{March 31, 2011}

I saw this yarn, Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball (colorway 1660 Flussbett), on Ravelry under our Project 365 forum and ooh'd and aah'd over it before searching out patterns on Ravelry using this exact yarn. Loving what I found I caved, found some on Jimmy Beans Wool, and ordered it. Today it arrived in the mail and now I have to find something cool to make with this lovely yarn. Given my track record it could take me a day or a year...or somewhere in between.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 30, 2011}

On either side of our basement doors, there are two walls made of various sizes of boulders and rocks. One is only about 3.5' tall, but the other is well over 8' high. Our ducks and guineas love to perch on top of the highest peak and look out in to the woods. The kids enjoy teetering on the edge of the rocks and walking along them, giving me a heart attack whenever I catch them. I, of course, think they are beautiful and love how they frame the large, wide-plank wooden basement doors. In this photo it appears as if there is a nest amongst the boulders, however it's just a pile of pine needles and leaves. However, I wouldn't be surprised if critters live inside the spaces scattered throughout.

Taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app, Lucifer VI lens, and Ina's 1935 film

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 29, 2011}

We're watching "Winter's Bone" tonight, a movie that I didn't put in the Netflix queue and Ryan doesn't remember putting it in there either. Hopefully it's good.

Taken with my iPhone using the Lo-Mob app with the Vintage Instant - Reframed filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 28, 2011}

Straight out of the camera, no altering of this photo. This is a reflection from an XBox game case on to one of our tower speakers. I love how it looks like flames.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 27, 2011}

My baby girl, who would kill me if I called her that in public, turned 12 today. She wasn't thrilled about me taking this picture, and it took a bit to get her to pose even the tiniest amount, yet she knows I'll keep bothering her until she lets me take one. I know it's cliche, but it feels like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms, a full five weeks premature, relieved beyond belief that she was completely healthy. Apparently she knew she was ready to come out and despite everyone else's concerns, Megan knew she would be fine. That fearlessness has not ceased--which is both good and bad--as she's grown older. She loves skateboarding, learned to snowboard last year, and is always on the go. While she's shy around new people it doesn't take long for her to warm up and make an instant friend. Megan has a great sense of humor, always making people laugh. She has a true heart of gold and will do anything for anyone. I am always impressed at her nurturing side, her quick wit, her ability and willingness to face challenges head on, and what a great person she is. Although I love watching her turn from a little girl in to a young woman, there's forever this part of me that wishes I could freeze time, if even for a moment, just so that I have even more time with her here. Happy Birthday, Megan...I am so very proud of you and love you more than you'll ever know!

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 26, 2011}

Today we had Megan's birthday party at the Space Center where we, and three of her friends, played laser tag (actually only Megan and her friends played that) and tons of games. Ian and I got hooked on a game called Cyclone and both of us hit the jackpot giving us each over a hundred tickets. Towards the end of the party we decided to pool our winnings in hopes of taking home either a lemur or squirrel cat (which I have no idea what the latter is, yet it sounded cool). Unfortunately we were short. When Megan learned of our dilemma she offered to throw in her tickets as well. Still not reaching our goal of 1750 tickets it was decided we'd hold on to the receipts and come back at a later date to win more and get our prize. Then my dad, who had already contributed $25 worth of tokens to us, threw in two more dollars. Ian and I were off with 4 tokens a piece. A scant five minutes and eighty some-odd tickets later, we had hit our mark. After some deliberation we all settled on the quizzical black lemur with glow-in-the-dark eyes. He has since been named Abraham...or Abe for short...thanks to his comical beard. I'm aware that we probably could have purchased him much cheaper, but the satisfaction of winning games and working together more than makes up for the larger price tag.

