October; National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

october is national domestic violence awareness month.
in honor of it AND my mom, i am tinting this photo purple because that is the awareness color. (like pink is the color for breast cancer awareness)

my mom and i are both victims AND survivors. victims at the hands of someone who should have been a protector, but survivors because we are free from those hands. some women never get the chance to be survivors, but we did - and for that we are GRATEFUL!

it is still very painful & the awful memories will never fade, but with God's help, you CAN get through it.

if you know of anyone in a violent relationship, GET THEM HELP!
do not wait!!! their life may very well be at risk.

the national number to get help for yourself or someone else is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

this is my mom:

and this is a poem she wrote several years ago. (link goes to a flickr photo)

i love you, mom!

Woof Woof!

i had a dog portrait session a few weeks ago with these two brittany spaniels. what fun!
they were for a friends' husband for father's day.




to see the full set, go here.


:)

Give Away!

a friend of mine blogged about a giveaway she's doing. go check it out!
she's a wonderful photographer & excellent baker, too!

so, go check out Honey & Jam and enter her contest!

You have to try this recipe! Yuummmmmmmmmy!

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa from Cooking Light

Snip, Snip. My new do. finally.

What's the latest?

wellllll.....

i went to school with this girl, who is now a fabulous photographer (http://www.tonyameltonphotography.com).
well, she contacted me asking if i'd consider being a 2nd shooter at a few weddings! she wants me to work with her some!
how awesome is that? i've been praying about my photography (and me needing to learn more, etc.), and then she contacted me.
i think it will be awesome to learn from and work with her. :)

i am meeting with her tomorrow over lunch to discuss details. she wants me to help her with a wedding this saturday!

woot! i am so excited.

My photo in a book?

yes!

i've had my first photo published! how exciting!

several months ago, i was contacted by a veterinarian/author about possibly using the photo below in a children's book about hamsters:



she ended up using it and sent me a copy of the book:



the book is in an 8 series collection. i'm not sure where all the book is available yet, but you can find it at eldoradoink.com.


and thanks to nate & dani for getting us to "babysit" those adorable little chinese dwarf hamsters!


:) :)

My photo time capsule from photojojo

i get an email twice a month containing a few photos from one year ago. i think it's pretty cool. if you have flickr, you can do it too, through photojojo.com's time capsule.

here's a few of them:








and if you want, you can see a few other from one year ago here.


:)

Recipes! Time to eat!

this recipe came from a friend. i have to share it cuz it's so good and very simple to make!

Taco Chili

1 packet mild taco seasoning
1 packet Ranch dressing mix
1 lb ground beef
2 cans red kidney beans
2 cans golden corn
1 28 oz can chopped tomatoes

Brown ground beef and drain off excess oil. Dump in the taco seasoning and ranch mixture. Open all of the cans of vegetables and dump into pot, liquid and all (don't drain any cans!!!). Mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil for a bit. Serve with sour cream and cheese.also good with cornbread or a cheese bread.



i'll post more recipes later!

uh, wow. can we say lens envy?!

WANT! lol
well, it'd do me no good since i don't use a Nikon.
but check. it. out!





list price? oh, just a mere $29k+. yeah, K.