Category Archives: Photography

Parenting, Philadelphia, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

Philadelphia Flower Show & Photo Tips

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Grab your cameras the Philadelphia Flower Show is coming March 4-11th!  Philadelphia is host to the largest  international Flower Show,  this years Theme is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha”.    This year is not to disappoint with a whole new layout making it easier to experience the Hawaii. Here are some photo tips to enjoy and take home the show.

Photo tips for the Flower show:

  • Bring your camera and avoid using your flash,  flash wash out the colors and tend to be harsh. If they come out dark try a different setting, play (take extra pictures) for a minute or 2 when you arrive.
  • Balance you elbow on your knee so you stay still and get the shot, if you need to use a long exposure it helps to steady the shot.
  • Always step in towards subject or the presentation,  avoid taking pictures from 2 far away,  they never come out the way you want, smaller compact cameras have a hard time with large spaces so  take one far away then take 10 steps closer and get the feeling of the space a more intimate shot.
  •  Shooting people avoid the full body shot, people tend to not like full length pictures and if taken to far away it just makes things worse.. step closer to your subject, head shots are great,  and let the color of the flowers blur out the background.
  • Be sure to get the kids smelling and experience the flowers they don’t have to be posed shots just moments of this once in lifetime experience.

Here is what you have to look forward to at the Philadelphia Flower Show,  because there is much to photograph, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society  has so much beauty in store for us this year.

Flowers meet Tech.:

  • Wave entrance (new this year)  is interactive with video stream ocean,  all around you. It is a completely new design mimic the waves, landscape of Hawaii
  • Largest water fall (new this year)  to date 25 feet surrounded by the tropics of flowers.
  • Wedding pavilion is also Hawaii themed,  they are bringing in a tons and tons of sand. Wednesday night  March 7th  will be a special time for brides and her parties to get a look and meet with some of the top floral wedding experts get ideas and learning for that special day.
  • Designer Showcase NEW where top floral designer complete to show who is the best (think project run way for flowers) and it goes on all day for the entire week.
  • Floral and Gardening Demonstrations: if you want your flowers to look top notch the learning at the  Philadelphia Flower Show demonstrations is a great way to start
  • Flower show app   new! allowing you to check in at various exhibits along the way, leaving notes for friends, maps of the show room floor, trivia and more.
  • Man Cave (New this yea) there will be a area design for men and all things manly: including tiger woods golf game, casino tables, sports.
  • Girls night out event:  Thurs March 8th Presented By Philadelphia style Magazine and the flower show.  With wine tasting, prizes, beauty and more.
  • Veggies Go Vertical display– where you can see tomatoes over head and 40ft wall of lettuce.  Plus through out the entire show there is lectures and demos on how to grow your own edible garden.
  • Special Guest  Bethany Frankel
  • Family Lounge with crafts, children’s activities and introducing the Lorax movie-  also on final  Sunday March 11 they will be having a garden demo so the family can get the gardening bud.

Special events for kids :

Sunday, March 4
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Kelly and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Lisa Nutter, wife of Mayor Michael Nutter
2 pm – 5 pm: Meet characters from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax”

Saturday, March 10
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Liz and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)

Sunday, March 11
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Sean and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
11 am: Girl Scouts presentation at The Gardener’s Studio
12 noon: Beekeeping demo led by Jim Bobb at The Gardener’s Studio
1 pm: Interactive lawn games demo at The Gardener’s Studio, led by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids’ Corner
3:45 – 5:15 pm: Sprout Snack! Join Sprout’s Kelly from The Sunny Side Up Show, The Pajanimals, and the Berenstain Bears for an interactive afternoon snack. Characters will join you at your table for one-on-one time, photos, and autographs. Please note: The Sprout Snack requires a special ticket; click here to order.

No special tickets required for family events (except for Sprout Snack), but take advantage of the special Family Fun Pak!

Tickets can be purchased prior on line or the day of the show

Adults are $27

Students are $20

Kids are $15

The Philadelphia Flower Show does offer a family pack too for $70 (2 kids and 2 adults)

If you have not been to the Philadelphia Flower Show Before this is the year to go.  Also I can recommend staying overnight in Philadelphia because there is so much to do. Visit Philly.com has so much to offer in deals and packages so be sure to check it out and stay overnight!

