I have been drooling over digital SLR cameras for a couple years now, but timing has yet to work out for me to get one. We are either trying to save up for one reason or another (and I feel guilty getting one, my husband has been nothing but encouraging with the whole thing) or I just don't have the time to devote to learning how to use the camera and practice with it. But, I am hoping that my time will come soon. I recently got a huge magazine/book talking about all things photography from a beginner level on up. I have read a good portion of it, and I feel like I have a better grasp on shutter speed, f-stop, ISO, etc. I have also been doing a lot of research trying to decide exactly what I want to get! There are so many options for the basic camera alone and then after you finally decide on a camera there are a million lenses to chose from. Hopefully I will be able to find a few good ones to cover most of what I want to do in the beginning and then I can expand as I go. If anyone has a suggestion or advice for me to consider, please give it to me! I am so excited!
I have also been reading a lot about the advantages of shooting RAW. I love the idea of being able to go back and manipulate just about any part of your picture. I will probably end up as one of the people who mostly shoots JPEG as I don't have enough time to go back and put a lot of effort into every picture I take, but it's something I am excited to try playing around with. It sounds like there are some huge advantages.
As if I don't miss Colorado and New Mexico enough as it is, a friend of mine posted a link to The Pikes Peak Guy on facebook and I have been looking at his pictures and feeling inspired. Oh how I miss the mountains! If you love beautiful pictures, check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Zucchini Muffins
I found a recipe for Zucchini Bread on another blog (http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com) and decided to try them out (except I turned them into muffins). They were a little bit more "dessert-like" than I was going for so after making some small changes (it is RARE that I decrease the amount of sugar, someone write this down!), I now have a recipe I like. Also, one that I don't feel HORRIBLE about giving the twins for breakfast. Here it is:
2 cup shredded zucchini (drain/press out water, I just use paper towels)
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup of honey (I forgot to add this last time and it turned out fine)
3 tsp. vanilla
1and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 and 1/2 cup white flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
you could also add nuts or raisins or both :)
In a large bowl, mix oil, applesauce, eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add zucchini. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix well. Pour zucchini bread into 2 greased muffin pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 35ish minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Enjoy!!!
2 cup shredded zucchini (drain/press out water, I just use paper towels)
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup of honey (I forgot to add this last time and it turned out fine)
3 tsp. vanilla
1and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 and 1/2 cup white flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
you could also add nuts or raisins or both :)
In a large bowl, mix oil, applesauce, eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add zucchini. In another bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix well. Pour zucchini bread into 2 greased muffin pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 35ish minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Enjoy!!!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Excuse me, excuse me please, I need to get up on that soapbox...
{taking a BIG step up on a soapbox}
Let me start off with something my husband wrote: "I'm excited about the progress being made in Iraq, I'm proud of what the Iraqi people have done for themselves, and I'm proud of how our military has helped make it all possible. However, I can't help but find it irritating that our politicians feel the need to tell everyone that all "combat troops" have left Iraq so they can brag about the "change" in time for elections when the only real change that has taken place is purely semantics. Our Soldiers are still in the same country, facing the same enemy, engaged in the same combat they were before we re-classified them as non-combat troops. Are Americans really so simple minded that our politician's think this is going to make a difference? Sadly, I think I know the answer."
Just so you know, we have friends currently deployed to Iraq. My brother is currently deployed in Iraq and he is not scheduled to come home anytime soon. In fact, one of my husband's friends is currently training to deploy to Iraq here in a few months. Not only are our soldier not all coming home, we are still sending them out there. All this stuff in the news about all of our combat troops coming home is semantics. They are there but not "combat" troops. We are calling our soldiers by a different name, but that's the only thing that has changed, a name. So while it sounds great to say "all of our combat troops are coming home," in reality that translates to, there is a brigade coming home and everyone still there and deploying to Iraq in the future will be called non-combat troops. Mildly insulting, I am not that dumb CNN (and other media outlets), we are not up and pulling everyone out. I am not that dumb Obama (and other politicians), there are still American soldiers in Iraq and there will be for a long time. Not everything you read in the newspaper/online/see of TV is fact. The media is wrong and not just once in a great while, they are wrong a lot. Journalism is not what it used to be, not held to the same standards. Please America (and world) don't be that naive.
