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Monday, February 28, 2011

10 years ago

February 28, 2001. For everyone else it was the day of the big earthquake in Seattle. For me, it was the day I got engaged.

Chris and I took a road trip to Las Vegas. I knew he loved to sleep. So on February 28, 2001 I woke up early and took my shower. When I opened my makeup bag, in it was a ring.

Now, knowing Chris wanted to sleep, I stayed in the bathroom. But I didn't know Chris was wide awake, freaking out that I hadn't come out of the bathroom yet. I'm pretty sure I was in there at least an hour, maybe longer.

In case you didn't know, I said yes. And less than a year later (2/2/02) we were married.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Paint

What happens when you give paint to a 4 year old.





Mixed colors.

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Saturday, February 26, 2011

Quote

I have been reading this book, "One Day" by David Nicholls. It is so well written. This particular quote stood out for me.





It says "He wanted to live his life in such a way that if a photograph was taken at random, it would be a cool photograph."


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Friday, February 25, 2011

Snow

We have had a pretty decent winter by my standards. But we got a nice 6" of snow starting Wednesday night. While it's beautiful to look at, the roads disappear.

Yesterday was gorgeous! Bright sun and snow. This was taken about 8 in the morning as the sun was rising (and we all know I love a good sunrise)



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Snow day

It's hard to not have fun in the snow with a kid.






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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Harry Potter

If you know me, you know that I take pictures and I love Harry Potter. Nope, I am not ashamed to admit I love to get lost in the world of Hogwarts. And thanks to my husbands own collection of Star Wars paraphernalia, I have my own small Harry Potter collection.

These "decrees" are from book 5, The Order of the Phoenix and purchased when I went to the traveling exhibition in Seattle.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Hovander Park

This is one of my favorite parks. It ha animals, towers, tractors and a playground.

It's a great place to photograph too.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, February 21, 2011

Shoes

You can tell a lot about someone by their shoes. Spend any time people watching and notice their shoes.

I love these shoes.




What do you think it says about me? Maybe that I'm trying to retain my youth? I think I'm cool?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Space Needle

How can impossibly shoot such am iconic structure in a way to make it original? That's hard to do. I tried, in making it black and white and softening it a bit.

I do love black and white pictures. It forces the subject to stand out. I struggled today. I need to get out and shoot more.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Ferris Wheel

I've been reading about taking pictures after the sun has set below the horizon. The light that you can get can be dramatic.

I took this picture at the NWW Fair last year. I love how the sky fades from dark to light (top to bottom).




I used an old picture because I am in a bit of a photo funk. I guess I ran out of weird things in my purse.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, February 18, 2011

Red

I love coffee cups. I own a ton but only a select few get coffee in them. I know.

I'm weird.





One of my travel mugs. Looks pretty but doesn't keep the coffee real hot, therefore it's generally used when dishes need to be cleaned.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Dolls

What little girl doesn't love dolls? This cutie was a present from my Grandma for Carley's 4th birthday





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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Roaming Gnome

We have a pool for The Amazing Race. It's been going for quite a few years. Two seasons ago I got a few roaming gnomes as the trophy for the person who picks the winning team.

When I came to my desk today, the gnome was back - with a message.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Birthday

This is one of my favorite pictures. Unfortunately it wasn't taken by me (but I'm using it anyway). My husband is also a great photographer. He has taken great pictures. If he could get out there more, he would put me to shame.

This is my daughter shortly after she was born. Unfortunately I didn't get to see her for about 2 hours after she was born. Chris went with her to the nursery where she is here. They were performing tests on her because the cord was wrapped around her neck and for other reasons related to me.

Carley never cried. When she was taken out she didn't cry. When they had her here she didn't cry. She was declared fine and I saw her for 5 minutes 2 hours after birth and finally for good 3 hours after.

This picture, for me, has a strong emotion attached to it. I think my favorite part is that you can faintly make out my mom peeking through the window.