Taken with my iPhone using the Instagram app with the Walden filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{Kara}

I'm using Miss Kara's Sneak Peek as my Photo of the Day seeing as how her mom and dad have been looking forward to these pictures, and I've been excited to share them! Kara was such a good baby the day of her shoot! She smiled, she posed, and she put up with me changing around the backgrounds, wraps, and props like a champ. You would think that after two hours of shooting she'd be completely done with all of us, yet she kept up her happy demeanor. The only time she got fussy was when her dad (or mom) kissed her on her cheek. For some reason that is just not cool, man! :o) I had a tough time narrowing down which ones to share as I have so many favorites from this session. Kara has some of the greatest expressions I've ever seen, plus she's absolutely beautiful (as are her parents)! I wish I lived closer so I could "visit" at least once a month and snap away.

I'm including a storyboard I quickly put together, although I plan to polish these up when I have more time. They're something you can actually purchase and can be customized in a ton of different ways. I love 'em!

On to the pics...{click to view full size}

{March 24, 2011}

This kid is legally able to drive with us in the passenger seat. Granted, that hasn't happened yet, but it still blows my mind. I blackmailed him tonight by aiming my iPhone at him, saying his name, and snapping a photo when he had a "What?" look on his face. I showed it to him and said, "You can give me one where you're smiling or this can be my 'Photo of the Day.'" He chose the former. He tried to keep from smiling, but failed because I'm awesome and can always make him smile. I try not to think about the fact that high school graduation is just around the corner, or that the time for him to head off to college is right behind that. I'm not really sure what our house will be like without his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and smartness (smartness as in actually smart-ness, not smart-assed-ness, although that happens from time to time, too) surrounding our daily lives. For now I'll just pretend I have twenty more years before he leaves the house and revel in the fact that I can still get him to "pose" for a photo...even if it involves a bit of coercion.

Taken with my iPhone using the Instagram app with the Earlybird filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 23, 2011}

I've heard a lot of good things about this tea on Ravelry, yet although I've seen it in the stores around here, I'd never picked any up to try. The reason I'd passed over said tea multiple times is that I have quite the stash of the stuff (in various leaf types and flavors) in our pantry and I knew Ryan would chastise me for buying more. But today I caved. As soon as I got home I brewed up a cup and was not disappointed. I now understand what all the hullabaloo is about PG Tips. I could easily replace an afternoon cappuccino (which I've been indulging in quite a bit lately) with a cup of this tea, yet be just as satisfied and happy. If you have this tea where you are and haven't tried it, go...do it now. You'll thank me.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

Article #3

Another article for ADI-News is up! Check it out...

Photography Project 365 - Keeping the Creative Side Sharp

{March 22, 2011}

Today is a two-fer (bonus points for you people who read that word and thought of 30 Rock) seeing as how I waited in two different areas and liked the juxtaposition of the two. I swear, I'm going to do a study of waiting rooms on this blog. I have to admit, I really like that chair in the second photo. I would use that fabric in a heartbeat.

Both photos taken with my iPhone using the Instagram app with the Hefe filter applied

On to the pics...{click to view full size}

{March 21, 2011}

There is a small market about two miles or so from our house that has an eclectic mix of food, toiletries, and these adorable cards done by a young man who lives in Canterbury. The first card I purchased was a sunflower in a pot, then on another trip I picked this one up as well. I love the intricate patterns he makes using crosshatching. All of his designs are drawn by hand, then reprinted on to cards, magnets, and other items. You can read more about him at his website Doug Stern Cards, and even shop online. He donates 5% of all of his profits to the American Cancer Society, which is really awesome. One of these days I'll actually remember to purchase frames for this card, and its companion, so I can hang them on the wall.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 20, 2011}

I'm not much of a perfume kind of girl, and I'm definitely NOT a label-lover kind of girl. But this perfume...this I would buy for the rest of my life. It's Dolce & Gabbana's L'Imperatrice 3 and is light, slightly sweet, somewhat seductive, and makes me happy when I put it on. Their website is...uhhh...interesting, to say the least. Don't let that stop you from sniffing this lovely fragrance if you ever come across it, though--your "nosebuds" will thank you.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 19, 2011}

My lifeblood. That which fuels me. The thing that turns me from air-head to focused. Yummy yum yums. Daily dose. Something I can't live without. My cappuccino. I make at least one a day, sometimes two. Today was a double-header. So tasty. Love it.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 18, 2011}

