tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45816882092774775802024-03-13T11:13:16.164-04:00milestones & memoriesa simple mom dreaming big for the "then" while living well in the "now"andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-74760842031539958322011-07-01T08:43:00.000-04:002011-07-01T08:43:52.941-04:00looking for the photo friday link party?<span style="font-size: large;"><b>are YOU looking for the photo friday link party?</b></span><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttonthr150copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></center><br />
look no farther, friends......<br />
just hop over to it's new home: <span style="font-size: large;"><b>the hollie rogue</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/thehollierogue150buttoncopy.jpg" width="200" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>you can link any photography-related post from this week.</b></span><br />
see you there!<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-23659917666412678432011-06-28T08:02:00.000-04:002011-06-28T08:02:33.295-04:00it's time to say goodbye (you can come with me though)yes.....i'm saying <span style="font-size: large;"><b>goodbye</b></span>.....<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>goodbye to milestones & memories.</b></span><br />
it was great while it lasted,<br />
but alas, the name was just<br />
too boring,<br />
too cliche',<br />
and too obvious.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>have no FEAR....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">i'm now blogging over at my brand spankin' <b>new address</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/"><b><i>the hollie rogue!</i></b></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/thehollierogue150buttoncopy.jpg" width="200" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>new web address</b></span>, but<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>same content</b></span>,<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>same series</b></span> (milestone mondays & photo fridays),<br />
and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>same ole' me</b></span>.<br />
i do have some<span style="font-size: large;"><b> new plans</b></span> for the direction i want to take the blog<br />
(and possibly an esty shop by the same name.....ooo....exciting!)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thanks for sticking with me through this transition period. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">if you were already a follower of M&M, i think you are automatically a follower of the hollie rogue.....but i'm not sure. let me know if it is not showing up in your feed correctly.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br />
also, if you were kind enough to have my button or a direct link to milestones & memories, i'd appreciate it if you would<span style="font-size: large;"><b> change the link</b></span> when you get a chance. (<a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/">http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/</a>) thank you so so much!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>now on to my fabulous top referring blog friends for the month of<span style="font-size: x-large;"> june</span>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. sarah @ <a href="http://www.cozycottagecute.com/">cozy cottage cute</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. michelle @ <a href="http://mommabirdphotography.blogspot.com/">momma bird photography</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. erin @ <a href="http://livinginyellow.blogspot.com/">living in yellow</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. michelle @ <a href="http://www.thesahmconfessions.blogspot.com/">SAHM confessions</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. sarah @ <a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/">the thrifty decor chick</a></span><br />
<br />
thank you all for supporting my blog and life's story.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>see you at the <a href="http://thehollierogue.blogspot.com/">new site!</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNLGqCE__Xc/TglGuZBWzZI/AAAAAAAABEY/EcJPL84aWtw/s1600/577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNLGqCE__Xc/TglGuZBWzZI/AAAAAAAABEY/EcJPL84aWtw/s640/577.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-2205825727792850722011-06-27T09:38:00.002-04:002011-06-27T14:22:53.322-04:00milestone monday--move "home" to Indiana<span style="font-size: small;"><i>~if you are new to milestones & memories, <strike>each</strike> (or i should say,) most mondays, i do a post that updates you on how we are doing at accomplishing our family goals/milestones. <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/p/milestones.html"><b>here's a complete list</b></a> if you are interested. thanks for stopping by~</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">***milestone: <b>move "home" to Indiana</b></span><br />
while there are <b>no actual plans</b> to move from our current home in the suburbs,<br />
we did visit my family and the home i grew up in this past weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcyCgHpvGKo/TgiAC3xD95I/AAAAAAAAA-s/v64TU4yP760/s1600/510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcyCgHpvGKo/TgiAC3xD95I/AAAAAAAAA-s/v64TU4yP760/s640/510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
i have so many <span style="font-size: large;"><b>wonderful memories of growing up on a farm,</b></span><br />
the smell of freshly cut hay,<br />
cold mint tea (from the garden),<br />
riding on the tractor,<br />
being woke up by the sound of a horse's hooves on the back country road,<br />
and hours and hours of exploring our 40 acres.<br />
<br />
<br />
before i get too old (and forgetful),<br />
i figured it would be a good idea to document <span style="font-size: large;"><b>some of my fondest childhood memories:</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>spinning on the tire swing </b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiLswOrWm-Q/Tgh__lwGpSI/AAAAAAAAA-c/VleJMAUydMg/s1600/431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiLswOrWm-Q/Tgh__lwGpSI/AAAAAAAAA-c/VleJMAUydMg/s640/431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>pulling weeds in mom's garden </b></span><br />
(maybe that wasn't one of my <b>fondest</b> memories, but a memory nonetheless)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojTKDmFawEo/TgiAArzQeaI/AAAAAAAAA-g/t2WAL-KfXyE/s1600/435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojTKDmFawEo/TgiAArzQeaI/AAAAAAAAA-g/t2WAL-KfXyE/s640/435.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>climbing trees</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(and falling out of them---that's a story for another day)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6qO0BXMYZA/TgiABTetcKI/AAAAAAAAA-k/YbWJ5brXoMk/s1600/441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6qO0BXMYZA/TgiABTetcKI/AAAAAAAAA-k/YbWJ5brXoMk/s640/441.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>running around our big yards </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(those are great until you are old enough to mow them)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NywN38E1Y4c/TgiACAFZ2WI/AAAAAAAAA-o/RuDCGWLG1aQ/s1600/507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NywN38E1Y4c/TgiACAFZ2WI/AAAAAAAAA-o/RuDCGWLG1aQ/s640/507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>hayloft + 40 yr old ropes + a slab of wood = </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>the most dangerous swing imaginable</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(but lots of fun!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m33TjRUal-M/TgiAE8LcRRI/AAAAAAAAA-0/9dT0UzaiHzM/s1600/526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m33TjRUal-M/TgiAE8LcRRI/AAAAAAAAA-0/9dT0UzaiHzM/s640/526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>looking for kittens and rocking them to sleep </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLg2pUEAloQ/TgiAIaD1mRI/AAAAAAAAA_A/FSTuT_YxGQ0/s1600/537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLg2pUEAloQ/TgiAIaD1mRI/AAAAAAAAA_A/FSTuT_YxGQ0/s640/537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> chasing, clipping, and showing sheep </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yrHg1oPNQ/TgiADp86a4I/AAAAAAAAA-w/RQhoLhTWabk/s1600/525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yrHg1oPNQ/TgiADp86a4I/AAAAAAAAA-w/RQhoLhTWabk/s640/525.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>climbing this huge rock </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo4N57bxmwY/TgiAJI7P5jI/AAAAAAAAA_E/AHiTmXwbAV4/s1600/548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo4N57bxmwY/TgiAJI7P5jI/AAAAAAAAA_E/AHiTmXwbAV4/s640/548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>and just enjoying the quiet life of the country. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic66GEHe2Kk/TgiAKFOmJaI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DAhyK2YoX0A/s1600/549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ic66GEHe2Kk/TgiAKFOmJaI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DAhyK2YoX0A/s640/549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
will we ever move back to Indiana?<br />
i don't know....but it sure is fun to see our kids' faces when we pull into the farm.<br />
they appreciate it's awesomeness even more because it is so different from our daily lives.<br />
i am happy where my family is<br />
and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>wherever God leads......there we'll be.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">oh and who's going to be my 50th follower? go ahead, you know you want to!....</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://acceptandembraceautism.blogspot.com/search/label/Making%20Goals%20Monday"><img src="http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t360/sez77/Blog%20Hop/Monday/RhonnaFarrer_2ps_PinkOctoberFree_Template1-1.jpg" alt="Making Goals Monday" width="125" height="125" /></a><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=220582572779285072&from=pencil"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-64882394588768838282011-06-23T23:00:00.007-04:002011-06-26T23:59:00.239-04:00photo friday--"editing photos" & link party!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>welcome to photo friday, friends!</b></span> (<i>link party at the bottom of this post</i>)<br />
<br />
i'm excited to bring you a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>guest post </b></span>all the way from jolly ole' england! <span style="font-size: large;"><b>michelle</b></span>, from <a href="http://www.themommabird.com/"><b>momma bird</b></a> and <a href="http://www.mommabirdphotography.blogspot.com/"><b>momma bird photography</b></a>, is with us today to share some fun insights into photo editing.<br />
thanks, michelle!<br />
<br />
<br />
***********************************************************************************<br />
Well, this is my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>FIRST</b></span> guest post!<br />
I'm not going to lie - I'm <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>SUPER</b></span> nervous!<br />
Andi & I's history:<br />
Andi and I actually met in college.<br />
She lived with two of my former roommates/friends.<br />
And then she ended up marrying a high school friend of mine!<br />
Such a small world.<br />
We actually lost touch for a while until the blogging world brought us back together.<br />
Andi is such a <i>sweetheart</i> - but I don't have to tell her readers that - you already <u>know</u> she is!<br />
Thank you so much for allowing me to guest post on your blog!<br />
<br />
Andi has been doing a great series on Photo Friday and since it's Friday I thought it was only fitting to talk about:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">photography</span><br />
<br />
I have always been BIG into taking pictures, but it wasn't until the last few years that I really took a more serious interest in it. My hubs bought me our first DSLR before our trip to Maui last summer and I was thrilled! But even with that fancy new camera there were still times where I took a picture that just was 'off'.<br />
Insert the power of editing! I had been using the program that came with my computer (iphoto) to edit my pictures and it did do a great job, but I wanted more. I uploaded the photoshop elements and so far I'm sold!<br />
<br />
Today I'm going to help you out a little with some editing tips and photoshop tricks!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><div style="text-align: center;">These lily photos were edited using iphoto.</div><div style="text-align: center;">{a photo editing software that comes with macs}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afD6e88EaTA/TgGdTI7FoiI/AAAAAAAAEJM/_yBWWIDW_AY/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afD6e88EaTA/TgGdTI7FoiI/AAAAAAAAEJM/_yBWWIDW_AY/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> {original}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilg5GdEXQa0/TgGdapAaRNI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/h6HmXpaH_eg/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilg5GdEXQa0/TgGdapAaRNI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/h6HmXpaH_eg/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{edited}</div><br />
What I did to this photo {using iphoto}:<br />
<ul><li>I turned on the b&w</li>
<li>I boosted the color.</li>
<li>I lightened the exposer. {this adjusts the lightness of an image}</li>
<li>I increased the shadows. {this increases detail by lightening shadows}</li>
<li>I increased the saturation. {this changes saturation intensity}</li>
</ul><br />
I absolutely love black and white photos. I feel like they really show off the details of a picture. Pictures that seem too busy can be toned down by using b&w and help you focus in on the subjects.<br />
In my edits I increase the shadows and increase saturation. I feel like these two typically go hand in hand. If you increase the shadows, the colors seem to disappear so you want to bring some of that back in. When I take pictures of my kiddos their eyes seem to always darken up and I want to show off their baby blues - this editing tip helps with that!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amVKroLDxX8/TgGhcOGT19I/AAAAAAAAEJU/WLriLUFbQ3A/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amVKroLDxX8/TgGhcOGT19I/AAAAAAAAEJU/WLriLUFbQ3A/s640/IMG_1219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{original}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY5fL_uV4bo/TgGh2hM3mhI/AAAAAAAAEJY/Sd0zuBSaX9Q/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY5fL_uV4bo/TgGh2hM3mhI/AAAAAAAAEJY/Sd0zuBSaX9Q/s640/IMG_1219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{edited}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">{all I did was lighten the shadows}</div><br />
I'm still trying to learn the ropes with photoshop elements - but there are some simple ways to improve your pictures. They have lots of brushes to lighten images, increase color, brush up portraits, and that's just the beginning! They also have lots of fun tools to change up your picture - adding in lighting effects, blurring images, swirling your photos, wave effects - pretty much lots of fun stuff!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxzoxVUnYCE/TgGmaO-xcZI/AAAAAAAAEJc/Ci054dio00A/s1600/5794721171_a3c002fe12_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxzoxVUnYCE/TgGmaO-xcZI/AAAAAAAAEJc/Ci054dio00A/s640/5794721171_a3c002fe12_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{original}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfMiCFCmh4E/TgGmbnrP5sI/AAAAAAAAEJg/xHHqCPT5G7I/s1600/lighthouseedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sfMiCFCmh4E/TgGmbnrP5sI/AAAAAAAAEJg/xHHqCPT5G7I/s640/lighthouseedit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{edited}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">In this image I used a brush to make the skies more blue, I lightened the image. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I added lighting effect. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOCG547vBm4/TgGoaTxJPOI/AAAAAAAAEJk/-ggw2wo5ypU/s1600/DSC07237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOCG547vBm4/TgGoaTxJPOI/AAAAAAAAEJk/-ggw2wo5ypU/s640/DSC07237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{original}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-KAelskZ18/TgGopQHGW-I/AAAAAAAAEJo/Jt3UvpN_6A8/s1600/sheepedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-KAelskZ18/TgGopQHGW-I/AAAAAAAAEJo/Jt3UvpN_6A8/s640/sheepedit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{edited}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I cropped this image.<br />
I used the brush on the skies - nature - blue skies.<br />
I used the brush on the grass - nature - greenery.<br />
I used the brush to lighten the entire image.<br />
