Nihao, Cupcake!

Just Reece & I

We took this photo, after we returned from our lunch, just Reece & I. He chose the new Burger King near our house. Special time spent together with some good conversation. I can't believe he is a teen. He's so grown up. I never could imagine when he was the active toddler, that we would ever make it to this stage in life. IT seemed so far away that it was too hard to imagine. And yet here we are! Life is amazing. He is a truly remarkable child. So smart & creative and committed. I can't wait to see where he goes in his wonderful life.

I am linking up at Anderson Family Crew because I think Embrace the Camera is one of the best blog ideas ever. Thanks for hosting!

Just Me & Nicholas...

The kids have the week off of school for Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) - just when the temps start to drop for some reason the lunar calendar tells us, it is spring! Go figure! But I digress, the kids had the week off school and on this day, Nicholas and I stole away by ourselves and took a walk (a coule of miles each way) to a restaurant for some one on one time. Priceless! Now to make sure I get the same one on one time with the other two before the week is over.

I am linking up at Anderson Family Crew because I think Embrace the Camera is one of the best blog ideas ever. Thanks for hosting!

FAMILY x 12 Blog Hop {January 5, 2012}

Welcome to the first FAMILY x 12 Blog Hop of 2012!

Every month on the 5th, a small group of us have a blog hop to keep each other accountable in our efforts to take more family photos throughout the year. Our goal is one family photo a month.

How lucky that the blog hop landed on a Thursday because not only do I get to use my photo for the blog hop, but I get to use it as my link up for EMBRACE the CAMERA at The Anderson Family Crew Blog. I love participating and try to as often as I can.

The goal of both events is to encourage ourselves to get in front of the camera with our families and loved ones so it is a perfect match!

My family photo this month was taken on our family holiday in Purgatory, Colorado the week before Christmas. It was my husband's idea. My father was born and raised in Durango (25 miles from Purgatory) and loved it. He took us every other summer when we were growing up. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1989 and I have only been back once. My husband had never been. It is a gorgeous place and definitely holds a very special place in my heart so it was wonderful to see it again. It has changed alot, but it is still the quaint, charming town I remember. Now, we hope to go back again but this time in the summer as there are even more things to do there at that time of year, as there are in the winter. I can't wait to go camping, hiking, jeeping and finally ride the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton.

 

Here's a bonus photo of me with my kids and mom in downtown Durango in front of the historic Strater Hotel where my father worked as a bellboy in his youth.

 

A nighttime view of Durango all decorated for Christmas.

 

And another family photo in Zion National park on our way from Durango to Northern California to be with family on Christmas.

 

GIVE AWAY

Before I send you off on the blog hop, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you I was having a HUGE giveaway on my blog right now! I have one space in Ali Edwards' ONE LITTLE WORD class at Big Picture Classes to give away. Comments are open until 9 PM PST tonight. Read the giveaway post for more details.

 

CLASSES

Anyone else taking any classes this year? I am! Right now I am doing TWELVE. with Stacy Julian at BPC, Reclaiming My Time with Karen Grunberg, ONE LITTLE WORD with Ali Edwards, 12 Days of Christmas with a bunch of teachers at BPC and have just signed up for my very favorite...

LOAD!  

Anyone else doing LOAD? I have been participating since 2008 and haven't missed one yet. It's intense, but so much fun. What is LOAD? It stands for Layout A Day - so basically you produce one layout a day for a month and Lain supplies motivation, prompts (optional) and even video inspiration for the first time!

 

OFF YOU GO...

Now on with the blog hop! Next on the list is Ruth. If you should get lost along the way, there is a complete blog hop list and the end of the post, so you can return here to find your way.

 

Margie   http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog <--- You are HERE.

Ruth   http://www.chattycraftyartypig.blogspot.com  <--- Go here NEXT. 

