Project 52: Week 3

This weeks theme is "Shades of Gray". There have been some really awesome pics posted on flickr for the theme. Here's my take on it...





These are a couple of pictures I printed in B&W for a different project I have in the works (which I am SO excited about). Took the picture in a window/blind spot on my couch. It was a fun take, and I was excited about not having to turn a picture B&W for the theme!
ISO/100; 1/125 shutter speed; 4.5f-stop

A little somethin'

So yesterday I was feeling the need to be crafty and make something (aka put off doing the laundry). But it had to be quick and easy, hopefully cute. I wanted to sew something, because that's another goal this year, is to get better and more comfortable with my machine. So I looked up my bookmarked tutorials and found a bandanna dress tutorial I had the stuff for. So I whipped it up real quick. It's not the best, but it was fun and served it's purpose.

Here's my little model








(and the laundry DID get done...)

Project 52: Week 2

MCP Actions
Week's Theme: Illustrate a Song

Song: Babes in Toyland


Technical
ISO 800, 1/80 shutter speed, 4.5 f-stop

Editing
Edited in picnik, dropped exposure, upped contrast, sharpened.

My lens is not a good quality lens, therefore doesn't let the light in as well, so my ISO had to be up, shutter speed way down from what I would like it (would normally try to shoot 200 range with kids), and f-stop as low as the lens would allow for the picture.

Most of you are probably not interested, but if you were, I could put before and afters of the editing. That's another goal of mine is to learn photoshop. Until then, I'll use the free programs online like picnik :) AND, feel free to join in on the fun, even if you don't want to do it formally through flicker. Just leave me a comment and I'd love to see it!

Goals and such

So with the new year always comes the thoughts of resolutions and goals. I know some people aren't a fan of this, and that's ok. I enjoy it because it lets me reflect on last year, and what I'd like to do different this year. Where and how I want to grow (growing in talents, not waist size). So through the next week or so I'll be putting up some goals I've got, to keep myself accountable. Today's goal is about photography. I have learned so much this past year, but still have so much to learn. So I joined up with MCP actions to do the Project 52. They give us a theme and we post a pic for that (similar to my Themed Thursdays). I'm pretty excited about it. This week's theme is "Illustrate a Song". I have a pretty fun idea for it, just have to wait for Kennedi to wake up! I can't wait to learn more, and stretch my creativity with it this year!

Not a picture for this theme, but one that I enjoy from last fall. Can't wait to learn more!!

Fashion Tip #2

Pants always beats no pants.







(she thought she was so clever running away after a diaper change. And I couldn't show the real pic due to censoring issues, but don't worry. It's going in the archives for future boyfriends)

Fashion Tip #1

When in doubt, ALWAYS go for the oversized orange glasses.





This riveting series will be continuous through the year. You're welcome.

Now I've done it.

I've found the most AMAZING blonde brownie recipe. It's UH-mazing. It's called a Maple Coconut Brownie, but you could certainly leave out the coconut if that's not your thing and it would still be awesome. It's the perfect amount of chewy, moist, just delish. Next time I will add in a few white chocolate chips and a Maple Butter Sauce, and it will be heaven on earth. Literally. No seriously. Check it.



Anyone want the recipe? It's too good not to share.

Maple Coconut Blondies
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and the egg and whisk until smooth. Add in flour and salt and stir just until no streaks of flour remain. Add in coconut and stir to distribute evenly. Pour into prepared baking dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until blondies are set and lightly browned.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Good luck, diet.

Only in Parowan

will you have cattle driven down the street in front of your house over Christmas break.

Snow Day!

So when we were in UT we got the first REAL snow of the season! Turns out Denver got a little too. Kai is in love with the snow and was out there as often as we would let him. Occasionally the snow pants had to dry though! Thankfully he had his cousin Jordyn to go out with him...apparently I have no snow gear. How I just realized this after 4 years of living in CO, I have no idea.

Snow Angels


Snowball "fights"



A pause in the merriment for mom to take pictures...
(my niece Jordyn)




And of COURSE snowmen! We did this about 5 minutes before lunch, and Kai quickly grew tired of trying to roll a snowball big enough, so he settled for a miniature. This is quite possibly the MOST disturbing snowman in snow history.




And last but certainly not least...the tasting of the snow.


Yep, just as delicious as last year!