I then used the eraser to take the power lines away.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope I have helped in some way! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Editing pictures can make a normal picture turn GREAT! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I would love it if you showed me some of your edits using these tips. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div><div>If you have photoshop - I found some <b><span style="font-size: large;">'actions' that are a free download:</span></b></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PurePhotoshopActions?sk=app_100527483349677">Pure Photoshop Actions</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/03/actions-update-2/">Pioneer Woman's Photoshop Actions</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/post-processing-articles/100-free-photoshop-actions-and-how-to-make-your-own/">100 Free Photoshop Actions & How to Make Your Own</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/" target="_blank">http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">♥</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img height="16" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/87/237010F18B360AB8A46E19DC2BCA038C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" width="200" /></a></div><br />
thanks again, michelle, for the really useful tips and tricks and also the links to the actions. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>actions are my friend~!</b></span><br />
<br />
please check out michelle's blogs (<a href="http://www.themommabird.com/"><b>momma bird</b></a>, <a href="http://www.thesahmconfessions.blogspot.com/"><b>SAHM confessions</b></a>) and <a href="http://www.mommabirdphotography.blogspot.com/"><b>photography blog</b></a>----she always has so many great insights and tips on photography, living life, and motherhood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mommabirdphotography.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/IMG_1075-1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.themommabird.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/IMG_1084-1-1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://thesahmconfessions.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/thesahmconfessionsbutton-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
now onto our <span style="font-size: large;"><b>weekly photo friday link party:</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<center></center><br />
<br />
<center></center>only a <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>few guidelines</b></span> to help us all have a fun party:1. please link to your specific photo post (and not your home blog page)<br />
2. add my button to the post or your sidebar so we can keep this party growing<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="milestones and memories"><img alt="milestones and memories" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a> <center><br />
<br />
</center><center><textarea cols="18" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="6"><center><a href="http:milesandmems.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></center></center><br />
3. and visit some of the other linker-uppers and give them some comment love<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>remember:</b></span> this can be<span style="font-size: large;"><b> any</b></span> photography-related post from this week~ <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thanks for participating! </b></span><br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=62979" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-51031540217328148962011-06-20T23:41:00.003-04:002011-06-22T13:30:34.668-04:00fresh fish taco recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMljOWwTtE4/Tf-S9Om9tDI/AAAAAAAAA94/rYk_9SkRvYk/s1600/fish+tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMljOWwTtE4/Tf-S9Om9tDI/AAAAAAAAA94/rYk_9SkRvYk/s640/fish+tacos.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
saturday i drove all day (with two kids) <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/milestone-monday-planned-family-summer.html">home from the beach</a>,<br />
jon went fishing (it was his first day off in weeks),<br />
and when we finally all got back together in one place....<br />
we made the yummiest fish tacos ever!<br />
<br />
please ignore the plastic plates and quickly-taken pictures (remember, i just got home from vacation and there are still clothes and dishes piled up even today)<br />
<br />
ok, now on to the recipe:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>fresh fish tacos</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ingredients:</b></span><br />
fresh fish (or you can buy it from the store--this happens to be blue gill from a local lake)<br />
corn tortillas<br />
cilantro<br />
lettuce<br />
red onion<br />
tomato (optional)<br />
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)<br />
cilantro lime sauce (see recipe below)<br />
salt<br />
pepper<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0XbyWV0btk/Tf-S7nk2eNI/AAAAAAAAA9w/oGkoNvX0MLc/s1600/fish+gone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0XbyWV0btk/Tf-S7nk2eNI/AAAAAAAAA9w/oGkoNvX0MLc/s400/fish+gone.jpg" width="400" /></a>olive oil<br />
<br />
warm up a dry skillet and crisp up the corn tortillas, flipping a couple of times, until the tortillas are browned a bit on both sides and crunchy. salt and pepper the fish generously. heat a large skillet with a thin layer of olive oil and cook the fish, flipping once, until they are flaky--i prefer to leave them a little on the medium done side. now, pile up your taco and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbtevvPUvHc/Tf-S8XxzhlI/AAAAAAAAA90/yrosOvxQikM/s1600/fish+taco+sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbtevvPUvHc/Tf-S8XxzhlI/AAAAAAAAA90/yrosOvxQikM/s640/fish+taco+sauce.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>cilantro-lime fish taco sauce</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ingredients:</b></span><br />
1/2 cup sour cream<br />
1/2 cup mayonaise<br />
1/2 tsp cumin<br />
1/2 tsp oregano<br />
1/4 tsp ground red pepper <br />
1 tsp chopped jalepeno (or more if desired)<br />
1 T chopped cilantro<br />
juice from 1/2 a lime<br />
zest from 1/2 a lime<br />
mix all ingredients together well and serve in fresh fish tacos.<br />
<br />
yummy in your tummy! let me know if you try this recipe and like it~<br />
<br />
linking up with:<br />
<a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/06/cucumber-sandwiches-recipe-link-party.html"><b>remodelaholic</b></a><br />
<a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/"><b>blue cricket design</b></a><br />
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/06/sunday-scoop-link-to-party.html"><b>i heart naptime</b></a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/06/summertime-fun-with-linking-party.html">passionately artistic </a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab229/remodelaholic/RecipeSwapSundaysRemodelaholic125x1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a _mce_href="”http://www.iheartnaptime.net/”" href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://www.iheartnaptime.net/%E2%80%9D" target="”_blank”"></a><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5103154021732814896"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-18792751254653521172011-06-20T09:16:00.000-04:002011-06-20T09:16:04.138-04:00milestone monday--planned a family summer vacation<span style="font-size: small;"><i>~if you are new to milestones & memories, <strike>each</strike> (or i should say,) most mondays, i do a post that updates you on how we are doing at accomplishing our family goals/milestones. <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/p/milestones.html"><b>here's a complete list</b></a> if you are interested. thanks for stopping by~</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">***milestone: plan a <b>family</b> summer vacation </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>summer vacation?</b></span>----check</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>family summer vacation?</b></span>----not quite</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">technically, last week was a beach vacation to the outer banks (love!) and there was </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">sand, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">sun, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">a private pool, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">great food, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">good company, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">cute kids in bathing suits </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and the smell of sunscreen everywhere. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">but we were missing our complete family, because jon wasn't able to come with us.......booooo, hisssss. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> there was a major event going at his work that he just had to be there to help with </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and he was sad,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> we were sad, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">but such is life. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">nevertheless, i took both kids (with the help of some great friends) and drove the 6 hours to have our vacation anyway. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>i learned a few things in the process about beach vacationing and vacationing with children (without a spouse):</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>go the outer banks</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>before schools are all officially out</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>for the summer</b></span>---we had <b>NO</b> traffic and it was wonderful!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>pack as much food and plan meals</b></span> to save big money---i spent a total of around a $150.00 dollars for the whole week's meals/snacks, etc. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMVhhQPUQVg/Tf883jbptQI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/tgQmmysokp4/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMVhhQPUQVg/Tf883jbptQI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/tgQmmysokp4/s640/car.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> buy a </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Brands-Deluxe-Wonder-Wheeler/dp/B0007D9QUA"><b>wonder wheeler</b></a></span> and use it every time you go to the beach---i'd really like to kiss the person who invented it and i already hugged the friend who purchased it for our trip this year :)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pj42J9VUr8/Tf9He9q6ODI/AAAAAAAAA9s/jQKzqkJAt24/s1600/CartFull+-NEW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pj42J9VUr8/Tf9He9q6ODI/AAAAAAAAA9s/jQKzqkJAt24/s400/CartFull+-NEW.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beachfinds.com/deluxewonderwheelerdetails.htm?gclid=CIzzt-3HxKkCFc165QodI2DTgQ">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>drag your 2 year old to the beach</b></span> the first couple of days kicking and screaming, because by the end of the week she will not want to leave.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aP5xp13n9SQ/Tf9GEzcmqXI/AAAAAAAAA9k/OMTtLTMmlAk/s1600/hollis+beach+smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aP5xp13n9SQ/Tf9GEzcmqXI/AAAAAAAAA9k/OMTtLTMmlAk/s640/hollis+beach+smiles.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>let your baby eat sand</b></span>---it's just too cute to resist</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-hiTLVUSxQ/Tf9FCH03W3I/AAAAAAAAA9c/gEbMONssrV4/s1600/sand+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-hiTLVUSxQ/Tf9FCH03W3I/AAAAAAAAA9c/gEbMONssrV4/s640/sand+eating.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>take great (and helpful) friends</b></span> with you to assist in the child corralling and feeding adventures---thanks so much brian and sarah.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9F4zg3spQ/Tf882-tc4ZI/AAAAAAAAA9U/4lhMNEqtsgU/s1600/bri+and+sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9F4zg3spQ/Tf882-tc4ZI/AAAAAAAAA9U/4lhMNEqtsgU/s640/bri+and+sarah.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> drink a lot of coffee and diet coke</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> put the kids to bed early</b></span>--they're tired and so are you!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>wear a little bit of sunscreen</b></span> on your back/shoulders even if you think "i don't burn"---note: you do.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">10. and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>thoroughly enjoy every minute</b></span> (even if you are wishing your husband was there) </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv4FZe2jkcI/Tf9GXOHgYUI/AAAAAAAAA9o/wxTh5_KDCVk/s1600/DSC_0385+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv4FZe2jkcI/Tf9GXOHgYUI/AAAAAAAAA9o/wxTh5_KDCVk/s640/DSC_0385+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*by the way, kudos to all you single parents or moms/dads with a spouse who is gone often (deployed, traveling for work, etc). <span style="font-size: small;"><b>it's really hard work! </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">on<b> another milestone note: </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>both of my kids are sleeping the same room----</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">all night long! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">hallelujah, hallelujah! </span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">i hope i didn't just jinx it. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>happy monday! </b></span> </span><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=1879275125465352117"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-52224468052776727452011-06-19T08:05:00.000-04:002011-06-19T08:05:14.009-04:00in lieu of a father's day card*reposted from a couple weeks ago.....an oldie, but a goodie (and also jon's father's day card)*<br />
<br />
yes, it's true.....<br />
i love you, husband.<br />
<br />
and even better than that,<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>like</b></span> you.<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>am happiest</b></span> when we are doing something together (or as a family).<br />
i <b><span style="font-size: large;">am thankful </span></b>everyday that i met you,<br />
moved across the country to live near you,<br />
and spend my life beside you.<br />
<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">so</span><b> appreciate you as the father</b></span> to our children:<br />
<br />
1. the way you love<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="font-size: x-large;">your little girl</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>gentle touch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWXm6_nA0Y/Te54UCS1GeI/AAAAAAAAA60/adp66pB7bNY/s1600/160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWXm6_nA0Y/Te54UCS1GeI/AAAAAAAAA60/adp66pB7bNY/s640/160.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>playful spirit</b></span>--</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I37ptTQbD3Y/Te542uXwZAI/AAAAAAAAA64/BN8NhF8P2zI/s1600/047.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I37ptTQbD3Y/Te542uXwZAI/AAAAAAAAA64/BN8NhF8P2zI/s640/047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>love for adventure</b></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnzBjEz2DvI/Te57s0nbzWI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sNRX217Dk8U/s1600/020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnzBjEz2DvI/Te57s0nbzWI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sNRX217Dk8U/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>patience</b></span> when teaching her something new</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7podmOjkX5Y/Te5925ba-8I/AAAAAAAAA7M/g0mscTCVRVc/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7podmOjkX5Y/Te5925ba-8I/AAAAAAAAA7M/g0mscTCVRVc/s640/DSC_0324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>your </b><b>good example</b></span> of a man who loves Christ.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-muaHOBCDZSY/Te57tWN_FkI/AAAAAAAAA7I/vyIa1qd_620/s1600/084.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-muaHOBCDZSY/Te57tWN_FkI/AAAAAAAAA7I/vyIa1qd_620/s640/084.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love their shadows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>2. the way you love <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>your little guy:</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>ability to see humor </b></span>in any situation,<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0tB5CUiDyU/Te55N2_Ew6I/AAAAAAAAA68/ccyplf3CUSo/s1600/064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iaAbMESfI/Te57r-qpoOI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RzxMttsrXMY/s1600/002+%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iaAbMESfI/Te57r-qpoOI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RzxMttsrXMY/s640/002+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>protectiveness</b></span>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGw2TVN7v-4/Te5_r6JgTZI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NpTiy-ykMNo/s1600/004+%25286%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGw2TVN7v-4/Te5_r6JgTZI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NpTiy-ykMNo/s640/004+%25286%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>dreams </b></span>of taking your son hunting and fishing like your dad does,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8N07RIweqO0/Te5_9P82qSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/BtDXIF2Ope8/s1600/rj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8N07RIweqO0/Te5_9P82qSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/BtDXIF2Ope8/s640/rj.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>absolute devotion</b></span> to our family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pni2n-jEwxY/Te6Azkz4B7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nUZAP7w6j4k/s1600/093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pni2n-jEwxY/Te6Azkz4B7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nUZAP7w6j4k/s640/093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
