What Makes You Happy?

Over at Kelly's Korner today, the theme for Show Us Your Life is What Makes You Happy?
So, since it's Friday and all, I thought I'd join in!

Here goes:

• My hubby
• My family
• My Jesus
• Friends - especially girls nights out
• decorating
• PHOTOGRAPHY - everything about it. I love being able to capture those special moments that you hold onto forever!
• flowers - daisies are my favs!
• babies laughing
• shopping
• lounging with a movie on a rainy day
• date nights
• church
• my kitties
• vacations - beaches, mountains, cities - wherever!
• life - for the most part

What makes you happy? I find that making a list like this really puts you in a better mood!

Friday Fives - LT Style

T. G. I. F. my peeps. TGIF.

And of course, since it's Friday, I have to join in on Beth's Friday Fives - 5 Random Questions.

Alright, let's do this!

1. Are you a MAC or a PC???

I am totally a MAC. OMG - LOVE them! Once you go mac you never go back. I promise.

2. If you could go anywhere on vacation this summer where would you go???

Well, I'm really in need of a beach. I'd actually like to take a cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean. That would be amazing. But, we're going to NYC instead, and maybe somehow we can squeeze in a weekend beach trip.

3. Which is your most cherished childhood memory?

My most cherished is probably my Granny rocking me to sleep. She had (and still wears) this diamond heart necklace. I remember we would sit at the table in the kitchen and she'd hold me and rock me to sleep (while I was playing with the necklace) while singing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". FYI - it's a very sad song. She has a habit of singing the saddest songs as lullabies!

4. What were you doing the last time that you had a good laugh?

Hmmm.....I don't know. The hubs keeps me laughing so I was probably riding down the road. We spend A LOT of time laughing.

5. What is your favorite book or magazine??

Now this one's a toughie. As for books, I've read several this year that I really enjoyed. LOVED the Emily Giffin series - Something Borrowed and Something Blue. The were both great! I typically don't have a lot of time to read, so when I do I'm kind of lost as to what to read. I'm so out of touch with which authors are good, so I'd gladly take any recommendations you may have!

As for magazines, I don't have any regulars anymore. I must say, I do love any pertaining to recipes or home decor. I guess that changes with what's important to me at the time. Funny how it all changes.

Ok, so now all of you join in! Don't forget to link up over at Beth's Blog! Have a fabulous weekend!

What A Week!

What up playas?
Can you believe it's ONLY Thursday!
Come on! The week needs to be done.

On the agenda for the rest of the week and weekend:
*Packing
*Cleaning
*Lots of photo taking
*Even more photo editing (memory book to complete, CDs to make, DVDs to make, family packages to deliver......)
*Play with kitten
*Packing
*Cleaning

No rest for the weary here! Exciting tho!
For realz.

Once my to do list is complete, I can start dreaming of my decor.
Ahhhhhhh.....I love it.

AND then, through this, I think I'll jump on completing one of my new year's goals to reinvent myself. I think a home makeover and decor like I've never had before will count, right? Right?

AND then, maybe through all of that, I can finally update the tabs at the top of my blog - you know crafts/projects, recipes and such. And I can link up to all the totally inspiring home decorating blogs I've been addicted to lately.

Sounds like a nice summer project to me.

Oh yes, more excitement. Remember forever ago when I was talking about the photos I'm taking for my office? Well we have a couple framed samples and I'm so excited. Can't wait to get them all finished.

Well there you have it folks. A lovely blog post about nothing in particular or really pertaining to anything.

Enjoy your Thursday! AND enjoy your long Memorial Day weekend!!!

A Deflated Heart

Well it happened.
U2 postponed their tour. Like until next year!
This means our NYC trip will not consist of an awesome U2 concert.
:(
The hubs is heartbroken.
BUT we still have a pretty awesome trip to NYC planned.
Life will go on.
So sorry hubs.

Projects, summer, randomosity

What up my peeps?
It's Tuesday.
Wow, bet you didn't know that.
I really wish it were Friday. Or Saturday. Or Sunday. Heck, even Monday.
I'm off work for all those days.
Really all I want is a nap.
I would be in a much better mood - I'm sure of it.

Ok, so let me fill you in on a few things. Remember when I said we've got some good things going on? Well they are coming true!

So next week we are moving. Yep AGAIN. I know.
Really I do. We're nomads. Or so it seems.

