A Shot of Evening for you, and you, and you...

Fishing At The Pond!

2009-09-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Family

2009-08-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

I conned my kids into going out for a few family shots the other night. The mom in me really wanted a decent family shot before my oldest heads off to college. Today! We got a few--I missed the focus in some cute ones and it's killing me. It's very difficult to get them to cooperate--and they were great that night... Anyway, here's one just for fun. **for some reason, blogger won't let me resize this... sorry it's so small!

Fairy Tale Art

2009-08-13T17:13:00.001-07:00

My friend, Nancy Robbin, created this beautiful image based on a photograph I took. She can be commissioned to do the same for any of you! You can reach her through her web site: www.scrappinsafari.com.

Who knew shooting high school seniors could be this fun?

2009-08-10T21:57:00.001-07:00

So my very talented, pro photographer friend, Kim Mattina (http://www.iremembertoday.com/), brought two high school seniors with her this past weekend so we could shoot their portraits on the beach. These Arizona seniors will have portraits unlike any of their classmates! Kim had them dress in formal gowns that we "trashed" as we shot in the surf. What an amazing experience! I was so happy to have the opportunity to watch, and snap a few captures myself. (8/8/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 9:05 p.m.)

Look what I found standing for the first time today!!

2009-08-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

My sweet little boy is growing up soo fast. He just turned 8 months old and he is such a flirt. Today I found him standing and laughing in his crib during nap time.. I wasn't even upset, I just giggled!!

My daughter's version of TTD ("trash the dress")

2009-08-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

How many of you have children who run fully clothed into the surf at sunset? Well, I have one... {{heavy sigh}}... (8/8/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 8:19 p.m.)

Wedding

2009-08-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Went to a fun wedding this weekend! A dear friend's daughter got married to a wonderful guy. They live about 7 hours from us--still in Texas, but it was quite a drive. It was an outdoor wedding at a beautiful home with a private lake, swimming pool and gazebo where they said their vows. Unfortunately, the humidity was very high and the high temp for the day was near 100. Needless to say, we were all melting! The colors were orange and hot pink--I was not sure how it would look, but it was terrific. Loved the combo!

A few months ago, I shared a link with their amazing engagement photos and a link to their unique proposal. Here are her bridals, if you're interested...

Anyway, because of the unique proposal at the Chick-fil-A grand opening, Chick-fil-A provided some free food and of course, the cow! I didn't take a lot of shots---I didn't want to get in the way of the real photog, and I was busy visiting and havin' fun but these are a few of the shots I did take, along with one dh took of me and my good friend. (should have taken that at the beginning of the evening instead of the end. ay yi yi!)**the two attendants on the left of the collage are the brother and sister of the bride, and her little sister is shown again on the bottom left.

All in all, it was a very fun evening!

We'll leave the light on...

2009-08-07T23:17:00.001-07:00

I am very excited because fellow photographer Kim M. is driving all the way from Arizona to be our house guest this weekend. We got the guest room ready (pictured). A scented candle is lit by the bed and fresh towels are laid out, alongside some lovely tabloid-ish mags. A map of Paris that I was given as a gift when I was 9 (which I think means that it's technically an antique print now!) hangs above the bed. Paris holds a special place in my heart because I studied at the Sorbonne when I was a junior in college and I've gone back many times since. (8/7/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 11:09 p.m.)

2009-08-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

This is what I have been doing alot of my evenings.

It's hard to get good shots the little buggers are quick. lol

"So a pig, a sheep, and a donkey walked into a bar..."

2009-08-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry this isn't an evening photograph, but I couldn't resist. I saw these beautiful chickens at my daughter's camp this morning and had to photograph them. (8/6/09 ~ City of Angels)

The Talisman

2009-08-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Once a year, my daughter's school puts out The Talisman, a glossy, color publication that features poems and art created by the students. After I pointed out to my daughter that it had arrived in the mail, she immediately dove in. (8/05/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 7:11 p.m.)

