Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello 10 days later!

I do realize the length between my posts is getting longer and longer… I apologize for that!  I will get back on track one of these days!

We’ve been up to lots. 

I got my yearly illness, and it took me down hard for many days. I am happy to report that I have finished my antibiotics, and have started back to running again.  My sanity needs the running as much as my waistline does!

 

I was lucky enough to lose my fever before I headed to SW Florida for a girls weekend with my sisters and Momma.  It was chilly… 39 degrees at sunrise one morning?  Just crazy.  But besides the cool temps, the company was relaxing – it is rejuvenating to have good quality family time Smile

 

 

fla 1

 

 

We did manage to make it to the beach one afternoon when the temps topped in the upper 60’s … the sunshine was so warm! 

One of my beautiful sisters…

 

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And the other beautiful sis (sorry, I just HAD to post this Mags – makes me laugh every time!)

 

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My Dad surprised us with a 24hr visit … we decided to join him for sunrise & it was lovely.

 

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I spent the last week running from son’s orthodontist to hubby’s echocardiogram (everything A-O-K .. whew) to daughter’s orchestra practice.  And every spare second I was used for this…

 

wedding contract snippit

 

 

…putting together a wedding contract and collection pricing for my first potential BRIDE!  That’s right … I’ve booked my first WEDDING!!!  It’s November 2011, so thankfully I have plenty of time to practice and prepare.  I couldn’t be more thrilled!

 

 

And to top all the craziness off, we had a stellar weather day yesterday… upper 60’s and blue blue skies.  JUST what we all needed – a relaxing day outside.  So I sat on my bum with my camera and snapped a few pics and snoozed a little bit.  DE-lightful!

 

A few images from yesterday to close out this lengthy post:

 

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Practicing my panning.  Read more about how to do this HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

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Practicing drawing cylinders.  Architect in the making!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Just hanging out … my ‘sister golden hair’. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We couldn’t leave Abby out!  Unfortunately she likes to ‘go on adventures’ when she’s out front, so she had to be chained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Even Dad got in on the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

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See me & the pretty blue sky?

 

 

 

 

Oh, and one last image … my 6th grader received her second round of straight A’s and we are so incredibly proud of her!  Krispy Kreme gives on free donut per A, so we had a pre-dinner snack after her basketball game.

 

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I don’t care too much for donuts, but there’s NOTHING like a hot Krispy Kreme!!

 

 

Have a GREAT Monday and I’ll see you soon!

 

~Kathy~

 

I Heart Faces : Best Face Jan.2011 Contest

 

Happy Monday everyone!  I am putting together my ‘catch-up’ post for later today… but for now I’d like to share with you one of my favorite faces.  My sweet boy!  I can’t dare tell you WHY he’s laughing… you’ll have to use your imagination (think 4th grade boy!).

 

 

ihf best face jan2011

 

 

You can see more charming faces over at I Heart Faces … just click HERE!

And don’t forget to vote for your favorite while you’re there… it’s readers choice this week.

(I’m # 139)

 

Thanks and have a GREAT day!!

 

 

 

~Kathy~

 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Cupcake Wars

I just gotta say, there is at least one reason I enjoy having a daughter that is almost 12 (ha ha!) … she can bake, and loves to do so!

She had a friend sleep over, so I strategically hit up the market for all kids of baking/cooking supplies …things I like to eat … strawberries, dipping chocolate, m&m’s, valentine cake mix and sprinkles .. just to name a few!

They completely got into it, and although my waistline isn’t happy, my taste buds sure are!

 

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We ALL reaped the rewards!!

 

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Have a ~ sweet~  Thursday!

 

~Kathy~

 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Random things

 

Hello!!  I’m here – but haven’t been here in a while. 

Many things going on, not all good.  I caught my usual one illness of the year 10 days ago, and I am sad to report that after I thought I was done 7 days in, I relapsed to a nasty chest cold possible flu.  YUCK.  Trying like crazy to not get my kids sick, but so far one is.

Leaving for sunny FLA in two days – hoping to be well by then.  I’m not sure they’d let me fly if they heard my cough!  Think I’m visiting the doc tomorrow.

 

 

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(breath of air here)

 

 

New computer arrived a few days ago.  Nice wide screen, lots of memory … should speed up my processes.  Well, computers and I don’t necessarily get along, and the ‘new guy’ is still not up to par.  Sooooo frustrating!  But, getting closer all the time.