When we lived in Bend we had ferrets--typically three at a time--and I even fostered the super sick ones for a local ferret shelter. I loved them, the kids loved them, even Ryan loved them (though he may not admit it). I thought we'd never not have ferrets, yet with all of the moving we've done over the past five years our home has remained ferretless. Until Megan finally got Ryan to agree to let her have one. They say ferrets are like potato chips...you can't have just one. That saying proved true when after Megan got her ferret, Rebel, for Christmas I quickly added another one, Jovie, for myself. A couple of months went by, we made several trips to the pet store for food and litter, always stopping by the ferrets to "ooh" and "ahh" over them...and yet we always left empty handed. Last weekend, however, while returning a litter pan to the pet store, Megan fell head over heels for the teeniest ferret I've ever seen. Using leftover Christmas money, she brought home Juniper. A dark chocolate, white bibbed, white pawed, and white semi-triangle spotted head, spitfire of a ferret. Leave it to Megan to get the one that likes to bite. Her first ferret, Rebel, was the same way. He bit us so many times I lost count. But she kept working with him, handling him, loving him, and now he's the sweetest (fattest) ferret ever. Sure he still nips from time to time, yet it doesn't hurt anymore and we know that with age he'll continue to outgrow it. I have no doubt that if anyone can tame Juniper, Megan can. For now I just go and love on Rebel and Jovie, keeping my distance from the "wee one" until she outgrows some of her bitey behavior. I'm a pansy, what can I say? But she is insanely cute, and usually I give in and pet her...which results in me being bitten. Sigh...

It should be noted that Megan has very small, delicate hands (just like me), so while they may appear huge in this picture, it's actually because Juniper really is that small.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 17, 2011}

May your joys be as bright as the morning,

And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.

May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet.

Enough trials to keep you strong.

Enough sorrows to keep you human.

Enough hope to keep you happy.

Enough failure to keep you humble.

Enough success to keep you eager.

Enough friends to give you comfort.

Enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness.

Enough wealth to meet your needs.

And one thing more: enough determination to make each day 

a more wonderful day than the day before.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Taken with my iPhone, Lo-Mob "Photocard Three" filter applied

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

Photography Articles

Somehow I forgot to post the link to the first published article I wrote for ADI-News.com. Shame on me. I also just had my second article published this week, so I'm going to put links to both for your reading pleasure. I plan to make this a weekly thing and promise to be better about posting the links to my articles from now on.

Turning Off the Flash for Hobbyist Photographers

iPhones, Creative Photography and Not So Heavy

{March 16, 2011}

It's 9:13 p.m., my day literally flew by, Ian had a concert tonight, and I've been battling a raging headache on top of it all. So when I got home and realized I'd forgotten to take a photo for Project 365, I grabbed my iPhone and snapped this picture of one of my new favorite hats. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with it simply because I wish I could actually knit a hat like this, and I have patterns for knitting a hat like this, yet I don't think I'm good enough to knit a hat like this. Until such time as I get better at knitting, I'll just chunk down my hard earned cash and buy hats that look as if I actually made it myself...yet readily admit I didn't because I just can't lie about that sort of stuff.

Taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 15, 2011}

This rug once graced the floor of Megan's bedroom when we lived in Bend, OR. It was purchased after we moved in to our very first home--which I chronicled the building of with daily/weekly photos--finally giving each of the kids their own rooms. Up until that point Megan and Ian had shared a space so they didn't really have a true decorating "theme." I was excited to finally be able to let the kids pick out their own sheets, comforters, furniture, and whatever else would go with their new rooms...with my help, of course. Ian went with a sort of rustic, cabin theme while Megan (who at the time loved the color pink) agreed on a shabby chic theme. We pieced everything together and in the end both rooms turned out really nice. As Megan has gotten older she has decided that pink is "too girly" and no longer abides it being anywhere near her. While cleaning out our upstairs closet, I came across her first "real" bedroom set, the one from our first "real" house, in a city that was absolutely wonderful to live in and it tugged at my heart. So before this rug, and the rest of the items, find a new home I had to take a picture of it.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 14, 2011}

