inspired by:

we have snow...we have more coming down as we speak...

I was super inspired by two posts this week and got to make my version today....

The La La Love you print here...and the valentines decor on the mantel is just plain happy...I think I might cut out some X's and O's for mine....

I la la love it ;-)

&

Ali Edwards hearts collage here.
I don't have a heart punch...so I just used my cricut.

I haven't decided if I'll frame mine like Ali did, or if I'll just in it up and the use it as a scrap page....

what would you do?

Some things are just about making me smile.  And hopefully it will make someone else smile in my house too.

confessions of a 365er

* i {heart} my new Nikon.  
But I {heart} my new camera bag almost just as much.


*sometimes I take only a picture a day, sometimes I take many and have to choose just one


*everything I see is a fantastic photo in my mind


* I have a notebook full of photo shoot ideas for the days I am a little stumped


*if I don't like what anything I get, I take it as an opportunity to learn something new in photoshop


* I am looking at my 365 as a daily expression, not every picture is going to be incredible, but I can alter it to express what I am feeling


* I look at the project as a whole.  As if it will be a book to flip through in the end, and I consciously try to mix it up.  Not too many people, not too many objects, not all black and white, not all horizontal....but you know sometimes you just get what you get.


*I am driving my family crazy maybe a little.


* I used to think that morning was the best time to snap pictures-
but am falling in love with the glow that a 4-5pm photo create
...what is that called???


* I'd like to take a photo field trip on the next pretty day we get.


* I am learning about my camera, I am learning about composition, I am learning about myself.


*sometimes I want to save a photo for the next day....


**I dream in pictures :-)


Here are some that have recently not made the cut:

Where have I been- My mind is all a flutter...

I have been a busy momma.  A happy girl.  A avid 365er.  I have been hit with so so much I want to do this year.  My baby girl turned 3 yesterday.  I tried not to be too sad.  I am so proud of that little thing.  I am borrowing these prompts to get me going on here again:

Outside my window...it is piles and piles of glorious snow.  The sun is out and it is just plain GOOD. I feel like a kid when they called for a snow day.  Believe it or not I am quite happy to be snowed in with my little family

I am thinking...that I may homeschool.  Crazy thought?  I think it may be the best decision I've made lately...but I have to trust my instincts and quit feeling inadequate up in that brain of mine.



I am thankful for... my little family.  My home.  My animals.  My friends.  Life today is really really good.



From the kitchen...I am about to whip of a batch of my famous chocolate chip cookies.  I will never pass up a request, especially if my hubby comes home with the ingredients. Hint?

 

I am wearing...cotton yoga pants, cotton tank, cotton hoodie (it's from mid-evil times and says "WENCH" on it. Comfy.

I am creating...an owl, a couple of pages, a ABC book, and a folder full of ideas I have for the year.



I am going... to go play out in the snow as soon as my peanut wakes from her nap.  I think we are going to build a "snow queen."



I am reading...Life is a Verb and 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges.  I want to find another trilogy I can sink my teeth into...



I am hoping...that THIS year is going to be a good year.



I am hearing...my husbands video game in the background.  I also hear the kids outside playing in the snow.



Around the house...is evidence of a family snowed in over the weekend.  It is messy. The aroma from the super bowl wings that are being marinated.  The dryer is going...one of my very favorite smells.



One of my favorite things...music, a fire and a few minutes to sit with my thoughts, or linger over a project.



A few plans for the rest of the week...get out to the store for some dog food before it snows again...Try to make "snow ice cream" with the next snow fall.  DECIDE about homeschooling.

A picture to share...she's 3 now.  In her own little 3 year old world of sweetness.

and lastly, music I am playing on my ipod today:  Corinne Bailey Rae.  Loving her.

Year 35

Isn't it funny how at some point you stop counting how old you are?  I think it happened to me when I started counting how old my kids were. I think this is going to be a good year.  I am comfortable with who I am and what I know.  I think I have experienced enough to make wiser decisions without second guessing myself.  Not to say I  don't plan on learning and experiencing A LOT more in life. But, I think I am strong enough to stand up for myself without worrying if I should.  I am glad I was born in January. {Thanks mom} It is like a total month of reflection for me.  Of cleansing.  I let myself REALLY take the time to do that this month.  I am so rejuvenated by it all.  I am so inspired by things I am going to tackle and play with this year.


The big news of course is my birthday present.  Here are a couple of its first shots.

I had a fabulous day.  Lunch at my favorite Korean spot.  A stop in at Ice Berry. Man, I forgot how absolutely yummy that place is. 

 My husband and kids surprised me with a sunday from Outback.

(the iceberry photo was taken on my Blackberry storm, not with my new Nikkon)




(if you have never had their coconut rolled sundae...man it's good)
And then after the kids were in bed my hubby made my favorite Tai Basil Shrimp.

MMM.  I am a lucky gal.   
AND yes, I am hitting the gym today. LOL.

isn't she gorgeous????

Nikon D3000
And she's all mine.
For those of you who don't know this, I am a pathological picture taker. It is my PLAY. A cool shot is better than a piece of chocolate. It fills me up. My camera died last June and I pouted misreably, then I started playing with my camera phone and adobe, and then my dear friend actually lent me her camera a couple months ago. I found this sitting on my dining room table last night after the kids were in bed. All innocent.  Like a total freak out wasn't about to happen. A early birthday present. I can not tell you how absolutely THRILLED I am!!!!! She's just perfect.

Those uh oh moments, and 365.

You know those moments that you think uh oh, what's going on here?
And then the next thought is usually OH NO!
I have to say that the 365 is changing me.
I am calmer.  I am happy snappy silly pictures each day.
It is my PLAY.
AND those uh oh moments I am stopping to see the humor in.  I am using them as the unexpected pictures that I would have never taken otherwise.
I have had a bunch of those moments this week with Potty training in full force, and no I did not photograph those.  But this one, makes me laugh now.  Our kitten decided to get into my yarn.
I walked into the house and into a human spider web.  She had literally wrapped yarn around my entire main level of my house and I actually caught her working its way up the stairs.  I had that moment of confusion...what is this? and Oh no!  But I bet these pictures will always make me laugh.
Lily's little voice saying "oh mommy, that Izzy!"
Happy friday!

ICE CREAM: enjoyed 2 year old style