I ♥ Faces Week 51 - Hilarious Outtakes Photo Challenge

I was so excited when I saw what the photo challenge was this week! This is the first one I'm joining and it's been a funny day looking at the other entries.

Loving random shots and just starting my photography business/hobby, I've had quite a few funny shots pop up. I picked one from a session and the rest are from my personal collection of outtakes.

Personally, I find that the outtake shots are some of the best!

Let's begin, these shots were from a head shot photo shoot that I did for a friend. These were not used, but I love them!


This little grouch is my nephew. This was his third birthday and we had just tied settled him down for a few photos with his buddies and he had enough.
Don't ask why but I can tell you what. No this is not a hairy thumb, this is the back of my uncles head. I found this on my camera after a family wedding and ranked it as my #1 strangest photo.

This is also at a family event. My brother and his sweet dog, Lola. She loves giving kisses and was supposed to be posing with my brother, but darn dogs, they just have a mind of their own. Shucks.

Join in and share your Hilarious Outtakes at I Heart Faces!

Birthday Girl

Today is my cousin Eileen's birthday. The above photo is from a maternity photo session I did with her a couple of months ago. She is about ready to pop now!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Eileen, my cousin, sister, and friend! I LOVE YOU.

It was a notable day...

Christmas is over, the lights are turned off, stockings are empty and my heart is full.
Christmas day had it's tough moments with my sister not being here and me being sick, but being with my family is the greatest gift. I really do love them.

Christmas Eve is always spent with my mom's side of the family and this includes the one little person that gets all the attention. My nephew, Cristian aka Iron Man aka Avatar aka Green Power Ranger. Use one of these and he will love you forever and may even let you hug him.

Christmas decorating is big in my house. I didn't get any photos (worth posting here) except for this one that I love. This magical village is setup on our built-in library. Something a little disturbing about the baby faced man...

We sk*yped with my sister and her family on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I had them cluster together for a family photo. haha.

Among the wonderful gifts that I opened on Christmas morning was this furry hat that I loved! I don't usually wear hats, but I keep putting this one on. Makes me feel a little French... and maybe like I'm 12 but I still love it.

This is my Gramms and I on Christmas Day.

The next big anticipated event is going to take place in mid January and I cannot wait! My Niece will be here soon and if it's a natural birth I'll be able to see her come into this world. So excited about this!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and an even BETTER New Year!

Christmas Memories

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Celebrating the birth of the most glorious, magnificent Savior and re-living memories and making new memories with your family that God has blessed you with is what it's all about. The gift giving isn't half bad either...

(Christmas morning at my home)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU... Isaiah 9:6

Just not gonna happen...

Did you think that was me taking a picture of our beautiful trees? hahaha, uh no. Not me. Reason being, I still haven't gotten around to it. What else is new?

Here are my excuses: Bedridden with a severe case of... the cold? Hmm. Yes it's true. I got a cold and it turned into an infection which turned me into my bed. What bad timing. But no bah humbug here just yet, I got me a bottle full of horse pills antibiotics and I'm on the mend.

I seriously doubt I'll get those holiday home photos up, but if I do manage it I suggest that all you wonderful people that read this blog write a comment. Since I know you are out there... okay so maybe you're not. :) I'd like to think you are.


Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping,



(Photo courtesy of Livia)

Piper II

Her name is Piper II. Piper the 1st never came home since the owners wanted to keep her. I wanted to cry my eyes out at first since I got attached to the her before she came home, but once I saw Piper II I was in love.
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I thought she was sweet and cuddly. She is in fact, feisty and fearless.
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When I first saw her, I was picking out which puppy I wanted from a litter of five. I immediately picked the runt, Piper I. As we were looking her over in her bed with all the other puppies on the dining room table, I saw a white fluff slowly fall off the table and onto the tile; the noises and sounds from the puppy were petrifying. I won't go into detail on how traumatizing that night was for me, but I came home shaken and had nightmares that night.
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My older brother, who was with me, called the next day and said that the puppy had died... after I gasped and tried to control myself at work, he laughed and said "just kidding". Hmph. I quickly hung up the phone in his ear. That poor puppy was on my mind and I was sure she would have something wrong with her in the weeks to come.
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Fast forward 6 weeks: Once I found out that Piper I wasn't coming home with me I was given Piper II. The dog that fell off the table.
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I kept saying, I can't believe I got the dog that fell off the table. She was the last dog I wanted. I thought she would be retarded or some sort of mental issue. But, thank God, she's fine. Maybe a little crazy, but fine. Wheew.
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I said all that to show you these... Introducing my first dog that I can call my own, Piper II

