Early Christmas in Tennessee

We decided to go up to visit Chris's family in Tennessee for Christmas this year. So we went up last weekend instead of this one because the plane tickets were much cheaper. All you travelers out there know how this goes. It was nice to get up there and have it actually feel like winter. It stays relatively warm down in Florida and it never fully feels like the winter that I always grew up with in Northern Virginia. But I took the opportunity to take a couple Christmasy pictures of the decorations at Chris's Dad and Stepmom's house. Look closely, its a self portrait!

When it was time for presents, I couldn't have looked anymore surprised when this present was given to Chris's dad:

My first thought was, what did I marry into?! Then I realized my dad would probably like to receive the same thing! For those that would like an explanation without too much detail, it is a tool used for deer hunting... and we'll leave it at that. If you'd like to try and top that as the most unusual holiday gift, leave a comment. =)

Causeway at Night

One night last week I left work a little later than I normally do, and it was just a few minutes after the sun had set. This makes for a pleasant drive since I'm not staring into the sun =) Anyway, I realized for once that I was a prepared photographer and actually had both my borrowed tripod and my camera in the car with me! So I swung by the causeway, which has become a very familiar place to take pictures (my previous sunset pictures and Trash the Dress session with my wedding photographer). It was a really great time to take pictures of the bridge because the colorful sky was still light enough to see, but it was also dark enough for the street lights to turn on and to see their reflection in the water. Take a look!

Just another reason I love Florida.

As I was leaving work on Friday I had to hurry so I could make it to the causeway before the sun went down. I got there just in time to capture these beautiful shots across the Tampa Bay. I see this view on my way home from work just about every day. Most days I get annoyed because the sun is right in that place where your sun visor can't reach low enough. But then when I stop to really enjoy it, I realize just how great it is to be living in this paradise.

Sadly I couldn't capture the temperature outside when I took these pictures either. It was that perfect cool breeze that wasn't too cold, but kept me from sweating as I fast-walked to the end of the strip of causeway that I was on, so I could take pictures of the bridge before the sun went down. After I realized I had walked about a mile I decided it was time to head back to the car before it got pitch dark out. One of these days I'm going to find a closer parking spot and get a few shots of the bridge at night.

The mystery of fortune telling.

I sure hope there is no truth to fortune telling. At least for the fortunes that you get in your fortune cookies with take out Chinese food.

I don't know how they ever let this one into the production line. I mean really, what are the chances that this would even apply... its gotta be way less than 50%. And of course I get it and my husband gets the one about how smart and wonderful and successful you are. That about sums up my luck with luck. At least it is positive. =)

Holiday Time Memories

On my way home from work last night I noticed a special holiday decoration on top of the hospital, that reminded me of my four wonderful years in Knoxville, TN. There was a pole with a string of lights stretched from the top down to the roof on many different sides so it formed a Christmas tree. It immediately brought me back to all the holiday seasons in Knoxville where many buildings, even the tallest ones, would have these on their roofs in an array of colors. I would notice these as I got back into town from Christmas vacation, and while I was away from my family at home, it always made me feel like I had made it back "home". So it was a great feeling to see that lone tree of lights on top of the hospital last night. =)

Brandi, my professional model

My neighbor-friend Brandi was nice enough to be my personal model on Saturday so I could get more familiar with photographing people. We went to a park in Tarpon Springs during the brightest part of the day because we had to be back home in time to watch Tennessee lose to LSU... but anyway, we found a couple shaded spots where we struggled to find some decent lighting... I'm glad she is so good looking! Thanks Brandi, and I look forward to more of our photo outings. =)

One day I need to figure out how to make these photos show up larger on the blog since you really need to see them larger to appreciate them, hehe.

*Ok I figured out how to make them bigger, woohoo!

This one was overexposed a bit so I used it as a chance to make an artistic photo =)