Food Bank

I have 34 cans to donate to a local food bank! I didn't get quite that many comments (I had 21 comments to date), but I thought adding a few more was a good thing to do.

Happy New Year's Eve!  Whether you are going our or staying in, I wish you a safe and fun evening with friends and/or family!  

UPDATE: I took the cans to "Kings Things" in  Swedesboro.  As well as running a thrift shop, they have a food pantry in the back for residents of Swedesboro, Logan,  Woolwich and Greenwich.  I felt like I did something good and the women in the shop were very appreciative!

Updates

Hi everyone!  Just a little update on my "Cans for Comments" program.  So far, I have 19 comments! I did buy my cans and I bought a lot extra, so go ahead and don't forget to keep commenting!

Also, on my free session giveaway, I haven't received any nominations, so I'll keep that open for when I do get a nomination or two!

A

My sweet niece visited on Christmas eve wearing a very cute Christmas fleece.  She was very animated and happy....dancing on the countertop, giving kisses and talking up a storm.  She must have been excited for Santa to arrive!

Our Christmas

There weren't many packages under the tree, but that's ok, because the spirit of the season perhaps shined brighter this year!

One of my gifts

One of Norman's gifts

E and his new Jordan t-shirt which he loves

Norman looking unusually lively this year.  Usually he parks himself on the couch and gets all comfy and sleepy, but this year he changed his location.  It worked!  

A few shots of our Christmas morning yesterday.

Merry Christmas!

For those of you who celebrate it, Merry Christmas!   

Heifer.org

God works in mysterious ways.  Norman woke me up at 3:15 am by saying "I've had an accident."  I said "what?" It turned out he was on his way to work, hit a patch of ice, spun around, hit the embankment, and crashed.  He's fine.  His car is dead on the side of the road and the cops brought him home.  

I've been thinking that we've needed some good karma for a while here.  For Christmas, I just ordered two flocks of chicks  for Norman.  Not for our back yard but for a family in a third-world country.  Each family will get the chicks and be taught how to take care of them.

See heifer.org for more info!

When I told Ethan that his dad had an accident he said: "God is reminding us of what's really important."  I said: "What is that?" and he said "Family".  May today remind you of what's really important--friends, family and health.

Update:  No rental cars to be had this Christmas Eve!

Oprah Quote

I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint--and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.  

--Oprah Winfrey

O Magazine, Sept. 2002

Candy Cane-Loving Dog

Here's a story. I was sitting in my living room, reading a book, when Cooper came up to the tree and pulled a candy cane off one of the branches---RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.  And here I thought I had put them all high enough.  

Despite the fact the the tree is now weighted down, under the tree skirt, and tied to the wall with string, it is leaning heavily forward. If that string breaks the tree is going to go down....again.  

Hello to Rebecca who wanted to see a new picture of Cooper on this blog!  This post is for you!

4 Days

4 Days until Christmas day!  We have lots to do, still, around here. You know I love taking ornament shots...so here's a few-- Enjoy your Sunday and I hope it's a productive one!

Ping Pong?

Grandmom was changing the baby's diaper on our ping pong table, and I thought these would be cute.  We didn't have  blanket with us, which was really what I had in mind, but I think these turned out cute anyway.

Polaroid

Do you know that Polaroid is going to stop producing its famous film at the end of this year?  You'll be able to buy it for as long as they have reserves of it;  when the reserves are gone, the film is done.  That's sad.  I remember my grandfather always with his Polaroid Land Camera taking pictures and us eagerly awaiting those shots to develop. I'll always remember him with a Polaroid camera in his hands.  Who knows, maybe that's why I'm a photographer.  

I found this application, Poladroid, for free on the internet.  You add a shot and it turns it into a Polaroid-type of thing--all digital, of course.   Here's a sample above.  You can see from the two Poladroid shots that they turn out differently each time. FUN!

Oh, and an update on my comments:  We're at 16 !  Thanks and keep those comments coming!