Piper and her big sister (full blooded) Lola

Deb

Have yourself a stressful Christmas

No, Scrooge did not high jack this blog. It's just me, venting to you.

I want to sit down, sip some hot chocolate and just take a deep breath. Sigh.

I'm not sure what it is about this year, but Christmas isn't the same. I look forward to Christmas all.year.long. This week it hit me that I'm just not ready.

I've purchased very few gifts and have not done anything I've wanted to do. I am determined to do the following this weekend and I will squeeze it in no matter what.

Bake goodies to give away
Bake cookies to eat ;)
Snuggle in my parents car with a hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights in Laguna
Send out Christmas Cards (this is a huge iffy)
Go through Starbucks and order a hot chocolate (a must)
Do a blog tour of our Christmas setup at home
Actually POST the blog tour
Send out my sister's Christmas goodies
Finish Christmas shopping (hmm)
Thank the Lord for being my Redeemer (absolute must)
Watch Home Alone 2 (I love it)

Christmas shouldn't be stressful... why do we make it stressful? Just let it come and everything will fall into place. (not really but that sure sounds good.)

Bring it on, Christmas. I'm ready for you!

Happy Stressing and Merry Christmas.

Deb

Photo courtesy of (Jay Birdie)

I ♥ Faces Fix it Friday

ORIGINAL
















I didn't crop since this shot shows great action. Tweaked a few things and like how they came out. If you want to join in the fun, go to - Fix it Friday at I ♥ Faces.

Colorful Edit using PW actions and tweaking it a bit.


Rustic Edit

When I grow up I want to be her...

Okay, so it's a little late for that. The growing up part that is... or is it. Considering I do still have my moments when the crazy 18 year old in me comes out but I quickly draw it back in and act my age. Ha.

Do you know her? No? Well, you are depriving yourself. She is known as the pioneer lady. Married to a cowboy (have I told you I like cowboys? I do.), She cooks with your taste buds in mind and she takes exquisite pictures of anything and everything. AND she loves Nikon. Need I explain more?

I'm sure you're wondering why in the heck I'm talking about the Pioneer Woman like she's the newest celebrity out there or Colin Firth. I find myself turning on my laptop, opening my Explorer (not a Mac girl)and going straight to my favorites and there before me is what I am aiming for - http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ . Treat yourself to a few minutes on this site and maybe you to will want to grow up to be her... trust me. Her recipes are mouth watering with full photo details and her writing is sarcastically funny.



I think the below is one of her easiest recipes, it doesn't hurt that it consist of chocolate and peanut butter. Two of my favorite combinations. I'm going to throw this one together tomorrow and not share. Okay, so I have to share since once the house smells peanut butter they'll come running.


Now I'm headed off to roam the Pioneer Woman's site do some much needed cleaning.

Deb

*Photos from The Pioneer Woman and Southern Living

All I want for Christmas is...

My brother-in-law has been pulled in full force into the craziness of our family, but I'm sure he didn't expect to find out that we are completely spoiled. Every year around October, I start hounding everyone to get their Christmas list together... this isn't just 'socks, underwear, gift cards...'; our list consist of complete details on what to get and what not to get. We even sometimes go as far as lising what we don't want... no one wants to make someone spend money on something that will be pushed to the back of the closet. I never thought anything of it until I sent my list to my sister and brother-in-law. This is their first Christmas together and he had no clue what he was getting into... After he looked at my list my sister told him in so many words (okay, so I'm really forgetful, but this is how it went down from what I can remember.) "uh... you don't want to see my list then." hahaha.

