Hue + Texture {greens and piney}

I don't know when I stumbled upon Marta Locklear's blog, but I'm completely floored by her work. I'm in awe of her style and amazed at how she captures her subjects. I literally find myself going back to the same photos and just staring at them, because I think they're so beautiful. Goodness! 

A few weeks ago she started a Hue and Texture challenge. She mentions a color and texture and then it's your job to bring it to life...or just look at everyone's great work. Well, this time I decided to play along. I'm really happy with the way the following turned out, so I hope you like them, too. This was my first time using the macro setting on my camera outside. 

hue: greens. texture: piney

Food Photography

Lately, I've been eating a lot and taking a lot of food pictures. I love setting up the photo and trying to get an interesting angle that shows off whatever dish I'm featuring. I don't know if it's a cop-out—because it's been cold and I don't feel like actually getting out there to take other photos—or lack of imagination and inspiration, but I feel comfortable with food photos. Maybe it's because food is immobile and I know I'll eventually get a shot I like?

And speaking of food, I'm *thisclose* to buying my ticket to BlogHerfood, a blogging conference focusing on food. It's being held in Atlanta this year and I think I'd be crazy not to go. I'm a blogger, I love food, I love blogging about food, and I'm just itching to learn more. I really need to spend some time getting to know my camera. I typically have it off auto, but I need to learn how to do more with it and actually understand what I'm doing. I want to learn.

Enough talking. I want to share some recent food pictures that I've taken. They're from The Tale of Two Kitchens, a site my sister-in-law and I created to share recipes we make. I've been having so much fun with it that my waistline is starting to hate me. 

Coconut Macaroons

Puppy Chow

Tahini Cookie Bars

Black-eyed Pea Salad

Spicy Pesto

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Green Chile Stew...coming soon

So what do you think? Any tips or suggestions for better-looking photos? As always, I'm eager to learn more!

Say Cheese!

Is there anything more adorable than a little kid fully embracing his age? 

Conci's Second Birthday

This past Sunday we celebrated my cousin's second birthday, which was the perfect time to take my new camera out for another test drive. I can't resist a picture of adorable kids...especially little toddlers enjoying sweet treats! 

Meet the birthday girl, Conci (short for Concepcion, my late Nana's name)!

As soon as she saw this card she ripped open the envelope and checked out the goods inside.

While we waited for the most important part of a two-year-olds birthday (the cake, of course), another one of my cousins kept us all entertained with funny faces:

And then it was time....

...time for cake! Get excited.

But just as Conci got ready to blow out those big-girl candles...

Little Elijah rushed in thinking it was his birthday party! 

Luckily, the birthday girl didn't even realize what was going on! 

If cake is the most important aspect of a party, then presents are most definitely the second best part. Conci ripped through her presents likea girl on a mission.

One of her favorite presents from the day must have been the mini piano her Godfather gave her.

Because after she got it out of its packaging, she got right to business. I don't know about you, but I think we have a budding pianist on our hands. 

Happy birthday, Conci!