threw me was when I shook your hand,
it was like… MAGIC.

Every corny movie, every annoying spoken cliché {that I so hated} came flooding in at me like a tsunami and I immediately dismissed it. Then, the next week I saw your eyes for the first time. Your captivating, beautiful, green eyes. And my heart skipped a beat. I can only assume that must be the “I knew” moment people often talk about. Only, I’m a skeptic.

But God knew.

God knew the only one for me was you.
…and 13 years later you are still the only one for me. I love you more than ever and I’m So Happy {we’re} Together.

And boy, am I glad I called you back 13 years ago.

XOXOXO
the girl-you-dig

New Every Morning

2011-01-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

Last year was a wash, really. Only I didn’t become conscious of it until one week into 2011.

Seriously.

I almost coasted through the holiday season illness free. [Unlike last year when I spent over two months with one infection or another.] But then it happened. The day after Christmas I felt it – a tightness in my chest, an inability to breathe deeply; within days I was antibiotics for walking pneumonia. And we were out of town. Ugh.

As it goes, the {bed}rest required for recovery gave me ample time to read, ponder and pray… Only that light bulb didn’t go off in my head until I was almost well again. Right about the same time I had an epiphany about my year. I blew it.

True Story.

When the light bulb turned on in my head as the epiphany was still ping-ponging back and forth between my ears, I picked up my devotional that evening and it started with Lamentations 3:19-23.

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; how great is Your faithfulness.

The original translation I read is from “The Message”. It reads, “I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope”. The words hit me. I read them and reread them; and the impact of the words rushed over me like an open floodgate. Hitting bottom. Not like an alcoholic or drug addict would; but rather, over the previous months I had slowly, quietly shut down and/or sabotaged a parts of my life over and over again. Ouch.

I knew 2010 would be a challenging year yet I started out in a sprint forward with hope and perseverance. But I soon lost speed with disappoint, bad news, loss of friends & loved ones and… FEAR. I took my eyes off the prize, I disqualified myself from the race, so to speak, and I didn’t even consciously realize I was doing it. It is very humbling to wake up and count the {really stupid choices and} mistakes you make (mistakes so easily avoided) and to admit that somewhere along the way you walked right off the path and kept on trudging along – the hard way. I’m not going to expound on the details of my journey through 2010 or the events that propelled me forward, some were posted here through the pages; but this year I believe I had more blog drafts than I had published posts. Another clue to a year thrown out of alignment.

It was no mistake you know… getting sick with the one illness that makes me STOP.

Literally – Stop.

Obviously, that’s what I needed to see I wasn’t on the path I wanted to be. To see that I wasn’t fully trusting my Father in Heaven enough. To see that I was living through the fear of “what could or couldn’t be” rather then living in the faith of “what IS”.

My affliction and my wandering…yet the passage continues –

Because of the LORD’s great love
we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning.

NEW Every Morning.

Not once a year. But – Every. Morning.
No regrets.

Here's to a new morning.

A Non-Traditional Newsletter…

2011-01-11T23:49:00.001-08:00

For years I have sent out Christmas cards that often include some type of newsletter about our family - whether it be a tongue-in-cheek version set to the 12 Days of Christmas, Dr. Seuss or Barney; or a more straight forward, albeit short, version – I would put our year into words… counting the blessings.

But like so many, we have been affected by the recession and tanking economy and I often found myself looking at the ‘glass half empty’ when it came to writing traditional Christmas newsletter.

Then as this year’s Christmas postcards slid from my fingers into the mailbox, I realized I was thinking of our blessings – about everything that went right. I hadn’t written about our year because I think I was still, personally, floating in murky water. I admit, I didn’t get everything accomplished that I wanted to in 2010. Sometimes that just happens. It is what it is.

What happened during 2010? We moved. A difficult move, yes, but now we walk Harrison to and from school EVERY day – rain or shine. A blessing. And Harrison started Kindergarten, he is beginning to read and is absolutely loving the entire school journey. A blessing. Big Brother started his SECOND year of college. Blessing. He finished his first year on the Dean’s List. Blessing. Business was much better for the G.I.D.(guy I dig). Blessing. I safely traveled by plane four times last year and although one time was to say goodbye to someone I love, it was still a Blessing. Because of social media, I was reacquainted with some dear friends I had lost contact with years ago. Blessings. I got to take Harrison back to South Dakota for vacation (and a wedding). Blessing. We had a visit from old family friends from New Zealand. Blessing. The GID’s parents came out to visit us in October. Blessing. In turn, we were able to spend Christmas with them in St. Louis, MO. Double Blessing! Harrison got to experience snow on Christmas day, build a snowman, go sledding, have a snowball fight and make an snow fort! Blessings! I had incredible photography clients this year. Blessing. We have our health. Blessing. A home over our heads and unfailing hope on our Lord. Blessing. Needless to say, we had countless opportunities to spend time with our friends and family throughout the year which is always a Blessing.

Each day we wake up to a new day - and I am truly Thankful. For Every. Single. Day.

I hope this finds you well and [long after the craziness and stress of the season have passed] your holidays were filled with peace and joy.

Only time will tell what 2011 will bring. But I do hope one thing - that it will be filled with as many, if not more, blessings than 2010 held… even in the unknown murkiness of life.

How Non-Bakers Make Coffeecake

2010-12-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Start with easy, store-packaged [just add an egg, etc.] coffeecake mix.
Read ingredients and instructions half way through while listening to five-year-old talk.
Start putting it together with five-year-old’s help.
Melt [last] of the stick butter – as instructed by cake box instructions
Let five-year-old pour in cake mix, milk and egg and start mixing
Read ingredients for cinnamon crumb topping
Realize there is not enough stick butter left for the “crumble”
Grumble
Employ Bright Idea!
Get tablespoon to scoop out some butter and put in ice cube tray to harden again
Grab spreadable butter and add a tablespoon back to cake mix
Stop five-year-old from opening the egg over the floor
Add another tablespoon butter
Stop five-year-old from adding egg shells to cake mix
Add another tablespoon butter
Let five-year-old stir cake mix
Realize there is A LOT of butter in bowl.
Shrug
Make the cinnamon crumble mix
Add frozen butter – phew!
Look at lump of dough in cake mix bowl
Read box again – “do not over mix”
Grumble
Knead dough into baking pan
Add cinnamon crumble
Pop into oven
Pray
Drink Coffee...

and bask in the glory of success!

Happy Sunday!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

2010-11-11T00:47:00.000-08:00

I remember it like yesterday...

The night I learned the names of the three men thrown into the fiery furnace and I never forgot their names again - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, nor whom I learned them from.

Not. Once.

That night, during Easter break from college, I was playing Bible Trivia with my friend J.'s dad and her little brother and little sister. Just me. Somehow I found myself all alone with her family, whom I had just met. I was invited to spend the night; but J. had to leave for a few hours. And I... Can. Be. Shy.

"You aren't seriously leaving me here with your family... that I. JUST. MET. ??" I pleaded.

"You'll have fun!" she declared. She is like that - always optimistic, always encouraging.

She was right. An hour later I was caught up in a game of Bible Trivia. Becoming more and more giddy with each question I COULD answer. My awkwardness had melted away and I forged relationships that night which have lasted a lifetime.

One being J.'s dad, Bob.

Over the years I have been a happy recipient of Bob's caring, understanding smile and his intelligence and wisdom peppered every conversation we had. I sat at their dinner table often enough to hear Bob say, "Eat more, you're too skinny." He gave me advice, prayer, understanding and support. And my heart overflows with so many wonderful memories from holidays and occasions too numerous to count with the entire family over the years.

I am blessed to call J. a friend. I love her as much today as the day I first met her so many years ago. We stood up at each others weddings, we've carried each other through difficult times, she stood by me when my mom passed away and now it's my turn to stand by her as she grieves.

You see, we lost Bob to cancer this morning. I hate cancer and I don't mind saying that. But Bob loved God with all his heart, he had great faith. He went Home. And although I feel sad at my/her loss, I know he is happy.

He is at peace.

The familiar smile as he watches J. on her wedding day this past summer

I sat at that dinner table a few years back, Harrison was a baby. Bob smiled at me and said, "I don't need to worry about you anymore, you're no longer too skinny." He knew my journey leading to that moment - he knew I was no longer alone. God had given me a husband and a child - my own family. Always the consonant dad, Bob was...

He is survived by a wife, two sons, two daughters, three grandsons, six granddaughters, two daughter-in-laws, two son-in-laws and {not by default} one surrogate/adopted daughter, her husband and sons.

And he is greatly loved.

Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Bob stood firm in a quiet faith. He trusted God as he passed through his own fiery furnace and was delivered, a good and faithful servant, into the loving arms of God.

We'll miss you on this earth, Bob, but we'll see you again in Heaven.

Wordless Wednesday | Just One Voice

2010-11-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

Yes, I voted.
Yes, I'm concerned for our future.
Yes, I will not always agree with you.

No, we can't afford to continue down such a strained path.
No, I will not stop praying for our country, our leaders.

No, I will not say any more about politics.

A house divided against itself cannot stand.
~Abraham Lincoln

Think About It.

Crafty Tuesday | One Year, Nine Months and Twenty Six Days Later...

2010-11-08T22:41:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the bird mobile!

Only to find that in the time that has lapsed we have moved and now I don't have a final home for it.

When I walked into my husband's office {a.k.a. Man Cave} eyeballing a preexisting hook in the ceiling with step stool in hand, and mobile soon after, his only response was a heavy sigh and a defeated, "I knew this was going to happen".

I think he would have warmed up to the little birds had they been Garnet and Gold in color.

then again, maybe not.

Well, at least I finished Ah project.

WW: Corked

2010-10-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

Now where did I set that glass of wine...

Oh, well there's more where that came from...

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

My First Time

2010-10-04T00:15:00.000-07:00

No, not that.
A week from today I will shoot my first wedding. I wasn't looking to do wedding photography; but along this path, it found me. A friend of mine has followed my photography adventure and asked if I did weddings - or would do a wedding. Her wedding to be exact.

I've known Brittany for several years but I only had the privilege to finally meet her fiance', Joel, the day we met up to take some engagement photos - at the tail end of the engagement! He has just moved back from New York with only a month to spare and has been thrust into the whirlwind world of wedding detail finalizing. A task he has embraced with all the energy and zeal only a happy-in-love man will!

