Happy Holidays...

I hope yours is full of wonder and magic!

The check was almost $400!!!

The donation to the Montgomery County Women's Shelter has been made for 2006, in honor of Angela. I am so excited about the possibilities for the years ahead, as I have plans for garnering many more participants! Thanks so much to those that participated in this first annual effort - be on the look out for this event between August and November...

A babe is born

It is fun getting ready for the holidays... the season inspires families to come together for love and celebration - and often to record the magic of their own families that particular year in the form of portraits. No season is necessary, however, for the magic of a new baby:

A smile

Simple adoration

The magic of every detail

Have Camera, Will Travel

Officially the traveling photographer... I just returned from a very brief (but long!) trip "home"... to West Texas. I had a great time and thank these families for welcoming me into their homes and sharing their families. Here are a few from two of the families. I just had to add an outtake as well - it is amazing what you can tell from just a few short hours with a child - he is a HAM for sure!!!

It's November...

Some important things going on:

SALE - click here

Holiday Deadlines - click here

It has been a busy time here lately.

• Life's Images Photography's first annual Purple Ribbon Sessions have been completed! I will post information about the donation to Montgomery County Women's Shelter when all orders are in. Look for this event between August and October of next year!
• Five auctions at local community events have been completed and I am proud to be a part of raising funds for some very worthy causes. You can read the updates on the "Art of Giving" page of my website.
• I have been working on a display outside of my studio, and in a week's time you will be able to enjoy some artwork (and pretty darn cute kids) while shopping at Baby Towne Spring.

Cuties from this week :)

One week left to join me in the stand against domestic violence!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Life's Images supports this very important issue, and I invite you to help out! For a limited time, October 16 - 27, I am offering the chance to book mini-sessions - with all profits going to the local women's shelter. Of course, if you wish to enjoy a full session, those will be eligible too! If you have already had your portraits made, fear not, because you can participate as well. All reprint orders made during this time will also qualify.

Contact me for details : debi@lifesimages.com

Custom Holiday Cards

Here are just a few of the custom holiday (or any occasion) cards that are offered through Life's Images. These can be printed as glossy or linen folded cards or printed as single-sided photos. These, and other similar, pre-designed cards can be used OR you and I can create yours from scratch!

Easy (oh so easy) Chocolate Souffle

Souffles have always scared me - not sure why, but they seem to scare bakers in the movies.  I happened upon this very easy recipe in a cookbook intended to make any dish with 4 ingredients.  Well you would think that with only 4 ingredients, I just might have all of them on hand.  Nope!  So adapted (and quite yummy) here it is:

 

3 large egg whites

1 packet of hot cocoa (I ran out of regular baking cocoa)

1 tbs rum (or water if you choose)

1 - 2 tbs sugar (the hot cocoa mix already has sugar)

 

Heat oven to 375 and put in a baking sheet to heat.  (You will place the souffle baking dishes on this sheet.)

Grease a baking dish(es) of your choosing for souffles, mix a spoon of cocoa and spoon of sugar and use to coat the dish(es).

Mix packet of cocoa with rum - this will make a very thick paste.

In a clean bowl, whisk/beat the egg whites until stiff peaks are forming. 

Whisk sugar into egg whites.

Get 1 or 2 spoons of egg whites and stir into cocoa paste to soften.

Then gently fold in the remaining egg whites so as not to deflate them.

The mixture will be fluffy and light brown.

Fold into dish(es) and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Serve immediately and enjoy!!!!!

 

Makes 3 servings - which in our house equates to about 2, so I used 2 clay pots when cooking mine.

 

 

Help awareness and prevention of violence just by having your picture taken

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Life's Images supports this very important issue, and I invite you to help out! For a limited time, October 16 - 27, I am offering the chance to book mini-sessions - with all profits going to the local women's shelter. Of course, if you wish to enjoy a full session, those will be eligible too! If you have already had your portraits made, fear not, because you can participate as well. All reprint orders made during this time will also qualify.

Contact me for details : debi@lifesimages.com

If you are unable to participate with me, I encourage you to find your own way to do so, if even just donning your black-and-blue or purple ribbon for awareness. My own efforts are in honor of Angela....but if you need more motivation to help out, read some excerpts from this website.

http://www.ncadv.org/learn/TheProblem_100.html
http://www.ncadv.org/programs/RememberMyNameProject_119.html

In Just 12 months

A one year old can give you a run for your money when you are chasing her down with a Canon (camera that is). But an even greater talent (and a much cuter one too) is the way she learns to express herself:

Oh that look!

It is hard to get the attention of a newborn, but oh those eyes when they do look your way :)

Bananas

Gosh those bananas "ripen" quickly... but don't worry I have found a quite good use for them! And I thought I would share it with you...


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Newborn in the Window Light

What job could be better...my first session here in Houston was with a new mommy and her sweet baby girl.

Cookin in the Kitchen

They really just speak for themselves!

All Aboard!!!

