a fotofanatic's fix

A Few New Things... New Blog, New Look!

2011-04-20T20:06:00.001-05:00

like a new BLOG,

and a new place to store PHOTOS,

so if you are looking for OLD PHOTOS ON PICASA,

of course, you can find them.

The new blog is all girly, thanks, Brooke! for sending me the template, and it's all about photos...

The 'AFoto Fanatics Fix' link is listed at the top of the new blog right above the slideshow, and you can find a link to previous photos there, too.

Why, you ask the 'JMichelle'?

Why not just Michelle?

Cause there's too many of us out there, that's why.

Hmmm. Maybe that's what the J is for, after-all.

Just Michelle.

Follow the new blog!
The other one will be out of action...

Will

2011-04-09T17:34:00.000-05:00

Isn't he handsome?

She Twirled!

2011-04-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

She's Wearing Her Mom's Dress

2011-04-02T21:15:00.001-05:00

that she wore when she was a little girl...

How special is that?

Caroline

2011-04-02T20:05:00.002-05:00

Beautiful!

Pretty In the Sunlight!

2011-03-15T19:54:00.000-05:00

Leaving Rosemary Beach today!

2011-03-10T19:02:00.000-06:00

I Like It When You've Been Somewhere Long Enough...

2011-03-09T20:35:00.000-06:00

for all your neighbors to have come and gone at least once,

that the toilet needs cleaning,

that you know exactly when the garbage truck runs,

that the 'bread man' at the deli knows you by name,

that your car hasn't been moved in at least a week,

and the coffee shop knows your daily order without asking.

Yeah, I really like that.

I Love Green Bananas..

2011-03-09T20:27:00.000-06:00

but this is ridiculous.

I finally had to throw them away -

never even turned the slightest hint of yellow.

I think they were spray painted.

A Rainy Day At The Beach...

2011-03-09T20:14:00.000-06:00

is better than

no day at the beach.

FLAT IRON Was Looking My Way...

2011-03-09T19:46:00.003-06:00

I wish I would have waved.

Yep, FLAT IRON

is definitely looking my way.

It Was a Great Day for a Bonfire, Too!

2011-03-08T08:54:00.000-06:00

It Was a Great Day for People, too!

2011-03-08T08:21:00.001-06:00

A Day for the Birds

2011-03-08T07:47:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was beautiful!

The birds sure were happy to see the sun...

Extremely Windy and Cool Today

2011-03-05T19:17:00.000-06:00

Today was unbelievably

windy and cool.

Cool is OK but the wind ~

when you were on the sand it stung your legs,

and you could see it tumbling,

guess that is where you get the term

'shifting sands.'

And I'm thinkin' hmmm.

Wonder what it is doing to the camera.

So, here's pictures for today.

That's all, folks.

Yellow Jasmine is Smelling so Sweet!

2011-03-05T19:04:00.000-06:00

The yellow jasmine is bloomin'

and oh, so sweet.

Just stick your nose in it...

Today Was a Good Day for Pics...

2011-03-04T22:04:00.002-06:00

Then There Was This Awesome Sunset...

2011-03-04T21:21:00.000-06:00

Today Was a Good Day for Pics...

2011-03-04T21:09:00.000-06:00

Guys and Gull on the Beach

2011-03-04T20:53:00.000-06:00

I really love this,

grainy, intense, blown out colors...

feels like the beach.

Just the guys and the gull.

The Magic Hour Before Sunset...

2011-03-04T20:20:00.001-06:00

I love late afternoons when the sun is still high

and gives that golden glow.

Chasin' $10

2011-03-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

Today at noon (sometimes I like being out in the direct sunlight),

I headed out to the beach.

Camera ready ~ little bag with essentials,

(leezard lip sunscreen, $10, cell phone, keys)

all is well.

I open my bag to put in the lens cap,

and Pfftttzzzzt, the $10 blows out. (it was very windy today)

I think, well $$@!!, I'm gonna chase the darn thing.

So here I go (in front of Boardwalk D)

walking as fast as my lil' legs will take me,

kickin' up sand, on a mission,

keeping the $10 in sight,

and it's movin' on like tumbleweed in Texas.

Comin' up on Boardwalk E, then F, then G.

All the while the $10 is just out of reach.

Then I feel somebody watching...

(look closely on roof ~ we wave)

and here I go, on the hunt.

Finally, the $10 disappears in the mist.

