I was able to break a bit out of my photography rut yesterday when I shot some photos of MeMe. It always helps when you have a beautiful model!

It's been quite some time since I've posted any shots of her so here's your MeMe fix. :)




I'm still experimenting with backlight...it's definitely something that needs lots of practice!





She was reading Little House on the Praire (The first book) and had her legs perfectly crossed. I couldn't resist snapping a shot of them.




MeMe never fails to crack me up. She came up to me a few days ago and said, "I've figured something out. Pretty much all country songs are about beer, girlfriends, and trucks." In that order. And not that she would know anything about beer...ahem.



What do you think? I could have spent hours and hours editing them, but unfortunately I didn't get the chance. Instead, I just did some basic editing...but if you don't mind, just look past that ;) And as always, I'd love to hear any tips you have!

This is totally unrelated, but it wouldn't really be a real post without something random thrown in. Heh. I was just checking the weather, and it's supposed to be sixty one degrees today! What happened to our winter weather? Hmph.

-carlotta

(PS If you haven't already, feel free to enter in my photo challenge!)

1. it's christmas break.

Break out the hallelujah chorus! (No pun intended. Hardee har har.) Throw a party! I'm so insanely relieved that it's finally break. Two whole weeks of freedom. And fun. And presents. And celebrating the Savior's birth. I can't wait.

2. we finally got our tree.

Yes, yesterday we got our Christmas tree at last. Decorating the tree to the tunes of the Nat King Cole Christmas station on Pandora and a crackling fire is one of my very favorite traditions.



While the Christmas lights were on a heap on the floor, I couldn't resist taking a bokeh shot. ;)

3. my favorite ornaments...

Each year we usually decorate our Christmas tree with white lights and red ornaments (and the occasional green one). But no matter the color scheme, we always make sure to include these guys...my very favorite ones from our whole collection.



Their expressions crack me up. Especially the pig. His goofy grin and eyes get me every time.



This bird is a new addition to our tree, but it's quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The eclectic, outlandish look makes me love it :)

What are some of your favorite ornaments?

4. christmas is a week from today.

That's kind of scary. I'm having a hard time believing it's Christmas time, for some reason. Maybe it's because the weather is fairly warm here right now. Or maybe it was because I was just focused on school until now. Either way, I hope I can get into the Christmas spirit before it's over.

5. etsy lovelies.



(Left to right, starting at top row: iPod Touch/iPhone case - grey herringbone wool, mustache postcard, the supersnood in camel, Japanese masking tape - beige, mustard yellow rose on grey pillow,  personalized custom hand stamped cuff bracelet)


These are a few of my favorite items on Etsy right now...just in case you want to get me something for Christmas ;)

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? I'm almost done...my goal is to get everything done by Wednesday. We'll see how that goes.

6. feeling unmotivated.

Lately, I'm been so unmotivated photography wise. Last month, I took well over two hundred pictures. (Although, those were the ones I kept. I took and deleted many more.) This month? It's a mere forty two. I apologize for not posting as many photos lately, but I just haven't had many to post. It should get a little better now with Christmas right around the corner, but I'm still frustrated that five or six days will go by without me picking up my camera.

Any ideas to get out of this rut? They'd be greatly appreciated :)

Merry Christmas!

-carlotta

Are y'all ready for another photo challenge? This time, the theme is your favorite shot. I know, I know, I should probably do something Christmas themed...but there are already so many Christmas photo challenges that I'm sure no one will mind if I don't add to the frenzy ;)



Choosing only one of my many favorite photos that I've taken wasn't easy. I thought about going with a shot of the Eiffel Tower's grandeur. Or perhaps an image of one of my siblings. Or maybe just a simple capture of an early morning misty meadow.
In the end, though, I picked the above photograph. I love the soft colors, the serenity, fact that my favorite mug is the star of the shot. And the hot chocolate peeking in the back? I love that too.

<a href="/www.pastorsgirlsponderings.com/storsgirlsponderings.com/2010/12/photo-challenge-your-favorite-shot.html"><img src="http://imgur.com/DHzpL.jpg" /></a>

Want to join? Just write a post containing a favorite photo that you've taken, then come back here and link up! Feel free to grab the above button as well - just make sure you have some sort of link to me so others can participate as well :) One entry per person please...if you have several photos in your post, please specify which one you are entering.

You have until Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 9:59pm CST to enter; the winner will be announced shortly afterwards. And please make sure to visit at least three other entries! :)

-carlotta

PS I hope you'll forgive me for posting two blog hops in a row...eek.

PPS I'm guest posting today! Feel free to head on over here for a delicious recipe :)

(I apologize for the noise in the photo...I didn't get as much time as I would've liked to edit this.)

Christmas light bokeh. If you're a part of the blogging world, it's hard to go anywhere without seeing it. And because I don't want to miss out on all the fun, I'm contributing to the ever growing numbers of this seasonal fad.
I adore bokeh. It's definitely one of my favorite elements of photography, whether it be the subject of a photograph or dancing around in the background. The soft, whimsy circles of light get me every time.




<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>

Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo that you've taken. You can add as much or as little text as you would like along with it. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 9:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me so others can join in, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
-carlotta