Stacked Stones Studio!

I have sucumbed to the lure of the digitial scrapbooking page. Notthat I want to abadoned my tried and true tactile version -- it is just that is allows me to expand my horizons a bit...and probaly the thing I like best is that I don't have the SCAN it in -- stitch it together beofre sharing it with you. But on the downside...I LOVE my stamps...paint....brads...tools....tearing papers and the ability to change every embellishment so much that this could only be a form of scrapbooking that I do occasionally. However, I love that I learned something new today. How about you? What's new in your brians?

There has been so much happenin in the past few weeks...and I just haven't been able to catch up. One wonderful surprise for me was that Royce arranged for me to attend a Youth Conference being held in Chatanooga, TN the weekend before Thanksgiving. While I attend LOTS of youth conferences...this one was different because Weston's band was leading worship. I got to be the official photographer...and it was a great learning experience in shooting in that kind of environment. His worship band... Five Smooth Stones had won a national worship leading contest...and were invited to lead worship at this conference. The band is 5 guys....ages 15-16 and for being as young as they are -- I think they are pretty terrific...of course, I am biased because Weston is the drummer. However, the response to them at the conference was awesome...so fortunately -- someone other than myself think they are good. Royce and I had T-shirts made up for them to sell (a total surprise to them) with th...

For my friends and family -- both here in Nashville and back in Dallas. I am blessed beyond measure to have you each in my life. {If you don't see your picture here -- it doesn't mean that you are not my friend...you are -- and I am also incredibly grateful for you -- I just don't have a picture of you on my actual computer}

November 22, 1963 was a sad day for America. Just as we remember where we were when the tragedy of 9/11 struck...and when the shuttle Columbia fell from the sky...those of us around the age of 45 and older also remember where we were when JFK was shot in Dallas. For me, I was with my new parents (I had just been adopted) in Iowa...and what I remember is seeing my mother staring at the TV screen and crying. This was something that she didn't normally do -- so even at my young age I knew something wasn't right. Royce thought it was really strange that I had grown up in Dallas and never gone down to the Sixth Floor Museum or to Dealy Plaze and the "grassy knoll." I think growing up in Dallas it was just such a tragic memory that Dallasites wanted to forget. However, I have always watched all the specials on TLC and Discovery or CNN about JFK's assasination -- and about the Warren Commission. We decided to take Weston down there today...and it was fun to see his brain...

I can't upload pictures tonight for some reason...bad blogger...bad! However, I can tell you that today was one of my favorite Thanksgivings -- EVER! Royce and Weston came to Dallas with me to spend it with my family for the first time...and we had so very much fun. It was so delightful to watch Weston in the "big brother/cousin" role with my niece and nephew -- who clearly adored him. Weston -- who has never met a stranger -- took Tyler along to the park after lunch to find a pick-up football game. I did sneak over with my telephoto lens and capture a few moments...but you know how teenagers are -- you have to pick your moments to embarrass them -- so I resisted getting close for really great pictures for the trade 0ff of letting them have some good guy bonding time. Which was the only hard part of it all...Lindsey (8 yrs old and a bit "smitten" with Weston) really didn't understand why she wasn't invited to go play football with the guys. Fortunat...

I loved this picture I snapped from the turn lane on a busy street in the early morning fog. I love that I am learning enough about my camera to be able to capture it. My title refers to that old saying, "Change is in the air." First of all...I figured out how to change my blog! Woo Hoo! That is a huge step for me. This time last year, I had no idea what a woman my age would have to say on a blog...so there is one big change. Secondly, I am making some changes in my career life as well. Not sure what all the answers are...but know that some changes are coming. As of November 1st, I began doing consulting -- and am working hard to make the house payment -- so we will see about what all that brings. But I have been doing some soul searching too...and reading a great book called Second Calling , by Dale Hanson Bourke. It is just wonderful...it addresses purpose and calling in the lives of those of us women that have hit the 40-ish mark. Men typically hit their "...

what'll you give me for this gal?

Ok...this was supposed to be a "winter/Christmas" layout...and in real life it is cute as a bug in a rug (ok...that probably doesn't sound cute at all -- but it is what my grandmother used to say)...but the scanner went all SPOOKY on me and this is what I got instead! YIKES. I will rescan later so you can see it for real... My little niece got a snow outfit and wore it everyday (even when it was hot) for a week waiting for the snow -- did I mention she lives in DALLAS, Texas...so there is NEVER snow in the forcast....bless her heart. But it went well with the Daisy D paper....and makes a great story. Ok..have to run -- but will get back to you with a better scan soon. Have a great day!

and fog...and frosty mornings...and although it doesn't begin with an "f," my Rebel camera. I have been having so much fun with it -- getting up early to capture the fog...staying up late to to capture spooky moonlit nights. I have been reading Bryan Peterson's book, Understanding Exposure . It is wonderful...and for the first time (although my pictures don't show it yet) I am seeing the relationship between ISO, aperture and fstop. Way cool. Now if it would just work its way from academic head knowledge to being applied to actual photography that would be even cooler! *smile* I know...I know -- "Rome wasn't built in a day," "Good things come to those who wait," "And everything of value takes time" ... but I want it right now...forget the delayed gratification thing...(can you tell I am doing everything short of stamping my foot?) Happy week to you all...and may all your images have perfect exposure!

No offense to you lefties out there...your hands are probably strong too...but I am referring to Jesus as He is described in Acts 7:55 and most particularly Psalms 118:13-17. My heart has been heavy for several of my friends that are facing big difficulties. I guess we all do now and then...but my heart and my mind have been turning to God's Word for these friends especially the past few days. I love what God promises us in Psalms... " I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous [read that two story ranch, mobile home or Colonial Mansion ] . The Lord's right hand [read that "Jesus "] has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done might things! I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. " What a mighty word of assurance I found...