tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33423620093856425092024-02-02T06:22:14.861-08:00Welcome to My WINDOW IN TIMEPhotography Enthusiast, Wife, Mommichellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-27839731164871734012016-05-04T12:30:00.002-07:002016-05-04T13:09:27.452-07:00Reagan, Grad 2016 Julie called me to see if I could take pictures of her son Reagan. Of Course!!! Julie is my sister-in-law. She married Terry's brother. Reagan is so handsome. Congrats Reagan. You were a blast. I enjoyed every minute. We didn't get a bad pic in the whole bunch. You make me look good. Love ya!<br />
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Here is her beautiful first born baby boy turned handsome man.<a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4e4451784d5449324e6a493d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=google" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4e4451784d5449324e6a493d0d0a.jpg" height="330" style="border: currentColor;" width="420" /></a><br />
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This <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/anytime-slideshows.html?campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=google" target="_blank">free picture slideshow</a> customized with Smilebox<br />
<br />michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-8683192131523560242013-07-16T12:01:00.002-07:002013-07-16T12:07:22.327-07:00Welcome Baby Easton Jax Juban!<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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<br />michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-68488584059916995322011-03-22T11:50:00.000-07:002014-08-05T23:11:52.914-07:00The day finally arrived. Baby girl flew da coop.Yes, I cried. As she was loading her boxes to the car, I sneaked off to the bathroom for a little boohoo session. All I could think of was the day that I met her her. I will never forget the way I felt when I saw those pink chubby cheeks-both kinds! I heard...'ooooo...you have a big girl!' My eyes were reaching out to see my brand new baby while the nurses cleaned her up. I remember hearing the nurses & doctor take bets on who could guess her weight. A few said 8 or 9 lbs. But, my labor nurse who came back on her off duty to witness our delivery, said, "My guess is TEN pounds!" When they put all of her little pinkness on the scale, I heard...."na, na, na, na Can't Touch This!" Carmen (labor nurse) was on the money! I gave birth to a 10 pound baby girl. I love my sweet baby girl. She has been a joy to raise. From the day she was born, she has made me laugh & have not stopped laughing at her silliness ever since. Karmyn has a great big wonderful heart. I am very happy & proud of the lady that she has become. Also, I am glad that she is able to become independent. I hope she enjoys this new step forward in her life journey. But, I remind her often that she will always be my baby girl. I plan to bribe her with homecooked meals so that she will come visit at least once a week. <br />
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Even though I got kinda sad, I also got kinda happy. I now have an extra room for all my photography gear. Oh, man do I ever need that extra room. My 'world' (as Terry calls it) is just about to push us out the backdoor. TOO much! But, before I can completely claim that room there are a few more boxes that Karmyn has yet to pack. I borrowed Papa T's truck to help her move her bed and some bigger items. We were not able to move her chest of drawers and tv so her daddy will have to help us asap. <br />
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A few years ago, my brother built some custom cabinetry and desk area for her room. Look what is still left on her shelves. Homerun balls and Softball accolades and awards, Letterman Jacket and even a Homecoming Crown. I was there for every one of those moments. We lived it. We enjoyed it. We treasure the memories. Karmyn moved into her apartment a couple nights ago. She has not yet boxed up these things so I had to snap this picture. As the years go by, I am sure these High School Treasures will eventually make their way to a dust covered box in storage. Bittersweet. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And, The beat goes on....</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...la, da, da, da, daaaa..... </span></em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG37dmQvceaprk4SnZiJZLhoKFnOJVvG9QKNiIZWZYjMod0fHvqFrihXklQqK3JzwOeEs82yuQuVUJ-eRBEd_wGo86yR2D9UjRcxxli9q2GWprYte8GEyajZbb9J9VIe6hXNyQ_Ch1CdU/s1600/DSC_0101-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG37dmQvceaprk4SnZiJZLhoKFnOJVvG9QKNiIZWZYjMod0fHvqFrihXklQqK3JzwOeEs82yuQuVUJ-eRBEd_wGo86yR2D9UjRcxxli9q2GWprYte8GEyajZbb9J9VIe6hXNyQ_Ch1CdU/s640/DSC_0101-3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hey Mama, <br />
I think the way I feel about this shelf of memories reminds me of what you said when I moved to my first apartment. I heard you tell the story about what happened to you a day or so after I finished moving. You walked into my bedroom that was completely, 100% empty of all things "Tootiefied" (that's me). So, you were getting excited about how you were going to use the extra space. When you whooshed open my closet door, the force of the wind made the singularly, solitary item left behind start swinging on it's hanger. It was a pink velvet beauty pagent dress that you made for me when I was in the 4th grade.<br />
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So, now I know how you must have felt. Did you have a boohoo session too?</div>
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Today is a new day. No more boohoo! Azaleas are blooming in my backyard. </div>
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Good old hardy azaleas make me happy every spring. </div>
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michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-10949580862211495952011-03-03T09:27:00.000-08:002011-03-03T18:01:26.934-08:00Jessica – Walker High School – Senior 2011Jessica – Walker High School – Senior 2011<br />
TommieAnn called and told me that her only child will be graduating this year! She is a sentimental mom and loves her pretty Jessica very much. When I drove up their driveway, Jessica’s dad, Mark, was rolling out a four wheeler. He had just put a spit-shine on that sucker. No joke. This thing was super detailed with amor-all on the tires and a mirror shine on the chrome wheels. I am sure that all the while he was working, he wanted to please his daughter and make her proud. I had met Jessica once before. It was New Year’s Eve. She is dating my 2nd cousin, Dustin. I did Dustin’s Senior Portraits so he recommended me to Jessica. Thanks man!<br />
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Mark, TommieAnn, and Jessica walked with me around their large property to show me some wooded acreage behind their house. Their family is the outdoorsy types. As a family, they love go to the fishing camp, ride four wheelers and all that kind of good stuff. So, today we wanted to capture that vibe. I really enjoy it when my client is in their element. Especially, for a High School Senior, I think it is important for them to be free to be themselves! It is so important for them to show their individual, unique personality during this very short WINDOW IN TIME of their life. So, today, Jessica’s unique vibe is exactly what we got. Jessica is a rubber boots wearin’, four-wheelin country girl for this photo shoot. In real life, she is also girly girl sugar and spice all things nice. She had a smile from start to finish. Speaking of finish, we finished with a change in gears so to speak. When we got back to the house, Jessica changed into a bright pink top which looked outstanding with her complexion. I set up my lighting situation which included a small portable beauty dish as our key light. Also, I went to my portrait lens to capture some close-up beauty shots. <br />
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Thanks to the Deshotels family for welcoming me in to capture their Jessica’s Senior Photo Session. Enjoyed it. Hey Jessica, tell all your friends about me! If they haven’t gotten their Senior Portraits, please send them a link to me. I would be honored to capture their unique WINDOW IN TIME, as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJZ-RLKA559HAMkOfmtPTHwvxYEXmnTIUSrp8Gr0OYwsN5iEmHTZEU7bUGDYz37-dCuYaG3yS8FuN5_wkszh0x_ApmjDRWFE2Wn5PUSvUxYqYoaTvnXHtqR1Nk8oXuNbtD5eiPHm-_eE/s1600/jessica+WHS+Senior+2011+blog+page+layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJZ-RLKA559HAMkOfmtPTHwvxYEXmnTIUSrp8Gr0OYwsN5iEmHTZEU7bUGDYz37-dCuYaG3yS8FuN5_wkszh0x_ApmjDRWFE2Wn5PUSvUxYqYoaTvnXHtqR1Nk8oXuNbtD5eiPHm-_eE/s640/jessica+WHS+Senior+2011+blog+page+layout.jpg" width="515" /></a></div>*p.s. Mark, how could we do a four-wheelin’ photo shoot without getting her back in mud? oops…It sure was a shiny mud buggy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoswkgCC9a9KK7_p-xPHyt7qYOh8mhI1RR1JqPo-_X4xblB0T9-2LMC-EwwfA57kWyi_pQfYBoRM62MNRyywMIDxQakGz9s2FSQT9KvK4Y5SFGI6SiZvwPtk1w6WF0pd_OUePuxqn9Wys/s1600/jessica+WHS+Senior+2011+blog+page+layout+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoswkgCC9a9KK7_p-xPHyt7qYOh8mhI1RR1JqPo-_X4xblB0T9-2LMC-EwwfA57kWyi_pQfYBoRM62MNRyywMIDxQakGz9s2FSQT9KvK4Y5SFGI6SiZvwPtk1w6WF0pd_OUePuxqn9Wys/s640/jessica+WHS+Senior+2011+blog+page+layout+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a4d7a4d7a45324e54553d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a4d7a4d7a45324e54553d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Create your own <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/anytime-slideshows.html" target="_blank">free photo slideshow</a></td></tr></table>.michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-56120961974494446022011-02-17T15:44:00.000-08:002011-02-17T16:09:30.549-08:00Photo Field Trip to Bluebonnet SwampWhile lounging around this morning, I got an unexpected phone call from Mom, "Aunt Clara Faye wants to go on a photo field trip to Bluebonnet Swamp. Do you wanna come with us?... She said she would pick you up....Oh, probably in about an hour...Can you be ready by then?....Ok, well get ready." clunk. I hung up the phone. Minutes later. "Aunt Clara Faye said she is on her way....No, no, we want you to go...Come on, get ready....Well, can you be ready in 15 or 20 minutes?...Ok, go ahead and get ready because she will come pick you as soon as you get ready." At this point, it was a quick splash in and out of the shower, shampoo, blow dry, spot of make-up. Ringggg, Ringggg!...Mom again on the phone, "We are on our way! You ready, huh?"<br />
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Yes, I was ready - in record time for me! Bella was in her cage and I was standing at the ready at the back screen door. I had my my purse and camera bag at my feet ready to pick up as soon as they wheeled into my driveway. I jumped into Aunt Clara Faye's "rumble seat" of her VW Bug and zippety doo dah down the road we go. We were on our way to the Bluebonnet Swamp. It was a pretty day. Signs of spring are showing up so we are anxious to go, go go! We parked and began our walk on the boardwalk that meanders around the swamp area. There are no leaves on the trees and the swamp is basically dry but we were able to find photo opps by looking for small details along the nature trail. We had a great time on our hike. Then, we made a stop by the Piccadilly Cafeteria for a late lunch. It was nice to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather and make pictures at the Bluebonnet Swamp. I am sure we will do it again as the season progresses and brings more greenery back to the brown & gray environment. <br />
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Here is a slideshow of our experience today. Check it out. <br />
