I just found this...via oneprettything.com I believe?  

Few things:  It's pretty as all get out.  She reviews things.  Like completely random things.  Like things that M, E and I go gaga over.  And she shares photographic wisdoms and links?  Excellent.


hhmmm...anything else?  I have a photo shoot this weekend.  Because I'm cool like that.  I could mention that it's my own family but then I'd lose my cool a little.  Lost was a recap show last night so I have nothing to say about that.  I like the new diet Cherry Dr. Pepper. 
 

 

For all of our loyal readers (both of you) I apologize for kind of letting this site dwindle.  The three of us have had a very hectic month (or months) and lots of life has been getting in the way of the internet. 

today i started a new venture:

to house random writings and such.  Not really a blog...but an archive of sorts.  I write when the whim hits me so there's no telling how often I wil

I think it worked!  Bwa-ha-ha-ha.  I had pretty much given up on links. 

I've had such terrible luck lately posting links here.  Our links page is currently a bunch of carp.  Half of the links take you nowhere.  I think it's my fault.  I think.  Maybe?  (ooh!  I just figured out what's wrong.  It will take some time but I'll fix them!!!)

I'm going to try again though...I just came across this perfect site! 

One Pretty Thing:  http://www.oneprettything.com/

  I'm so in love with it.  Pictures and links and categories and crafts and all things that I love!  What kills me is that M has had it on her reader for I don't know how long and hasn't clued me in on it.  Hhmph. 

Seeing crafts on the internet at Christmas times really helps boost my already over inflated Christmas Spirit.  I'm sure I'll be dying my hair green and red before the week is over...

 

I'm always looking for fun things to make with the kids during the entire month of December.  We like to load our tree up with as many home-made goodies as possible.  I just came across this great origami wreath tutorial:  http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2445510/35722764

and think we will have a lot of fun with these.  I will probably be doing the construction but they can go hog wild with glitter and glue and stickers.  And since they look so simple (and so cheap!) I can make tons of them and they can decorate one for every member of the family! 

I want to hear your family crafting ideas.   Do you have a favorite craft?  Do you have a website that you either run or love that has great ideas? 

Even though my mind is completely full of holiday related thoughts and plans I have had the chance to run across non-holiday related web sites.  Today I found this great site:  http://www.momshots.com/
From her About page:

"I have spent a lot of time looking up information online and realized that I couldn’t find any one place that met all of my needs.  Momshots was born out of inspiration one morning at the gym.  I started thinking about how there should be a one stop place that discussed all the in’s and out’s of learning how to better photograph of my kids.  I want to learn this art of photography and I want to share what I learn with anyone else who might be looking for similar knowledge.  "

How perfect is that?  You all know how much I love when people share their knowledge of their craft (Especially when that craft happens to be photography)

She also has this awesome list of Quick Tips on her side bar....  All of which I live by when photographing children (#5 and #6 especially!  If you're trying too hard you're not going to be all that happy with results)....This hint here, for example "3.) Be aware of the background."  Makes me smile...the first photography tip I ever received...from my mother!   It's so true.  The cutest picture can be mucked up by trash or messy beds or some very strange off-color graffiti.

 


 

It's Halloween!  What does Halloween mean to me?  For the next week or two I will be making myself sick off of candy and grumbling to myself that I never learn.  Oh, and cute costumes. 

On another note...I love photography.  A lot.  I spend a lot of free (hahahhahahaha) time reading about photography and absorbing as much information as I can.  There are some wonderful web resourses out there for amateur photographers...and below are a few of my favorites:

Tutorial9 (Tutorial Bliss) link:  http://www.tutorial9.net/
They have Photoshop, Illustrator as well as basic web tutorials, but they also have a whole page devoted to photography.

Digital Photography School link:  http://digital-photography-school.com/blog Their layout is very simple and easy to follow.  And their tutorials range from the very basic to the more advanced...and they don't make you feel like a big dummy for even wanting to know.

Christopher Maxwell is a wedding photographer...Not only is he a really good wedding photographer, he's also an extremely generous one.  I really enjoyed his article linked here:  http://www.christophermaxwell.com/wedding-photography-tips.htm


Another awesome and generous photographer's site is Roman R Zolin, Friendly Artworks with a Smile linked here: http://tips.romanzolin.com/

And as far as inspiration goes...I have to go back to my good ole Nikon Guru, Jessika Creedon.  Her photography is awesome and her patience with my years of endless questions is forever something I will be extremely grateful for.  Link:  http://www.jessikacreedon.com/index.html 

I realize it has been a while since we have updated...we're busy...our dogs ate our keyboards...we're expecting a baby any moment now...we've suddenly developed an overwhelming fear of computer screens...we moved to Outer Magnolia.  Pick one.

I came across a new site today.  Love it.  She has a bunch o kids, enjoys crochet and photography...yet she isn't me!  Strange?  It's called Planet M Files and here is the link:  http://planetmfiles.com/


In other news...I'm all about baby crafts right now.  I seem to know a lot of expectant mothers and have baby on the brain all of the time.  I'm itching to make a few things but I have to wait until I get paid and have money...life is so rough and unfair sometimes.

Oh!  And fall is here!  Even here in the Sunshine State!  It may only last a week but at least it's here.  Cool weather...I have been able to breathe outside...it even smells fresher.   I just wish the leaves would change colors.   

What is a Dirty Girl?  Well, slow down there, bucko, it's not what you think.  It all started back a few years ago when M and I would talk about what we'd do if we had an all night drink fest and had to be at work in the morning...showers were out, Baby Wipes and talcum powder were in.    We thought about writing a book to clue everyone in to our tips and tricks until we realized that our audience would be doing all of those things anyway.  Plus...we're quite lazy. 

Today I found this recipe for "Linen Waters"...which I guess is just a fancy way of saying "Spray to make your dirty clothes last one more day"  "http://www.craftstylish.com/item/8712/how-to-mix-up-linen-waters  I can't wait to make some.  And not just because I'd have to buy Vodka.

 



 

I think I'm bogarting the blog here, guys...

I just found this site and I'm sick over it. http://orgjunkie.com/...   

I'm no where near organized but I love to learn how people manage to get their lives in order.    Yesterday the kids' first fundraiser packet came home and in it I saw a great calendar with a meal planner....I'm going to order that one and my whole life will be better.  But I'm also going to cheat off of this site...especially their  weekly meal planner
Don't be surprised when my family starts eating the same thing they do every day of every week.