But this time is for a much happier reason than the last. Much happier.
Chris' g-ma is moving in with her daughter. And the g-ma's house is paid off. So she is renting it to me and Chris for super cheap.
3 bedrooms. A front porch. A big back porch. A fenced in yard.
Ah yes, it is good!
If you didn't know, the hubs works in ministry. And well, ministry doesn't pay a whole heck of a lot. But a low salary is a sacrifice we have chosen to make because it's something that is soooo important to us. It's why we live cheaply and share a car. We share a lot actually - I mean I guess that's part of marriage right? I digress. Anyway, so we're moving. And it makes our budget happy.
Now the house is a bit old.
Very cute.
But needs a little bit of an update/facelift.
Nothing a few coats of paint can't fix!

So over the next few weeks, I plan to channel my inner creativity.
And I'm gonna share it with you!
Heather and I are working on a trip to the Classy Flea (only the bestest antique store ever)! I'm also gonna do a bit of shopping on Craigslist and any other CHEAP ideas you may have! So please, give me your ideas!!!!
I don't really know how to put into words the look I'm going for. Maybe shabby chic. Maybe like whimisical antique. Pretty sure I just made that up. So I'll just have to show you with pictures as it comes along. I absolutely can't wait for before and after photos.
So. Excited!!!!

Now, also in the mix is our whimsical NYC trip planned in July.
Let me just say, I got awesome plane tickets! Not first class or anything, but perfect timing and perfect price! Yay Priceline!
Go me!
BUT here's the new twist in the mix. We're going up there for the main purpose of seeing U2. Well, Bono (lead singer) just had emergency back surgery and is postponing some shows.
Oh no!
As of now, our show hasn't been changed.
Worst case scenario: We spend a weekend in NYC and just don't see U2.
Not the total end of the world.
But it would deflate my little hubby's heart.

Last but not least, our sweet little kitten is just the cutest thing ever.
I'm a loser cat mom and have no new pictures to show you.
But just trust me, she's friggin precious!
And our other cat Jackson is SLOWLY adjusting and progressing to the idea of liking her.

We have a new baby...

....and we have had very little sleep! Her name is Molly (we think she's a girl). If she happens to be a "he", then the name will change to Hudson.

Sweetness.

Happy Monday!

Show Us Your Life - The ATL

What's up bloggers? Hope your week has been fantastic! I don't know about you, but I'm super excited that it's Friday!

Well, over at Kelly's Korner, the topic Show Us Your Life is Hometowns!
I'm a southern girl and wouldn't trade it! I actually live just outside of Atlanta.
Can I just tell you, Atlanta is awesome! Georgia in itself has a ton to offer! I mean we've got mountains, beaches and farmland!

Atlanta is the home of Martin Luther King, Jr. Here's the church he preached at:

And then we've got the Fabulous Fox Theatre where all the good shows and musicals play:

Who could forget COTTON! I love cotton. This is what it looks like before it becomes your clothing:

Ah, one of my favorite shots of the city:

Let's see what else?

We're the home of the Atlanta Braves (baseball), the Hawks (basketball), the Falcons (football) and tons of other sports.

We've got the world's largest aquarium.

We've got all the shopping one could want. Buckhead is an area of Atlanta that is considered the South's Beverly Hills.

We've got lots of famous people!

And of course we have a little southern hospitality with a glass of sweet tea!

How about your hometown?

BIG NEWS!!!!

I've got super duper big news in the world of LT!!!

Drum roll please......

brddddddddd............brdddddddd......(that's my drum roll).....

I. Am. Getting. An. iPhone!

Ok, so maybe it's not that big of news! But it kinda is.

I've finally decided to trade in my rinky dinky free little flip phone. Sad isn't it? I'm not really sure how I've managed to live with this.

I think the iPhone just might look a bit more professional for me - especially now that my photo biz is growing.

So I just thought I'd share my lovely news with my blogger buds. Hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!

Picture Time!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!
As promised, I have wedding pictures up now!
This was such a special day. I mean it's my baby brother! And the fact that I got to be there (even if it was only because I'm a photographer, lol) was amazing!
So, sit back and enjoy Cody and Christie's wedding in Central Park!

Lady Liberty - just because.

..I want to be a part of it....

....New York, New York!

Got the song stuck in your head yet???

:)

My trip was awesome!

In so many ways!

NYC is magical in itself. BUT add a wedding to the mix! - In Central Park, I might add. AHHH! Just lovely!

It was also awesome because it was a trip with my baby brother.

I heart him!

This was our first sibling trip. So exciting!

And I have a ton of pictures to share with you.......tomorrow!

I got home pretty late last night and then work today, so pictures will be here tomorrow.

In the mean time, let me tell you another reason NYC is so great!

