Before and After: Michigan Central Depot

This is a before and after of an image I shot of windows at the Michigan Central Depot. I love this image. And while the original (shot in raw) was underexposed, it's not horrible. But the edit is so much better. The reason I chose to share this edit is because I absolutely could not believe my eyes.... when I did some fill light, I could actually see through the windows.... not just into the black abyss!! When I took this image, my naked eye didn't even really see the details into the building like the camera was able to capture. Thanks to shooting in raw and some editing knowledge.... the image was turned from just average into one that speaks in much larger volumes! Other small adjustments include exposure increase, an urban-type action and sharpening. Thanks for looking!

Raspberry Dessert

My sister, Shantel is here visiting from college for the long weekend and has been craving this Raspberry Dessert. And since I absolutely love raspberry, I was all for making it!!  And because my other sister Sheena has an amazing food (and book) blog, Hot Eats and Cool Reads, I am going to try to blog some yummy recipes a little more!  So here this one goes..... :)



Layer 1 (crust)
-3 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
-2/3 cup white sugar
-12 tablespoons butter, melted
Mix together and press 2/3 of the mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Freeze for 10 minutes to set.


Layer 2
-2 pkg cream cheese
-1 cup suger
Mix until smooth and carefully spread over crust


Layer 3
-21 oz can of raspberry pie filling
Spread carefully over layer 2.



Layer 4
2 cups milk
2 small pkg vanilla instant pudding
1 cup Cool Whip
Whip until Smooth.  Spread carefully over layer 3.

Layer 5
Sprinkle remaining crust mixture over the top. Refrigerate until set.  Top with remaining Cool Whip (if desired) and enjoy!



It's a little tough to get out of the pan.... but oh so yummy!!!  And I totally give my sister Sheena tons of credit for food blogging.... this isn't easy!!! Neither is food photography! :)

M4H Project 52 - Week 2: Life

Lady Isabelle, I am so glad you are part of my life!  You bring my life so much joy.... especially when we play in the snow together!

And some more fun images.... biting at the snow and clearly getting irritated with me kicking snow in her face!

Sneak Peek: He's Here!! Meet baby Tyler! (Before & After)

One of my favorite photographers to follow is Candice Stringham, and when I saw this amazing before and after shot of her new little guy, I just knew I wanted to try this!  Thanks to my friend, Natalie, for letting me play!

Before: Natalie with about a week to go. Beautiful pregnant belly!
After: Sweet little Tyler at three weeks old!  Isn't he precious?

M4H Project 52 - Week 1: Resolution

My 2012 resolution is to read my Bible.
Read it more than just Sunday mornings in church.
Read it and really live it.


***

When I saw this week's theme, My first thought was a resolution of losing weight, eating better, exercising more and living an overall healthier lifestyle.... so I took this picture.  And while I think this image is a good one and the goal is great, something just didn't feel right. And I realized why..... I know that I cannot do any of these things without the help of Jesus!

{My Four Hens Photography - Project 52}

After my friend Amy did a 365 day challenge last year, I knew I would never be able to accomplish something so great with working full-time, going to school and being a wife and mom.  But,I most definitely knew wanted a 52 week project!  After considering a few different ones, it was an easy decision to go with My Four Hens Photography's first ever Project 52!  Sarah Cornish, from M4H, is always such a super sweet person, does fabulous photography and creates super fun PhotoShop actions so I knew I just had to participate in hers!  She is just one of those people who goes above and beyond in her business and establishes friendships with her clients and customers!  She literally takes the time to respond to each post a person makes on her Facebook pages.  She has a heart of gold and I am honored to take this journey though 2012 with her!  If you'd like to play along, you can totally start at any time.  Just visit Sarah's blog!

Just the Five of us.....

No traveling this year.... just celebrating Jesus at home. We made a batch of cookies, had a turkey dinner on Christmas Eve and a crab leg dinner on Christmas day. It was wonderful. Gift giving was very easy this year!!! Both of the kids wanted (and well, actually need for school) their own laptop. We all received mostly money from family in Minnesota with the exception of a few small gifts from my dad and step-mom.

I actually got a picture of the kids together!! They are at the age where they don't like to get to close to one another! :)


But before we could open gifts, Lady started pawing at everyone's gifts so we had to let her open hers first. She clearly doesn't forget what Christmas is about!! :)


And then it was Michael and Grace's turns!




And I got my music note Pandora charm!!!

And as if Lady didn't have enough opening her gift, she had to help Jeff! I caught the tail-end on video.