Tag Archives: photography

An Encounter with the Penguin

Posted on by Run DMT
8

An encounter with the Penguin may sound like a bad Batman episode, but it is no exaggeration to how I briefly met John Bingham, the well-known slow-runner and author nicknamed The Penguin for his “waddling pace”.

As stealth-like as I could with a screaming toddler strapped in a stroller in tow, I discreetly tried to snap photos of The Penguin during his lecture on flexibility vs. stretching at the St. Pete Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon expo.

Unfortunately, the rude repeated clicking broke his speaking stride and then he snapped. “Why are you taking photos?”

“Um…because you’re The Penguin and I’ve quoted you on my blog,” I sheepishly replied.

“You blog?  What’s your blog?  Will you blog this?”

“Of course!”

“Well, then let’s get a photo together!”

With that invitation, I tossed my camera to my friend, Chrissy, to capture this beautiful blogoturnity.

Thank you, Mr. Penguin, sir.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” – John “The Penguin” Bingham

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue Look whooooo’s snapping Unknown Mami

I’m a Sucker for Pinterest

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Pinned ImageAs you know, Pinterest is my guilty pleasure. It truly is like getting a new magazine in the mail every day.  Not that kind of magazine, silly!  Sheesh.  Get your mind out of the gutter!

For me, it’s like Shape, Runner’s World, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network Magazine and Family Fun all rolled into one happy space.  But I didn’t realize how literal that was until I stumbled upon this awesome Valentine’s Day idea. 

How adorable and creative are these Valentine’s Day cards?  It sure beats the perforated, punch out Sponge Bob stupid pun cards my kids would beg me to buy.

And it’s no wonder because the blogger behind this idea, Design Mom, was featured in the February issue of Family Fun magazine.

So when you’re flipping through Family Fun and you wonder, “Who are all these amazing moms?” All those amazing, creative moms, dads, grandparents and teachers do indeed exist and can be found on Pinterest.  So go follow them (and me too)!

And then you can try to replicate their ingeniousness like I did.

I started with a photo shoot…

…and a tiny bit of tweaking and editing in Picnik (which I will not be happy to lose on April 19) to add the text “Valentine, I’m a sucker for you.”

Then, a few small cuts for a heart-shaped lollipop and voila!

Our classmates’ cards are complete.

Thank you Family Fun Magazine Design Mom Pinterest!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

Gasparilla and The Great Bead Booty

Posted on by Run DMT
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Argggh!
There be a pirate invasion once again in Tampa.

Aye, wearing snarls and yielding swords, me krewe set sail upon the Black Pearl in search of treasure known as The Great Bead Booty.

The Great Bead Booty be the gem of all the scurvy pirates at the Gasparilla Children’s Parade.  The secret, me hearties, is to keep ye good eye on all that is casted from the krewes that sail along Bayshore as ye never know what treasures lie in front of ye.

Be it beads or candy, scurvy pirates need to be ready. Aye, that be the story of how Captain Madre got hit in the head with a Tootsie Roll  some pirates lose an eye and are forever cursed to wear a patch.

Even me youngest scallywag found treasure…

 

…and tried to steal some more.

Legend tells, some pirates hunt for treasures of giant burritos.

But one scallywag set her sights on cotton candy only to have her plan foiled when Mean Captain Madre grunted, “No” and threatened a long walk off a short plank if she didn’t become a jolly pirate.

Then, a loud thunderous boom shook the land as Jose Gaspar’s ship invaded and began firing cannons.  But we did not withdraw, me hearties!  Aye, the Great Bead Booty was still ours for the taking!

After hours upon the bay, our voyage had ended and the time had come to find a new destination to feed me hungry krewe. Aye and motley krewe we be.

Until next year, Gaspar!  ARRRRRRGGH!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogueUnknown Mami

A Run DMT Year in Review

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January – The F Word

In 2011, the number 40 was more than milestone.   At the beginning of year, I proclaimed a goal to run 40 miles before my 40th birthday and my desire to be fit at forty all with the emphasis of the f-bomb.

During the winter break, we built Florida Snowmen with Auntie Kirsten and Meghan which produced some fabulous photos.

February – My Air and Water Diet…Not so Much

Although there was enough love in February to sustain a city, it would take more than hearts, love notes and valentines to keep this mama going.

In a funny vlog, I share a pile food I ate and still lost 18 pounds, ‘cause mama loves to eat which is why I run.  When you watch this crazy long vlog, count how many times I drop another f-word. Fantastic.

March – Education

March was a time of reflection and education.  It started with a random act of kindness and which led to Lucy joining our family.  Then, a Gallery phototheme had me hunt down an old photo from my teaching days.  Those students taught me more than I ever taught them.

Also, spending more time with my niece, Meghan has educated me and made me more sensitive to epilepsy.  Since March is Epilepsy Awareness month, we recognized it with a spontaneous purple picnic.

April – What Tomorrow Will Bring

In 2011, Liam and I showed our determination and fortitude to reach the finish line.