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<tr><td align="center">Personalize a slideshow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-84956405482893651712011-02-14T20:12:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:26:10.108-08:00Valentine's Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Text messages:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8:50am Terry: HAPPY V DAY SWEETIE!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8:56am Me: Happy valentines day to you my love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:00am Terry: HEY GAL, HOW ABOUT ROMANIC SUPPER? (when has he ever called me gal?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:01am Me: Oh? What's the plan? (i figure-there is no plan. i know that i will have to make the plans)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:09am Terry: YOU&ME, DINNER AT YOUR FAVORITE PLACE! (just as i thought! no plan-just an idea!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:11am Me: You are smooth. What time are you getting home?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:14am Terry: REGULAR TIME...3:30PM</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:16am Me: Ok. I will try to be ready. Looking forward to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9:18am Terry: OK FINE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, it was the restaurant inside the Bass Pro Shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-71278939652845353462011-02-09T12:25:00.000-08:002011-02-09T17:23:10.146-08:00Happy (Day Before) Birthday Tracy! & A Brief Photo Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tracy, my sister-in-law, called and told me she wanted to get out of the house and have a little fun today because tomorrow was her birthday! I could totally understand this reasoning. Personally, I think we should have a Celebrate The Day Before You Turn One Year Older Birthday Day! :) What do you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We thought about a movie day to celebrate her Day Before..DAY. Then, neither of us were motivated to do a movie So, I told her we could just take a ride and see what we see. Before the gas prices went up, Terry and I used to enjoy taking what we call a 'country drive'. Country Drive is code for get in the car, pick a direction, any direction because we had NO direction. Drive maps not included or necessary because we intend to follow our nose. Terry likes to drive and look. I like to ride and look. I know that eventually, one of us will bring up the subject, "Are you getting hungry?" Then, the other will say, "Why? Are you getting hungry?" That's when the Country Drive becomes a search for a new Country Lunch <em>Dive</em>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, Tracy and I got in my car and headed west on the interstate. We decided that we were going to look for photo opps. I put my Nikon d5000 with a 55-200mm lens for Tracy to use and of course I brought my camera along with several lens options. It was cold so I asked her if she wanted me to turn on the bun warmers. :) I love my heated seats. We drove. We looked. We saw. Typically, I can always find something that compels me to park the car and explore photo opps. But, for some reason today was different. It was a ride and see what we see sort of Country Drive day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eventually, we did the "Are you hungry?" and a true search was on. Tracy and I decided that we wanted to find a place for lunch where we can 'make good choices'. She has recently begun a regime of fruits and vegetables and found her new diet was giving her a better sense of well being. We ended up deciding on Mike Anderson's keeping in mind that we wanted to make good choices. We both chose the soup and salad option from the lunch menu. We each ordered a cup of gumbo and a small shrimp remeloude salad. It was not the fruits and vegetables choice that was our original search but nevertheless, it was good lunch choice because the food was delish! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq3Nvlkc-i7YDU6V2aBcnD57N27sHRlbroL5K1luMvFPn3hjIBuAhJ9AT7x5xefGc__FwoBastl_ivJ7vRiz1ZqiLgG-FCuwtnbVT3OAQjI0FRxSyiQOYOiCA8CgYk_symZ0Omt2oiiQ/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq3Nvlkc-i7YDU6V2aBcnD57N27sHRlbroL5K1luMvFPn3hjIBuAhJ9AT7x5xefGc__FwoBastl_ivJ7vRiz1ZqiLgG-FCuwtnbVT3OAQjI0FRxSyiQOYOiCA8CgYk_symZ0Omt2oiiQ/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our way home, we stopped by train station park in Denham Springs. There was a biting nip in the air because it was pretty windy. But, we braved it out because I didn't want to go home having never whipped out our cameras. The initial intent of the day was to teach Tracy a few tips about photography. When we got out of the car, Tracy asked, "So, do I just put this around my neck?" You see, today was going to be her very first experience with dslr photography.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpYgTi7SndKYUQpiQobqlm7ZdV7Ci3E2d7Ttn4_nm_vuYZzXHOI2Ks52h35HVIn5dWnhV8HgU2lls_0BEGJrjm-EgFnsDt6b91prAiol79yIkSKVPbNIH4YoFFVoTunrMFrWsmCOI3vk/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpYgTi7SndKYUQpiQobqlm7ZdV7Ci3E2d7Ttn4_nm_vuYZzXHOI2Ks52h35HVIn5dWnhV8HgU2lls_0BEGJrjm-EgFnsDt6b91prAiol79yIkSKVPbNIH4YoFFVoTunrMFrWsmCOI3vk/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love the way the warm evening sun was lighting the empty park bench. I Had to get this shot. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZgbKZUnP5OmzeunqdJQDXf10BS_5J9HJZa8Tv-evSB9cr6yC_Vltp9Ed_rZgrfxEDcjhEZ96_V2JKjDCPwsVb73DNad1avK_u0lansjv2lTNtm3UwjzxRocMz4Gf8sru-Tbxkp0fe0Y/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZgbKZUnP5OmzeunqdJQDXf10BS_5J9HJZa8Tv-evSB9cr6yC_Vltp9Ed_rZgrfxEDcjhEZ96_V2JKjDCPwsVb73DNad1avK_u0lansjv2lTNtm3UwjzxRocMz4Gf8sru-Tbxkp0fe0Y/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of evening sun, I showed Tracy an example of using a small aperture to capture the sunburst effect. f/16 used here.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z-EDYjdMMAyZW0rO4cf3ATiOKKkAtJ2MAmd5gnIwyf_cqzpFcK-Ad8tb8RiFNgR9w1r1w3HoDps7F3Ctxl9Neld4hRjngI1_tTv4yIYkxnrnoY6mIEuiQvrp3-xXA03Q5Fpb0NCrx50/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z-EDYjdMMAyZW0rO4cf3ATiOKKkAtJ2MAmd5gnIwyf_cqzpFcK-Ad8tb8RiFNgR9w1r1w3HoDps7F3Ctxl9Neld4hRjngI1_tTv4yIYkxnrnoY6mIEuiQvrp3-xXA03Q5Fpb0NCrx50/s640/DSC_0028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this image, I was teaching her how to use a single focus point to be deliberate about her image making. I was at a f/4.5 at 180mm to blur the foreground and background and selectively focus on the center post cap. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL2LOMnwYIEKYdLOLSq37eXFfIrCKEbgNUHysgtROUoL-VgUaPg6VQsYJbK3gkrSKd0AQqGbxGaOKWPYk5DmTAEB6n922by3-MSxMnHSnfXzRlXZiZZsYxSzqFVaSKAepYMHKP8l17VI/s1600/tracy%2527s+pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzL2LOMnwYIEKYdLOLSq37eXFfIrCKEbgNUHysgtROUoL-VgUaPg6VQsYJbK3gkrSKd0AQqGbxGaOKWPYk5DmTAEB6n922by3-MSxMnHSnfXzRlXZiZZsYxSzqFVaSKAepYMHKP8l17VI/s640/tracy%2527s+pic+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is Tracy's image. I love how she went a little wider and her aperture was at f/9.5 at 135mm. At this smaller f/stop and shorter focal length, the viewer is able to see the entire image more clearly. Yet, look at what she selected as her focal point. It was the same exact center post cap that I had selected in my image. You see how small differences in camera settings can create entirely different perspectives? The differences are obvious but we were both standing very close to one another at the moment of capture. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFs1q6eCZ9Vj1iEuCNNKV0osANmrhwB1B8qbjtRIeu2KlEbJOyPacewdq9h1DlV4BccxonC1O4ipIwqwd36lSpK52UCTpqZGjW76NSoZJQihbpHYYUQcFslrzxFg4ga4EF24OTN-R84I/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFs1q6eCZ9Vj1iEuCNNKV0osANmrhwB1B8qbjtRIeu2KlEbJOyPacewdq9h1DlV4BccxonC1O4ipIwqwd36lSpK52UCTpqZGjW76NSoZJQihbpHYYUQcFslrzxFg4ga4EF24OTN-R84I/s640/DSC_0036.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">For some reason, I absolutely love that Books sign capped by that metal owning. There is just something about it that makes me notice it every time. After I clicked off my shot, I told Tracy what I was seeing. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAZwWXTOMHYg3B8RbXfBVC_x_wsLnA1ZMmjTbNDCJUAEX9SNZgFnQCuOaiHEbs8KIKp5RabMNfNLW2l0t3b6eDx3JbD_ZiJ40kkabZ-nnuFghcLHQNsdkk_5HnY2WBypidujHfbABId4/s1600/tracy%2527s+pic+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAZwWXTOMHYg3B8RbXfBVC_x_wsLnA1ZMmjTbNDCJUAEX9SNZgFnQCuOaiHEbs8KIKp5RabMNfNLW2l0t3b6eDx3JbD_ZiJ40kkabZ-nnuFghcLHQNsdkk_5HnY2WBypidujHfbABId4/s640/tracy%2527s+pic+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I mentioned it, Tracy swung her camera up to take a picture. When she did, I said, "Looks like they opened the traffic flood gates." After, I viewed her image, I like the way the traffic has converged at this little corner. Tracy placed her focal point on BOOKS. Isn't this a great image? If only a boy or girl were walking around the corner engrossed in a good book. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6QQ7PxGqEgjpnot-KKe3dg8Vp88FrbVtegKi6Jb9vPRGMKWdh3mdSMV3JCURVRdzuy8y5lnM6DHknHFfcqe-VtqRJAucS9LWvi9aGD_tvRz8h31d3jKwJ-UJlylBxteRWiY8MwmYE2E/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6QQ7PxGqEgjpnot-KKe3dg8Vp88FrbVtegKi6Jb9vPRGMKWdh3mdSMV3JCURVRdzuy8y5lnM6DHknHFfcqe-VtqRJAucS9LWvi9aGD_tvRz8h31d3jKwJ-UJlylBxteRWiY8MwmYE2E/s640/DSC_0034.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Tracy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Time keeps on tickin', tickin', tickin' into the future. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-83678383156060429872011-02-04T19:33:00.000-08:002011-02-05T04:18:28.901-08:00Baby Cypress Knees & Row Row Row Ya Boat back to the house cuz you have to be freezin' ya buns off!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRQAlQxgfEgXIA26dZPK9SAsYlUd_45_cLRPLLKoTUL_v1-sHuPxXHrPK7Vtapuzb5KIMc2ERHWZFTZn_7jkb3EijffAsPebKczllFemqYGlYfq-vBsAqFjJW9OgyjWy78W6k_c2zUSs/s1600/DSC_0001_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRQAlQxgfEgXIA26dZPK9SAsYlUd_45_cLRPLLKoTUL_v1-sHuPxXHrPK7Vtapuzb5KIMc2ERHWZFTZn_7jkb3EijffAsPebKczllFemqYGlYfq-vBsAqFjJW9OgyjWy78W6k_c2zUSs/s640/DSC_0001_lzn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today's photo challenge was knees. Knees. Well, we live in Louisiana and I always thought that Cypress Knees were an anomaly. Here are some baby cypress knees. That's the best I could do today. It was cold and rainy so I went to only one location, lake at LSU. I thought that I had seen Cypress trees on the edges of the lake. When I parked, there was a small cluster of Cypress Trees close to the bank but not in the water. The water you see surrounding is rain water from today and yesterday's rainy weather. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNinGGrP2mePYCg1Zewr1nHk0_73DnBSYKvLsLrxJTuq90NC8oaZlDjOM609pLsXjsUGo5YMjYV1esbuSwfYYE79ONzdgE2OzmaqmvIW3G_QIqyb0B3kRiE_PcUYKel2loUTJH-zYPBRU/s1600/DSC_0008_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNinGGrP2mePYCg1Zewr1nHk0_73DnBSYKvLsLrxJTuq90NC8oaZlDjOM609pLsXjsUGo5YMjYV1esbuSwfYYE79ONzdgE2OzmaqmvIW3G_QIqyb0B3kRiE_PcUYKel2loUTJH-zYPBRU/s640/DSC_0008_lzn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">row, row, flap, flap.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Standing on the edge of the walkway, I looked out over the lake and could not believe what I saw. Somebody pinch me! I thought I went to sleep at LSU and woke up at Harvard. No way! These people can NOT be from Louisiana. Didn't they hear that we had school and office closures because we got down to freezing temperature last night? Besides, I didn't know they made pirogues that long! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oxq5rChZKxFxoL6K_2RRqWu-FJ5_5nkefW3wQMuLD7FRDWqMGv5o9qFB-7yBkYdGXLO250U7CSu6ekrm_EJNnjUx-CwLOxrYezHjUo3EcPrt6IL5L3LBZxhqUagGx7wXqoYFgB9wv7E/s1600/DSC_0025_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oxq5rChZKxFxoL6K_2RRqWu-FJ5_5nkefW3wQMuLD7FRDWqMGv5o9qFB-7yBkYdGXLO250U7CSu6ekrm_EJNnjUx-CwLOxrYezHjUo3EcPrt6IL5L3LBZxhqUagGx7wXqoYFgB9wv7E/s640/DSC_0025_lzn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">whew! I realize that I must still be in Louisiana. There's the familiar aluminum bateau. At least those couyans are wearing their LSU hoodies. :) They might be asking themselves, "What's dat lady couyan doin' over dere wit dat camera, Cher ?!" </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs1opKW4nDquficHqgol0U-ArPr00zsvnaWEJXw2GxN0ORQTSh_YL7kleul8xIgG7UoOAfoNCRpLxzkXjDmsZ_WrFZqOz8hJpfigYjQnfFhd4fglT51mmC6QLsymVvlBVgafTki3AGfE/s1600/DSC_0060_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs1opKW4nDquficHqgol0U-ArPr00zsvnaWEJXw2GxN0ORQTSh_YL7kleul8xIgG7UoOAfoNCRpLxzkXjDmsZ_WrFZqOz8hJpfigYjQnfFhd4fglT51mmC6QLsymVvlBVgafTki3AGfE/s640/DSC_0060_lzn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I repositioned myself and waited for the rowing team to appear in the frame because I wanted to provide the viewer more information about the setting. I chose to show the picnic table and bbq pit in the foreground because it helps describe the area as a pedestrian friendly location. Also, I used that big tree as an anchor on the left hand side. I think the image would not be as strong without the tree element. Do you see our State Capital Building in the misty, foggy background? I deliberately wanted to show that in the background. It is a recognizable icon of the city of Baton Rouge and State of Louisiana.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This image is sooc (straight out of camera). If I had taken it into photoshop, I might would have cleaned up some of the twigs seen at the top of the image, vignette slightly & straighten the horizon line a bit. But, creating a wow! photoshopped image is not what I am reaching for. My intention for explaining my thought process before capturing this image is to share the fact that <u><em>I actually had a thought process</em></u>. I'm not saying this is an award winner. Hardly. But, if you take time to think about <em><u>making</u></em> a picture before<em><u> taking</u></em> a picture, I think you will impress yourself!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSCosDnoN1q_1LflvE_428G6oFR6KhhdH59gSriXpipACSQWi2pee1FPsacs2qlMKKcBNwEDqBJ_rLFzRKtAS5eDNEhCHZ3oc6zXmmA8Xrpi9Gb28tj9bQczew2NXgNG_dSNIpXRFeBA/s640/DSC_0081_lzn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I focused on the upper / center rain droplet and branch. Do you see a jogger or a house or lamp post in the background?