Brittany and Joel met in 2004 right before Joel left for New York to pursue his graduate degree and Brittany went back to school to pursue her graduate degree here on the West Coast. Thousands of phone calls, emails, video chats, text messages, late nights and frequent-flier miles later they are back in the same city on the same coast and ready to start their life together.

...And happy-in-love they are!

They both love Old Hollywood and classic movies so how perfect that Joel proposed to Brittany at the the historic Culver Hotel in downtown Culver City on a warm September evening in 2009. It was a blast to go back to where it all happened for some engagement pictures and relive the moment in style - Old Hollywood Style.

Brittany and Joel, thanks for a fun creative day of play! I can't wait until next Sunday! I know it will be an awesome day and I'm excited about being a part of it!

Or click here for a larger view.

Seeing the Light

2010-09-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

Every other week or so Harrison announces that he misses or wants to move back to our old house. I admit I miss it too - if not for the space,or the inspirational rooms - then for the light. And let me tell you, there was a lot of gorgeous light in that house.

Since moving, we have light in our new home; but not like before. We even have west facing windows ; but finding when that light gives the warm, creamy results that I love so much has been tricky. But on Saturday at 2:00 pm, after receiving a package in the mail, we pulled out the camera to (as always) document a moment.

Yup. That's the moment.

Then Harrison wanted to take pictures and I had a thought; it's been a while since I took a self portrait [a REAL self portrait] and, HEY, this light is nice. Yes, after eight months, I finally found my "happy place" light in our new home!

Harrison took this picture. Not too bad!

Ironically, when I sat down at my computer yesterday I happened to catch an update from Me Ra Koh in my Facebook News Feed about an upcoming blog post covering how to take a good bio/head shot picture and I responded. I know, huh. - I rarely do that!

{really freaking} long story - short, Me Ra is spotlighting 10 different women on her blog tomorrow with their head shot/bio pic photo recipe and I'm one of them!

OH SNAP!

I guess good light pays off!

Team Up Thursday | Lonely.

2010-09-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

That is what my image is feeling this week. Somehow its partner just couldn't make it here via email. Joanne was NOT getting any email love yesterday, so you're just going to have to go over there to see what she did with our pictures!

I LOVE selective focus so I was on this week's theme like a rabid dog! Harrison and I made a rock garden on the deck last on Monday - complete with found shells. And I whipped out the camera in an effort to "practice every day"

[because 365 was flushed down the toilet MONTHS ago...sigh.]

I love the opposite effects that our two images create, cool colors of summer here and warm, cozy colors of winter in Australia. You'll just have to go give her some bloggy love! The contrast in color and subject just works well this week. Love it.
Go ahead, click on the link - you know you want to.

Exposure: f2.0 1/400 ISO200 50mm
On another note, is it just me, or has Blogger been really softening images when upload. This picture is a lot sharper before uploaded to the web.

Oh well.

Check out more Team-Up Thursday hosted by Mental Inventory and Hip Momma.

EDITED to add diptych.

Team Up Thursday | Old

2010-08-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

Imagine how excited I was when I came home this evening to find Joanne's email in my in box and opened it to find an old truck! All those lines and curves, that patina, the textures - yeah, I got happy. I've expressed my passion for certain models/years of old cars in the past.

Not much has changed. So yes, I'm having old car photographing envy right now.
I just can't help it.

And with all the "old" crap I have hanging around here, I opted for this funny sight across the street from my house. Someone had all these monitors (and one TV) lined up on the curb. Seriously, who would have that many monitors in their house? Never mind, I don't think I want know.

I'm not sure which was funnier to see, the computer monitors all lined up on the curb or me squatting in the middle of the street taking a picture of them. (I got some looks... and one asking me if this was a school project. I should be elated! Apparently I look like a student! NOT!)

And THAT is all I have to say about this week's Team-up Thursday.

See you next week!

Just Don't Call Me Late For Dinner... (or... how I haven't had time to blog but dream of blog posts and team-up anyway)

2010-08-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Call me missing in action; better yet reckless blog abandoner (if that's even a word). That's what you can call me. I have so many things happening and I just seemed to have lost all ability for multi-tasking (not that multi-tasking is even a trait worthy of having to begin with). Again, piles of Blog drafts that never get published. Ideas that get half-written and then something else pulls me away.

One of these days I'm going to bombard my blog with random posts that seem to come out of nowhere and you, my friends, will probably furrow your brow and twist your head sideways [like a small dog confused by a peculiar, new sound] and ...un-friend me on Facebook.

Then again, maybe not.
But be warned - randomness may just happen.

So this evening before I retire, I leave you with some diptych love. I have a great team-up partner who is so gracious with my crazy life as of late - each week she's halfway around the world getting ready to say goodbye to Thursday just as I get ready to say "hello". She hasn't fired me yet. Thank goodness. And once back from vacation with computer issues temporarily put to rest and deadlines held off for one more week, I wanted to post some backlogged images.

Because,even late, I love diptychs.

Last week, August 19 was "BIG" As Joanne 's youngest child is heading to the University of Adelaide in Australia (on left) - it's big both physically and emotionally for both of them. The Sunday after returning from South Dakota, we had a family outing day that took us to a small local marine aquarium, tide pools and the Friendship Bell in San Pedro, CA (on right).

I was slow at getting the August 12 theme to Joanne and threw in the towel for that week. I had a work deadline that took priority over everything as soon as I returned to work the Monday after our vacation. But I love the theme, MORNING, I'm just NOT a morning-person. Hence the simplicity of my breakfast (bottom) as opposed to those yummy looking pancakes of Joanne's. (top) I want to go to her house for breakfast!
We obviously both think of food in the mornings.

The theme for August 5 was UP. I could do that! But I was [literally UP] in-air on Thursday and didn't get the images to Joanne until Saturday (during which time I was already starting the work catch up and didn't blog). I gave her the pick of Mt Rushmore (right - obviously) or an out the airplane window shot to choose from. How cool is the inside of Melbourne Central Shopping Center, Australia (left)! What a great shot. (it also sits well next to the Bell of Friendship, as I initially dyp'd the wrong two pictures together (not that "dyp'd" is a word either).

I was on it! I had the picture for the week of July 29's theme, DOORS, I tried emailing it to Joanne from South Dakota; but it didn't work. Bummer. Joanne is on the left and the view out of my Aunt's covered patio is on the right.

And just for the record, I sent my picture for this week's theme to Joanne on {oh yeah!} Saturday! (doing the white-man's overbite dance! Oh yeah.)

So I'll see you sometime tomorrow {or maybe Saturday} with this week's team-up Thursday theme!
I'll give you a hint...it's OLD.

Now go check our lovely host of Team-Up Thursday, Megan @ Mental Inventory.
Oh Yeah! [insert more bad dancing]...Oh Yeah! (and this, my friends, is why I haven't been blogging...)

Best Shot Monday | Silence

2010-08-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

When I saw this cabin that we spent three of our days in, I went all Haley Mills giddy. Harrison was pretty excited as well he immediately picked walked in, checked out the bunk beds and claimed a top bunk for himself.

This little campground took me as close to possible to what it was like at grandparents house deep in the Black Hills. It was a little piece of heaven in my hectic life and I'm so thankful for the days and nights Harrison and I got to spend out there this summer. How lovely to look up after dark and see a swell of stars peppering jet black sky, high above the tips of pines stretching up from the earth. How lovely - the only bit of light is a bright, full moon illuminating the rocky walls and trees of our little valley; casting long, dancing shadows across the silent meadow. How lovely to wake in the morning hours before the sun rises and listen to the sound of the creek babbling beyond the darkness. How lovely to smell the fresh, clean air flavored with pines, wild flowers, and dew.

Living in the city, we just don't get this experience. We don't get to hear the many other sounds that flooded our senses while away from the city...

...the non-ceasing chirping of grasshoppers

Gurgling of the ice-cold water as it cascaded over creek rocks.

The whisper of the warm breeze pushing through pine and aspen trees.

a constant songs of birds as they go about their work

Then...when the sun goes down, the crunch of grass under the deer hooves,
the call of owls through the dark and crickets taking over where their cousin-grasshopper left off

And silence.

It's truly amazing how loud the void of noise can be.
It pierces and echos in your soul before you realize that you hear NOTHING at all.

We experienced it deep in an underground cavern and again deep in the Black Hills.
Each time I soaked it in as much as possible, wishing I could bottle it.

I absorbed the sounds and felt a peaceful calm during my stay in the "woods". Harrison spent most of his days "tubing" in the icy water of the stream - not unlike his mom at that age.

Even he noticed the sweet {very real} sound of silence and was awed by it.

If only we could click our ruby-red slippers and return for just a little bit longer...

Wordless Wednesday | In Awe

2010-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

It never ceases to amaze me.

Team Up Thursday | Where You Live

2010-07-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

Joanne and I are literally a world apart separated by a great body of water. But we both have one thing in common, that vast ocean so near to where we live. For me, the best thing about coming home is getting to the rise of the hill and seeing the ocean spread out before me. It has a calming effect on me and I am at peace once more.

I love the pod of dolphins in Joanne's photos, it's amazing to be on the ocean whale watching and become the "watched" when dolphins arrive on the scene. Such playful creatures.
My picture is from the International Boardwalk at the local pier. we used to walk down there quite regularly, but now that it's a bit further with our move, we haven't made the walk so much. The boardwalk area was once part of a casino/auditorium and bath house/saltwater plunge in the early 20th Century. Similar to the famous Sutro Baths in San Francisco. People would ride the Red Cars down from downtown Los Angeles for a vacation or to just stay for the weekend. You wouldn't know the history of our small city today just by looking at it. It has changed drastically in the last 40 years.

We've been under a marine layer for the past month with 60 degree weather. Yesterday we finally woke up to sunshine! We are all feeling the lightness of the sunshine in our spirits - we've been waiting for summer to arrive on our sandy shore. Time to hit the beach!

Visit Megan and Melody to see more Team Up diptychs!

Team Up Thursday | Celebration

2010-07-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

We were invited to a party that my husband works every Fourth of July. Really nice people.

Really nice house!

REALLY nice back yard with pool AND water slide. Water. slide. Like - water park water slide.

A really nice day.

This week's Team Up Thursday diptych. Joanne on top mine on the bottom. I love Joanne's picture with the confetti shooting out - perfect timing.

Happy Friday!

Crafty Tuesday | Inspiration Chair

2010-07-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

I came home this afternoon and found this on my front lawn...waiting for garbage day to arrive. It's not much to look at - at first glance...

