Storyboards

Sarah C. Photography is introducing a new product.  (I'm still deciding whether or not that sentence was like speaking in third person.  If it is, I apologize.)  These gallery mounted storyboards are just too cute!  They can be hung on the wall or propped on an easel for display. 

They are customized for your specific needs.

 

Choose your own size, text, background color and even layout.

The beveled edge creates a finished look.

This storyboard is not too big, not too small.  It's just right at 10x20 inches.  (Whoah there Goldilocks!)

I didn't mean for this post to turn in to an advertisement, but I'm just so excited about this product!  I have two sessions scheduled for the coming weekend and another one two weeks after that.  Call or email if you are interested.  Oh yeah, I just ordered a new lens too!  I've been scoping it out for weeks and finally took the plunge with the Canon 50 mm 1.4.  I think it's the best bang for my few bucks right now.  Can't wait to try it out.

Sumpin Ain't Right

I'm not sure what's going on with me these days, but I am all out of sorts.  Today I woke up from my weekly Sunday nap to fold the clothes in the dryer only to realize I never even turned it on.  Just hours later I tried Pioneer Woman's apricot bar recipe, and it was a complete flop.  The flavors were fine, but the texture was all wrong.  Usually things like this are at least salvageable, but I had to scrape the whole pan into the trash.  

These mishaps may seem insignificant, but yesterday I made a much more significant mistake.  I totally forgot to pick up my race materials for the Knoxville 5K.  This was after receiving two email reminders, copying and handing out reminders to all my players, and even putting it on my to do list.  (Note to self: To do lists are no good if you don't look at them all day.)  I had absolutely no excuse for forgetting.  

Hoping the race organizers were a forgiving bunch of people, I arrived at the Convention Center at 6 AM this morning to see if I could pick up my stuff this morning, but apparently they are pretty serious about their Pre-Race Day Pickup.  There was nothing they could do.  

It was pretty embarrassing telling all my players and their parents about my idiot mistake, but I ran the race anyway and just cut out before the finish line.  Nobody ever noticed that I wasn't wearing a number.    

Aren't they a lovely bunch?  Go Powell Tennis!

Here's to a new week and a fresh start.  Monday, bring it on.

Black Bean Burger

Andrew and I are still trying to figure out the healthy living lifestyle.  Our exercise routine has fallen by the wayside as of late, but we're doing much better with our eating.  My favorite lunch these days is brown rice - it's filling without too many calories.  I make a big batch Sunday night, and it lasts all week.  I'm almost afraid to even say it, but Andrew realized the other day that neither one of us has been sick in months.  We went through the fall and winter without so much as a cold.  I'm guessing it must be because of all the fruit we've been eating.  An apple a day really must keep the doctor away!  Well, that and the fruit on the bran flakes and the fruit after dinner.  It usually works to keep the dessert cravings away, but I have to admit Andrew is on his way to Bruster's right now!  And that is precisely why I can't do diets.  Sometimes I just need my Bruster's fix.

It looks like a beef burger, but the nutrition facts prove otherwise.

Here is a recipe I tried tonight for a black bean burger.  I tried one for the first time at Oodles in Market Square and knew I had to find a recipe to make it myself.  Most of the ingredients are probably in your pantry, and the prep for it is really fast.  I threw some zucchini in the oven and roasted it to round out the meal.  This totally makes up for the Bruster's right?  I'm afraid I won't be checking the nutrition facts on that.

What do you mean, "No Straws."

I knew I was headed into the country when I passed Butcher Road.  The mines lining the highway were my next clue.  But I really knew I was in Union County when I pulled up to the window at McDonald's only to be greeted with, get ready, it deserves a line of its own...

We ain't got no straws.  We done (or is that dun?) run out. 

Though I wanted to respond with "What do you mean you ain't got no straws?  You've got to be kidding!", I politely held my laughter and hightailed it back to Knox County as fast as the ol' Camry would take me.  First stop: Smoothie King.  Ah civilization.  