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A second after I took this shot, I snapped the pic below...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzgI0GV6e66SeMHAdV9st-xQp6WFyBUY3AzaOasBgP2uPx-IRoFcRvxMgLC2ngeWI4Gg0zhBMoeIT-VnyXGXDIJvDqXBl0XE-jSeZtMej0En-YU9EgX-CpDXcW3wO8yz2IhHAX64STD8/s640/DSC_0078_lzn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">..I focused <em><u>through</u></em> the skinny branches and rain droplets to see the lone jogger. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>note:</strong> Isn't it amazing how the droplets and branches almost disappear? I am standing in the exact same spot with my camera pointed into the exact same spot with the exact same focal length as the rain droplet picture above. What changed? My focus. With my 70-300mm lens racked out at 300mm, I allowed my focus point to train in on the jogger in the distant background instead of the tree branch or rain drops. When it locked focus on the jogger, the foreground almost blurred away. This creates a mysterious impression because the viewer instinctively knows that they are seeing <em><u>through </u></em>something but can not clearly identify. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you think that is neat? I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is a great technique. You can try shooting through leaves to get a mystical looking impression of a flower or garden statue. I think if you try it, you will be impressed with yourself! :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Being impressed with yourself is good, right? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzgI0GV6e66SeMHAdV9st-xQp6WFyBUY3AzaOasBgP2uPx-IRoFcRvxMgLC2ngeWI4Gg0zhBMoeIT-VnyXGXDIJvDqXBl0XE-jSeZtMej0En-YU9EgX-CpDXcW3wO8yz2IhHAX64STD8/s1600/DSC_0078_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ACWMvU1o59xbOe3sq_Y4HPJ005-edVF0WqIYNLNY2AK_dQhrGtlVsEXnqBwnv17_S64v3qTBXBMt3w3T7I0KMi3rePbQnGN0oDSUGq8dzas_Ie705VL6EJtK04yelvwhfJ5cef-t-LU/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ACWMvU1o59xbOe3sq_Y4HPJ005-edVF0WqIYNLNY2AK_dQhrGtlVsEXnqBwnv17_S64v3qTBXBMt3w3T7I0KMi3rePbQnGN0oDSUGq8dzas_Ie705VL6EJtK04yelvwhfJ5cef-t-LU/s640/0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a stand off. I have to say, he/she won. It began to rain again. Headed home to see my pics. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a slow photo day but a slow photo day is better than a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">no photo day any day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">p.s. I realize that this is the 2nd post from this week that include water drops on twiggy branches. so, no more. Hopefully, the weather will clear so that I have a different subject.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-69478032184717107522011-02-03T21:35:00.000-08:002011-02-04T10:08:35.078-08:00brrrrr...Louisiana Snow Day, without the snow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QpQgVDivnw0XnN16FUcXIDelUTT4Wj4OAbTfubLnyOnJlbSL593Rvn3CweKfdY9yU2XuoZ3e_pBoWrtaaF8r13NDkuKPG4Q1y8vhauGg0bckA_Jn6vJIUDjoF2edV7XGqYt4jTAx8rA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QpQgVDivnw0XnN16FUcXIDelUTT4Wj4OAbTfubLnyOnJlbSL593Rvn3CweKfdY9yU2XuoZ3e_pBoWrtaaF8r13NDkuKPG4Q1y8vhauGg0bckA_Jn6vJIUDjoF2edV7XGqYt4jTAx8rA/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, yesterday Terry and I went out and about town to run a few errands. I threw two cameras in the vehicle along with my tripod. But, my goodness it was so cold, I never wanted to get out to make pictures. I mean it was biting wind that slices right through you kind of freezing cold! Last night, the local weather was calling for freezing rain, sleet, possible snow. So, today the kids got our version of a Louisiana Snow Day. It was cold today but I never saw any kind of freezing rain. Terry did say that he had ice on his truck when he left from work this evening. I am not sure what we will see tomorrow. I think the schools are closed again just in case. This situation reminds me of a skit that I had seen on Onion News Network which airs on the IFC channel. The whole show is a spoof on CNN. Anyway, as I type this, I had to laugh at the idiotic skit about New Orleans temperature dropping to 44 degrees and the city shuts down, National Guard shows up, the reporter was speaking very loudly as if to incite people to realize the urgency of the possible snow flurries. Oh my goodness, it was a totally ridiculous spoof. I know it was a blown out porportion image of how we, in the deep south, are not equipped to handle 'inclement' winter condition. On the other hand, I can see how wimpy we must seem to a Minnesotan! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_NBt4Rz4DK6Dya7aBLREuQgxAZTS0LNuyv0cTVRVjIXcHyzNrNIa-eA5OsuTyE37j6bdTYv9_1nCnRMkEFlVoZ0lTJ1xBnzG6Ftt98J19ZmC5HX-grSW0xNELsEyclU58UB4GKtEMYM/s1600/DSC_0027_lzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_NBt4Rz4DK6Dya7aBLREuQgxAZTS0LNuyv0cTVRVjIXcHyzNrNIa-eA5OsuTyE37j6bdTYv9_1nCnRMkEFlVoZ0lTJ1xBnzG6Ftt98J19ZmC5HX-grSW0xNELsEyclU58UB4GKtEMYM/s640/DSC_0027_lzn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mia keeps warm in her snuggly turtleneck. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-77675933431088026622011-02-01T22:21:00.000-08:002011-02-01T22:47:28.527-08:00From the Archives. Gatlinburg Vacation 2007<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRi6maSHKA7deGqTyItCmE_qWJto1ybNIdPwJ3kcLWaRng1I6yUXPlEHwVsYNfx1WphjFZBkMr0ltsBENmlHt1BCtkXGlltuXFNamgQKrW5yVGhhayfOy5NRlKM5Zlw2RQKowTx7f8fU/s1600/3655759297_d89fa42c66_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRi6maSHKA7deGqTyItCmE_qWJto1ybNIdPwJ3kcLWaRng1I6yUXPlEHwVsYNfx1WphjFZBkMr0ltsBENmlHt1BCtkXGlltuXFNamgQKrW5yVGhhayfOy5NRlKM5Zlw2RQKowTx7f8fU/s640/3655759297_d89fa42c66_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, I watched a photography workshop on kelbytraining.com. kelbytraining is the brain child and extended enterprise of Scott Kelby. He became a popular photoshop teacher through his 'how to' books. Now, he hosts a website where a group of professionals teach instructional videos pertaining to photography, photoshop, lightroom, etc. I pay a monthly service fee for access to the courses. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The reason, I reached back to my 2007 Vacation Archives today was because I was reminded of Gatlinburg this morning. I watched a new course where the video setting was Cade's Cove, Gatlinburg, TN. Actually, the setting was a frozen wintry 12 degree Cade's Cove. The premise of the workshop was Intimate Landscape. The instructor was explaining the way he finds and composes images in places where it seems to be the 'off season'. He eluded to the fact that during the spring and fall, there are lots of photographers but not during the frozen winter. He demonstrated that during the frost bitten, bare treed winter forest, there are still interesting photos to be created. He started the video in the area of the rustic little house and fencing pictured in the top image. This charming little house is one of the first things I remember seeing when we entered Cade's Cove when Terry and I visited Gatlinburg in early March 2007. As you can see in the image, the leaves are not yet on the trees but it was still beautiful. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dOdBo04t9a41Mu9nAlrmqSKS1R7745DVlEmgBQC6NJxNYaO71p5l4fSbAi2Iw_spb_p_qZxV4QXiRKxJZf61FzgX72mEOgPuF2s2VVV47KzoeXj96hHXwjA_UJkMRPnqqhGhm63MfeI/s1600/3655759955_4800d0c494_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dOdBo04t9a41Mu9nAlrmqSKS1R7745DVlEmgBQC6NJxNYaO71p5l4fSbAi2Iw_spb_p_qZxV4QXiRKxJZf61FzgX72mEOgPuF2s2VVV47KzoeXj96hHXwjA_UJkMRPnqqhGhm63MfeI/s640/3655759955_4800d0c494_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57doYrwwMmwy_v4HF4aoZWmf1Bo4lv3RyJ_E6JvD0nqJvEu9LNateW1CtEXYNo6ersjOwf66N9LHqz0-3vz4cCohPKYZXrq-x4fYMaMvkYmzCJJj1AjCr0ojQhJtnZzMwwaQRPLJApx4/s1600/3656553024_bcdb0c98b3_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57doYrwwMmwy_v4HF4aoZWmf1Bo4lv3RyJ_E6JvD0nqJvEu9LNateW1CtEXYNo6ersjOwf66N9LHqz0-3vz4cCohPKYZXrq-x4fYMaMvkYmzCJJj1AjCr0ojQhJtnZzMwwaQRPLJApx4/s640/3656553024_bcdb0c98b3_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF3te4j4GK5pFbrVFl9VeDaAH_NvM0eS9ynJ3JPBxrbysnj43zQPiLd_puX5m5dfQhNYefO7O8GF5pAtF8jDtv26OZmKpEYjYH_CwatDkgox-zKWiVICSKXuTOGWqxKSLEar7IstkzZs/s1600/3655757353_7940213d8d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF3te4j4GK5pFbrVFl9VeDaAH_NvM0eS9ynJ3JPBxrbysnj43zQPiLd_puX5m5dfQhNYefO7O8GF5pAtF8jDtv26OZmKpEYjYH_CwatDkgox-zKWiVICSKXuTOGWqxKSLEar7IstkzZs/s640/3655757353_7940213d8d_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Old Grist Mill above is a restaurant now in Pigeon Forge.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65gcGdCdeOe9wO5YJZVSe1ShUGwyxk1zL6MxkXkJ-s-p5jsxhtmhPfE5hRGVYCgcusv8zcXIdzEbYHnXH76grUQrR-xPDV8TZxeaZF2HaYGwbtMm_0UyyrGhB6iKDf28Y4AahmjMoq50/s1600/3655758291_4ee7a1c231_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65gcGdCdeOe9wO5YJZVSe1ShUGwyxk1zL6MxkXkJ-s-p5jsxhtmhPfE5hRGVYCgcusv8zcXIdzEbYHnXH76grUQrR-xPDV8TZxeaZF2HaYGwbtMm_0UyyrGhB6iKDf28Y4AahmjMoq50/s640/3655758291_4ee7a1c231_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ubiquitous Tourist, that's me. Taken by Terry (in 2007 of course). See that red jacket? I wore it today. Do you know how old that red all weather London Fog is? um. I can't remember the exact year that I purchased it but I remember that same winter the girls received a pink and a purple bike with little white baskets and plastic tassels on the handlebars. They will be 23 and 21 this year. I do remember the day that I bought it. It was Grand Opening week for the Tanger Outlet Mall in Gonzales. I just can't retire it. The weight is perfect for our Louisiana weather. It is still in perfect condition..I think so anyway. It might be my proverbial Linus Blanket. I'll probably be a little old lady dragging my red jacket behind me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JkZnXLKSahmRV-9Mp-IPk-8zcPemhFMBJ1VKjIjqY397NucLdSQenJVeblPTVAn6QHzYwEI1ldqQf8uALJTVXVHgJ1NkSgXXQZ8Q4v7NxsczjAGZZCwN3aYiy_V0YOUv4nZYLC7aIV0/s640/3656554228_d645ea9afa_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I took this picture of Terry reading about the Mountain people in the same area that he took my picture. This was at the lookout point at the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line. All of these pictures were taken with a Kodak camera that I borrowed from Mom. (I didn't get my first dslr until October 2008.) From what I understand, the Kodak company might be in trouble right now. I appreciate the history and contribution that Kodak has made to the photographic industry. The gold and black Kodak brand was the most popular brand of film as far as I remember. I know that digital has almost eliminated the film development business. There are some people who still use film. But, obviously the digital photography age is here to stay. I hope things turn around for Kodak. Of course, they had to jump into the digital game and have produced great quality modern products. I just read about a professional Leica S2 camera that sells for somewhere around 26,000 dollars. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Can you guess who made the sensor for that camera? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Kodak. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.advancedimagingpro.com/web/online/Image-Processing/KODAK-CCD-Image-Sensors-Power-New-Cameras-for-Professional-Photography/67$5461">http://www.advancedimagingpro.com/web/online/Image-Processing/KODAK-CCD-Image-Sensors-Power-New-Cameras-for-Professional-Photography/67$5461</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Go figure. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JkZnXLKSahmRV-9Mp-IPk-8zcPemhFMBJ1VKjIjqY397NucLdSQenJVeblPTVAn6QHzYwEI1ldqQf8uALJTVXVHgJ1NkSgXXQZ8Q4v7NxsczjAGZZCwN3aYiy_V0YOUv4nZYLC7aIV0/s1600/3656554228_d645ea9afa_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-34374866922642651842011-01-31T12:58:00.000-08:002011-01-31T13:20:07.668-08:00I like to spin a yarn but here is a Master Yarn Spinner! Take a listen...I heard this Story Teller talk this morning and had to share. I found myself sitting in front of my laptop. Then, I began leaning into my laptop monitor. Then, eventually, I was standing on my feet with elbows on the counter still leaning in because I was completely dialed in to the story delivered by a Master Storyteller. His name is Jay O'Callahan. Take a listen. I hope you have several minutes to give him your full attention. If not, I am afraid that you will not be able to fully appreciate. And, appreciation is GOLDEN!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Free your mind<em>...T minus 5,4,3,2,1</em></span></strong><em>...</em><strong>PRESS PLAY and be swept away!</strong><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="429" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14806071" width="572"></iframe>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-19739532418070438602011-01-30T17:18:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:59:22.314-08:00Raindrops Keep Falling On My {umbrella that Terry keeps holding over my} Head!