It’s Not All Coffee And Sunshine

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Debbie

Before the day gets away from me, I thought I would hop over here for a little morning shout-out!

Good Day!

It’s not all coffee and sunshine but just for today, let it be.

It’s Friday!

The hubs is taking off 1/2 day to spend with me!

True, he has a dentist appointment this afternoon but after that, we are smooth sailing thru the weekend together.

So I’ve been busy with getting caught up on laundry and the changing of the sheets is underway. Ironing will begin momentarily and I should have this place whipped into shape by the time he gets home.

There is much to be thankful for. I’m thankful the hubs finds his time extra special to hang out with me.

And with that, I need to finish tying up my end so I don’t have housework this weekend.

Blessings – Debbie

Raindrops

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Debbie

A day of rain is in order. Much of the year we see blue skies laced with sunshine. And rain happens to be a rare event for us.

So when it rains, my soul rejoices.

And catching drops mid splat was one of the things I enjoyed this morning.

So while the skies are grey, I’ll carry on.

But it sort of feels like a mixed up day in a good way.

Plans have been changed for this day time and time again.

There were plans to hike (3 miles) with my friends to Starbucks this morning.

Those plans changed yesterday as I was going to take my nephew to the airport.

And then the girls who were hiking decided to have a nice little coffee/movie fest at my neighbors this morning, due to rain in the forecast.

And then my nephew decided to drive himself to the airport.

And then my hubs asked me to meet him for an early lunch.

And so my plans changed this morning to ready myself for an early lunch with the hubs.

As it stands, I’m still in my pj’s, working on my second cup of coffee, my neighbors are probably into their second cup of coffee while watching a movie during our rain, while I’m enjoying the rain and thinking about throwing another load of clothes in the wash.

But soon and very soon, I’ll be getting ready for my date with the hubs.

I love this day, I need this day!

Blessings – Debbie

Family

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Debbie

Family pictures are some of the most treasured things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Mine included. My parents and the memories we made over Christmas are priceless.

Mom and Pop

MomandDad

Wise Guy – there is always a wise guy in the family. I don’t recall who placed pop’s hat on like so, but it struck a funny bone. During my photo shoot, of all things.

And during a photo shoot, one must be ready to continue capturing those moments. Mom currently uses the photo below as her profile pic. And I kinda like that.

Now my baby brother, it was his birthday. And we were discussing different angles and laughed at which was his best side. He’s a funny guy.

Mom, in mom fashion made his favorite cake, the German Chocolate Cake. This shot looks legit, but look at that right hand reaching for his fork.

It didn’t occur to us that he would actually eat the whole cake.

It even got a little dicy when he took matters into his own hands. I can’t say that I blame him.

But I can confirm, it was the best German Chocolate Cake ever!

I’m thankful to have him for a brother. I’m glad we’re friends and I’m thankful he has a wonderful loving family to come home to each day. It’s these blessings that puts happiness into the everyday. And the older I get, the more I realize how blessed we are.

P.S. I still have more family pictures to post, but I’m just trying to keep up on the blog by chewing on this bit by bit.

Blessings – Debbie

Now This Is A Strange List

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Debbie

It’s been said “if only” I didn’t… But truth be told, I’d like to think that there is a time and place for all things.

What about going off the deep end? I could say the same for that. Dive in, but know what you’re getting into first.

Too much is too much…Perhaps it’s good to know when the party is over. But while the party lasts, enjoy it!

And the point? Well in the end of all the hoopla, festivities, Christmas and partying, my body reached rotten bottom.

Would I do it all over again? Of course I would.

I had the idea of posting all of the sweet things I consumed during the nearly two weeks we were away. Just for kicks.

Biscoff – those yummy cookies on Delta – I will not disclose the amount eaten
Candy bars from the hotel vending machines – too many to count – but wonderful memories with the hubs as we had our sweet treats while playing the backgammon game we brought for late night tournaments.
Pumpkin Muffin – from Panera Bread – Enjoyed a nice date with the hubs and sweet treats to end our meal. The hubs had the pecan braid, his favorite PB treat.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie – from Panera Bread
Sweet treats at the wedding
Cold Stone Ice Cream – No way of knowing how many trips – Special memories – Especially after dinner with my bro and sis-in-law one evening.
Starbucks – a few times – Especially the night we visited with my bro and sis-in-law – after dinner AND Cold Stone, we visited Starbucks until closing.
Homemade Banana Bread – At mom’s house Christmas morning with coffee. The BEST!
And the sweet goodies consumed at mom’s during Christmas week.
Peanut Butter Fudge, mom makes the Best! It’s the #1 sweet thing I remember most during the holidays. Oh, she makes it with the crunchy peanut butter, my fav!
Little mini cherry tarts – From mom’s kitchen
German Chocolate Cake – Again this came from mom’s kitchen to my little bro for his Birthday. I consumed two (big) pieces alone.

So who makes a list of the sweet things they consumed? It’s a crazy list if you were to ask me. Anyone reading this probably thinks I’ve gone off the deep end. Allow me to confirm, I did!

And my system feels rotten. But I say all of that to say, these are a few of the sweet things I remember. The things that make a wedding, a wedding and Christmas, Christmas and special visits with family blended with coffee complete.

