Getting Into The Holiday Spirit

Our Christmas tree will be going up this weekend. Our outdoor lights will not be going up this year. Our decks and porches are being rebuilt and I don’t know if they will be done in time to make decorating worth it this year.

Most all of our Christmas shopping is done, yeah! I will not be out shopping on Black Friday, double yeah!!! I wish all of you that are going to be out there great success in finding what you are looking for. I also hope that folks remember to just be kind to one another. I think that would make shopping on Black Friday much more fun too. Remember, kindness spreads.

In the past few days, I have been glancing back at a few of our holiday photos from last year and thinking about how it would be possible to take different portrait photos of the family this year. It is pretty hard when I have no intention of changing anything about the tree this year. As you can see from some of the crazy photos, our family is a little nuts. I guess it doesn’t really matter what the set up is, just taking the photos with these clowns is memorable for me. Last year everyone was such a clown that it was almost hard to take the photos because I was laughing so hard. By far, these are in no way the funniest photos taken. These are just a few that I thought were cute and I would share. You can see more of the photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnmamaw/sets/72157622992635261/ You will get a better idea of what I am up against when I break out the camera.








I love this photo. I took so many photos the kids were seeing spots. I think this was my clue to stop.


The photo below is my favorite photo from last year. It is just so Luke, always keeping an eye on what his sister is doing.





I am still thinking I should change up some of the decorations on the tree but I have a style that is a simple, country look and haven’t thought about changing it in years. The other day Joe and I were in the store and he found Christmas lights that he and Joey would love to put on the tree. They were shot gun shell lights. I giggled and almost considered it but it just doesn’t seem right. I think they should put up a Christmas tree in their man cave/barn and decorate it. There is no telling what it would turn out like. Wow, I just totally got of track there.

In looking at the photos though, I would love to come up with another angle setup or something different and special for the 2010 photos. If you have any suggestions, I am open to hearing them. If we don’t change it up, it will still be lots of fun to take the photos. We always have fun doing them.

We are looking forward to spending time with the family for Thanksgiving. It will be nice to have a long weekend. This will be one of the first weekends in a while that Joe has not been working late on Fridays and on call for Saturdays in such a long time. I hope he will be able to kick back, relax and get some rest. He is battling a cold and hasn’t been resting well. Hopefully this weekend will give him some well needed rest.

I am looking forward to hanging out with the grandkids. Doodlebug is planning a family baseball game. It is suppose to rain this afternoon and tomorrow but hopefully it will be nice weather by Thursday to get a game going. I discussed this with Granny last night and she is willing to play too, if we can get a runner for her. I told her that wouldn’t be any problem we would put Doodles on her team. I think Doodlebug runs faster than anyone in the family so, I want to be on her team too.

Well, that’s all I have for this blog entry. I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving day with all your loved ones.

Blessings and hugs to you all!

Learning To Use A New Lens

Well, I finally got the lens that I have been wanting for such a long time. It is a 1/4f 50mm Nikkor. All the reading that I had done on the lens suggested that it was a great little portrait lens. I started playing around with the the other morning and took a few photos of my grandson. He was in a good mood and willing. I didn't get to snap off very many to test it before he became tired of process but at least I had a chance to get an idea of what the lens can do. I loved the clairty and color that shown in his eyes when I zoomed in to take a look.

I am looking forwad to setting up a little makeshift portrait studio in my living room. I have some great windows that will add wonderful natural lighting. I also have the fabric needed for dying some backdrops. I will be doing that on our next nice day outside. I found a great how-to article at DIY Photography on creating your own backdrops. I also need to hit a few resale shops and look for some nice old vintage drapes or bedspreads to use as backdrops. Some of those could add great texture to the photos I think.

My grandaughter recently had a little accident while turning a cartwheel. She fell and cut open her eyebrow and they used adhesive to close it up at the emergency room but it has yet to start coming out of her brow. I do hope it starts coming out soon. I want to take photos of her and she is a very good model for me and will pose for as long as I need her to. She gives me lots of time and some cute looks. I have taken a few photos of her with the adhesive brow and all my eye does is go straight for that brow. I will be waiting until that heals before taking more photos with her. The down time will give me time to get the other things together that I need too to make my little home studio. I am also looking forward to getting to work with the new lens outside as well. I am exctied to see what it and I can do out of "auto" mode.

I also have been doing a bit of sewing for my granddaughter. Making a few summer outfits and shorts. She is in a size 7 now and I am just not impressed with most of the clothes on the market in a size 7. I think most colthing I see is just not age appropriate for our young girls these days. I always said, once she moved out of 6X I would be doing a lot of sewing for her. Good thing I enjoy sewing.

Below are a few more of the shots that I took of my grandson with the new lens. If you have any pointers using a 50mm, I would love to hear them.

Blessings To You All!




Here's a photo of my gal with the gash in her eyebrow from her cartwheel accident...Just for you Joy!