But it quickly called out to me with visions of what could be, bright fabric, maybe new paint, a big field to plop it in for a photo shoot or maybe just a day at the beach. I envisioned it all and walked inside, frustrated that we no longer have the room to add "found" treasures like this. (I had looked long and hard for a chair similar to this for the guest room in our old house.)

Seriously, how could I possibly leave it for such doom? (better yet - for someone else to grab up and give new life to it. For. FREE.)

You just can't find chairs like this For. FREE! I went in the house to start dinner then grabbed Harrison to go test it out. I just HAD to take a picture of it, test it, you know. It's the thrifter/photographer in me.

Oh my gosh, don't you just love it!?
Harrison loved it. (he's acting in this picture)
He immediately wanted to keep it; but really, we don't have room!

Then I started fantasizing again. I couldn't stop myself...worse case scenario - I still give it away.
Best case scenario - I eventually do something like this to it:

Look at all that Anthropologie loveliness. Oh, the possibilities!

It was time to go back inside to finish making dinner, I needed to let it go.
"But what about the chair, mommy?"

"We leave it where we found it, someone will probably pick it up."

"But I want to keep it!" Harrison was adamant {I secretly agreed}, "We can put it on our grass rug in our patio!". He sat on it in the front yard to "protect" it.

The G.I.D. went outside to get Harrison and came back in with the chair. {secretly did the happy dance; but still not sure where to put large chair}

So now we have this too-big chair in our too-small home... and I feel so inspired by it!

Time to get crafty.

Finally.

2010-06-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Along with finishing the bunting banner for Harrison, I have also wanted to make a felt pencil roll.
[the pencil rolls are inspired by Soule Mama's book the Creative Family]

First we made one for a friend because his birthday was rapidly approaching. I decided to sew his name on with felt. It came out great (no pictures though)! Then we made Harrison's; he decorated it with some shapes and insisted on his name, too.

Only his name has eight letters and his friend's name only has four. But I obliged because frankly, I LOVE personalized and monogrammed things. He helped with sewing the first two.

I loved these so much that I decided to make a couple more for a set of twins Harrison is friends with at school. Harrison insisted that the pencil roll for the girl had to have pink flowers because she likes pink, so he picked out a fabric and I proceeded to cut her name out and sew on the roll - that wasn't as easy as it seemed. I'm not a seamstress and it's not like sewing felt; but with a few more gray hairs and a breathing break - I got the job done! (hopefully they liked them...)

Harrison took his pencil roll out for a test run on Fathers Day when we went out to dinner. Yup, it was perfect to have at the table while waiting for food to arrive. I'll be packing it for our trip to South Dakota later this summer.

And if that isn't enough, I whipped out one more bunting flag banner this week for a birthday party Harrison has on Saturday, I admit - I like this one better than Harrison's! I planned to personalize it but got so excited about getting the flags all cut out that I sewed them right away! Luckily, I didn't sew the tops and I could get my hand in there.

Let me tell you - I am NOT a hand-sewer. No way, no how! It didn't relax me one bit. But I love the outcome all the same! (Too bad I don't have the light and yard of the old house to show these off in!)

Now I'll head over to Carrie's to see what craftiness she was up to this week!

Team Up Thursday | Chaos.

2010-06-17T00:19:00.000-07:00

I came home to find a tornado had apparently gone through his room today. I caught him on camera just as he was jumping on the bed (from that dresser???). He has permission to jump on his bed (when company isn't over) but not from the dresser to the bed! He also hasn't watched any TV in over a week. Why?

He doesn't want to clean up the toys in his room. And now there is only more...

All I said was, "when you clean up this pile, you can watch a show." That was last Tuesday.

Mine on the left, Joanne on the right.

So the floor is a bit messy; but it had been so peaceful here, we've listened to lots of different music and he has spent a lot of time playing, reading and creating. He hasn't asked once to watch a show.

That's how it should be.

Crafty Tuesday | Revving Up for Summer

2010-06-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

So we downsized and we no longer have a quaint backyard with Adirondack Chairs that we can cozy up in on warm summer evenings as we sip warm tea or cool beers.

Then again, we didn't do that often because spiders liked to congregate in our backyard. (including the Black Widow that hitched a ride to our new home via sand toy - bad idea for that gal!) I am SO done with Orb spider season! I think we've all been traumatized enough by the little buggers!)

But we make due with change and I quite like our cozy deck. So to celebrate summer I finally got around to making the hanging tea lights out of baby food jars that I've wanted to do from some time.

Instead of hanging in the lemon tree (with the thorns and spiders) they hang from the deck above.

I can't wait to light them in the evenings when the sun has set and it's still warm outside.

We embellished them with beads and little bells that I had in my craft supplies and then curled the wires.

I also made candle holders out of Mason and jelly jars for the table, Harrison helped me put pebbles and sand inside and then I put colorful citronella candles in them. Again, I can't wait for the right evening to light them up.

I just feel more relaxed thinking of our deck as it has already become an extension of our home. It may be a deck but we have already had meals out there and watched the sun go down and planted and painted and played.

Bring on Summer!

Now go check out the awesome crafting my girl Carrie has done this week. I'll give you a hint... I love me some chalkboard paint!

I'm so COOL

2010-06-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

There I was, at an annual Gala seated with an array of people, taking pictures, enjoying the evening, and listening to the honorees speeches when I glance around my table and observe the guests tapping away at their phones. Not just my table, people at others tables were also tapping away as each honoree stepped up to the podium and poured out their hearts in appreciation.

Hello!

Welcome to the age of social media.

At the time my little Samsung, [no blue tooth, no speaker phone, "no app for that"] flip-phone just couldn't contend with these "big boys"; but last weekend that all changed when I upgraded to a new phone (mainly so people could actually hear me when I was talking).

No, not a Blackberry, or Droid, or even an iPhone.

Just another Samsung - a touch screen model with Internet capability, camera and video, blue-tooth and a keyboard that I can actually text with!

I call it my little "iPhone wannabe".

I can TEXT, folks!

GET OUT!

And so I did. And then I could check my emails on my phone; and Facebook; and update my Twitter account! and then...and then... I STOPPED!

Oh. My. Gosh, I got sucked in! I mean really, I have been in it for some time - buying on line, finding the latest, greatest fads for consumers, building community, researching, learning, discovering new music, movies, people; but the reality and speed of where we are heading in this age is... unbelievable.

Check this out. Maybe you've seen it, maybe not, but it's worth the view.

(keep in mind that this video is already a year old.)

Crazy, eh?

Honestly, I'm just giddy to no longer be "text challenged".
I've got enough challenges!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Mirror, mirror Against the Wall

2010-06-10T00:37:00.000-07:00

That's not how it goes? close enough for me.

I've missed my blogging windows each week with other things on my mind. AND...I pulled from the archives. I love this image of Harrison in the mirror. You can see another version here. I love Joanne's picture - it leaves me wanting more!
You could say my blog is mirroring my life right now. The signs show me that I'm a little out of focus right now. I think I'm ready for a break.

Here are diptychs from the last two weeks.

Left - last week's theme was "signs" (mine on top Joanne bottom) I love the words in her picture - a good reminder! And right the previous week was "out of focus". (Joanne top, mine on bottom) the thing about Chess is that you have to stay focused. Not so easy sometimes.

Ironically, next week's Team Up Thursday theme is "Chaos". Oh yeah, I'm feeling that one all right!

Back in the Saddle Again

2010-06-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

I took my old {beloved} sewing machine in for a repair estimate... That didn't go so well. Over $200 to fix it. No.

But...

My friend found the manual to her sewing machine {one in my collection} and after one year, two months, a bit of frustration tears, and a few adjustments later, I have finally finished a project!

I do love how the bunting flags for Harrison's room came out.

But we've moved since I started them to hang in a different room. So now I've hung them over the closet doors, I'm still deciding if I like them there or on the wall with the maps.

Of course, I love the idea of hanging them out on the patio in the warm weather, too.

Oh it's so good to sew, I love the {almost} instant gratification of a finished product in my hand. It's really... therapeutic.I turned off the computer this weekend and focused on creating things and using my hands with Harrison. It was good.

I needed the break from all the constant stimulation (well, I did listen to Carla Bruni and Patricia Kaas, but that doesn't count). Summer is almost here and I'm actually looking forward to it.

So looking forward to it.

Sunday Self #13

2010-05-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

With so much bombarding us now days, sometimes its good to just stop and reflect.

After a couple days away, it's nice to come home, hug your husband, love on your child and just be.

Spent the last two days at Escalate Live 2010 - a great experience.

Team Up Thursday | Mum's the Word?

2010-05-13T00:24:00.000-07:00

"Mom" is a perfect word this week as it rides in on the coattails of Mother's Day. Oh, I love that my partner Down Under played with the {Australian} slang version of it with her picture of {in her words} ChrysantheMUM's!

And what possibly goes better with Chrysanthemums then... Woodenmums! Or Wooden Moms.

On a side note, between work and news, I didn't get to visit blogs or even post last week. It's strange how bad news comes in waves (like celebrity deaths in threes) after getting news of friends diagnosed with mesothelioma and leukemia (and still praying from them continually), I got news that an old friend had been killed in a head on car accident by a DUI suspect fleeing from the police. Yes, one of those high speed chases we've all seen on TV. Ironically, he was staunchly against drinking.

A sobering reminder that our lives are short and we never know when we may be taken home to our Maker. This friend was passionate about life and loved extreme sports. He was incredibly intelligent and had a successful career in technology. He was also passionate about God and a fierce competitor when playing games. I will always remember our games nights when we were all young and single. It got to the point that he and I always had to be on the same team otherwise there could have been bloodshed - true story! Apparently, I get pretty competitive as well. We also butted heads over other topics of conversation; but like I said, he was passionate and it always worked itself out.

I will always smile at those crazy, heated times - they will always stir up good memories of him. As one friend said, "it's sad that so many will have to settle with that much less of him in their lives".

So true.

Rest in Peace, Scott

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

Just Another Day as a Mom

2010-05-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

Truly, I don't make a fuss out of Mothers Day. I don't demand dinner out or expensive gifts. But the Guy I Dig goes out of his way to make my day easy. He makes me my favorite breakfast and our favorite dinner, he showers me with love all day what more can I ask for?

I have nothing deep or meaningful to say today that I haven't said before. Only one thing...