In April, I waited with bated breath for the NYC marathon lottery selection, which didn’t happen for me.  Watch the NYC Marathon video and you’ll understand why I’m applying again this year.  Applications for 2012 NYC Marathon lottery open at noon on January 2, 2012. God, I hope I get it. Keep my fingers, toes and shoelaces crossed again.

May – Run DMT’s Top 10 of Summer Don’ts

With May, came lots of  sunsets and summer, my favorite season.  I heart summer almost as much as I love writing lists.

June – Airplanes

Sometimes my youngest daughter, Emmalynn, has her head in the clouds sometimes and I love her for it.  I can totally relate.  During the summer months, my head is usually there too.

July – Loving You for Your First Birthday

Although we have three birthdays in July in this family, two of those birthdays were milestones this year.  First, our little Tiny Cool, Emmalynn, turned six.  Then Little Lion Man turned one and I hit 40.  In our first Music Monday vlog duet debut, Little Lion Man and I share our best Minnie Riperton impersonations to recognize his first birthday.

August – Get the Party Started

In August, I blogged a lot of back to school posts and summer coming to end stuff.

But we ended the summer on a high note when we celebrated my 40th birthday in August and it ROCKED!  Plus, I met my goal of losing 40 lbs and 40 miles before my 40th birthday.

I also organized a Tampa Bay Blogher Meetup.  (Another one is in the works for March 2012.)

September – Things Heard at Our Girlfriend Getaway

Summer heat and celebrations were still in full swing in September as well as our annual girlfriend getaway.  You may need to take a few shots of Whipped Pinnacle vodka to understand most of this post, but it still makes me chuckle four months later.

October – Random Thoughts about Tigers, Honey Badgers and Bunnies

In October, I transformed into a bad ass honey badger and Amy Whinehouse and transposed my likeness onto some photos for a funny list of 22 Things I’ve Never Done.

November- Ten Years with Our Soul Sister

When November came, my family and I gave 30 gifts in 30 days and counted our blessings.  My oldest daughter, Allana turned ten and requested her ears to be pierced. Her milestone birthday hit me harder than my own.  Where did a decade go? 

December – A Serendipity Style Date

I’m not sure if blogging and Pinterest is making me a better mom/wife/friend or a worse one.  How can anything that helps plan dates like this be bad?

Of course, there was some of running happening throughout the year too.  After all, I am a Mom on the Run.  All my race recaps from this year and previous years can be found here.

Naptime MomtogMama's Losin' It

PhotoStory Fridayand then, she {snapped}the hollie rogue

A Serendipity-Style Date

Posted on by Run DMT
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Last Sunday, Allan and I celebrated our 12th anniversary.  Twelve years, really?  Wow.

For our anniversary, I wanted to plan something different other than dinner and a movie.  So when I stumbled upon this idea from The Dating Divas on Pinterest, I knew this was the date to plan for us.

Allan and I love the movie Serendipity.  Since the way we met happened by chance or nearly met a few times before our first encounter, we love any and all romantic comedies that revolved that theme, however, Serendipity holds the number one spot.  (You can watch the trailer here.)

Basically, the two main characters meet by chance in a department store when trying to purchase the same pair of gloves and then spend the rest of day together.  At the end of the day, they try to exchange phone numbers but fate steps in so they decide to test fate by writing the numbers on a five dollar bill and in an old book.  If either item crosses their paths again, then they’re meant to be together.

When Allan and I celebrated our tenth anniversary in New York City, we tried to replicate Serendipity movie moments, like ice skating in Central Park.  Next to our wedding day and our honeymoon (and the birth of our children, of course) that weekend in NYC was the best time ever.

So for our Serendipity-style date, I recreated those special NYC moments with a Tampa flare.  I started with an invitation hidden inside the Serendipity DVD case.  With snowflakes embellishments and typewriter font, I created an invitation that cleverly outlined our date.

“The best time to ever be
Was our time spent in New York City
And how each moment
Was like a scene from Serendipity.
So let’s relive that date
With some ice and some skates
And lunch at Datz Deli.”

We began the date at Datz Deli.  The restaurant was so busy that the only available seating was at the bar.  We were all right with that.

To stick with the NYC motif, I ordered the Rockin’ Rueben, but Allan ordered a BBQ Brisket sandwich.   I couldn’t eat the whole thing, but I knew I would be hungry again after ice skating.

For the past two holiday seasons, city of Tampa has erected an ice rink at Curtis Hixon Park in the middle of Downtown Tampa, appropriately named Tampa’s Downtown on Ice.  Although the rink is small and on this particularly Sunday, very crowded, it filled the bill for the ice skating portion of our date.

Unfortunately, it was hard to hold hands as we skated as we had to swerve around small children.  I even fell on my knees at one point, which made me laugh so hard.  No matter how small the rink was, we still had huge fun and we left a Serendipity sign to let others know we were there.

Since Allan and I worked up quite a thirst ice skating, we popped over to Taps across the street from Tampa’s Downtown on Ice for a quick pint.  We drank to a fun date and toasted twelve great years.  Here’s to many more of them!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogueUnknown Mami

Live, Love, TRAVEL

Christmas Shopping with Shutterfly

Posted on by Run DMT
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Next Wednesday, we have our annual family Christmas portrait session with my fabulous photographer friend, Kelly.  With much anticipation, I’ve added the final touches on everyone’s outfits.  For this year’s portrait, we’re all wearing variations of red and black.