Here is a little insight to what we (my sister and I) have on our Christmas list. This yearly list goes out to everyone on our email list and copies are made and passed out to anyone that comes into our home. Ha! We're not that bad. The only people that ever get to see these list are blood relatives that actually buy us gifts every year and they too make their own list for us. ;)

Some highlights on my list:

(So you don't get scared off, I'll start small.)

Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter (I must have a book every Christmas)

Persuasion DVD

Flat Screen TV

Bedroom Set ( Must be chocolate brown)

Camera Strap Cover (from Etsy)

Shoes

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikon Lens (MUST be VR)

I always add a Louis, hoping I'd get it... this year I didn't add it but I still hope.

Not so bad, right? One year I asked for a car and nearly got it! I don't think you're supposed to tell your daughter that you "nearly bought everyone (the "kids") the same car and then came to my senses". That's what my dear dad said.

Now onto my sister's. (Sly Grin)

My sister is the one who taught all those after her how do the list right. She's the one to blame! Wouldn't you know it... her list was so practical this year AND it had kitchen and home items. KITCHEN ITEMS! Not my pre-married sister. AT. ALL.

My sister's list:

Home stuff – Sheets (Queen), Towels, Dining Table décor, accent items, baking pans, toaster, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, etc.

Shoes She loves her shoes

Digital Camera

Bath Stuff

Perfume

Okay... so you must be thinking that I'm the one that's completely spoiled. But I am telling you the truth... someone has stolen my sister's real list and put this fake one in her place! Kitchen stuff... seriously. When did that happen? :0

I am going to give you a cliche' line - I would rather give than receive. It's cliche, I know. BUT It's so true. There is nothing like seeing that persons face when they open up the thing that you took such care in finding and putting down your hard earned cash for. I would spend all my money on my family and friends if I could.

Now, to make you not think I'm that great and loving person, I am spending a chunk of my families present money on myself. Yep. I am. This is what I'm buying:

She has a name which I will reveal to you once she's safely home... on Monday. Isn't she a cutie?

Update: I found out that the little runt that I've been waiting to bring home for 8 weeks and named may be taken away from me by the owners. Sad day. Praying and keeping my fingers crossed that they change their minds.

Merry Christmas (no Happy Holidays here) and Happy Shopping! ;)

Deb

I ♥ Faces - Fix it Friday

I just stumbled on this site and LOVE it. As you know I am not a trained photographer, but I want to learn as much as I can since I think I think I have a knack for it... just got to learn more as I go. This site is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l. I am joining in for the first time for Fix it Friday.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't pay attention to the steps I went through to edit this weeks photo since I was in such a rush to just get started. :/ I will be sure and do better next time, but I wanted to share my photos anyway. I took a few minutes and this is what I came up with... I prefer a cleaner look to over edited photos, so here you go. :)

Before Editing in Photoshop CS4


After Editing


Black and White


Check out all the other entries at I ♥ Faces.

Deb

Vintage Christmas

Christmas time brings commercials galore and pretty soon kids start asking for this or that they saw on the TV... I got curious and looked up some vintage ads. I LOVE them, but I must say... we've really come a long way.

(You wouldn't find an ad like this out today)

(All she wanted was a Hoover! Is that love note she's reading? Puzzling)

(I grew up without a TV and any kind of video entertainment, so we played old time radio shows. Every night like clockwork. 9PM sharp. This was one of the commercials that played out on every Jack Benny show.)

(Pre-fondant... this looks gross and I must say, fondant isn't much better.)

(Before the laptop... I'm so glad I don't have to type on one of these.)

I must say, I would trade this crazy world for the old vintage world that used to be... one thing though... must have the Internet! ;)

Deb

Bumble Photography

My Photography blog/website is up! It's not completely done yet, I still need to add a few more links, but the design part is done, thanks to the Design Girl.

Check it out and tell me what you think.

www.bumblephotography.com


Deb