alison bickel photography

It’s been awhile since I did a ’3 things Thursday’ post so here goes…

1.  Baked Bree

This is a cooking blog written by Bree Hester of Southern California.  It is by far one of my favorite blogs for two reasons:  1.  it’s all about cooking and recipes (both of which I LOVE) and 2.  She is a photographer as well and takes gorgeous pictures of the cooking process and finished product.  She is on vacation this week and posting some of her recycled recipes.  Today’s recipe, the Market salad, has been a staple around here this summer.  The dressing is yummy and it is perfect for this time of year with all the good produce we get at the farmer’s market.  I have added some toasted almonds to top it off…soooo good!  The boys have also really enjoyed her Berry popsicle recipe.  After reading it I made my first trip to Sur la Table, it definitely will not be my last.  If you like to cook or bake at all it is paradise!

2.  Gretna Fitness Bootcamp

So after many years of running I decided after my spring marathon to shake things up a bit.  I’ve been doing classes at the gym and recently decided to do a bootcamp.  I am halfway through the month long session and have to say I am loving it.  I’ve never been quite so sore in my entire life, but it feels so good to do something new and find muscles I never knew I had.  ;)  Monica Huber is the trainer that runs it.  She is great and has an obvious passion for what she does.  It’s open to all fitness levels and Monica really helps you to focus on what you can do AND a little more.

Registration is open for her August and September camps…so worth checking out!

3.  the meadow

I have been a little slow getting around to posting my vacation pics.  Late last week I was finally able to get to them.

One evening on vacation, we were heading out to one of my favorite places in Rocky Mountain National Park (the area where we stayed).  There were some storm clouds rolling in so we were trying to move fast.  I had about 10 minutes to snap a few shots.  The meadow is a place I always love to go, but the yellow flowers in bloom were just icing on the cake.

**Just a reminder…fall is on it’s way.  If you are interested in booking a fall session, take a look at the calendar and shoot me an email at alison@alisonbickel.com

Enjoy your Thursday!

alison

Well, hard as I tried to pull up out of my winter ‘slump’ this cold, gray weather has sucked me right back down.  Blah.  I am trying everything I can think of to pull myself back up, but really nothing seems to be working.  I would love to be shooting, but it has been dark most days and everything is white…and gray…and dirty with sand and salt.  Yesterday we had a wonderful reprieve (if that’s what you call a 30 degree high) with clear skies and bright sunshine.  Henry and I bundled up and did our ritual walk around the block.  It felt so good to feel warm sun on my face.  I am so tired of being cold.

Okay, enough of the pity party.  I know I am not alone in this and for many folks it feels like the LONGEST WINTER on record.  I have a feeling we are all going to appreciate spring a little more this year…

Moving on to 3 things for Thursday that are worth mentioning.

1.  Just as I was looking out my back door this morning at the snowy fields and cloudy sky my Samuel brought me this little piece of sunshine.  ”It’s you and me Mom.”  Can I just tell you it is the wallpaper on my iPhone now and I smile everytime I see it.

He is drawing and writing up a storm these days.  I love it!  I have the boys artwork framed, matted and hanging all over in our house.  Makes it feel like home and they are always so proud to see something they’ve done hanging on the wall.

2.  Timeless Treasures–they are a shop out of San Francisco that specializes in vintage and antiques, but are especially known for their letters and sayings they will customize for you.  I love looking through their blog to see what others come up with–such creativity!

3.  The Olympics.  I know that the winter Olympics aren’t for everyone.  And I did just write a whole paragraph complaining about the snow, but it is so amazing to watch what these athletes accomplish.  It has been a highlight each evening around here to see what event we will be able to watch.

Have a good Thursday!

alison

Okay, so I took on this whole blog upgrade and layout in early January and I have to say, I just wasn’t really into it.  I knew it was something I NEEDED to do, but it just wasn’t something I WANTED to do.  It resulted in something I didn’t really like. So, now it’s February, and I am pulling myself up out of my winter slump and that means getting this blog shaped into something I am happy with.  I got to thinking about all the other blogs I look at as well as what is visually pleasing to me.  I always came back to the same thing…simple, highlights the pictures, black and white.  Which, funny enough, is exactly what my website is…simple, black and white.  Soooo I changed things up and what you see now is the final result.  Much better.

Moving on…it is 3 things Thursday!

1.  I LOVE the Dave Matthews Band.  I know they are probably old news, but in my book they never get old.  I have many of their songs and albums in heavy rotation on my iPod.  I’m not really into award shows, but last week on the Grammy’s I caught their performance of “You and Me” and loved it. I couldn’t get decent video of the performance, so here is the video of this lovely song. Enjoy!

2.  Talking Carl

This is about the funniest iPhone app I have seen.  I bought it this past week and my boys love it!  Talking Carl repeats everything you say to him in this funny, growling voice.  If you tickle him he laughs out loud.  Poke him in the eye and he yells.  Forget about him and he grumbles.  This is by far the most entertaining app I have on my phone for the kids.  Go to iTunes and check him out!

3.  This week I have been spending time going through old pictures, deleting files, making room etc.  I came across so many pictures I had forgotten about, especially of the boys.  Looking at the pictures I found myself wondering ‘where did the time go?’  This one of Henry particularly caught my eye.  He wasn’t quite a year old then and now he is 4.  It feels like it was so long ago…

I have a session to share for tomorrow with another little one that is growing way too fast.  He was so fun!  Stay tuned…

alison

So glad that it is finally Thursday!

1.  I didn’t watch Hope for Haiti, but this past week I was shopping around iTunes and came across this song and then found the video footage on YouTube.  As many of you know I have a total weakness for acoustic guitar…

2.  Over the past few months I have been collecting different quotes that catch my eye.  I have a folder in my email and it is now quite full.  So here is one that I saw last week on iheart quotes that seemed to fall in my lap at just the right time.

“never compare yourself to anyone;  you are only comparing your worst to their best.”

Perfect.

3. Finally, my favorite picture of the week.  Teaching Henry how to make the ‘fish face’…I think he’s got it down.  ;)

have a great weekend!

alison