Self-Portrait

This evening I stepped out of the house and snapped a photo of myself.  I'm on my way to meet my friends to go see Legally Blonde!  It's Broadway night and I am excited to see the show and my friends.  It should be a super fun evening!

An End to One Chapter

Tonight Becca performed her last concert of the year and the last concert ever that she will perform at her current school.  It was quite enjoyable and she did a fabulous job.  I can't believe we're looking at highschool.  Time really does fly.

Homemade Potato Salad

Tonight I decided to make one of Steve's favorite summer foods. Good ol' potato salad!  Only, this wasn't any ordinary potato salad. It was SUPER yummy and 'complex' in flavor- or so said Steve.  He said it was his 2nd favorite potato salad ever!  1st Place goes to his mom. Not suprising; I've had her's and it is yummy.  I think I scored big with this gourmet recipe. I'll definitely be making this again for dinner soon!  Here is a photograph of the potatoes after they had been peeled, cut and rinsed waiting for the water to boil.

Let There Be Light

I took this late tonight and then played around with it in CS4.  I actually thought I was going to share a photograph of the tree in my front yard taken with a long exposure but at the end of the day this particular image peaked my interest so I'm sharing it with you instead. :)

A Blown Out View

I like this image in spite of all the things wrong with it. Actually, in all honesty, I like it because of all the things wrong with it- they feel right to me.

Another View From the Circle

I photographed this a week or more ago.  I love the flowering trees and was compelled to photograph this scene again today.  The first time it was from my front door and it had been raining.  This time, I photographed the same area from a different place and it was not raining.  It makes me want to go for a photowalk.

 

Saturday Playdates Are the Best!

The weather was great today!  We spent the entire day visiting with the neighbors.  Steve is out of town in Florida for work and Tony worked today so that left Michelle and me with the kids.  It is just one of the many days that we will be outside soaking up the sun and the children's laughter.  This particular photograph makes me laugh.  I love how it is a stolen moment and I wonder a few years from now if Lela will remember this day- looking through the Star of the Week book for Daphne's class and laughing at the photographs of Curious George with children they know from school.

A Stitch in Time

The mantle had to be cleared off along with the wall on the east side of our house while they were finishing up the siding.  The items and chaos were my inspiration today.  I feel often feel like I don't have enough time in the day and when I walked past the mirror it made me feel as if the antique clock were mocking me from another plane.  I have the key but I can't quite figure out how to use it to control the moments that make up my day to my advantage.

New Siding!

Okay, so we took awhile to get our house repaired.  There was a storm from a couple years ago that did some damage to our house.  We are finally having it fixed.  I am happy we waited though, because it gave us a chance to weed out the bad contractors that swoop in from other states and also we got to see the workmanship on neighbors' houses.  We made our move and hired Dan Militti.  He and his crew are doing a great job so far!  Here is a photograph of the work in progress. 

I Thought the Dumpster Was For the Siding?

Apparently, the dumpster is for old exercise equipment and yard waste as well.  At least, Steve thinks so. 

The View From My Kitchen Window...

...or My Neighbor's Backyard.  Either way, it's beautiful this time of year.  I had to stop and photograph it today.

Grandparent's Day

Today was Grandparent's Day at Lela's school.  Lucky me, I got to be the stand in Grandparent.  I've been doing this for years now because our families do not live close enough to make a one day trip.  Anyway, every year we go to mass and then go to the cafeteria or gym for cookies and bingo.  This photograph is of Lela before she realized her card was going to fill up fast.  She never did bingo but she was oh-so-close many times! 

Another Self Portrait

If only my legs were truly this long.

Leaving Omaha

Kendra, Brandon and Amadeus left this evening.  I was, as always, sad to see them go.  We had a ball the past couple days and cannot wait for the next visit. :D  Anyway, when they were getting ready to pack the truck, Brandon picked Kendra up and then loaded put the camera bag and something else in her hands.  He then proceeded to pick up the luggage and then out the door they went.  I've never seen somebody pack to leave like that before today.  I must say, it looked rather efficient. ;)

 

XOXOXO

Kendra's birthday is today!  I photographed her birthday kiss. :)   I'm so happy that they were able to make it down.  It's going to be a FUN weekend!  Happy Birthday, Kendra!! <3

April Showers

Bring May flowers. It seems like everything is in full bloom already!  The trees are just beautiful right now. We had a short downpour today.  I had been out grocery shopping and after I returned home and put the groceries away I decided to photograph the view from my front porch.  Here's my image for today. :)

Antique Ansco

Okay, so last time I was home visiting, my Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Marla gave me a couple gifts.  One, which made me laugh, was a sticker for my motorcyle helmet that says "Does this bike make my ass look fat?" --FUNNY.  The second item they gave me tickled my toes!  It is an antique box camera!  I have already been down to Walker Camera and discussed the box camera with him and it looks good so that's very exciting. :) I have been wanting to share an image of it out here on the blog and I finally got around to shooting it today!  Thanks, UB and AIG- I LOVE YOU!!!