Once again ~
I am Blessed

Sunday Self #12 | A Different Take

2010-05-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Spent the day with Harrison, he's growing by leaps and bounds - literally. He reminds me daily to be a better mom and a better person.

How blessed I am.

Not Just Another Sandwich Shop

2010-04-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

I had the Pleasure of being invited to a VIP Kid's Club Kick Off Party at Waterside Marina Del Rey and opening of the Mendocino Farms {sandwich shop and marketplace}.

OH SNAP!

Mendocino Farms is seriously the BEST sandwich shop I've been to in a long time - and kid-friendly too! Complete with junior sized tables and chalkboard walls (and those of us who have kids know how important a kid-friendly restaurant is!) That is exactly why the owners chose to open up a second location of their highly successful {albeit downtown} sandwich shop in a more kid-friendly, kid-accessible area. I for one, rarely venture downtown - but down the road...I can do that!

With items on the menu like 'Braised Lamb Sandwich' with mint pesto and 'Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi' with ingredients including aramelized kurobuta pork belly, pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, jalapenos and chili aiol my 'inner foodie' senses we tingling with delight at the thought of all that flavor!

But it doesn't end there - the kids healthy menu is sure to appeal to most any child-foodie-wannabe. Oh. My. Gosh. the 'Gooey Grilled Cheese' filled with cheese fondue! Or how about 'Healthy Mom's Homemade Peanut Butter' - housemade peanut butter, cranberry jam and green apples on wheat bread.
I'M THERE!

And if sandwiches aren't your thing, well Mendocino Farms is right next door to our favorite Pizza Place, Fresh Brothers! (the Greek pizza is to die for!) BAM!

The location couldn't be more perfect for Kids Club every Tuesday, where you may just experience a toe-tapping, drum-banging performance by Rhythm Child. They bring great music for kids and plenty of drums for them to join in with the music. Needless to say, this drum lovin' girl was enjoying the afternoon, and Harrison wasn't having too bad of time either - My Gym, Food, Music - what more could he ask for?
(Pinkberry. He melted down because I didn't get him Pinkberry yogurt - which he has NEVER even had...go figure.)

Check out Harrison's blog for Photo Story Friday.

Theme Thursday | An Apple a Day

2010-04-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Joanne on top, mine on bottom.

Did You Know:

Apples are grown in all 50 states.
Apples are a member of the rose family.
Fresh apples float because 25% of their volume is air
There are apples that have an aftertaste of pears, citrus, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, strawberries, grapes and even pineapple.
It takes energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
There are 7500 varieties of apples worldwide
Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.
The apple tree originated in an area between the Caspin and the Black Sea
Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans.
The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.
The pilgrims planted the first United States apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
In colonial time, apples were called winter banana or melt-in-the-mouth.
Apples are a member of the rose family.
The largest apple picked weighed three pounds.
America's longest-lived apple tree was reportedly planted in 1647 by Peter Stuyvesant in his Manhattan orchard and was still bearing fruit when a derailed train struck it in 1866.
Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
Don't peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel.

We're off to the Farmers Market - Have a wonderful Wednesday!
(edited to say: Um, I mean Thursday...)

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

All Grown Up

2010-04-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

I was there to sing "Over the Rainbow" to her when she was only three years old.

When she was five years old, I brought my future husband over to her house for dinner. (After all, she and her parents {Harrison's God-Parents} had to approve him.) She took a liking to him and jumped up on the sofa and happily declared, "I'm SIX years old!"

And at seven years old, she walked down the isle before me as my flower girl at my wedding.

I've had the honor of watching her grow up and blossom into a beautiful young woman (and even approve of her boyfriend...) So I was overjoyed when she and her mom asked me to take some head shots of her last summer. In fact, I look forward to taking more pictures in the near future!

She is already and accomplished actress, singer and photographer; so as she finishes up her senior year, I look forward to seeing what God has in store for her.

So very exciting!
She's all grown up.

Team Up Thursday - Things are Shaping Up

2010-04-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

I've had my head buried deep in work this week, barely coming up for air. I hate weeks like this, work takes over and I have no inspiration or creativity left for myself.

Luckily, Harrison asked where the dominoes were. He got them out and started building rows then towers and soon there after asked for a picture of his tower.

There is was, right in front of me my photo for this week's diptych.

Joanne 's {totally awesome and inspiring picture} left, my {eleventh hour entry} right.

I think this week is finally beginning to shape up!

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

Crushed Bliss

2010-04-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

There I was holding a small plastic bag containing the bobbin case and foot pedal belonging to my sewing machine for the first time in years. I was ecstatic! I was finally going to finish all the projects I started with Harrison on MY machine! All I had to do was bring the machine up from the garage.

But I would have to wait a couple more days as I had priorities.

Alas finally, I had a free moment. I nervously plugged in the power cord to the machine,then the wall; I flipped the on switch and the light illuminated above the needle and foot. I cautiously became giddy.

Within seconds, Harrison was there hovering over me to see how it worked, wanting to see it sew. I found one of the unfinished projects, excited at the prospect of completion and not caring about the tread color, I sewed one straight line down an edge...

And then it stopped working. Just like that my bliss was demolished in with one tiny thread tightly stuck in the mechanics of the machine. A part that, once cleared of said thread, still refuses to turn.

I swear if there were such things as Sewing Machine gods, they would be a top of Mt. Everest, rolling around on there backs, laughing until the stomachs hurt like a bunch of freakin' hyenas. Like maybe they are trying to tell me something... Come on, throw me a bone here, I know I'm not "domestic" but can't I have one little moment of "domestic glory" in the shape of a sewing machine that allows me to actually sew for more that one minute? Is this asking too much?

Back to square one.

Seriously.

Photo Story Friday - The Wall

2010-04-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

I was asked to take a picture of a brand new wall for a monthly newsletter I layout. The wall replaces a chain-link fence in front of Harrison's preschool.

I took a picture from a different point of view and realized the nice shaded light right there...

So I asked Harrison to stand against the wall so I could try out the light - on him. Yeah. he didn't have the same plan.

But I asked nicely. Twice...okay three times and got this look.

One more time he leaned against the wall for a split second then shot me a quick smile as he jumped away from the wall and announced we were going home now.

Sigh.

So this is five years old, eh?
Well, it's a nice wall anyway.

Hosted by Cecily and Mamarazzi

Team Up Thursday - The Low Down

2010-04-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

We took our cue from Melody and Megan again this week, I love a good challenge and hadn't been down low later, like lying that is. What fun can be had from that point of view.

Like Megan, I was thinking on my back, then as a I lay on the ground taking a picture in a classroom today, I realized, "OH DUH! I can get on my stomach too." Indeed, it was the second time in a week that I found myself on my stomach to get a shot (without even realizing what I was doing).

This week I'm above and Joanne below. I love the inside-outside/ work-play feel this diptych provokes. And how can you not love that hint of the lush beauty from Australia?

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

It's All His Fault (or... How It All Started Here)

2010-04-13T23:49:00.000-07:00

Over a year and half ago a friend asked me to take some pictures for him. I spent the afternoon in Hollywood taking pictures of an old stand up piano and a guitar. Because he nudged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone, I've started a new journey.

I found this image, from a later photo shoot with him for the same project, as I was cleaning up my external hard drive today. I love it.
It's one of my favorites, just a moment frozen in time. So much has changed since this pictures was taken...

Including the release of his album with the images of the guitar and piano on the front. It's an incredible instrumental worship CD that even calms Harrison, in all his strong-headed, excess energy. He loves listening to it.
And David pairs his incredible gifting on piano with the amazing talent of guitarist, Chris Pinnick, lead guitarist of Chicago from 1980-85.

You can check it out here and here. I highly recommend it!

Because David saw something in my pictures, we teamed together and I have since worked with other musicians as well. Thank you David, for believing in me and (albeit unknowingly) pushing me beyond my comfort zone and deep into a new journey of discovering an old passion - photography.

I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

SOOC Saturday | Trying on New Hats

2010-04-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

Big Brother was home from college for Spring break this week. Harrison accosted him every chance he got to play or talk about a video game.

But yesterday we got out of the house as a family and headed down to Long Beach to find a little shop called "Hot Licks" Big Brother was looking for only THEE HOTTEST hot sauce to take back to college with him.

While there we had some fun at the hat shop too.

Big Brother Spamming

"Ahhh! I'm a Shark Head!"

The {hunky} Guy I Dig... need I say more?

And the DEATH sauce!

There were a lot of tears when we got home, as the boys had to test everything. In some twisted way, they were tears of joy.

Harrison and I? We stuck to the Mango dipping sauce.

Have a happy weekend!

Team Up Thursday - Feeling Colorful!

2010-04-07T23:56:00.000-07:00

It seems like months ago (11 weeks exactly) when Hip Momma emailed me to invite me to join in a new Thursday challenge. I absolutely love Theme Thursday, but life just took over and I slipped further and further from blog posting.

The new idea was to team up with partners and create weekly themed diptychs. Oh how I love diptychs! It's right up my alley! Alas, I was still mired deep in my own changes, illnesses and stress. I couldn't take on a partner quite yet.

But that was then and this is now, right before I was about to email someone to see if they would like to join, Megan let me know she had someone waiting. I don't like to keep people waiting if I can help it. So I partnered up with a very nice person from Australia! Cool eh?

Check out Joanne's blog and give her some big, warm blogging love! She is also participating in Tracey Clark's Picture Spring hosted by Big Picture Scrapbooking. There is always love for Tracey Clark and her creative soul!

Megan and Melody chose color as their theme this week and since I'm all about COLOR, we went with it as well.

Joanne is on top, I'm on the bottom.

I'm back baby!

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

Mind Farts...

2010-04-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

That is the name of one unpublished blog posts from the dead of winter. When it seems I got caught in my own frozen tundra.

Is that what it is? Frozen tundra? Honestly, I just like the way it rolls off my tongue.

I opened that draft - one of many.
It was empty.

Apparently another victim of a reckless mind fart.

*****************************************************************************

But my season on the frozen tundra (because seriously, if the tundra is frozen you can't really be in it, you are just stuck on it. Literally speaking) was not with out accomplishments, I spent a lot of time behind the camera looking at faces in front of the camera.

Meet one family - the Graham Family, they are a wonderful family and Jen is an incredible digital scrapbooker, if you love to scrapbook, you'll love her kits!

I'll catch you up with some more over the next couple weeks as well as a peek at the latest maternity newborn session. LOVE THOSE BABIES!

