Parker but I want to be called hockey player.
What is your age?
Five.
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Hello Monday! Huntsville schools are closed today because, wait for it, we are under a Tropical Storm Warning. When we first talked of moving to Alabama, experiencing a tropical storm was the last thing I thought we'd encounter here. Thoughts go out to those who were really in the hurricane path, of course, and hopes that it dissipates by the time it reaches this far north.
Parker and I headed up to Brown Farms for the third year in a row for a little strawberry picking date.
Each mid-to-late April, the strawberries are ready and so are we! This was the first year I remembered to take the SLR, and I was super excited to snap some fun pics.
If you're headed strawberry picking, here are some tips that we've picked up over the years:
1. The Earlier the Better
Head out early in the day. The weather is cooler in the morning, you'll get more shade, and the farm will be much less crowded.
2. Cover Up
We spend at least an hour in the fields (though it goes by super fast!), so I make sure we have hats and sunnies, and that we're covered with SPF.
3. Choose Smart Shoes
Those fields can be quite muddy! In the past, Parker has worn his Hunter rainboots, and also his Natives. Both are great for getting muddy because they can just be hosed off post-strawberry picking. This year, we knew it would be a bit drier so he wore his Toms (which I can just toss in the wash).
4. Wipes and Snacks, Snacks and Wipes
If you're a mom you most likely are already packing wipes and snacks. Take those wipes with you to the strawberry fields because if your little ones are like mine, they will want to sample the berries (which is totally okay with the farm) and will turn bright red.
When we went to pay for our berries (a flat $12 fee per bucket), Parker told the ladies working that he was "worn out" :) They had a little chuckle, and he definitely appreciated a drink and snack in the car on the way home (which for us was about a 25 minute drive).
And now for those yummy strawberry recipes...
1.
This week, Parker and I finally ventured the 2.3 miles from our house over to Lowe Mill, the former textile mill that now houses tons of local artists (including culinary ones!). I had doubted whether I was trendy or hipster enough to go in, but everyone was actually super friendly and welcoming. First stop, chocolate:
Cardamom, chicory, earl grey tea... these were no ordinary truffle flavors. Now I'm obsessed, and determined to sample each and every flavor.
And the Alabama truffle? All. the. heart. eyes.
Next up - the most adorable coffee shop: Alchemy Lounge. Come summer I'm going to be all over the cold brew coffee on tap! But since it was March, I ordered my go-to coffee shop drink (a cappuccino).
I loved their system of using playing cards to identify your drink at the counter :)
And my cappuccino? Straight up amazing.
#caffeineplease
Parker was stoked to find a "play for free" Pac-Man arcade game right outside the coffee shop.
He would have played all day long.
I was able to entice him away with the promise of the popsicle shop down the hall.
Rainbow was the flavor of choice :)
Lowe Mill, we'll be back!
2.
St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! I couldn't help but order just one more St. Patty's day book this week...
Also, how cute would this sweatshirt be for the holiday?
3.
I love having fun shows streaming on my computer during the day while I'm doing housework and Parker is napping (I mostly just listen to them). I played an episode of the new Netflix series The Santa Clarita Diet while doing laundry a few weeks ago, and it was the perfect silly entertainment to have on! I adore Drew Barrymore - she always seems to play quirky, endearing characters, and this show was no exception (I'm almost done with the first season!). Technically, it's a zombie show (um... never thought I'd watch one of those), but trust me, watch the first one and you'll be hooked.
4.
It's been a couple weeks now since I began using the probiotic Columbia skincare products I was sent to try out. I was provided with both the cream and the serum, but the serum is hands-down my favorite. I love the medicine dropper top, and that I can quickly and easily apply it.
The cream is super, super thick, so I like applying it at night and letting it do its thing :) Husby of course makes fun of me for putting probiotics on my face, but I'll be doing the laughing when I look twenty-five again ;)
According to the literature, you should be able to see a difference in just four days, so I took (makeup free, eeks!) pictures on Day 1 and Day 4 to see for myself. I tried to take the photos in the same room with the same lighting (and no filters). For just four days of use here, I totally think I can see a positive difference :)
5.