Too bad I wasn't driving Big Blue today.  I would have fit right in.  

I Lied

If I talked to you at church today and said I was ready to go back to school, I am confessing here and now that it was a lie - a big, fat, ugly one.  For some reason I often think that if I pretend to feel one way, eventually it will be true.  Well, this one just didn't work.  I have tried to tell myself all day that I'm ready for my normal routine, ready to see my students, and ready to plan my next unit.  And it ain't true.  Not one bit.

I want to leave the alarm off, keep working on my photography business, and lay on the couch with the windows open, blanket in hand in the middle of the day.  Please, just one more week!  

Sometimes I am annoyed when people act like being a teacher is the best job ever because of the breaks.  Moments like these remind me why they think that.  I can't imagine having a job without scheduled breaks throughout the year.  I just wouldn't survive!

Tomorrow's to-do list realistically needs about three days to complete, but it all needs to be accomplished tomorrow.  So, I'm gonna hit the sack and catch up on Brothers & Sisters later this week.  

P.S. The Bradford Pear trees in bloom make for a beautiful sight but a nauseating run.  How can something so beautiful create such an awful smell?  Ugh.

Successful Weekend

Thanks to my incredibly supportive network of friends and family, this weekend's rummage sale was a runaway success.  My secret goal was so high that I was afraid to even utter it - $1000.  Well, God showed up and reminded me that he is much bigger than the box I often try to fit him in.  After about six hours of wheeling and dealing, the final count was just over $1300.  We are still a bit short of what we will need to buy a car, but what a way to start the fundraising!  

It turned out to be a beautiful day but only after a couple hours of freezing temps!

Papaw Johnny found his bonnet just in time for Easter!

Lucy Kate provided entertainment for hours...

...though we weren't short on entertainment from the customers.

Anybody want to guess what was on Mom's mind?

Friday night I hung out with the Blair's at the Powell Park for some family pictures.  Of course I enjoy taking the pictures, but even more I'm realizing I love spending time with new people.  Such a beautiful family.

Click here for more.

It Illegal. Follow Me.

Would you believe that the New York City subway system was harder to navigate than the Paris metro system that is in another language?  It's true.  The directions might say to take the L train to Union Square, but as we waited for it to arrive, the R, Q, and W train pull up and everybody got on those.  It took us a while to realize that many trains make the same stops.  Once we realized that, we decided to hop on a different train assuming it would stop where we were going.  That worked almost every time.  On the last day, though, we had to force the automatic doors open to get off the train when we figured out that it wasn't the right one.  We barely made it.  

To get the full effect, imagine screeching metal-on-metal sounds and a stinch so bad that you have to throw away your half-full $4 cafe au lait.

One of our last subway rides was redirected because of a "customer injury and police investigation."  The man sitting next to me said 16 people had jumped in front of a train in the last month.  I would imagine the economy might have something to do with this, but I think the city's main threat is anonymity.  A subway car full of fifty people is totally silent because nobody knows anybody else, and they don't care enough to make small talk.  Don't get me wrong - every local we encountered was nothing but kind and helpful, but everyone riding the subway and walking down the street appeared to be isolated and alone. 

As if we hadn't walked enough, our next stop was to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  All I could remember was the mass of people who walked, well many ran across this bridge to get out of Manhattan on September 11th.  

Our feet didn't even make it halfway across the bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge sure does give a nice backdrop for a picture!

I don't have any pictures of our adventures in China Town because we were on a mission.  Apparently the city has cracked down on the black market since we were there last, and things have changed quite a bit.  They still sell purses on the street, but the best quality ones are hidden, and the vendors have to take you to them.  When we stepped onto the street from the subway station, we were immediately accosted by numerous Chinese women showing pictures of purses and saying "Gucci, Prada, Coach" repeatedly.  One offered to take us to see them, and as I was following her Mom said, "Now, my book said sometimes they will take you to dark alleys that you shouldn't go down."  WHAT?!?!?  I politely told the woman "No thanks" and hightailed it in the other direction.  It's definitely not worth that.