Giving

Photographers across the United States were challenged by a Pennsylvania photographer, Kristen Kelp of Essential Photography, to step up and donate photography to those who are in need.  I am very excited to say that I decided to participate in this good thing!

You know someone.  You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances.  You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season.  You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's love, spirit and beauty.  

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography.  

I'll be giving away a complimentary session, a 10 page leather album and the high resolution digital negatives....a value worth over $1000.00.

All I need is the deserving person who would cherish these memories of their family. YOU have the opportunity to help me select the winner, and if I choose the person you nominate, you qualify for a $150.00 print credit.  

The Rules:

You can't nominate yourself and the person you nominate must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services.  The nominee must reside somewhere in South Jersey, Delaware or Southeastern PA.  

Tell me why they deserve to win, send me your contact information and the best way to contact then.  All nominations must be emailed to ndmabilog@comcast.net by midnight, December 22nd and the winner will be announced on my blog on Christmas eve day! 

I can't wait to read your entries!  

xoxo

Denise  

The Tree

Cooper loves Candy Canes, I think I mentioned that before.  He sniffs around the tree looking for low-hanging candy.   Well, yesterday I was working at home and around 2:30 pm I heard a funny  noise and I thought to myself "No, that can't be what I think it is."  Sure enough, I went to investigate and found the tree had fallen over (and Cooper had left the scene of the crime). Ornaments crushed, lights tangled, glass everywhere.  I couldn't get it to stand up, so Norman, when he got home from work spent 1/2 hour trying to get it up.  He was cut from the glass and injured in a few other places as well. To add to the mess, there was blood on our white carpet. Finally, we ended it up tying the tree to the wall to keep it upright.  And Oxyclean does a fabulous job with blood.

Baby!

Baby!

I had a baby over on the weekend for a few shots of her in her "Baby's First Christmas" outfit.  She's the new daughter of one of my brides from early 2008!  Samantha and James, congratulations on your lovely daughter! I think she looks like Samantha!  More tomorrow.

LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE! 

Hawaiian Duck

Ethan has to do a report on this endangered duck--the Hawaiian Duck--by next Monday.  Yesterday we spent some time doing the research! Here's what the Hawaiian duck looks like; and clearly I did not take the shot of the duck since I've never been to Hawaii!

Cans Continued

Let's hear it.  What should I buy for the food bank when the time comes?   Cans, boxes of mac 'n cheese?  Give me some ideas and let's keep those comments coming this month!  I'm only at 6 'cans' so far.

"Cans" Update

Right now, with my comment included, we're at 3 total canned goods!  

Update 6 cans total!!  

Cans for Comments

Hello everyone and Happy Friday! I'm going to do something a bit unusual;  I'm going to ask you to leave me comments this month.  I'll make a donation of one can of food, for every comment I receive in December, to the local food bank.  Start commenting, and on Dec. 30th I'll head to the grocery store with my debit card and will purchase the food and drop it off!  See how easy it will be for all of you to feel good about doing a small thing this month.  1 comment ='s 1 can.  

I think I have about two comments so far this month, which is pretty lame, so you blog readers out there start making those comments. 

(PS:  Certain people aren't going to get out of this.  You know who you are.  Tina, Tom, Keri, Diane, Nicole, Cecilia........you are expected to leave a comment or two this month:)

The End!

I've posted a lot of shots this week and this is the final batch!  I really enjoyed this wedding, since I already knew the bride, and felt like a part of the family!  

Maria and Claudio: thank you for letting me be a part of your special day and I have a feeling that your heart's desire can will come true.  I hope you guys are enjoying this week with your family.  

The Ceremony

The ceremony was in Spanish and to me it was familiar but not.  I knew the flow of the mass but didn't understand one word.  It was beautiful. I especially liked that all the music was by guitar and the singer had an amazing voice to lead the congregation with.  It was very touching how many family members were involved, in one way or another.  Like I said, it was familiar yet different. I must admit, the kiss came quickly and without notice of any sort, in a place I didn't expect it, so I missed it.  It was over and done by the time I could get my camera up to my face.  Oh dear, I hope Maria forgives me for that.