Jo           http://www.mrsbeee.blogspot.com

Monica   http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com

Patricia  http://patoliveira.wordpress.com/

Carol Anne    http://www.scrappingthoughts.com

 

MORE STORY BEHIND THE BLOG HOP

The reason I started this hop is because I realized after a trip to Singapore and then a trip to Kyoto, Japan, that I never took a family photo during either amazing trip! How could that happen? Then, I saw a post on Tara Whitney's blog last December that she made a goal to take a family photo once every month in 2010. Her photos were wonderful. Many are just her family hanging around the house. I don't think any of them are formal and posed but they are all very fun. I was so INSPIRED and knew I had to try this. I was lucky that some blog friends wanted to play along. They have guaranteed that I won't forget my goal. And the month when I did forget, I cheated! As long as I take a photo at a time when the month hasn't ended some where in the world, my photo still counts. 

Because the most important thing is that we get more family photos. The time that our loved ones are with us is fleeting, so capturing ourselves together as we are now, is priceless.

Classroom Volunteer

Here I am volunteering in my youngest son's classroom last Friday. We made ice cream in a bag. It is really quite fun if everything goes according to plan but it can also be quite chaotic which it was this time. We had 28 students, not quite enough ice and we started off not putting in quite enough salt to melt the ice. There are so many factors that can throw things off a little - afterall it is a science experiment/lesson. Though we did it as a cultural/food activity.

It was fun, none-the-less, and I always relish the opportunity to be with my kids at school every once in awhile.

And you probably wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out - like the patch of gray in my hair? That is due to the awful hair cut and color I got a few weeks ago. The colorist gave me the foreigner price for permanent hair color (almost 4 x what I pay at home) and yet the color is already coming out! Apparently it was actually temporary, not that he did a good job of covering my gray in the first place. Total rip-off! NEVER AGAIN! I have said that before, but this time I really mean it. My hairdresser at home is going to wonder what on earth happened to me this time. I already have an appointment made for the day after I land.

 

A Bad Haircut Doesn't Dictate the Evening

I didn't make it into a photo this week, so I used one from last week. This was taken by people from the event (Chi Fan for Charity). They went around to each restaurant and took a photo of each table. I will refrain from the self-depricating thoughts I have about the photo and say that I looked better than I thought I would since two days before the event, I had the third worst haircut I've had since moving to China and I feared having my photo taken. Being able to put my hair up in a clip saved me. I still haven't worn it down and that was two weeks ago!

Haircuts in Beijing are worth an entire post to themselves. It is near impossible to find a decent hairdresser and they all, regardless of skill, charge exhorbitant prices. I pay more than double here than I do at home in LA and it is not because they use high quality product like at home. The other thing I can't stand is that I cannot find an efficient hairdresser to save my life! At home, to get my hair cut, highlights and low lights, I am in and out in two hours. This latest cut... want to guess how long it took (for the same treatment I get at home)? FIVE HOURS! Yes, it is true. FIVE HOURS. Contrary to popular belief, I do have a life out side of the beauty parlor. Apparently my latest hairdresser didn't realize that.

I was about to go insane. It took all of my will power, not to jump out of that chair and run for home. He just kept cutting and cutting and I kept saying to myself, "Please stop. I need to get out of here. Please don't cut off so much that it takes another year to grow it out." What made it worse is that he is an acquaintance of ours and extremely nice. It was painful for me at the end. And then he told me the price. It was ridiculous like every where else I have tried. Never again.

And the evening was fun despite my haircut!

Linking up at Anderson Family Crew Blog.

Top Ten Self-Timer Madness Photos {10 on the TENTH}

Today is Thursday, so whenever I can, I link up at Anderson Family Crew blog for Embrace the Camera. It is also the 10th of the month and that means I link up at Shimelle's blog for 10 on the TENTH. This made my TEN list easy to figure out:

My Top Ten Self-Timer Photos (several already seen here on past Embrace the Camera posts)

PHOTO 1: I just posted this last week for the FAMILY x 12 Blog Hop (email me if you are interested in joining us on the 5th of every month) and I'm posting it again today because I promised to explain how I did it.