Well, maybe.  All three of us discussed it and decided we would go for it!  We were all together, so nothing too bad could happen, right?  I approached a different lady this time, and I couldn't understand anything she was saying.  Finally, she looked at me and said, "It illegal.  Follow me."  And we did exactly that!  She led us through a trap door into a tiny room full of handbags.  I found one for my sister-in-law Melissa, but nothing else there interested me.  All of that mess and I ended up just buying one out in the open right on the street.  They package your purchases in big black garbage bags, and I became quite nervous as I walked by the NYPD with my not too subtle bags!  They must not care too much.

We stumbled upon the St. Patrick's Day Parade on 5th avenue.  The bagpipes were awesome.

While Rachel headed to the UN Building, Mom and I went to the public library.  This beautiful building covers an entire block.

Can you imagine coming here to check out books?  I would never leave.

This reading room gives the Powell library just a little competition.

The sun finally came out Tuesday so Mom and I enjoyed our last bites from Le Pain in Bryant Park.

Four days in this city is the perfect vacation.  Just enough time to see what you want to see without getting too overwhelmed by city life.  I don't think my feet could have taken one more day.  And is it just me or did Powell look about five shades brighter when we returned?  

Star Sighting!

After yet another yogurt parfait from Europa Cafe, we headed to the green market at Union Square.  Mom's NYC book reported that it was a must-see, but I think our very own Market Square farmer's market could have given Union Square some stiff competition.  Maybe it was too early or just too cold, but we were less than impressed.  Hugh Jackman, on the other hand, strolled through the market with his children sometime later that day according to the New York Post.  We just missed him!  

I couldn't get on the subway fast enough to venture into SoHo.  I had never been to this area of the city on my previous trips, so I couldn't wait to see it.  We were immediately drawn into Sabon (an upscale bath and body product store) because of the free samples being given out on the doorstep.  That was the best decision this company ever made.  They made quite a return on that free sliver of soap!  Rachel and Mom bought some soaps and gifts, and I bought vanilla body oil.  I don't often wear perfume because it is just so strong, but this oil is a light and airy scent.  

Little Italy is just a hop, skip, and a jump from SoHo.  Who could pass up Lombardi's Pizza, which claims to be New York's first pizzaria?

Anticipating that first bite.  How would it compare to Big Ed's?

Mom has broken free of her Coke addiction...errrr Coca Cola additction...but pizza and iced tea just won't do.  This meal demanded the Real Thing.

Check out that fresh basil and mozzarella.  

Wanting to look like a real New Yorker, I went for the folded method while Mom and Rachel daintily cut each bite with a knife and a fork.  I'm not willing to say it was better than Big Ed's, but I guess it was equally as good.  Really they are just two completely different kind of pizzas.  Definitely a must-try if you are ever in the city.

I won't go into detail about the shopping that ensued, but I will tell you which stores brought the most success: Anthropologie, H&M and Esprit.  No surprises there.  I finally took the plunge and bought a pair of the perfect jeans!  Way too expensive, but I'm still glad I did it.  I was worried about buyer's remorse once I got home, but apparently it's not as hard as I thought to spend that kind of money on jeans! 

We stopped in Vosges Chocolate to give our feet a much needed break.  

I had never heard of this place before, but when I looked through the window and saw two ladies drinking these, I knew we couldn't pass it up.  

We never made it to Serendipity, but I can't imagine it being better than this!  It even reminded me of Angelina's in Paris, just a bit thinner.  Definitely the best quality dark chocolate though!

After our shopping budgets were tapped out, we went to Balthazar for dinner.  Mom had told us this would be the best place to see a celebrity, and she was exactly right.  Within five minutes of us sitting down, Rachel spotted somebody she recognized in the table directly behind mom and me.  Mom inconspicuously turned around to check her out but couldn't place her.  I tried looking in the mirror across from me, but a bar was covering her eyes.  Finally as the unknown celebrity was standing to leave I looked around and it was none other than Maura Tierney - aka Abby from E.R., the show I have watched for like ten years!  I really wanted to run up to her and ask her where Luca was, but I kept my sanity and let her be.  

