Lollygag

Lake of the Ozarks

Okay, I realize it's been way too long since I last posted but since I'm on vacation and have a little time on my hands I thought I'd share my day yesterday. I'm down at my parent's place in Lake of the Ozarks and I couldn't be happier. Okay, well maybe if the sun would come out!

I absolutely love traveling with my laptop! I don't know why I didn't check into an internet connection down here sooner. Free WIFI in the condo! I don't have an excuse not to blog.

Yesterday since it was rainy and gloomy we spent the day on land rather in the boat on the water. We drove south past Camdenton to an Amish community in Leadmine, MO. It was such a scenic, pretty drive. We stopped at a couple places to shop. A bulk foods store, a furniture store, and one sweet lady invited us into her home to look at the quilts she had made. Everyone's gardens and flower beds were blooming beautifully and had been tended to with such care.
There was no electricity going into any of the stores we visited. They had kerosene lamps burning in the bulk foods store. So interesting!
I of course wanted to take lots of pictures but I wanted to respect them and the way they lived. Here are just a couple that I will share. Keep in mind a couple of them were from inside the truck so I had to snap fast. Not a bunch of time to play with composition, etc.

Here's Chico on my dad's lap on our scenic country drive!

I love the "please ring bell for service" photo. It was outside the furniture store which was actually a mile off the main road. We drove down this long gravel lane past buggies and cattle till we reached the place. They had a small outbuilding that housed the furniture that was right outside the door of their home.

After meeting these peaceful people and seeing how they live I want to learn more! Does that make me snoopy? I'm going to check out Amazon for some insightful reading to learn more about their lifestyle. It just seemed so quiet, tranquil, stress-free in their community. I don't know it all but I'd say they have the right idea about living.

Say cheese

When my father-in-law mentioned he wanted to get family pictures done for his upcoming birthday I instantly though of Becky. Not only is she way talented but she made us all feel so comfortable and relaxed. We all had such a good time and even went out to DQ afterwards.

Like Becky mentioned on her blog, we've only met a handful of times but everytime I see her it seals my impression of her further. She is blessed with this awesome talent not only in photography but also in paper arts. And . . . she is the most genuinely kind and caring woman you'll ever meet. Plus, she's a lot of fun too! You know, she's got the entire package going on!

I couldn't be happier with the way our photos turned out. She captured us to a "t". Now, I'm thinking we need to get them done with my side of the family.

I *love* this one of me and the Chuckster.

To see the rest of the sneak peek, go here!

Getting there

Remember this post from awhile back? The one where I talked about moving forward with my ideas/goals? Well don't be alarmed but I've actually been making some progress. I know, I can't believe it. Long nights, weekends in my (2nd floor hotter than ever since it's summer) studio, slowly I'm getting there. I designed and ordered my business cards this weekend.
And, I've been wanting to do this for awhile now and I finally made some progress tonight. Oh no, it's 1:54 am and I have to be up and raring to go again in four hours.

Okay, I've gotta get some shut eye. Keep in mind . . .
there's more where this came from!

Father's Day

Here's a quick photo of the finished card I made for my dad this year. These were some I snapped down at the lake. (Sorry for the hot spots on the pics, I wasn't Miss technical photographer at that moment, I knew he wouldn't set long enough for me to change settings) I wanted to capture Dad with his best buddy Chance. He's 13 years old, has a muzzle full of gray hairs but still has the energy of a puppy at times.
Dad isn't a big one to pose for photos so I figured I was pretty lucky to get these. Don't you just love his tough guy smirk, or maybe that's a slight smile! I love my part tough guy, part teddybear, motorcycle riding papa.
I love the whole sunglasses on the head, reading glasses tucked on his shirt *look* he's sportin'.

I also tried a "betty crocker" attempt for his gift on Sunday. I made a German Chocolate cake! Sorry, no photos. My batteries were knocked out from the wedding I shot on Saturday afternoon.
I baked the two 8" round cakes and then stacked them on top of each other before I iced them. Well . . . they didn't exactly set just perfectly level, so I had to add more frosting to fill the gap. No prob! Who doesn't like more frosting? In the end it probably wasn't the prettiest cake you ever saw but judging by my brother's request for his third piece it must have gone over pretty well!

Antiquing it

I'm getting ready to out out to the Walnut Antique Show! I've got some cash, a notebook, my camera and I'm ready. Wonder if I need some sunscreen today?

Sorry, but this is the only photo I can find. Hopefully I'll take a better one today. I'm taking the point and shoot so I don't have to lug around the big camera.

Amanda we'll miss you today! Sure wish you could come but we understand class is more important. Kerri, I'll see you in a little while.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to see Becky too!

Where ya been Cara?

I've had a bunch of photoshoots lately. I'm so excited to share the results! Plus I know people will probably be on here looking for them. wink wink

I went and saw my good friend Amanda a couple weeks ago. I needed to drive down to scout out a few spots for a wedding I'm shooting and we decided to take the kids along and do our own photoshoot. Her boys are adorable! We had a good time laughing and playing.

Well that's it for now. I'm gonna get ready to go to the lake with my family. I sure hope it's as sunny as it was yesterday!
I've got more to share in the next few days. Two more photoshoots after I finish proofing. And . . . a couple blurry, but still nice photos from the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert!

Have a wonderful Sunday.
:)

4 minutes to blog

Okay, I've been slacking on the blogging I know. But everytime I sit down I want to do this elaborate post and I don't have that much time. So today, I give you the 4 minute blog post. I got this delivered to me at work a couple weeks ago. While I was in China visiting I saw some antique "chops" and admired them. (chops are also known as seals and they are a specially carved stamp which the Chinese use almost as a signature) I had seen these before but being the stamp lover I am now I was even more excited. One of the agents we were working with said that he could make me my own set. And this is what I got: One of course is my name, and the other is my Chinese name which means "pretty lady"? I don't know for sure but that's what Slinda his co-worker told me. I'm excited to use them. I may even start stamping the back of my layouts with it just for fun. You know, putting my mark down on my creations! Gotta go but I wanted to share some things I'm enjoying right now: Silpada jewelry My friend had a party and I absolutely love their catalog. The way it's photographed and layed out, mmm, perfecto! Kind of a cross between Sundance and Anthropologie. I ordered a couple pieces and now I'm waiting for them to arrive. Scrap In Style TV I'm probably late to this one but better late than never. I love this site! I love the way it's designed and it's very user friendly. So much fun, it's definitely on my daily "must click" list! My user name is CBY if you want to look me up. And I wanted to say Hi to Kelly and Becca and say thanks for lunch last week. So much fun! You girls are a riot! We'll have to do it again soon.