Someday, somebody will find it and wonder the story

of the $10 in the sand.

Bird Watching!

2011-03-04T13:34:00.000-06:00

Big Sky Sunset

2011-03-02T19:43:00.000-06:00

Big sky sunset.

Dog Won ~ Human Closing In

2011-03-02T19:41:00.000-06:00

This lil' fella came in first by four dog lengths!

Hobie Cat and Kayaks

2011-03-02T19:35:00.000-06:00

The Clear Jellyfish...

2011-03-02T19:30:00.001-06:00

I'm developing a 'thing' for beach critters...

meet the

Clear Jellyfish!

It was bigger than a dinner plate...

Today, After 30.25 Years...

2011-03-01T20:32:00.000-06:00

of knowing where I'll be going,

and what I'll be doing,

I'm retired.

Really strange.

(isn't that a funny shadow?)

3 Reasons To Go To The Beach Today...

2011-03-01T16:27:00.000-06:00

Uno.

Dos.

Tres.

That's all I know.

Monday's Sunset

2011-03-01T08:11:00.000-06:00

Started out pretty with a nice, soft, glow...

then it turned to solid gold.

I'm a Pretty Bird...

2011-03-01T08:01:00.000-06:00

and looking at you!

Today's Critter by the Sea

2011-02-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

A very strange critter, indeed...

when I was taking photos, it raised up and...

tried to attack?

looked around?

Couldn't see which was head or tails, so

I poked it with a feather.

It didn't like it.

Guess what it is?

A Portuguese Man-of-War.

Yarrrrrhh.

Saturday's Sunset at Rosemary Beach!

2011-02-27T20:38:00.000-06:00

Fabulous!

Trying out the Mini Ice Glasses

2011-02-20T18:49:00.000-06:00

So far...

so good.

Can't wait, can you?

Lauren on the track...

2011-02-20T18:36:00.000-06:00

Yep. Awesome.

2011-02-10T21:19:00.002-06:00

Last night we had snow...

it was beautiful then,

as it was today.

There was snow on the rabbit...

One More to Add to Kaitlynn's Keepers

2011-01-30T09:53:00.001-06:00

Here's a photo of Kaitlynn

that I had overlooked to be included in

'The Keepers.'

I think she'll love it!
(click to make the photo big, she's stunning...)

2011-01-29T20:15:00.002-06:00

Lauren sent some desert pics for me to edit...
so I did this (little bit burnt, don't you think?)

and this...(pop-py-artsy)

but for some reason, I liked the
sepia ones that look like they came straight
from the family photo album.

Makes me think of a desert vacation in the chevy
with the top down...
with momma in a scarf and cat-eye sunglasses.
(not that any of that happened, just a good mind-visual)

Lauren's Nordic Skiing Pics!

2011-01-04T20:39:00.000-06:00

Here's Lauren's Nordic skiing photo

with some 'effects'...

it looks so quiet, doesn't it?

Here's her post!
She's looking fabulous!!!!

Rosemary Beach ~ Trant at the Savannah

2011-01-04T19:33:00.001-06:00

I'm through (for now)

editing the Rosemary Beach photographs.

There's 280 or so of them

and they're in order from Day 1,

so take a look!

Which will be your favorites?

Be sure to click to view larger photos...

Our New Year's Resolution...

2011-01-02T18:18:00.000-06:00

is...

not to talk about 2010.

done.

Estefan's Rocking Horse

2011-01-01T17:27:00.000-06:00

in the afternoon light.

Cardinals, BlueJays, and other Friends...

2011-01-01T16:22:00.000-06:00

The birds have found the feeders

and told their friends...

So far,

they are behaving.

Rosemary Beach and Hipstamatic

2010-12-30T19:22:00.000-06:00

iPhone, Hipstamatic, black and white film, Rosemary Beach,

and a little time...

Lookin' For Elvis!

2010-12-29T21:05:00.013-06:00

We found him in Tupelo

at the Elvis Presley museum!

Rosemary Beach ~ Starting to Edit!

2010-12-26T19:32:00.000-06:00

Ok.

I have no sense of time or place when it comes to photographs.

This means that while we were at Rosemary,

I averaged 500 photos

or so a day.

And that seemed right.

Now I did take lots of pics of seagulls and pelicans...
Click, click, birds closer, click, click, closer, closer,
look here, gully.
Wings up, wings down...
(you get the idea)

And the sky.
Fabulous by day and by night.