Hope you enjoy this Jen!

Another Word on Change

2010-04-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

This particular move from residence to another provoked a change of thinking and living in me. We really downsized and it feels good to totally declutter. Not that we were junk hoarders by any means, but we had some things tucked into closets and drawers that we just never used, did really care about and especially didn't need.

With this move, I insisted that we go through EVERY storage container and box that we had. There are things that had only been touched once in our 10 years together; and that was when we moved from our little beach house to our bigger (make room for baby) house. I know how to de-clutter. I know how to organize. I just DON'T always follow through with it.

Now, though we're in a smaller house [a.k.a. apartment] it's roomy enough for a family of three and it's not crowded with *stuff*.

This move as allowed me to get back into better habits - like making beds. I know, I know, I didn't make my bed every day - don't hate me. It was upstairs, out of the way, no else one saw it and, quite honestly, I wasn't the last one out of bed in the morning. [no, I didn't nag my husband to make a bed - sorry that's just not me]

I've also had GREAT success in getting laundry done!

Seriously!

Who knew that having to collect laundry from no less than four places upstairs then lug it all downstairs and outside really wrecked havoc on me subconsciously. Apparently I didn't. At the old house there seemed to always be - more. Just when you thought the laundry was done for Ah Day, there was MORE.
Not here, the washer and dryer are conveniently located in the hall close to everything. The machines are always clean, dry and ready to go; no spiders to contend with, no soot to clean off, no rain to deli - awesome!

I think I love doing laundry now!

In fact, last week I couldn't believe that I had FINISHED the laundry! It was washed, folded, put away and I was slightly unsettled that there wasn't anything left to do with it. I even looked under our beds and behind doors for something I may have missed. No basket of old rugs just hanging out getting dirty, no piles of laundry to fold.
It. Was. Finished.

I had to WAIT for days to do more!

Real Men Carry Easter Egg Baskets

2010-04-05T00:35:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning I left the house early to take pictures at the annual Easter Egg Hunt that my church hosts for the local community.

Harrison and the G.I.D. arrived later and shortly thereafter my hubby quickly noticed a reoccurring theme - Real Men Carry Easter Baskets.

Yup, that my MAN in all his Easter-Basket-toting glory!

More Real Men

After the hunt, as kids temporarily abandoned their baskets for the the thrills of the playground (until they crashed from their sugar highs) the hubby pointed at baskets in hand and on the ground and saying, "I know the father of that one, I saw the father belonging to this one..."

BUT ...

Real Men don't just carry Easter Egg Baskets, oh no, they wear and carry multiple children.

AND they hula-hoop with their daughter.

BECAUSE...

they are Real Men.

Just be ready when they get a common cold...

The Silver Lining

2010-04-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

It has been almost two months since we've been in our new home. This morning as we put up the last of the window coverings, Ken once again said "I wish we hadn't had to move", a sentiment that Harrison has expressed multiple times - for different reasons - torn at my heart strings all the same.

But - change IS Good and change does happen.

And God is always in Control.

Last week after I dropped off Harrison at preschool, I came home to work but first I opened the door to the patio and stepped out. In the morning shade the air was warm and I felt it seep into my very being. I looked out at the deep blue of the ocean where it touched the vivid, clear blue sky and felt a peaceful joy rise up in me.

At that minute I knew we were home.

When the Guy-I-Dig came home that evening, we sat out on our deck and watched the sun go down in the cool breeze.

"This works." he commented as the dust left from the last year began to fall from his shoulders.

Then we lit a fire in our fire place...because we could.

As for Harrison, he loves eating his breakfast in front of the window as he watches a calico cat's daily routine of laying in the sun on a rooftop near by then listening to the birds at the end of a warm day as he eats a favorite snack. Less and less he asks about the Emerald house and his room with the blue floral wall paper.

And how has this change affected me?

That's a story for another day.

Happy Easter.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:25-27

Do See What I See?

2010-03-31T23:19:00.000-07:00

We read the classic book "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry to Harrison last year. And tonight we popped in the 1974 movie version, borrowed from the local library.

I had no idea what to expect outside of the fact that a) it was based on the classic book and b) it was rated G. I commented to the G.I.D. that the beginning credits sounded like a musical overture.

It was a musical overture.

Within the first few minutes the characters broke into song; but that wasn't the best part - Oh no...

Half way through the movie I discovered that the 'snake' was portrayed by non other then Bob Fosse; have I ever mentioned how I LOVE the choreography of Bob Fosse? No?

I LOVE the choreography of Bob Fosse! So I was unexpectedly treated to a dance sequence performed by the man, himself! It made the movie worth watching for me.

And then the G.I.D. said something out loud that was beginning to form in my mind. As true Fosse style as the dance moves were, they were also familiar and in a different way...

"He looks like Michael Jackson there." my husband stated. "all the say down to the hat and white socks."
Oh. My. Gosh! I never saw it before!

Do you think that a 16-year-old Micheal Jackson watched this movie and was influenced by Bob Fosse's interpretation of a snake? Because somehow I don't see Mr. Bob {eight-time-Tony-Award-winner} Fosse callling up the Jackson's home and saying, "Hey, Michael show me some of your cool moves that will some day make you famous..."

Nope.

Seriously, Micheal Jackson was probably heavily influenced by Fosse's style. And why not? He is still one of the most "innovative and influential choreographers of the 20th Century". Michael had good taste.

We're obviously not the only people who noticed the incredible likeness between this Fosse routine and Michael Jackson's dance. Check them out side by side:

Now I understand why I always loved Michael's dancing.

RIP Michael.

An Epiphanie - Quite Literally

2010-03-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

So was in the Las Vegas airport after WPPI checking in for my flight back to SoCal when a person walked up behind me. He looked at me and glanced down at my open messenger bag and back at me and I smiled at him.

The person was Doug Gordon, a well-known, very talented wedding photographer out of New York. I had attended his class at WPPI and enjoyed it {as well as encouraged by it}, but I wasn't about to fall back into Lameville (with a capital L) and say, "Hi, I saw your class, you're great, and funny, yadda, yadda, yadda" No I was done stretching outside my comfort zone and/or feeling like a dweeb with some dorky thing coming out of my mouth in the three second time frame I would have with this person.

Why the story. The Bag. I took my camera to WPPI by way of messenger bag. My lenses, camera body, flash were all protected within the Shootsac shoved into the messenger bag for travel to Vegas; but on the way back, I wanted the camera ready to possibly take pictures. So when The Doug Gordon looked down toward my bag, he possible caught a glimpse of said camera [safely tucked in the top] sitting there in my not really looking like a camera in a camera bag at all and I projected forward what he might be thinking. Judgement, Judgement, Judgement!

As if he had time or energy to really go there.

At that moment I had an epiphany, I need a new camera bag - one that can double as a purse as well, because seriously, fanny packs are SO LAST CENTURY! - Oh yeah, that's another story...

So let me say this,
Have you seen all the beautiful new products and contest for pro photographers on www.DesignAglow.com?

If not check them out because not only do they have really cool stuff, they're giving away an Epiphany bag!

Seriously, don't these photos just make you want to go buy one? I do.

I always think, it's time to get a grown up purse - I'd love to have one that allows me to have my camera with me all. the. time. Oh that RED one - COME TO MAMA!

Now if that isn't enough, Epiphany has a contest going on and today is the last day! Talk about the eleventh hour for me to share [I've been busy].

They are giving away a a choice of a Canon 5D Mark II or a $2500 gift certificate for Southwest Airlines!

No way! I'm a teeny-tiny fish in a big pond and I'm just not a gambler, but seriously folks, to not enter the contest would be just, plain silly. Especially since they really have a great line of camera bags! (That I would buy right now if I could...)

WHEN I do get that bag, I will need a 5D Mark II to put in there right next to my new 24-70 L lens!

And what was the only picture that I got while on my way home that warranted me having access to my camera and thinking I'm being judged for my carrying options...

A picture of an airplane for Harrison.

Hey, Doug! Next time I run into you at an airport, I'll be looking stylish with my totally hip camera bag. Then again, maybe I'll just look at you again and hope that nothing lame comes out of my mouth.

Some things never change.

Change Is...

2010-03-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

{select one}
a. good
b. hard
c. inevitable

d. all of the above

Two months ago we began the process of downsizing and moving; a choice that did not come easily - or peacefully at first.

Like so many, we have struggled in this economy; a chain of events, not unlike dominoes all lined up ready to be tipped, forced our hand - we had to make changes. Finally, in January, we pushed forward with a move and I became just too overwhelmed and then sick all over again after fighting illness all through the holidays.

For our family change is all of the above, it was definitely with slight resistance that we moved on. We loved where we were and why not? We had space, light, joy and countless memories of Harrison's first years in this house. Emotionally we wanted to stay; but in reality we had only planned on staying there once Big Brother went off to college. Three years tops.

Then we fell in love. That house represents growing from babyhood to boyhood, growing from boyhood to manhood, discovering talents and passion, rediscovering the innocent beauty of life, saying good-bye to old friends, meeting new friends and so much more. We filled that home with our laughter, music, love and joy.

But it is an old house filled with history as well; and sometimes it truly felt as if the walls could talk. The past seemed to seep out of the walls, footsteps of those before us whispered across the hardwood and we loved that. Let me share what we learned about our house.

It was originally built in the late 1800s - around the 1870s as a single story dwelling - we were told. Then it was built up into a boarding house just after the turn of the twentieth century. During the time that gambling ships would sit off the California shore; gamblers would come down the piers up and down the coast and stay for the weekend. They would gamble three miles off shore all day and then come stay at the various boarding houses in the area at the time.
The owner of the house {as we rented} is third generation (we rented a different beach house from her parents when we were first married), her father lived in the home as a child and then as a married adult raising a family, he bought the house and brought up five children. When he was a child, General George S. Patton was in town for an event and his grandmother invited the general over to the house for tea, an invitation the General accepted as he had a free hour. (those were the days...) To us, that is amazing, a historical figure of such great importance at the time to come over for tea! And if you don't believe it, just ask the neighbors around the corner whom have lived in the area for 80+ years and were there when it happened.

Why do we love and have such fond memories of this house, see for yourself -
Three and half years in four minutes:

When I Showed up at the Door

2010-03-15T00:42:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago at 1:00 am in the morning, I booked a last minute ticket to Las Vegas. Only I didn't just easily hit "purchase' on the website and that was it - Oh no, I agonized over it and for the twenty-first time I asked my all too patient husband, "should I go, should I do this?" needing his last-minute reinforcement that it was okay to just GO (because the first twenty times apparently just wasn't enough).