thank you for always choosing us over anything else this world has to offer.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>we love you to the moon and back!~</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">happy father's day 2011</span> </b></span><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href=""></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-76258603438765516032011-06-16T20:00:00.001-04:002011-06-22T17:39:22.156-04:00photo friday--"iso and shutter speed basics" & a link party!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>hi to all my fellow photo-lovin' friends!</b></span><br />
<br />
it is time for another edition of <b>photo</b> <b>friday</b>. <br />
<br />
starting <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/aperture-continued-our-week-in-review.html"><b>last week</b></a>, i began working my way through an <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&forum_id=21&thread_id=3053442"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>online photography course</b></span></a> created by <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/"><b>two peas in a bucket</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/class_pdfs/photocourse/weektwo.pdf"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>week two's lesson</b></span></a> is about<span style="font-size: large;"> iso</span> and <span style="font-size: large;">shutter speed</span>.<br />
<br />
here's<b><span style="font-size: large;"> my summary of the lesson:</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. the vocabulary:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>iso:</b></span> film speed which depends on your surroundings and the amount of light available.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>shutter speed:</b></span> (this seems fairly obvious, but here goes anyway) how fast the shutter operates--hence the name "shutter speed"<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>digital noise:</b></span> film grain<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. the takeaway:</b></span><br />
<i>iso:</i> i really love visual aids (being a teacher and all) and this iso visual (from the lesson) really helps me grasp the general settings<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwSgv8O1gdA/TflklP-YBUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/T4UtKpsg2GU/s1600/iso+visual+aid--two+peas+in+a+bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwSgv8O1gdA/TflklP-YBUI/AAAAAAAAA8g/T4UtKpsg2GU/s640/iso+visual+aid--two+peas+in+a+bucket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>i'm basically remembering<span style="font-size: large;"><b> outside</b></span> (lower) and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>inside</b></span> (higher)<br />
and<br />
the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>higher the iso</b></span> the<span style="font-size: large;"><b> higher the digital noise</b></span> (or graininess)<br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
<i>shutter speed:</i><br />
<ul><li>use a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>tripod</b></span> for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>slower than 1/50</b></span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>hand held shooting</b></span> should be <span style="font-size: large;"><b>no slower than 1/60</b></span></li>
</ul><ul><li>use a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>higher shutter speed</b></span> (1/1000 or higher) when wanting to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"freeze"</b></span> an object in motion</li>
<li>make sure you read the bottom part of the lesson after you do the challenge and get the tips about <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"balancing" the exposure</b></span>. very helpful!!! </li>
</ul><i> </i><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">3. the challenge:</span></b></span><i> the kitchen sink test</i><br />
photograph running water (such as a glass/bowl under the tap in your kitchen sink) using an appropriate iso (higher if inside) and use shutter speed priority mode (S or Tv). set the shutter speed for 1/80 of a second and take a picture and then take another one with a really high shutter speed higher than 1/1000 of a second. note the differences and how the higher shutter speed "froze" the moving water. also note how the higher shutter speed used a lower f/stop (aperture) and less of the picture is in focus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuwuizhUyDQ/TfpSRo7GgzI/AAAAAAAAA9M/3_x_0dyWLw4/s1600/shutter+speed+comp+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MuwuizhUyDQ/TfpSRo7GgzI/AAAAAAAAA9M/3_x_0dyWLw4/s640/shutter+speed+comp+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can really see how the waves/water is "frozen" with the higher shutter speed in the right picture (arrow). also note how the aperture is much lower in the picture on the right and how less of it is in focus---just like the lesson said it would be!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
now we are supposedly <span style="font-size: large;"><b>ready</b></span> to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>shoot in full manual mode!</b></span><br />
if you still aren't sure about that (like me), print and use this nifty <a href="http://www.momandcamera.com/2011/04/15/take-better-photos-shooting-in-manual-cheat-sheet/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"manual mode cheat sheet"</b></span></a> from <a href="http://www.momandcamera.com/"><b>mom and camera</b></a>. so handy! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.momandcamera.com/"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ-9LqWuz84/Tflw3M-shYI/AAAAAAAAA8k/x9E6CIcvo_w/s400/photography+cheat+sheet+mom+and+camera.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br />
and now on to our <span style="font-size: large;"><b>week-in-review photos (beach edition):</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>friday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHOKxrNWV_w/TfnprjaHjxI/AAAAAAAAA88/yCW4Cyj4y_8/s1600/029+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHOKxrNWV_w/TfnprjaHjxI/AAAAAAAAA88/yCW4Cyj4y_8/s640/029+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>saturday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYbA7YtigDI/TfnoV9tsvII/AAAAAAAAA8o/WLH8W84trs8/s1600/002+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYbA7YtigDI/TfnoV9tsvII/AAAAAAAAA8o/WLH8W84trs8/s640/002+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>sunday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A01iMryjpuI/TfnodqXL-xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/g4wcaxMzcaU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A01iMryjpuI/TfnodqXL-xI/AAAAAAAAA8s/g4wcaxMzcaU/s640/015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>monday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHbcx4gfaHY/Tfnolpjy2iI/AAAAAAAAA8w/UIW9P9ySVfI/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHbcx4gfaHY/Tfnolpjy2iI/AAAAAAAAA8w/UIW9P9ySVfI/s640/029.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tuesday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5-vcHSGZ2w/TfnorgKDeEI/AAAAAAAAA80/eNxX1T5UE78/s1600/055+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5-vcHSGZ2w/TfnorgKDeEI/AAAAAAAAA80/eNxX1T5UE78/s640/055+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>wednesday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtU026n40qA/TfnozXs3aUI/AAAAAAAAA84/UOhCf8bnKSE/s1600/062+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtU026n40qA/TfnozXs3aUI/AAAAAAAAA84/UOhCf8bnKSE/s640/062+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thursday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPn8JmNpS8o/TfpUAX5tRWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/m0d13P_1mLs/s1600/173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GPn8JmNpS8o/TfpUAX5tRWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/m0d13P_1mLs/s640/173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
ok, now it's time for you to link your photo-related posts from this week!<br />
<br />
only a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>few guidelines</b></span> to help us all have a fun party:<br />
1. please link to your specific photo post (and not your home blog page)<br />
2. add my button to the post or your sidebar so we can keep this party growing<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="milestones and memories"><img alt="milestones and memories" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a> <center><br />
<br />
</center><center><textarea cols="18" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="6"><center><a href="http:milesandmems.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></center></center><br />
3. and visit some of the other linker-uppers and give them some comment love<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thanks to everyone who participates each week!</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=61575" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwfDpKJHhbw/TgA0pO1-pkI/AAAAAAAAA3s/Vsrh_-lhagk/s1600/summer-snapshots+large.jpg"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGVM7YovnzA/TgJg3uten6I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/Gc08x1pRISk/s320/summer-snapshots+large.jpg" width="320" /><span id="goog_1961116714"></span></a><span id="goog_1961116715"></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7625860343876551603"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-27141313987770404502011-06-16T07:48:00.000-04:002011-06-16T07:48:07.089-04:00where i've been<span style="font-size: large;"><b>anybody missing me, yet? </b></span><br />
<br />
i've been meeting a <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/p/milestones.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>milestone</b></span></a> this week (well kind of----more on the technicalities later)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsnAULJ8EWo/TfntDHxDpjI/AAAAAAAAA9A/h7n0WRrKqKE/s1600/beach+montage+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsnAULJ8EWo/TfntDHxDpjI/AAAAAAAAA9A/h7n0WRrKqKE/s640/beach+montage+1+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
also, can't forget to remind you about tomorrow's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>photo friday link party~</b></span><br />
come on back with any photo/photography-related post to share your work with others and hopefully learn a few things as well.<br />
the topic is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>iso & shutter speed</b></span>.<br />
see you tomorrow!<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=2714131398777040450"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-87731787181955278922011-06-11T06:00:00.003-04:002011-06-11T06:00:00.927-04:00aperture continued + our week in review photoswow, wasn't <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/photo-friday-aperture-basic-training.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>sarah's guest post on aperture</b></span></a> yesterday really helpful? i learned so much!<br />
today, we<span style="font-size: large;"><b> c</b><b>ontinue with learning about aperture......</b></span><br />
<br />
i'm glad you stopped by today, because i have some <span style="font-size: large;"><b>really exciting n</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ews</b></span> for any newbie photographer (like myself).<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>are you ready?......</b></span><br />
i found an <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>online</b></span>,<br />
12 week <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>photography course</b></span>,<br />
with <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>step by step instructions</b></span>,<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>example</b></span> photos,<br />
a <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>discussion forum</b></span>,<br />
and <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>great teachers</b></span>....<br />
and best part is it's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>FREE!</b></span><br />
it's entitled "12 weeks to better photos" and<br />
you can <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&forum_id=21&thread_id=3053442"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>download all the lessons</b></span></a> created by <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/">two peas in a bucket</a> (thank you, peas!).<br />
<br />
the first lesson is "<a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/class_pdfs/photocourse/weekone.pdf"><b>aperture basic training</b></a>."<br />
go ahead and read the <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/class_pdfs/photocourse/weekone.pdf"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>pdf lesson</b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
are you back?<br />
ok, now for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>my summary</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> of the lesson--</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1. the vocabulary:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>f/stop</b></span>= size of the aperture of a lens and determines how much of the photo is in focus (<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>f</b></span>/stop--<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>f</b></span>ocus, get it?)<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>bokeh</b></span>=the technical photography term for "that awesome blur in the background."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2. the takeaway:</b></span><br />
while i understood that aperture has something to do with blurring the background, i found the "smaller-the-fstop-the larger the aperture" or whatever (i'm still not sure i could clearly explain it all) really confusing. this phrase from the <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/class_pdfs/photocourse/weekone.pdf">lesson</a> was super helpful to my understanding of adjusting aperture in my everyday photos:<br />
<i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> ~when you use a <u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">low</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">f/stop</span></span></u>, <u><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">less</span></u> of your photo will be in <u><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">focus</span></u>. When you use a <span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">higher</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">f/stop</span></u>, <u><span style="color: #cc0000;">MORE</span></u></span> of your photo will be in <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><u>focus</u>.</span></b></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">i thought Sarah's explanation of the numbers was really helpful, too:</span><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></span></i><br />
<i>But here's a trick that I learned in my photography class. It's not really accurate but it helps you understand what the numbers will do to your photo:<br />
<br />