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AoY0IzA_kV8zdIDlDZCUPIWxOVf68qOXNJ9AwPQ24bOODPmjydDOAoH2SA7pktqfVFnYZSNcSEAXIZJJ69fSGGt3rO8NznDHS_SYEDxwDdJyY62lW8Dp47GUIZR_ohROzXwGz-dnG2o/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AoY0IzA_kV8zdIDlDZCUPIWxOVf68qOXNJ9AwPQ24bOODPmjydDOAoH2SA7pktqfVFnYZSNcSEAXIZJJ69fSGGt3rO8NznDHS_SYEDxwDdJyY62lW8Dp47GUIZR_ohROzXwGz-dnG2o/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left the house. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Destination: movie theater to watch Green Hornet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYEcr6uvvgdU2opfzzwBPhyphenhyphenhoaPHb60eCliwCds8Ibb4oGqRlZCEXTHUy1QfPRDlzT0pK0aTW9f87DAVrLNqFJyF2Byh-X4_JlfUD2fn_IHQszav3_wa54igs7NmQOAxE-EnlX1aU-cM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYEcr6uvvgdU2opfzzwBPhyphenhyphenhoaPHb60eCliwCds8Ibb4oGqRlZCEXTHUy1QfPRDlzT0pK0aTW9f87DAVrLNqFJyF2Byh-X4_JlfUD2fn_IHQszav3_wa54igs7NmQOAxE-EnlX1aU-cM/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking through my passenger side glass through the rain bubbles. This is the corner lot intersection at Amite Church Rd and Hwy 16. It has been a vacant field for a very long time. It looks like a development is coming. I suspect it will look very different soon. I wish I had old pictures of Hwy 16 when it was a curvy 2 lane highway with trees on each side of the undeveloped land. Now, we have 4 lanes, 3 red lights and we will soon be getting our very own Walmart! I remember when Linda's Chicken Hut put up a neon sign in the early 80's, I believe. A neon sign?! That was a big deal and great source of pride at how uptown we were becoming! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Over the last few months, construction has begun on our new hometown high school & my own alma mater. From what I understand, it will be the largest school in the entire state. Oh my goodness. 28 years ago, my HS graduating class totalled 54 students! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyrpWzjPiDvhGKy11RUKUkBeGhfqo7qWOiqX9GjDnUz88uHzYY3wwTrVERk0xmiA8InwAnCc6QafLGxhyphenhyphenOMDGUL4f9EnN4xjtv84yCO7jIh1Vr45yoPqeC8q7MA8ff6ZiOgIlXKplbfY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyrpWzjPiDvhGKy11RUKUkBeGhfqo7qWOiqX9GjDnUz88uHzYY3wwTrVERk0xmiA8InwAnCc6QafLGxhyphenhyphenOMDGUL4f9EnN4xjtv84yCO7jIh1Vr45yoPqeC8q7MA8ff6ZiOgIlXKplbfY/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terry and I went to Chilli's. As we were walking up to enter the front doors, I saw these twiggy branches full of water droplets. I asked him to hold the umbrella over my head while I tried to get a picture. He kept telling me to hurry up. My point and shoot had a difficult time focusing. I think he was getting embarrassed because he thought people were looking at us from inside. He cares about stuff like that. I don't give a fig. But, he kept putting the pressure on me so this is the best I could do. I like the colors and I think the image has a sort of abstract appeal. I kept the image and posted it because it helps me remember Terry holding the umbrella over my head even though everything in him wanted to escape from the worst possible thing...Someone thinking something about him...!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> He loves me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But, he needs to get over himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">p.s. We ate, felt stuffed, skipped the movie, went to Best Buy for a car charger for Papa T, went home. The end.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-89561448416685745262011-01-29T19:31:00.000-08:002011-01-30T11:50:14.268-08:00Turkey Pot Pie in a Jiffy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q1IKMa0gKEHJvbUTqi1jW5boYnNJGwE3b3-6TIPIkrRAdYHeKg2G52YFznUtidugo7pPgsGioKqr_daSYRrGhbu92nq8GSgl7S6QxumDhDYAM1j4CSkyryoJiwlq2zF605d6SOqWiS8/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q1IKMa0gKEHJvbUTqi1jW5boYnNJGwE3b3-6TIPIkrRAdYHeKg2G52YFznUtidugo7pPgsGioKqr_daSYRrGhbu92nq8GSgl7S6QxumDhDYAM1j4CSkyryoJiwlq2zF605d6SOqWiS8/s640/DSC_0475.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I made two Turkey Pot Pies tonight from a Taste of Home Comfort Food <em>diet</em> Cookbook. Actually, I found the recipe titled 'easy chicken pot pie'. I decided to use turkey in place of chicken. This recipe is certainly very easy. To prepare the turkey, I cooked 4 turkey breast cutlets in onion powder, garlic & herb seasonings, salt & black pepper seasoned boiling water then diced into small cubes. I made a couple modifications to the recipe simply because I wanted to use what I had. You might like to try the original recipe on page 208. (image of cookbook cover at bottom of post) Below is how I put mine together and they came out perfectly delicious. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>For pot pie filling, mix:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c. cream of mushroom</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c. cream of chicken</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c. peas and carrots, drained</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 c. milk</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2 turkey breast cutlets or 2 chicken breasts, diced <br />
1/4 tsp. of black pepper</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">salt to taste</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">*spray cooking spray in pie plate and fill with mixture</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Topping:</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 c. baking mix (I used Jiffy)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">2/3 c. milk</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">*drop by tablespoon full over the top of the turkey pot pie filling</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcJk6RzAadOzQIy6fEFBZ27nTU081x6TzzN5SwOZeVD0MlDdz5APiRRn8sANHfzk41f_6eD0RGstHCj8q_NDbT6tYgqjhA6E9VIzM__ZEailDNrxaVICBVWdfcz1A33Fvi05rBUtcqiM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcJk6RzAadOzQIy6fEFBZ27nTU081x6TzzN5SwOZeVD0MlDdz5APiRRn8sANHfzk41f_6eD0RGstHCj8q_NDbT6tYgqjhA6E9VIzM__ZEailDNrxaVICBVWdfcz1A33Fvi05rBUtcqiM/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Bake:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">375 degrees / 30-40 minutes</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">(I lined aluminum foil under the pies in case any liquid bubbed over. It didn't.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZUtSq0xEHtjQyTDkKF0tfA-7wa5taK0pZcSGT4W-ZdfaKZ5gA8YDXGp4x8RZJuoghIZiYqCOQtMy0wmp_fS0vNu9N2winx86THhJfEBh0UV8P-74tKuTlpPEaIqhXMxy4tnz9KQC2AQ/s1600/DSC_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZUtSq0xEHtjQyTDkKF0tfA-7wa5taK0pZcSGT4W-ZdfaKZ5gA8YDXGp4x8RZJuoghIZiYqCOQtMy0wmp_fS0vNu9N2winx86THhJfEBh0UV8P-74tKuTlpPEaIqhXMxy4tnz9KQC2AQ/s400/DSC_0485.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My family enjoys the pot pies that I make with double layer crusts. I like those too. But, I can tell you this recipe is so easy and delicious. I simply doubled the recipe above to make these two pies. When I took the hot pot pies out of the oven, I had to take a quick snap because Terry was waiting in the wings with saucer and fork in hand. On my, 'go', he dished up a nice serving of Turkey Pot Pie to enjoy while he watched his ESPN on this, relax away Saturday. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac534Pi1EdjxFyI6IoihEw12IGksaGkf7NdGUgt-jWwk6rjteFmu4TyeGrDISADKX8JgkBH9PYNRb7viu0E30U0XkZbEOCgZkVsWQSAjyX-_Krkb_aAR7rplJGbXeiJ-3MEiS5Rf4i9I/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac534Pi1EdjxFyI6IoihEw12IGksaGkf7NdGUgt-jWwk6rjteFmu4TyeGrDISADKX8JgkBH9PYNRb7viu0E30U0XkZbEOCgZkVsWQSAjyX-_Krkb_aAR7rplJGbXeiJ-3MEiS5Rf4i9I/s640/DSC_0539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Kayla and Trevor came home from dinner and a movie and stopped for a tasty taste. After I told them that it was a diet recipe, Trevor went back for another taste!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">If you try the recipe, write back and let me know if you like it too. This was my first recipe that I tried from my new Taste of Home Cookbook. I'm anxious to test more. I'll let you know when I do.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Y_00tnd3olqKsSz8xsa4cj1O2xEOV5rGpR2jHgXzp3UEyPWWhXfCDXSubXFr2Ehg7I3eTc17ZBvbKoCN3VP1DOYG8JsIC4c5o2LEqReKLlzGW8ZBmqcrxLmHD9kEhbeXiRR31KxrY4/s1600/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1Y_00tnd3olqKsSz8xsa4cj1O2xEOV5rGpR2jHgXzp3UEyPWWhXfCDXSubXFr2Ehg7I3eTc17ZBvbKoCN3VP1DOYG8JsIC4c5o2LEqReKLlzGW8ZBmqcrxLmHD9kEhbeXiRR31KxrY4/s640/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-23093262693406227192011-01-26T18:17:00.000-08:002011-01-31T20:42:17.964-08:00WHOA NELLY! Hop off Yo High Horse There Lady!Today was mani/pedi day. AhHH... I could not wait to sink my tootsies in the hot bubbly water while I sat in the massage chair. I picked out my favorite Red polish for my toes, then shuffled through the selection of magazines. There were the typical Nail Pro Magazines that really do not interest me. shuffle. shuffle. ok. I'll take Time Magazine. I'll take Herrington Catalogue. I'll take Charisma. I didn't know what Charisma was. As the water began to fill up the foot basin, I chose Charisma. I was prepared to thumb quickly through the thin pages to see if anything caught my interest. You know what I mean by flipping through magazines absentmindedly. It's just a pass time or a way to stay within your own little bubble as you get your pedi.. The first advertisement was for a Joel Olsteen seminar held in January. I flipped through. Then, a title page caught my attention. There was a large sinister looking face staring straight ahead. The title of the article read something like Devil in Pew 7. I was curious about what it was about. I began to read. The first paragraph captured my attention as it began with the tension of any good suspense story. The character was running scared. In first person, the author writes how she could feel the pain of her bare feet slapping against the black asphalt street. She could not stop. She needed air. She could not stop to breath. She was running in fear and running for help. As the story unfolded, the author went back to the beginning to tell of a character named Mr. Williams who sat in the Pew 7. Mr. Williams was a manipulator within the church. What he said, went. No one EVER went against his wishes. Until, that is, her father became the new pastor. Her father recognized this man for who he was. He also realized that even though Mr. Williams had been sitting in Pew 7 for many years, he was not even a member of the church. The new pastor explained to the church that only members are allowed to vote on decisions within the church. Mr. Williams, realizing that he lost his authority, began to threaten the new pastor and his family. They found their tires slit, found bomb threats against the church. One night, there was a glass that was shattered in her baby brother's room even as the baby was in the crib. Miraculously, with shards of glass all around, the baby was left unharmed. Then, one night, the Devil from Pew 7 entered the family's home and shot to kill her mother and father. Her mother died that night. The author who was a young girl at the time, ran for cover under the kitchen table. She remembered hiding behind the table and chair legs. When she saw her helpless father try to lift his arms and could not. She knew that she was the only person able to run for help. It took all her courage to try to be as quiet as possible and sneak out the kitchen back door. She ran and ran with everything she had. <br />
<br />
Years later, she received a phone call. She could not believe who it was. It was the man that murdered her mother. During his stay in prison, he was ministered to and found true salvation. He knew that the first thing he needed to do was seek her forgiveness. <br />
<br />
Wow, then the next article was a teaching on the Principles of Forgiveness. Do you sense a pattern here?<br />
<br />
Then, the next article was a re-telling about the mad man who went into the Amish School House and fired away at 10 Amish school girls. 5 were killed. Even though their loss was so great, the parents of the children reached out to the wife of the murderer. They wanted to let her know that they held no ill will toward her. After burying their own children the day before, 75 Amish men and women attended the funeral of the man who turned the gun on himself after the massacre. Along with their forgiveness, they brought food and gifts for the family. Heartbreaking and Heart Lifting at the same time, right?<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I wrote about the bitter distaste that was left with after someone disappointed me. 'Whoa NELLY! Hop off Yo High Horse There Lady!'. That was the message that my spirit received loud and clear. By some 'strange coincidence', I got the preachin' that I needed through the pages of a random magazine at the nail salon. That magazine, like most of the literature was probably something dropped off by someone as a donation. You know the sort of publications I am talking about... previously perused and passed on! Do you think it was a random coincidence? I don't. I think there are no random coincidences. I know the Word says that God spoke this world into existence. I think God speaks to us in many ways. Sometimes a whisper, sometimes He will snatch us by the ear. I think I got an earful today. <br />
