Old Governor's Mansion-Jazz Musicians & Ballroom Dancing

Melissa of Melissa Roe Photography, and I went to the Old Governor's Mansion to scope out the situation!  Not a Jersey Shore 'Situation' but a BR Wedding Expo 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.

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.  :)  

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 Spectacular instead!  

Guess we will never know.  

Que Sera, Sera

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.   

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. 

 I decided these were keepers.

For the dancers, I knew that I was going to have motion blur because I was not using flash to stop the motion.

I like all these  images!!!  In the past, I'm sure I probably would have deleted all of them because

a) they are dark.  b) they are blurry. 

After viewing and studying photography, my eye appreciates imperfections in a new way.

 I adore the ethereal effect of the blurring created by the swirling dancers & musicians. 

Here is a you tube video of Doris Day singing Que Sera, Sera.  I always thought Doris Day was a classy lady.  And, we share a First Name! 

Yep, my first name is Doris.  I was named after my beloved Aunt Dot. 

Hand Crafted & Custom Designed...GRANNY BEADS!

 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. 

Cuz that's how I roll, y'all!

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.   

Contact Betty Slaton For Pricing Information. 

You will be surprised at Mom's prices.  I tell her she is giving her beautiful hand crafted jewelry away. 

She told me that she likes to do it and is happy with her pricing structure.  

 Every piece she creates is meticulously and carefully constructed. 

You will have something that will last if you are lucky enough to own her

GRANNY BEADS! 

our Littlest RugRats

MIA

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,
In Comes Bella! 
SMUGGLED In Comes Bella, I should mention!
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!". 
I am sure she had that line prepared!
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?

Bella aka Bellie Belle.

Now, what is NOT nice?  Don't get me started!  This is a terribly undisciplined dog.  If you only knew! 
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. 
Then, there are other times when I love her so much.
Like, when I take a nap Bella aways curls up into her duddle bug ball right next to me.
The warm snuggly duddle ball makes everything OK.  Needless to say she smuggled her way right into my heart. 

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.  
So, it goes in the washing machine. 
As soon as it comes out the washer, back to the floor and the routine happens all over again.
Toys in the Floor!
Ugggg...I thought I was done with that long ago!

Dinner (& a Movie) for Schmucks

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. 

It is crazy how fast the days roll by!  Before you know it..., well I'm not gonna say it. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

I'm lucky I that I didn't get hurky, jerky motion blur in the close up shot. 

Ok, now it is time to go watch the rest of this crazy movie so that I can return it tonight. 

Hope you have an INSANELY HILLARIOUS Happy Day!  :)

New 2011 Calender Planning - Posh, no doubt!

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. 

FRESH & NEW.  Those are my words of promise for 2011.

I love the promise of starting the year, FRESH & NEW. 

So, here is to a FRESH, new perspective in 2011. 

I am sure if you follow along with my daily blog adventures,

you will find out exactly how my new POSH Planner dates get penciled in.

Getting back to my Daily Challenges

When 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.

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! 

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. 

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.

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. 

Here she is.  

ok, so...Brandilyn just rocked my world!

This is sort of a continution to one of my previous posts.
*Refer to http://michellesibleyphotopage.blogspot.com/2010/12/me-brandilyn-on-photo-field-trip.html.

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'. 

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.  :)

 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. 
Go B-ran,   I love it!

In my opinion, here is the 
 Pièce de résistance!

Bravo, Brandilyn on a wonderful capture.  Great eye! 
I love the tree without and the tree within perspective. 
 I am amazed.....and must admit to feeling properly SCHOOLED! 
I didn't even notice this scene but sure glad you did.  I think it would make a great wall art piece.  
Yes, you did good. 
Together, you & your new Nikon s6000 rock!