The food at Balthazar was absolutely beyond delicious.  Mom had steak au poivre with pommes frites (peppered steak with french fries), Rachel had homemade fettucini with wild mushrooms, and I had spinach and ricotta ravioli.  After such a rich meal, we decided to split dessert.  Are you kidding?  No we did not.  We each ordered one and split them in thirds.  This is very likely one of the best decisions we made on the trip.  Our dessert plate included caramelized banana ricotta tart, pineapple upsidedown cake, and plum blackberry tarte.  I now understand why Martha Stewart and Ina Garten rave about this restaurant.

Mom didn't waste her time on the spinach!

I'm typically not a big mushroom fan, but even I loved this dish.

The best part was the crunch parmesan and bread crumb topping.

Thank goodness this city requires so much walking.  We were able to enjoy all this food guilt free!  Stay tuned for the update on day four.  I'll tease you with the title: "It Illegal.  Follow Me."

New York City Day 2

Yesterday morning started off with a bang at Europa Cafe. The yogurt parfait was all we could have hoped for, and don't even get me started on all those pastries! What on earth do I have to do to get this stuff in Powell? I shouldn't have to travel across the country or even across the world to get pastries like this. Can I get an amen?

We then hopped on the subway to get to the museums. We dropped Mom off at the American Museum of Natural History, and Rachel and I headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Thinking it was just a simple stroll through Central Park was a mistake.  Somehow we ended up walking on a little two lane road that went below the park.  After being in a bustling city like this for a few days, being on a road by yourself makes one pretty nervous.  I kept a brave face and we did end up winding back around to the museum.  We tried to keep Mom from making the same mistake, but apparently the sidewalks through Central Park are quite circuitous and didn't lead her directly to the museum.  She kept her cool by stopping at a bench and snacking on her Dean and Deluca cashews though!

Can you see the excitement?  All this for some displays of amoebas and gorillas.  She is definitely her father's daughter!

The construction on the Met completely ruins the photo.  It really is a beautiful building.  I enjoyed looking at the architecture almost as much as the art on display.

Travel Tip: (You long-time readers should remember those.)  Find someone with a professional looking camera to take your picture.  A much better outcome than the Phantom pic, huh?

The Temple Room in the Met.  I have no idea what it was about, but it was beautiful.

We had lunch at Le Pain on Madison Avenue.  Check out my six vegetable quiche.  Papaw, I'm following your instructions and trying new things!  I haven't been disappointed yet.

Strolling down Madison Avenue was quite an experience.  We didn't enter a single store.  Most of them were closed because it was Sunday, but I don't think we would have entered anyway.  Here is a short list of what we saw: Georgio Armani, Valentino, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Christian Leboutin.  Not exactly bargain shopping folks!  We were hoping for success at Bloomingdale's but it too was pretty high-end.  I didn't see anything reasonably priced, but it was fun to look around and get some ideas.  We tried to go to Serendipity for their famous frozen hot chocolate (an oxymoron, I know), but we couldn't do the hour wait.  Hopefully another day.

We then took the E train downtown to Ground Zero.  It is crazy that it all happened over seven years ago, and it still looks like this.  

It seems like a massive hole in the center of these skyscrapers.

The best view is from the surrounding buildings.

The black building is being torn down floor-by-floor from the damage of September 11.

I'm sure the people in charge are doing things as they should, but I kind of wish it was more of a serene setting.  If I hadn't known where we were headed, this would have looked like any other area of the city with construction going on.  Such a significant day in our country's history deserves to be memorialized with more respect.

The Century 21 department store is a block away from Ground Zero.  Now this was some real bargain shopping.  Well, New York style bargains.  $400 dollar clothes for $100.  The dressing rooms were a bit disconcerting, but otherwise it was a fun experience.  I left with a cute black dress for a reasonable $50.  So far, that is the only article of clothing I have purchased.  