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 1.8</b> - 1 thing will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 2.8</b> - 2 things will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 4.0</b> - 4 things will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 5.6</b> - 5 things will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 8.0</b> - 8 things will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 11.0</b> - 11 things will be in focus</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>f 22.0</b> - 22 things will be in focus</i></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black;">3. the challenge:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">the challenge is to use your aperture priority mode only (not auto!) this whole week and experiment with the different f/stop numbers (try the <b>lowest</b> your lens will go,<b> f8</b>, and <b>f22) </b>using the same subject/scene. what a difference, right? </span><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>our week-in-review photos</b></span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>friday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wNX4dfAbtM/TfIZTSkssMI/AAAAAAAAA8E/AF5c-4Hpa_M/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wNX4dfAbtM/TfIZTSkssMI/AAAAAAAAA8E/AF5c-4Hpa_M/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>saturday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrgpKXK2m20/TfIZZcMQgOI/AAAAAAAAA8I/zdi9hEW2k0U/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrgpKXK2m20/TfIZZcMQgOI/AAAAAAAAA8I/zdi9hEW2k0U/s640/108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>sunday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPppC4XR688/TfIZhVwTthI/AAAAAAAAA8M/gNNRNvCYWOc/s1600/115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPppC4XR688/TfIZhVwTthI/AAAAAAAAA8M/gNNRNvCYWOc/s640/115.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>monday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">our<a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/head-injuries-and-two-year-olds.html"> <b>rough day</b></a></span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fF_vtmCQII/TfIZmPnHXJI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/v5mtXkWDzFw/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fF_vtmCQII/TfIZmPnHXJI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/v5mtXkWDzFw/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tuesday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">taking <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/photo-friday-embrace-your-inner_02.html"><b>bri's advice</b></a> and capturing those little moments that i will someday really miss---love the squishy fingers and toes!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LliFSvn4Bpc/TfIZvNdVfvI/AAAAAAAAA8U/uAjRgR2nomQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LliFSvn4Bpc/TfIZvNdVfvI/AAAAAAAAA8U/uAjRgR2nomQ/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>wednesday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">first ice cream cone</span><b> </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlkDM12IPuU/TfIZwPfsY7I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/2ybWwRMx96U/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlkDM12IPuU/TfIZwPfsY7I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/2ybWwRMx96U/s640/044.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thursday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kuim5GHlWMo/TfIZLIYGYYI/AAAAAAAAA8A/qbixraek7Uo/s1600/aperture+examples+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kuim5GHlWMo/TfIZLIYGYYI/AAAAAAAAA8A/qbixraek7Uo/s640/aperture+examples+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">notice how much more of the photo is in focus with f22 v. f5.6? f5.6 and f8 are pretty close to the same look, but you get the idea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b>though there is probably a whole world worth's of information that i should know about aperture, this is a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">good start and i now have a basic understanding of how to shoot in aperture priority mode. how about you? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">don't forget you can link up to my <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/photo-friday-aperture-basic-training.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"photo friday" link party</b></span></a> any time this week and show off your <span style="font-size: large;"><b>pretty bokeh!</b></span> </span><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8773178718195527892"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-52725901898166767942011-06-10T06:00:00.020-04:002011-06-10T21:21:30.845-04:00photo friday--"aperture basics" & link party!<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">welcome to photo friday!</span> </b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(link party...at the bottom of this post)</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cozycottagecute.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6x6DHACCo00/TfIS_5PEqZI/AAAAAAAAA78/LC9S6MBoN40/s1600/Blog+Button+Cozy+Cottage+Cute.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">I'm so excited to introduce you to our guest blogger, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>sarah</b></span> from <a href="http://www.cozycottagecute.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>cozy.cute.cottage</b></span></a><span id="goog_779264778"></span><span id="goog_779264779"></span>. she's a talented photographer and i feel very honored to have her share her insight on the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>topic of aperture!</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">sarah, teach us something new!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">**************************************************************************************************************</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kq8Y_vq306o/TfFrc7JzKyI/AAAAAAAADig/5UgtqbhBMZc/s1600/IMG_8277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kq8Y_vq306o/TfFrc7JzKyI/AAAAAAAADig/5UgtqbhBMZc/s640/IMG_8277.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aperture set to f 2.8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When I first got my SLR camera a few months ago, I <i>tried</i> to figure out the whole aperture, shutter speed, ISO thing. I skimmed the manual. I read articles online. I listened to people as they tried to explain it to me. I kind of <strike>not really</strike> got it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I sorta knew how each one worked by itself. But all together? Nuh uh. Whenever I turned the dial over to manual mode it was just too overwhelming. I'd snap a few pictures, they would all turn out dark, and then I would give up and switch back over to the automatic mode. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
A few weeks ago I got up the nerve to sign up for a photography class at my local college. On the first day, the teacher promised that for each of us, there would be a point in time where everything would just "click". (Get it? Click? Hee hee.) She was right. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irlscva6l90/TfFskrsHNAI/AAAAAAAADik/K8lhO51B-Rg/s1600/IMG_8519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irlscva6l90/TfFskrsHNAI/AAAAAAAADik/K8lhO51B-Rg/s640/IMG_8519.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aperture set to f 2.8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The first thing our instructor did was explain aperture and suggest that we start shooting in Aperture Priority Mode (AV mode) rather than full automatic or full manual mode. It's the best thing ever. Really, it is. So I thought I'd share a bit about what I learned in case you want to venture over to this setting, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
By choosing Aperture Priority Mode, you are essentially on a <i>semi</i>-manual mode. You control a few things (mainly the aperture, <i>hello</i>) and your camera adjusts the shutter speed accordingly so that you get a decent exposure on your picture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
So what is aperture, anyway? The aperture is the opening of your camera's lens. It can be open <i>realllllly</i> wide, shut <i>reallllllly</i> small, or open somewhere in between. Here's a picture so you get the gist (but just ignore the numbers for now).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ99XUDOnoc/TfFxzxvnD_I/AAAAAAAADio/ZN_mZVzI2Lg/s1600/Image+-+White+on+Rice+Couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ99XUDOnoc/TfFxzxvnD_I/AAAAAAAADio/ZN_mZVzI2Lg/s1600/Image+-+White+on+Rice+Couple.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: White on Rice Couple</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It only makes sense then that the size of the opening will affect how much light is getting into your camera. Big opening: lots of light. Tiny opening: a wee bit of light. Medium opening: medium amount of light. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
What I found particularly confusing was that the aperture not only controls the <b>amount of light</b> getting into your camera, it also controls the <b>depth of field</b>. Huh? What?!?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Take a look my two photos. The photo on the left has a very shallow depth of field. The first thing the camera sees is in focus and that's pretty much it. The photo on the right has a very deep depth of field. Everything single thing, even waaaaay back, is in focus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64NIfw5TdoY/TfFyHHYEivI/AAAAAAAADis/ezD25LircWQ/s1600/IMG_8500+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64NIfw5TdoY/TfFyHHYEivI/AAAAAAAADis/ezD25LircWQ/s640/IMG_8500+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Left:</b> Aperture set to f 1.8 <b>Right:</b> Aperture set to f 20</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can use your own eyesight to help you understand depth of field. When you are focusing on a single thing right in front of you, your eyes are open really wide (wide open lens). However when you want to see far away, you squint to make your eyes really small (lens almost closed) to get everything in the distance into focus.<br />
<br />
Let's look at another picture. I wanted the flower petals to be sharp and in focus, however I wanted all the other leaves in the photo to be blurry. Basically, I wanted a shallow depth of field. On AV mode, I chose the largest aperture I could. Because I chose such a large aperture, my lens let a lot of light in. The camera adjusted the shutter speed so that the picture wasn't overexposed. Brilliant!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0rm_ghssjY/TfF0IYxTUMI/AAAAAAAADiw/C14QVPAwkBM/s1600/4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0rm_ghssjY/TfF0IYxTUMI/AAAAAAAADiw/C14QVPAwkBM/s640/4+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aperture set to f 1.8</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Okay, now here's the confusing part. Aperture is measured in f-stops. It has to do with some ratio of something-something that I don't really understand. But here's a trick that I learned in my photography class. It's not really accurate but it helps you understand what the numbers will do to your photo:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 1.8</b> - 1 thing will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 2.8</b> - 2 things will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 4.0</b> - 4 things will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 5.6</b> - 5 things will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 8.0</b> - 8 things will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 11.0</b> - 11 things will be in focus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>f 22.0</b> - 22 things will be in focus</div><br />
If you look at this picture again, the one on the left has "one" thing in focus and the one on the right has "twenty" things in focus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64NIfw5TdoY/TfFyHHYEivI/AAAAAAAADis/ezD25LircWQ/s1600/IMG_8500+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64NIfw5TdoY/TfFyHHYEivI/AAAAAAAADis/ezD25LircWQ/s640/IMG_8500+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Left:</b> Aperture set to f 1.8 <b>Right:</b> Aperture set to f 20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The great thing about playing around with your aperture is that you can include as much or as little of the background into your photo as you want. For example in my next photo, I again chose a large aperture so that the background would be completely blurry. It wasn't just because I wanted the flower buds to stand out, it was also because I had a crooked trellis in the background that I didn't want you to see!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JlqqQ4rY8/TfF5aBFK-1I/AAAAAAAADi0/I8LCNQFvdL0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JlqqQ4rY8/TfF5aBFK-1I/AAAAAAAADi0/I8LCNQFvdL0/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The great thing about Aperture Priority Mode is that you can choose your aperture to get the amount of focus that you want, and your camera will <strike>be your best-friend</strike> help you out by choosing the shutter speed for you. Both will work together to create a properly exposed photo. You pick one thing (aperture) and your camera picks the other (shutter speed).<br />
<br />
If you're new to this setting, I would highly recommend taking your camera outside and experimenting. Choose an inanimate object and take a few pictures with a large aperture (f 2.8 or f 4.0). Then take the same photo with a smaller aperture (f 5.6). See what happens to your picture. Keep experimenting until you get to the smallest aperture your camera will go to (f 22). You'll start to get the hang of it, I promise.<br />
<br />
<b>Note:</b> There are several other settings you can change while on Aperture Priority Mode (ISO, exposure compensation, white balance, etc.) but I'll have to save those for another day. (If you want.)<br />
<br />
Here is my favorite photo I've taken so far with my new camera:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWlfCJmwepA/TfF8RBea8rI/AAAAAAAADi4/CGPWnEMoErg/s1600/5+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWlfCJmwepA/TfF8RBea8rI/AAAAAAAADi4/CGPWnEMoErg/s640/5+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aperture set to f 1.8</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
To think that a few weeks ago I had no idea what I was doing. I'm getting it. I'm really, truly getting it!!!!! (Yes, that was in a squealing voice.)</div>**********************************************************************************<br />
<br />
thanks, sarah, for working hard to make aperture seem simple to even the newest of photographers. i think i'm getting it, too~ i learned a lot!<br />
<br />
go visit sarah at <a href="http://www.cozycottagecute.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>cozy.cottage.cute</b></span></a> and you will find all sorts of decorating, crafting, photography goodness!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"> now, i want to see <span style="font-size: large;"><b>your pictures</b></span>, too! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">luckily for you (and me) you can <span style="font-size: large;"><b>link up</b></span> with any photo-related post and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>show off your pretty pics</b></span>~ </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">please<span style="font-size: large;"><b> include my "photo friday" button</b></span> in your post so that others can join the fun!</span></span><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="milestones and memories"><img alt="milestones and memories" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a> <center><br />
<br />
</center><center><textarea cols="18" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="6"><center><a href="http:milesandmems.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></center></center><br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=59776" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
and are you wondering where my "<a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-ramblins.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>something awesome to share</b></span></a>" for new photographers is? come back tomorrow and you'll find it! <br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5272590189816676794"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-33138869398605453442011-06-09T15:36:00.000-04:002011-06-09T15:36:29.045-04:00thursday ramblinsjust have a <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">couple of</span><b> random things</b></span> to get out there to my fab readers:<br />
<br />
<br />
1. have you seen this <span style="font-size: large;"><b>amazing deal </b></span>on <b>living social</b> for <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>two movie theater tickets for $9.00</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>?!!!! </b></span><br />
around here a movie costs <span style="font-size: large;"><b>$11.00 just for one person</b></span>--ouch, i know.....<br />
<br />
**note: before you buy this deal, make sure that <a href="http://fandango.com/"><b>fandango.com</b></a> sells tickets to your area theaters. <br />
<br />
