Learning to Fish

I'll start with a little background.  I began fishing at an early age with my grandfather.  There was a catfish pond on his farm, and anyone with a bit of patience could drop a line in the pond using a cane pole and pull out a fish eventually.  I didn't care if I caught any fish, I just enjoyed hanging out with Pappaw.

Years later I graduated to a rod & reel with instruction from my dad.  After just flinging my line in the water, this whole "casting" thing was a royal pain.  Inevitably I failed to take my thumb off the lever at precisely the right time and wound up with a tangled mess of line.  With practice, much practice, I finally learned to put the line at least in the general vicinity of where I wanted it.  By this time, as long as I could work on my tan, I'd sit in a boat and fish all day.

This summer my dear husband began teaching not only me, but also our 10 year old son, how to fly fish.  So far the kiddo has had better luck catching fish than I have had as evidenced by this photo.

So what does learning to fish have to do with photos, jpgs, scrapbooks or Creative Memories?  Stay with me here.  When you are new to a fishing spot, often you employ a guide to show you where the fish are, what bait to use and what techniques have worked in the past.

I hope you'll consider me to be your photo guide.  I understand your frustration of being overwhelmed with photos on memory cards, CDs, DVDs, hard drives, photo sites and maybe even still on undeveloped rolls of film!  I'm here to help you find a solution that fits not only your budget, but meets your needs and makes enjoying your photos a whole lot easier.

Live Dangerously (sort of)

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. " Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this quote.  Never stop learning & trying new things.

Technology Learning Curve

What's your favorite technological advancement of the last 15 years?   DVR has to be one of mine.  Wouldn't you love to rewind some of your favorite moments?  What would be one of yours?

Going to the Birds

I don't know about you, but I love watching the birds at the feeders throughout the winter months.  Spring is the perfect time to snap photos of the feathered friends that have decided to feast in your backyard.  Check out these tips for getting some great photos of your favorites.
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/backyard-bird-photography-tips

Be sure to share a photo with us too!

steph

No reading & relaxing going on in this chair yet.  But believe me, I'm looking forward to a warm, sunny, summer afternoon on which I'll relax back into this chair and have a tall glass of iced tea on the side table. 

Everyone needs a place they can relax, sit back and just observe the world around them.  This little corner of my backyard is the perfect vantage point.  It's cloaked in shade and filled with cool breezes that carry the scents of kids at play mixed with the heady fragrance of summer blooms in the garden. 

Sitting in this chair puts things in perspective for me.  It forces me to slow down and meditate on the things that bring joy to my life.  That may be why I find myself using the time spent here to journal in my photo albums.  No one can capture your thoughts, feelings and emotions like you can.  So I challenge you to find a spot that causes you to slowdown and reflect.  Then take a few minutes to record your thoughts.  Just for you.  No one ever has to read it.  But imagine what future generations of family members could learn about the real you if they have this glimpse into your thoughts.

What would future generations learn about you?

Moving Pictures

Sometimes a still photo just doesn't capture the mood.  So I decided to shoot a few seconds of video this morning as the snow is falling.  It never ceases to amaze me that when it's snowing it seems so QUIET outside.  You can hear the flakes falling if you listen really carefully. 

I have to admit that I do like snow.  Of course I like it better when I'm clicked into my bindings and gliding down the side of a mountain than driving in it.  What do you like about snow (or not)?

Running on Empty

Are you "running on empty" as the phrase goes?  With the hectic pace we all seem to keep these days, it doesn't take long to reach the bottom of the tank.  Unfortunately there is no indicator light that goes on to remind us to refuel.  So how do you "fill up your tank" when you begin to run on fumes?  What renews your spirit?  Maybe it's a long soak in a hot tub, chatting with your best friend, spending time in the great outdoors, reading a book, meditating or going for a run. 

day 5 of Project 365

Personally I like to pull out one of several scrapbooks and flip through the pages to re-live some of the memories they contain.  Reflecting on the people and places that I have been blessed to know and enjoy always renews my spirit. 

If I can help you create a scrapbook or digital photobook capturing people and places that renew your spirit, let me know.  That's one of the best parts of being an independent Creative Memories consultant for the last 13 years.  Consider it a "full service" fill up.  Contact me to get started. 

iCycle



day 4/ project 365

 BPM.  RPM. CPR. ASAP.  I'm okay - promise.  Just finished a great workout on the recumbant bike.  Trying to prepare the quads for the annual ski trip.  If I'm going to keep up with the Park City locals (one of which is kind enough to provide lodging in their home), I must begin training.

My new workout is surfing & cycling.  Surfing the net that is.  While reading email or the news, or even grabbing the latest updates from my Facebook peeps, I can easily knock out 12-16 miles.  The best part is I really don't think about the fact that I'm exercising.  Before I know it, the program is finished, and I still have a few more emails to read.  Multitasking at its best.  You just wait - the iWalk, iClimb or iCycle will be out within the year! (treadmill, stepper or eliptical and stationary bike with integrated iPad)  Mark my words.

This is day 4 of project 365.  I'll be snapping a photo each day and sharing it here along with my thoughts. 

What do your photos tell others about you or your family.  Everyone has a story to tell.  I'm here to help you tell yours.  Click here for more info on my photo organization & celebration solutions.

Lookin' for Ideas

53 Weekly Themes For Your 2011 Project 365

In case anyone is contemplating joining me on this venture of snapping a photo each day this year, here is a useful link.  Besides lots of great photo taking tips, you'll find a spreadsheet with a weekly theme to help you brainstorm ideas of what you might photograph each day.

Enjoy & have fun!

Steph

Fleeting Moments

In keeping with the organization and cleaning spree that has taken place at our house since Christmas, I thought I better snap a shot of a rare sight at our house - a clear kitchen counter - better known as a hotspot.  What is a hotspot you ask?  A hotspot is a horizontal surface that mysteriously attracts clutter. The closer to the main family entrance, the higher the danger of a real flare up.  The counter surface could be hidden for weeks!

So that's my photo for the day.  What fleeting moment do you want to capture today?  Grab your camera and start snapping.  Even the everyday moments deserve to be celebrated.  And I'm here to help you do just that.  Drop me a line to let me know what photos YOU want to celebrate.

Memory Tree

 Photos for January 2, 2011

I managed to dismantle most of the Christmas decor except for the tree. I really enjoy the tree and all of the memories associated with the ornaments. Some from our childhoods like the "Stick-O-Pep" guy made from yarn, felt and of course the peppermint LifeSaver roll, or the tiny, white angel with a dress made of tulle that topped all the Christmas trees of my childhood. Treasured antique glass ornaments that once hung on my grandparents tree. Ornaments from "our first Christmas" 21 years ago, and "baby's first Christmas" 9 years ago. Reminders of vacations past, cookie swaps with girlfriends and gifts from friends and family. It's really more of a memory tree that marks the passage of time. So I think I'll enjoy it a little while longer. I still have 4 of the 12 days left.

New Year, New Beginnings

Happy New Year!  What is it about turning the page on the calendar to find a new year has begun?  Is there something magical about this day of resolutions and best intentions?  Isn't it just another holiday?  A day off work and the last respite before life returns to it's normally scheduled program?  Perhaps so.  Yet the start of a new year holds the opportunity to make this year better than the last.  

Life happens so quickly these days, that we seldom stop to enjoy the details.  So this year, I dedicate my blog to using your camera to capture these details and bring them to life with your stories.                      

I hope you'll stop in often and share your thoughts.  In exchange I hope to inspire you to grab your camera, live life, take photos, tell the stories and share them with others.

Happy New Year,           Steph