talking about my bloggy crushes

one of my bloggy crushes, susan tuttle, has a new book. 
if you haven't checked out susan tuttle's digital creations -
you should definitely do that - she is one of my 'must reads'
as she has beautiful insights and beautiful photography.  she
 is a multi-talented artist and...she's having a giveaway of her
new book on her ilka's attic blog.  if you have photoshop
elements and want to expand your horizons, i bet this book will be something you will be all over. 

side note - i edited out three 'definitely's from that paragraph aside
from the one i used....so, that should be an indicator of how much i
love her work.

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last night the nephews and my sister were over for our monday dinner nights.  lately i've been crushing on mushrooms browned in butter served with some boneless, skinless grilled chicken thighs over pasta with alfredo sauce.  not that figure friendly, but it just feels like a warm hug.  the boys love it too.  well, except for the mushrooms - they haven't learned yet the heavenly joys of simple mushrooms.  i can't tell you how much it means for them to come into the kitchen and hug me hello.  even now my heart overflows from their hugs.

isn't it funny what little bitty things bring happiness or overtake your heart?  this isn't rocket science or some great discovery.  people have said it for a number of years.  probably since the ancient greeks debating reason back in the days.  if we allow those moments in - drink them like champage and celebrate them - how can our hearts not be filled to the very brink?  i know that is sometimes my problem - that i do not take the time to allow a pure moment to really seattle and land upon my heart.  that i rush or discount it.  *shakes head*  i know that when i'm feeling discontent, it's usually things of my own making.

i was also reading an entry by another bloggy crush this morning - posted by kristen (aka: maine momma) at shutter sisters.  about how thoughts become things and how we manifest our dreams.  one of her dreams was to shoot in raw and become better at lightroom.  and i sat with my jaw open, because i do that.  well, i wouldn't call myself a lightroom expert by any means...but i'm tackling those same issues.  i shoot in raw - i made myself make that adjustment about a year ago.  if you decide to do this, be prepared for the storage issues and buy yourself an external hard drive now.  just an fyi.  you will be amazed at the difference in colors and how much smaller adjustments will make significant changes.  i'm also interested in how many of you shoot automatic. 

three years ago i had no clue what f/stop or depth of field was all about - apeture?  phffft...whatever.  i shot in green mode (automatic).  now i think i'm inching towards the next big leap - the switch to manual.  currently, i shoot in a/v (apeture priority) mode and the camera chooses the shutter speed for me.  i set the white balance and the iso.  iso is another tool that i've been playing around with - making the baby steps of changing it up and down.  so, the manual leap should not be a big deal, right?  *crosses fingers* 

i constantly strive to be a better photographer and there are other areas i could improve - be more consistent in carrying my tripod, get the wired shutter release, practice more, do more model shoots...*sigh*  why am i not independently wealthy?  *laughs* 

what do you want to do better?  what are your little things that fill your heart?  what is on your mind today?  and tell me, did you have a fabulous weekend?  though mine was not fabulous persay, it was pretty wonderful in all of it's small glory.