Last Bit of Autumn

I really wanted to do a cute little shoot with the last of our pumpkins before I moved on to Christmas decorations. Sadly, my camera died mid shoot and I really didn't get any good shots. I almost decided to call it quits and then I remembered that I have a phone. Technology is really amazing these days. I know that in a lot of ways it has made our lives more complicated but I think it does enrich our daily experiences in some ways. Like the ease that I can shoot and edit these photos. A couple of clicks with my camera app followed by few taps and a VSCO filter and I had these. 

Some times I wonder if the ease with which we create takes away some of the specialness of the creative endeavor. Since so many people have access to the same technology and it is relatively easy to use, does it make the outcomes less special? People are taking photos and making videos more than every before. As technology advances, it becomes cheaper and more available. The lines between amateurs and professionals are slowing blurring. Are we seeing an increase in expressions of creativity or a dilution of it?   

Maybe technology just enables more people to dabble in creative projects. I wouldn't consider myself an artist or a "creator." I am a hobbyist at best. I enjoy the ease that my phone lets me capture pictures like these and I have gotten somewhat decent at composing a shot but I know that I don't hold a candle to a lot of photographers out there. For me, I am excited about the new possibilities that technology offers. I should probably just learn to sit back and enjoy it. 

Have a good Monday!

Playing Catch Up

So I have been really off of my game lately. We left Wednesday evening to go to Charleston to help Scott's old professor/mentor's family move and I have been behind since. It was a fun little trip and it was so good to get to see them and help out. We did a little of bit of sightseeing in downtown Charleston. Just enough to wet our appetites and convince us we need to visit some more.
We are in full blown Thanksgiving prep mode. I have my recipe picked out. Now I just need to get to the grocery store. I am probably going to regret putting off my shopping till the day before but it could not be helped. Thankfully, I do not need a turkey or I would probably end up in a fist fight with someone. Those things go fast.
Have a good week!

Over The Weekend: Overcome The World

I keep thinking back on this podcast by Timothy Keller. Essentially, the message is bad things happen and that is normal. When good things happen, it is a miracle. With everything that has happened in the last 48-72 hours, it feels like there is only bad things.
Maybe it is age, maybe it is experience, but there is very little that shocks me. I am a little embarrassed at how little I feel over these recent violent attacks in Paris. I am saddened but not surprised. It is almost a numbness. Then watching the aftershocks on social media causes me to be more apathetic. I don't know if apathetic is the right word. It is a heavy, sad feeling. The opinions and "debates" turn a horrific situation into a show. There are people who voicing genuine concern and sorrow. They are trying to mentally and emotionally wrestle with the facts but they drown out by the hundreds of other voices. The "others" are pushing ignorant policies and political views. It feels like a large crowd of people yelling over each other. Everyone is saying something but it doesn't seem like anyone is taking the time to listen. Maybe are trying to make sense of the situation as best they can. It is disheartening the ridiculousness that follows something like this.
It is kind of nice to have a little corner of the Internet to voice your thoughts but not have to worry about other people seeing it. Putting up a status on FB guarantees that someone will read it. Putting something up hear means that it is out there, but maybe no one will see it. I feel a freedom to be expressive in a space I call "my own" than I public forum like Facebook.
So what do we after something like what happened in Paris? That is the big question. I wish there was plan. I would love to offer up a carefully and thoughtfully crafted strategy that was ideologically consistent, yet compassionate and fiscally responsible. What that would look like, I don't know. All I know is that bad things are going to happen and we are going to have to do deal with them.

John 16

Friday Wrap Up

Um, where did this day go? Today has been an adventure. We are in the process of dropping a nap out of Baby's day and stretching out the time he is awake. It was a struggle to keep him happy during that extended awake time. We spent a large portion of the day outside soaking up the sun and the wonderful temperatures. 

I don't have much to wrap up. Have a great weekend. 

Thanksgiving Meal Prep

(via pinterest)

What to bring to Thanksgiving? The age old question. We celebrate with my husband's family since we live close to them. Usually it's a mixed bunch of extended family and close friends. It is always a lot of fun and there is always a ton of food. I am not the greatest cook in the world. Instead of bringing something, I usually opt to help prep dishes (I am a great sous chef.) However, I really want to start contributing to the spread. When I do contribute to pot luck style meals, be it at family get togethers or church events, I try to be the healthy/healthier option. There will be plenty of good, Southern food, this is Georgia, so it's nice to bring a little variety to the table. For this year's Thanksgiving, I am really wanting to do something like this. Maybe I am just a sucker for good food photography but doesn't that spread look sumptuous? I could eat the entire thing by myself, easily. It might be nice appetizer sort dish while the rest of the food is being prepped and setup. It would be a good excuse to buy a nice cheese board. 

I guess I'll back to salivating.

Style: A Small Attempt

Here it is, guys. An outfit post. I know I am going to look back at this and cringe big time. Ha!
Part of the reason I started this blog is because I have been a big fan of blogs for a long time. I got into fashion blogs in 2009. I stumbled across the idea of blogging after browsing through Chictopia (anybody remember that?) There were a few girls on Chictopia that I loved to check out regularly so when I found out that they had their own sites, I just cut out the middle man. Sorry, Chictopia. One of my earliest follows was A Clothes Horse. She was and still is inspiring. I never knew people actually dressed like that! Her vintage style and plethora of dresses was so different from my normal fair of jeans and cardigans. It was eye opening.
Her style is always adorable but what is more amazing is her photography skills. She takes most all of her own photos using a tripod and a self-timer. I am constantly blown away by her skill level. Some of her shoots are editorial quality. I can always count on her for inspiration.
While my photos are not nearly as amazing as hers, I really enjoyed taking them. It is so nice to carve out a little time on a gloriously sunny to do something creative. I'll be back at work cleaning out the freezer here soon, but for a little bit I got to play. Hopefully, this playing will eventually turn into something cool but as for now, I am just going to revel in the dorkiness and go with it.

Bits and Pieces

This weekend felt like it flew by. It's already Tuesday, for goodness sake. The rain has FINALLY stopped. The sun is out and it is glorious. I am 95% done with my Christmas shopping which feels amazing. Now I am researching and brainstorming Thanksgiving recipes.
Here are just a few snapshots off of my phone from the past couple of days.