 

Enough chatter … here’s what we’ve been up to recently :

 

Friday night jam session – our new family fun!

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Oh it makes my heart SO happy to hear them play a duet! 

Soon our son will join in – he is going to start guitar lessons soon.

 

 

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Cousins visited from VA, and the weather was ‘warm’ (50 I think?!)

 

Have a lovely evening… more coming soon!

 

~Kathy~

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ice, Ice Baby

 

So much for another snow storm … can you say ice?  And no school today either. 

Kind of nice … fire in the fireplace, homemade banana bread, Lego building, reading & Pandora listening.

I’m currently cleaning up (and OUT) my office space & file cabinets.  New Year.  Oh, and new computer arriving soon – no more locking up from Photoshop – YES!  Oooh, I might even be able to multi-task (:

 

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f/2.8   1/160th  ISO160

 

Hope you’re staying warm!

 

~Kathy~

 

Smile Photo Contest

 

Firstly, thank you SO much to everyone who voted for me in the BEST FACE contest.  I didn’t win, but I am humbled by all of your support – much gratitude!

 

 

 

This week the contest is about your best smile photo.  Yet again, another tough choice …

 

 

 

 

 

two sis 1500 df sharp

 

 

I am fortunate my girls like to model and most of the time give me some great expressions.  However, I love it most when I catch them in their un-posed pose!

 

Head on over to I HEART FACES to add some more smiles to your day~

 

~Kathy~

 



Friday, January 7, 2011

Happy January 7th!

 

Holy cow – yet another week has gone by!  Funny how that time flies …

It’s Friday night, so my kids are watching Winter Wipeout (that show is crazy!) and I am blogging…

I took this week ‘off’.  Off from shooting every day.  I must say, it was a nice break but now I am lonely for my camera.  We definitely have a date tomorrow!  (champagne brunch with besties = fun pictures!)

Lots going on around here.  I have big goals for January.  I am in the process of making my photography business legit.  And anyone who has done that, or aspires to, knows that it takes a LOT of work!  But I am very excited and inspired by the new year.  I like this feeling of ‘jumping in’!!!

I plan on sharing parts of that journey with you here on my blog.  Gonna keep it informal and post pretty much whatever I feel like posting!  How liberating!

I have also joined a ‘52 project’ group, being run by one of my favorite photographers Sandi Bradshaw.  You can check out her awesomeness HERE.  I have admired her work for a long time, and feel honored and excited to be part of this group! 

You can expect atleast one image a week from me.  I have really enjoyed my 365 project, but I need to focus more of my time on Kathy Howard Photography.

(You find me on facebook HERE!)

 

Here are some of my fav’s from our trip to the beach New Year’s Eve & New  Year’s Day.  Boy did we score with the weather – a little chilly, but simply calm & beautiful!!

 

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almost midnight

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New Year’s Day … on the beach… priceless for this beach girl!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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That’s my son on the left.  We’re so lucky to have great friends that have GREAT kids (that happen to be boys)!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I have never shot under a pier before.  Um, let’s just say I can’t wait to do it again!!!

(p.s. All of these images were taken with my back-up camera, dusty trusty, D60.  New girl D300s doesn’t go to the beach yet!)

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

~Kathy~

 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Link to Vote!

Good morning!

In following up on yesterday’s blog post, if you’d like to vote for me I’m entry # 796.  I’d be honored!

Follow this link HERE and scroll down to #796.  Voting ends this Friday.

 

THANK YOU!!

best face 2000 sharp

 

 

~Kathy~

 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

I Heart Faces Contest : Best Face Photo of 2010

 

Wow, this was a tough one!!  I even went as far as to poll my family and friends.  Of course law of probability worked, and there was no clear winner from that poll!

It was fun and rewarding to look back through my images from 2010.  And now I have a great file of images that are going to make it onto my walls this year!  (resolution #11)

 

 

best face 2000 sharp

Freckles, sand-kissed face, blowing hair… so many elements of this image speak to me.  I hope it speaks to you too!

 

Head on over to I Heart Faces and vote for your favorite!

(I’m # 796 … I’d be honored to have your vote – just click the link above!)

 

~Kathy~