Farmgirl Paints: The Rule of Thirds Photo Contest

Last night I was having trouble falling asleep, so I started reading blogs and behold, I came across the beauty, Farmgirl Paints! She has photo contests and gives very helpful and simply-put advice on how to take strong pictures. Since I pride myself on figuring things out the hard way i.e. not reading manuals, this site is perfect for me! Trial and error is my style, but sometimes a girl needs a little guidance.

This week there is a photo contest (and since this is the first time that I have tried anything like this, I hope it works) on the use of ISO and The Rule of Thirds.

I'm not 100% convinced that this photo fits the Rule of Thirds criteria of the world or not, but in my opinion it does because the lake comes into about 1/3 of the picture. Also, when I look at this picture, I see three lines - sky, trees, grass. While they are not equal thirds, there are three breaks. As I like to say (and practice) "Practice makes perfect!"

By the way, this photo is of my husband's childhood/hometown golf course! I want to say that it is hole #12 or #13, but I am not 100% sure. What I do know is that it is one of the back 9 holes and that I was so stinking close to making par on this hole. Ryan and his dad were totally watching me, probably thinking I bet she doesn't know that if she makes this next shot it will be for par, but little did they know, this firecracker can count! :) Playing 9-holes of golf with Ryan and his dad on such a special course was a special treat. I was so nervous, but those two sweeties are two of the most patient men on the golf course! It was a moment that I will hold dear to my heart for my lifetime! Thanks again, Dad!

Much love.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind...Nah

Out of sight, out of mind is total bogus when it comes to the one you love. When Ryan leaves, I get busy to keep my mind from going completely crazy from missing him. I made my to do list and tackled it with flying colors

• laundry - check
• vacuum - check
• clean bedroom - check
• clean bathroom - check
• sweep downstairs - check
• wash dishes - check
• read Money and Banking (6 chapters) - check

... you get the idea! Well, when all was said and done, I got a lovely little phone call from my sweetie letting me know that he was coming home!! Now, what's better than spending another night with your husband??? Spending another night with your husband in a CLEAN house with NO WORK!!! I sure wish these bursts of energy, "need to keep my mind busy" moments occurred without Ryan leaving, but such is life.

So, this out of sight, out of mind thing isn't all it's cracked up to be because while we were spontaneously browsing Home Depot for some inspiration for our new home...the one we want to build one day, that is, I got the biggest craving for a cupcake! There are NO cupcakes in Home Depot, I can assure you of that... But there are kitchens!!

The options are endless! Luckily, Ryan and I HATE the same things and are kinda digging the white or cream cabinet look with a brush nickel hardware look and cement counter tops. Yes, this all sounds like we have our decisions made, but money speaks and we weren't looking at dollar signs last night... If only money grew on trees....if only.

So, that sweet tooth was still nagging at me, so what did I (and a little help from my bubba) do when we got home you ask?!?! I made cupcakes! Yummy, delicious German Chocolate cupcakes with homemade, super sweet buttercream icing!!

I overfilled them a bit...Oops!

This was all done between 9:30 and 10:30 PM while we were watching the Republican Response to Obama's State of the Union Address. No matter what your political opinions are, everyone can come together and enjoy a homemade cupcake! :)

Now I have a dozen cupcakes that are begging to be consumed!

And what would a sweet tooth craving be without a little wisdom tooth extraction??? Much more fun, that's what it would be. This morning's visit to the Oral Surgeon left me with the wonderful news that all four wisdom teeth had to go...even though I was told me entire life that my jaw had plenty of room for my wisdom teeth. I rewarded myself with a cup of coffee, a little light reading of the Solow Growth Model (Macroeconomics) and some bow making! You can view a selection of them under the above tab "Betty's Baby Bowtique"! All are for sale and custom orders are more than welcome!

Much love.

Spring Fever

The Superbowl is right around the corner, but all I want is baseball season. The Packer and the Steelers better make this freezing, never-ending winter worth while. Heck, even if they play a game of a lifetime, I won't care because I could care less about the Packers and I am from the better side of Pennsylvania. Eagles all the way baby! To be completely honest, I am a PHILLIES girl and am totally jonesing for a cold beer in an obnoxiously loud stadium with the sun beating in my face surrounded by the best fans in the world!

Ahh...let a girl dream. I am dreading the next month of lonely nights, packing, unpacking and lots of economics all wrapped up in below freezing temperatures, a nasty wind and grey skies. And yes, I am the one who says she loves seasons. I'm just sick of this season. Maybe it was the golfing that occurred this weekend or last week's teasing of sunny, 55 degree days, but this gals got the fever. Hell, I might just drive my booty to Florida because I can. Watch out I-95, I'm headed south!! (If I do it, I'll be sure to document it!)

This month has been filled with lots of adventures, but my photo uploader is being a punk, so I'll have to photographically document the memories later. In short, Oregon and California were visited by this smiling face and this smiling face was greeted with loving arms and giddy relatives! The coast was driven by my amazing husband whom totally got back into his driving groove while I photographed the rocky coast, enormous redwoods and precious passengers! A belated Christmas with my in-laws with an abundance of memories was had! And, and, I went to my first casino!! Did I gamble? No. Was is memorable? Yes! The people watching was out of this world amazing!! (I know I am a horrible person for saying that, but it's so true!) Overall, I would say that I bonded with my in-laws and I am much happier for it!

I am emotionally drained from saying "goodbye" after only seeing my sugar for a month, being at school for over 12 hours, having an amazing weekend, battling a cold, and dreading a week of packing and moving. Night.

Much love.