Road Trip!

2009-08-03T23:27:00.001-07:00

This is a shot from south eastern Washington (south of Asotin along the Snake River). I just love the basalt columns here. There are some amazing formations on the Idaho side of the river, but these will have to do tonight.

Cantebury Park

2009-08-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

What a fun weekend. We were able to camping with some good friends of ours and as it happened our friends mom owns a horse that was racing at the track this weekend. So we all went down to check it out. This was my first time watching horsing racing, it was pretty neat. Unfortunately her horse got hurt during the race so he didn’t do as well as expected.

Tennis with a slow shutter speed...

2009-08-02T18:12:00.001-07:00

My father runs a men's pro tennis tournament every year, the L.A. Tennis Open. I decided to bring our point & shoot to the semi-finals last night -- the camera my husband usually uses -- and after one or two shots, it was clear that the camera is on its last legs. I think it's just old and needs to be replaced. Here is perhaps the only shot I could salvage, of Tommy Haas serving. (In my view, he's one of the most handsome pros playing today. Fun to watch, lol!) Tommy was seeded to win but lost to Sam Querrey. (8/1/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 8:33 p.m.)

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's .....

2009-08-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

my crazy daughter and her friend! This is how they went to my daughter's bff's birthday party tonight. *don't worry- we only drove a little way with them standing up!*

For some reason, they wanted to make this entrance to the party. We even had the superman theme music blaring as we drove up to the party. I decided to try a quick panning shot--while it didn't work like I wanted, it's definitely one for the scrapbook. Oh to be young and crazy again. :)

"The Glow"

2009-08-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Citrus Classic Hot Air Balloon Festival in Santa Paula, California (7/31/09 ~ 9:34 p.m.)

Sweet summer walks

2009-07-28T13:08:00.001-07:00

Sweet Summer Walks

I love that she has her camera with her too..

Party lights

2009-07-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

Dh has been wanting to hang some lights around our patio for a long time. He finally did it tonight! Conveniently, our Hobby Lobby has all the Christmas stuff out and we found lights a plenty. I really like how they turned out. He's even planning to do it around the little side patio off our bedroom. Fun!

Look What I Saw

2009-07-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

sitting outside tonight!

zoo today

2009-07-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is a quick pic from my zoo trip today

Fake "Emergency Vehicles"

2009-07-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

You: "That looks like a NY police emergency vehicle."

Me: "Yep. It sure does."

You: "But I thought you live in California?"

Me: "That's what happens when you work on a film studio lot. Lots of fake vehicles around."

(7/22/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 6:50 p.m.)

Stocking the Dorm Room

2009-07-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last night, I took my oldest to shop for things for his dorm room. I had visions of catching a cute shot of him as we shopped. Well, this is what he did all night! Listened to his ipod and texted. And texted. And texted.

Anyway, that was my evening. How was yours? :)

**I also wanted to apologize to you all. I realized that all I've shared has been snapshots---not one pretty or artistic anything. Sorry! Maybe I'll get inspired to do something besides a snapshot soon. =p

Goggles

2009-07-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, our youth group went swimming. My youngest looked so cute when he was ready to go, I had to snap and share. :)

Who says cats and dogs don't get along?

2009-07-20T19:40:00.001-07:00

Our German Shepherd thinks that our calico kitty is her baby. They lick each other and share the bed for early evening naps. They even look alike! (7/20/09 ~ City of Angels ~ 7:12 p.m.)

Scott Kelby Photowalk in the City of Angels

2009-07-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

Test

2009-07-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Just testing for J, I was playing with adding noise and the shadows/highlights adjustment tonight on this one. G'Night!

A redhead, an African mask, some speedlites and Honl grids...

2009-07-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight my semi-patient model posed for me with an antique West African mask while I tested out different ways of lighting with some off camera flashes and Honl accessories.