One week later I sat in a crowed little terminal waiting for my plane - I was on my way to WPPI. Only the BIGGEST photography convention and trade show of the year! And let me tell you, being more shy than not, I headed out to a huge venue knowing only two people (that would be very busy themselves).

But I was determined to do this, to take this journey to the next level, the door of opportunity had been set before me and all I had to do was show up. Isn't that how it is with our faith. Sometimes God is just asking us to show up.

So I made lists of classes and events and even parties to attend. (Yeah, Parties By. My. Self.) Not my strong suit. Which also translates into walking up to total strangers, introducing myself and saying something totally awkward, dorky or lame...or maybe (just maybe) hit it off with someone.

Oh but I owned it all, even those awkward, lame moments that did indeed happen (that I chose not to cringe over...)!

I dived in, I filled half a legal pad with notes from incredible speakers, met new friends and learned so much my head is still spinning. My suitcase came home stuffed with brochures and product information (felt bad for the airport people who did an random inspection of it down in the baggage area, I'm pretty darn sure that someone had to sit on it to get it closed again). I signed up for a new two-day conference coming up in May that I couldn't turn down, I even bought software to streamline my photo editing work flow.

Before I knew it, ideas were rolling wildly around in my head. Creativity began to flow again and after almost a week of constant classes, overwhelming trade show floors, an evening of room service (because I really do hate it that much eating alone at a sit-down restaurant in a strange city) and swallowing hard as I walk into parties where I knew NO ONE, I started meeting people. (without blurting out awkward things like a dork that left the other person smiling with one of those "that's nice" looks in their eyes.)

Who knew that I would have an opportunity to meet people like Dane Sanders, David J, Jasmine Star, Kevin Kubota, Hanson Fong, Scott Bourne...just to name a few.

Who knew that I would get rejuvenated, re-inspired, recharged, refreshed.
Then again, I hadn't realized how far down the rabbit hole I had fallen in the first place.

I had forgotten a very important fact in the last few months:
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Thanks to my dear friends at Madcamp Backgrounds for inviting me. (I'll see you guys in July - if not before!) and thank you, Judi, for always pushing me to show up at the door and being proactive with my gifts and talents.

What did I learn at WPPI? this year?

Simple.

I can.

I will.

Sunday Self #11

2010-03-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a while...a lot to catch up on.

One Last Look...

2010-01-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

I've pondered it and I've decided to try 365/2010. Maybe if only because I truly am a gluten for punishment.

{is that right or am I talking about not being gluten-free?}

Glutton. Glutton for punishment...

Maybe I should be gluten-free, too.

Yet again, I digress.

365 - December 2009.

365/2010 - #1

I decided to start over after dark as dinner was cooling. One last look at Christmas as those decorations are coming down!

Murky Waters Ahead... (a.k.a. goodbye 2009)

2009-12-31T21:15:00.000-08:00

Today was the last day of my picture a day project - 365/2009. I would love to tell you of all the incredible things I learned about photography using my camera {almost} daily or about new insight on my world looking through the viewfinder.

But that's not really the case. Not that it NEVER happened, I have learned a lot and have had insight. And I have an awesome documentation of my year. Awesome.

A whole year.

I went outside this evening knowing I had ONE LAST SHOT for 2009. I've been so sick in the last few weeks that I am wiped clean of any creative juices. So standing there in my little back yard {that was anything but new to me to photograph} I noticed the dirty orange water in the fountain from the rains yesterday.

Then it occurred to me, that water represents how I feel about 2010. Murky.

While so many others are counting down the hours to say goodbye to 2009 because of so many difficult days or experiences. I feel some of our hardships are just over the horizon. We were granted a reprieve from moving last summer; but now it's looking us in the face. I hate moving. Especially when it's not a desired move... and that's just the beginning.

I'm looking at murky water ahead.

I remembered a little stone I have and went into the house to retrieve it.
I dropped at the side of the fountain and watched it quickly slide and sink to the bottom amongst the debris.

I took some pictures of that stone in the dirty water of the fountain and then pulled it out (using a bubble wand of course!) to wash it and put it away.

It made me think; it went into the dirty, murky water strong, clean and smooth and it came out still looking clean and feeling smooth. The unclean water didn't alter it.

It reminded me of God's love - even through difficulties, struggles and storms. His love is like that stone, strong and constant, coming through all of it with us - unchanged, unaltered.

All I have to do is trust in Him.

Good bye 2009 it has been an interesting ride.

{and although the water may be murky} Hello 2010!
Be what you will, my hope is in the Lord.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

Hope today was filled with good blessings, wonderful fun, much laughter & joy, sweet peace and all you heart desires.

I've been way off my game and quite neglectful here, I know. I've recovering from a sinus infection and pink eye - what a illness season!

But I'm looking forward to 2010 being a great year. If not challenging...

I heart Anthropologie

2009-12-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

And what do I love more than the clearance section of Anthropologie?

A gift card to Anthropologie!

I picked up a sweet little tea cup and an embroidered hand towel for my kitchen. Love them!

Speaking of picking up, Christmas shopping days are running out, if you need/want a wonderful hand-made heirloom toy for a younger child check this out!
A fun toy at a great price! Harrison saw one at Anthropologie and LOVED it. I was ecstatic to find it at The Copper Mailbox and support a small business. They only have 10 left!

BTW, almost finished with Project 365 - the image above is #348. Wow, that was a fast year!

Storming Through the Holiday Season at the Speed of Light...

2009-12-09T00:12:00.000-08:00

I've been spending my weekends taking pictures of other people for their holiday cards and the weekdays taking care of business - newsletters, emails, fliers, posters... When I'm not doing one or the other I'm spending the rest of the time with the little boy above, who seems to NEED me a lot more recently.

If I'm not smiling from his vibrant personality (and sometimes crying...), I'm smiling at the wonderful pictures I've been editing and sending off to people.

Unfortunately, with everything going on, I wasn't able to drive south the attend the Smugmug Christmas party this evening. [insert poo-poo face here] It would have been a blast to meet some Smugmug friends in person. Oh well - maybe next year.

On the other hand, look what arrived on my doorstep yesterday. My very own Shootsac! My husband bought it for my for our 10th anniversary. I can't wait to use it [now that all my photo gigs are done for the season]! I've tried dragging around my camera bag so that I can have both lens close at hand; but it was SO awkward. NOT ANY MORE! Thank you Love!

Anyone need pictures? Have Shootsac - will take pictures!

Well back to editing, cleaning and going to bed...to start it all over again tomorrow.

Double Digits!

2009-12-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

Only yesterday...

That what it seems like. But alas it has been 10 years.
We've been married 10 years.

Wow.

Last year I mentioned that I would have probably added some additional "detail" pictures had I known and pictures of getting ready. I didn't have anyone doing that. And even back then I would have loved close up shots of the flower bouquets and the bridesmaids gloves that I designed (and were sewn by a friend - thank you for taking over that project!). Regardless, it was a perfect day that we joyfully reflected on throughout and long past our first year of marriage.

Lately as I've been cleaning and downsizing things I don't use or need, I have stumbled across little items from that day tucked away here and there. One being my wedding dress shoved in Harrison's closet. I thought it would be fun to do a Trash the Dress session with the Guy-I-Dig for our 10th anniversary presciently since it was never cleaned and boxed. Then I tried it on - but 10 years, genes, and giving birth has left me unable to zip up the back.

So I took a picture instead!

Another item I discoved was the box with my wedding shoes. Seriously, they are not as pretty or sexy as the shoes I've seen photographed lately; and the years of living in a box inside the closet of hundred year old houses has taken it's toll on the not-so fancy-shoes. Yet, the scuffs and dirt on them represent a wonderful day filled with joy and celebration with our closest family and friends. I bought them with comfort and dancing in mind, Plus, I changed into my white 60's go-go boots (which have also not fared well in the hundred-year-old house...) under the wedding dress for part of the reception anyway .

So now I have a few detail pictures and I can let go of those items that I have no use for because these pictures evoke such great memories of that day.

Even 10 years later.

Here's looking forward to the next 10 years! Oh how I love that Guy-I-Dig!

Hosted by Cecily

Pure Bliss

2009-12-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

The day was a hard one... for the four-year-old. Sometimes I think it's just hard being four. After preschool we went to the Wilderness park (which is a beautiful park, but really, there's not much wilderness left; with the exception of ducks and turtles) He was told not to throw rocks into the pond and listened, but in the car two hours later. He melted into tears - the second time this day.

With bruised emotions, bruised hands and dirt on his face, we marched into Starbucks and ordered a hazelnut cream for him and an eggnog latte for me. He choose a big brown leather chair to share with me as we relaxed and sipped our drinks. He drew comfort in the warm, flavored milk and I drew comfort in the quiet moment between us - mother and son.

Bliss.

And just like that, November is over.

November at a glance

Oh it's on, baby! Let the Holidays Begin!!

December Already??

2009-11-30T00:36:00.000-08:00

I sat at my desk at my day job on November 2 getting very annoyed with the event calender system. I was trying to update some event items for the organization and the calendar kept defaulting to November. Over and over again I couldn't understand why it no longer opened up in October - after all, it's October isn't it?

It wasn't.

It was November.

And tomorrow November is over. I'm still scratching my head and wondering where October went, let alone November.

Seriously my days seem to fly by at the speed of light and I'm left spinning in the aftermath. Not unlike an encounter with Wiley Coyote's old nemesis, the Roadrunner.

A peek [one month late] at October:

And tomorrow we can take a look at November.
*wow*

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I was thinking about what I'm thankful for in addition to my family and health this holiday season. Being able to share my gift with others, giving the gift of images that they will always treasure - I love that and I'm thankful for the gifting.

I'm taking baby-steps in moving forward with my photography. You'll see it's reflected in the look of the blog. Right now I have a temporary photography website; and since there is no extra funds I have to be creative so I've linked everything together as I start the process of branding.

Heck, I even set up an option to subscribe to the my blog and signed up for Twitter! (but don't go looking for me on Twitter -you may only find crickets) I have high hopes though (once we get through the crazy holidays and a possible move)!

Ready to watch this crazy new adventure play out?
Me too.

...and if I fail? Well - "A Life Lived in Fear is a Life Half Lived".

The Least of These...