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Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day

I am nothing special of this I am sure. I am just a common man with common thoughts. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, that has always been enough.

-Nicholas Sparks






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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hope

It may surprise people to learn I am an optimist. I try to see the good in bad situations. I believe in positive thinking and I am a sucker for love.

This token is carried with me as a simple reminder to never lose hope. Life can suck sometimes, but there is always...hope.




This also reminds me that I carry strange things in my purse.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Winding River

I captured this one day while driving to Whidbey Island Navy base. I love how the river winds and snakes around.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, February 11, 2011

Couple in love

This is another picture from the amazing sunset the other night

I played with the color a bit to focus on the couple in the foreground.




Does it strike an emotion?

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Growing Up

It's hard to believe but my baby is 4 years old now. Everyone says it goes fast but you don't believe it until it happens with your own kids.

Carley had a hearing test at her checkup. Here she is, listening for the beeps. She was told to say "beep" every time she heard a beep. Carley responded by telling the nurse "I'm hungry".




Obviously as her mom I found it simply adorable. And sad that she is growing up so fast.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Bellingham Bay

When I got out of work Tuesday, the sky was a beautiful pink. I've found that if you don't capture it immediately you'll miss the colors. I hopped in my car and drove to Bellingham Bay by the closed GP factory. This is one of my shots. I was able to stitch together the panoramic shot with the Pano app on my iPhone.






As I said before, I love sunset and sunrises. I am sure there will be many posted over the year. The trick is finding a different way of seeing the same thing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Sun glare

Yesterday was gorgeous so I went for a walk. When I was by the police department the sun was so huge I wanted to capture it.

I wish I could say this picture is entirely intentional. It's not. But I like the way the flag is waving in front of the sun and the cool sun spots that almost look like they are in the shape of a flower.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, February 7, 2011

Rain

Winter days can become depressing. Lots of rain and cold. I think it's possible to find beautiful imagines in the rain. Rain can make a dull picture pop.




On my way to work, stuck at the stop sign on Austin Street I snapped this picture. It was an ok shot but once I turned it black and white, the image was made.

As my friend calls it, this is the "drunken slant" where you tilt your camera a little for a different effect. But if you use it too much people get dizzy.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lake Whatcom

Driving to work the other day the sky was beautifully red and pink. I played around with different settings and found that a sepia tone for this picture made Lake Whatcom, normally busy and active, seem isolated and ominous.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Parks

We live in an amazing place, Bellingham. Maybe that's why I never left. Boulevard Park is one of the prettiest spots in town. On Amy given day you will find 2 or more photographer taking advantage of the scenery.





This picture was taken in Winter, if you can believe that. It was very cold buy even cold, it's a beautiful place.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, February 4, 2011

Lights

Photography is about light. Without light you aren't going to get a photograph. I love lights, Christmas lights especially. I find them to be beautiful and I wish white lights were up year round. Though I suppose if they were they would lose their appeal.



These light were found in Fairhaven.

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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Rose

Flowers are reserved for courting and Valentines Day. Or when you've really screwed up. But I'm married, I *hate* Valentines Day and well, Chris has never felt the need to apologize with flowers. Needless to say, I never get flowers. So when I do, it's special.

Yesterday was my 9th wedding anniversary. It simultaneously feels like we got married yesterday and that we've always been married. And because I never get flowers, getting a single red rose meant so much to me.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Hearts

What can I say...I'm a girl. I love hearts. And occasionally I want to dot my "i"'s with them. I have two hearts I carry with me at all times. For good luck, to remind me that I am loved, to represent my loves - Chris and Carley. I find them to be comforting, I feel them when I need to be reminded that I have love in my life.




Photo taken then "created" with the Percolator app on my iphone.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Sunrises

I love a sunrise. For some reason I find a lot of calm when I drive to Seattle and watch the sun rise. This is why I love winter (because I'm awake when the sun is rising).


This is outside my parents house in Bellingham, WA