Newest Additon

2009-07-15T11:54:00.001-07:00

My little sister had her 3rd baby monday night, and on saturday I did her belly pictures (since the baby was born at night it counts for this blog :) ) (and there is a dh, I'm just not that far into editing them)

Newborns to follow in a week or so

Li'l Red Corvette

2009-07-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

A friend and co-worker of dh's bought a new toy over the weekend. He and dh drove it to work yesterday, and when they came home yesterday evening we got to check it out. Nothing like a mid-life crisis to have a little fun!

A night of picking summer books, drinking limonatas, and delicious, mix-it-yourself fro-yo...

2009-07-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Rita's Coffee Shop (http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/) for the free storyboard template.

Australian Wood Ducks

2009-07-13T17:47:00.000-07:00

These pair of ducks were pecking around in our paddock. The top one is a female and the bottom one a male.

I come by my love for photography naturally, I think.

2009-07-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

My great aunt died late last week after a long battle with cancer. That means loads of family in town for the service tomorrow. Tonight, we met at my sister's house for dinner and to enjoy each other's company. I spotted my 88-year-old grandma about to take a picture and knew I had to catch her at it. She is such a wonderful person. I wish I could share with you just how special she is. And she also loves to take pics. She's digital even! She checks my personal blog everyday--I hear about it if I don't update often enough. And, she emails. Cool, eh?

Anyway, I just thought it had to be my evening picture of the day! Have a great week!

Queen Mary Falls

2009-07-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

DH & I went for a walk around the falls circuit, unfortunately we went the wrong way round the track which came back via a huge number of steps. The waterfall was beautiful but I hate climbing steps.

Haven't posted one in awhile.

2009-07-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

Just one from today.

Evening in Seal Beach

2009-07-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

"The Greatest Show on Earth"

2009-07-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus (7/11/09, City of Angels, 10:07 p.m.)

Little Church

2009-07-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

Church at a place called Ma Ma Creek. I love old sandstone buildings and the grave yard was interesting to wander through.

A seagull on Santa Monica Beach

2009-07-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

Not nearly as exciting as the Kookaburra, but this is one of our local birds. He proceeded to catch some sand crabs for dinner. (7/10/09, City of Angels, 5:21 p.m.)

2009-07-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Me and dh on an exciting Friday night... Our oldest is really picky about his car---he made it clear when he went away to camp for two weeks that he didn't really want us driving his car. So what do we do?? Drive it of course! I'm sending this picture to him just for fun. hehe

Happy weekend, y'all!

A lazy day on an empty beach...

2009-07-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

(7/9/09, City of Angels, 5:11 p.m.)

Kookaburra

2009-07-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

This was taken through the window as the kookaburra was sitting in an tree right outside my back door. I need to have a silencer for my camera though as one shot and their gone.

Down by the River

2009-07-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Private fishing jetty on the Maroochy River. My grandfather lived across the road from here when I was a baby (a long time ago). I used re-dynamix hdr again.

A stroll down Wisteria Lane....

2009-07-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

For the "Desperate Housewives" fans.... the show is filmed on the Universal Studios backlot, where I work. (7/8/09, City of Angels, 3:31 p.m.)

Babe the Blue Ox

2009-07-08T03:29:00.000-07:00

Babe the Blue Ox was a great help around Paul Bunyan's logging camp.

R.I.P. King of Pop

2009-07-06T20:57:00.001-07:00

There is now a shrine to Michael Jackson outside the home where he used to live long ago, and where is parents now reside with Michael's three children. Fans of all ages are gathering, leaving tribute items, lighting candles, taking pictures, etc. The local news is interviewing some of the most fervent fans and some are in tears. It is something that none of us will forget. (7/6/09, City of Angels, 8:02 p.m.)

Sunshine Beach

2009-07-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

The beach name was not all that accurate today but since I like cloulds that have been HDRed it was a good excuse to use my re-dynamix plugin on these. I also used pioneer woman's "seventies" action on the second shot.

