Vacation 2011 - Part 4 Biketoberfest

Ha! I bet y'all thought I forgot about vacation pictures. Nope. It has just taken me a while to get back to them. Vacation posts were interrupted by Thanksgiving, a week-long conference, my annual Cookie Exchange, Christmas, New Years, and two online workshops for my photog business. Whew! Are you tired yet? Cause I'm about exhausted. lol.

Biketoberfest. Daytona Beach, Florida. This was the main event for my husband. We spent several days at this event. He likes to look at all the motorcycles. See the different customizing. Get ideas to add parts to his or figure out how to do something a little different. For me? These types of events are photo opportunities. I love watching people. I am always amazed at the attire people wear in public. What's even crazier to me is the things people do to get attention.

Here are some of my favorite shots:

Traffic: from street level and from above.

I

It was crowded. Difficult to walk from one end of the strip to another. Can you imagine driving in this? Me either. But as time passed, I got more brave by walking out into the middle of the street to get the photo. Lots of people. Stop and go traffic. Plus there were hundreds of motorcycles parked in lots on the side streets adding to the traffic; and all added to the traffic on the sidewalk.

Then there were the people on bikes and spectators wearing masks, hats, birds, whatever.

Ha! You thought I was joking about the bird! Check out this guy in the above picture. See the camera attached to his hat. We noticed a lot of people were video recording the event.

We had a great time. We did not go to any of the places where live music was playing and alcohol was being served. There was enough craziness. No need for all that.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Hope you have a fabulous week.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV) ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Creating Belle

Rather an odd title, yes? My recent photo assignment was to step out of the box. Create the look from start to finish. Select the outfits and props. Show the model. Find a NEW location that fit the session. Then, voila! The finished product.

A couple weekends ago, my niece and I went to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. It was so much fun. We love Belle. She is smart, and pretty, and adventurous, and fearless, and LOVES to read! This got my little brain working in overtime. Not gonna lie. The cogs were turning. I began looking for inspiration. A way to create a Belle look for a 12 year old. Something that would be true to the movie but a good style for my niece. Here's how it went:

The inspiration:

The location: The university's library. Lots of books and huge windows for lots of natural light.

The model:

Voila! Belle!:

This was such a fun adventure for both of us. It really got my creative juices flowing. So much so that I'm going to do another shoot. My daughter is the victim this time. She even agreed. :) It has to do with an upcoming holiday. That's all the teaser you get for now.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Are You Ready for Some HodgePodge?

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'? A person who loves and defends their country. AKA: My husband.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'? Getting this photography business going and learning Photoshop. Learning at least enough of Photoshop to make editing a little faster.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18? How painfully thin I was. Some of that metabolism would be really nice right about now.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up? Mayonnaise. I love Hellman's.

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced? I remember walking home from high school in Northern Iowa in the dead of winter. It was so cold the snow crunched beneath my feet when I walked. It was a squeaky kind of crunch. Cold. Very, very cold.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve? An egg and sausage casserole.

7. How do you combat negative thinking? Praise God.

8. Insert your own random thought here. One class down. Two to go. Name finalized. Buying domain. Logo, branding, and colors next. Thought I had my colors picked out, but nope. It was just practice. Oi! 

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

A Sneak Peak

I am diligently working on my new business endeavor. Nearly every spare second of each and every day is spent on developing my photography business. I think I've finally settled on a name. Now, on to the next step.

Here are a couple photos I took of a group of friends. These sweet gals were so much fun to work with. We had a great time. The problem with photographing multiple people is synchronizing their eyes. There is definitely a trick to doing it. I did manage to get several good shots where each of them had open eyes. ahahaha.

I'm also learning some new post processing techniques. Though I prefer pictures that are not so tweaked that they look fake. There are definitely some enhancements that clearly draw your attention towards the subject rather than detract from it.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back soon for another update.

Peace and Joy,
Susan 

Matthew 7:12 (NKJV) Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

New Year HodgePodge

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011? Thankful it's over. ahaha. Not really. I enjoy every single day. 2011 was adventurous, full, and  blessed.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared? I do like shrimp, but I don't eat it often. There are three ways I like it prepared: 1) Shrimp cocktail with a good horseradish sauce; 2) throw some Cajun seasoning on them, toss them in a skillet till they turn pink, devour; and, 3) grilled.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down? Yes, the decorations are down. The grand-boy and I packed everything away New Year's day.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies? Scary movies, yes. Bloody, gory movies that claim to be scary but are just bloody, gory, no. The hubs on the other hand, is the king of cut-your-arm-off-and-beat-yourself-with-it movies. 

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy? Skiing. Accelerating down the mountain with the wind rushing past is .....well.....exhilarating. You're surprised, yes?

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it. I can't say I had a specific hideout. There was a place not far from my home where I used to spend hours playing in and along a creek.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you? Not really sure on this one, Joyce.

8. Insert your own random thought here. God is doing some marvelous things, every single day. Are you watching? Are you listening? I am so excited to be on this journey. You can look to the sky to see His handiwork. Check it out! This was taken near Birmingham, Alabama on December 22, 2011. You can read about it here.