 

LIfe, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

Whitney Houston Word Wednesday {linky}

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Watching Whitney Houston videos from her funeral, Kevin Costner’s Eulogy was lovely and human. I am so saddened by her loss. Saturday afternoon February 12th, I turned on the radio in the car Whitney Houston song was on. I was thinking, there is someone that I hope rises for the ashes to returns again, because her voice is gods glorious gift to the world. She is truly one of the most beautiful voices that ever lived. Finding out later that day Whitney Houston had passed.

As I write this I am listening to all “I will always love you” crying.

Personally, This is my favorite verse ‘from “I will always love you” mainly because before I met my husband I would pray, using her words and it continues to be … This is my hope for my husband and children:
I hope life treats you kind,
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
And I wish to you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love

As for my memories of Whitney Houston, As young girl, singing in the chorus I loved her. I knew would I never have Whitney Houston talent but she touched me. I wanted to sing with the passion she had. When I hear to her songs I think she did not scream her high notes they are just pure beauty and strength. I will introduce my daughter and explain why she is one of the great singer that ever lived.  Her memory and voice will live on in me.

Sorry for Whitney Houston’s family’s loss and may she find peace.


Parenting, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

My Beautiful Boy Wordfull Wednesday with Linky

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Dear My Son,

It has been almost 11 years since you entered my world my beautiful boy.  Oh how you have changed my being with your questions, and pondering that will make the world a better place. You have the talent to see people for who they really are and who they can be, that is a gift you have been given be sure to share it.  I love that you are fearless, your ability to speak to people and be heard is amazing.  You will accomplish many things in your life, I cant wait to watch as you grow.   Your heart is pure and good you believe that being good is the only way,  may that always be your your goal.

I love you always my Blondie Blue, Happy Birthday



LIfe, Parenting, Photography

20 Ways to beat Winter Blues

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Beating the Winter Blues…  It has been a very odd last 2 weeks.  I am not sure if it is after holiday blues or just winter blues.  But I have been dragging unmotivated.  Now the Christmas season is over for me and I am back on “normal” schedule.  But I can’t seem to get moving.  We have not had snow yet so it just feels gloomy.   This is the 1st time I have experience winter lows so it is throwing me off.  So I came up with ways to avoid winter depression.

20 ways  beat avoid the winter blues or lows:

  1. Read a book- a summer trashy paperback with lots of smut
  2. Buy Flowers and thrown them away just before they turn then buy more (so cheap at the supermarket or produce stand)
  3. Call up a friend and go out for lunch.. don’t have the time.  Meet for a drink after work. Just get out of your house
  4. Buy pretty underwear and wear them
  5. Watch a movie during the middle of the day and not feel guilty
  6. Eat more oranges vitamin C will pick you up
  7. Take a walk
  8. Color your hair or have it colored , you might need a change
  9. Color with crayons in a coloring book- it works for kids
  10. Start a small project like a making a card and mail it to a friend- you might make their day
  11. Shower with lots of smelly body wash preferably tropical summer smell
  12. Clean your car (better yet have someone else do it at the car wash),  make your escape vehicle a place of serenity
  13. Join or start a group, book club, knitting club, cooking club you can probably go for several months and meets some new people.
  14. Go out and get a ice cream cone they don’t melt in winter
  15. Turn on music and dance and sing (it works on Grey Anatomy)
  16. Put on flip flops, and a big skirt with a sweater over the top to feel girl …who cares if you have winter sock underneath
  17. If you were thinking about it adopt a pet.. granted it is extreme but you are home and have the time to train an animal, they will make you smile.
  18. Take pictures of your kids in bright happy clothes ( kids can somehow brighten your day)
  19. Build a fire somehow embracing the winter with hot cocoa seems to help
  20. Plan events for the weekend so you have something to look forward too-zoo out in winter, art museum, or  indoor expo

Here is my attempt to fight of winter depression off .. Taken this morning on the way to school

umbrella girl

What are some ways you beat the January blues?