Happy Birthday America!

2009-07-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

The view of the Long Beach Harbor from the Queen Mary at dusk.

View of the fireworks from the top deck of the Queen Mary.

(7/4/09 ~ Long Beach, California)

Draft & Driven Horse Day

2009-07-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Every now and then we like to go and watch horse events.

This event required the passenger on the slide to load up the pumpkins and hay bales while the horse was moving.

Coolum Beach

2009-07-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

This is about an hours drive away from home but since we were going there for dinner with friends we went early and spent a bit of time on the beach.

2009-07-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Just a note to the evening bloggers... My main computer quit on me a couple of days ago---I took it to the shop and still don't have it. As luck would have it, the kids' computer also crashed last week. That means I have a very old, very slow, very unreliable old laptop until they are repaired. I can surf and comment, but I can't do pictures. :( Anyway, I say all this so you won't think I jumped ship. I'm lovin' all the posts. Keep it up!

Fireworks

2009-07-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

Our military base does their fireworks on the 3rd. That way they don't interfere with the ones in town. We were so close that I had a rough time getting really good shots but here are a few of the better ones. Tomorrow we will do some at the house with my daughters little one. She really enjoyed watching these tonight. I was worried because she is only 15 months old.

On tonight's menu...

2009-07-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Grilled Salmon, shrimp, corn on the cob, and a Rendevous plate (cheese, kielbasa, and pickles sprinkled with Rendevous seasoning ala the Rendevous in Memphis) and the hubby had a steak, but it was almost gone before I had time to photograph it...

Reading Stories

2009-07-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

So this wasn't taken at night, but it could have been. This is my two kids, sitting on my son's bed, the older one teaching her brother to read, while eating crackers.

Finally!!

2009-07-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

We love our local beach so much, but "June gloom" hit us hard last month. It felt like summer truly began today. We swam in the ocean, hunted for sand crabs, rollerbladed/scootered on the bike path, climbed jungle gyms, and stayed for dinner. (7/2/09, City of Angels, 7:17 p.m.)

Sunrays

2009-07-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

Forgot I had this one on my card from a few days ago - sun coming through the pine trees on our neighbours place.

Mmmmmmmmm Gooooood

2009-07-02T03:30:00.001-07:00

These cookies are soooo good!

Another fun summer night!

2009-07-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight, we took the top off our old Jeep and ran around a bit, including a stop at Hasting's to rent a couple of movies... Fun summer nights!

Supper..

2009-07-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Mom Steals Son's Words while he's Defending the Motherland!

2009-07-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Really, when you think about it, what's so wrong about plagiarizing your kid's words? I think my son, Scott, is a wonderful, funny, writer, and I like his descriptions of North Dakota, so I'm just going to steal them and pass them off as my own. (After all, he's never sued me for anything as far as I can remember.) On his Facebook page, Scott says:

"I'm from the great state of North Dakota. Let me just answer quickly some questions you may have about it:

"So do people actually live there?"
No, no one actually lives in North Dakota. Everyone who works there lives just on the other side of the border with either Minnesota or Montana, and commutes to work each day (but not South Dakota since no one lives there either). For those working in the middle of the state in such places as Bismark, the commute can take upwards of 4 hours each way.
"Does it get pretty cold there?"
No, this is a little known fact, but North Dakota is in a subtropical climate due to the Mannitoba current which keeps the range of temperatures in the state from an average high of 97 degrees F in the summer to an average low of 44 degrees F in the winter, so most years we'll go without any snowfall at all!
"Isn't that in Canada?"
Yes. The US established the 49th parallel as the border with Canada in 1818 following the Louisiana Purchase, with the exceptions of North Dakota and 3 counties in South Carolina which technically remain within Canada.
"Is that where Mt. Rushmore is?"
Yes. Mt. Rushmore is located in a warehouse 5 miles outside Beulah, North Dakota and is projected into South Dakota via a highly sophisticated holographic display.
"What do you do for fun there?"
Most days are spent around the camp helping out with communal chores and arranging hunting parties, but if we get lucky, on Saturday night we'll have a squirrel hunt or a box social to attend. Also binge drinking, copious amounts of binge drinking."