{stepping down of the soapbox, though I am making no promises that I will stay off}
stay safe out there Dev!!
Let me start off with something my husband wrote: "I'm excited about the progress being made in Iraq, I'm proud of what the Iraqi people have done for themselves, and I'm proud of how our military has helped make it all possible. However, I can't help but find it irritating that our politicians feel the need to tell everyone that all "combat troops" have left Iraq so they can brag about the "change" in time for elections when the only real change that has taken place is purely semantics. Our Soldiers are still in the same country, facing the same enemy, engaged in the same combat they were before we re-classified them as non-combat troops. Are Americans really so simple minded that our politician's think this is going to make a difference? Sadly, I think I know the answer."
Just so you know, we have friends currently deployed to Iraq. My brother is currently deployed in Iraq and he is not scheduled to come home anytime soon. In fact, one of my husband's friends is currently training to deploy to Iraq here in a few months. Not only are our soldier not all coming home, we are still sending them out there. All this stuff in the news about all of our combat troops coming home is semantics. They are there but not "combat" troops. We are calling our soldiers by a different name, but that's the only thing that has changed, a name. So while it sounds great to say "all of our combat troops are coming home," in reality that translates to, there is a brigade coming home and everyone still there and deploying to Iraq in the future will be called non-combat troops. Mildly insulting, I am not that dumb CNN (and other media outlets), we are not up and pulling everyone out. I am not that dumb Obama (and other politicians), there are still American soldiers in Iraq and there will be for a long time. Not everything you read in the newspaper/online/see of TV is fact. The media is wrong and not just once in a great while, they are wrong a lot. Journalism is not what it used to be, not held to the same standards. Please America (and world) don't be that naive.
{stepping down of the soapbox, though I am making no promises that I will stay off}
stay safe out there Dev!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It's Offical! He is getting OUT!
Civilian world here we come!!!
I was looking at an "I Love the Army" t-shirt at the mall the other day and Jonathan pointed out that we would not be in the army much longer, which begs the question; do they make "I Love the Civilian World" t-shirts? If so, sign me up!
So, it's official, Jonathan is getting out of the Army. It's actually been official for a while, but today it became official official. And as military wife knows, nothing in the military is official until it's official official. ;) (and even then it can be subject to the needs of the army, but we won't go there) To tell the truth, for the most part I have liked being an Army wife. It's not always an easy life, but it gives you a lot of independence, a strong sense of self and the army wife sisterhood and camaraderie is something that I cannot imagine ever being matched in the civilian world. So, while I will not be walking away without shedding a tear and looking back longingly, I am looking forward to what this next chapter in our life will bring us.
Now onto the nerve-wracking job of finding a job in the civilian world. Please pray for Jonathan as he searches, applies and interviews.
I am a little bummed I won't be seeing him in uniform on a daily basis. :( Oh the things we are forced to endure. ;) and it did make for some good pictures:
I was looking at an "I Love the Army" t-shirt at the mall the other day and Jonathan pointed out that we would not be in the army much longer, which begs the question; do they make "I Love the Civilian World" t-shirts? If so, sign me up!
So, it's official, Jonathan is getting out of the Army. It's actually been official for a while, but today it became official official. And as military wife knows, nothing in the military is official until it's official official. ;) (and even then it can be subject to the needs of the army, but we won't go there) To tell the truth, for the most part I have liked being an Army wife. It's not always an easy life, but it gives you a lot of independence, a strong sense of self and the army wife sisterhood and camaraderie is something that I cannot imagine ever being matched in the civilian world. So, while I will not be walking away without shedding a tear and looking back longingly, I am looking forward to what this next chapter in our life will bring us.
Now onto the nerve-wracking job of finding a job in the civilian world. Please pray for Jonathan as he searches, applies and interviews.
I am a little bummed I won't be seeing him in uniform on a daily basis. :( Oh the things we are forced to endure. ;) and it did make for some good pictures:
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland
There are so many thoughts swirling around in my head right now, I am not even sure where to start.