I had a Junior League event this week and picked up this mini bouquet from Whole Foods for the hostess - but I was this close to just keeping it for myself! The decorative cabbage just put it over the top for me, and with a price tag of just nine dollars it was a steal. I popped the arrangement into a mason jar and tied on a bow of twine, and it was twelve kinds of adorable. I think Whole Foods is officially moving into my number one spot for flowers over Costco!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! One of my favorite things about December is collecting the mail each day and pouring over the holiday cards that arrive from near and from far. My favorite are the cards with family pictures - so I always make sure that our family card has a current photo as well. Can I tell you a secret? We've never hired a professional photographer for any of our family photos. And, let me tell you, we've saved a bundle. Instead, we've opted to take our own photos. It's much less pressure as we can do it at our leisure, not having a set day or time. It also gives us instant access to the photos, so I can upload them and start designing a card right away.
Here are my top five tips for taking do-it-yourself (DIY) family photos...
1. Have your outfits selected.
When it's time to snap that photo, it's nice to have everyone already knowing what they're wearing (and having the colors compliment and not clash). I'm not an expert and certainly not a fashion blogger, but I did read somewhere that it's a good idea to start with one piece, and build the rest of the outfits from there. I purchased a new sweater for Parker (since neither Max nor I are growing and thus do not need new clothes, ha!). I then pulled clothing from my closet and Max's in the same colors from the sweater. I've also read that layers add dimension and interest to pictures, so I tried to incorporate those as well (though again, totally not a fashion blogger ;)
2. Front-load the little ones.
Talk about the picture day with your children beforehand - what you'll be doing and what you expect of them. Bribe as needed :) Our little guy is easy, and the promise of his CD choice in the car (Adele) and his choice for lunch (Mexican) was enough to get his cooperation, but you know your kids best!
3. Assemble your supplies.
A tripod
is key if you are DIYing. We set our SLR on a timer, and Max just clicks and runs, but you could also be fancy and use a wireless remote
(which actually are quite inexpensive!).4. Location, location, location.
When looking for a spot for the picture, think about light. You don't want direct sunlight as you'll have shadows and squinty faces. What you do want is diffused light. A cloudy day is perfect. Next best is a shady spot which also diffuses the sunlight. The "magic hours" (right after sunrise, right before sunset) also work but are much trickier as time is pressed and there is less overall light. Think also about background - the further away the backdrop, the more blown out it will be (the effect I love the most).
5. Strike a pose.
Peruse Pinterest beforehand and look for a family pose. One of the hardest things about DIYing your photo is not having a photographer to pose you/make you look your best. Think ahead about how you'll be sitting/standing. For us, I saw a sweet hand holding picture that I wanted to emulate.
5. Incorporate empty space.
Frame yourselves so that there is plenty of space around you. You'll appreciate the room to play once it's card time. For example, the photo below has ample space on the right side...
This makes it perfect for a card option like this one:
Tiny Prints makes the entire holiday card making process super easy - just upload your favorite photos from the day and choose one of their darling designs. Thank you to Tiny Prints for supplying our holiday cards this year!
Today's weather was finally a change from the hot and steamy we've been experiencing lately. We woke up to temps in the low seventies, so Parker and I jumped at the chance and spent the morning at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. We have a family season pass, but really it gets the most use in the spring and the fall. Today's weather, however, has me jonesing for chilly fall mornings and power walks along the property...
As a last-minute thought, I grabbed our SLR (the Canon 5D Mark II, the same make and model Duchess Kate shoots with as well!) fitted with the awesome lens Max gifted me for my birthday last year.
I had fun snapping the butterflies in the butterfly house...
While Parker's favorites include the Children's Garden...
The pond...
And the many fountains...
Mornings with my little man are the best.
We ended our outing with some soccer...
And said good-bye to the garden's model train.
We'll be seeing more of you come fall, Botanical Garden!
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