Step 1) I set up my tripod and had everyone get in their places. We took about ten shots in the FIRST POSE. Then we DID NOT TOUCH the camera. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! We moved positions, taking care that nobody was in the same spot as someone else was in the first photo. This is also a crucial detail. I set the self timer again to take ten consecutive photos in the SECOND POSE, again being very careful not to move the camera. I touched it as little as possible when I set the next round of photos. (I just had to press the shutter button and then run as fast as I could into position.)

Step 2) I selected the best photo from the first ten photos of POSE ONE, and the best photo from the second ten photos of POSE TWO.

Step 3) I opened both of these photos into Photoshop (this would also work in Photoshop Elements or any photo editing software with layers).

Step 4) I opened a NEW project and grabbed each photo (POSE ONE & POSE TWO) and dragged and dropped them into my new project. I made sure the photos were lined up exactly so that when I erased parts of the top layer away, every thing in the photo would be a seamless transition.

Step 5) I used the eraser tool to erase any part of the image that was blocking a person in the photo on the bottom layer. On parts that are tough to erase due to people being in close proximity to each other, I magnified my image so I could see more detail and have more control over what I was erasing.

ALTERNATIVE way to make the same picture WITHOUT photo editing software: If your camera has a Multiple Exposure feature (my film SLR had this option but my current DSLR does not; all higher end DSLRs will have this feature and many higher end point and shoots should have the feature as well - check your camera's manual).

Step 1) You would set up your camera on a tripod the same way as in step 1 above. Again, you would set your camera to take a self-timer photo, but this time you only want your camera to take ONE photo. This is crucial.

Step 2) After that first photo is taken, have everyone in the photo, go to their second position using the same precautions as I mentioned in step 2 above. TOUCH THE CAMERA IS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE and as GENTLY AS POSSIBLE. Take the second photo. Since you are using the MULTIPLE EXPOSURE function, the second photo will be taken right on top of the first photo and your photo will already be merged. No need for post processing (excpet perhaps to refine your image as you would normally do).

With the second method you may want to take four or five multiple exposures by repeating steps 1 & 2 four or five times (or more) to be sure you get a good final image. Step 1, then step 2, then repeat. Good luck! And let me know if you try it.

#2 Self-timer photo: this was taken right after Paul was released from the hosptial after his harrowing ordeal this summer.

 

#3 Self-timer photo: I took Braden to the pool this afternoon for a mommy-Braden swim. Just for fun! If it weren't for Embrace the Camera, I would never think to lug my camera with me downstairs to the pool, but I am so glad I did. This pool has been a big part of our lives here in Beijing.

 

#4 Self-timer photo: Ok, so this is not exactly a self-timer photo but it is self-taken. I just like it. It was taken in the reflection of a mirrored building we used to walk past on the way to my youngest son's school last year.

 

#5 Self-timer photo: I posted this one just a couple of weeks ago. My son was helping me make waffles and he wanted me to have a taste.

 

#6 Self-timer photo: another one that I took myself. This is us in the back of a pedi-rickshaw. We took this on Friday night. We were going out to dinner for my son's (on the right side of the photo) eleventh birthday. I hate the way I look in this photo but I had to include it because of what my youngest son did. After taking the photos I would look at them and complain about how horrible and ugly I looked. I also said that I looked like a boy. I had just gotten my haircut the day before and didn't like it at all. Anyway, my youngest had a piece of paper and a pen with him. He was writing with the wind blowing in his face, paper on his knee. He showed me the paper a little while later. It said, "You are not ugly." and "You are not a boy." So sweet!

 

#7 Self-Timer Photo: I've also posted this one before. My son had a day off school while his brothers didn't so we played a game of Lego Harry Potter. I like the angle of this one and that we are in the middle of a game.

 

#8 Self-Timer Photo: Lunch at my son's school last year. Pretty fancy, no? With linen table cloths and napkin holders. The kids set it all themselvs as well as clean up, including folding the table cloths! Pretty impressive!

 

#9 Self-Timer Photo: Just a fun and romantic photo of us cooking dinner together. We were making lasagne.