Besides, Scott is on some boat, somewhere near South America (not in South Dakota),defending our country apparently from Peruvian sherpas, so he'll never know I'm stealing his words.

(Kids, this may be another reason not to let your parents be your "friends" on Facebook. But not you, Scott.)

I thought this photo from somewhere in ND would be fitting for this post. I used the Dirt Bag action, at full strength, from RAD to add the texture:

Drip

2009-07-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

On a pine needle.

Catching up

2009-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've been doing the Project 365 scrapbook and keeping up pretty well. I usually print a week or two's worth of photos and play catch up. I love the documentation of the day-to-day. I also have a personal blog, but this is a bit different. A fun way to spend part of your evening!

Sleepy angel

2009-06-30T23:06:00.001-07:00

On Sunday evening, I had my first paid shoot with this adorable angel as my subject. An aspiring model, this girl loves to pose and has amazing patience, but she began to show some fatigue after a few hours. While not a model shot, I love how this shows her sweetness. (6/28/09, City of Angels, 7:26 p.m.)

My Saturday evening...(all day if you really want to know!)

2009-06-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Dd played in a soccer tournament this weekend... I took this during the "evening" game that began at 5:00. I really didn't take many shots---it was just too hot! Anyway, it's what I've got to share for evenings so here it is. :)

Am I an artist?

2009-06-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Last night was the opening reception for a juried visual arts show at UCLA. One of my fashion images was accepted and put on display. This is my second juried show and yet I still felt the same kind of nervous excitement as the last one. I cannot really put into words the feeling you get when you see one of your images on a gallery wall next to the work of other respected artists. However, since my chosen profession (i.e., law) is anything but artistic, I have to keep asking myself: am I an artist? (6/26/09, City of Angels, 7:10 p.m.)

Vassup! It's Brüno!

2009-06-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

So the star-studded premiere of "Brüno" was held at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood last night, just hours after the world learned the news of Michael Jackson's death. MJ's star on the Walk of Fame was covered up by the premiere decorations, and I'm told a lot of fans were not pleased. The show must go on, people! Today, the star is unobstructed and fans are paying their respects.

Brüno is a character sprung from the brilliant comedic mind of Sacha Baron Cohen (of "Borat" and "Da Ali G" fame) -- an overtly homosexual Austrian fashion reporter. The columned building behind the banner is where the Jimmy Kimmel show is filmed during the week.
As one would expect from this character, Brüno had an elaborate, flamboyant, over-the-top entrance planned. He came in riding on a rhinestone-studded and mirrored military tank, followed by a troop of hot women in quasi-military attire, holding gold grenade launchers or rifles emblazoned with the label "Chanel". In place of the usual red carpet was a black carpet with a logo of interlocking gold "Bs" (think: Gucci). The crowd of Sacha Baron Cohen fans went wild. Brüno told them that this was the most important film about a gay Austrian since "The Terminator".

Being interviewed by Access Hollywood:

At the party after the movie, gigantic canvases of Brüno portraits lined the walls. Austrian food like bratwurst was served to honor the Austrian main character.

While the film will undoubtedly offend a number of people, we found it to be hysterical. The entire audience was laughing almost the entire time. We sat with a Christian theological student who said that while he was disturbed by a lot of it, he found it to be extremely funny and would recommend it. Sorry for the poor image quality -- I was only able to use a point and shoot and a blackberry -- large cameras are not allowed inside. (6/25/09 ~ City of Angels).

Oreo Snowdrift

2009-06-25T19:34:00.001-07:00

Hmmmm so good!

