New Beginnings

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a  Happy New Year and welcomed in 2010 with a bang!  Me, I was asleep by 9:00, yep I couldn't even make it up to watch the ball drop, and I've done that for years!!! Oh well, as a recent post title - it's time for change! I noticed the days are getting a little longer but at the same time colder. It's like living in the Arctic here lately. Bring on warmer weather!!
 I finally have everything unpacked so far and almost in it's place. I still have a few more things to pick up but that won't be til warmer weather.  I will post pictures soon. This is a very BIG change from what I'm used to. Now I get up, shower, go to work, come home an do nothing! Heck, I only have to drive every other week too!! No laundry, cooking, dishes, absolutely nothing. I have cooked one meal but only to take to moms for New Years Day while we sat around watching bowl games and playing cards. I made lasagna, they loved it and I got to cook. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy cooking and baking  but for now, I'm not missing it.  Do you know how hard it is to cook for one person, so why bother, plus I seem to have lost my appetite. A few girls at work named this type of weight loss but I will keep it clean on here ☺  I have already dropped 2 jean sizes and tomorrow it's time for a completely new-do!

 I have been watching a lot of Food Network and HGTV - gotta love those networks! I thought I would change some of my TV habits and get rid of some sitcoms, I'm not sure which is more addictive. Dad, can you answer this, you seem to be the TV pro!

 Harley is headed to Lori's tomorrow. I got a call from the vet that she did great with surgery, has all her shots up to date so she is ready to go.I'll pick her up tomorrow and take her to meet Hank.  They will get along great! I'll find something soon so I can keep her with me, she's a great dog and loves to run, not for the "in town" life.

 My carpool buddy and I hit some gravel roads coming home the other day and we came across great find . We WILL go back and explore before the snakes come out ☺

Well, I think I hear the couch calling my name, I better answer.

Here's to New Beginnings!

Santas Getting close...

Have you been good?

He's been watching you know.

I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a joyous Christmas season. Remember that this is the time of year to spend with family and friends, to share the love you have and they give. Never take anything for granted or it's gone. One day you will wake up and realize that this is where you are suppose to be in life. I know because this Christmas is a tough one for me.  I 'm thankful for the family and friends that I have to share it with and even more thankful that I have a life to celebrate.

Updates on the house stuff - I've almost got everything unpacked. Now it's time to get this place looking like something. I will post pictures soon. It's tough when you move from 1700 sq. ft home 

into a 1370 sq.ft.home means a lot of downsizing.

The next big project won't be until Spring when I go back to the old place and get my flowers and yard decorations. Then I can spruce it up even more. Soon the bottom will look as good as the top picture :) Give me a little time.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hug your family, they deserve it

Big Change

I will never understand the way that relationships end or the reasons. First you get told one thing that seems to put the blame on yourself then a big slap in the face and you find out the truth. I'm sure some of the reasons we get have truth but come on, if they can't look you in the face you should see right there that something is going on. It's not always what you think but when you're down, you always think the worst. This is a bummer because I am one of those people. I like the truth in everything. In relationships there should be honesty at all times. People need to be open about everything and take the time to talk and work things out. Keeping stuff bottled up inside is not a good answer. I have been hurt before in life but this has got to top it. When the one you love tells you to go you feel as you have lost everything. I know that I have plenty of love with my family and friends and I will get through it. I'm a strong person on the outside but inside I hurt.

I've moved in to a small rental house and will get it looking like a home soon. It's not going to be as easy as the house I lived in since I had that one looking pretty darn good. I have to get busy and try to focus on things. It was in the country and now I'm in the city. Lots of changes here but in the long term of things maybe all will come out okay.

Someday I will look back and see that this was all for a reason. I have learned a few things -

• people will never be happy if they aren't happy with themselves.
• sad things make us stronger.

and one of the best lines I've heard in a while ......

• Everything happens to you for a reason. Hard or easy, good or bad, your job is to embrace the experience, learn and grow from it.

Not only did I lose the love of my life, I lost my best friend!

Brain packed weekend!

Dear Blog,

I have neglected you so much in the past few weeks. Believe it or not I have been busy. ( seriously, I have) Work has been crazy with year end and 2010 budgeting and then I packed a photography workshop into it too. Work- not exciting so I will move on to the next subject- WORKSHOP!!  It was a blast, I learned a lot ( hey Lori do you like that ) and I made several new friends.The workshop was hosted by Wendi and Devan ( two great photographers) We met up on Friday afternoon for 4 hours, back on Saturday for the day and wrapped it up on Sunday. I came home and Rick asked me did I learn anything, my answer......."Of course!" I did learn that to be a legal business I have a lot of stuff to take care of and that is already in the works! I learned a lot about lightning and some OCF ( off camera flash) that was a biggie for me!! Now I just have to buy more "toys" and a back up camera. I'm actually looking at the Canon 50D ( save, save, save) Maybe Santa will bring me the winning lottery ticket!! I'm looking at reformatting my blog to go back to just one. It takes me too much time to focus on posting for 2 blogs. The whole purpose of this was to get my personal and business side of life separate. BUT after the workshop and chatting with a few of the photogs, they got me to thinking....people may like to see the crazy side of me too. The reason when I asked why is that it makes the clients feel that they know you better when they meet up with you....hmmm, I think it sounds legit!

