My List

Every year, we create the mother of all list.....the Christmas list!  Even I create one (everyone has a wish list!) and this year, mine is pretty much centered around my camera - go figure.


Here's the biggie:

50mm 1.4 lens.  It will help me create the dreamy portraits I want.

I love Red Velvet Art!  I saw my first pieces while on the Ellicott photo shoot with Tracey.
Elsie is amazing and her stuff so whimsical

(even Rm has a print on her wish list)

A new, cool, funky camera strap.

A storm jacket cover for my camera - because I'm weird and LOVE to shoot outside

when there is wet stuff falling out of the sky!

The Pioneer Woman.  Nuff said! (seriously, you should check out her site)

That's pretty much it - easy stuff!

How about you all?  If you were to be sitting on Santa's lap (my Santa - buff, 6'2"....think fireman!) what would you tick off to him?

(PS - thanks for the idea of the list Tracey!)

Open Letter

I've had a several questions about this letter - so I'm going to give a quickie explanation.  I don't know for sure if there is a lurker, but I have my suspicion.....so instead of worrying and fretting about it - I took the bull by the horns and reclaimed my right to blog freely!

I have had so many respond with their own lurker stories and the anxiety it brings - hence the open letter to all the lurkers out there, not just mine.   (added @ 2pm)
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Dear Lurker,

How ya doing??  Having a good time out there, lurking my blog but not having the you-hoo's to step up and admit  it?  Judging me in your silence?

For a moment, a few moments to be honest, you almost did it.  You almost had me change how I handle my blog and my words.  For the first time in YEARS, I almost let  someone quieten me, change how I wanted to speak.  I was shocked and saddened -  I love the freedom of my space, my words.  I've always been proud of my ability to speak up, to tell it like it is.

But then some wonderful friends reminded me "WHAT the hell are you doing?  It's your space, your words!" and it resonated with me.  Have I ever said anything harmful, derogatory or plain mean?  No.  Do I mention names?  No.  So why did knowing a  lurker was out there potentially censor my thoughts?

I struggled with this last night and here's what I came up with.  I was afraid.  Afraid of the unknown, the possible confrontation, the anger built up inside of me. But, once I started to REALLY think about you lurking on my post, reading my thoughts - I chose to giggle.  That's right - giggle.  I've done NOTHING wrong.  Like I said above no names, no places, no nothing.

I will write, I will photograph and I will sing, swinging from the rafters if that is what I feel like posting about.  You want to lurk - be my guest!  If this is how you get your kicks - how sad for you.  Maybe you should start your own blog.....leave me the link - I'll stop by.

But know this, my dear lurker - I will not let you censor my thoughts, my words - ME.  Deal with it, get over it, or better yet, don't lurk here anymore.

T.


PS - to my dear friends who were so kind with their words and encouragement last night - I sincerely thank you and love you.

Merry Christmas/SITSmas!

Today is SITSmas day for the SITS gang (to see many more greetings or join us in our merriment, go here)

I'm going to be honest here - this is from a past picture of me and my beautiful girls - I'm not sure if cards are going out this year (for some reason, I feel like Christmas has snuck up on me!).  I love this picture and I'm thrilled to have another reason to use it!!

Merry Christmas/SITSmas!!!!

Winter Beauty

As most of you know, we had snow this weekend in MD!  We lucked out and received up to 5 inches and it was wonderful.

I don't know about you all, but the wacky weather has confused many of the plants.  Into December and many of the trees have leaves hanging on, plants have blooms and nature is thoroughly confused!

So, with the snow and all the plants still blooming, I decided to grab my camera and take advantage of natures confused state of mind....

This rose bush had quite a few blossoms on it.

I thought the snow piled upon the bloom was a beautiful contrast.

So tell me - did you get snow?  Did it make you happy or just cold?

1-2-3 and You've got a Scarf!

Ok, so Rm wanted to make something for her girlfriends birthday (party) she would be attending that evening.  I was ready and waiting, cause I've been wanting to show her this project for EVER!

They are fleece scarves and you can make them any size, any color, easy peasy or jazz them up!

So, like my title said, its 1-2-3 and you've got a scarf!

1.  Take your length of fleece (again ANY width/length you want)

and measure off 1/2 increments across the edge and 6 in. up the side.

Then cut the 1/2 inch strips.

 Do this to both ends of the fleece.

2.  Knot each strip at the top of the  strip on both ends.

3.  Make sure you are pulling the knots tight, but don't rip the material (it's easy to do).

Voila!

You have a warm, cute scarf!

I think Rm and I made 2 of these (she wanted to have one too) in about 20-30 minutes.

Since so many of us have been slammed by the economy, I though homemade and useful was the way to go this year.

I'm thinking we will be making a few of these for friends (even Cg can get in on the action) and maybe even donate a few!

I'm also thinking that this is a great youth group or girl scout community project group!

So, make a run for the store, stock up on fleece and make some 1-2-3 Scarves!

First Snow!

This is what being a kid and the first snow of Winter is ALL about!

Gloriously Wrong

Sometimes I take a picture and just know it didn't work.  Or, I'll looking at it and know that I got it.  Every now and then, I'll take one - know it's all wrong (framing, lighting, exposure.....the list goes on) but when I get home - I LOVE IT!

This is one of those -

The minute I saw this tree, I had to photograph it.  It's massive - I couldn't back up far enough to capture  all of its beauty.  It's silhouetted and the lighting is off - but I love it!

Oh so Gloriously wrong - but so right to me.