Once a fan

2009-06-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

I was once a fan of his - not so more anymore - but feel sad for his kids. Still have the record - almost gave it away a couple of weeks ago.

Ahh Sleeping

2009-06-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

I love my kids all day long, but when they are sleeping I love to watch them.. Look what I found with Kerigan as she was sleeping tonight!

What's better than blueberries??

2009-06-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake!!

Fonzie is dead?

2009-06-24T14:26:00.001-07:00

I work for Universal Pictures and often like to take a walk through our backlot during lunch with my co-workers to get some exercise. As many of you probably know, the Tonight Show is now filmed here. I missed the recent episode, but apparently Conan talked about the closing of a local wax museum and how the wax figures were up for auction. He purchased a few and I must say, they are pretty dreadful-looking (and funny!) Here is the wax figure of Fonzie, about to be carted away. I hope Henry Winkler hasn't seen it. He would be horrified. (City of Angels, 2:26 p.m.)

Forkin'

2009-06-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

Waiting in the parking lot at Walmart while my dd and her bff ran inside to buy forks. Forks you ask? Yes, forks. They stuck about 400 of them in another friend's front yard as a prank. I tried to get a shot of the actual forkin', but it was TOO dark. Another summer night.

A nice night with the Memphis Red Birds

2009-06-23T20:11:00.001-07:00

Taken with my Kodak point and shoot. I love the panoramas that I can make. As you can see, with the heat index at 100+, the stadium was pretty empty. However, a storm started rolling in and the breeze made for a nice night. I **almost** caught a home run as I was walking out. It was headed straight for me and then hit the top step and bounced backwards instead of right into my hands. LOL

Campfire

2009-06-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sitting around the campfire!

I heart summer

2009-06-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's soft, but it was the best I could get using the lights of the drive-up at Bahama Buck's. We went out with the family for a late night snowcone. *Love* summer!

Textures

2009-06-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

In between the showers & downpours today I popped out to our backyard for a couple of shots then I played around using the pioneer womans textures on them.
Just about ready to eat mandarin.
The next downpour after taking this shot finished this weed off.

Editting..

2009-06-22T19:40:00.001-07:00

So this is actually from Sat. evening, but I am just editting right now...

The Palouse, Eastern Washington.

Nice & Easy

2009-06-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Teriyaki Beef with lots of yummy crunchy vegies. However shooting shiny food with a flash needs more practise.

Sunday Evening

2009-06-21T19:54:00.001-07:00

My Sunday evening was spent......trimming the roses

Watering the yard and roses

and watching the Hummingbirds

Birthday peonies

2009-06-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am experimenting with some Florabella Textures and frames I purchased. (City of Angels, 7:16 p.m.)

My Technicolor Dream

2009-06-20T22:25:00.001-07:00

(City of Angels, 9:56 p.m.)

Winter flowers

2009-06-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Another miserable sort of drizzly day here but these couple of flowers sure brightened it up.

This one is a weed that is rapidly spreading throughout the coastal part of SE Qld but I love seeing them - a happy yellow Singapore Daisy.
Pointsettia

Welcoming Committee

2009-06-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Meet Grizzly - she welcomes me home when I arrive at the end of the day!

Rain. Again.

2009-06-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

My poor flowers have been beaten up by the hard rains we've gotten this week. I took this picture just after the second rainstorm of the day passed through.

What's for Dinner?

2009-06-19T21:41:00.001-07:00

One of the locals checking out our paddock for crawly things.

My bedtime routine

2009-06-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

This is my nightstand. Dh brought me the flowers for my birthday yesterday morning---left them there with a card so I'd see them when I first awoke. *love* Wasn't that sweet?

At betime, I always have a glass of water and I like to read a bit before I go to sleep. Sometimes, I'll watch TV with dh instead. Nothing too extraordinary, but nice nonetheless. :)

As visions of the wedding dance in my head....