This little band here is U2. Heard of them? haha!
Well, we have been given the most AMAZING opportunity!
The hubs LOVES U2 (and I love 'em too!). And well, so does one of my dearest friends! And back in November she bought 2 tickets for the NY show in July. She's a planner.
Well, sad for her (and awesome for us) her company annual meeting is going to be held during the concert in AZ and she can't go. BUT she can sell me her tickets!
That's right - we're taking a trip back to NYC! This will be Chris' first time to the big city and I can't wait! Since my friend will be in AZ, she's letting us stay in her apartment in NYC. Free lodging!
This is a once in a life time chance here!
And we are more than excited!
How awesome is she?
How wonderful of a wife am I?
I know! The bestest!!! ;P

Well have a happy Monday and come back tomorrow ready for pictures!

Say Cheese!

While I am enjoying the Big City, I had to leave you with my Friday Fives. Join in the fun on Beth's Blog by clicking HERE!

The Topic: 5 Favorite Pictures

Preface: Well, as a photographer, this was an extremely difficult task!!! So, I tried to pick pictures that were not done at any of my professional shoots. I chose a few that had a little meaning for me.

Here we go!

1) Me and my mom - I'm pretty sure this is the last picture we have together before she passed away. It's one of my absolute favorites. This was at a Christmas party the month after Chris and I got married.

2) Last year for Christmas, I did family photos of Chris' siblings for his mom. There were absolutely no recent pictures of everyone together. This is one of my favorites of just the kids. I didn't realize it at the time, but they are in order. Nate's the youngest, then Maddie, then Chris. I just love it!

3) So my friend Heather and I were on our way to an arts festival a couple of years ago and on the side of the expressway were these beautiful wild flowers. Poppies I believe. So us being the crazies we are, pulled over and had a field day taking pics of them. Absolutely love this one.

4) Chris and I love taking random drives. A few years ago after leaving a football game in Athens, we decided to ride around the town. We ended up in the middle of nowhere. And randomly, in the middle of one of the fields was this chimney. I just loved it! So Chris, being the good man he is, pulled over and let me snap away!

5) Last but not least; a couple of months back my aunt and I spent the day in Atlanta taking pictures. It was such a beautiful and fun day! This picture was taken at the Tulle-Smith House. It's an old farm house open for ours. This particular picture was taken in the slaves quarters. I can't put my finger on just why I love this one so much, but I DO!

Today's My Friday!

Y'all! I am soooooooooo excited!

Why?

Because tomorrow I will be livin' it up in New York!

My baby bro's getting married and yours truly is the trusted photographer for the weekend!

Can. Not. Wait!

We're going to a Yankee's game tomorrow night, then wedding and pictures all day Saturday, and then time to come home Sunday.

Ah yes, it's a short trip, but I am stoked!

I laid in the bed for hours last night just thinking about the different pictures I wanted to take!

I'm so lame!

And I have just realized the annoying over-usage of exclamation points. (I really just wanted to put one there).

Maybe I have a problem.

Anywho, please be prepared for lots-o-pictures in the following few days.

Did I mention I was excited?

Now on to planning for a real vacay. The hubs and I are desperately in need of a chair on a sunny beach! We're thinking maybe a trip to Savannah next month just might do the trick.

I love, love, love Savannah. There's so much history and mystery there (Ha - I just made a rhyme). Anyways, amazing city.

AND - Paula Deen lives there.

I love me some Paual Deen!

All this beach talk is making be want to go right now!

Well I hope you all have a most wonderful weekend!!! I know I will! ;)

Weekend Recap

Ok kids, back to the grind stone! However, the weekend was a good one!
I was a little worried - cuz, well, it was mother's day and all, and my mom's not here to celebrate it with. But surprisingly, I didn't completely lose it.
This could have had something to do with the nightmare of a headache and tummy ache I had yesterday!

Anyway, my aunt and I took my Granny out to lunch on Saturday. We went to Carrabba's - Y.U.M.M.Y! It was a really nice day!

As for yesterday, I stayed home from church and finished up some homework. Then we headed over to Chris' parents house and we made dinner for his mom. It was lovely. I made lemon-herb chicken, homemade mac and cheese, and super green beans! Recipes are below. Enjoy!

Lemon-herb Chicken
4 Chicken Cutlets (thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts)
Cavender's Greek Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
2 Lemons

Spray chicken with non-stick spray (butter flavored). Sprinkle with seasonings. Put 3 lemon slices over chicken. Put each piece in its own foil tent. Grill.
How flippin easy is that???

Mac-and-Cheese
1 box elbow noodles
1 can evaporated milk
2 eggs
2-3 cups Sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
Butter
Salt and pepper

Cook noodles according to package. Drain, and divide into 2 portions. In a casserole dish put 1st layer of noodles. Place little pinches of butter across the noodles. Salt and pepper. Cover with cheese. Apply second layer of noodles, repeat butter pinches, salt and pepper. In a measuring cup, place 2 eggs and evaporated milk. Mix together and pour evenly across noodles. Then top with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes on 425 degrees.