click <a href="http://livingsocial.com/deals/57725?ref=personalized-link-box-13629609&rpi=13629609"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>here</b></span></a> if you want to get some <a href="http://livingsocial.com/deals/57725?ref=personalized-link-box-13629609&rpi=13629609"><b>one-on-one-movie-theater-snugglin'-popcorn-eating fun</b></a> with your man or bff (did i just say bff?--wow).<br />
<br />
<br />
2. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> tomorrow is "photo friday!"</b></span><br />
one, i wanted to remind you to come and link up your anything-photography posts.<br />
(fyi: the topic is aperture and i have something to share that all newbies are really going to love!)<br />
<br />
and two, i wanted to extend an invitation to any photographer (or wannabe--like me) that is interested in doing a guest post about a photography topic of your choice. i love to learn from others and this is just one way we can spread the knowledge. <br />
<br />
just in case you feel like telling others about "photo friday," here's my button (wink, wink). but even if you don't, i love you forever, already :).<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://milesandmems.blogspot.com/%E2%80%9C"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a></center><center><textarea cols="”13″" id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”4″"><center><a href=”http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/” target=”_blank”><img src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>“/></center></textarea></center><br />
3. one last thing<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>are you a <span style="font-size: x-large;">lurker?</span>..........</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzYqq-3nxQg/TfEgWfR-e7I/AAAAAAAAA74/M3wqXANC_TQ/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzYqq-3nxQg/TfEgWfR-e7I/AAAAAAAAA74/M3wqXANC_TQ/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>you know...the girl (or guy) who likes my blog, reads daily or at least weekly, and yet <span style="font-size: large;"><b>never leaves a comment </b></span>or <span style="font-size: large;"><b>doesn't "follow</b></span>.<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"</b></span> don't worry, i was exactly the same way for a long time. then i realized that i get a lot more out of this "blog world" (jon hates that term, but i can't think of a better way to describe it) and can also give encouragement and support to other bloggers through these really easy ways of communicating. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQrJGFp2Ro/TfEgVIgTCuI/AAAAAAAAA70/Fu0BLwtGrjs/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQrJGFp2Ro/TfEgVIgTCuI/AAAAAAAAA70/Fu0BLwtGrjs/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>won't be mad</b></span> if you <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>continue to lurk....</b></span><br />
but i will tell you, i'd love to see your pretty face,<br />
know your name, and<br />
have a clearer picture of what kinds of people are reading my stuff. <br />
(oh, and<b> i follow back!</b>) <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>not sure how to "follow?" </b></span><br />
just click on the "follow" button in my sidebar (above all the little pictures of people) and follow the directions. easy peasy!<br />
<br />
you can also follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/milesandmems"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>my twitter account @milesandmems</b></span></a><br />
or<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Milestones-Memories/206315539390045"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>facebook page</b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-19741369995179105192011-06-08T06:00:00.000-04:002011-06-08T06:00:06.996-04:00celebrate summer--carnival style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3OEZVkTeJE/Te7RlKk35xI/AAAAAAAAA7c/yPO6Im9PUTA/s1600/carnival+long+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3OEZVkTeJE/Te7RlKk35xI/AAAAAAAAA7c/yPO6Im9PUTA/s640/carnival+long+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>i<span style="font-size: large;"><b> love</b></span> summer.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2SgI88aCOk/Te7SVLIlfbI/AAAAAAAAA7g/yFJXO5XlPdw/s1600/carnival+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2SgI88aCOk/Te7SVLIlfbI/AAAAAAAAA7g/yFJXO5XlPdw/s640/carnival+1+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b> fairs</b></span> and carnivals <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx8YgBKsCXQ/Te7SVbhsp3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/orn_rLUwKBk/s1600/carnival+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx8YgBKsCXQ/Te7SVbhsp3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/orn_rLUwKBk/s640/carnival+2+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>i'm a <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.4-h.org/">4H</a> girl </b></span>(ten-year member, baby!) through and through<br />
and this little street fair just <span style="font-size: large;"><b>brought me back</b></span> to that exciting time every summer---<br />
my weeks at the FAIR:<br />
carnies,<br />
elephant ears,<br />
and the sweet smell of hay......<br />
many memories made, many lessons learned--<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>i love you</b></span>, summer.<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href=""></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href=""></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-13987602411555033822011-06-07T15:59:00.002-04:002011-06-07T17:05:48.823-04:00i {heart} my hubbyyes, it's true.....<br />
i love my husband.<br />
<br />
and even better than that,<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>like</b></span> him.<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>am happiest</b></span> when we are doing something together (or as a family).<br />
i <b><span style="font-size: large;">am thankful </span></b>everyday that i met him,<br />
moved across the country to live near him,<br />
and spend my life beside him.<br />
<br />
<br />
with father's day coming up (june 19),<br />
i find myself reflecting on the ways i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>appreciate jon as the father</b></span> to our children:<br />
<br />
1. the way he loves<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="font-size: x-large;">his little girl</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>gentle touch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">he even brushes her hair at bedtime.....i know, too much sweetness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWXm6_nA0Y/Te54UCS1GeI/AAAAAAAAA60/adp66pB7bNY/s1600/160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VWXm6_nA0Y/Te54UCS1GeI/AAAAAAAAA60/adp66pB7bNY/s640/160.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>playful spirit</b></span>--</div><div style="text-align: center;">he admits he's a bit of a kid himself....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I37ptTQbD3Y/Te542uXwZAI/AAAAAAAAA64/BN8NhF8P2zI/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I37ptTQbD3Y/Te542uXwZAI/AAAAAAAAA64/BN8NhF8P2zI/s640/047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>love for adventure</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnzBjEz2DvI/Te57s0nbzWI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sNRX217Dk8U/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnzBjEz2DvI/Te57s0nbzWI/AAAAAAAAA7E/sNRX217Dk8U/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>patience</b></span> when teaching her something new</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7podmOjkX5Y/Te5925ba-8I/AAAAAAAAA7M/g0mscTCVRVc/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7podmOjkX5Y/Te5925ba-8I/AAAAAAAAA7M/g0mscTCVRVc/s640/DSC_0324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and his<span style="font-size: large;"><b> good example</b></span> of a man who loves Christ.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-muaHOBCDZSY/Te57tWN_FkI/AAAAAAAAA7I/vyIa1qd_620/s1600/084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-muaHOBCDZSY/Te57tWN_FkI/AAAAAAAAA7I/vyIa1qd_620/s640/084.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love their shadows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>2. the way he loves <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>his little guy:</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>ability to see humor </b></span>in any situation,<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0tB5CUiDyU/Te55N2_Ew6I/AAAAAAAAA68/ccyplf3CUSo/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iaAbMESfI/Te57r-qpoOI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RzxMttsrXMY/s1600/002+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iaAbMESfI/Te57r-qpoOI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RzxMttsrXMY/s640/002+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>protectiveness</b></span>,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGw2TVN7v-4/Te5_r6JgTZI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NpTiy-ykMNo/s1600/004+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGw2TVN7v-4/Te5_r6JgTZI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NpTiy-ykMNo/s640/004+%25286%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>dreams </b></span>of taking his son hunting and fishing like his dad did,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8N07RIweqO0/Te5_9P82qSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/BtDXIF2Ope8/s1600/rj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8N07RIweqO0/Te5_9P82qSI/AAAAAAAAA7U/BtDXIF2Ope8/s640/rj.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>absolute devotion</b></span> to our family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pni2n-jEwxY/Te6Azkz4B7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nUZAP7w6j4k/s1600/093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pni2n-jEwxY/Te6Azkz4B7I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nUZAP7w6j4k/s640/093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
is he <span style="font-size: large;"><b>perfect?</b></span><br />
<i><b>no, but neither am i and he <span style="font-size: large;">loves me still.</span></b></i><br />
thank you for that and for always choosing us over anything else this world has to offer.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>we love you to the moon and back!~</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
************************************************************************<br />
linking to <a href="http://alexandraroseboutique.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-heart-my-hubby.html"><b>alexandria rose's</b></a>:<br />
<a href="http://www.alexandraroseboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb380/CaseyWiegand/new/31fa1b55.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
tell me what you appreciate about your hubby and then link up, too!<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-58635181294420532392011-06-06T21:49:00.000-04:002011-06-06T21:49:23.165-04:00head injuries and two year oldswow! today was a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>different day</b></span>.....<br />
it started out as a regular monday, but quickly turned complicated when Sister fell out of her highchair around 11:00 am.<br />
of course, she cries a bunch.....<br />
i thought she looked like she was walking funny, but wasn't sure if i was just making it seem worse than it was...(you know moms, we can always worry the worst possible scenario).<br />
i call the pediatrician and they say as long as she isn't vomiting or going unconscious, we should just watch her and let her nap and go about the day as normal.<br />
<br />
normal, shmormal.......the girl would not stop crying (which is very unlike my tough little babe)<br />
she finally falls asleep on my lap and i put her on the couch to keep a close eye<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SU5NxaMaRg/Te2CXbHv0SI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/VwOC_RN2z2o/s1600/sleeping+after+the+fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SU5NxaMaRg/Te2CXbHv0SI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/VwOC_RN2z2o/s640/sleeping+after+the+fall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
when she wakes up,....<br />
it is more crying and wanting to be held (again....very unlike her).<br />
so, i call the pediatrician again.....and the nurse says we should probably go the ER.<br />
jon comes home from work (during the busiest week of his life---ok, maybe a bit dramatic, but not totally),<br />
and she seems to perk up....<br />
agrees to eat some ice cream (she didn't eat any lunch),<br />
and proceeds to run to the kitchen......<br />
to spew all over the kitchen floor................................<br />
<br />
now we are worried (you know head trama and vomitting are not good signs---i'm still not sure why, but they aren't)<br />
so we rush to the ER.........<br />
and wait.....<br />
and wait.....<br />
and finally get called back to wait some more......<br />
of course during all the waiting she is walking around, playing with toys, and smiling like nothing's wrong--of course...<br />
long story, short(er), they did a CT scan and everything was ok.<br />
she has a concussion,<br />
and the doctor says she will be fine (and that she's her favorite patient for the day)<br />
and we are <span style="font-size: large;"><b>truly thankful</b></span> our little beauty is sleeping soundly in her bed as i type this post.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">thank you, Jesus!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TobuOA-GMdg/Te2Cdn5dDkI/AAAAAAAAA6U/PD6Ev8Qpjvc/s1600/sleeping+with+the+puke+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TobuOA-GMdg/Te2Cdn5dDkI/AAAAAAAAA6U/PD6Ev8Qpjvc/s640/sleeping+with+the+puke+bowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, that's the "puke potty" as jon likes to call it and yes, she's sleeping with it~</td></tr>
</tbody></table> here's to praying she's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>smiling</b></span> and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>acting like herself</b></span> tomorrow morn!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GD_24eaQoEU/Te2C8S8odTI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/_ioudUG8pXs/s1600/memorial+day+2011+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GD_24eaQoEU/Te2C8S8odTI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/_ioudUG8pXs/s640/memorial+day+2011+121.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5863518129442053239"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-80682505844431491752011-06-06T21:42:00.000-04:002011-06-06T21:42:10.483-04:00i heart faces 6/6this week's theme @ i heart faces is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"from a distance"</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNusgF0QrbI/Te2Av3FVs4I/AAAAAAAAA6I/Dc14X060gm0/s1600/from+a+distance+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNusgF0QrbI/Te2Av3FVs4I/AAAAAAAAA6I/Dc14X060gm0/s1600/from+a+distance+copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
i'm just lovin' her daddy's hand on her back......and those braids.....and the summery carnival backdrop<br />
<br />
<br />
there are lots of great photos in this week's challenge and you can see them all <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/06/photo-challenge-from-a-distance/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>here</b></span></a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/06/photo-challenge-from-a-distance/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tV40_Xya6zY/Te2BVfrdWwI/AAAAAAAAA6M/GyxIbxC-SOs/s1600/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8068250584443149175"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-88198958882626827822011-06-06T06:00:00.002-04:002011-06-06T06:00:17.372-04:00milestone monday--becoming a debt free family (through lowering our grocery budget)<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b> </b></i><i>~if you are new to milestones & memories, each monday i do a post that updates you on how we are doing at accomplishing our family goals/milestones. <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/p/milestones.html"><b>here's a complete list</b></a> if you are interested. thanks for stopping by~</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvRnk3RgWg4/Tew2kUQPlkI/AAAAAAAAA6A/uh6UeyFRE1U/s1600/hollis+park+edit+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvRnk3RgWg4/Tew2kUQPlkI/AAAAAAAAA6A/uh6UeyFRE1U/s640/hollis+park+edit+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN5ksE9E0r8/Tew2lPR0xUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/xcFvMT2OV8s/s1600/rogan+park+edit+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN5ksE9E0r8/Tew2lPR0xUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/xcFvMT2OV8s/s640/rogan+park+edit+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these pictures have nothing to do with today's post :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">***milestone: <i>become a <b>debt free</b> family </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A big way we try to tangibly save extra money is through <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/search/label/couponing"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>couponing</b></span></a>, <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/search/label/menu%20planning"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>menu planning</b></span></a>, and shopping discount stores like <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/search/label/aldi"><b>aldi</b></a></span>, to lower our monthly grocery budget.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">here's the<span style="font-size: large;"><b> totals for may's grocery trips:</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