And oh my goodness, the ocean...

And Estefan had his own personal photo shoot...

So after starting the process of
culling, cropping, editing,
there's a new 'lil link to a slideshow
right over there on the right side...

Check back often! I'll be editing for a while...

Can't wait for our next trip!!!!!

Parmigiano-Reggiano, Strawberries and Southern Right

2010-12-25T18:50:00.001-06:00

Some of my favorite things...

Merry Christmas, Sgt. Kyle...

2010-12-25T11:11:00.001-06:00

and

Happy Holidays from Rosemary Beach, Fla.

from Mich and Estefan ~ Deb's buddies.

Wow.

2010-11-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

It's been a while.

Feelin' a little strange.

but good.

Haiku My Heart Friday ~ The Vine King

2010-07-16T00:39:00.007-05:00

1.
Built of strong metal,

consumed by living tendrils,
elements combined.

2.
Roots in rich, black soil,
grows deeper with each season.
Silent, field sentry.

3.
Organic sculpture.
Reminder of time passing.
The Delta Vine King.

Haiku My Heart Friday!

2010-07-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

In the courtyard stands

the dark angel, quietly;

watching over us.

Haiku My Heart Friday!

Patron Reposado ~ Unwrapped

2010-07-08T20:13:00.002-05:00

Here's what you get when you combine

a fresh bottle of Patron Reposado,

two flashlights,

a slow shutter speed,

backlighting from under the counter lights,

and

a little time.

Here's why it's special...

"Patron Reposado is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of six months. Patron Reposado is aged and blended to incorporate the fresh clean taste of Patron Silver with a hint of the oak flavor found in Patron Anejo. Reposado style tequila has been popular in Mexico for many years and is experiencing an excellent reception by most tequila connoisseurs world wide. Patron Reposado may be enjoyed as a sipping tequila or mixed with high quality mixers. It makes an excellent "ultra premium" margarita. Patron tequilas are exceptional for a reason. Firstly they are produced from 100% Weaber Tequilana Blue Agave which when grown in this region of Jalisco is known to produce excellent high quality "honey" or sugar levels. The second and primary reason for the excellence of Patron tequilas can be equated to time and care. Like great wines the creation of a great tequila cannot be rushed. The basic reason that Patron tequilas are priced as they are is due to using only the highest quality "agave pineapples", properly selected, trimmed and thereafter allowing natures time for cooking, fermenting, distilling and aging. Excellence can not be forced. All of this time and care results in the unequaled soft, smooth and delicious Patron tequilas."

Peggy and 4 Seasons

2010-07-06T19:56:00.012-05:00

If you're anywhere near Crystal Springs, MS

be sure to stop in and see Peggy at

4 Seasons Garden Art!

We've bought Henri fountains from her

because we love
the detail,
the elegance,
the beautiful stains...
and oh, that wonderful noise,
and they are in every size and shape imaginable!

Go see Peggy.
You'll be glaaaaaaad you did.

Oh yeah, and remember to bring a trailer.

Sumaq Ruracc ~ The Artisans of Peru

2010-07-05T20:12:00.001-05:00

Leigh's daughter just returned from a

12 day trip to Peru.

She's an ER nurse and went with a group to set up a

temporary medical clinic in a village

high in the mountains outside of Lima, Peru.

She brought back beautiful examples of

woven textiles, handcrafted by

Group Sumaq Ruracc.

There were long, silky, soft hairs woven in the fabric.

We think it's alpaca.

Experience the beauty of their craftsmenship!

The Making of the Margaritas ~ From Start to Finish!

2010-07-04T22:46:00.003-05:00

Since it was the 4th

and since it was a special day,

we decided to celebrate by making special margaritas...

with the freshest ingredients,

Patron tequila; very chilled,

as was the Cointreau.

Here it is,

from start to finish.

Somewhere along the way there was the

'Multi-lingual-cross-cultural-native american chant'

while shaking the evening drinks,

and the counting of the shots;

uno

dos

tres

kinkos.

kinkos?

as well as the

'Qui-Te-La.'

(a bit of a reversal problem...)

It all led to a very interesting evening.

Midsummer Eve ~ Fairies and Fireflies

2010-07-04T18:16:00.000-05:00

On this beautiful

midsummer eve,

go to the edge of the woods,

be very quiet,

and look for fireflies and fairies.

July the 4th

2010-07-04T15:57:00.003-05:00

brings out the

sparkle

in folks!