<br />
I received that needed preachin' and I have to say I was properly humbled. Humbled by how I blew a situation all out of proportion in my mind. I blew my cool. I repent of my own sin of pride and unforgiveness that I was willing to carry. I need to get over myself because my SELF can only get in the way! I am humbled by the examples of forgiveness freely offered by the Amish. In my SELFishness, I realize that I could only see how I felt. How I was impacted. How I was being taken for granted. How I refuse to budge one more inch. ewe. yucky selfishness. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Please forgive me AND my silly SELF, O' Lord.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00iUCvh4VQoCbTWMxLdSuTJ-MDqEUdnAnHsWXmgYD002s3L9ep85ASNUgpvVdHpKnfYOXgLgyFOSU7O4O7-DNuTlSg38JVCYmiDD0248xN6gEzAAaXAHhxtyQi1ZjmKazKJ6DjH_GLzM/s1600/hide+and+seek+CROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00iUCvh4VQoCbTWMxLdSuTJ-MDqEUdnAnHsWXmgYD002s3L9ep85ASNUgpvVdHpKnfYOXgLgyFOSU7O4O7-DNuTlSg38JVCYmiDD0248xN6gEzAAaXAHhxtyQi1ZjmKazKJ6DjH_GLzM/s640/hide+and+seek+CROPPED.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>TRANSPARENCY.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">i see you, seeing me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-64331615653232703482011-01-25T15:05:00.000-08:002011-01-26T10:43:19.875-08:00From Disappointment to Bountifully Blessed...All in One Day!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCdoNCR5hJk1i34B8TYzDQfCCqiNifkjZYzHMRsYbkOFDDGJbZvnHLlzgFKC8AJhktt1leJzsSZwh2v7skTbHEq8rQMVipegSUUQhJjOZy76V_P-Sy8_D90QRygNC4gfNzXrFcqsa6QM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCdoNCR5hJk1i34B8TYzDQfCCqiNifkjZYzHMRsYbkOFDDGJbZvnHLlzgFKC8AJhktt1leJzsSZwh2v7skTbHEq8rQMVipegSUUQhJjOZy76V_P-Sy8_D90QRygNC4gfNzXrFcqsa6QM/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The cute shoes, 30% off purchase today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The big bounty of white? El Noope'! </span></td></tr>
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Definition of Bitter-<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">having</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">harsh,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">disagreeably</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">acrid</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">taste,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">like</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">that</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'">aspirin,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">quinine,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">wormwood,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">or aloes. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;">I don't know if I have ever actually had a physical taste of quinine, wormwood or aloes as referenced in the dictionary definition. Although, recently, I have been left with a taste of bitter disappointment. I can attest, my friends, that kind of bitter after taste can be described as harsh and disagreeably acrid. </span><br />
<br />
<span name="hotword" onclick="this.style.backgroundColor='#b5d5ff';return hotWord(this);" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'" onmouseover="this.style.cursor='default'" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;"></span>All I can say in this blog post is that over the course of a few days, I have been bitterly disappointed by someone. I will not express specifics. There are only 2 people who know the instance that I am talking about because one of them was directly impacted. The other is my lifelong confidant. What I can say is that "When you push against me, expect resistance. I have a low center of gravity and will not back down or give one inch more than <i>I am willing</i>!" That is a promise and you can quote me on it. Enough said. <br />
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And, then today...! Thank you, Good Lord, for giving me today! <br />
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I met someone who heard my heart's desire and then blessed me beyond measure. I have been contemplating a set up for a bridal shoot. I want to recruit some models and create a 'Destination Wedding' portfolio. The problem for me is the fact that I would need a supply of wedding gowns. Well, I have my own wedding dress that is now almost 25 years old. Other than that? Nada. Obviously, my starting point is to find some affordable bridal gowns. In photography, sometimes you can fake a few things. You know what I mean. Think about props and backdrops. Sometimes, the setting is real. Most times, the image presents a mere illusion of reality. With that in mind, I was on a hunt for an affordable wedding gown. I figured that I could simply modify it, if need be, by clamping the bodice, etc...<br />
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Along my path, I first stopped at a thrift store. blah, blah,.. Nah! Nothing there. I really didn't expect to find anything at the thrift store that I would like to use but I thought to give it a try. So, I left the thrift store and continued down the boulevard. Actually, I knew exactly where I wanted to shop next. I had been thinking about this shop and even picturing myself talking to the owner. The shop I am referring to is a small, well run consignment boutique. Years ago, I purchased two beautiful formal gowns for my oldest daughter. She still has them today. In my mind, I had practiced what I wanted to ask. I was going to offer to rent the dresses if the shop owner was willing. <br />
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I went into the store and there against the side wall were an array of white bridal gowns in clear plastic zippered bags. I saw price tags ranging from 299.00 to 599.00. uh oh. That was way out of range for me to purchase as a prop. The owner stepped up to me and asked if she could help me. That is when I asked her if she ever rented out her dresses. In her kind way, she told me no but wanted to know what I was thinking. I told her what I had in mind. Then, she told me that she might have a dress in the warehouse that didn't sell. That's when she said, "If you look at it and think it is something you can use...Then, I can bless you with it." Ummm. Ahem. Did she just tell me she would give me a dress for free? Yes, that is what she said. My heart was rightly 'blessed' simply by her offer. Just to have someone who is willing to give me something made me feel very, very blessed indeed. <br />
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She had her helper go to the store room and pick out a few of her favorite dresses. I picked out my favorite. Then, I offered to purchase a couple more that were left hanging. My intention was to give SOMETHING to the store owner for her generosity. She refused to allow me to pay anything. She said that this selection of dresses were left at the store. They did not sell and the owner never picked them up. She didn't know exactly what she would do with them. Long story short. I left the consignment boutique with SIX bridal gowns! FREE! El Noope'! (no out of pocket expense!) Yes, I was blessed today as I drove home with a back seat chock full of fluffy white bridal gowns! Thank you Lord from whom ALL blessings flow!michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-62826040850423057932011-01-18T22:17:00.000-08:002011-01-19T13:02:55.532-08:00Me & Melissa check out latest wedding files at Starbucks <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKo-QpdB4ip5h-l5A7KElYqpOHyytYJJXCqEE6QkHo4fLPaAJV7KTTWGm5lNBDy56cbtHgDRI_qppTmjuNqupgSOfm6gXu_ozVUGzdVF1IkykdaTKb7vWDTfxq0Ra-Uo8_8jHG3hTppI/s1600/.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKo-QpdB4ip5h-l5A7KElYqpOHyytYJJXCqEE6QkHo4fLPaAJV7KTTWGm5lNBDy56cbtHgDRI_qppTmjuNqupgSOfm6gXu_ozVUGzdVF1IkykdaTKb7vWDTfxq0Ra-Uo8_8jHG3hTppI/s640/.1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa and I met at Starbucks to share our images from our latest Wedding. This was Melissa's 1st commissioned wedding. Because she assisted me on almost all of my Weddings last year, I was excited to help her out.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_2AuzYuSCil8JqyIG0AExn_rtui9XLV6O3FAodWwA4krMqc9azEn4B4bVAaYcZhgarg6LawpQR2i8iqhdCK9Cxt1ozKLXU1ziHjn16xmH4WwP-y8JRoY2zZjAwiv-KvEwFIcUT9AXZQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_2AuzYuSCil8JqyIG0AExn_rtui9XLV6O3FAodWwA4krMqc9azEn4B4bVAaYcZhgarg6LawpQR2i8iqhdCK9Cxt1ozKLXU1ziHjn16xmH4WwP-y8JRoY2zZjAwiv-KvEwFIcUT9AXZQ/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ooooh, so lovely! Don't you wish you could see?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqV9fFmvmB-7TEvTNzx_9jlnoniZbuVIbxIJBfMgxg9O0IuwFolddlDcrbWTUER7bI1nGvwunApD8K0kFLwfF5iu1tSupLNUUri5xAWVHUwmr1puJ0EpFMLKgDkEFCu8MVPUWekV2mSs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqV9fFmvmB-7TEvTNzx_9jlnoniZbuVIbxIJBfMgxg9O0IuwFolddlDcrbWTUER7bI1nGvwunApD8K0kFLwfF5iu1tSupLNUUri5xAWVHUwmr1puJ0EpFMLKgDkEFCu8MVPUWekV2mSs/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time for another swig!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PMPFI3aNagWVO_O15TpytpTZbkjx_fKgtuPS7MLFCl4wwkQUyQ8GsRPnQvB4c-ngiluoNviVRPvQZHB-WsNAeqUKTZi5OlwUixv-A8S0tiaXUEFEA6fAye-YzyxyPQsUD6dUKKDRhLw/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PMPFI3aNagWVO_O15TpytpTZbkjx_fKgtuPS7MLFCl4wwkQUyQ8GsRPnQvB4c-ngiluoNviVRPvQZHB-WsNAeqUKTZi5OlwUixv-A8S0tiaXUEFEA6fAye-YzyxyPQsUD6dUKKDRhLw/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. McQuiddy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmQI0VI02GywxMqGSRp7wRUOgYQ97F3dXTqRCalBxnIeQORnXAf7fGdjJbXmxLUpO9_N3qOJlYqV2JW4ggT41RLJH0Q6JIeAvhzNKLJws1r9VVljyZXc9b9L4OBl3f8l5Q3fhnSGhmUU/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmQI0VI02GywxMqGSRp7wRUOgYQ97F3dXTqRCalBxnIeQORnXAf7fGdjJbXmxLUpO9_N3qOJlYqV2JW4ggT41RLJH0Q6JIeAvhzNKLJws1r9VVljyZXc9b9L4OBl3f8l5Q3fhnSGhmUU/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Melissa's daughter is behind the lens! When I saw that pom-pom on top of my head, I was scared it was a glamour don't... </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGqo0uXi-P9IomQM4ZiTY0XjJYJsDSs64k2HR1bfKhWbeupo3pRlu58qe_Ui_Bcj04K93uJnMEeLSbn8XoSjPYgtMK4nbVMxvOkPGajGPyg9JAaWzp97h6tqggosTXS7u4azj9ML6gUQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGqo0uXi-P9IomQM4ZiTY0XjJYJsDSs64k2HR1bfKhWbeupo3pRlu58qe_Ui_Bcj04K93uJnMEeLSbn8XoSjPYgtMK4nbVMxvOkPGajGPyg9JAaWzp97h6tqggosTXS7u4azj9ML6gUQ/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I 'whip my hair my hair back and forth' to just 'shake 'em off'! Just whip it, Whip it Real Good! & Got my Swag On! lol! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">BEWARE, ADVISORY WARNING: If you watch this video, you just might feel the need to uncontrollably <u><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">"Whip Your Hair Back and Forth"! </span></u></span><br />
<object height="271" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/xf9loz?width=&theme=none&foreground=%23F7FFFD&highlight=%23FFC300&background=%23171D1B&start=&animatedTitle=&iframe=0&additionalInfos=0&autoPlay=0&hideInfos=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/video/xf9loz?width=&theme=none&foreground=%23F7FFFD&highlight=%23FFC300&background=%23171D1B&start=&animatedTitle=&iframe=0&additionalInfos=0&autoPlay=0&hideInfos=0" width="480" height="271" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br />
<b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xf9loz_willow-smith-whip-my-hair-official_music">Willow Smith - Whip My Hair ( Official Video TyhansTV )</a></b><br />
<i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/tyhansofficiel">tyhansofficiel</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/us/channel/music" target="_self">See the latest featured music videos.</a></i>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-20726972782311695582011-01-14T20:36:00.000-08:002011-01-26T05:03:15.814-08:00Old Governor's Mansion-Jazz Musicians & Ballroom DancingMelissa of <a href="http://melissaroephotography.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Melissa Roe Photography</span></a><span style="color: #134f5c;">,</span> and I went to the <span style="color: #45818e;">Old Governor's Mansion</span> to scope out the situation! Not a Jersey Shore 'Situation' but a<span style="color: #45818e;"> BR Wedding Expo</span> Situation. Our intention was to find out how other photographer's set up their display and see if there is enough traffic to make the expense worthwhile. When we were walking up to the steps to enter the Mansion, we had to figure out which one of us was going to be the bride! hmmmm... It didn't matter! Hey, they snatched up our 10 dollars cash at the door. So, we went up in there like we owned the joint! Actually, when we walked in we could smell ...sniff, sniff, sniff....Wedding appetizers & h'orderves! My favorite food group.<br />