It has been almost 3 months since my father went to be with our heavenly father. And while at the time, I cried and knew he was gone, the effects set in much more slowly. Yesterday I was watching Austin and Lanna play and realized they would never really know who my dad was. I never really knew my mother's father either, and while I have not had to shell out hundreds of dollars on therapy because of it, somehow I know I missed out on something good. The stories of my quick-witted, hard working grandpa always bring a smile. Like me, my kids will miss out on something amazing. I had one of the most amazing men as a father. You probably won't find his name in any history books, but if you were lucky enough to cross paths with this man during you time on earth, I have no doubt you were blessed. At my fathers memorial service I was blessed to hear a few stories about him that I did not know and a few more good ones that will forever warm my heart. Growing up in Los Alamos, NM I did not really grasp what an accomplishment it was to have your Masters degree and how much more of an accomplishment it was to have your PhD. My father had his PhD in Nuclear Engineering. I can remember whining to him one time when he was packing for a trip to Russia. I laid on my parents bed and watched him pack. I asked him if he was going because he was the smartest one about nuclear stuff and he told me, no there are 3 of us. At the time it did not register, but now I know, out of everyone in the US, Britain and who knows what other countries, my father and 3 other people were selected to go. How good do you have to be at your job to be one of the top 4 in the world at it? I am pretty sure I will never know the answer to that. I can't tell you how often I would complain about my dad's business trips. I did not know who Sectary of Defense, Casper Weinberger was and did not really care, and my father, knowing this would hop on the next available flight at some ridiculous hours so he could be home to be with my brother and I as much as possible. I later found out he turned down multiple jobs at the Pentagon and various other places in Washington to allow my brother and I a stable home life. He served his country in an area that did not often get a lot of press, but keep you and I safe none the less. But more than just being a genius, my father was a giving man. He loaned out money he knew he would not get back, nor did he want back. He gave his time wherever he could. Anything that was his, everyone knew they could use and borrow. Many people completed their own home projects using our workshop and my dads tools. I never doubted he loved me. He managed to make almost all of mine and Devin's school plays, sports games, and other activities, and let me tell you, that would have been tough if you were not also saving the world from nuclear disaster! He also had a deep passion for his God. He lead many Sunday school classes and served in many positions at our church. I always tell everyone that if I can be half as patient with my kids growing up as he was with me, my kids will be truly bless. I then turn to my kids and tell them not to hold their breathes on that one! ;)
There is so much more I could say about my father, but listing of the important people who would seek out his advice, the way money apparently "stuck to him" when he walked the halls of Washington, the people he helped out or advances he made for the kingdom of God will never give you an accurate picture of the father he was to me. So instead, I will just pray that in your lifetime you will be blessed enough to meet a man half as good as my dad, because believe me that alone will bless your socks off!
It has been almost 3 months since my father went to be with our heavenly father. And while at the time, I cried and knew he was gone, the effects set in much more slowly. Yesterday I was watching Austin and Lanna play and realized they would never really know who my dad was. I never really knew my mother's father either, and while I have not had to shell out hundreds of dollars on therapy because of it, somehow I know I missed out on something good. The stories of my quick-witted, hard working grandpa always bring a smile. Like me, my kids will miss out on something amazing. I had one of the most amazing men as a father. You probably won't find his name in any history books, but if you were lucky enough to cross paths with this man during you time on earth, I have no doubt you were blessed. At my fathers memorial service I was blessed to hear a few stories about him that I did not know and a few more good ones that will forever warm my heart. Growing up in Los Alamos, NM I did not really grasp what an accomplishment it was to have your Masters degree and how much more of an accomplishment it was to have your PhD. My father had his PhD in Nuclear Engineering. I can remember whining to him one time when he was packing for a trip to Russia. I laid on my parents bed and watched him pack. I asked him if he was going because he was the smartest one about nuclear stuff and he told me, no there are 3 of us. At the time it did not register, but now I know, out of everyone in the US, Britain and who knows what other countries, my father and 3 other people were selected to go. How good do you have to be at your job to be one of the top 4 in the world at it? I am pretty sure I will never know the answer to that. I can't tell you how often I would complain about my dad's business trips. I did not know who Sectary of Defense, Casper Weinberger was and did not really care, and my father, knowing this would hop on the next available flight at some ridiculous hours so he could be home to be with my brother and I as much as possible. I later found out he turned down multiple jobs at the Pentagon and various other places in Washington to allow my brother and I a stable home life. He served his country in an area that did not