simply random

I have either been busy or in a slump for months and I have been a bad blogger too. First, I want to say sorry for being such a bad blogger. I know how much time and effort goes into blogs and so I hope no one is feeling terribly neglected. Second, I would like to say thank goodness for friends who call you and book photo gigs, it really helps.

This week one of my dear friends and her lovely family are moving to the “real” world….the lower 48. She called and asked if I would come do a session with her family before they leave. I was delighted and we always trade and I came out on top of this deal, I will show you my treasure later.

Their oldest daughter leaves for college this fall and so I thought a daddy daughter shot was in order.

These two were more mischievous than all the kids combined, can you tell.

Outtakes are always my favorite.

Potter’s Marsh–part two

I love seeing recycled license plates.

I was brave and got a shot of a stranger. This project is hard for me. Cyrus was a nice guy and spoke with a strong Persian accent. He walked with a walker but he gets out everyday and walks anyway. He goes up and down the path a couple times, about 6,500 steps. For an older gentleman using a walker that is not bad at all.

Potter’s Marsh

We went to Potter’s Marsh and walked the path last night after dinner. It has been so gorgeous lately, we have been blessed, so we decided to get out and enjoy it. As we drive up in the parking lot I see this seagull literally attacking an eagle. As we got closer I started snapping as soon as we got on the path. It did not take me long to see what was going on. Seagulls were all over laying their eggs and the eagles were right there to eat them.

The eagle is frantically trying to get her away from him. He flies high and then drops quickly but she won’t budge.

Here she is on his back, getting him. She is squacking and attacking. I am cheering for her but I know she is going to lose this battle.

Here he is after he has enjoyed his bounty.

Watching this made me think of mothers and what we would not do to protect our children. And then I thought of all those threats disguised as beautiful and majestic.

Eating for your blood type

My husband and I are taking a little holiday in the big city; he had to come in for class and I tagged along. It is our anniversary on the 25th and we can never seem to make time to celebrate and this fit the bill. We do not eat out a whole lot, we never have been. It is expensive and only sometimes is it good. I always walk away thinking I could have done as good at home. Over the years I have created recipes that are my versions of this or that from somewhere we went.

(sorry but that still looks good to me!)

We normally only eat out when we travel and then game on….we eat out a lot! I am proudly turning 39 yrs old this year and my body has changed over the past few years. I have never been one that can eat a lot of meat and that has never changed. My body fights back but I love meat so I force the issue with chicken, fish, pork, and sometimes even red meat. Recently I have decided if I want my body to honor me, I really need to honor it. Anyway, we have eaten out three times since we started this time away from home and I am feeling it.

I shared this with a friend after I returned from our last trip and she thinks it is my blood type. She read a book once that relies on your body type to decide how you should eat and take care of your body. I am A positive and my diet consists of fresh RAW fruits and veggies. It also talks about my sensitive sniffer, my need to hang out in small groups, and negative people really affect my mojo!

I went out today and bought some fresh fruits and veggies for salads and my munchy moments.

looking back

I have been so busy lately that I have neglected my photography and my blog. I decided to look back to last year and see what I was taking pictures of at this time and I found some fun ones.

I liked this one because of the quote I chose to go with it. It is fun to see how words can make a photo come to life.

“Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.” ~Vivian Green

I forgot to say what I

Mother’s Day Meme

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and I have not even prepared for it. I live so far away from the mothers in my life that I should have already had something ready and sent off. I like doing something homemade for them so I am really behind.

In my lack of preparedness I have a lack of inspiration and I thought a meme would do the trick. I read some questions from this months REAL SIMPLE magazine and adapted my own from there. Leave a link if you participate I would love to read what you answer and if you are not a mother, still participate because you are an aunt, sister, cousin, friend and you fall in the mother category too.

I have two mothers so I am doubly blessed. They both have taken a role in molding me into the woman I am today.

1. What are some traits that you have picked up from your mother (whether you like it or not)?

Mom – She is very creative and that creativity has guided her through her life. I have noticed that I do the same thing. I look at every challenge, task, situation in a more creative or feeler based way. Technical is not in my vocabulary.

T Mom – She is very clean….extremely clean! I am not even close to the same housekeeper as she is but a clean house is very important to me.

2. What is your mothers favorite flower?

I have no clue. This is sad to me that I do not know. I know my grandmothers favorite flower but not theirs. My kids know mine. They both like flowers but I can’t think of anything specific.

