Although the holidays are now over, the last given assignment for You Capture was festive....and since I didn't get around to it last week and Beth has left it as a topic, I figured I would share a few moments from our festivities! Mackenzie was in her first Christmas production which were songs and a bit of dancing put together by her preschool. It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen and she was dead set on being the center of the show. :) Also particularly cute was Ayla … [Read more...]

 I'm impossibly late for this week's You Capture, but I did take a couple of photos that fit the topic "yellow," so I figure better late than never, right? With Thanksgiving coming up and the year winding down, plus Mackenzie's birthday approaching and her starting school, things are just a bit on the crazy side lately. But it's also starting to mellow out a bit and I'm finding my groove, which is extremely important when one is trying to balance family, blog, businesses and more all at … [Read more...]

I have a horrible confession to admit today. I've been neglecting my camera. In a big way. I can't quite figure out what's been contributing to the lack of photography going on. Maybe I've just been too busy with other things like enjoying life... or walking the doggo... But I miss it. And taking photos on my phone is ok, but it's definitely not the same. I just have to start taking it with me all the time again, even if I'm not sure I will use it. With any luck, the … [Read more...]

When we first got this You Capture challenge, my first instinct was to go to the market. But as it turns out, we have a ton of fruit at home already. Fruit is always in very high demand in our house...and winter is no exception, although Mackenzie is more of a fresh berry fan than anything else. So we're in a transition phase. Bananas are still a hit but she's just not convinced about tangerines (I think it's the fear of finding a seed which she really doesn't like), only has a taste for … [Read more...]

It's kinda funny. I've been joining in and linking up to You Capture for more than two years -- and there have been several occasions when I just wasn't really sure I was going to have something to contribute for the week. And then I glanced at the topic and realized I could probably put something together in a few minutes time. And before I knew it, I had a whole series of photos. As with any photography session, some turn out better than others -- but the one thing that is really fun … [Read more...]

I'm sure we're going to be seeing tons of kids and family members during this challenge -- and I couldn't help but do the same. Mackenzie is my light and joy -- definitely my love. And the last few days she's had a cold which has made her mopey, whiny, loving and ultra cute all at the same time. And I tried to get a photo of the second love of my life, my wonderful husband, Stefan, but he's a bit camera shy and sometimes pulls the Chandler face from friends, plus it was with Mack on his … [Read more...]

The challenge for You Capture this week was inside...so I looked for some "inside" shots outside, when we visited the Grünewald forest yesterday, which is just a short trip outside Berlin and actually reachable by U-bahn.     There's just something I really love about that last one... What do you find when you look inside things? And inside yourself? Is it something you find pretty and enjoyable? Or rather something you'd prefer to continue hiding deep within … [Read more...]

Our assignment this week was "flowers" -- and I have to admit that this was an easy one since we have been buying a lot of flowers at the market lately to liven up the place...and because they are utterly cheap! The guys selling them at the market buy such a large volume that they're able to offer 30-40 roses for EUR 5 when it's getting late in the afternoon. So we always try to head over there before the market shuts down to get a really good deal. There's something really beautiful … [Read more...]

  Windows are an exciting and valuable part of the architecture of any building. And they can not only say a lot about the building itself, but also about the people living behind them. Are they messy like some of our neighbors, with windows that look like they have never been cleaned...ever? Are the people in the windows constantly looking out at the world and keep an eye on everyone, waving to those passing by on the street? Do the windows ever get to be opened to let in the fresh air … [Read more...]