I am all geared up to make new friends and meet new clients after our big move from West Texas...and to celebrate, I am offering a very special "welcoming" gift for the first 5 clients to book their sessions.

Sorry... the welcoming gifts are all accounted for! Keep looking...

The "New" House

I love old houses. I am not sure why... maybe the workmanship, maybe the quaintness, maybe the creaky pantry door. I would really love to live in a restored house from 100 years ago, but on this latest move we managed to go back only to 1969. A brand new house is beautiful (and clean), but there is something about going into your home and finding... discovering... things about it. A small surprise dreamt up by owners past, like the rather interesting shelving system for the utility closet? In our previous home, we "found" a stovetop made with cast iron burners and fell in love so much that our endeavors to purchase a stovetop for the "new" house have fallen short of "yippee"!

The "new" house contains much of its original character, so my stove and oven are small and YELLOW... and the floors were laid to match. Yes, I said my floors are yellow. Well they were... that was the first charming quality to be updated. The stove and oven are next! But I won't be removing the crown molding found around the house, or the charming plate shelving above the cabinets, or the beautiful cornices on each window, or the lovely built-in made to match. (Now if only I could figure out what those darn light switches do....)

I think it is special to remember the character of a home - anything old really - even if it is in need of updating (or plain old removal!). I thought I would share a few of my discoveries in making my introduction to the house.

We have arrived...

at our new home in Spring, Texas.

We are working hard to get everything and everyONE settled. I am working also to take care of business issues so that I may begin taking clients in a few short weeks! I look forward to meeting new families and getting to know the new area....

Moving Day

And it is time for the big move from west to east Texas.
Wish us luck!

(the camera is in a box - sorry no pictures!)

The Gymnast

Happy Graduation!

The Aquarium

Packin' Up

Moving the castle from West to East Texas - I got a little help...

SlapJack

More fun facts for you moms!

More Than 150 million
The estimated number of Mother’s Day cards that will be given this year in the United States, making Mother’s Day the third-largest card sending occasion. And that doesn't include those wonderful homemade cards... I hope each and every one of you get one!

28,527
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2003 — the place to go to purchase necklaces, earrings and other timeless pieces for mom :)

Fun Facts for Mothers

About 4 million
Number of women who have babies each year in the United States.

July
The most popular month in which to have a baby, with 364,226 births taking place that month
in 2003.

Tuesday
The most popular day of the week in which to have a baby, with an average of about 13,000 births taking place on Tuesdays during 2003.

Almost Mother's Day

The beauty of a child... the beauty of a newborn... is rivaled only by the beauty of the love that a mother showers on them. It is a great pleasure and honor to make a life out of putting that beauty on paper.

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to every mother...

http://www.lifesimages.com/proofpage/mother.html?blog

Please enjoy and let me know what you think - about the show OR motherhood!

Inspiring Mothers

Nearing Mother's Day, I am working on a project and looking through quotes that I felt inspiring. Thought I would share one here:

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.
And the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years."
-- Author: Audrey Hepburn

Beauty in all things

or at least something of interest!
I recently took on an assignment to do something I have never done in my life! I am a portrait photographer - you know, babies, mothers, children, families, even dogs! - but I was asked to take some "portraits" of someone else's handicraft in the form of commercial building lighting. I am not sure I rank amongst the world's best "building light" photographers, but the experience did confirm something that photography has taught me in general, over and over again. There is beauty in everything if you just pay attention - and setting your camera, tripod, backing up and getting in close to get different views - these all MAKE you pay attention. Whether it is the beauty in the crook of a newborns curled up legs or the beauty in some abstract piece of building lighting!

Amazing Jewelry Designer

I consider myself somewhat crafty and bold at trying new things. I have dabbled in cross-stitching, crocheting, book-binding, sewing, candle making and, most recently, jewelry making. I can appreciate the sheer time that it takes to make each piece, whether it be a handmade outfit, necklace, wall art... but once in a while the inspiration and talent that I find infused into someone's craft is just amazing to me...

And to that end, I am sharing with you one of the most creative and beautiful jewelry designers I had the pleasure of stumbling upon... enjoy!

www.kellymeekerdesigns.com

Sidewalk Chalk Art

Smaller towns do have some advantages - like this weekend's neat find: The Chalk Art Festival. Five art teachers from around town have had projects like this one going on for a few years to integrate art into visible parts of the town - and many of them include youth in creating that art. The Chalk Art Festival is held on the lawn/sidewalks of the downtown courthouse. The children (or adults) sign up, receive a box of chalk, pick a spot on the sidewalks and have fun. Everyone walks around admiring the work that the kids are doing and some rather talented adults share their artistic talents with the kids and the public. It was a very neat "small town" thing to do - and we only heard about it accidentally this year!

The Tricycle Marathon

only lasted about 20 minutes for my little one. I am glad to have had the chance to watch silently with the camera to capture the fun (and eventual boredom) a three year old faces "on the course"... Trike-a-thon for children's hospital 2006!