VLV Photography

Happy Monday!  I really used to not like Monday’s very much but I really do look forward to my “My Life Monday” posts.  If you look forward to my Monday posts as well, leave me some blog love   Also, I love easy recipes so please share in the comments section if it’s quick & uses ingredients usually in the cupboard!

In today’s post I want to share a write-up I came across a while back and I’ve held onto it because well, sometimes in life, we just need a little reminder.  Here it goes….

Ironic Reasons to be Thankful

“I am thankful-

• for the teenager who is not doing dishes but is watching tv, because that means he is at home and not on the streets.
• for the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
• for the mess to clean after a party, because it menas I have been surrounded by friends.
• for my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
• for all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
• for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking.
• for my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
• for the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
• for the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
• for the clothes that fit a bit too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
• for the alarm that goes off in the morning hours, because it means that I am alive.”

If you’re still reading this, I’m thankful.   What are you thankful for? 

I used to receive The Bismarck Tribune and I loved my daily paper and cup of coffee in the morning;  however, we haven’t renewed our subscription yet.  Anyway, I miss reading every other Wednesday’s paper for an article by Julie Fedorchak.  Her article’s do;  however, appear online.  Yay!  I just subscribed!  Her articles are pretty clever, and being a mom herself, she can relate to a pretty large audience.  If you haven’t read any of her articles, take a peek. 

If you haven’t heard about BisManCoupons.com , it’s worth a look.  There are many businesses that advertise with a special coupon.

Wanna know if the fruit you’re purchasing is really organic?  Look at the PLU code on the sticker of the packaging.  If it starts with a “9,” it’s organic.  If not, it may have been treated with pesticides.  I’m not jumping on the organic bandwagon yet but I don’t doubt they’re probably better for you.  I guess nowadays, a person should only eat what they grow {or butcher} themselves.  Then you KNOW where it came from & what was put on it!

Well….I’ll close for this week.  But not until I share this cutie patootie with all her chompers.  She had the 4 main teeth and recently busted out 3 more;  she’s getting there.  Hard to believe though she’s already almost 15 months!  Sheesh!  Where does the time go?  Thank goodness for some warmer weather though……finally!  I think this next winter I’m getting one of those SADD winter lamps.  Amazing how sunshine can lift a mood:) 

I’m so very excited for these two first-time parents to welcome a baby girl very soon.  The little one in the “oven” just happens to be my niece & I can’t wait to photograph all her little wrinkles & toes! 

In the weeks leading up to doing this session I was hoping to get my hands on some fabric;  however, I never got out of town.  With recently purchasing some studio equipment, I was going for that type of maternity session;  however, this session kinda happened on a whim.  So we headed outdoors instead & it was such a perfect night.  I was so excited though because this was my first time trying to get some natural sun-flare shots.  I do have more images than the one posted with sun-flare but you’ll have to wait for those in the gallery. 

One shot I didn’t get that I was really hoping {and I’m looking for any prego mama’s willing to do this}, is a boudoir-maternity shot {think lingerie, men’s button-down shirt, heels, etc.}.  Pregnancy is such an emotional, physically challenging time in a woman’s life but it’s the most miraculous,  incredible gift God has given us women….to bring to life another human being.  I just really want to show the beauty of that in an image.  I had a willing participant just not the right set-up   Maybe next time!

Anyway….onto the images.  Doesn’t she have just the cutest prego belly?  Pregnancy just looks so good on some women!

I just couldn’t decide which I liked best so I posted them both! Vote on your favorite by leaving a comment! :)  {this would be perfect to add to a storyboard with the babe’s pics}

I get a couple parenting magazines because I am the first to admit that there is always room for improvement when it comes to my parenting “skills.” That, and I appreciate the recall updates since I barely have time to go to the bathroom {by myself}, much less watch the news and catch the latest recalls. Another favorite section is the “It Worked for Me,” because I love simple ideas that offer big solutions. A couple of my favorite ideas were writing the time you give your child their medicine on the bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker. Even in the middle of the night, the info is right there! Awesome tip! Also, use a pool noodle, cut to the width of your tub to keep your baby’s head above the water so their ears aren’t submerged. The latest info I came across was a FREE Interactive Menu Planner. You input your child’s name and birthdate and a menu is generated based on their age. It supplies menu’s for babies up to preschool age.  I think it’s pretty neat; however, unrealistic for my 3 1/2 year old who refuses to eat vegetables.  I can’t even bribe her to try them!  She’s quite picky and it drives me crazy but maybe this could be helpful to someone so I’m including the information in this post.  Even if you don’t purchase the Gerber food items, you can still get an idea of what food to prepare. 

So onto my title for this post…cupcakes & props.  My son was to bring a snack to preschool for snack day this past week and a while back I came across a recipe for Rainbow Cupcakes in my Family Fun magazine {I love this magazine, btw}.  I decided to give it a whirl and although a little time consuming, they tasted like you’d expect a cupcake to taste. 

Onto the props portion of this post….let’s just say I’ve ordered the most adorable, hand-made newborn item I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to try it out.  I have a newborn session coming up and probably sooner than I was expecting.  So stay tuned for that.  This past week I also received some goodies from Mr. UPS man….more on that another time as well.