often get a lot of press, but keep you and I safe none the less. But more than just being a genius, my father was a giving man. He loaned out money he knew he would not get back, nor did he want back. He gave his time wherever he could. Anything that was his, everyone knew they could use and borrow. Many people completed their own home projects using our workshop and my dads tools. I never doubted he loved me. He managed to make almost all of mine and Devin's school plays, sports games, and other activities, and let me tell you, that would have been tough if you were not also saving the world from nuclear disaster! He also had a deep passion for his God. He lead many Sunday school classes and served in many positions at our church. I always tell everyone that if I can be half as patient with my kids growing up as he was with me, my kids will be truly bless. I then turn to my kids and tell them not to hold their breathes on that one! ;)
There is so much more I could say about my father, but listing of the important people who would seek out his advice, the way money apparently "stuck to him" when he walked the halls of Washington, the people he helped out or advances he made for the kingdom of God will never give you an accurate picture of the father he was to me. So instead, I will just pray that in your lifetime you will be blessed enough to meet a man half as good as my dad, because believe me that alone will bless your socks off!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Daddy's Friends
My girlfriends' (who is also an Army wife) son refers to all guys in uniform as his daddy's friends. I guess he figured if they all liked each other enough to coordinate outfits every day they must be friends. ;) Needless to say, somehow my family picked up on it and it has stuck. It might have started when my kids were little and would see someone in uniform a ways off and think it was daddy before they could make out the face and I would explain, that no, it was just one of daddy's friends. At any rate, my husband has a lot of "friends."
Not too long ago I joined my husband at a BBQ for his seminar at MCCC. All the guys were in civilian clothes and kicking back, having a great time. In just a few weeks they would graduate and head their separate ways. One heading off to Korea, one heading to SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, escape) school, one headed to Q course (special forces), and on and on. They will be stationed at posts across the US and around the world, many of them will head out to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. As I looked around I could not help but feel proud. Here was a group of men who were will to give it all, up to and including their lives, to make a secure future for me and my children. All these men were here of their own free will. They were not drafted, they were not coerced, this is the path they chose. They chose it with the knowledge that it may mean being wounded, maybe even killed, but that did not stop them. Most of them, in fact I would bet all of them, have lost a friend at this point in their careers, and yet still here they were. Daddy has some of the best friends in the world.
"For those who man the battle line the bugle whispers low, and freedom has a taste and price the protected never know." -unknown
Not too long ago I joined my husband at a BBQ for his seminar at MCCC. All the guys were in civilian clothes and kicking back, having a great time. In just a few weeks they would graduate and head their separate ways. One heading off to Korea, one heading to SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, escape) school, one headed to Q course (special forces), and on and on. They will be stationed at posts across the US and around the world, many of them will head out to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. As I looked around I could not help but feel proud. Here was a group of men who were will to give it all, up to and including their lives, to make a secure future for me and my children. All these men were here of their own free will. They were not drafted, they were not coerced, this is the path they chose. They chose it with the knowledge that it may mean being wounded, maybe even killed, but that did not stop them. Most of them, in fact I would bet all of them, have lost a friend at this point in their careers, and yet still here they were. Daddy has some of the best friends in the world.
"For those who man the battle line the bugle whispers low, and freedom has a taste and price the protected never know." -unknown
Sunday, August 1, 2010
hide keys everywhere and always wear clothes!
So many stories, so little time to write them down! First I will start off by admitting that I don't always dress first thing in the morning. It's just me and the kids and then don't really seem to care so once in a while I will start the day off in only my underwear. Today was one of those days. I had gotten the twins up and realized I needed more wipes from the garage, so I ran out into the garage to get a new pack. While I was out there I heard the door shut. Not a big deal, that happens all the time, so I grabbed the wipes and headed for the closed door. I could hear Austin whining because now they he had shut the door he wanted it open. Typical male, does not know what he wants! ;) Anyhow, I grabbed the door knob and turned.....it was locked, from the inside, and I was on the outside....in my underwear. Austin had managed to lock the door. now let me explain....I have trouble locking our garage door sometimes. You have to get the door at just the right spot so the deadbolt can slide into place. But Austin had happened upon that spot effortlessly. Embarassing, yes.
Needless to say I will be getting dress every morning for a while!
Needless to say I will be getting dress every morning for a while!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)