Also in preparation, I’m keeping a list of the poses I’d like to capture this year.  I love close-up shots of my kids’ smiling faces.  They’re perfect for Christmas photo cards sending Christmas cheer to wish everyone a merry and bright holiday.

When choosing our family’s Christmas card, I prefer a large card (5×7) that includes at least 1 family shot and 3 individual photos of each child.  I also prefer the colors of the card to match the colors we’re wearing in the photos; however, finding a card that displays that many photos in one card while color coordinating with our outfits makes the search for the perfect Christmas anything but merry.

Thankfully, Shutterfly makes the search for the right Christmas card or holiday card simple.  With its sophisticated system, Shutterfly helps refine my search by the number of photos and color.

 

 

On the Christmas card product page, I can view an assortment of cards with the appropriate number of photos and color by selecting that option in the sidebar.

 

 

I’ve already found a large variety of cards that fit my criteria, however, some the cards were folded.

 

Still not a problem!  With a simple click, Shutterfly shows the flat 5×7 photo card option.

 

 

But this year, I’m also considering purchasing photo books and other personalized gifts for our family’s Christmas presents.  Our Christmas portraits are such a treasure and I’m sure both sets of parents would love mounted wall art of our family as a Christmas present.

 

 

 

Even a pewter ornament would make a great gift but not solely as a Christmas tree ornament.  After Christmas, our extended families can hang it on the wall to enjoy it all year long.

 

 

Shutterfly offers so much from a variety of Christmas cards that fit my color by number criteria to wonderful gifts our family will enjoy throughout the year.  And that makes Christmas shopping very merry!


*Shutterfly is offering FREE standard shipping on orders over $30.  Enter code SHIP30.  Hurry! Offer ends November 30, 2011.
*

Shades of Autumn: White

Posted on by Run DMT
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This week’s Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge had me thinking outside of the lens.  How could I capture white in Florida?

Typically the only white to be found in fall in Florida is the sugary white sand at our beaches or the puffy white clouds against our cerulean skies.  Other than that, we don’t see a whole lot of white in these parts.

But then, with Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas coming soon, it is baking season much like every other part of the country.  So, we’re seeing a lot of white in our kitchen these days.

 

Every year my mom sister, my girls and I plan a marathon Christmas cookie baking day and we just nailed down a date for this year’s cookie craziness.  Since it’s only a couple weeks away, I need to start planning my cookies and making sure I have enough ingredients in the pantry, which led to me flipping through the pages of my favorite cookbook (the third tattered copy and very loved Joy of Cooking) for my favorite cookie recipes.

As you can see, I’ve added my own notations for the perfect Snickerdoodles and Viennese Crescents.

 

Of course, Peppermint Bark will make Christmas cookie the list again.

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie or treat you bake and share every year?

On December 1, a few blogger friends and I will be hosting The Ultimate Virtual Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap and you‘re cordially invited!  So, dust off your favorite Christmas cookie recipes, preheat your ovens and set your timers for Thursday, December 1, when our blog hop goes live.  Then, snap some photos of your gingersnaps or whatever other tasty treats you want to share for The Ultimate Virtual Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap!

More details to crunch on soon!

Fall in Florida

Posted on by Run DMT
12

We’re into the second week of November and autumn has finally arrived in Tampa Bay.  A Florida fall consists of much cooler weather with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the lower 50s.

And if you’re very observant, you’ll start to see some leaves turn colors.

It always makes me sad when the cypress trees in my neighborhood turn shades of brown.

 

Once the cypress trees begin to go brown, they lose their leaves quickly and their drab gray branches make the trees appear dead.

 I wouldn’t mind barren trees if they were covered in white snow.  Well, I would mind the snow, but at least the cypress trees wouldn’t look so lifeless.

I miss the green already.  Is it too early to put up my Christmas tree?

 

Mama’s Losin’ It

“Fall in your neighborhood! Share some Fall pictures that capture the season in your neck of the woods.”

The Gallery: Orange

Posted on by Run DMT
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PhotographyLiving in Florida, we rarely experience seasons which can make fall feel anything but autumn, especially when your Facebook friends and blogging buddies share lovely photos of leaves turning colors.  We do our best in these parts to experience fall, but takes a whole lot of pumpkin lattes to feel it.

To get the fall ball rolling, we decorate our house for Halloween after September 11.  With light up pumpkins and orange string bulbs, our house will begin to have an orange glow about it.  But it’s the fuzzy pumpkin throw pillows on the couch that steal the orange spotlight and make my children grin like jack-o-lanterns.

While thrift shopping for Halloween costumes last week, we stumbled upon a pumpkin pillow similar to ours.  For $2.07, my oldest daughter insisted I splurge on the pillow, because Jack looked like he needed some pumpkin friends.  Being the sucker for a bargain, we brought Jack home.  A quick toss into the dryer to kill the dust mites and Jack was as good as new.

Once he found a patch for himself on the couch, I do believe his grin grew a bit wider.