Thanks for the special

Holiday Wish,
Deb and Lyn (the multi-generational team)!

Estefan's Bouquet

2010-07-03T20:41:00.002-05:00

This week's flowers were really something,

intense at night,

colorful,

interesting,

different at every angle,
changing every day...

sound like anybody you know?

Key Lime Cake Pictorial

2010-06-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

Leigh took these photographs

when she made a

Key Lime Cake for Joy's birthday.

(notice there are two little cakes ~ she made one for her sweetie, too)

It was as good as it looks!

Actually, it was better...

Joy's Flowers ~ Revisited

2010-06-28T16:58:00.004-05:00

Lovely.

Again.

Love x 3

2010-06-27T20:14:00.000-05:00

There are special people out there

who freely give their

time and talents.

Two such people

designed,

stitched,
and

stuffed

these hearts for us.

They are very creative...
the hearts and their makers!

Thanks!

Matt and Deb

for creating

Love x 3.

Haiku Friday

2010-06-24T22:40:00.003-05:00

Watching the sun rays

Always the silent sentry

Standing straight and tall.

It's Haiku Friday!

GiGi's Cupcakes Comes to Flowood!

2010-06-24T21:44:00.003-05:00

A new GiGi's Cupcakes

just opened in Flowood!

Of course we had to go

and here's what we had on our

virgin-taste-a-thon!

Wedding Cake

Birthday Surprise

Cherry Cordial

Lemon Dream Supreme

Scarlett's Red Velvet

Hunka Chunka Banana Love

(i know, it's obscene...)

Get Ready To Drool.

Angelia and Crystal ~ first look.

Crystal, Joy and Angelia
started seeing
'faces'
in the icing;
I think they had too much sugar.

Estefan's Favorite Quote

2010-06-24T20:43:00.001-05:00

Brooke sent a great gift

for Father's Day!

It's an original framed quote from Wall Envy Art,
made in Kettering (north of London)
and sold on Etsy.

You can custom request quotes,
and this one is Estefan's
all time favorite from
Edgar Allen Poe.

Experience
A Dream Within a Dream.

Heart Wings of Love

2010-06-24T19:00:00.001-05:00

We received a special, handmade card

that had

Heart Wings.

It's painted,

stamped,

and

stitched

with

love.

It looks like it flew in and landed in the roses, doesn't it?

The 4 F's

2010-06-23T20:08:00.003-05:00

Thinkin' of renaming the blog

The 4 F's.

Flowers,

Food,

Flashlight

and

Fun.

Of course,

that title that leaves it wide open

for interpretation, doesn't it?

From Morning till Night ~ Creamy, Blush-Pink Roses

2010-06-23T19:00:00.013-05:00

Christy's Hydrangeas

2010-06-22T18:36:00.005-05:00

This was the first year that

Christy's hydrangeas bloomed.

She brought them to the office;

we borrowed them for a few pictures,

turned the lights down way low,

(we're used to working by lamplight...)

and with two flashlights

and help from Angelia,

Voila!

Aren't they beautiful?

(they came from the same bush;

I think she put food color in the purple ones...)

Leigh's Sunflowers and Black-Eyed Susans

2010-06-21T21:39:00.007-05:00

Leigh planted sunflowers this year.

Grow, sunflowers, grow.

They did,

along with this sweet, Black Eyed Susan vine

along her fence,

(look closely in the photos ~

the center is not black, it is deep purple, and hollow)

The hydrangeas are right outside her bedroom window...

Beautiful.

Happy 30th Birthday, Brooke!

2010-06-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Cheers!

(I took this photo when we were standing in line

at the Pancake Pantry in Nashville...)

Leigh ~ MS's Very Own Pioneer Woman

2010-06-20T16:30:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you know Leigh.

She's is the quintessential Steel Magnolia,

and the fabulous baker

who makes awesome concoctions

that include the

Mile High Meringue Caramel Pie,

Banana Nut Pound Cake,

Bundt Chocolate Pound Cakes with warm caramel topping,

tiny little individual Pecan Pies,

Sausage Rolls,

Cowboy Cookies,

frosted and decorated Birthday Cakes,

(beautifully presented on cake stands that match

the occasion and personalized for us)

Key Lime Cake...

and she gets up in the wee hours of the morning

to put out butter to soften,

then bakes

and brings these fabulous concoctions to us

warm,

right out of the oven.

