sneak peek

I am knee deep working on this fabulous family photo session (really, I should call them fabulous family FUN sessions! hehe!) and my eyes are getting tired, so I thought I would call it a night and turn in with a little post! enjoy!

dr. rudy

We have a joke around here that our doggy Rudy is actually a highly intelectual being, having a PHD and all... occasionally we call him Dr. Rudy. hehe! we also joke that when we are out of the house and he is in his crate, he has a hidden basement under his crate where he hosts parties. Oh the imaginative world we create for him. Really, he just likes looking out windows and sleeping on the couch.

tis the season

It's about that time again! Folks are thinking about getting family photos done, and hoping to get something that can run on the family christmas card! I just wanted to share some of my favorites from last year's shoots to give you some ideas for your shoot this year! I really love some of the creative ideas I have run across on Pinterest and have collected them here and here. Let me know if you see something you love!

 Beachy!

Fall in the Park!

looking back

Last summer I had the wonderful opportunity to do some work for a little website called Etsy , ever heard of it? ;) I was contacted to be the photographer for this How-Tuesday blog post that featured the beautiful work of local Myrtle Beach artist Jay Mohler. We had a blast on his back porch swapping stories while he worked and I documented every step. Gave me some ideas for future projects. I would love to interview artists and photograph them in their spaces doing what they love! It is such a great experience, to be able to glean wisdom from those who have "been there, done that" and at the same time, to produce for them images that they can use to promote their work or just to keep and remind them that they do something that is amazing and loved by others!

Jay has the most beautiful materials! The colors are all so vibrant and lovely!

He uses a wrapping and spinning method to get his designes so tight. 

The finished Ojo De Dios taking shape

Adding a new color to the intricate design

Stitching on some finishing designs

Finishing off!

try, try again!

A few years back I realized that I had a LOT of magazines lying around. Did some research and found that recycling was not really an option, but repurposing was pretty popular! Found some interesting projects and this specific one caught my eye.

I started to make it back when I was looking for something to do with all the magazines, but I went about it in a very cumbersome way.  Now I think I will try again and see if I can't create something pretty awesome for this little office of mine. I'll be snapping pics of the process and if I am successful, I might even do a little posty post on how to make one for yourself! Wish me luck!!!!

So I know this blog is supposed to be about photography, specifically mine, but I just HAD to share with you the greatest recipe that I have been making lately! Its probably one of the yummiest things AND healthiest things I have eaten in a while! PLUS!!! it is super easy! It's called Lentil-Bulgur Salad. You can have it as a vegan meal or add meat (I love it with shrimp or grilled chicken) for a protein rich delicious dinner in a bowl!

Chilling out in the fridge... the finished salad will have tomatos and lemon wedges

Lentil-Bulgur Salad

1 c dry lentils
2 c water

1 c dry bulgur wheat
1 c boiling water

1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c lemon juice
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh oregano
2 Tbls freshly minced mint

2 to 3 Tbls freshly minced dill
fresh black pepper to taste
1/4 c freshly minced parsley
1/3 c finely minced red onion
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 stalk celery, finely minced
1/2 nicoise olives ( I use Kalamata since they are easier to find)
1 tomato, diced
1/2 c chopped toasted walnuts
lemon wedges for garnish

Place the lenitls in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to med- low to simmer for 20 - 25 min, until tender, but not mushy. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl

While the lentils cook, place the bulgur in a small bowl, add boiling water and cover with a plate. Let stand 10 - 15 min while getting other ingredients ready.

Add everything to the lentils, except the tomato, walnuts and lemon wedges. Mix gently but thoroughly. Cover tightly and refrigerate

Just before serving, top with tomatoes and walnuts. Garnish with lemon

I usually will make extra of the olive oil - mint mixture to use as a marinade for what ever meat I am adding to the dish. Cook the meat through and you're done! Easy pie!

flower child

For as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with flowers! My parents had to constantly remind me that I shouldn't pick the ones out of other people's yards. The house that I grew up in had 3 overgrown azalea bushes that were so heavy with blooms in the spring that the whole porch smelled amazing. Now that I am grown I am slowly building a flower garden. One of my favorite things about my Grandmom's house has always been all the flowers she has planted everywhere. Her favorites are her rose bushes, but I simply can't get enough of all the different things she has everywhere!

congrats grads!

Happy graduation to all the seniors from Northside Christian School! Go big and do great things!