Super-Duper Green Beans
1 pack frozen, cut green beans
1/2 cup of water
2 slices of bacon
Worcestershire Sauce
Cavender's Greek Seasoning
Salt and Pepper
Tabasco Chipotle Sauce
1-2 cloves of garlic

Chop up raw bacon into small pieces. Cook until crisp. Add finely chopped garlic and saute garlic for about 1-2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water, green beans, and seasonings. I use a few dashes of both sauces. Cook until liquid boils out. Serve.
(you can pretty much add any seasonings you want. It's a great spin on regular old green beans)

I'll add these to the recipe tab at the top. It was a fabulous dinner, if I do say so myself! ;)

Mother's Day

I can only hope and pray that one day I will be given the opportunity to be a mom...

I hope that I could be so lucky to be half the mom my mom was to me.

To listen, love and encourage.

Words can't accurately express how great my momma was.

But one day......one day, I'll get to try this mom thing for myself.

Happy Mommy Day to all the sweet mommies out there!

It's Friday!

And that means it's time for all kinds of stuff!

Let's start with Beth's Friday Fives!

This week: 5 Snacks You Like

Alright, here we go!

One snack that I'm totally loving right now are these Cocoa Roasted Almonds! And only 100 calories!!! What I love about them, besides them being tasty, is that they are sooo filling! The perfect snack!

Snacky #2 that I'm chewin on is Goldfish. I always always always love Goldfish. There's just nothing better!

Moving right along, favorite snack #3 would be the fabulous fruit and nut trail mix granola bars. Love. Them

And Numero Cuatro is bread. Oh my, how I love bread. I could eat it any time of day. And I love, love, love it for a snack. I know, weird. But there's not a lot about my eating habits that aren't weird! Garlic bread (and dipping in A1 sauce) for snacking is my favorite. The good news is that I only do this if I'm at home and most of the time I am not at home when this urge overtakes me.

And finally, the #5 snack-a-roo is.......dill pickles! Now my love for pickles goes waaayyy back. I've always been a fan. My step-dad used to by these huge plastic containers of them from the Waffle House for me. I could never get enough. I took them in my lunch every day. I love the juice! There's a BBQ place that we love that has the most wonderful pickles ever! Just typing this makes me need some right now!!!

So mozy on over to Beth's blog and join in on the fun!

I'll join in on a few other carnivals shortly!

Happy Friday!!!

Could It Be?

Something good happening?

To me?????

It seems like it's true.

But in my true insecure fashion, I'll tell ya all about it once it does actually happen.

Which should be around the first of June.

And no, it's not baby talk.

(But could help pave the way for babies!)

Like my little riddle yet?

I'll be back on the blogging train soon. This week is just a bit hectic and emotional.
I've got major projects for school, pictures to get finished and delivered, mother's day is coming up and that's just plain sad, and to top it all off, I'm really just exhausted!

AND THEN...my brain is on creativity overload and I have all these great projects I want to start but no time or place to start them.....or store the finished product.

So in the mean time, I'd really like to update my pages on this blog (at the top) with recipes and crafts/projects, etc. But again, there's this "time" thing.

And let's not forget my trip to New York coming up next weekend! I. Am. So. Excited!!!
My baby brother's getting hitched! He's eloping and wants ME to be there! Well actually, I'm pretty sure he's just using me for my camera, but I'm ok with that! So rest assured, there will be a ton of pics posted from that little trip!

And somewhere among all this, I desperately need to plan a little get away for me and the hubs. I'm thinking Savannah.

So please don't take my post as a bunch of complaining, because it's all really exciting, just really busy. Have a fabulous Wednesday, and hopefully I'll have a much more interesting blog in the next couple of days!

This Is A Hard Day

Today, May 3, is exactly 4 years since I found my mom dead.

This my friends, is not a good day for me.

It's so strange how when I think about the scenario, I can literally feel all of those emotions over again.

See, my mom was my absolute best friend.

And I never thought in a million years that I would have lost her when I was 22.

She was supposed to be here for all my major life events.

We were going to take a vacation to the West.

She was going to be the best grandmother ever.

She was just supposed to be here.

But God had other plans.

4 years ago, she died peacefully in her sleep from what we think was a heart attack. At age 48.

Too young.

I know that I'm not supposed to question God, and I don't.

I just know that there's a gaping hole in my life and I really feel like I've never been the same since that day 4 years ago.

She fell asleep reading her bible that night. What a way to go.

I miss her so much. It's really amazing how many times a day I think about her.

I really miss her hugs.

And her smile.

And her laugh.

And her love.

And everything else about the wonderful woman she was.