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Melissa and I enjoyed a plate full of super delicious party food provided by Drake's Catering and Heirloom Catering. Both catering companies had food spreads on the huge buffet table in the Dining Room. It was elegantly displayed. Better than that...that food was bombdiggity. There was a Wine and Martini Bar serving their special Blue Tinis. Wafting from down the hall ..., sniff, sniff, sniff...(think Blue's Clues!)...we caught a whiff of that distinctive fine smell of freshly brewING coffee. Ain't no better aroma! So, we followed our noses down the hall and around the corner to the coffee urn. That dark peculated coffee was just we wanted. I didn't count 'em but Melissa was tearing open quite a few packets of creamer and sugar. I noticed her swizzling with the skinny black stir stick. Then, she had to go through a few repetitions of...sluuuuurrrp..sip, sip, sip...smack, smack, smack....til she got it juuuuust right. She is so funny. Me? I don't need NO CereMony! - plain black coffee here. :) <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I love to observe how people do things in their own way. People watching is cheap entertainment. Speaking of entertaining, here are some pics that I took of the Jazz Band Ensemble that played during the meet and greet hour. This band was fantastic. I was diggin' on their groove. To tell the truth, I was ready to go lay some James Brown moves out on the dance floor. I decided not to embarrass Melissa. Plus, I didn't want to make a Spectacle of myself! Notice how similar the words Spectacle and Spectacular are. Maybe I should have laid my James Brown moves out on the floor...I just might have been <strong>Spectacular </strong>instead! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess we will never know. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Que Sera, Sera</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMYwXnPC9Nl6zbJ9b0v-zTN8O3XHxu_5tSsJ0j159rZcukvchmKQ_W7UyzqPwBLjnicsoR8feT9l3hITsIannQ8X6BZIm6FIQBUrIdyJtmmjPn5E8oq1JmympnT8rMkzrAu3HO2ai3jA/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMYwXnPC9Nl6zbJ9b0v-zTN8O3XHxu_5tSsJ0j159rZcukvchmKQ_W7UyzqPwBLjnicsoR8feT9l3hITsIannQ8X6BZIm6FIQBUrIdyJtmmjPn5E8oq1JmympnT8rMkzrAu3HO2ai3jA/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I took all these pics with my point and shoot that I had in my purse. Beside the fact that I did not want to rudely walk up and pop flash into the eyes of the musicians, I purposefully turned OFF the camera flash because I wanted capture ambiance. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">For these moody pics, I love the character that comes through without flash. When I know that I must nail the safe, clear shot, my flash gets turned on of course. But, when I shoot for fun...I can experiment a little. I love the freeedom of digital photography. Some are keepers...some are weepers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> I decided these were keepers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsrzt1xnV2JFIGuUu9uATkddEkwa0iBpkzlw7f0uurEEKBD75zumOInIkKj8ziYjpRMW7HK3MXxzB_wElQGgQh32o7CvZZzfHJlL1Sy94x8CWIykjrKAR3YRVPootNMItVml71szci2Y/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsrzt1xnV2JFIGuUu9uATkddEkwa0iBpkzlw7f0uurEEKBD75zumOInIkKj8ziYjpRMW7HK3MXxzB_wElQGgQh32o7CvZZzfHJlL1Sy94x8CWIykjrKAR3YRVPootNMItVml71szci2Y/s640/2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVI4_l4fqYt-fYGTet-VowVAQpmatnilM4GTVLdEuHMu4_Nxh2OIc38Lz9jld6LxC2-dMeG5MOGv6a-EqAkF9ocERePnyQClgvHhZIuZiA4kYwv2zJItzhhcF2tdNxdNl1JG_QLTTwRA/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVI4_l4fqYt-fYGTet-VowVAQpmatnilM4GTVLdEuHMu4_Nxh2OIc38Lz9jld6LxC2-dMeG5MOGv6a-EqAkF9ocERePnyQClgvHhZIuZiA4kYwv2zJItzhhcF2tdNxdNl1JG_QLTTwRA/s640/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3XcghzrcqnrZjQpUIX_z02JVnEyyBoSn8LcazhkJN1poyWU34Vfnku11kXC40xks8Ou031uoZ1v4VGWXhRkvNltZImSQrvEeWmNHSkl4mu2uXl_uCjfvltZk8Y_Eb6ithufuvKxtE0U/s1600/A01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3XcghzrcqnrZjQpUIX_z02JVnEyyBoSn8LcazhkJN1poyWU34Vfnku11kXC40xks8Ou031uoZ1v4VGWXhRkvNltZImSQrvEeWmNHSkl4mu2uXl_uCjfvltZk8Y_Eb6ithufuvKxtE0U/s320/A01.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdzQVCm0CABLohY2bTSsB-aPd_ObPBLuey_0hWlRH_54wbqhx9GITCctmPjHeDWp_c0igEe7IfoLid871mu3O0_7tmFwRJIjUqwNUfQX1kZgPRlRZSm6fttTLWnC8ph0TxxJ5wu-Hefo/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdzQVCm0CABLohY2bTSsB-aPd_ObPBLuey_0hWlRH_54wbqhx9GITCctmPjHeDWp_c0igEe7IfoLid871mu3O0_7tmFwRJIjUqwNUfQX1kZgPRlRZSm6fttTLWnC8ph0TxxJ5wu-Hefo/s640/7.JPG" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5l5pWxBHCgSrwxt_ImilQ0NUarTtITD-Va9MkpJJ4-xVxtpuAkOpuYc-BBBIOW87xBzb2EzOti8K85ot4CNCze7erRMN2K72BZmAn5Tu4oVHQqMJP-evwBez6I-L-0HlMWf2Ed3rNqY/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5l5pWxBHCgSrwxt_ImilQ0NUarTtITD-Va9MkpJJ4-xVxtpuAkOpuYc-BBBIOW87xBzb2EzOti8K85ot4CNCze7erRMN2K72BZmAn5Tu4oVHQqMJP-evwBez6I-L-0HlMWf2Ed3rNqY/s640/5.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">For the dancers, I knew that I was going to have motion blur because I was not using flash to stop the motion.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I like all these images!!! In the past, I'm sure I probably would have deleted all of them because </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">a) they are dark. b) they are blurry. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;">After viewing and studying photography, my eye appreciates imperfections in a new way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> I adore the ethereal effect of the blurring created by the swirling dancers & musicians.</span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Here is a you tube video of <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Doris Day</strong></span> singing <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Que Sera, Sera</span></strong>. I always thought Doris Day was a classy lady. And, we share a First Name! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Yep, my first name is Doris. I was named after my beloved Aunt Dot. </span></div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xZbKHDPPrrc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xZbKHDPPrrc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-26781482527471131952011-01-12T20:24:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:33:55.038-08:00Hand Crafted & Custom Designed...GRANNY BEADS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTyaEqTOlzh2eNpMvCBDL3IHxJDfj8iYsKjofRohnHtKz4wqHKxmfVq93uNBlreasCX7u0SMiNuVIJsJRNhmLhexq85vldjVT9OxUQUarRm9qAO3aYmIteL_CpfrnjfXMgfAXYQnM8xw/s1600/4+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTyaEqTOlzh2eNpMvCBDL3IHxJDfj8iYsKjofRohnHtKz4wqHKxmfVq93uNBlreasCX7u0SMiNuVIJsJRNhmLhexq85vldjVT9OxUQUarRm9qAO3aYmIteL_CpfrnjfXMgfAXYQnM8xw/s640/4+for+blog.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Last month, I went with mom to her bead supplier. What kind of image does, 'kid in a candy store' conjure up? Well, just imagine'Tootie in a jewelry store'! Oh, yeah! Anybody that knows me, can tell you that I am like a fish. Anything SHINY lures me - hook, line & sinker! I am rather proud of myself. I did refrain from buying out the whole store. What I decided on was some very unique beads. They are actually taken from a granite quarry. This granite is very expensive and the Japanese are buying up huge slabs of the stuff for countertops. I could not resist these beads. The overall color looks to be an olive green. Yet, when you look close, you can see colors of purple and gold in the veining. I think they are gorgeous up close and personal. In the first and second picture posted here, I attempted to show their beauty. I think they look pretty here but a photo can not describe the luxurious, weighty quality of the beads. These two photos were taken at Mom's jewelry work bench as she was trying to configure a pattern for a custom necklace design. Mom did finish my necklace that she had begun here. Not only did I get one necklace from these unique beads, I got 2 necklaces, 2 braclets & 3 pair of earrings! I love them. I am in an old black hoodie sweatshirt, yoga pants, tennis shoes and sit here at the computer with my new shiny jewerly dripping off me. Yep, that's me... bedecked and bedazzled to the 'NINES' in my new jewelry as I type this blog post. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Cuz that's how I roll, y'all!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk9O61Xsv5b2PqjdKURrQ9cZykOqOzm4p30UnANjL-YWAYB5OARMY4OiHSlVQtdwEDpLWazcQ-HhakZJ4OlgS3h7U0eEDdbvdYb1JHZ0XXySD9rupJ2FqyiLwanv1XlWM-MNoKzR7j0c/s1600/3+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk9O61Xsv5b2PqjdKURrQ9cZykOqOzm4p30UnANjL-YWAYB5OARMY4OiHSlVQtdwEDpLWazcQ-HhakZJ4OlgS3h7U0eEDdbvdYb1JHZ0XXySD9rupJ2FqyiLwanv1XlWM-MNoKzR7j0c/s640/3+for+blog.JPG" width="440" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkhBKgN216K7E0uklxb6rSMWV9cA9V-PeyX_r7yTq3paqWz6FnVNpYYjbtcMyglrjivjuVguWdi8EiBDKUx2tB6CTLmAmU7AiiFnk4BqefGadcFjVAPVvmRV05tAFmrAodABSByi6gdg/s1600/1+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkhBKgN216K7E0uklxb6rSMWV9cA9V-PeyX_r7yTq3paqWz6FnVNpYYjbtcMyglrjivjuVguWdi8EiBDKUx2tB6CTLmAmU7AiiFnk4BqefGadcFjVAPVvmRV05tAFmrAodABSByi6gdg/s640/1+for+blog.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the rose colored swarovski pearl necklace & bracelet strands, plus earrings that Mom created for herself. Previously, she had only created her pearl strands with genuine cultured pearls. Then, she discovered the Swarovski Pearls. They are excellent, excellent quality Swarovski created colored pearls with a Lifetime Guarantee. With the Swarovski name behind them, the quality is unquestionable. It is worth the extra expense for heirloom quality pieces. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OVhQByPCRHkECrSkY2UCOVe9DZEBGpFZI0Tigh4pPiuYVRD6PanyxcpOmIVSp_iDw9F9YwE3xX139Qko2XEZcmq9sEfDdiz7ePuARoRw2jRT6ZzE7jSquqIHR9byZq-bO3objw1mPVc/s1600/2+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OVhQByPCRHkECrSkY2UCOVe9DZEBGpFZI0Tigh4pPiuYVRD6PanyxcpOmIVSp_iDw9F9YwE3xX139Qko2XEZcmq9sEfDdiz7ePuARoRw2jRT6ZzE7jSquqIHR9byZq-bO3objw1mPVc/s640/2+for+blog.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Contact </span></strong><a href="mailto:bjslaton@cox.net"><strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Betty Slaton</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> For Pricing Information.</span></strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will be surprised at Mom's prices. I tell her she is giving her beautiful hand crafted jewelry away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She told me that she likes to do it and is happy with her pricing structure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Every piece she creates is meticulously and carefully constructed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will have something that will last if you are lucky enough to own her </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">GRANNY BEADS</span></strong>! </div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-70853545990664253192011-01-08T11:01:00.000-08:002011-01-08T11:27:48.482-08:00our Littlest RugRats<span style="font-size: large;">MIA</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG971NveoybND5zG9v97pG49u7LI34_hxpKLBtGJoXYEolExigzJ53OeXuW504un0OTP4KcbD-Its0RBEKkl2Z_hgjgWmRxNPPlIp0j5w7kg_tGm2xwwifyOLUmzHizUfG9gN1KNoZi8/s1600/MIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG971NveoybND5zG9v97pG49u7LI34_hxpKLBtGJoXYEolExigzJ53OeXuW504un0OTP4KcbD-Its0RBEKkl2Z_hgjgWmRxNPPlIp0j5w7kg_tGm2xwwifyOLUmzHizUfG9gN1KNoZi8/s640/MIA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is our sweet, gentle Mia. She will be 3 years old soon. She is quiet and respectful and really a perfect housedog. Kayla bought her and she became our family's first housedog to actually become a permanant member of the family. I have never wanted an indoor pet. When the girl's were young, we tried but it didn't work out. I just don't have the patience. Mia came and stayed. We all fell in love with her. She did make mistakes when she was younger and I fussed like crazy. But, I really love her still. Mia began to get so chubby because she is a true lapdog. I always say that she is a 'stuffed dog with a pulse'. I made the comment one day that she needed a friend that she can run around the yard with. My younger daughter heard this and I am sure her ears perked up because before I knew what hit me, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In Comes Bella! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">SMUGGLED In Comes Bella, I should mention!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, Karmyn smuggled her into our home. I woke up one morning and I saw Kayla standing in Karmyn's room while Karmyn was still in bed. Then, my mom sonar heard, "Have you told Mom, yet?" I did my whip around on a dime and slipped in to find out, "Told Mom what?" Karmyn smiled and slowly pulled out this little 6 week old puppy that she had hidden under her covers. She told me that she bought her for $50 from SPCA. SPCA had set up outside Petco. When Karmyn saw her, she could not leave her. She quickly reminded me, "Mom, you said that Mia needed a friend!". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am sure she had that line prepared!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And, that is how Bella was smuggled into the family. Bella is almost one year old now. She wants to be everywhere that I am. For so many, many years, I was completely closed to the idea of having an indoor pet. I didn't want the problems. I still do not want the problems. Although, I now know what it means to be absolutely adored by a dog. Isn't it nice to be absolutely adored?</span><br />
