BE BOLD Photography

BE BOLD

(if i ever own my own photography business this is what it will be called.)

Lately I have been itching for a photo shoot. I am very excited to take my sister and a friend out this coming week to some wheat fields near my house. These are just some reminders to myself.

• Always take one warm garment more than what you need
• Pay attention to you thoughts and emotions while your shooting
• Always continue to learn
• Never go shooting with out a tripod 
• Always stay calm
• Know that you tend to overestimate yourself
• Perspective is the killer
• Take part in photography community
• Keep your camera clean
• Never compare your work to someone else
• Find your own style
• Try to compose more and hit the shutter less
• Get inspired by other photographers
• Don't copy other photographers
• BE BOLD
• 10MM rocks
• Take a lot of self portraits
• Pay attention to "S" curves and lines
• Always shoot RAW
• Keep sensor clean
• It take time
• Break the rules of photography but not your camera
• The best equipment it what you have now
• The eye moves to the point of contrast.
• Clouds increase the atmosphere of a landscape
• Start a photo blog
• Try to describe in detail what do and don't like about your photo.
• Never shoot a person who doesn't want to be photographed
• Always turn around. Sometimes the better image is behind you.
• When in doubt always shoot.
• Shoot as often as possible
• Don't be afraid to get dirty
• Arrive a half hour early before sunrise/sundown
• Visit the same place as often as possible. light never shows the same mountain.
• Fight your laziness. Creativity comes after discipline
• Always remember what brought you to photography.

A Prayer on the Fridge Ephesians 1:15-23

^15" For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe..."

Apartment Living 101

These are very honest and true posts. FYI

1.) Keep your dog on a leash!
           Your dog may be very well behaved and very friendly. But there is a reason why there is a leash law in the state of Oregon. Not all dogs are nice and friendly and want to play. If your dog gets eaten by another dog and your dog is NOT on a leash and the other one is, it's your fault your dog has just been eaten alive. Don't press charges you will lose! Your the one that broke the law!

2.) The pool CLOSES at 10pm!
            I know your an adult, but there is a curfew for the pool. There are people that work and need to get up early and your jumping and screaming in the pool is waking people up and its incredibly unacceptable.

3.) No kissing in the pool!
            I don't care if your black, white, purple, green, gay or straight; It is not cool to make out or have sex in a public pool/spa. Parents don't want their kids to see it, I don't want to see it and neither does anyone else.

4.) Treat people as you would want to be treated.
           Everyone wants their way. But to be completely honest, you don't always get your way. If you have a problem with the management your more likely to get what you want by being polite and calm about it. No one wants to reward a jerk.

5.) POOP! GROSS!
           At apartments complexes that allow pets/dogs they usually provide a pet station or a poo bag station. It's for a specific reason, picking up your dogs POOP! DO IT! It's rude and gross to keep your dogs poo in the grass. Seriously, is it that hard to grab a bag and pick it up? Plus is could give other dogs (including yours) a serious illness.

6.) Trash.
           There is always a designated trash station for a reason. To put your trash in it. And the bins, yea, your suppose to throw the trash bags into the bins... Do not be lazy and set them next to the bin. That also goes for furniture. It is not okay to leave beds, couches, chairs or tables setting outside in the weather for the garbage man to pick up. This is why we have a place called The DUMP! Plus the apartment complex actually has to pay another company to come pick it up. If your caught you will be charged for it.

7.) The people above!
            Unfortunately, you live in an apartment and if you live under someone you will hear them walking, taking showers and doing laundry. Sorry, but apartments are not sound proof. If it becomes a complete disturbance call your apartment complex office (politely) and make a complaint. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES confront your neighbor about the way they live. They may not take it very well....

8.) Parking
            Park in your designated parking spot! If someone else is parked in your spot wait a few hours or minutes they are likely just parked there for a short period of time. If they do not move, do not call the tow company, call your office and they will take care of the issue.


9.) Office Employees
             They are there to help you. Don't treat them like crap or tell them what to do. Cause they will do their very best to take care of you. If you notice/think anything illegal about what they are doing or saying, do your research before you make any claims because I highly doubt you will win or get your way. Most management company's have GREAT attorney's.


Thank you for reading! :)

           
        

Easy & Quick Lasagna

This is a super easy and quick recipe. It should only take a total of about 1hour to make.
Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for pan
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes, chopped
• 1 (8-ounce) jar tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (8-ounce) box no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 (8-ounce) bag shredded mozzarella
• 1 (8-ounce) bag shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. 

In a large saute pan, over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon oil and saute meat, onion, and garlic until meat is browned, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon. Drain pan of fat and add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, then mix in cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and seasoning salt.