2009-11-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." - Matthew 25:34-36

As I move into the holiday season with Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas fast on it's heals, I'm beginning to feel the crunch of consumerism and a pressing reminder to imprint something more in my child's heart at a young age. That in all of our thankfulness during this season, in all the excess we really do have, it's still important to reach out to others in need. to give to others - unconditionally, expecting nothing in return.

*******************************************

Not long after my mother passed away in the mid-nineties a friend took me with him to a mission/pantry that fed the poor and homeless of Hollywood weekly . It was an experience that changed me, an experience that healed my broken heart, a chapter of my life that I carry with me to this day.

I was working a job I didn't like, feeling broken and aimless and holding onto my hope with quickly fraying shoestrings. I could have easily gone home and plopped in front of the TV for "Must See TV" Thursday. After all "Must See TV" was still in it's honeymoon phase - top rated shows dominated the evening; but that never filled the hole in my heart. So I went with him, and then I went back - again and again.

And then I just kept going back on my own. I would get in my little car after work, totally spent, and head down one of the busiest freeways in SoCal during one of the busiest hours of the day just to serve dinner to strangers. But after time they were no longer strangers, they were friends and it wasn't just them receiving something, it was me.

Like a gas tank, I headed down that freeway most Thursday evenings completely empty, nothing to give; but I went anyway. At the end of the evening I would get in my car to make the drive home completely filled!
Filled with Exuberant Joy, Energy, Excitement and even Hope.

The more I gave of my [empty] self, the more I was filled.

And all I did was talk to [quite often] homeless people, serve them food, clean floors- tables - dishes, worship God and pray with them.

I returned home each evening, week after week - month after month, feeling totally alive and exhilarated and before I knew it, my heart was whole and my hope was restored. Finally, after a long lug through an emotionally desert, I began to smile again. My face hurt from all the smiling! Not only smile but laugh; laugh literally until I cried.

My life was changed.

In all that loss, loneliness, brokenness and emptiness I felt, I discovered that I was rich. Rich in the fullness of Christ. I had a faith that, though shaken, had become more firmly grounded and anchored in my God. I had a church that walked and prayed me through my pain; then I would go to the mission and I laughed and cried and prayed with these people - and hugged and hugged and hugged until I healed.

The Mission closed for a very short term a couple years later, about the time I met my and began dating future husband, eventually getting married; but it was just enough time to lose contact with them.

And yet - those moments have never left my heart and mind, those faces never leave my prayers. I want my son to be comfortable giving of himself, to reach out to those in need, to feel untroubled talking with a homeless person who may be smelly and dirty, to know and understand that this is still a person with a life, a heart... feelings, to give them a moment of hope even if only in the form of a prayer for them or a smile. Because sometimes... sometimes... a person just needs to be touched by kindness. And sometimes a prayer can move mountains.

And the people on the streets of our cities and living in shelters have come against a lot of mountains.

(Each time I watch and listen to this, it moves me to tears. It's by Harrison's God father -
for of his music check out http://www.myspace.com/jerrylansdowne)

Not all of them started out with drug problems or mental problems (albeit that is the case for many), unfortunately the streets are cruel and that becomes the reality; but there are many people out there with stories. Stories that include success, eduction and Bad Luck. I have heard many of the stories from people just like me.

Just. Like. Me.

For me personally, this year I was emailed something that spoke close to my heart's calling...

Since picking up my camera, I knew that I always wanted to give to those who couldn't afford portraits. It's something that I wanted to work into a business when I start to fully. After all, I believe our creativity is a gift from God to be used for His good purpose and glory. How perfect this project is for me.

If you are a photographer or just love to take pictures, check out help-portrait to find out more information. If it's not your cup of tea, check into soup kitchens in your area, or another way to help someone in need this season.

It just may change your life.

Is It Christmas Today?

2009-11-01T23:18:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning Harrison awoke and called out to us, "Is it Christmas Today?"

No, I answered.

"You said Christmas was after Halloween."

He's right, I did say Christmas came after Halloween. Obviously I wasn't clear on how soon after...

A couple quick (and blurry) poses as we rushed out of the house & shortly before the battery died (the spare at home, oops).

He wanted to be a Knight Jedi.
No, not a Jedi Knight.
Trust me, there is a difference.

We went up the street to the local "Trunk or Treat" in a church parking lot - car trucks opened to trick-or-treat and a Jumper (i.e. Bouncer, Jump House, Inflatable). Harrison trick-or-treated at three cars and headed straight for the jumper (that he remembered from his two hour jump fest last year).
"I have enough candy!" he declared as he darted.

Since Daddy came along this year, we talked him into coming out long enough for some traditional trick-or-treating up and down one block.
He boldly went up to each door, knocked loudly and yelled, "Trick or Treat!" in that adorable little-boy voice of his. A couple houses [with lights on] didn't answer and finally at the last house he gave his last ditch effort and yelled "Trick Or TREE-EEET!" and then proceeded to have a short in-depth conversation about one of his toys with the woman who answered the door.

Back down the street, we returned to the Trunk or Treat and closed it down - in the Jumper. Yup, two MORE hours of standing around meeting other nice parents waiting for their kids to work off sugar-highs in the Jumper. Guess what... the Jumper doesn't work.

PEACE OUT!

All I have to say is next year He is carving the pumpkins!

More of Best Shot Monday here.

Feeding a Cold

2009-10-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

It has been a tough week, my head is still killing me. I HATE colds. And the cold & flu season is just beginning.

But I feel better every time I bite into one of these warm and yummy triple-berry bran muffins. I can't get enough of them. And when they cool, I reheat them because they truly taste better warm with a bit of butter on them. Top it off with a nice cup of coffee this morning and I'm in heaven.

Until that blasted sinus headache comes back.

Can't win them all.

Here's a peek at my 365 Project - I was sick but I still got a few shots in.

Have a nice weekend! Happy Halloween.

What's Missing From This Picture?

2009-10-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

How about a four-year-old boy who tearfully insisted on carving pumpkins to no avail on Tuesday night only to abandon the pumpkin-carving fiesta five minutes in on Wednesday...

The Guy I Dig really stepped up to the plate with me. He is a Master Pumpkin cleaner. At least Harrison picked out two of the templates we used. (The third pumpkin was done by me freehand, that's why it's not as fancy.)

I love curly stems.

waiting it's turn.

I started this one and the GID graciously finished it.

The trio ready for the business of Halloween.

As I finished the final pumpkin, the missing ingredient from this ritual sauntered back over to the table and announced, "I want to carve now!"

Then I turned into a pumpkin.

Visit Mental Inventory for Theme Thursday and Photo Story Friday hosted by Cecily and Carissa

I Smile

2009-10-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

I'm on crunch week, those final days when I finish the details of the monthly newsletter. This month I needed an ad for an annual Winter Camp program; I couldn't use last year's ad as it no longer fit in thespace of the recently reformatted newsletter.

I had an idea...

I searched the internet, but couldn't find images of what I needed.

So...

I did the next best thing - I dressed Harrison up in every piece of winter clothing I could find (which isn't much considering we live in Southern California). Then I asked him to give me that face he does. The one that makes me smile.

Yup, that's the face that makes me smile.

Even on a bad day.

Maybe he needs to start earning his college fund...

When You Don't Want Banana Bread

2009-10-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

We buy bananas with good intentions - to make smoothies, specifically green smoothies. It's one way I can guarantee the dark greens in our diet; and Harrison is well aware of spinach or kale in his smoothie, as he is often helping me make it.

But I often don't get to the bananas in time before they turn. When that happens, we plan for loaf of banana blueberry bread.

Although that's gets old too.

Then last year I found this yummy recipe for "healthy cookies" that uses bananas. No sugar, no flower, no butter - all goodness.

And all gone in a flash.

It's a perfect mix of our favorite flavors - banana, coconut, almond, dark chololate (I use Ghirardelli Chocolate chips).

These are so good, they are worth posting again. I've included the basic recipe below or go grab the recipe with additional details and tips from 101 Cookbooks.com; send some time over there. You won't be disappointed.

3 large, ripe bananas, well mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut oil, barely warm - so it isn't solid (or alternately, olive oil)
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded & unsweetened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 - 7 ounces chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips.The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it. Drop dollops of the dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes. I baked these as long as possible without burning the bottoms and they were perfect - just shy of 15 minutes seems to be about right in my oven.

I also bake mine for about 15-16 minutes.

Happy Wednesday

I Try

2009-10-05T23:40:00.000-07:00

I finally cut out flags to make a bunting flag banner for Harrison. Now if only I had a sewing machine.

Oh wait...

I have three.

'Cause I'm "craf-tee"

2009-09-28T23:48:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I almost through a pile of old road maps away (it actually would have been the second round, the first being a couple years ago - or more).

As they sat in my hand, the light went off in my head; what am I doing!! I'm holding the perfect [free] wall paper for Harrison's room.

After all, we have vintage blue-floral wall paper in there and even though I could have taken it down and painted, but since we don't own this 100+ house, I didn't want to open a can of worms under that very old wall paper.

Now that Harrison is a little older I wanted to change up his room a bit, albeit he seems quite fond of the little pink flowers on the light blue background; he's going to make a good husband some day...

Once he saw the wall, he was THRILLED, and so was I. Now we just need to update the picture rope.

The best part is, they are put up with thumb tacks (using the rubber mallet to get them in there tight) and can easily be removed without damage to the wall or maps.

Here's a [older] before picture.

nice wallpaper, eh? Actually it worked into the vintage nautical theme of his room pretty well, most people didn't even notice until I said something.

I really love the maps though.
Renew, reuse, recycle - I used what I had!

Sunday Self # 10

2009-09-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

Have a blessed week.

SOOC Saturday - Orb Season

2009-09-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

[WARNING - this post may be disturbing to some viewers.]

As much as Autumn is my favorite season, it's also a time that I despise in terms of arachnid.

Orb Spiders to be exact. Blech!

I never experienced them until moving near the beach almost 10 years ago. But, ugh, ever since... from late August through early October we have to be on guard not to walk into any spiral webs.

It is not always successful, as was the case last fall when I traumatized my child.

We were leaving for soccer so Harrison went running out the front door, down the steps and before I could grab and stop him, he went right into a web [spider and all] that I saw at the last minute. I didn't see the spider, I thought we had dodged a bullet as I looked around the ground.

He turned around, still unaware of the whole {web thing} to see why I was making such a fuss, when there it was... planted comfortably right in the middle of Harrison's chest.