Bonnie, I still haven't made those muffins, but I will surprise you one day when you aren't expecting it. BTW - did you ever tell Jess that I helped you make your mind up to get her that Halloween/Iowa decoration?  ( bet not, you wanted all the credit, huh? )
Denny- Sorry no more posting about Rick, he is getting to be way to personal ☺ I have to live with him ya know, you only have to be with him for 10 hours a day. Guess he wins! You will have to ask him whats going on daily ☺
Maryann- I hope you find the pan you are looking for! It was great to hear that voice mail- Rick and Shawn cracked up when they heard it! See you in Vegas ( wink,wink)

OK- I have led myself off track- back to the workshop. We had models on Saturday and Sunday a couple then a family of 5. What a great time!! Here are some pictures from the workshop.
Oh yeah, I meant to mention, we actually are forming a group that will meet the 1st Sunday of each month. Our group name.......Click ! Check us out! 

Here are some of the links to see the other photographers work
http://www.amytobiasphotography.com/
http://memoriesbybrandi.blogspot.com/
http://www.foreverphotographybykelly.com/
http://www.bellarosephotography.org/

Bye-bye to October and hello to November

Whew this has been quite the busy month. Several photo sessions, "B" time at work (budget), Halloween, company at the house and the list goes on......

I did get the "ME" time in a couple weeks ago. I drove around taking beautiful pictures of the Fall leaves. It's a good thing I went when I did 'cause they are gone now! We have had rain and wind like crazy here in the glorious Mid-West.

I spent the last week of October doing a photo challenge. I had to take a self portrait each day with a Halloween theme. These pictures may not be for the weak stomached ones ☺!

                                  

That's it til next year. Vernon, my brother has been staying with us while he's working down in this area. He was my "victim " for the one shot. Gotta love family!
Rick has been putting out tree stands all over the place, getting ready for Shawn's visit and the big hunt.
Me, well I've just been busy as usual, getting ready for a photo shoot as I type. Steph just called to let me know they're on the way. Be sure to check out my business blog for that post later in the week.

                               Have a great November and try to stay warm!

Time For ME

Once again an extremely busy weekend. I had 2 photo sessions, cleaned the house, winterized the pool and yard, hung all the gourds,

cooked all weekend

and now I'm ready for a little ME time.   Hummmm, I'm not sure I know what that is anymore. Next weekend I plan on spending the entire weekend on the road. I want to see lots of fall colors and visit Kathy's Pumpkin Patch. Speaking of pumpkins, Bonnie, no pumpkin mini cakes on Monday, maybe one day this week. Time to hit the couch and watch The Proposal.

Yummmy!!

I have figured out why stores place magazine racks at the checkout lane. Who could resist a cover like this!

Don't those muffins look yummy! I will be making these over the weekend. ( Bonnie I hope you like pumpkin, 'cause you will have one Monday morning!)

If you see this in the store, pick it up! It's packed with tons of great recipes and decorating ideas for the Fall season.

 Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Yield


Makes 8 pumpkins

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Caramel-Rum Glaze*

Or Vanilla Glaze

Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines (optional, instructions below)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla.
2. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Spoon batter into 2 lightly greased pumpkin-shaped muffin pans, filling three-fourths full.
3. Bake at 350° for 24 to 26 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).
4. Cut rounded tops off muffins to make them flat. Invert top muffins onto bottom muffins, forming pumpkins. Drizzle Caramel-Rum Glaze over pumpkins. Decorate with Caramel Stems, Leaves, and Vines, if desired.

*Vanilla Glaze may be substituted.
CARAMEL STEM: Press 1 caramel between fingers, lengthening to 1 1/2 to 2 inches to form a stem. Curl stem gently.
CARAMEL LEAVES: Roll caramels into 2-inch squares on a flat surface, using a rolling pin. Cut into leaves, using a paring knife. Gently press tips of leaves to flatten, if desired. Score leaves, using a paring knife. Pinch bottoms of leaves together.
CARAMEL VINES: Cut 1 caramel into 3 equal pieces. Squeeze each piece gently to flatten, and roll between hands or on a flat surface into a long thin rope. Twist ends to curl