I'm back...

Wow, eh?!? I know... I'm not a great a lazy blogger at the best of times, & I've totally been neglecting it for these past 2 months.  I'm smack in the middle of a couple of large custom card orders, as well as making both Moms their birthday presents (which just happen to be large sets of cards!)... oh, yeah, and I'm working... and trying to hold the occasional class & the occasional photo shoot, all while hoping to exercise dogs at least an hour or more each day and (hopefully) see my hubby!! HA! Yeah, so, as you can see, sometimes it's some time before I sit down and get to the ol' blog!

Anyhow, here are some quick pictures to show a little of what I've been up to:

these brownies are soooooooo GOOD! Run, don't walk, to the store to get the few ingredients you need to make these & your inner chocoholic will thank you!

making a few cards with older papers from my stash... oh, how I love all my hoarded Wild Asparagus paper - so heavyweight, double-sided and textured!! But, I'm trying to get my stash pared down to a 'reasonable' amount (depends on who's judging 'reasonable', I'd say!), so I'm challenging myself to use up some of my old favourites!

and taking more pictures of sweet baby Charlotte - she's such a good model for me!!

Oh, and I also made this mushroom soup... all I can say is if you like mushrooms, MAKE this!  We doubled the batch - I figure if I'm cleaning that many mushrooms I'm gonna have leftovers - and then we pureed 1/3 of the final mixture. I've read PDub's blog for years & now I'm addicted to Tasty Kitchen... so many great recipes posted all the time, it's hard to keep up!

I'm cleaning up my picture folders, getting things ready for the data transfer to my new MacBook Pro (coming soon!!), and I'm getting ready to learn PSE, specifically so I can use these!  Yes, more from PW... she's made actions for PSE and, even better, they're free! Yay for PW!

I was blurfing (blog surfing) and having my coffee this morning when I came across this post on Intent & it spoke to me: 

I hope you enjoy these 8 Principles of Fun, and are inspired to bring more fun into your own life in 2010 and beyond!

Stop hiding who you really are. Although it feels like the path of least resistance, it actually takes more energy to live from your Conditioned Self than to live authentically—the person you were born to be.

 

Start being intensely selfish. Many people believe that making themselves the key person in their lives is a bad thing. It’s simply good common sense. After all, you’re the only person who’s with you 24/7 until you draw your last breath.

 

Stop following the rules. While some rules are necessary and good for us, living a life based on others’ rules, needs, and expectations can stifle your self-expression and creativity, and keep a lid on your potential.

 

Start scaring yourself. People avoid expanding their comfort zones out of fear, missing out on people and experiences that can enrich their lives. Know that fear is a normal reaction to taking risks and learn how to override them. My article, Manage Fear So It Doesn’t Manage You, can help.

 

Stop taking it all so damn seriously. Our time on earth is short, and as someone once said, “No one gets out of this alive.” Instead of ruminating about how bad things are, bring laughter into your world and focus on what’s good about your self and your life.

Start getting rid of the crap. Being bogged down by possessions you don’t need can be an energy-drain. Many people go into debt because they buy things to fill the voids in their lives. Clear out clutter that distracts you, and you’ll free up energy to create a life you enjoy.

 

Stop being busy. Being busy and being productive are not necessarily the same. Many people keep busy to avoid taking action on things they’re afraid to pursue. Identify your priorities and allocate your time and energy to achieving the goals to which you aspire.

 

Start something. Procrastination is a common reaction to feeling overwhelmed or fear of failure. Instead of taking on too much at once and overwhelming yourself, break things down and take one small action step at a time.

 

© 2010 Lauren Mackler

 

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG, OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete statement at the end of the article:

 

© 2010 Lauren Mackler

Lauren Mackler is a coach, psychotherapist, and host of the Life Keys radio show on hayhouseradio.com. She’s the author of the international bestseller, Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness & Transform Your Life. Sign up for her Live Boldly newsletter at www.laurenmackler.com.

 

understatement...

 

 

 

27 POUNDS of stampin' excitement to be exact!!

a sunny day...

happened this weekend, so we took the boys out for a nice long walk along the waterfront. I think Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places in the world - I love living here!

As you may remember, I am taking The Photographer's Workshop with Karen Russell... it is only the end of Week 1 and I feel that I have already learned a ton, both from Karen's lessons as well as from interaction with other students on the message boards.  (Not that I think the KR will ever read my little ol' blog, but Thanks Karen - this class is $$ well spent!)  Anyhow, now, more than ever, I take my camera with me everywhere.  I bought a new-to-me 50mm f1.4 lens this past summer, and Karen said that would be the perfect lens to use for the class and then, after I better understand my wants / needs & how I will primarily be shooting, I can look at what other lens(es) I may wish to purchase.  This week was all about understanding, experimenting and playing with the rules of composition (Rule of Thirds, leading lines, framing etc).

I can't say that any of these are stellar examples of anything I've learned, but liked them, & I loved hanging out at the beach with my boys on a gorgeous mid-winter day! (I also love that Milo will actually come when called, unlike a certain older dog of mine!)

 

 

a few cards...

This is a sample of the Acetate & Tissue technique from SCS that we did for our club night on Friday. Tons of examples in the Acetate & Tissue gallery! Love SCS!

I am so not a pink lovin' girly-girl, but I love LOVE love these Sweet Pea stitched felt flowers that are new in the SU! Occasions mini catalogue - I bought 2 packages and we used most of one for class on Friday - the girls loved them too!

 

I CASE'd this idea from Jen - it's been in my Inspiration folder on my computer for awhile.  Since I'm still mostly missing my stampin' mojo, I was going through the folder over the weekend & 'found' it again.

 

This one was in my Inspiration folder as well, but done in a paler pink with black.  I changed it to use rose red & chocolate chip.  The photo that I CASE'd it from is not watermarked or labeled with the designer's name, so if it is you, please leave me a comment so I can link to your original!

check it out!

Kathy over at The Daily Marker is giving away some fabulous blog candy - you should head on over there and check it out!  While you're there, be sure to have a little lookie around her blog - the girl has mad colouring skillz!!!

check it out...

I've started a new blog (you know, since I am soooo good at keeping this one updated! HA!)... it's a Project 365 type blog that I decided to start in conjunction with starting The Photographer's Workshop with Karen Russell. I have been a KR blog stalker for YEARS now, and I am so thrilled to finally be able to take this class and learn to take better (even good!) photos! Come check out my 365!!