I Heart Faces--Fix-it-Friday

I've been wanting to participate in these weekly Fix-it-Friday challenges for I Heart Faces and finally made time to do so. :) It was reassuring to know that I deliberated through the editing process with this image, shot by photographer, Michelle Johnson, as I do when I edit and retouch my own images. I admit it was easier to jump in on this image, since I didn't also have that constant nagging doubt-the-talent voice speaking low inside...

I tried to bring out the sweet innocent beauty every little girl possesses...I hope I did it justice.

It's 'Pink Week' at I Heart Faces -- LOVE HER!

Love her...

Eight years ago this Christmas I repossessed the symbol of strength, grace, faith, and courage I'd designed for my mom when she commemorated her "1st Boob Birthday" (as she called it!). When she was told her battle was over she asked what I wanted of hers. I asked her if I could have the ring I'd given her the year before...but that wasn't the only thing she left me with.

Through her pain and fight I learned so much about who I am, can become, and where I came from. I learned just how truly cool my mom always was...even when I was too young to admit it. She didn't complain; she worried mostly about leaving her family, at just a few months over 50 years old. She died on Christmas Eve, totally fitting to her heart for Jesus and love for the Christmas season.

Below is a symbol of how I see her when I seek her...always young, always strong. I wear that ring on a necklace my dad gave her when I was little and it features a welded gold ribbon with a ruby in the loop, (for her July "Boob Birth-stone"), and an inscription of the day she lost part of her body, but grew in character, hope, and grace.

...miss you mom.

You can help save moms, sisters, wives, and daughters.

Visit The Breast Cancer Site daily and "click" to get sponsors to pay for mammograms.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18...'til then...

Thank you, I Heart Faces, for allowing us to share our photos and hearts for Breast Cancer Awareness!

I Heart Faces--My Dinner Recipe--Beans a la Charra, Pippi-style

How ironic that just weeks ago I had a whole day off and decided to photograph a recipe into a story! So a simple transfer from my Facebook to this site, and...wow! Now I've participated in my second iheartfaces weekly challenge. And, I know it wasn't a requirement this time, BUT, there happens to be a face, my face, in one of the photos...not to mention my precious Pippen, who is always part of my kitchen creations---in the most FDA approved manner of course. ;)

The full recipe of these yummy southwest-flavored beans is from Chevy's Restaurant's 'Beans a la Charra'. MMmmm!

First, you'll need an onion and several cloves of garlic...

Soak a bunch of pinto beans over night to get plump.

Praise the good dog for not being under foot ;)

Chop bacon and fry it til just crispy...

...remind the puppy-girl that frying bacon doesn't mean a forest fire is coming...

sizzling...

Sing praises that you didn't burn the bacon losing track of time playing with your camera...

...keep singing...

Chop about half an onion (red is the best!).

okay...so extra onion isn't always a bad thing.

Peel garlic cloves.

Chop garlic...MMM!

...now the bacon is just right.

Yes, it's done sizzling...for now.

Add onion and garlic...

...and jalepenos!

...keep sizzling!

Measure the Cumin (my Dad teased my Mom once for pronouncing it funny...I know there's great debate, but I prefer "que-min"...I think my Dad says "coo-min")...

...and measure the chili powder (I usually eye-ball spices, but the spoons are nice for composition) ;) (Notice self-portrait?)

Add those spices!

Patiently wait to go outside until it's safe to leave the stove...

Add some water from the beans that soaked overnight.

Loosen any spices or browned bits from the pan.

Add the beans and soaking water and realize you should have chosen a bigger pan or pot!

Heat up another burner with a big pot to transfer the overflowing beans before they make a mess!

(Discard the trash.)

Double check the recipe again...on track!

Yawn...or just look damn cute while you wait for the pot to boil.

...a watched pot doesn't boil. ;)

Be a good kitchen helper and cheer-leader. Avoid stepping or sitting on the cold floors at all costs and pose nicely for a cute picture.

Then be crazy and jump wildly to the carpet before you touch the cold floor too long! LOL SAFE! PHEW!

Allow the beans to come to a full rolling boil.

...keep waiting.

Once at a boil reduce heat; simmer for 1-2 hours until the beans are soft and it smells up your house. (I usually cover it, but then you couldn't see the bubbles, could you?!)

When the beans are soft, stir in about a teaspoon of salt and simmer another couple minutes.

...shoot a photo using your left hand to support AND trigger the shutter, while your camera is mounted with an off-camera flash...and PRAY that you don't splatter the lens or drop the camera! Giggle quietly to yourself about what a dork you are for enjoying this little project. ;)

Serve beans and position your spoon so that it's visually pleasing in your composition. MMM!

Enjoy!

Thank you for reading my little story. Be blessed!

I Heart Faces--"Smirk" Challenge (my first entry! Yay!)

On my list of photographic to-do's (among 'update website' & 'post on site as often as FB') has been to take a leap and participate in the weekly challenges posted on a new (fabulous) photography community at I Heart Faces. This is my FIRST entry--tummy-butterflies excluded, I'm just happy to participate.

Anyhow, I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a "smirk" photo, but I did find a few and finally decided to enter this little buddy of mine. He begs me to bring my camera every time I visit, however when it comes to actually getting better than squinty-eyed-sassy faces from him I usually wind up with some resistance in the form of "smirk," as shown here.

I think I also chose him because as the middle child he usually is very patient to let big sister or little brother take spotlight. Today it's his turn to shine...or should I say smirk. ;)

Check out more entries at I Heart Faces. So many amazing talents to learn from!