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<div align="left"><span style="font-size: large;">Bella aka Bellie Belle.</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqJZF5zBmyn2_uY6jHzlDWg0wggdU61gsBwaghB7IIIHOtqkIO8l08R8foN0AHtwRuLx_aC-SAK_hpAZuuzBmAbuRzLRH-lMMZzOyhDVNO1Ghn6uOhKtyMhCdCOJqnlSGyRYYBqFi1ks/s1600/BELLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqJZF5zBmyn2_uY6jHzlDWg0wggdU61gsBwaghB7IIIHOtqkIO8l08R8foN0AHtwRuLx_aC-SAK_hpAZuuzBmAbuRzLRH-lMMZzOyhDVNO1Ghn6uOhKtyMhCdCOJqnlSGyRYYBqFi1ks/s640/BELLA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, what is NOT nice? Don't get me started! This is a terribly undisciplined dog. If you only knew! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">When she is bad, Terry calls her a Thug Dog because she is a mixed breed. Then, I feel sorry for her for being a "thug dog". Then, immediately I realize that she is Thug and she is bbbBad-Bad to the Bone! Sometimes the frustrastion makes me feel like a bull with steam blowing out of my ears. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Then, there are other times when I love her so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Like, when I take a nap Bella aways curls up into her duddle bug ball right next to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The warm snuggly duddle ball makes everything OK. Needless to say she smuggled her way right into my heart. </span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xgdPswxtK6hXj7VVO9uYPKFCByyVQIK3tYz6cWanJyHhTHawe-8HYPSWgWz0N6Myv3Z1EEueyXUjTamIJFh1OpDAajDsWUJguTxYkv8Fb5SXL6mfafim32rBJRFOdu7Ad2Q14eyzCrs/s1600/TOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xgdPswxtK6hXj7VVO9uYPKFCByyVQIK3tYz6cWanJyHhTHawe-8HYPSWgWz0N6Myv3Z1EEueyXUjTamIJFh1OpDAajDsWUJguTxYkv8Fb5SXL6mfafim32rBJRFOdu7Ad2Q14eyzCrs/s640/TOY.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We have toys like stuffed cows with a rope running through it laying about the floor. When I say, "Wanna go Outside?" Bella snags it up and shoots out the door. At this point, she is a joyful puppy bounding around the backyard with her cow. Then, the cow comes back inside all slobbery. yucky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So, it goes in the washing machine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">As soon as it comes out the washer, back to the floor and the routine happens all over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Toys in the Floor! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ugggg...I thought I was done with that long ago!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></a></div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-27208006011723421952011-01-05T08:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T09:09:05.433-08:00Dinner (& a Movie) for Schmucks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzt_98g8dlKmCJc979Vu41DxbrCc7w1T089EiFnpR5xd_jdwDQ2i5nJe1vYap1igdDTvMpaDOlbCeepyhXXS9ryWHB292OkCmxd9owUjAg84vsFc_QP8-A8Fk3-mlduROgWP6AOJGtX4/s1600/DSC05928-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzt_98g8dlKmCJc979Vu41DxbrCc7w1T089EiFnpR5xd_jdwDQ2i5nJe1vYap1igdDTvMpaDOlbCeepyhXXS9ryWHB292OkCmxd9owUjAg84vsFc_QP8-A8Fk3-mlduROgWP6AOJGtX4/s640/DSC05928-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yesterday, after work, Terry called to ask what we were having for supper. I told him the frig is full of left overs so I did not cook. He told me he was pea'd & cabbaged out. Well, he had a point. It is time to clean out all those left overs from New Year's Day because we are now well into 2011. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is crazy how fast the days roll by! Before you know it..., well I'm not gonna say it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner for Schumcks was just released for movie rental. I rented it from the Red Box that stands outside our hometown Walgreens. When Terry called, I told him that I had rented a couple movies. He asked me how pizza sounded. Pizza?!! Yeah, pizza and a movie sounds like a winner. He told me to call in pizza and he would pick it up before he came home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Today's photo challenge is 'Natural Framing'. This morning, I noticed the empty pizza box on the kitchen countertop from last night's Dinner & a Movie. Seeing the pizza box gave me an idea. My idea was to attempt to shoot through the hole in the center of the movie case. So, above is my interpetation of Dinner (& a movie) for Schmucks. By the way, I only saw half of it because Kayla came home and needed my attention with something. The half that I did see was HILLARIOUS! Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd are both two of my favorite comedic actors. Put them together, and this move was INSANE! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here was my quick set up. I used a lunch box to bring the hole into position to see the little pizza man. Then, I had to strain to get high up on my tippy toes to see down through the hole. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpFfMybf4LmZ3Xu3wxVlFqrfR4eZKgA6eY_NMnQ3ndAUaBICOBzjr_BxhzCQosPAPqTGUaptDuJmXxFO6BbSvwy8cImhD-Yjg4lL6RCBdvZk8O2gH9RdVqmdDNdwxXNRGn-39hXp-Ia8/s1600/DSC05933-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpFfMybf4LmZ3Xu3wxVlFqrfR4eZKgA6eY_NMnQ3ndAUaBICOBzjr_BxhzCQosPAPqTGUaptDuJmXxFO6BbSvwy8cImhD-Yjg4lL6RCBdvZk8O2gH9RdVqmdDNdwxXNRGn-39hXp-Ia8/s640/DSC05933-3.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm lucky I that I didn't get hurky, jerky motion blur in the close up shot. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, now it is time to go watch the rest of this crazy movie so that I can return it tonight. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you have an INSANELY HILLARIOUS Happy Day! :)</div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-58128747013196902712011-01-03T18:40:00.000-08:002011-01-03T18:52:26.330-08:00New 2011 Calender Planning - Posh, no doubt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUKB_-dEI3Y2BZERU3bB56Ue_1XcUC8CexosrqZcvDVMVEAe9aXZLsBcpLkpUKms-lB6rVq3fLHpM-w7e4klsJUWFyuD8hVxCEG73FogRXk4hHFkgQriUsak9_dcyYb6Pblq931-QEOA/s1600/books+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUKB_-dEI3Y2BZERU3bB56Ue_1XcUC8CexosrqZcvDVMVEAe9aXZLsBcpLkpUKms-lB6rVq3fLHpM-w7e4klsJUWFyuD8hVxCEG73FogRXk4hHFkgQriUsak9_dcyYb6Pblq931-QEOA/s320/books+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is my new new planner for this year. Ever since I was a young girl, I always enjoyed writing out my goals, plans and dreams at the turn of each new year. I make a solemn promise to myself that I am going to carry through with my hope of being the ultimate organizer. Lack of organization in my mind and environment has been my perpetual stumbling block. I would love to be the type that puts their hands on something once and make a snap decision about how best to handle the situation. Then, carry out the process forthwith! Oh, yeah...I would feel so empowered if that could be so. But, 'one and done' is not my Modus Operandi. (Method of Operation, or commonly called M.O. in crime speak) Alas, 'one and done' is but a dream for me. If I handle something too long, it brings up 'feeeelings'. Feeeeelings like, "I don't need to get rid of this because, someone gave it to me and I would feeeel bad. Or, I remember how I feeeelt when I purchased it so long ago." I could go on and on about those feeeelings! If you are a Clinger ON-ner, you will know what I mean. Once again, I purchased my NEW YEAR PLANNER in hopes of being perpetually organized instead. Don't you love how fresh & clean a brand new date book is? I do. I love the idea of filling up all the open dates with exciting new experiences. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FRESH & NEW. Those are my words of promise for 2011.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the promise of starting the year, FRESH & NEW. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfYABjDrqvGlQTyoHPKiIr11n54f12m6ESynNDDnlyAKsBOw_KpC5i4FmHmgiV06dk76Ro58xCnGYtTYAmvob9hfmMFSsDmdnjevwdvw6d1K34ifj0qcUfBIv2PFg3Br8aCwFcxV1Sl8/s1600/books+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfYABjDrqvGlQTyoHPKiIr11n54f12m6ESynNDDnlyAKsBOw_KpC5i4FmHmgiV06dk76Ro58xCnGYtTYAmvob9hfmMFSsDmdnjevwdvw6d1K34ifj0qcUfBIv2PFg3Br8aCwFcxV1Sl8/s320/books+2.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here is to a FRESH, new perspective in 2011. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am sure if you follow along with my daily blog adventures, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you will find out exactly how my new POSH Planner dates get penciled in.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-26898894432550310272011-01-02T16:30:00.000-08:002011-01-02T17:06:04.358-08:00Getting back to my Daily ChallengesWhen I first started to do the daily challenges with my Internet photography group, I was a faithful daily participant. Every morning, I would check to see what the inspiration was for the day. Immediately, my mind would dwell on that. I would work up a concept. Then I made sure that I would accomplish it. I worked as diligently on the challenges as if it were a paying gig. In fact my family would often ask me, "What's the word for today?". They had grown accustomed to my loading up the vehicle and striking out on a search for some inspiration so that I could participate with my photo group. I loved having a reason and purpose for my photography. All of that really helped develop and stretch my creative vision as I was learning new techniques as I went along. All good right? Yeah, all good and very worth the effort.<br />
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After posting to the group, I found myself spending hours upon hours at the computer. I loved every minute of that part just as much. The social media aspect was the fun part of being in a photographer's forum. Meeting new online photo friends fulfilled my interests. I could always find encouragement in this group and tried to reciprocate by encouraging everyone as well. But, by the time I was done, a huge chunk of my day was gone. Can anyone relate to spending way too much of their day's focus on social media? That's not even a question because I know the answer! <br />
<br />
So, because of this time killer, I let the housework slide. Ok, I must be fair and admit that I have been known to use ANY form of procrastination to keep from doing dreaded housework! Aside from the housework problem, too much sitting at the computer causes something else that is not so desirable! uh,huh...! Needless to say, I knew I had to back off and concentrate on other things including more exercise, please! I miss my online comrades but I need to do what is in my best interest. <br />
<br />
On this January 2011 morning, I decided that I was going to continue to hold off on participating in the social aspect of the group forum but work on the daily inspirations offered through the group challenge. For today, I saw that the word of the day was SCULPTURE. Terry watched football all day today. Because I try to hang around Papa T. when he is off on the weekends, I did not leave the house today.<br />
<br />
I thought about my small concrete statue of a lady holding a basket that I purchased a very, very long time ago. She sits close to my driveway. Beside her, there is a nandina bush. I planted both of them there and that is where they remain. The statue is still small but the nandina is now tall. I always like to take pics of the little red berries that grow in clusters on the nandina bush. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQHDSheZg2E0U7vMIqh2dmhSJZ_xJb8bbqSe2ynV9xWza12mLpMQfAnhO4x0AXHydJpp8Bl8CV_rchiAiyfTiC8YX9MSg-kYaLiBs0imt0y1OH6nXl3ZzTuysOtM5XjT1LGXrhlkz9I/s1600/nandina+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQHDSheZg2E0U7vMIqh2dmhSJZ_xJb8bbqSe2ynV9xWza12mLpMQfAnhO4x0AXHydJpp8Bl8CV_rchiAiyfTiC8YX9MSg-kYaLiBs0imt0y1OH6nXl3ZzTuysOtM5XjT1LGXrhlkz9I/s320/nandina+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0vFwTSSM-hlQGN7lk-uVDRrBA7rsLmfKqc3-QX4tYMf2zIOPyIIBwE6TIy1AebkMUBK91k9Iz5v0qwtjik_Wp4zoosZqRhhA8WADo6C7XtLcK8qM2F8m1nWsIBNSiuxbxYNeEoKrF_o/s1600/nandina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0vFwTSSM-hlQGN7lk-uVDRrBA7rsLmfKqc3-QX4tYMf2zIOPyIIBwE6TIy1AebkMUBK91k9Iz5v0qwtjik_Wp4zoosZqRhhA8WADo6C7XtLcK8qM2F8m1nWsIBNSiuxbxYNeEoKrF_o/s320/nandina.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Here she is. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKsNP54NQujeraINwc8ljASbE10ywRNLiJIBlB4Cq6NN5t6CkOgQXHtZ3GPvrsK9QKBtwhD1IiVDYyGgRViiNYrx6Zv8MID_84dLN_QSHiOvzYYp0tISW2cl1axerzXIbOx-gnm210Uk/s1600/statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKsNP54NQujeraINwc8ljASbE10ywRNLiJIBlB4Cq6NN5t6CkOgQXHtZ3GPvrsK9QKBtwhD1IiVDYyGgRViiNYrx6Zv8MID_84dLN_QSHiOvzYYp0tISW2cl1axerzXIbOx-gnm210Uk/s640/statue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-2698634457055175192011-01-01T19:48:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:04:09.554-08:00ok, so...Brandilyn just rocked my world!This is sort of a continution to one of my previous posts.<br />