aldi $114.33<br />
harris teeter super doubles coupons $28.23<br />
bloom $25.65 $-10.00/25.00 coupon<br />
bloom $46.01 $-10.00/25.00 coupon<br />
harris teeter $38.21 triple coupons (would've been $87.61)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Total: $252.43</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* fyi: it includes household items like cleaning supplies but does not include personal toiletries like makeup or contact solution. </span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">this is <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/04/mays-monthly-menu-guide-and-aldi.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>again</b></span></a> almost <b>$100.00 less</b> than our budgeted allotment of $350.00. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">can i get a "woot, woot~!"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and though it's a few days late, i am gladly sharing my monthly menu guides, etc for <span style="font-size: large;"><b>june:</b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><u>here's everything for you to download and adapt for your own family:</u></b><br />
click on file-download as--word--save as<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3pyCVQb6ls9qtaxcNmshCxJND_27-9Yi2RoREe9PEU/edit?hl=en_US">june's monthly meal guide</a> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v3pyCVQb6ls9qtaxcNmshCxJND_27-9Yi2RoREe9PEU/edit?hl=en_US"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9j62bW3aqfQ/Tew0kJ3kQ_I/AAAAAAAAA58/fiipg_mXI_s/s400/june+monthly+meal+guide.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2039201496"><br />
</a><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pO6svxAiAwzOch6e9NPbCtcERljcjZTy2xe24AzCwxE/edit?hl=en_US"><span style="font-size: medium;">june's updated meal categories list</span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pO6svxAiAwzOch6e9NPbCtcERljcjZTy2xe24AzCwxE/edit?hl=en_US"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgDU0eIPp0g/Tew0j_2z2EI/AAAAAAAAA54/5TIpOpYsNKs/s400/categories+for+june.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>what do you do</b></span> to keep your grocery budget in check? have you <span style="font-size: large;"><b>tried any of the recipes</b></span> and liked them or hated them? i want to know! leave me a comment with your tips and i'll give them a try this month!<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8819895888262682782"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-53499486259692838092011-06-04T00:18:00.005-04:002011-06-04T09:58:04.108-04:00week-in-review photosif you missed <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/06/photo-friday-embrace-your-inner_02.html">photo friday</a>"</b></span> yesterday, don't worry, because you can catch up and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>link up</b></span> today!<br />
<br />
<br />
here's our <span style="font-size: large;"><b>week-in-review photos</b></span>:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>friday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D85-lbXX7iY/Temvvxm5i-I/AAAAAAAAA50/BsqC7p_C8hU/s1600/DSC_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D85-lbXX7iY/Temvvxm5i-I/AAAAAAAAA50/BsqC7p_C8hU/s640/DSC_0512.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>saturday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">my</span><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">sister and her family (from indiana) came to visit + my aunt jen and cousin, grace, were also in the area from arkansas.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">these two cousins are less than 2 weeks apart! </span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coduz9ExK24/TemtTsJDViI/AAAAAAAAA5E/1nIi3f5OkNA/s1600/memorial+day+2011+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-coduz9ExK24/TemtTsJDViI/AAAAAAAAA5E/1nIi3f5OkNA/s640/memorial+day+2011+037.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qimrBGIUF_k/TemtSrHbIaI/AAAAAAAAA5A/amHj92GwHhY/s1600/memorial+day+2011+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qimrBGIUF_k/TemtSrHbIaI/AAAAAAAAA5A/amHj92GwHhY/s640/memorial+day+2011+017.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEI7338RCa8/TemtQlCOPeI/AAAAAAAAA44/VZjJyHcaQjs/s1600/memorial+day+2011+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEI7338RCa8/TemtQlCOPeI/AAAAAAAAA44/VZjJyHcaQjs/s640/memorial+day+2011+007.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>sunday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">the zoo!</span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjVZU9r7DjM/TemtUiXl9QI/AAAAAAAAA5I/BTy-ZPcIJiY/s1600/memorial+day+2011+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FjVZU9r7DjM/TemtUiXl9QI/AAAAAAAAA5I/BTy-ZPcIJiY/s640/memorial+day+2011+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my "big lens"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<center><a href="http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot" target="_blank"><img alt="Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk" border="0" src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="http://mychaosmybliss.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','mychaosmybliss.com']);" target="_blank"><img alt="PhotoStory Friday" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4235120634_71d9399b5f_o.jpg" /></a><br />
Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','mychaosmybliss.com']);" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://www.betterinbulk.net/" target="_blank">Lolli</a><br />
</center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A_coa3d8FU/TemtVi9e-DI/AAAAAAAAA5M/uowKh6oteso/s1600/memorial+day+2011+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--A_coa3d8FU/TemtVi9e-DI/AAAAAAAAA5M/uowKh6oteso/s640/memorial+day+2011+082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>monday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">memorial day pool and fish fry--thanks to the boys for catching our dinner!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MWNs1xJg9hw/TemtWtiL3MI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Z3QFP9C5NGQ/s1600/memorial+day+2011+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MWNs1xJg9hw/TemtWtiL3MI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Z3QFP9C5NGQ/s640/memorial+day+2011+103.JPG" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>tuesday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">the park</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qfxgAB4OpU/TemtX30xbXI/AAAAAAAAA5U/i0Vw3qhDBs8/s1600/memorial+day+2011+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qfxgAB4OpU/TemtX30xbXI/AAAAAAAAA5U/i0Vw3qhDBs8/s640/memorial+day+2011+152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5085242350_8096c64354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Paper Mama" border="0" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5085242350_8096c64354.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z3SRcNhr3Y/TemtZ6xTkGI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Yw1iZrCJo2I/s1600/memorial+day+2011+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z3SRcNhr3Y/TemtZ6xTkGI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Yw1iZrCJo2I/s640/memorial+day+2011+298.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mcdougallphotography.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z126/scarlett1977_photos/button.gif" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr7ocboEPhg/TemtY6cOPeI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/j3PddDyszD4/s1600/memorial+day+2011+248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr7ocboEPhg/TemtY6cOPeI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/j3PddDyszD4/s640/memorial+day+2011+248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b> wednesday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">the pool</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cYYYFwNEUyI/TemuwkU1kRI/AAAAAAAAA5g/AXPueXxYdZw/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cYYYFwNEUyI/TemuwkU1kRI/AAAAAAAAA5g/AXPueXxYdZw/s640/021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<center></center><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4qcIWjkSrQ/TemuxZySNXI/AAAAAAAAA5k/imE6d84p0-U/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D4qcIWjkSrQ/TemuxZySNXI/AAAAAAAAA5k/imE6d84p0-U/s640/059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-By5VDWMS23k/TemuyUbzpZI/AAAAAAAAA5o/KmK0mVXd3dY/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-By5VDWMS23k/TemuyUbzpZI/AAAAAAAAA5o/KmK0mVXd3dY/s640/099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/15yi6ad.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>thursday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">yep, he's sitting up now.....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eaOfSvhLCM/TemuzFI4LQI/AAAAAAAAA5s/ppNLZbFqNEM/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eaOfSvhLCM/TemuzFI4LQI/AAAAAAAAA5s/ppNLZbFqNEM/s640/102.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
and she's getting close to riding the tricycle by herself.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ACw9yxtTecE/Temu0HfABDI/AAAAAAAAA5w/f9DsOyHJXDw/s1600/131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ACw9yxtTecE/Temu0HfABDI/AAAAAAAAA5w/f9DsOyHJXDw/s640/131.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
it was a busy week but such a sweet time with people i love!<br />
now, go <span style="font-size: large;"><b>make some memories</b></span> of your own (and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>take a picture</b></span> of them while you're at it!)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~happy weekend~ </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=5349948625969283809"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-8150731700696525492011-06-02T22:18:00.000-04:002011-06-02T22:18:30.823-04:00photo friday--"embrace your inner photojournalist" & link party!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>welcome to photo friday! </b><i><span style="font-size: small;">(link party...at the bottom of this post)</span></i><b><br />
</b></span><br />
wowsie, i'm excited to have <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>bri</b></span> here from <a href="http://www.blog.modmemento.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>mod memento</b></span></a>. you aren't going to believe how photo-savvy this girl is and not only does she take beautiful pictures, she also designs <span style="font-size: large;"><b>adorable personalized </b><b>prints</b></span> like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1yr4zGpUvU/TeeHBm0YnnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/5_esKqZFM4k/s1600/il_570xN.237211168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1yr4zGpUvU/TeeHBm0YnnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/5_esKqZFM4k/s400/il_570xN.237211168.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>and this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lw4hWuCJ6BQ/TeeHLjkG-0I/AAAAAAAAA40/dR2FQgoYwic/s1600/il_570xN.212056733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lw4hWuCJ6BQ/TeeHLjkG-0I/AAAAAAAAA40/dR2FQgoYwic/s400/il_570xN.212056733.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>my favorite</b></span>, this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-red1O31arZ8/TeeHAzB3knI/AAAAAAAAA4o/gQufUW6c3us/s1600/il_570xN.217087839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-red1O31arZ8/TeeHAzB3knI/AAAAAAAAA4o/gQufUW6c3us/s400/il_570xN.217087839.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><br />
bri is currently on a break from the shop, but she will reopen and you can <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/modmemento"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>sign up</b></span></a> to be notified when she does. <br />
**********************************************************************************<br />
Hi everyone! It's a pleasure to be a guest blogger on Milestones & Memories today! I have been enjoying all of Andrea's helpful photography posts and am honored to add a few of my own little tips for you today!<br />
<br />
My name is Bri and I am a stay-at-home mommy of two and the owner & designer of an Etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/modmemento"><b>Mod Memento</b></a> (currently closed for a short break!). I also have a passion for taking great photographs for my <b><a href="http://www.blog.modmemento.com/">Blog</a></b>. I am certainly not a professional, but I do consider myself a photojournalist. And you can be too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-35h8ygQ5I/TeeGCzFM6uI/AAAAAAAAA3s/MTw5H-qYN3U/s1600/Photo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-35h8ygQ5I/TeeGCzFM6uI/AAAAAAAAA3s/MTw5H-qYN3U/s640/Photo_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Today, I'm going to offer some advice for capturing those everyday, run-of-the-mill moments with your children. You know those moments throughout your day that are seemingly mundane or repetitive? And sure, maybe your kids aren't dressed in their best or your house isn't perfectly organized. But those moments are worth freezing in time! And they become your personal photo journal of <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>real life</i></b></span>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmVgpHPtmfw/TeeGKMz6bII/AAAAAAAAA3w/XjFssfBCL1Q/s1600/Photo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EmVgpHPtmfw/TeeGKMz6bII/AAAAAAAAA3w/XjFssfBCL1Q/s400/Photo_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Yes, even just small glimpses of your morning routine or your baby's footy pajamas will someday make your heart melt into a puddle. That's the magic of photojournalism! And thankfully, you don't have to be a professional in order to successfully document your children's young lives.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDc9nb6flpc/TeeGKTJIUxI/AAAAAAAAA30/9vSQ0hW0e2I/s1600/Photo_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDc9nb6flpc/TeeGKTJIUxI/AAAAAAAAA30/9vSQ0hW0e2I/s400/Photo_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ8MT7R4mY4/TeeGLKHe9WI/AAAAAAAAA34/uYgxpQLJZ4o/s1600/Photo_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ8MT7R4mY4/TeeGLKHe9WI/AAAAAAAAA34/uYgxpQLJZ4o/s400/Photo_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Someday I promise you'll look back and cherish those photos just as much as you do the ones where they're wearing a graduation cap, or a soccer uniform, or a ballerina's tutu! I want Moms to get away from the stigma that you must take your child to the portrait studio every 6 months in order to capture their childhood years. Those pictures are wonderful, yes! But what are some specific things that you'll want to remember about them and their budding personalities in between those portrait sessions? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7-bJv83z0U/TeeGLfGUgLI/AAAAAAAAA38/zc8fxlLSPaA/s1600/Photo_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7-bJv83z0U/TeeGLfGUgLI/AAAAAAAAA38/zc8fxlLSPaA/s400/Photo_5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEzCFJMa904/TeeGL6WSx-I/AAAAAAAAA4A/mfuv-cGnm00/s1600/Photo_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEzCFJMa904/TeeGL6WSx-I/AAAAAAAAA4A/mfuv-cGnm00/s400/Photo_6.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFtvqe-Fn8/TeeGMduDqVI/AAAAAAAAA4E/lBzIJu6D-4s/s1600/Photo_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFtvqe-Fn8/TeeGMduDqVI/AAAAAAAAA4E/lBzIJu6D-4s/s400/Photo_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Throughout the day, I try to remember the little things about my kids that I am going to miss someday when they grow out of the stage that they're currently in. What makes them laugh? What keeps them occupied? What are your daughter's favorite shoes or your son's favorite blankie? What is something new they learned this week? Take pictures of all these things! They tell a story about your everyday living.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-yj8CtbxqM/TeeGMukA_SI/AAAAAAAAA4I/WfvnfmGcRRg/s1600/Photo_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-yj8CtbxqM/TeeGMukA_SI/AAAAAAAAA4I/WfvnfmGcRRg/s400/Photo_8.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAEzuh-R_DI/TeeGMw1VcsI/AAAAAAAAA4M/GajHh8-lC7Q/s1600/Photo_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAEzuh-R_DI/TeeGMw1VcsI/AAAAAAAAA4M/GajHh8-lC7Q/s400/Photo_9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3qk9qHiYBM/TeeGNVCP28I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/9BrqcHtL1Zg/s1600/Photo_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3qk9qHiYBM/TeeGNVCP28I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/9BrqcHtL1Zg/s400/Photo_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i><b>What are some ways to stay inspired & motivated to capture these kinds of moments as they happen? </b></i><br />