 

#10 Self-TImer Photo: Last but not least, my oldest son and I playing Scrabble. A rare occasion because I usually don't like to play. But I love to play all board games with my children.

Thanks for stopping by. For more ten on ten lists, go to Shimelle.com and for more lovely Embrace the Camera photos, go to Anderson Family Crew blog.

 

      

Oh, I almost forgot! My good friend, Ella (a Kiwi), who I met here in Beijing, just started her own blog with her sister, Talia. Ella still lives here in Beijing and her sister lives in Australia. They are off to a good start, head on over to In My Cabinet and check it out. Leave them some words of encouragement if you have a moment.

 

31 DAYS of CREATIVE INSPIRATION:: Day 13 {Creative Habits}

My middle son was letting me taste his waffle.

This is the 13th post in a 31 Day series: Creative Inspiration. Check out all the posts here.

Today is Self-Timer Madness Day. I've been trying to use the self-timer on my camera more regularly. I want to make it a HABIT.

Habit is a very important part of being CREATIVE.

Basically a habit is the act of repeating something on a regular basis.

Which could also be loosely (or not so loosely) defined as practicing.

The more you practice, the more you experiment, the better you become at something. Anything. Even art or photography.

To be creative, you need to make time for your habit. Do something creative EVERYDAY even if it is something little. Taking a picture with your smart phone is creative. Making a card is creative. Doodling is creative. Writing a letter is creative.

If you are frustrated by your lack of creative pursuits, make a committment to do what you want to do for a week straight. If you want to improve your painting, paint a picture every day for a week, no matter what and see what happens. I bet you will be surprised how happy you feel. (I'm talking to myself here too - I'm thinking next week sounds like a good time to start!)

Tomorrow I will give you some ideas on creative habits you can participate in online. Online communities are a great place to get support in creative habits.

Before I go, here are a couple of other gems of me and Nicholas we took today. My dad would have said, "Nicholas isn't mean!" That was Dad's way of reminding me that "I" never comes first in grammar. I should have said, "Nicholas and I!"

Nicholas was home sick today but as he started feeling better later in the day we spent about an hour Skyping each other and instant messaging for fun. He was in the next room. Silly boy! Nothing like useless technology to make a ten year old boy happy. He's a big fan of emoticons.

And here are our feet. Just for fun!

I'm linking up at The Anderson Family Crew blog today for Embrace the Camera because documenting ourselves with our family is that important! Thank you for hosting this each week, Emily. It is an important creative habit and if it weren't for this weekly challenge, I would show up in a lot less photos! Go on over and link up. It's fun!

Want to see other Self Timer Madness posts? Click here and here.

What creative habit do you want to pursue?

 

31 Days of Creative INSPIRATION Series 

Introduction

Day 1: Design Your Own Cupcake

Day 2: Storytelling Sunday

Day 3: Scrapbooking (Week in the Life Album)

Day 4: Everyday Photojournalism (Project 365/Project Life)

Day 5: Family Photo Fun - FAMILY x 12 BLOG HOP

Day 6: Links to Creatively Inspiring People (all writing a 31 Day series)

Day 7: Healthier (But Still Delicious) Cottage Pie

Day 8: Photo Walk

Day 9: Fun Photo Story

Day 10: Drive By Travel Photography

Day 11: Project Life Weekly Photos

Day 12: Project Life Album - Catching up

Day 13: Habit

Day 14: Creative Habits Around the Web

Other topics in the works for my 31 Days of Creative Inspiration Series: 

Photography - I answer the question, 'How do I know if I should buy a DSLR camera?', Family Photo Fun ideas from around the web.

Recipes - my husband's delicious salsa, HealthIER (Yet Still Delicious) Recipes

Scrapbooking - My favorite mini album, 30 minute scrapbook challenge

more Cupcake Ideas, craft ideas...

AND LOTS, LOTS MORE (I'm posting for 31 Days straight, remember?!)

And to find more than 700 other blogs participating in the 31 Days series, go here. There is a huge variety of topics to choose from.