Give Me a P!!!

...For apple PEEL!!! Lela requested apples with cinnamon (which for the record Lynette canNOT pronounce correctly).  Apparently, a peel did not make it into the trash and instead became the object of my camera's eye this evening. 

Back On Track...

...with big floppy sunhats! :D  Have I mentioned purple is my favorite color?  It always has been.  I found this hat at TJ Max and fell in love with it!  So super cute I just had to do a shoot with it and so here is an image from the session today.  I like it!

The Many Faces of Becca

Today, Lynette came over to photograph Becca.  She did an amazing job and I really dig the theme of her shoot.  It was very vintage 1940s.  Lynette had said she wanted Becca's hair and makeup to reflect that era.  We spent some time on the net looking at tutorials- Lynette had pictures of what she had in mind for her hair and makeup- and then we set out to shop for the supplies.  Once we got home it was all business (which basically means me stabbing Becca with bobbypins trying to perfect a victory roll and Lynette helping hotroll her hair, Becca smudging her red lipstick and all sorts of silly chaos).  After Becca was all dolled up, Lynette picked up her camera and that is where the chaos came to a screeching halt.  It was like watching a well oiled machine. :)  You just have to go see her image she shared on her 365 blog from today's shoot.  I'll share the link under my image for today.  Otherwise, you just won't get the full effect. ;)

Anyway, Becca was beautified and the shoot went well.  Lynette left, we took a friend home and then hung out at the neighbors.  After getting ready for bed, Becca came out to kiss me goodnight - she had purposely left her makeup all smeared because she knew I would laugh.  So, here is my image of Becca from today:

Now go look at Lynette's. :)

MY Head Exploded Today

Migraines + Me = a very sick and unhappy person. It was terrible and I am *so* very thankful it has passed!  Today's image pretty much depicts how I felt.

Tick Tock

I am soooooo very tired of waiting in the school parking lot for my children to get out of school.  I think I might have a case of cabin fever; I am ready for summer break!

Coraline

This evening I watched Coraline in 3D with LMR.  Great movie, although I don't necessarily believe it is a children's movie.  Lela would be scared out of her mind!  It would definitely fall under a 'children's horror flic' in my book.   In an interview I listened to with Tim Burton, he mentioned that he believes his fairytale is no more scary than the ones we grew up on i.e. Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, etc.  I have to admit, Alice in Wonderland was always super creepy to me as a child. Oh and how about the Secret of Nimh? *yikes*  Anyway, Lynette had the idea to snap a silly photo of ourselves with the cheesy 3D cardboard glasses before we started the movie.  Here is my version of our Coraline self-portrait. :)  You can view her's here.

My New Jewelry :D

Today I snapped a photo of myself because I decided to wear my new jewelry.  My mom and dad got this necklace and earrings set for me.  I love it!

Just Foolin' Around

And this is what I came up with for today's image. Enjoy :)

Back to the Daily Grind

So my sister and her family left this morning.  Like always, I am sad to see them go.   Anna hung out most of the day which was nice.  She helped spruce up the house and we kept each other company.  Towards the end of the day it was getting a little too run of the mill....that's when Lynette stopped by the house.  Lynette kept us entertained.  What a goof ball.

 

Happy Easter! :)

My favorite part of Easter is watching the excitement on the girls' faces when it is time to hunt for eggs.  I get the biggest kick out of their giggling and racing.  It's sheer chaos but so much fun for them.  This image pretty much sums it up for me.  I tried, I really did, for an image that did not include somebody's back or that wasn't completely blurred or ohmygoodness Lela has tennis shoes on with her Easter dress and YES I noticed this at church....sometimes life isn't always perfect but there is beauty in its imperfection.

Painting with light.

The Davis' are here and it seems like tradition has turned into not just hosting Easter (which I LOVE doing) but also all of us staying up all hours. At the end of the day I wouldn't change the time we have with family at this holiday or my image. They're both unique and fun. :)

Family Portraits

So, you can imagine how many photographs I have taken of my new nephew.  Well, today I took the opportunity to photograph his proud parents with him! We had a family photo op today and Gramma Mack was my grip.  She did a wonderful job of holding the reflector for me and also giving Jameson plenty of lovin' in between shooting and resting times; there are quite a few breaks when photographing newborns- or at least that has been my experience so far.  They are quite a good looking family. :)

Happy April Fool's Day! :D

I cannot wait until the warm weather is here to stay!  I do love me some sunshine!! :D - That's no joke!