I know there are others I'm forgetting,

but her latest is

the Cinnamon Rolls from

The Pioneer Woman's recipes.

She and Ree need to meet, that's all I know...

Maybe Ree needs a new project ~

PW across the USA.

I know the perfect one for MS.

Terrence, I'm Tired of Your Spamming

2010-06-19T21:18:00.001-05:00

Ok,

terrencestephens34.blogspot.com

I've had it with you and your

spamming.

I visited your site ~ and there's nothing there.

I thought there might be something productive,

as I do follow blogs overseas.

But *ing no. This is not the case with you.

I want you and your *ing spamming to go the * away.

I have reported your *ing activities to Blogger.

What they will do, I don't know.

I do know, if I could get my hands around your

*ing slimey, *ing, mother*ing punk ass cowardly self,

as Bum Phillips would say,

"there'd be more hell than a little bit to pay',

and I would open a '50 gallon drum of whup-ass all over you,

wherever you are located.

If you have nothing to contribute,

stay the * away from this blog.

I hate you for using sites to increase hits on your behalf.

You are really getting on my *ing last nerve.

Go the * away.

I feel better, do you?

Estefan ~ Out Standing on His Hill

2010-06-19T20:53:00.000-05:00

Since this photo 4 years ago,

we've had

a roller coaster of a building ride,

a few knocks that tried to get us down,

a hearty dose of life's adventures

and we've come out for the better,

shining bright

and looking toward the future!

(I know you remember doing this,

you were checking out the view
from what would become the
upstairs front porch...)

Happy Father's Day, Estefan!

You're a one of a kind,

fabulous

man.

The Gilded Dragonfly

2010-06-19T12:05:00.006-05:00

Here's the story of

The Gilded Dragonfly,

who flew into our lives and

is bringing much joy!

He landed in Danna's car and

went to dragonfly heaven on her floor board.

She brought him inside at work;

he was perfect.

She knows how much I love dragonflies,

so to make him special and oh so shiny,

she brought some super-fine,

gold spray glitter

that she uses on cards.

And so he became gilded.

(along with a small portion of Angelia's desk)

I'm sure you'll see more of him from time to time...

for now,

he's the new blog header.

Celebrating Joy's Birthday!

2010-06-19T10:00:00.019-05:00

Joy is bright

and

fun;

so was her birthday celebration!

We had the

melt-in-your-mouth

Key Lime Cake,

(so moist you don't even have to chew)

there were lilies and roses,

a wonderful 'purse' card

complete with super secret money pocket,

and we posed

'The Gilded Dragonfly'

for pictures.

(a story for another time)

It was a Great Day!

Warwick 2009 ~ Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc

2010-06-18T22:23:00.000-05:00

Meet my newest acquaintance,
a fabulous
South African wine,

Professor Black!

Crystal's Birthday ~ A Moving Target

2010-06-18T19:26:00.002-05:00

The end of May

Crystal had a birthday.

I think it was her 'real' birthday;

it is a moving target.

We celebrate several times a year,

whenever it feels right,

then, it is right.

There were amazing roses...

and fabulous food...

chocolate pound cake with caramel sauce,

ham and cheese mini sandwiches,

fruit salad,

couscous salad,

slaw with ramen noodles,

spinach dip,

a wonderful homemade card,

and FUN!

Happy Birthday, Crystal!

Ignore the Random ?

2010-06-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

sometimes it doesn't pay to

change templates

right in the middle of not really

wanting to,

and wrecking

something that was perfectly fine,

then having to revert back

to the

previous version,

and realizing random things

don't load right.

nuff said.

For Sgt. Kyle ~ To Make A Soldier Smile

2010-06-18T18:40:00.000-05:00

Adam had an assignment.

He was to include the following in drawings

for Sgt. Kyle Broughton:

a jalapeno pepper

scuba diving

beach

Texas

muscles

army

sea life

and

Voila,

G.I. PEPPER WAS CREATED!

He's SUPER BAD

and

GREEN

with big muscles,

goggles,

a Texas tattoo,

camo t-shirt and shorts

complete with diving flippers,

and on the beach

with his crab buddy and beach ball!

He's also underwater with his snorkel!

Check out the octopus,

the ship with big red gun,

the flying fish with the amazing tongue

the jellyfish,

and notice that G.I. Pepper loves feeding sea creatures!

Adam created perfect pictures

and we hope we make

Special Soldier Smile!