*Refer to <a href="http://michellesibleyphotopage.blogspot.com/2010/12/me-brandilyn-on-photo-field-trip.html">http://michellesibleyphotopage.blogspot.com/2010/12/me-brandilyn-on-photo-field-trip.html</a>.<br />
<br />
In short, Brandilyn and I went on a photo field trip because she had received a new camera for Christmas. I think I am 'miss let me teach you something about taking pics B-ran!' When I picked her up from her home, we did not have a plan about the WHERE but we had a plan about the WHAT. In other words, we did not know where we wanted to go but we knew what we wanted to do when we got there. Our intention was to pracitice taking pics with our cameras on what I call a 'photo field trip'. <br />
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We jumped on the intersate and headed east. Desination? Any destination USA. Actually, as we drove, we decided to visit a local college campus for photo opps. It was the perfect time to go there because school was shut down for the holidays. We pulled into the parking lot and was stopped by the campus police. "Where ya headed?" I told him what we were doing and he gave us permission to park and walk the campus grounds. As we walked about, I showed Brandilyn a tip about changing your perspective to give new interest to a photo. She and I both were doing the 'let's see how a worm sees' trick by getting underneath our subject and shooting up. Here is an example of her two best pics. I'm jealous because when I saw hers, I thought they blew mine out of the water! Ok, so little 'miss let me teach you...' (me) got SCHOOLED by her high school aged niece! And, I ain't too proud to say it because I am a very proud Aunt indeed. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNJH73qBOPFYtT6LLqGuvs2gp9x940u5lW9VENs9HCmqPWY1CMPXZ7HzH6ENYh0P11WL8Hbv9HfZiPzubgJNdZbYCY9waAL-RytrCPG7wjjf-h0-Uh38AXaiaBfiAVAqVcxXzsflliAo/s1600/yellow+flower+from+a+worm%2527s+view+point-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNJH73qBOPFYtT6LLqGuvs2gp9x940u5lW9VENs9HCmqPWY1CMPXZ7HzH6ENYh0P11WL8Hbv9HfZiPzubgJNdZbYCY9waAL-RytrCPG7wjjf-h0-Uh38AXaiaBfiAVAqVcxXzsflliAo/s640/yellow+flower+from+a+worm%2527s+view+point-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H2pz3zkGfgX0roymWXOF_muwWdmh8kZzwf4KMicIc65h5tZlk22I712IEyKROeR8lHL942kd3Mzaz3YYao1vbqAg_2rxDY_KiU-hzAuYVVwy90gmDU07KKnKF-l7brr33XMSXVUCImY/s1600/DSCN0084-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H2pz3zkGfgX0roymWXOF_muwWdmh8kZzwf4KMicIc65h5tZlk22I712IEyKROeR8lHL942kd3Mzaz3YYao1vbqAg_2rxDY_KiU-hzAuYVVwy90gmDU07KKnKF-l7brr33XMSXVUCImY/s640/DSCN0084-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">I referenced a previous post at the top. In that referenced post, I showed an example of an image I captured of Brandilyn shooting up on this oak tree sprout. Above is her resulting image.</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Go B-ran, I love it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaHCN-36cErHKYPOkbVBRaN-Z5aCbpMMNNXWxXltLV4InTxCTDEyM9Pcf1e2M_jDWpc1ZGDReo-GyBKiTkpkaKMQPFW-Fe3mHgy79ecB5hyHATd5z3SBbCKnbZqaTyKD9YjmVcpz-Dms/s1600/tree+and+a+tree-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaHCN-36cErHKYPOkbVBRaN-Z5aCbpMMNNXWxXltLV4InTxCTDEyM9Pcf1e2M_jDWpc1ZGDReo-GyBKiTkpkaKMQPFW-Fe3mHgy79ecB5hyHATd5z3SBbCKnbZqaTyKD9YjmVcpz-Dms/s640/tree+and+a+tree-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">In my opinion, here is the </span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> Pièce de résistance!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Bravo, Brandilyn on a wonderful capture. Great eye! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love the tree without and the tree within perspective. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> I am amazed.....and must admit to feeling properly SCHOOLED! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I didn't even notice this scene but sure glad you did. I think it would make a great wall art piece. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, you did good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Together, you & your new Nikon </span><span style="font-size: small;">s6000 rock! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-4693003929282024982011-01-01T18:22:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:19:18.889-08:00New Year's Eve 2011 SlideshowTerry and I had a great time celebrating the New Year at Barbara & Billy's house. Billy cooked up a delicious big pot of Jambalya & White Beans. Barbara had two tables of her special treats laid out, one inside and one outside. Their daughter, Baileigh made brownies that were gobbled in no time flat. We ate, laughed, talked, danced, bourre'd, watched a fireworks show & toasted a Happy New Year 2011! <br />
<br />
We happened to be the last guests to leave. We were trying to wear out our welcome, I believe. Nah, we have not seen Barbara and Billy in such a long time and I was enjoying the visit. Barbara brought up some possible summer travel plans. Oh my gosh, don't even get me started! Terry and I loooove talking and dreaming about vacations, past and future! Poor Billy was sleepy, I just know he was ready to jump in the sack. We'll have to talk VACA again soon. That was fun!<br />
<br />
Hey, Barbara and Billy. Thank you so much for your generous hospitality. I created a slideshow of the party revelry. I didn't have my accessory camera flash so I had to use my pop up flash. Bummer...I got some lens hood shadow which I couldn't really fix without cropping into the picture. Then, I got some red eyes that I could fix in lightroom. These images would have been captured better if I had my big flash available. But, all in all, I wouldn't take a million dollars for any one of them. I am so glad that I captured the good time had by everyone. Also, I treasure the group pic captured by Melissa. Thanks to ya, sista photochick.<br />
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Here you go. I hope you enjoy the show.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a45354f4467784e6a493d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" height="303" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a45354f4467784e6a493d0d0a.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3342362009385642509.post-79118311447072860812010-12-31T15:43:00.000-08:002011-01-08T07:14:59.280-08:00A New PINK-a-TTUDE for 2011!Kayla and I went to The Glass Slipper yesterday. She wanted to go in there to shop around. Oh, that Kayla loves to shop. I used to love to shop. I used to love to prance around in high heels. I used to think that fashion was important above all else! I used to have a PINK-a-TTUDE! <br />
<br />
Then, over the years, my attention (not to mention money!) all went to raising the girls. I put their cuteness way before mine for all these years. So, my cuteness kinda got lost and my PINK-a-TTUDE was replaced with practical MOM-a-TTUDE. <br />
<br />
Guess what? I am beginning to realize that I am not required to be completely absorbed in the MOM-a-TTUDE. Hey, I traded in my big SUV for a smaller spunkier vehicle recently. What else? I have started to find a little bit more freedom because I do not have college tuition to pay anymore. I think there is still a spark of PINK-a-TTUDE in me yet. <br />
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p.s. If you do not have PINK-a-TTUDE before you walk into the Glass Slipper, you must understand that the PINK-a-TTUDE will envelope you before you know it. The Glass Slipper is so chi-chi, girly girl...for real women! I can just imagine Lisa (Beverly Hills Housewives) & Jiggy flittering out of this<br />
oh, so pink corner of the Antique Village of Denham Springs!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD-RbDPgOLbSuZt-bdey7ygQExVxuxo3qEQrxnuPIK0wnqbNXFRbcAUcuVlZYc70xaAE3MShqQL-GCh_T7AYzhyq9__Thr87f6awN6AFGKIOtY1oW0oIWSuYlu15yl8CN2uOx7OjvrQU/s1600/glass+slipper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD-RbDPgOLbSuZt-bdey7ygQExVxuxo3qEQrxnuPIK0wnqbNXFRbcAUcuVlZYc70xaAE3MShqQL-GCh_T7AYzhyq9__Thr87f6awN6AFGKIOtY1oW0oIWSuYlu15yl8CN2uOx7OjvrQU/s640/glass+slipper+1.jpg" width="440" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FlenKWAcuRGyi8_7FhnsJa6gcntEkWvCbLoHEjE9-ZXAEWRijuNRDq5RSIlNmToy7YuMuJh6xV5yTNS0o_QIYk5sQQdj8NzQU0AhyuVWmPecw_Zcs3XimQph1h5VMbK2OUJIY0btIvU/s1600/glass+slipper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FlenKWAcuRGyi8_7FhnsJa6gcntEkWvCbLoHEjE9-ZXAEWRijuNRDq5RSIlNmToy7YuMuJh6xV5yTNS0o_QIYk5sQQdj8NzQU0AhyuVWmPecw_Zcs3XimQph1h5VMbK2OUJIY0btIvU/s400/glass+slipper+2.jpg" width="275" /></a>Yesterday, I did not have my camera ready. So, I called Mama to see if she would ride with me to town. She agreed. This is what I requested. I asked her if she would take my picture coming out of the boutique, THE GLASS SLIPPER so that I could use it for my final post of the year. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK1XXt-e_7NRii2iACGBWH_6V8y66QZjus91z7PVRlPtwsYwGK6UZT0NfpZwbaOXZz8tDnILXluc9IP4gWOxQzRdmWYc93Mi8qOd9t_SUoyrVsyIv4jIs80dpi-OesQovLTcFpSx3kL0/s1600/glass+slipper+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK1XXt-e_7NRii2iACGBWH_6V8y66QZjus91z7PVRlPtwsYwGK6UZT0NfpZwbaOXZz8tDnILXluc9IP4gWOxQzRdmWYc93Mi8qOd9t_SUoyrVsyIv4jIs80dpi-OesQovLTcFpSx3kL0/s400/glass+slipper+3.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some cute little ballet flats that I purchased. I think they have a bit of PINK-a-TTUDE. What do you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well, they are a departure form the utilitarian black leather Clarks or New Balance or whatever name brand that claims to be the most comfortable in the world. Trust me, I buy anything that promises not to hurt my feet. I even bought some Born shoes from HSN because the lady said that when you put them on your feet, they make you wanna do the "Born Boogie". </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5umSTzr1fAjuKK_S7d90H_VoJsHBxXWYbQ9F4GrRK0Fs94jzW_yaM17djN__mg6hFk0z8eySVEAnSXOPSDt9m0Rv9RgGZsqitc5Df8RHQJ2Swd-_70iWirwfkQrtc0y1SdUx-41cG_I/s1600/my+new+pearls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5umSTzr1fAjuKK_S7d90H_VoJsHBxXWYbQ9F4GrRK0Fs94jzW_yaM17djN__mg6hFk0z8eySVEAnSXOPSDt9m0Rv9RgGZsqitc5Df8RHQJ2Swd-_70iWirwfkQrtc0y1SdUx-41cG_I/s640/my+new+pearls2.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was taken at Mom's house. I went back to her computer room/jewelry & craft room. Under her work light, she was showing me some of her latest work. Look at my new pearl necklace and bracelet set. The neclace is a classic 18" length. I told her that I wanted to purchase a set of her real pearl jewelry. She was like, "Oh no. You are not paying me. Have them. Take what you want!" I absolutely refused. I wanted to be her very first customer. I wanted to be the first one to purchase her custom quality hand-knotted pearls on silk thread. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Not shown are the pretty little earring that complete the ensemble. She has already given me a long 32" strand of pearls for Christmas. I love them. Kelly (owner of THE GLASS SLIPPER) noticed my lustrous long strand of pearls that I was wearing against my black turtleneck yesterday. She told me to tell Mama to contact her about the possiblility of selling them in her boutique. She thinks that the brides who visit her store would be interested in a gorgeous classic strand of real hand-knotted pearls. </span><span style="font-size: small;">My mom is very interested in marketing her collection of hand crafted jewelry. Her designs include a variety of gorgeous stones and beads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My brother was watching the slideshow that I made which showed images of the 4 grandaughters receiving their Granny made special beads for Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">He said. "Granny Beads!" Mama told me that she had been trying to think of a name for her custom jewelry. When he said, "Granny Beads" it struck her as a catchy name for her jewelry. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love it. I think the name GRANNY BEADS is a perfect name! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Good job Bubba</span>.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I think the name <strong>GRANNY BEADS</strong> is going to stick!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You may contact her at <a href="mailto:bjslaton@cox.net">bjslaton@cox.net</a> if you would like to have your own GRANNY BEADS!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>michellesibley.com/bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529227725151477971noreply@blogger.com0