DECK THE HALLS

The Christmas decorations are up!

I'm sharing over at Sweet Shot Tuesday and Sereina Charise Photography.

I HEART FACES: SCENIC BLACK AND WHITE

This week's theme over at I Heart Faces is Scenic Black and White.  Look closely. Can you see the city scene reflected in her sunglasses?

Urban settings aren't always considered scenic.  That's why I love this photo.  Is shows how urban scenery can be both beautiful and interesting.  Check out all the other scenic shots over at I Heart Faces.

PROJECT 365: WEEK 47

YOU CAPTURE: I ATE THAT

This week's You Capture Theme is I Ate That.  Perfect for Thanksgiving, I think.  We decided to spend Thanksgiving at home this year.  I enjoy doing all the cooking and just hanging out with my husband and our boys.  At the last minute we decide to invite a young Chinese student couple from our church.  I didn't take a picture, but I think the best thing I ate all day was the dumplings they brought!

 I tried to take most of my pictures as I prepared during the week. I knew my family wouldn't like sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner and waiting while I photographed everything.



My favorite Thanksgiving dish is the stuffing.  I learned how to make it from mom, and she learned how from grandma.

Pie crust is not my favorite thing in the world to make, but I love those leftover pie crust cookies sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.  I learned that from mom too.

Is there any better way to eat pumpkin than in dessert form?  I love that pumpkin roll that's so popular at Thanksgiving, but these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars are so much easier to make. Yum!

As if there isn't enough to eat at Thanksgiving, we had to have appetizers too.  Cranberry Meatballs.

I'll be honest. I'm not a big fan of that green bean casserole everybody loves.  How about Brussels sprouts with garlic and bacon instead?  I also ate (but didn't photograph) all of the other traditional foods--turkey, mashed potatoes and rolls.  All of this wonderful food is just a fraction of what I have to be thankful for every day.  Happy Thanksgiving!

PROJECT 365

November 22, 2010:  The Thanksgiving preparations have begun! Am I weird for thinking that cranberry sauce is kind of pretty?  It's such a lovely shade of red.  You can't tell from the picture, but this cranberry sauce has a bit of a kick.  You can find the recipe here.



I'm sharing over @ Sweet Shot Tuesday.  Happy Thanksgiving!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I've been so busy this fall taking portraits, I haven't had much time to take pictures "just for fun."  But when I saw this week's You Capture theme, I had to make time to participate.  For some inspiration, I headed to one of my favorite places to take pictures . . . historic downtown.

I love the contrast of modern shops and restaurants housed in old buildings.

And the old restaurants and shops housed in old buildings.

 I can always find something new and interesting to photograph downtown.  With all the alleys and sidestreets, it's also a really cool location for Senior portraits.

Even the drains in the street are cool . . .

This shop window reminded me of how much I love photographing food for my food blog.

I get tons of food photography inspiration from other food bloggers, and from sites like foodgawker and Taste Spotting.  Don't go there if you're hungry.

But I think I'm most inspired (at least when it comes to photography) by the work of other photographers.

This sign outside a downtown photography studio pretty much sums up what inspires me . . .

I'm sharing over @ I Should Be Folding Laundry.

OLD FIREHOUSE BOOKS

I was downtown today and saw these in the window of Old Firehouse Books.  Does this mean it's time to start thinking about all that Christmas baking? 



This great little bookstore is located in a landmark 1881 firehouse.  That was back in the day when the fire wagon was pulled by horses.  It's a great red brick building--full of history and charm.  I can never resist snapping a few pictures every time I walk by.

I'm sharing over @ Sweet Shot Tuesday

PROJECT 365: WEEK 45

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER O

Click here to see more photos in my photo alphabet series.

PROJECT 365

November 10, 2010: Puzzle

I'm sharing over at Sweet Shot Tuesday.

SNEAK PEEK: THE LARSON FAMILY

What an exciting photo shoot. There was a (really cute) T-Rex loose in the forest!

PROJECT 365: WEEK 44

SNEAK PEEK: THE REDMON FAMILY

Here's a little sneak peek for my friends the Redmons.  Cutest family ever!  Their oldest was so excited he got to skip school for the photo shoot. (Shhh!)  He asked if I could make it take a really long time.  I did my best!