Dear Blog, it's picture day con't.

Some details


This one is hubby's favorite.

I just love how this turned out. These are the Stambaugh plots. Very big name here in Youngstown.

This one is so old and worn you can't read it any longer.

This one is just plain sad.

More Treez Please.

I've been working with a group called Treez Please which is a non-profit working to green our lovely city. We acquire vacant lots and convert them into "pocket parks" by planting flowers and trees. Basically, we take an eyesore and make it beautiful space. Yesterday we had our "grand opening" as we finished our first park. There were activities for the kids, food, music and, of course, socializing. I, with the help of Holly, Brian and Dom, was in charge of painting and had the kids paint rocks and tiles which will be placed in the park. We also gave them white tees and had them paint "green" designs on them. Most of the kids added butterflies to their shirts as well. Susie had the kids making bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. Amy from First Book was there passing out free books to the kids. There were also a couple of gals from the Pilot Leaf Program which collects leaves and composts them instead of sending them to the landfill. If I had a better memory I would remember their names. Sorry ladies :(

The entire afternoon was great fun and a great photo opportunity as well. :) Here's some of my favorites:

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Cheers,
Jaci

BTW...here's the slide show of the afternoon if you're interested:

It's a class thing.

I got a new camera a few months ago. A Canon 5D and it's totally FAB. The only problem is that it's so completely different than what I was using that I sometimes feel like it's the first time I've ever used a camera. So I'm taking a class. I found a place online that has a 4 week class on working a 5D. I'm already into week 3 and there's still so much left to learn. I have a feeling 4 weeks isn't going to be enough time. I do like that it forces me to pick up my camera more. I can sometimes be lazy about grabbing the camera and shooting some pics. I've also realized that taking a class with two kiddos running around isn't the easiest thing to do. Good thing it's only 4 weeks.

I also got a couple new toys for my camera. Two spectacular new lenses: the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L. I rented the 24-70 first just to get a feel for it and man, can I tell you this is one incredible lens. The 2.8 makes it an amazing low-light lens and I tested out this theory at an Easy Street dress rehearsal. I went the whole evening without a flash and needless to say was very impressed. These are a few shots from the evening.

I bought the 70-200 after months of research and review-reading. This is one hefty lens both in size and cost so I wanted to be sure it was something that I wanted. I finally decided that I would spend the money and get it. It just came so stay tuned for a review as I haven't even tried it yet.

We are getting ready for a visit from the CO Clarks. It's the first time they'll be seeing our new house. We are all really excited to see them again. Hubby and I will finally be able to celebrate our anniversary (only a month late). He was playing "Beauty and the Beast" during our actual anniversary so we didn't have the time. Now we will have the time and someone to watch the kids! We are going to see "Across the Universe" and dinner. The Youngstown Crab Company for a 2 1/2 pound bucket of crab legs probably. YUM! I'm also going to get my studio organized. It's a real mess. Embarrassing as it will be I will take some before and after shots. Until then, I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

Cheers,
Jaci

Dear blog, I've been slacking

Only in the blog depart though. Everywhere else I've been a busy gal. Hubby just finished his stint with Easy Street's "Beauty and the Beast" and I've been working with a local non-profit called TreezPlease doing some planting and clean up. It's a group dedicated to greening the city. We acquire vacant lots, clean them up and plant some trees and flowers making little "pocket parks" across the city. I'm lucky enough to be on the education committee as well and we're looking for ways to reach out to the community and get them involved. Our target audience? Kids, of course. After all, they are our future (I hear a song in there...c'mon sing it with me..."I believe the children are our future") For me, this brings together three of the most important things I'm passionate about: children, education and nature.

Since we are on the subject of children, I'll leave you with a recent photo shoot of my kiddos. The pics look better bigger so be sure to click on them.

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

Cheers,
Jaci