<br />
First of all, I like to<span style="font-size: large;"><b> keep my camera CHARGED at all times</b><b>!</b></span> What a bummer to reach for your camera in the midst of an amazing moment only to find that your battery is dead and the moment has passed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8TgIvrkAhQ8/TeeGN4aRtZI/AAAAAAAAA4U/W4MDpAlW7l4/s1600/Photo_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8TgIvrkAhQ8/TeeGN4aRtZI/AAAAAAAAA4U/W4MDpAlW7l4/s400/Photo_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9ehhOaX2Ms/TeeGOQnaNmI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/Hpd2tZMLAV4/s1600/Photo_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9ehhOaX2Ms/TeeGOQnaNmI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/Hpd2tZMLAV4/s400/Photo_12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Secondly, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>keep your camera in a place that is accessible at all times!</b></span> This means NOT in a camera bag in the back of your closet. Keep your camera out in a visible place (beyond the reach of tiny hands of course). And when you're done snapping a few brilliant photos of your daughter decorating cookies, then place your camera back in the same landing spot that you had it before. That way, you'll always know where it is the next time you need it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzym0UBWD5U/TeeGOwK3wXI/AAAAAAAAA4c/x3i1Km00aUk/s1600/Photo_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzym0UBWD5U/TeeGOwK3wXI/AAAAAAAAA4c/x3i1Km00aUk/s400/Photo_13.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>What if I'm not good at identifying those "photo-worthy" moments throughout the day?</b></i><br />
<br />
I find that if I take some time to jot down some things I love and want to remember about my children at their current stage, it's a natural next step to watch for those favorite qualities being displayed in our everyday interaction. Sometimes photo ops happen out of the blue and when you least expect them. But sometimes a little extra thought ahead of time doesn't hurt.<br />
<br />
Here are few additional prompts to get your ideas flowing:<br />
<br />
What is their current favorite toy? <br />
What do they look like when they first wake up in the morning? <br />
What is your favorite thing about their bedroom?<br />
What is their expression when learning something new?<br />
Where is their favorite place to go?<br />
How do they interact with their siblings? With their Daddy? Their grandparents?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAYbSEtb0lg/TeeGPFvkdyI/AAAAAAAAA4g/_CXrxlGX1Ts/s1600/Photo_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAYbSEtb0lg/TeeGPFvkdyI/AAAAAAAAA4g/_CXrxlGX1Ts/s400/Photo_14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WG8U7w55N0/TeeGPVeATUI/AAAAAAAAA4k/CJ5ajkTt2Vo/s1600/Photo_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WG8U7w55N0/TeeGPVeATUI/AAAAAAAAA4k/CJ5ajkTt2Vo/s400/Photo_15.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
One last tip.... don't forget to include <span style="font-size: large;"><b>your beautiful face</b></span> in these photos too sometimes! Someday, your kids will love seeing pictures of what you looked like in their early years.<br />
<br />
Now.....go out and be inspired to find your inner Photojournalist!!<br />
********************************************************************************* <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thank you</b></span>, <a href="http://www.blog.modmemento.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>bri</b></span></a>, for the great tips on being a photo journalist in our own homes. i appreciate the way you capture those special moments in your children's lives and am inspired to try and do the same!<br />
<br />
{i'm going to post our <span style="font-size: large;">week-in-review photos</span> tomorrow since i have a bunch from memorial day, my sister's visit, zoo, etc.....we've had a busy and fun week. check back tomorrow for the photopalooza!}<br />
<br />
now, on to our <span style="font-size: large;"><b>weekly photo friday link party! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>link up your photography-related post</b></span> so we can learn something new from you! it would be awesome if you put my button in your post or sidebar while you're at it!<br />
<br />
thanks, muah~ <br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="milestonesandmemories"><img alt="milestonesandmemories" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a> <center><br />
</center><br />
<center><textarea cols="13" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><center><a href="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></center></center><br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=57990" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/?refId=7129" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/img/button.png" style="vertical-align: middle;" /></a><br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=8545521971371945587"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-48398979548578654182011-06-02T06:00:00.003-04:002011-06-02T07:31:05.079-04:00referring friends for maywanted to again recognize those friends who are referring people to my blog (whether you know it or not!)<br />
and say a big <span style="font-size: large;"><b>THANK YOU!</b></span><br />
<br />
the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>top 5 referring sites</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">for the month of <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>may</b></span></span> (excluding google and facebook)</span><b>:</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. sarah @ <a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/"><b>thrifty decor chick</b></a>--link party</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://thriftydecorchick.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/TDCbutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. erin @ <a href="http://livinginyellow.blogspot.com/"><b>living in yellow</b></a>--blogroll</span> <span style="font-size: large;">& occasional shout outs :)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://livinginyellow.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/livinginyellow/175-2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/">layla @ <b>the lettered cottage</b></a>-- link party</span></div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Sponsors/TLC_button_125x125.jpg" style="border: medium none;" /> </a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. jamie @ <a href="http://theblissfullyhappyhousewife.blogspot.com/"><b>blissfully happy housewife</b></a>--guest poster for "photo friday"</span></div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMsn_D87m_E/TebyvJGGyfI/AAAAAAAAA3k/1VVhxLgBh54/s1600/DSC_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMsn_D87m_E/TebyvJGGyfI/AAAAAAAAA3k/1VVhxLgBh54/s320/DSC_0487.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><b>i heart faces</b></a>--weekly photo challenge</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jw7F1vWi_sA/TebzWoRBPcI/AAAAAAAAA3o/PP_eDoWEwww/s200/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">i would be so happy if you would <span style="font-size: large;"><b>go visit their sites</b></span> and send some love back their way!</div><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>many thanks</b></span> for helping the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>new girl</b></span> in town. you <span style="font-size: large;"><b>inspire</b></span> me on a daily basis!<br />
<br />
one more thing.....<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tomorrow is "photo friday!" </b></span> come and link up any photo-related post from this week at my link party~ </div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script></center>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-49518817632146551302011-06-01T14:39:00.003-04:002011-06-01T20:35:28.481-04:00best peanut butter cream cheese frosting + (a little cake to go with it)i've had lots of visitors this weekend<br />
and one of them---<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>this guy</b></span>---<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riCrNhOhLzM/TeaGyXHeXOI/AAAAAAAAA3g/gM-paunThZQ/s1600/DSCF2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riCrNhOhLzM/TeaGyXHeXOI/AAAAAAAAA3g/gM-paunThZQ/s640/DSCF2027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my brother in law, carl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>had a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>birthday</b></span>.<br />
i made him this delicious cake (i know, right.........it's really crazy good)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjSByV13SM/TeaFRvRwHVI/AAAAAAAAA3c/BY49oXbpeQE/s1600/memorial+day+2011+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjSByV13SM/TeaFRvRwHVI/AAAAAAAAA3c/BY49oXbpeQE/s640/memorial+day+2011+057.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br />
it's chocolate (just a box mix) + <span style="font-size: large;"><b>peanut butter cream cheese frosting</b></span><br />
<br />
i found a bunch of recipes for peanut butter frosting, but i've tried a few different ones and didn't really love them, so i put a little bit from all the recipes and made my own "perfect" version.<br />
<br />
here goes.....<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ingredients:</b></span><br />
8 oz. cream cheese<br />
1 stick butter (softened--<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tip</b></span>: <u><span style="font-size: small;">defrost</span></u> for about 20 sec and no meltage!)<br />
2 heaping T. of creamy peanut butter (not natural or anything fancy) <br />
1 t. vanilla<br />
3 cups powdered sugar<br />
1 T. milk<br />
<br />
cream butter, cream cheese, and peanut butter together with a hand mixer. add vanilla and milk. add powdered sugar one cup at a time. i added crumbled reese's peanut butter cups to the middle and top of the cake as well.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>enjoy!</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a09R-PFiylE/TeaFRH2fr3I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/cTWxGRurOe8/s1600/memorial+day+2011+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a09R-PFiylE/TeaFRH2fr3I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/cTWxGRurOe8/s640/memorial+day+2011+054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
linking up with:<br />
<a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/p/wiaw.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/klutzycutie16/WIAWbutton.jpg" /></a><a href="http://lilluna.com/"><img alt="lil luna link party button" height="175" src="http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac129/kristynmerkley/LilLunaButtonLinkinWith.jpg" width="175" /><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r-hfhq1dCxo/S8_C1Ns323I/AAAAAAAACXo/Z2Bk7IVy69I/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" style="height: 160px; width: 126px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://lilluna.com/"></a></center><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a href="http://lilluna.com/"></a><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=4951881763214655130"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-75117556854852224182011-05-27T05:00:00.003-04:002011-05-27T05:00:06.342-04:00photo friday--lighting & link party!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>front lighting or back lighting?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">now <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>that </b></span>is the question.</span><br />
<br />
seeing as how i NEVER paid attention to lighting before i got my new camera, this is an en'light'ening discovery for me (hardy, har, har)!<br />
like i've said many a time,<br />
i don't know squat about photography,<br />
but i'm armed with a new DSLR,<br />
a big interest in learning, and<br />
two extra cute models who are dreading my every click.<br />
<br />
that said, i'm going to pretend to know something about lighting.<br />
though i have done some research on the subject and experimented a bit,<br />
i still have lots to learn....here goes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>front lighting: </b></span><i> when the <span style="font-size: large;">photographer</span> is between the subject and the sun (i think of it as the sun is shining in "front" of the subject--most likely right into their squinty eyes)</i><br />
<br />
many people say this is where you can get your clearest, brightest pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDgYAmP1u-U/Td7p2bASQaI/AAAAAAAAA2s/vorOHfT4zBI/s1600/150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__n1jn_8W04/Td7qhT_zhWI/AAAAAAAAA2w/lYJwYg6IMHM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__n1jn_8W04/Td7qhT_zhWI/AAAAAAAAA2w/lYJwYg6IMHM/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__n1jn_8W04/Td7qhT_zhWI/AAAAAAAAA2w/lYJwYg6IMHM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>back lighting: </b></span> <i>when the <span style="font-size: large;">subject</span> is between the photographer and the sun (i think about it as the sun is "behind" the subject.</i>)<br />
<br />
the subject appears darker and more three dimensional when back lit, which many photographers actually prefer (like the <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2011/04/frontlight-vs-backlight-2/"><b>pioneer woman</b></a>---love her and she knows so much about everything!)<br />
<br />
for a really great article on embracing back light, read this <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2010/10/baby-got-backlight/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>article at i heart faces. </b></span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku00AHvyojE/Td7sJmAmlpI/AAAAAAAAA20/inBw57upkKw/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku00AHvyojE/Td7sJmAmlpI/AAAAAAAAA20/inBw57upkKw/s640/034.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>so what kind of lighting do you like in your photos?</b></span> are you a front lit or back lit kind of gal/guy?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>leave a comment</b></span> and share your reasoning.<br />
i'm a sponge for photography knowledge!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">our </span><span style="font-size: large;">week-in-review photos:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>friday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pejp7UGiId0/Td7t7TbFAkI/AAAAAAAAA24/9bdAM5esYGI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pejp7UGiId0/Td7t7TbFAkI/AAAAAAAAA24/9bdAM5esYGI/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>saturday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOn7VRYWX8k/Td7uBHNf8sI/AAAAAAAAA28/T2tob1bu54E/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOn7VRYWX8k/Td7uBHNf8sI/AAAAAAAAA28/T2tob1bu54E/s640/042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>sunday: </b><span style="font-size: small;">i was sick as a dog, so i'll just show you another one from saturday</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwQ6OYKxxIA/Td7uORjMUeI/AAAAAAAAA3A/hsiXAaA5Zf8/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwQ6OYKxxIA/Td7uORjMUeI/AAAAAAAAA3A/hsiXAaA5Zf8/s640/043.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birthday boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>monday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixPWsraRKa4/Td7uaU1TWpI/AAAAAAAAA3E/3IAszWMNxaw/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixPWsraRKa4/Td7uaU1TWpI/AAAAAAAAA3E/3IAszWMNxaw/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tuesday:</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcYH3KkT_is/Td7ugkpHEfI/AAAAAAAAA3I/vT2aKhsmfGs/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcYH3KkT_is/Td7ugkpHEfI/AAAAAAAAA3I/vT2aKhsmfGs/s640/003.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i took <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/05/photo-friday-photographing-children.html"><b>Jamie's advice and shot up close</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><b>wednesday:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7Y6sXnAkRY/Td7uovyehaI/AAAAAAAAA3M/4mmyxvPGOvY/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7Y6sXnAkRY/Td7uovyehaI/AAAAAAAAA3M/4mmyxvPGOvY/s640/014.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>thursday:</b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVZkDgc3rcY/Td7us92qSyI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/W8c7mllQKGU/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVZkDgc3rcY/Td7us92qSyI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/W8c7mllQKGU/s640/027.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how i love these streams of light!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="milestonesandmemories"><img alt="milestonesandmemories" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a> <center><br />