And for those things, I’m thankful.

And I’m thankful for new beginnings, new starts and a fresh new me that is beginning to feel back to normal.

And I kinda like that too.

Blessings – Debbie

Christmas Eve

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Debbie

There is a certain element of joy when I know we’re going to be at mom and dad’s on Christmas Eve.

It’s the annual tradition of family, food and visiting that joined together makes for the perfect way to spend the holiday.

But before we could get to my parents house, we had to get on a plane and fly from St Louis *Shiver* – down to Sunny South Florida *Ahhh*

It was and early flight, but worth it! As we arrived at the parents house at around 3pm. YAY! My little brother and his family were right behind us.

We all arrived two hours before mom expected us, which was good all the way around. It took some of the work off of her and we all pitched in to help.

And let me tell you, the food that comes out of her kitchen is amazing!

My nephew jumping to give a helping hand.

My little brother was on duty texting his baby girl (out doing her calling) who is out of the country. We missed her so much.

The hubs and nephew on stand-by waiting on their next assignment.

My pop starting a fire. My wish was to roast a marshmallow that evening, but my tummy was too full by the end of the night. P.S. My family does not burn/catch our marshmallows on fire. No, we slowly turn it until its reached golden brown status and soft on the inside. Mmmm…I could go for one now!

My sis-in-law preparing the annual goodie table.

My niece cooking up some sausage for our homemade egg rolls.

Her brother, my nephew – supervising…

And that’s when I went off camera duty and on over to my post aka the kitchen sink. I was trying to keep up with all the dirty dishes flying into my sink…And things had started to pile up.

Then we all enjoyed the fruits of our labor by dining outdoors and visiting into the evening hours by candle light and the nice little fire…Did I mention how yummy everything was? And how good it was to spend time around the table once again with family? It was such a joyous occasion and once again, my mother outdid herself.

Blessings – Debbie

My Cup Runneth Over

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Debbie

I interrupt the holiday posting because I can hardly contain myself. I mean, I put the camera away the day we left Florida (December 31) and have yet to pick it up since we’ve been home.

Today is when it hit me and the urge to get it out was more than I could handle. It didn’t take much when it came to a subject as I had my new favorite coffee cup in the world, in hand.

So that is how this post all came about.

I discovered these cups years ago back home, but for whatever reason, I needed “the one”. The one that fit perfect my hand.

I think they have since worked on their technique and this cup was love at first grip.

It fits ergonomically to your hand as there is a place on the top for your thumb to rest. And the handle, down the side has a place where each finger finds its own little groove. That’s pretty groovy, if you were to ask me.

Of course they make different size handles as not all hands are alike, thus the uniqueness of these guys.

Meet my very favorite cup in the whole wide world!

What more can I say?

My cup runneth over!

Blessings – Debbie

Two Photo-Shoots In One Day – Happy, Happy Joy

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Debbie

December 23rd

On our last full day in St Louis, I had two appointments for photo-shoots. The biggest day in my history of photography thus far. The first session started in St Louis with my nephews. I felt honored that they asked.

Twas the night of the rehearsal dinner (December 21) while dining with my bro-in-law and sis-in-law, that I heard behind me “Aunt Debbie”.

When I turn around, to see the commotion, my nephew was there asking if I would have time to shoot he and his little brother while there.

Did I have time? I’ll make time! Those were my thoughts and so we set up a time early for the day after the wedding (December 23) to meet over at the park such that we could shoot not only them but their cars too!

This aunt heart enjoyed the next hour and a half directing and shooting until our hearts were content.

Younger brother, my how they love baseball, especially the St Louis Cardinals.

Big brother and his pretty ride.

I plan on getting back to these pix in about a week or so. I may post more of them at that time.

After playing around in the park…oh, did I mention the po-po came and scolded us? Of all things, seems too many tires were on the grass? I just smiled and told him we would move.

Anyway, after playing in the park, the hubs and I moved on up the road to visit his sister and her family.

And I had another photo shoot with her son, our nephew and his wife! Yea!!! This so happens to be my very first couple photo shoot too, exciting!

So off to the park we strolled…

I immediately thought this train made for a great backdrop. So we went with it.

Two love birds in the park.

Words, there are no words for such sweetness.

Fun was had by all.

And I’m so happy I directed them to kiss! Love truly is the sweetest thing…

Here we all are back at my sis-in-law and bro-in-laws home with their two boys and their families.

After a nice meaningful visit and dinner with the family, we made our 2 hour trek back to St Louis such that we would be on time for our flight out (to Florida) the next morning, Christmas Eve.

Blessings – Debbie

Wedding Bells

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Debbie

I could criticize the pictures in this post to no end. As a young photographer not knowing what I’m doing “indoors”…”yet”. I find a lot of error, but I can’t but help want to share a few pictures from our nephew’s wedding.

I’m going to try to keep this post as short as possible as we would be here all day and then some, if I posted all 900 + shots from the wedding.

Let’s get started, shall we?

December 22nd

We arrived early such that we could get a good seat up front.

We were the first to be seated, so I took a few shots.