3. What is a memory of your mother that you go to often?

Mom – She bought a set of parenting books and she would read them and try the techniques on me. I was so mad that she would read those to try to figure me out that I was going to do the same thing. I remember reading them thinking, “That will not work on me!” One day she caught me reading them and gave me this look and I will never forget it. At first I thought she was going to cry and then she just laughed.

4. What is your favorite feature about your mom? (scent, eyes, skin, smile, personality trait)

Mom – her strength, she was always so strong. She was a single mom and would move our furniture on her own, fix our car, take care of the yard. I do none of those things. My husband spoils me.

T Mom – she has the most beautiful smile, the kind that lights her eyes.

5. What is your favorite meal your mother made? treat that she baked?

Mom – Anything barbeque! I love her brisket the best but anything she grills is wonderful.

T Mom – Tuna rolls with cheddar sauce, they are the best and I try to make them like she did and they do not taste as good.

6. Is there any mothers other than your own that you honor or think about on Mother’s day?

I have many women that have been great influences in my life but one that I think of often is my Aunt Phyl is the greatest and I sometimes forget she is not my mother. I can’t forget my husbands mother, she has taken me in as if I were her own. I am so very blessed with great women in my life.

Roid Week 2009

I do not have any film so I did not participate but it is still fun to look through the Roid Week 2009 group. There are some great shots and I love the feeling that you are in another time and place…groooovy!

Don’t you just love these muted tones??? They are great!

If you click on the photo it will take you directly to the owners, you might want to see the rest of their photostream…..so many great photographers and so little time.

simply food — recipe swap

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 med onion-chopped
1/2 green bell pepper-chopped

1 clove garlic crushed

2 cans beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can chicken broth

1 pkg dry taco seasoning

Toppings
sour cream
cilantro–rough chopped
cheese
tortilla chips-crushed
lime wedges

Brown hamburger, then add onions and the bell pepper. Then add the garlic and cook for a couple minutes. Pour in beans, tomatoes, chicken broth, and taco seasonings. Simmer on medium.

Top with your favorite items and eat up. I use this recipe when I am in a rush and did not plan very well. It is yummy, my daughters always says as she eats the last spoonful, ” I am not going to lie, that was really good!”

For more recipes, go here.

simply fun–my new lensbaby

I have been so busy with history projects, track meets, soccer games, not to mention moving and trying to find a place to move that I have neglected my flickr, my blog, and the list goes on. But when I opened the mail and found that the Lensbaby arrived I just had to use it.

I left the house for a walk with my husband, the dogs, and my camera with the Lensbaby ready to go. I am so used to being able to adjust my aperture with a turn of the dial that I forgot to take the 2.5 ring out for a higher one. So these shots are not the best but I had to share. This lens is a lot of fun.

This one really shows how I needed the little aperture rings to adjust the aperture. You can kind of see the dogs and their adoring fans. =]

from the archives–yard sale diva

I love a good yard sale and I have been seeing all kinds of signs out lately and it made me think of this old post I wrote when it was only my husband and I reading my blog.

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One day I am going to be that little old lady that races you to the next yard sale trying to beat you to the next find. You may think I am crazy but they do that. Ask my husband, he always wants to tease them and jump out of the car running faster than they can power walk. I can just see me now in my fancy caddy, big glasses, sun hat, and straw purse. With my best buddy Krista or my honey next to me helping me knocking down the young guns for the next best yard sale find.

The is summer is coming to a close and that means no more Friday yard sales. I miss it already. I don’t have a house full of junk or even a room filled with yard sale finds but I normally find a few good items that I would have bought new from Fred Meyer for little of the cost. I am a great yard seller and thought I would share some of my gems with you.

Yard Sale Gems

1. Find a friend who is as addicted as you are and set up a weekly routine of yard sales. It does help to take someone along that is not afraid to challenge the $2 price on a paperback book. I am a chicken and so Kristen (my yard sale buddy) is great for dickering.

2. Pack a lunch with plenty of protein and bottle water. No it is not a marathon, more like a 5k.

3. If you go with a friend who has the exact same taste as you, be careful. Set limits. Share your finds and take turns. Or dump her and find someone with terrible taste. =) Krista you know I love you.

4. Make a list of things you are looking for and say a prayer that the yard sale angels will guide you to your find.

5. Last but not least, start a crock pot dinner, you never know how long you will be out and a happy hubby will be more likely to support your habit if he is fed.

A place for my towels and dish rags. It fits perfectly in the window.

The antique quilt I purchase for $25. I had the sale of the day. Krista and I are thinking about trading. She bought the antique fridge I wanted a couple of weeks ago.