</center><br />
<center><textarea cols="13" id="code-source" name="code-source" rows="3"><center><a href="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg"/></a></center></textarea></center></center><br />
<br />
ok, now....<span style="font-size: large;"><b>link up your photography-related post</b></span> so we can learn something new from you! it would be awesome if you put my button in your post or sidebar while you're at it! thanks, muah~<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=56435" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7511755685485222418"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-35288072518828568222011-05-26T19:31:00.002-04:002011-05-27T21:21:32.248-04:00summer "mantel"i love mantels, and have <span style="font-size: large;"><b>no fireplace</b></span> in this house....<br />
but that has never stopped me before :)<br />
i just used a newly "antiqued" shelf as my mantel<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POzG7FDjh2Y/Td7fR-ilSaI/AAAAAAAAA2E/-8i67nJzUYU/s1600/067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-POzG7FDjh2Y/Td7fR-ilSaI/AAAAAAAAA2E/-8i67nJzUYU/s640/067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
up against the newly <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/05/hand-painted-wallpaper-tips.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>hand-painted wall paper wall</b></span></a> in our spare room,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jH9Zhss26Fk/Td7fTEqs-_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/7sQ9tlYs9HQ/s1600/069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jH9Zhss26Fk/Td7fTEqs-_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/7sQ9tlYs9HQ/s640/069.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
added some things i had around the house<br />
like my <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-wreath-tutorial.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>reusable spring wreath</b></span></a>,<br />
a few of my <a href="http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2011/05/guest-post-andrea-from-milestones-and.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>vintage finds</b></span></a> from a few weeks back,<br />
and some canvases that i modge-podged with cut out pictures of norman rockwell prints (from an old book).<br />
put it all together and...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>voila! </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4Yr__KJux4/Td7fTv8KF2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/4KDoYEOy55Y/s1600/071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j4Yr__KJux4/Td7fTv8KF2I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/4KDoYEOy55Y/s640/071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
not too bad considering it was just a white wall a week ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
i seriously <span style="font-size: large;"><b>cannot contain my excitement</b></span> about it being <span style="font-size: large;"><b>summer </b></span>(almost).<br />
it sure feels like it around here (it was in the 90's today and humid)<br />
i don't care though...<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>summer is my favorite!</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb3OmeGqwz0/Td7fSrSbC3I/AAAAAAAAA2I/i4OLNfVILUY/s1600/068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bb3OmeGqwz0/Td7fSrSbC3I/AAAAAAAAA2I/i4OLNfVILUY/s640/068.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
if you look closely at the prints you'll see many of the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>things i love about this season:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>swimming</b></span> (and the beach of course--countdown is T-16 days!)<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>fair</b></span> (i'm a 4H girl at heart),<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>fourth of july</b></span>,<br />
and<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>evening drives in the country</b></span>, just naming a few......<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>what do you love about summer?</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/ideas-for-summer" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/Spring_Summer_Link_Party_Layla.jpg" style="border: medium none;" /></a></div><br />
and linked to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Shabby Nest" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/theshabbynest/Shabby%20Nest%20Blog%205-2011/ShabbyNest-GrabButton.png" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap
up party!" src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/825895175_xmTVA-O.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
oh and don't forget.....<span style="font-size: large;"><b>tomorrow is "photo friday." </b></span><br />
come share your "anything photography-related" post from this week.<br />
all photography levels welcome--believe me.....i'm as amateur as they get!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"></div><img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-75887902547950255372011-05-25T16:12:00.003-04:002011-05-26T19:37:01.687-04:00hand painted wallpaper: tipsas part of my <a href="http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/search/label/11%20weeks%20%27til%20summer%20challenge"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11 weeks 'til summer cleaning and organizing challenge</b></span></a>, our <span style="font-size: large;"><b>spare room</b></span> got a bit of a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>makeover</b></span>.<br />
it is a super <span style="font-size: large;"><b>small room</b></span>,<br />
we're talking less than 150 sq. feet (but it does have it's own bathroom!).<br />
<br />
anyway, i wanted to make it <span style="font-size: large;"><b>seem bigger</b></span> and wanted it <span style="font-size: large;"><b>light</b></span>, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>bright</b></span>, and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>fun.</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtBiTi28vi8/Td7kCFFE-4I/AAAAAAAAA2k/2ECCsXaWwlU/s1600/069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wtBiTi28vi8/Td7kCFFE-4I/AAAAAAAAA2k/2ECCsXaWwlU/s640/069.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjibDiqRqpE/Td7j85gu25I/AAAAAAAAA2g/zKDtt7Y6_RI/s1600/072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>so i created a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"feature wall"</b></span> that is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>hand painted wallpaper</b></span> based on the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/wallpaper-designs/neutral-wallpapers/"><b>pearl trellis wallpaper at ballard designs. </b></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fv8nhCNwh8/Td1fahc5pzI/AAAAAAAAA18/Ow-25ruEBtE/s1600/25674249_HpY2Rg55_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fv8nhCNwh8/Td1fahc5pzI/AAAAAAAAA18/Ow-25ruEBtE/s320/25674249_HpY2Rg55_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
oh, did i mention their wallpaper is $119.00 for a double roll? <span style="font-size: large;"><b>yikes! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>here's my version: </b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFk_n8Ps9hE/TdxP_tjC2TI/AAAAAAAAA14/jC2kUWIT1m0/s1600/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFk_n8Ps9hE/TdxP_tjC2TI/AAAAAAAAA14/jC2kUWIT1m0/s640/wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
i found an amazing tutorial at <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/painted-wallpaper-a-tutorial/">jones design company</a> </b></span> on how to create the look myself.<br />
(by the way, don't <span style="font-size: large;"><b>you love her blog and style?!</b></span>)<br />
it's ok, click over there, look around, and come back........<br />
i'll wait.......<br />
<br />
k, you're back--<br />
i <span style="font-size: large;"><b>followed the tutorial</b></span> pretty closely,<br />
printed off the <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/painted-wallpaper-template.pdf"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>stencil template</b></span></a>,<br />
cut it out of cardboard,<br />
traced it onto the wall (i left it white, but you could paint the wall any color first),<br />
then painted <span style="font-size: large;"><b>inside the lines</b></span> with behr ultra <i>venus light</i> in eggshell.<br />
<br />
now, there were a few things i discovered as i went along and thought you'd like to know them <span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEFORE</b></span> you do your own hand painted wallpaper.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>my tips:</b></span><br />
1. this is a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>time consuming</b></span> project: take it a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>little bit at a time</b></span>. i did it during nap time for about 30-40 minutes for about 5-6 days. my eyes couldn't take much more than that!<br />
<br />
2. use <span style="font-size: large;"><b>low contrast colors</b></span>. i used white and a light blue/aqua that made any mistakes or crookedness fairly invisible. (i like the subtle excitement thing--i did a similar effect with the stripes in our kitchen)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_96eAT9wsY/Td1hr3599hI/AAAAAAAAA2A/MEWQa-VCK4c/s1600/DSC_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_96eAT9wsY/Td1hr3599hI/AAAAAAAAA2A/MEWQa-VCK4c/s640/DSC_0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">same color, different finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3. use a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>colored pencil to trace the stencil</b></span>---duh! i didn't think of this until i was done with the wall, but it would've made covering the tracings a lot easier if i would've used a light blue pencil to start with. you're welcome :)<br />
<br />
4. do this for the<span style="font-size: large;"><b> ceiling</b></span>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eI39af9j6hE/TdxPxTZAvuI/AAAAAAAAA1w/o7j80RN8YkM/s1600/ceiling+with+stencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eI39af9j6hE/TdxPxTZAvuI/AAAAAAAAA1w/o7j80RN8YkM/s640/ceiling+with+stencil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
5. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> mark</b></span> which end of the stencil is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>"up"</b></span> and make sure it is always facing the same direction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM6nX5Ed6Xc/TdxP3tKCz_I/AAAAAAAAA10/VSBy_6VT6xw/s1600/stencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM6nX5Ed6Xc/TdxP3tKCz_I/AAAAAAAAA10/VSBy_6VT6xw/s640/stencil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
6. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>start in the middle</b></span> at the ceiling and use a level to make your first couple of columns. i "eye-balled" it the rest of the time, but worked from the horizontal center up. it helps to do a combination of rows and columns simultaneously so that you can gauge the distance between the stencils/levelness, etc. here's what i mean: pretend this is my wall--<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z93bhECSIfw/TdxPozk_aYI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IgAWvcjM4_8/s1600/order+of+stencil+wall+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z93bhECSIfw/TdxPozk_aYI/AAAAAAAAA1s/IgAWvcjM4_8/s400/order+of+stencil+wall+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
7. <span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">this is sort of a no-brainer, but when painting always <span style="font-size: large;"><b>paint the lines to your left first</b></span> (assuming you are right handed) so you don't put your hand in wet paint a million times...just saying....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">now</span><b> sit back</b></span>, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>admire your hard work</b></span>, and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>feel good </b></span>that it<span style="font-size: large;"><b> cost</b></span> a measly <span style="font-size: large;"><b>$3.99</b></span> for a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>whole new room!</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">more pictures to come as i finish the room..........hopefully in time for my sister and her family who are staying with us this weekend! </span><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<br />
linkin' up here this week:<br />
<a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/"><img alt="IhookedupwithHoHlamespice" src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HoHnewfeatured1.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D5fANCcEMK8/TWkrcVOXL-I/AAAAAAAABJk/v66BBtOIEaI/s1600/Inspiring+Thursday.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/christinahibbs/20below.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
&<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://adventuresofthemichelenafamily.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Catch a Glimpse Button" border="0" src="http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/allimarie17/Blog%20Design/catch_glimpse.png" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0pt none;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4581688209277477580&postID=7588790254795025537"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581688209277477580.post-38350719903036151112011-05-23T18:57:00.001-04:002011-05-23T19:45:07.897-04:00photo challenges<span style="font-size: large;"><b>i heart faces-- </b><b>Yellow & paper mama's-- Blue</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwSZpyToaXs/TdrkARyCusI/AAAAAAAAA1k/U1vw1IDZdOY/s1600/i+heart+faces+yellow+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vwSZpyToaXs/TdrkARyCusI/AAAAAAAAA1k/U1vw1IDZdOY/s640/i+heart+faces+yellow+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>check out all of the great photos</b><b> this week</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><b> at </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/05/photo-contest-yellow/">i heart faces</a> & <a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com/search/label/pm%20photo%20challenge">paper mama</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Paper Mama" height="150" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5085242350_8096c64354.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/05/photo-contest-yellow/#more-5068"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5pQLzeNCS0/TdrkrCdCX2I/AAAAAAAAA1o/b6kq5hoU5vw/s200/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<b>come back friday to link up to my "photo friday" link party. it is an all-levels, anything photography-related link party~! </b></div><br />
<center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://milesandmems.blogspot.com/%E2%80%9C"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" /></a></center><center><textarea cols="”13″" id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”4″"><center><a href=”http://milesandmems.blogspot.com/” target=”_blank”><img src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/photofridaybuttoncopy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>“/></center></textarea></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">adding my button to your sidebar or post would make me super dee duper happy! thanks, friends :)</div><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/dreamrdo/signaturecopy-1.jpg" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_2" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_3" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_preferred_4" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> <a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4581688209277477580"></a> </div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};
</script> <script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-4dace5b12cee88ba" type="text/javascript">
</script>andi {the hollie rogue}http://www.blogger.com/profile/08626259717811325138noreply@blogger.com3