Food, Family and Fourty

My husband's family arrived this past weekend for a surprise birthday visit. In the process of figuring out what to prepare for a fun dinner at home for 8 people ranging in age from 4 to 73, I realized how important the right selection for your menu is. Long story short I settled on a FABULOUS clam recipe from Tom Colicchio, Think Like A Chef, Clams with pancetta, roasted tomatoes and greens. I also splurged on Blue Point Oysters on the half shell to eat in the kitchen (where everyone gathers anyway). Good Wine, rustic bread and great help from my brother-in-law. 

We began eating and I sat back, took a good sip of my favorite South African wine, Chocolate Block, and watched the interaction. There was fun stories, bantering, impromptu dances performed and bedtime curfews completely BLOWN! The food was such a wonderful facilitator to this evening. I loved it, and the food, and my family.

The weekend was then topped off with a surprise 40th bowling party. I can't express how much good friends mean to me. Thank you to all that helped pull it off!

Giveaway!!!

If you are a fan of my work or just love to win free stuff and feel like today is your lucky day you need to check out http://shabbylife-shabbylife.blogspot.com/2011/07/interview-with-clementseye-photography.html

The giveaway of a 8 x10 or 8 x 12 artist signed photograph is the culmination of about a month's worth of interviews and reviews of my work on the Shabby Life Blog. It's been a fantastic experience. It's amazing how all it takes is someone asking you, "Why do you love to do this?" to really give you a kick in the pants in the creativity department. So check out her very clever and informative blog and if you feel like checking out which image to pick go to Clementseye.etsy.com


The basics are go to http://shabbylife-shabbylife.blogspot.com/2011/07/interview-with-clementseye-photography.html and leave a comment. EXTRA CREDIT for leaving me a comment here or on etsy AND even more if you follow me on twitter.

Good LUCK!!!

AND a very special thank you to Lauralee for the opportunity!!! It was really delightful!

a view from heaven

available at clementseye.etsy.com

PhotoSWAP - My contribution

You may remember a posting a few days about about my participation in a film project called PhotoSWAP 2011. I included Inessa's images (my partner) well I just got to see MY pictures. These were taken on vacation in Sanibel Island with my family. Shot on a 30 year old Canon AE-1 Program on FP400 B&W with a 50mm 5.6 lens with a red filter to bump up the contrast. As a whole I'm pleased with the outcome, although I realized how badly my camera needs a good cleaning. Please post a comment and let me know what you think of them.

View my contribution to PhotoSWAP 2011

PhotoSWAP

I've been involved with a really fun project called "PhotoSWAP 2011" (http://itsaphotoswap.blogspot.com/) The basic idea is you get paired up with another photographer somewhere in the world, take a roll of film (YES FILM!) either a roll or a disposable camera and send it to that partner UNDEVELOPED. They then take said film and get it developed and post it on their blog or flickr for all the world to see and be amazed. I've been paired with Inessa in California. I've sent Inessa my film and she sent me hers. Here is a link to her work as well as the photoSWAP blog to see other projects if you are so intrigued. 


Inessa's PhotoSWAP images

Inessa's Blog - Melancholy Waters

PhotoSWAP Blog 








I have been shooting film since I was 10 years old. I was given a Canon AE-1 Program for my first trip to England and Scotland. I've been hooked every since. I bought my first digital camera about 8 years ago and it's so quick and easy that the film sort of fell by the wayside. This project brought it back around for me. I can't wait to see my images. I'll be sure to post when they are up. Inessa is currently traveling in Europe so it may be a little while. In the meantime, take a look at some of the other work. It is all quite inspiring! Thanks for the kick in the pants to get back to my first love... black and white film.

Happy Birthday

Today is my husband's birthday and let's just say it's a MONUMENTAL one. So I hope his day is full of surprises and adventures.

Aging is kind of weird. The wisdom gained in my opinion is priceless and yet it would be great to be able to gain the wisdom a bit more quickly! Enjoy being WISE beyond your years.

Let this be a lesson to all of you that have played in the PHOTOBOOTH...

Games Games and More Games

This summer has marked the official beginning of game time. After learning how to play Monopoly and Gin at the beach, my daughter is hooked. It reminded me of how much fun board games are and how easy they can become the center piece of quality family time. Here are a few of our favorites that can be enjoyed by all ages... WAR (the card game, can be played by as few as two up to as many as needed as long as you have multiple decks of cards), Monopoly (time consuming BUT the new boards come with a SPEED dice!), Backgammon (huge bragging rights in our family), Gin Rummy (perfect for TOURNAMENT play), Scrabble and of course Clue.

Gin Anyone?!

Etsy Treasure Hunters

There is a really fun blog that posts treasuries from etsy that they find particularly interesting and always cool. They selected one of mine this week. Thought I'd give a shout-out and say thanks.

etsytreasurehunters.com