Photo: alabamawx.com

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV) ¹¹ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

Throne Trip Tuesdays - My Word!

Lots of people make resolutions for the new year. Healthier eating. More exercise. Less of this. More of that. Stop doing this. Start doing that. Blah, blah, blah. How many of us actually stick with any of those? Really? I mean past the one month mark. By March those good intentions are long gone. Some of us are guilt ridden because we didn't stick with it.

Now don't get me wrong. I think purposing to make changes for the better is fabulous. Deems commendation. I do it. I was at the gym today. It's something that is part of my routine. I just changed my routine for a few weeks by not going. lol. One year I quit smoking. It wasn't a new year's resolution. I kicked the habit in July. Fourteen years ago this year. I'm a firm believer in making changes for the better any ole' time. Why wait?

One thing I've seen in the blog world the last couple years is a single word. Posts that are developed around the central theme of that one word. There have been many words I thought I would use for this year. Some of the options were: cherish, simplicity, joy, create, and grace. But one word kept repeating. Showing up. I tossed it around quite a bit. The word? Treasure.

I'm going to see how God reveals Himself as I dig for Treasure; how I can bless others with that Treasure; and how I can incorporate that Treasure in my daily life. Do you have a word for 2012?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Contemplating 2011; Pondering 2012

The grand-boy and I were enjoying our traditional beans. They were a tiny bit on the spicy side. That's how we roll. I had on my heart to do some lighthearted reflecting on 2011. Some goal setting for 2012 would also be in order. He was entirely agreeable. Nice. From a list of 20 questions, we each picked three. Both of us had to answer all of the questions. Mine are the odd numbered questions. The grand-boy chose the even numbered questions. Here's how it went.

Question #1: What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
The grand-boy: I went from being 9 to turning 10. Yep. The best thing that happened to me was turning 10.
Me: Really? Out of everything that happened this past year, turning 10 was the best thing?
The grand-boy: Yeah! Double digits!
Me: You are so a ten year old boy. We both laugh.

I can't even compete with that kind of answer. But for me it was when the hubs traded in that white bike (it's a long sordid tale) for his shiny new black one.

Question #2: What were the best books you read this year?
Me: Outside of reading the Bible everything I read was either work or photography related. I vaguely remember reading a book earlier in the year, but can't recall it's name or what it was about. Guess it wasn't that great.
The grand-boy: War Horse. I'm reading it now, and I really like it. But there was a book at the book fair I wanted and didn't get. Pearl Harbor. I'm going to read that one next.

Question #3: What was your biggest single time waster in your life this past year?
The grand-boy: TV
Me: TV

Question #4: What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Me: Our vacation time together. (Which, by the way, I have not forgotten about. I still have pictures to post from that excursion.)
The grand-boy: My step-dad getting to come home for Christmas. (Background: The SD is working at a construction site out of state.)

Question #5: What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
The grand-boy: That you could use math to figure out how many miles you had gone on the number of gallons in your car. I knew how to do it. I just didn't know you could use it for that.
Me: Did you know you can use that same math skill to figure out how long it will take you to get some where?
The grand-boy: Really? No I didn't. I'm going to try that.
We both laugh.

Me: That God gives each of us gifts and talents. It's up to us to study and learn how to hone those gifts and talents so we can use them to be a gift to others.

Questions #6: What was an unexpected obstacle?
Me: The learning curve on Photoshop. (He gave me a very puzzled look, so I explained.) It has always been easy for me to learn new software. But Photoshop? There is so much it can do. It is overwhelming at times. I haven't been able to understand it as quickly as I thought I would.
The grand-boy: Being able to read a map and get us to where we were supposed to be. We took a wrong turn and I couldn't figure out how to get us back on the right road.

That was our looking back. We also decided to look ahead to 2012 with the same questions. I promise this is shorter.

For question #1 the grand-boy decided that the best thing that could happen to him in 2012 is that he would turn 13. Since that is not even possible he would settle for not getting out at dodge ball. Again, we both laugh. I have a debt I want to pay off.

We both agreed on less TV and more reading.

If we could have one thing that would bring us unexpected joy, what would it be?
The grand-boy: A new house with a new bedroom. (This is such a sad thing. It's a whole post and prayer request in itself.)
Me: Tickets to Europe.

That's our reflection on 2011 and some goals for 2012. What about you? Did you have something that brought you unexpected joy? What are you looking forward to in 2012? Just give me a shout-out.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who stop by my little spot. Your comments, encouragement, and friendship blesses me more than you know. May 2012 be prosperous, healthful, and adventurous for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)¹² So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A Lens Giveaway

You read that right. Crave Photography is giving away a lens. Isn't that a fabulous way to start out 2012?

Go check it out....CRAVE photography’s AWESOME giveaway! Win a Nikon 85mm 1.4 lens OR a Canon 85 mm 1.2 lens. YOU CHOOSE. Or you might win one of the other prizes being given away. Go here for details: 25,000 FANS { GIVEAWAY } OVER $3,000 in prizes Crave Photography.

I'm sharing this valuable information cause I'm that kind of girl. Don't wait. Get signed up to win!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.