Although I tried my hardest to snap some high-tech firework photos with my fancy SLR camera, I just couldn’t get the settings right to capture the fireworks on the Fourth of July. The show was over by the time I figured it out. Oh well. At least I captured some awesome sparkler shots.
Last night, my neighbors were having a dress rehearsal with their fireworks to prepare for tonight, which gave me an opportunity to test out the settings on my SLR camera. As you can see, I didn’t quite figure it out.
So, if you have any tips, I would love to hear them. Nighttime setting with flash? Sport setting? Flash off? Lower the shutter speed? Which F-Stop? *sigh* Lots to learn! Hopefully I’ll snap some better photos tonight.
Speaking of duds, this morning I was a slacker. I overslept and I missed the Lutz Independence Run. This little firecracker totally fizzed. So, I missed the race but there’s always next year to let my red, white and blue colors burst.
There have been some really longs days around here with and I guess my body needed the sleep. Or maybe these little runner legs needed some better training for the marathon shopping my sisters-in-law made me endure. No need to worry about me, though. I’m well-rested now and ready to party!
I hope your day is bursting with fun and your camera is set at the right F-stop!
Happy Fourth of July!
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On Mother’s Day Eve, the Taylor clan enjoyed a sunset potluck picnic at the beach. This has become a Mother’s Day Eve tradition for us, which we were thrilled to share with Allan’s sister and his mum.
Pine Island, a small sleepy little beach in Hernando County, was the perfect spot for a family picnic.
A light breeze kept us cool while we watched the cousins play along the shore and build a fort as the sun set.
Mum enjoyed the evening so much she wants to make a regular event. I couldn’t agree more.
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The names for the NYC Marathon have been drawn and I wasn’t one of them, but it’s all good. Es no problemo.
Now that the selection process is over, I can redirect my attention onto the other races I have coming up like the Crazy Sombrero 5K this Friday. 
To get into a Cinco de Mayo mood and into the Crazy Sombrero spirit, I’ve been downloading some Mexican dance music. Hey, whatever it takes to be a Speedy Gonzales for this race. ¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!
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Xmas Dolly randomly selected me for the spotlight dance for her Monday’s Music Moves Me blog hop today. With Easter rolling in next week, Jesus Christ Superstar is the perfect song to get everyone rocking.
Jesus Christ Superstar is one of my favorite rock operas because I have fond memories of my family and me watching it every Easter. It’s hard to believe that this production is 38 years old now, although the costumes might give away its age.
Thanks for linking up and rocking with me in the name of the Lord this week!
Remember to visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
It’s Chinese New Year and in the Run DMT house, we celebrate with some homemade Chinese food. This year, Allan made his famous veggie fried rice and then I attempted Steamy Kitchen’s Chinese Pot Stickers for the occasion.
Unfortunately, the ground chicken I bought went bad so Allan saved the day by running out and buying pot stickers from the neighborhood Chinese takeout. Oh well. Better luck fu next time!
We finished the meal with fortune cookies, but with new and improved kid-friendly yellow dye free fortune cookies which I discovered in the Asian section at Target. Upon my discovery, I wondered what makes fortune cookies kid-friendly. I hoped for at least silly jokes, like the ones you find inside Christmas crackers or Laffy Taffy, but the fortunes were just as corny as the ones from the Chinese restaurant, minus the lucky numbers and how to speak Chinese lessons.
And funny enough, much like the ones from the Chinese restaurant, you could read each one and follow it up with the expression “in bed”. So not-so-kid-friendly, but funny as hell Diyu!
My fortune was very encouraging…
…in bed.
Of course, fortune cookies have nothing to do with Chinese New Year or even China for that matter, but for my family and me, no Chinese meal is complete without them.
Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.
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Every Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), Allan prepares a scrumptious breakfast (also known as a sweaty brekkie) with all the traditional British fixings: scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, fried tomatoes, fried mushrooms and fried bread topped with Heinz baked beans.
Don’t you just love all the bubbly grease on the bacon?
Celebrating Boxing Day with a breakfast feast is our little way of looking for an excuse to carb load teaching our children the reason behind this holiday while embracing some British customs. You can read more about our Boxing Day tradition here.
When Allan’s World Famous Boxing Day Sweaty Brekkie is plated and served, it looks like this. A mimosa to wash it all down is my own flare added to the feast.
Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
I suspect that this may be the last year Allana believes in Santa Claus. She may have already let go of the idea ages ago, but she hasn’t shared that knowledge with anyone especially her little sister. Honestly, I think she hasn’t shared her doubt with me because she knows I still believe.
For four years in a row, Allana has asked for a stuffed polka dot elephant from the Island of Misfit Toys featured in the animated classic, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Each Christmas, Santa sent an apology letter explaining how the elves couldn’t make enough toys to fulfill every child’s request. It broke my heart to see the disappointment in her face but our Santa wasn’t willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a small collector’s toy on eBay.
This Christmas, both girls have asked for the stuffed polka dot toy, but thankfully Santa has teamed up with the elves at Build-a-Bear and he will finally be able to fulfill this long awaited request.
I hope this small stuffed toy delivers another year for Allana believing in Santa Claus.
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Today we crack open the first door of our Advent Calendar. The girls are so excited to begin our holiday fun.
Before Emmalynn left for school yesterday, she scolded me for not filling the boxes yet.
So while the girls were at school, a sneaky little elf filled our Advent calendar with candy and activities.
