Guess Who?

Guess who is coming to visit this week?

Doing the Happy Dance!

O Happy Day!

I found a new way to compose my blog entries.  For awhile I’ve been struggling with Blogger’s composer; My photos don’t end up where I want them and my text keeps wanting to “float left”.  I kept asking my husband to fix the HTML so it would look the way I wanted it to.  Talk about a hassle!

So I thought I’d give Windows Live Writer a try.  I’ve been playing with it for a few days now and I love it!  It’s uber easy to insert photos and I can even use any font I want, like my favorite Jane Austen font.

Windows Live Writer works with Blogger and a lot of other popular blogging platforms.  Now excuse me while I go play…

drop shadow and tilt
Polaroid

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Frodo

See if you recognize anyone over at Pioneer Woman today.  When I told him, he demanded tuna.

Take the Next Left

 http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/google_maps.png

 

Amy Wenzel's Workshop Giveaway

Amy Wenzel is giving away a seat to one of her popular photography workshops.   To enter, "Tell us how you love, serve or inspire other people in your life, and what attending the workshop might mean for your photography journey".

Jane Austen once prayed, "Teach us... that we may feel the importance of every day, of every hour as it passes." You'll see this quote right at the top of my blog because I believe that Jane nailed it on the head. Life is precious and we should never take it or gifts like health, family, and friends for granted.

This belief is one of the things that draws me to photography. The chance to create, document, preserve, and showcase this precious gift of LIFE fuels me. So when I hear, “You did far more than take our pictures, you captured our spirits" or “I cried when I saw your photos”, my heart is filled with happiness. And thankfulness. And I continue to reach for my camera.

I feel that I have been given a special gift at this time in my life. When I was in college, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and I have been living with the effects of this chronic illness for a very long time. Three years ago I started a new medication that has helped my Crohn's go into remission.  It was during this time that I started photography and, believe it or not, martial arts!

This year, God-willing, I will be turning 40 and getting my black belt. While I am in remission, I also hope to expand my photography and acquire the skills that will enable me to capture more beauty and touch more lives. Thank you for the opportunity to do so, Amy. I think Jane would be proud.

In Which MrsMama Makes a Change

After 3 years of using my Nikon d80, I am upgrading to a new camera.  I have done a lot of reading and research and have decided to invest in the Nikon d700.  I am particularly excited about its ability to take pictures in low light.  If you are familiar with the fabulous Miz Booshay, this is the camera she uses. 

I want to give a shout out to MrMama, my husband.  He has given me the opportunity to pursue my passion for photography and has been incredibly supportive and encouraging from the moment I told him I wanted to get my first camera.  I couldn't do what I do without him.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to pressing my nose up against the window.  I don't want to miss the UPS truck!

Widdle Biddy Baby

I'm so excited.  This dear gal is going to let me practice taking photos of her baby after he or she is born.  I haven't done newborn photography before, but I've been drooling over sweet shots of little bitty babies for quite awhile now.  There is one thing though: I don't think she's going to have a little bitty baby.  She has a history of 10 pounders and, oh, I don't know, but I think this baby might just be one of them. :)

That's OK.  Personally, I love chunky little babies.  Mine were both 9 1/2 lbs and there is just something about those cheeks and those folds and those chubby little toes!

While we're waiting for Baby to arrive, drool with me over some of my favorite baby pictures on Flickr.

And, after I get some pictures, I want to show you the neat baby props I found!