Spread a little of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Lay half the noodles in the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping by 1/2-inch. Spread half the egg and cottage cheese mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and Cheddar evenly over the cottage cheese mixture. Pour half the meat sauce on top. Repeat layering in same order. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan on top. Bake in center of oven 30 to 35 minutes until sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Jessica's Delicious Beef Stroganoff

I have made this dish a few times. Its easy, delicious and makes everyone happy. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1LB Beef sirloin steak, Cut into strips (or however small/big you desire.)
1/2 Cup Chopped onions
1 TBS Butter
8oz Freshly sliced mushrooms
Pepper
Salt
8 oz Philadelphia cream cheese
1/3 cup Beef Broth. Reduced Sodium
Egg Noodles

Directions:
Cook meat and onions in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat (5 to 6min. or until beef is done) While the meat and onions are cooking, in a separate skillet on medium heat add butter. Once the butter is melted add the mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are soft and tender. (about 5-6min.)

At this time start boiling hot water for the noodles. Egg noodles do not take long to cook. (Use your judgement on when would be best to start the noodles so that they are done about the same time as the  stroganoff.)

When the mushrooms are done add them to the skillet with the beef and onions. Stir. Add the Cream Cheese and stir until melted. (Stir frequently otherwise the cream will burn to the skillet.) When the cream cheese has melted add beef broth. (If the broth has made the dish to much like soup add a little flour at a time to thicken it up.) Add salt and pepper to taste.

The beef is already pretty salty so you will not have to add a lot. The cream cheese is also very flavorful. If you end up putting to much cheese in your dish will be very very cheesy. :)

Once the Beef Stroganoff and noodles are done, drain the noodles put it on a plate and put the Beef Stroganoff on top as desired.

You can top the Beef Stroganoff with parsley if you want to present it formally. Or just through it all on a plate and enjoy this YUMMY dinner! :)

If you have any questions your more then welcome to leave me a comment and I would be happy to answer them. :)

This recipe only feeds two people. So if you are a family of 2 or more I highly recommend doubling the recipe. Or if you significant other eats a lot like my husband then maybe its best to just double it.  lol

IF By: Kipling

 IF you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

-Kipling

Proverbs 31:10-31

My Desire: To be a Wife of Noble Character (Proverbs 31:10-31)

My Goal: To know God, love God, praise God and fear God.

¹⁰ An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
¹³ She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
¹⁴ She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
¹⁸ She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
²⁶ She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
²⁹ “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates. 


To be a Proverbs 31 woman you have to know God first!

http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=proverbs+31%3A10-31&passage2=&passage3=&passage4=&passage5=&version1=49&version2=0&version3=0&version4=0&version5=0&Submit.x=8&Submit.y=15

It's a New Year!

I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Years!

Marcus and I are very excited to be in 2012. We look forward to growing in the Lord and the adventure's He is about to take us on. There's nothing more refreshing then a new year. Everything starts all over. It's a new hour, new day, new week and a new month!


Our plans are simple this year. Our church has started Wednesday night service and we were asked to help run the service. Marcus is doing sound and lights and I'll be in the kitchen making yummy coffee!
                        *Come see us at Eastside Four Square Church!

 A little side note there, sorry. Anyways, back to our new year. We also have moved to a city that has more to offer for our more active lifestyle. Marcus is planning to go Pro in Golf. At least he wants to.He was blessed with a beautiful set of free golf clubs from a co-worker and he has been golfing nearly everyday since. I thought I would be able to wiggle my way out of golfing but, Marcus has reeled me in and its actually a very fun game. I, too was bless with a gorgeous set of women's golf clubs and even a pair of shoes! How awesome!!! So, now I can actually learn to play on clubs that were made for me! I'm very excited. Plus there are some really cute golf outfits out there! ;-)

As you all know we do have 2 large and beautiful dogs (Bella and Pearl) so we also plan to be on the mountain camping and hiking a lot. Hopefully we can get ourselves a bigger vehicle (Jeep! PLEASE!) for the dogs and the camping gear.

I'm hope to start dancing again this year. I have thought about competing again, but I want to just get back in the groove of things to make sure I still love it.

In August we will be married for one year. We haven't decided if we are going to go to Vegas or Hawaii. Tough decision, I know. Both sound like so much fun. In Vegas we will be busy shopping, going to shows, going to PAWN STARS (YES!) and any other fun things in Vegas. I have never been there. But in Hawaii it would be a very relaxing, low key, lay on the beach for hours kind of trip. Which sounds amazing! So we are trying to figure out what type of vacation we want to go on.. lol We might just decide to go camping or back up to Port Townsend, WA. :) ( That's where we went for our honeymoon.)

We hope to buy a house in the future. We have moved to a cheaper apartment so that we are able to save more for a down payment. I'll miss that luxurious apartment in Wilsonville we use to live in but it will be even better when we buy a house.

These are all our plans thus far. But its all up to God and His plans if we actually do any of them. :) To be honest, I'd rather do what God has for me then what I have planned for me. He has better things for me :)

Have an amazing week!

It will be interesting to read back on this blog and compare it to how that year actually panned out. :)