What happened in the next few seconds was miserably out of my control; as my eyes locked onto Harrison's shirt, a half scream impulsively popped out of my mouth before my hand fly up fast enough to suppress it. I felt like I was frozen in time there - staring a the FREAKIN' HUGE SPIDER on my child's chest.

"What?" he asked nonchalantly, catching my eye, following my gaze [before I could divert it] down to his shirt. And then...

BLOOD-CURDLING, HAND-WAVING, TOTALLY HEART-WRENCHING, SCREAMING! and if that's not bad enough...my hand left my mouth to let out the rest of that scream...and another one.

{lucky for me} Daddy FLEW out to save the day and remove said spider.

Yeah, NOT one of my better Mommy moments.

Then my three-year-old continued to stroke my bruised ego for the next few days by retelling the story to all who would listen.
All. Who would listen.

yes, I got {that} close...

Fortunately, based on his ceaseless retelling of the story {how mommy screamed, then he screamed, then mommy screamed} and the fact that he is still enthralled with these spiders {at a safe distance} and their webs a year later, I can safely say he isn't too traumatized from the experience. I think I still am though...

Seriously, if this guy wants to hang out in our front yard for a few weeks - so be it.

Just remember the rules, Mr. arachnid.

1. no webs across any entry way to the human's home
2. no webs blocking human pedestrian sidewalks, in front of, or leading up to door
3. no use of human cars and/or driveway structures to build, secure or display webs

You live by these rules and we'll get along just fine.

Head over to Melody at Slurping Life for more [not-so-creepy-crawly] SOOC Saturday.

almost home

2009-09-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

As I come up to the top of a hill,I am reminded that I live in a big city - with lots of cement, and wires, and buildings and traffic.

Then as I descend down the other side, I draw closer and closer to the big, blue-green expanse blanketing the horizon as far as I can see until it reaches up and brushes the evening sky in a cool, silken kiss.

Once again,

I'm almost home.

see more sky at Sky Watch Friday
have a happy weekend.

The Best Thing I Ever Did...

2009-09-25T00:26:00.000-07:00

Babywearing...

It's International Babywearing Week, September 21-28 and I'm a "babywearer" [well, PreKwearer now days...]

Harrison was fussy those first few weeks of life and wanted to held - all. the. time. the first few months; baby carriers resolved the issue and met both our needs. I could hold him and give him the closeness he wanted plus get things done. He is now a VERY confident, happy, outgoing four-year-old. I still use my Mei Tai occasionally because it works for both of us - he snuggles into my shoulders and relaxes and I can get someplace quickly and easily without a bulky stroller; like at over crowded concert at the park series in the summer.

From this (I know - not a great picture)

To this...

Our wearing days are almost done.

Saddness.

265

2009-09-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Taking on the 365 project is quite an endeavor for me. So much that gets in the way - including me. But I'm happy to report that after today there exactly 100 days of this challenge left.

Will I do it again? I'll let you know in 100 days.

More Wordless Wednesday here and here.

A Quiet Day of Play

2009-09-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

I love my bedroom, not because is decorated perfectly, or painted the perfect, calming color. On the contrary, I'm sure a lot could be done with it; but I love it all the same. It's on the second floor with a south facing window and a west facing window so on a Summer day the breeze blows perfectly through this room.

It is, by far, the best room in the house - the coolest, most airy room we have.

So when the laundry is all tucked away and the bed is made; we LOVE to plant our selves down on the bed, shutters wide open and play, cuddle, laugh, talk, tickle, rest, read, or just dream.

At night we love to keep the west facing window open, allowing the ocean breeze to dance at our window seal. Listening to the seagulls and the rhythmic sound of the fog horn takes me back to my honeymoon in Jamaica when we slept to the sound and smell of the ocean and delighted in the cool breeze that tucked us in each night.

That's where you could find Harrison and I yesterday, we were tired, it was a long week; so we hung out on my bed and played - in the cool breeze and soft light of my favorite room of our house.

The first shot is my Best Shot this week. I just love how relaxed {and engrossed} he is, playing with his Bionicles handed down from his beloved Big Brother.

Head to Mother May I for more Best Shot Monday.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..

2009-09-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's true the Fall Television lineup is about to start. I know - it's a weakness but we are giddy about our Thursday evening cuddle time in front of Survivor and CSI [although I'm still sad that William Petersen left the show].

And this year, being the home-body that I am, I'm totally happy about two shows coming together on Friday night - Ghost Whisperer and Medium; which NBC {foolishly} canceled in the eleventh hour last season almost without warning.

(don't even get me started on how the networks juggle their season lineups constantly.)

I look at it as win-win for CBS - and me.
Last season I was always jumping from a show on CBS to NBC for Medium anyway.

I can't tell you why I like these two shows, after all, Jennifer Love Hewitt NEVER looks bad. Never. She wakes up in the morning on the show with full mascara on and every hair on her head in place like she just returned from a salon appointment. But tune I do, week after week; it's my "unwind" show after a long busy week. I usher in a {hopefully} restful weekend with Ghost Whisperer. And sometimes it has even made me teary-eyed. Shhh - don't tell anyone.

As for Medium - I just REALLY like the entire ensemble cast - well the daughters annoy me sometimes, but hey, they can be annoying in real life. Which leads me to one of the reasons the show also works for me. They look like a normal middle income family that might be living down the street from you - all the way down to the set decorations in the home. And I don't have to tell you that Patricia Arquette is like night and day to Jennifer Love Hewitt; she has looked pretty bed-headed in some of the wake-from-a-nightmare scenes. Keeping it real folks - well, to a point. It is Medium after all.

I'm excited about my Friday wind down lineup! I guess you could say it's my one vice (or one of...).

So those that think of calling me about something tonight - or any given week - just know you'll be leaving a message on Thursday and Friday during the first two hours of Prime Time. But I still love ya.

In 45 minutes, I'm plopping on the sofa to watch last season's finales of both shows, because it just so happened I missed the finale of each show last season.

In Harrison's words, "I'm SO 'CITED!"

[Excuse me now, I need to go put my child to bed - on time!]

Photo Story - The Escape

2009-09-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

I spied him just as he made his leap out the window.

Showing me his quick running skills. "Catch me if you can!"

"Aw SWEET FREEDOM!" he sings with a little happy dance.

Then I saw it - the hand up, the attitude - "Nya nya nya-nya nya!" he cried.

Oh yeah??

Who's crying now, eh?

Okay, I eventually took him back out of the trash can.

After all, he gave my that puppy-dog look...

You didn't see that one coming, eh?

Neither did I.

Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy

WW - Just Create

2009-09-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

sometimes it's good to just let a pencil do the talking

Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Sunday Self #9

2009-09-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

That is my hope...all the way down to my imperfect feet.

...And She Bakes

2009-09-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes.

It is easier since I moved the baking supply cabinet next to the mixer. All I have to do is reach over, open the door and grab the flour, etc.; and yet I have often let many an over-ripe banana go south due to my procrastination.

Today there was success!

Unfortunately, since I bake SO SELDOM, I keep stepping around that huge [big as an elephant] cabinet to get to -- the cabinet [where it used to sit].

I'm also quite proficient at making a whirlwind of a mess in the kitchen.

But it all turns out good in the end!

Like this yummy Banana Blueberry Bread.

Easy-peasy - try it!

1 3/4 cups flour, whole wheat sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup bananas mashed
1 cup blueberries

Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time. Add flour mixture and banana alternately in three parts. Gently stir in blueberries.

Pour into oiled 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Turn out of pan to cool.

Can you believe it's already gone?

Sisters Session

2009-09-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

I've been quiet here, yes. Part of the reason is that I've been out taking pictures of/for other people. So fun!

I met these two cuties and their mommy at the local wilderness park one {late} morning. We got down to having fun and taking some pictures in no time at all - at the same time the sun decided to come out to play.

Good experience for me - right in trenches against the midday sun!

These sisters have no problem letting their love for each other shine forth. They remind me of I wanted a sister growing up and how much fun I thought it would be!

Thanks for making my day J. and D.

But it was a good sunset!

2009-09-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

Tragically, forest fires spawn awesome sunsets (as does any given smoggy day in Sunny Southern California).

So it was last week - several days into the fires to the north. It had been clear to partly cloudy - perfect for a sunset picture. And I have that new tripod from Christmas. I could try out. And I have my new 50mm f1.4 lens, albeit not telephoto.

[What? I haven't mentioned that I replaced my broken lens?! Yeah, Baby! sold some baby furniture and RAN *okay drove* to the camera store the very next day! S.W.E.E.T!]

BUT - I have a child, and dinner and bath time and bedtime and, well, dropping everything to run out the door to get a picture of a sunset just isn't an easy task. It just isn't possible.

I did the next best thing.

I ran upstairs to the craft room, camera in hand, and snapped a picture out the window, over the apartments next door and into the sun.

Yeah, the window is a tad bit dirty.

I opened the window and tried again.

Better...

Sort of.

Not.

Defeated, I headed back downstairs to finish dinner, the wheels still turning in my head. 20 minutes later, after pondering, processing, contemplating and procrastinating; I was out the door and down the street to capture the sunset - next to that line of photographers who flock down to the pier on evenings like this and Harrison with Daddy were out the door and across the street for a few more minutes of scooter fun.

All seemed right in the world once again.

Although...

I was too late.

The sun was already resting on the horizon bidding farewell and those "fancy" looking photographers were already packing up to leave with their "money shot" secured on their memory card.

Pshaw! I wasn't about to let the opportunity go wasted so I snapped anyway.

Then I realized how much like fall it already felt right then; and I realized that, really, my favorite time of the year at the beach is in the fall and winter.

Once again, summer blew by me like a freakin' freight train.

But Fall?

Fall sweetly drifts in on a cool breeze in a quiet whisper, gently swirling around me, kissing me on my face with it's golden color. I love the fading light of summer as it becomes fall, I love the fading light of fall evenings when the marine layer rolls in and engulfs the shore, curling up the smells and sounds of pier and casting them out over the streets and houses peppered inland. Music, people, fryers, crabs, lobsters and fish, sweet churros and the cadence of the fog horn.

Perfectly peaceful.

No, it wasn't wasted time - missing the sun tip it's head goodnight. Not one minute.

I love the ocean in the fall.

It has been a while since I've participated in Theme Thursday - now I know exactly how many weeks I've missed! Wow. Now go visit the Cheese Party!