capturing people in 2009

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

my new flash (Nikon SB-600) that my wonderful hubby gave me for christmas ...

the "gadget pouch" i bought for my new point & shoot from this wonderful store "joom" on etsy (i also have some of her cushions ... gorgeous) ...

discovering DIY pendent & scrabble making kits here ... since i now have a printer it's time to have some fun ...

an hour of cardio in the gym when the roads are like a slip n slide & i really don't want to go ...

not having to wake up this morning & not feeling guilty when i sleep in!

name that photograph ... winners!!

So the winner is ... well there are two! Mana Moon Studios who called it "Darling" & Laungnome who named it "jennifer CONElly" ... both made me giggle so both will have 10x8" fine art photographs on their way to you at the beginning of the year. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

& don't forget to check out the second giveaway still running on my blog not to mention the offer currently available to my fabulous facebook fans.

Twas The Night Before Christmas ...

There are many versions of this but since my husband is Airforce i chose to post this one ...

Twas the night before Christmas, and he lived all alone;

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

and to see what manner of person in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight did I see;

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,

And on the wall hung many pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, and awards of all kinds,

Suddenly a thought so sobering came into my mind.

For this house was much different, it was so dark and dreary,

I was in the house of an Airman, once I could see clearly.

The Airman lay sleeping, silent, all alone;

Curled upon the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

Not exactly how I imagined I'd find an airman soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I then realized the families I saw on this night,

Owed their lives to these airmen who were willing to fight.

For soon 'round the world the children would play,

And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed their freedom each month of the year,

Because of the airmen, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many more lay alone,

On a cold Christmas Eve, in some land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

And I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Airman awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for our freedom, I don't ask for more,

My life is my God, my country, my Air Force."

The Airman rolled over and drifted back to sleep,

But I couldn't control it, I started to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still

Until we both shivered hard from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night

This Guardian of Honor so willing to fight.

Then the Airman rolled over, and with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day and all is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right

Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a Good Night!

On christmas day be sure to all take a moment & remember the troops currently deployed throughout the world & for the family they have left back home. I am lucky to have my husband by side this Christmas & know not every year will be this wonderful. I wish you all a very merry christmas & a happy holidays!

name that photograph ...

ok so being the season of giving & all i have a second give away going on ... & this one's a whole lot simpler! who ever can come up with a name for this image gets a 10x8" copy of this image. easy peasy lemon squeasy!

& i will announce the winner on Christmas day! Hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season people.

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

i have a whole 5 days off of my "real" job so i get to concentrate on my "other" job ... oh & spend time with the hubby ...

i am in a gorgeous treasury on etsy alongside this wonderful store, Clayswan (i really want to do some shopping here) ...

my tree is surrounded by presents (i can't lie, i like presents) ...

i'm in love with gingerbread men-trees (i don't have a man shape cutter just a tree one) ...

army surgeon bad ass (greys anatomy) ...

did i mention that we have all kinds of snow going on here?

anatomical detail ... & a give away!

So i was thinking in the shower (it's one of those place perfect for thinking ... like the car ... i have some of best ideas there), tonight after my run, about how sore my legs were. (There is a point to this story ...) & my legs aren't my "favourite" anatomical part but they are strong. They "pound the pavements" (excuse the cliche) on a regular basis, they've made it through a half marathon & keep me going through a busy bartending or serving shift. So i should be proud of them, they can run 5 miles without even hurting & that's something.

So then it got me thinking about all the parts of me (stay clean people) ... about how we spend our lives putting ourselves down, trying to be someone we're not, idolizing the photos of the rich & famous. & as a photographer, who sees beauty all around me it's ironic that i find it so hard to see in myself.

So I'm setting a challenge & having my first give away all in one ... the prize is your choice of any 10x8 or 8x8 fine art photograph from my shop but in return you need to leave a comment telling me the "good" things about you. & it must be good, positive & the funniest, most honest answer wins. I want you to put yourself out there & be proud of everything that you are ...!!

So here goes ...

I have boobs (yes i said boobs), a waist & hips ... i may not be the next Kate moss or Gucci girl but i would have rocked renaissance paintings.

I love yes i said love my eyes ... they are green (& apparently hazel sometimes ... if you'd believe my husband, we don't). I have to wear glasses because said eyes don't function terrible well ... but this 1. allows me to change up my appearance on a whim (such a wonderfully English word) & 2. when you wake up after "that night" & the world remains all fuzzy it's a wonderful relief.

My Mum blessed me with wonderful skin ... it is this skin that has people asking me if i still live at home with my parents, gives me rosy cheeks & even the occasional freckle. I'm that person who has the huge ass zit on their forehead that no one else sees but me!

& finally each & every scar on my body ... because whilst the story beside them may not be good they make up who i am now & i can't change that neither would i want to!

& now it' your turn to tell me about your best parts ... what makes you you, what you're proud of & aren't afraid to tell the world about ... & you have it till January 1st to do so! Leave it in a comment along with your email address so i can contact the winner.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season!!

my first attempts at a self portrait ...

candy cane love ...

What started out as an idea for a photo has turned into something more ...

& i had a helping hand in getting there!

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

watching a movie (when i can sit through it) with the hubby ...

running on a cold winters night ...

a wonderful, open & honest interview (on the fpoe blog) ...

Germany during the holiday season

snow ... snow ... & more snow!!

I'm no Pennie Smith but ...

Wednesday night, Kid Rock (amongst others) played for us here on base & pardon my french but he was f***ing awesome! So of course my camera went along & i had some fun experimenting ... not only was i half way back with a whole lot of tall people in front of me but the lighting sucked. Keeping in mind that my knowledge of using flash is severely limited i upped my ISO all the way to 3200 to compensate creating all kinds of grain.

Right now I'm having a wonderful time experimenting with my work & having all kinds of fun ... i hope you enjoy these as much as i do!

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

discovering my husband has managed to do the laundry ...

"The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society" (a must read) ...

singing (& dancing) to christmas songs being played really loud in the car ...

a wonderful new tote, because a girl can never have too many (Swallow Shoulder Tote Bag - Deadworry)

being proud of my husband & the choices he makes every day & the ability to take back a little bit of control in the things that we can't change but could change our lives forever!

a little camera obsessed christmas list ...

So in an attempt to help the hubby in the purchase of my christmas present ... i have created a list of items discovered whilst wandering through Etsy. & yes i can't lie i am a little camera obsessed!

SLR Film Camera Pinback Button - Barrel of Monkeys

Vintage Camera Wool Satchel - Wooly Bison

Photos for the Fridge - Penelope & Pip

Blue Vintage Camera Tote - xflyonthewallx

Capture Life ... Hand stamped sterling silver camera photography necklace - Cinnamon Sticks

60s Vintage Mini Toy Camera Metal Hong Kong - cOveTableCuriOsitIEs

Twin Vintage Kodak 35 Camera - Pop Art Graphic T-shirt (Available in Women's S,M,L,XL) - Baostudio

Snappy Holga camera diagram hand towels - pick an ink color, set of 2 - Girls Cantell