The sunroom. I take most of the daily photos you see on my blog here as it gets some of the yummiest light in our entire house. I love the floor to ceiling windows, the view, and I love how when you walk in to it you get the feeling you're standing outside, despite being just a few feet away from the living area. I wish we had a loveseat or oversized comfy chair, for I know I'd sit in the area more often. Instead, we placed our patio chairs in the sunroom last fall simply because they weren't getting much use outdoors and we didn't want them to get ruined over the winter. They're comfy enough but not quite the same as a "real" chair would be. Still, sometimes over the weekends, Ryan and I will each grab a seat and sit with our laptops, lazily browsing the internet, while the house is sweetly still. It's a nice change of scenery, to say the least.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 13, 2011}

Yesterday, Megan and I went to Michaels to pick up supplies for a school project. We bought felt squares, googly eyes, and red feathers. Tonight, Megan and I made the sock puppets for said project and had a lot of fun doing so. Apparently the puppet character below thinks he is "awesome"--as Megan told me, so I came up with the idea of sewing a suit and tie for him. The suit part was easy (although admittedly nowhere near my "best work" as I had to sew quickly) and I love how we decided to use gray thread instead of black to make it stand out more. The tie, on the other hand, took me a bit to figure out the easiest way to do it. Once I did the rest went quickly. Hopefully the kids in Megan's class get a kick out of the finished puppets as she came up with great ideas and we both worked hard on them.

On to the pics...{click to view full size}

{March 12, 2011}

Back in January I blogged about my beautiful hydrangeas that met an early demise...and made me sad. Then, while cruising around on Etsy I found some yarn that brought me back to those warm summer days, where the promise of my flowers blossoming and growing abounded. Enthralled with my find, I contacted the super nice Liz of Birds Nest Yarns and grabbed a skein, imagining multiple projects I could do when it arrived. The yarn ended up being even nicer in person...I petted it a lot. But, and I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, I have yet to knit anything with it. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I'm having a hard time figuring out what TO knit with it. I think I may have decided on a sweet little scarf so when the days are crummy I can wrap it around me and feel the sunshine.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 11, 2011}

A hint of things to come...

{click to view full size}

{March 10, 2011}

Kya does this thing where she "protects" people's feet. Sometimes that means she sits, straddling your feet with a paw on either side, and other times it means she lays down with both legs extended on either side of your feet. Either way it's both indelibly cute and incredibly annoying, for if you move your feet, even by a mere inch or two, she will follow them. I do not know why she does this but if your feet are anywhere near the ground, or air (as in hanging off the edge of the couch), she'll be there...guarding them from real or imagined bad things.

Taken with my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 9, 2011}

Recently, I've been inspired by all the cute boutique packaging that I've seen other photographers putting together for their reprints, etc., so I decided to start building my packaging line by purchasing some bakers twine in colors matching my logo + website. I found a great Etsy seller, The Twinery, and bought some samples from her. Today I got to use two of them as I mailed off a beautiful 16x24 Standout of my print "Light from Above" and wanted to dress up the boring cardboard with a bit of color. Holding a strand of each, I carefully wrapped the twine around the packaging, finishing it with one of my business cards and a bow. Cute! The colors are great, but...as a hint of things around the corner...will most likely be different soon enough. More on that later.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 8, 2011}

Maybe it's because I'm a wee bit hormonal, but this picture literally choked me up when I came across it during my editing today. The love these two have for their little girl is so strong that they didn't need any direction when it came to letting me capture it. Although I still have a lot more to go through, and will do a larger "Sneak Peek" soon, I had to share this one today.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 7, 2011}

Tea and my favorite mug for tea. Not inspired but given Ryan and I are both sick with the crud again (I just have to laugh at this point or else I'd cry), this is it. The tea is a mix of Teavana's Sweet Amore and Hazelnut Dolce brewing in an Adagio IngenuiTEA. It's an okay mix, yet it doesn't come close to my favorite - Teavana's Pistachio Apple Pie Rooibos...yum...and also sad because they no longer carry it. I am rationing what little I have left and trying to find a suitable replacement in between.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 6, 2011}