In bigger news this past week…..actually this morning, in fact;  my girls both slept until 9am!  This.Never.Happens.  They’re ALWAYS up by 7am!  My youngest also went a much longer stretch during the night not getting up.  I felt like a trillion bucks today   Amazing what some good sleep can do for the mind and body……not to mention mood! 

Well…until next week….Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with

So another week has managed to just fly on by! But at least this week I made this post on Monday rather than Tuesday.   :)  Anyway, I came across post from the site Beyond Snapshots and if you’re interested in photography, regardless of skill level, then here are some pretty stinkin’ cute products!  I personally LOVE the coffee mug {since I LOVE coffee} :)  The bag would be pretty neat to have as well to use for “stuff” needed for sessions on location.  The website is pretty awesome too!  Ran by photographer’s themselves, Rachel Devine & Peta Mazey will be having a book published next year.  They were also in this month’s “Professional Photographer” magazine and I’m in love with this magazine too!  The feel, the larger-than-average size, and the content is well, awesome with not as much filler, advertising pages you see in other magazines.  Love it & worth a peek if again, you’re into this sorta thing.  If not, thank you for reading my ramblings.

A while back I forgot to post about this but I had gotten some wonderful news that an image I submitted was chosen to be the cover image for the 2011-2012 BEK telephone directory! Yay!  I won $50, but the giddy, happy feeling was worth so much more.  Especially after I was told my image was selected out of all submissions for this cover contest as well as a past calendar contest!  I’m told I will be very happy with the result.  So look for it to come out this June.  I can’t wait!  Here’s my winning submission:)

I look back from when I took this image {Dec. 2007} and I’ve learned sooooo much since then.  This was taken with my first 1/2 descent point and shoot {Canon Powershot S3 IS}.  I would totally edit this image completely different now;  however, I would probably compose it about the same.  Aren’t those ice crystals beautiful?  And again…taken with a point and shoot!  You would be surprised to know that many award winning images have been taken with point and shoots. 

 I came across an article recently by a photographer I would give my pinky toe to meet {Marta Locklear}.  She talked about how she shoots with the Canon 40D-which happens to be the very camera I use.  She highlighted the fact that it’s not about the camera, but rather the skill & talent of the photographer and good glass {lenses}.  I have invested in some very good glass and have a couple lenses on my wish list.  So even though you may have a point and shoot, learn that manual, get out and practice and learn what you can do with what you have.  That alone has been an inspiration to me.  Although I would still LOVE the Canon 5D Mark DII with all it’s full-sensor goodness & low-light capabilities! :)

Well, that’s all for this week!  I’m thinking about starting a “Tidbit Thursday” series, just not sure yet.  I tend to have a lot of tidbits on my Monday posts…so hmm..and not sure I have anyone reading my ramblings.  If you like my posts and enjoy coming back week after week, then let me know if this is something you’re interested in.  I would add more photography articles, tips on photography either my own or things I come across, etc..  So, if you’re a blog stalker, leave some blog love or just subscribe!

Until next time…Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with:)

Okay, so it’s officially Tuesday. Easter kind of threw me for a loop and so this is late to post this week. I was out of town and got back this afternoon and with 3 kiddos keeping me busy, blog stuff got the back-burner today.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Mine was enjoyable with some nice, quality time with the hubby, kids, and some family. I held the cutest hamster I think I’ve ever seen. Our kids want one now and honestly….I probably want one even more. We did venture to Pet Smart and looked at them and there were a couple that were for adoption only due to aggressive behavior. They also had age recommendations depending on the breed of hamster. I think a hamster is a pet we will consider once the kids are older {as in old enough to clean the cage and feed it themselves}. I already change one diaper; I really don’t want to clean an animal cage too.
I tried a very good appetizer over the weekend…stuffed mushrooms. Now before you “ack” with disgust, take into consideration that 1. I don’t like mushrooms, and 2. I don’t like bacon. This recipe has both. I can’t explain the flavor….besides just pretty darn good Here’s the recipe if you feel brave enough to give ‘em a whirl!

Stuffed Mushrooms
1 8oz block of Cream Cheese
1/2 lb of bacon cooked and crumbled (about 8-10 slices)
garlic salt
salt
onion (optional)
splash of milk
3 packs of Baby Bella Mushrooms
Clean mushrooms and remove stems and place stem side up on a cookie sheet. Mix all of the above together and fill each mushroom with the mixture, you will have exactly enough mixture to fill all three packs of mushrooms. Bake 15 minutes at 375. You can make this filling ahead of time and keep in the fridge or freezer, then you will need to add a little more milk to make it soft again.

My Netflix review this week is the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”  I wanted to see what the hype was all about.  It’s actually better than I expected {despite all the hype}.  It kept my interest throughout and told the story in such a way that you really just felt sorry the main character.  There were parts that were more drawn out than necessary; however, it was over-all pretty good.  It’s not a movie I would watch over & over but I would watch it again.  I didn’t quite understand the dance video {not sure what else you would call it} at the end.  But I don’t think this movie was made on a budget thinking that it would receive as many accolades as it did.  My next movie to see based on all the hype is “Twilight.”  I also have “The Hurt Locker” in the que to see next;  however, it says it will be a long wait for that one.  Having been in Iraq it will be interesting to see how closely it depicts life over there.

Finally…..an image from our Easter.  Hope yours was as blessed as ours. 

Until next week….Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with