 

Embrace the Camera

I handed the camera over to Dad for this one. He was sitting in the front seat of the taxi. We were on our way to the first day of school. This is city living for you! New students are not allowed to take the bus to school on the first day, but can ride it home, so we all went together. That's the way I would want it anyway. I love the first day of school. Unfortunately, there are no working seat belts in most Beijing taxis. Definitely a huge downfall. For a long time I refused to take taxis but I do now if absolutely necessary since the subway doesn't go to many places in the city. But that is a post for another day, isn't it?

Thanks so much to Emily at 3 Boys and 2 Little Ladies Blog for hosting Embrace the Camera each week. It is one of my favorite link ups. 

Another Day in Photos, Part 1

 








 

Cute little piggies, that aren't so little any more.

 

The last one is me building some Ikea drawers for my desk. Used the self-timer. None this week with me and anyone else. Gotta keep bugging my family or remember to set up the timer while other people are around.

Part 2 of Another Day in Photos HERE.

 

My Day Hour By Hour: Wednesday, April 14

A Day in Photos: April 25, 2011 

Thursday at the Blog: Big Announcement, LOAD Day 18 & 19 & Embrace the Camera

So finally, the day has come when I announce my fabulous guest blogger.

Her name is Vernell and as I mentioned yesterday, she has a lovely blog and makes delicious cupcakes. On Saturday she will be sharing with us a whole bunch of cupcake making tips, but in the meantime, head over to her blog for lots of cupcake goodness, and other crafty things. But don't forget to come back here on Saturday for those great tips.

 

LOAD Day 19

 

LOAD Day 18

 

To see everything related to LOAD on my blog click here!

EMBRACE THE CAMERA

IIt's a terrible photo this week, but my husband is trying to take more photos of me. He just needs to figure out how to use the focus point and to stay still when he takes the picture. He'll get there eventually. To his credit he is trying to follow my instructions by getting more pictures of me interacting naturally with the kids. Maybe we'll get some better ones this weekend.

I do like that I am walking with my arm around my middle son. And it's cute you can make out his ice cream cone. A special moment...

To see more Embrace the Camera on my blog, click here.

Mother's Day 2011

For Mother's Day this year, my kids made me a Power Point presentation instead of a card. This is us sitting around watching it just before heading off to brunch. This is the only set of photos we took the whole day - it just wasn't a picture taking kind of day. I suppose we should have taken one nice, posed photo before we all changed out of our nice clothes. I'll make a note of that for next year!

 

Self-Timer Madness Part 2

It's time for Embrace the Camera again! I took the task of getting myself in pictures to a new level this week.

I really wanted photos of me:

**naturally interacting with members of my family

**with my husband (we hardly take any more photos of just the two of us and NONE of us interacting naturally - all posed)

The magic tool, was my camera's SELF TIMER! (To read more detail about my strategy, visit this post.) My husband and I were kissing when we heard some little giggles coming from our 6 year old. In the photo below we were glancing at him. We thought he was giggling at our kisses, but he was laughing at how sporadic the camera was taking photos (click on link above that explains my strategy).

I had set up the timer again, trying to capture us cooking together, but my husband kissed me again.

I told him we should cook so I could get pictures of us cooking together.

He responded, 'I like pictures of us kissing!'

How could I refuse?

It did get me to thinking about the last time we took a kissing picture. I can't remember. When we were dating, we used to do it a lot.

But since?

Could it possibly be on our wedding day 14 years ago in May? I'm not really sure, but it is possible. You can bet, I'll be on the look-out now for any kissing photos taken after our wedding day.

How about you (other married people out there)? When is the last time you've kissed your husband in front of the camera?

If you can't remember, you really should give it a try. Don't worry almost all cameras have a self-timer so nobody else even has to be there. (You don't need a tripod - my camera was sitting on top of the microwave.) And I won't make you post it to your blog - but you can if you want to use it for next week's Embrace Your Camera!

I promise you, it will make you feel like you did when you were first dating! So, give it a try.

 

Next week's goal - a photo of us arguing. Haha! Just kidding.