It's funny how things work. Today we were treated to warmer temps, but also rain and fog...lots of fog. I thought I would trek outside to take a photo of the woods with the mist surrounding the base of the trees, only to realize it was raining as I was putting my boots on. Not wanting to get my camera wet, I walked back to the kitchen and put it on the bar before heading outside to do some chores. Knowing that the rain would have made the ice covering our driveway (and patio, and yard, and...) even slicker, I was extra cautious as I stepped gingerly on to the frozen tundra. Another step and a little bit of sliding. The next step proved disastrous as I lost my footing, flew in to the air, and came down with a crash (an expletive may have escaped while I was in the air). I landed mostly on my left side hurting my..ahem...buttock and hand, as well as my right knee (it banged the ice as well). Even more unfortunate was the fact that I was in various puddles filled with icy cold water and a bit of duck poop. Lovely. It took some doing but I made it back in the house where I changed clothes and have been resting ever since. I can't help but feeling very lucky in that I decided not to take my camera outside with me, for even though I would have protected it with my life, there is no guarantee I would have kept it safe. There's always a silver lining, right? Course this means I was left with not having a "Photo of the Day," so I snapped a photo of my keyboard that has been put to good use tonight--more on that later. I think I may have to use those crampons left by the former owners of our house until spring.

Taken with my iPhone using the Instagram app with the Walden filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 5, 2011}

Today has been a long, but super wonderful day! I drove up to Maine to photograph this long-awaited, and most adorable, baby girl--and she was more than worth the drive! There will be more coming from this session for sure, however this one just had to be my photo of the day. She's rocking that cute featherband I got from Etsy that I posted about HERE, plus her eyes are to die for! Be sure to check back for the full Sneak Peek coming soon!

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 4, 2011}

In addition to the cannolis we ordered last night, we also bought a "Lobster Tail." When I first saw this on their menu I was perplexed. 1.) What were "lobster tails" doing under the "Desserts & Pastries" category, and 2.) Why were they only $4 each? I mean, I know lobster is way cheaper out here than it is back West, but still. I did a bit of Googling and found out that "Lobster Tails" are an Italian-American pastry inspired by Sfogliatelle. Naturally, being a connoisseur (re: lover) of anything pastry related, I had to try one. This morning I tackled the Lobster Tail with great gusto, only to lose steam about 1/4 of the way through. They are RICH, and BIG, to say the least. Also, they're tasty. This one is a bit dried out, probably from being kept in the refrigerator overnight and not having been consumed earlier, yet I like it. The little ridges are very crispy--pieces of them were flying all over the place and it felt as if I were under attack from the thing as I ate it (violent food eating FTW!). I thought for sure Ryan would indulge when he came home for lunch, but alas it still sits waiting patiently for the next person to try and conquer it. Now I can say I've had both types of lobster tails from the East Coast, two completely different tastes, but delicious just the same.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 3, 2011}

Nom...cannolis with chocolate chips. We ordered pizza tonight from a place that also makes pastries. SCORE! So this is my dessert and it is tasty (as evidenced by the bite I took out of it in my impatience).

Taken with my iPhone using the Instagram app with the Sutro filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 2, 2011}

Today's theme...Texture. I bought this blanket today in preparation for an upcoming newborn session, along with a couple of others that I adore. It's soft and cozy and although I would love to curl up in it myself, I'll save it for all the sweet little babies.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}

{March 1, 2011}

My dad gave us this little sampler pack of Vermont syrups and tonight we cracked them open to enjoy with our "Brinner" (Breakfast for Dinner) pancakes. They were all delicious and I found it impossible to choose a favorite. I'll probably keep the little bottles when we're done as they are too cute for words.

Taken with my iPhone with the Lo-Mob Vintage Instant Reframed filter applied.

On to the pic...{click to view full size}