The music started right on que and the wedding was in full swing…right on schedule.

Here we have the maid of honor and best man.

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Too cute for words as they passed by.

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The bride and her daddy

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So beautiful and happy.

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Waiting for his bride…

Such a beautiful couple.

Those red shoes, my do they add a nice pop.

I wasn’t able to get a full shot of the wedding party, but I was able to capture the girls from my seat.

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The kiss

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It’s so sweet that she made sure the lipstick didn’t stick to his lips.

The happy and very much in love, Mr. and Mrs.

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That little couple captured my eye from the moment my eyes met them.

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The happy bride greeting her guests.

I can’t tell you what happened when I saw this pic in the file. There is so much going on, people, expressions and well, I wanted to play with it. I couldn’t help myself.

He may have stood just like this for one second and I happened to capture the moment.

Something sweet is taking place here.

It seems this little guy is wooing her.

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And perhaps he knew just what to do to get her attention.

He DID it! Way to go little man, way to go!

And they danced…

First dance

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Daddy daughter dance

Mother son dance

Everybody Dance Now!

Our oldest nephew in this family and his lovely bride since June of 2012.

The second in line nephew and Groom with his beautiful family.

The third in line nephew (freshmen in college) with his girlfriend.

The fourth in line (Jr in high school) and the baby brother (he was pretty sick but was such a good sport) with his nephew/our great-nephew.

The proud daddy (the hubs big brother) with all of his boys.

Oh my word, look at the cameras taking shots of these two. Apparently I wasn’t the only one.

Cutie patootie.

The groom with his son in deep conversation with buddies.

The music lasted long into the night and the bride and groom live happily ever after.

Blessings – Debbie

It Has To Be Done

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Debbie

Yes, I will be blogging all over the place on this post, but it must be done to move forward.

December 20 and 21 were days filled with family and friends.

We visited the hubs old friend Rick. They hadn’t seen each other since High School and it was cool for them to get to see each other after all these years. What a nice visit, hope the years are not so far apart the next time we meet.

We also enjoyed a visit with the hubs 6th grade teacher. She was a fun teacher, from what the hubs tells me. And to this day she is still quite a character.

I didn’t take any shots as she was in bed with a couple of broken bones from a fall. But the visit was meaningful and she seemed to really enjoy the hours we spent by her bedside.

We moved along to visit with family and to even catch the bride and her daddy as they placed the final touches at the reception hall.

It was exactly one year ago from that day that her dearest mother passed away. Her mom left her saying “honey, don’t ever let the holidays get you down because of me. Cherish the days and enjoy them. Celebrate and remember all of the good times!”

And so the bride truly had a celebration. Surrounded by family and friends far and near, we came together to celebrate this day, the day they will always cherish together.

And her smile? Wow, did she ever sport a heart felt smile – All. Weekend. Long!

I love the beautiful finishing touches on each table.

But it was that beautiful smile of the bride that truly lit up the room.

From there I really enjoyed watching the rehearsal. But I did not take one single pic. Nope, I sat in the back with my new niece of six months. She married my nephew last June. So we had some fun catching up. And then on over to the rehearsal dinner, my oh my was that visit with family and the yummy dinner amazing! Again, no pix, but, the memories, oh the memories we made.

Blessings – Debbie

Happy New Year

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Debbie

I’m so excited about 2013! But I’m not going to get all wrapped up into the New Year on the Blog just yet. As you know, I have some catching up to do before I can move on.

We have been quite busy bodies the last couple of weeks. And the plan is to take that one blog post at a time too. Small bites, that’s how I plan to catch up.

For starters, on December 19th, the hubs and I took a trip to St Louis to visit with family and attend our nephew’s wedding.

Disclaimer – All shots (in this post) were taken with my iPad and the last shot (in St Louis) taken with my cell phone. I wasn’t ready for the “big guy” just yet.

There is something about living on the West Coast and flying over the desert. Especially when snow begins to appear on mountain tops. I’m smitten.

Oh my word! Utter splendor as we approach our first stop in Salt Lake City. I’m one happy gal that the hubs insists I have the window seat.

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You should have seen me at the airport in Salt Lake that evening. I was PUSHING for our flight to lift off before sunset. As we continued to taxi out, the pilot would announce “we are 5th in line for takeoff”… Each time he would announce something new and all the time in-between, I would freak out, look out the window, check to see that the sun was still up. It’s crazy the things that drive me nuts when I want to photograph a sunset with snow-covered peaks.

But alas, this is all the light I had to work with once our feet were off the ground.

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Soon, I reclined and relaxed for the remains of our flight.

We were prepared for St Louis to be freezing cold. Instead, it was cold and raining that evening. And we were both so thankful that it was not ice.

That concludes day 1 of our trip.

Blessings – Debbie

I Call The Shot – one picture at a time

My world of art, life and health thru a lens

Monthly Archives: January 2013

It’s Not All Coffee And Sunshine

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Raindrops

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Family

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Now This Is A Strange List

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Christmas Eve

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My Cup Runneth Over

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Two Photo-Shoots In One Day – Happy, Happy Joy

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Wedding Bells

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It Has To Be Done

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Happy New Year

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