2009-06-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Getting married on Saturday, so this is the last time this ring will be photographed alone....

On Top of the World

2009-06-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Reach out and IPOD touch someone in Michigan

2009-06-18T18:55:00.001-07:00

Here are two candid shots of my kids sitting in the dark tonight playing online with their IPOD TOUCH(es).

Who needs to communicate when you have electronics to do it for you? LOL

Chilli

2009-06-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm nice and warming after a miserable drizzly day.

Fishing off the pier

2009-06-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well this one is actually from a few nights ago, but my camera battery is charging, so I can't snap tonight.. I really need to take pictures of something other than my family LOL!!

Our little troublemaker

2009-06-18T10:16:00.001-07:00

Our kitten Callie -- who's always getting into something -- attacking the ribbon on my anniversary flowers. (City of Angels, 8:16 p.m.)

Evening at the Ballpark

2009-06-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

Left town for a few days, but here's a shot of one of my evenings. We went to the Ballpark at Arlington to watch the Rangers vs. Astros. It was SO hot that we spent part of the evening in the picnic area shade... Ds was totally wiped out from Six Flags and other fun. He looks like he's about to fall over! (another cell phone pic)

Yellow Irises

2009-06-17T19:49:00.001-07:00

The weird weather has done wonders for the irises!

We've had a bit of rain ...

2009-06-17T19:48:00.001-07:00

which makes for some fun pictures.

Moooooooo

2009-06-17T15:25:00.001-07:00

Cows & calves coming for their evening feed of molasses.

And a silly one with my fisheye.

So out of focus

2009-06-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't resist this cute pic from last night, I know it's out of focus, I was literally chasing behind them with my camera while pushing the stroller with my 6 month old.. Anyway it was just to sweet to miss this capture!!

Domo Arigato

2009-06-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

There is one restaurant in Los Angeles that my dd and I love far and away above any other -- a Japanese restaurant called Katsuya. I've known the Katsuya secret for years, as I started lunching there a long time ago when it was a tiny, uncrowded, ill-appointed place in a mini-mall near my office. The chef was eventually noticed for his innovative cuisine, and with some financial backing, he opened a fancy place called Koi in a trendy area. Koi was quickly frequented by all kinds of celebs -- Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Lopez, you name it -- and then mentioned almost daily in the tabloids. (Remember Michael Vartan, the cute guy from "Alias"? He was at the table next to me at Koi once and I stared at him all night! Thank God I was dining with a girlfriend and not my husband!) Suddenly Katsuya became hot too, since word got out that it had virtually the same menu for lower prices, and now there are Katsuyas springing up all over the place.

Last night, having scored a coveted reservation, we went to Katsuya to celebrate my brother coming in from NYC for a brief visit and the beginning of Summer. If you order the special albacore sashimi with fresh white truffles, the chef will come to your table and grate the truffle in front of your eyes. (See above.) It was dee-lish!

Martha Stewart in My Yard

2009-06-16T19:51:00.001-07:00

Pride in culinary skills is a calling. Dinner should always be prepared with great attention to detail. This is NOT the time to shirk on your eagle-eye.

Be selective as you search for the best produce. Remember, shop local, and freshness counts.

Once you spot a nice cut of worm, pounce promptly. Be competitive; do not yield your find to other shoppers.

I find I get the best flavor in my cuts by giving it a sound shake to stun it senseless (should worms have senses.) Portions should be sizable, or at least as much as you can manage in your mouth at once.

Remember to not slack off on presentation and make sure dinner is promptly served.

Amber

2009-06-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

This is my Pit mix Amber.

I didn't do anything to the shot. I just wanted to see if I could get the post to work as this is my first time posting to a blog.

Sorry it is so small. Guess I will have to figure that one out. :P

Nap Time

2009-06-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

Another couple from Australia Zoo that I have just finished editing. Grey Kangaroo & Koala.