Who would have thought we would have dinner at a Bar-B-Q restaurant in Manhattan, but the reviews were great, so we tried Virgil's Bar-B-Q.  I've only had ribs one time in my life, so I thought I would go for the authentic experience.  I made it through two of them before the thought of the bone ruined the rest of them for me.  It was good, but I'll go for the pulled pork next time!

Our hotel came with a $20 room credit.  Being the economical gals we are, we wouldn't want to let that go to waste now would we?  We ordered an apple tart, complete with vanilla ice cream and apple sorbet, and churros with liquid chocolate!  They did not disappoint.  The whole not eating after 8:00 PM is definitely out the window in this city!  

I better get off here and get ready for some serious shopping in SoHo!  I hope to report success tomorrow!

A Three Hour Tour

So we may have underestimated the timed needed to check-in at the McGhee Tyson Airport. We arrived at 5:30 AM for our 6:30 flight and barely made it. The irate customer, nonfunctioning kiosk and failing printer had about 15 people still in line at the check-in desk when it was time for take-off. We raced through security, (taking off shoes, coats, scarfs, and unloading laptops and liquids) and Mom nervously watched as the security guard looked through her bag for the suspicious object. I thought, oh no she has brought her scizzors or something, but the security guard pulled out...are you ready for it?...a pack of Snickers. Yes, we almost missed our flight because of a candy bar.

When we finally made it on the plane, we hurriedly opened the cards MamaEse specifically told us to open only when we were on the plane.  While I'm always a rules-follower, I'm surprised Mom waited.  She can't even wait for Christmas to give me my Christmas presents.  I usually get most of my presents the day after she buys them!  Thanks for the extra spending money MamaEse!  I hope to spend it in SoHo tomorrow!

Upon arrival in Newark, we caught an overpriced cab to the city and were serenaded by Lionel Richie tunes all the way into town.   Mom was quite nostalgic because her wedding was made up almost entirely of Richie's love ballads - classy right?  Anyway, the cabbie drove us to the door of the hotel so we could drop off our too-heavy bags. 

 

We grabbed lunch at a little dive on the way to the boat cruise.

Somebody get this girl a haircut!  (The one on the left, of course.)

I can't tell you how much I love that Mom is the official planner of this trip.  I just hang back and go where she tells me.

We took a three hour tour of the island on a very non-Gilligan's Island looking boat.

It was pretty cold outside so I was lazy and took the pic of the Empire State's Building from inside.  If you look closely, you can see the reflection of my head.  Real cute.

I got brave and headed to the bow of the boat for a shot of Ellis Island and...

Lady Liberty.

It was really hazy, so I hope Photoshop can add some color to this picture of the skyline.

And here's the Brooklyn Bridge.  We're going to walk across it before we leave.

This one is for Andrew who only made me feel a little guilty on the way to the airport when he asked if this was my fourth time going to NYC - and he has never been.  Don't let him fool you though, he chose not to go on this trip.  He was totally invited.

I think we're all glad we took the three-hour tour because we saw so many things at once, but all I learned on the last hour is that there are parts of Manhattan that I never care to see again.  I would definitely recommend the two hour tour; it just didn't work with our schedule.

Aren't the colors of Times Square incredible?  Love it.

We went to dinner at Joe's on Broadway.  It was overpriced, average food.  They totally tried to dupe us with the internet coupon we had.  They ask when you walk in if you have the 20% off voucher, and then they give you a more expensive limited version of the regular menu!  Can you believe they thought we would fall for that.  We ordered off the cheaper, bigger menu while the manager waited on us - I think in fear that we were going to be angry about their scam.

We went to Dean and Deluca for dessert and split a key lime pie, a raspberry brownie, and a blueberry crumble.  Best decision of the day!

I have got to remember to set it on auto when other people use my camera.  This is the only pic I have of us all dressed up for Phantom of the Opera.

I'm a little embarrassed to report that I fell asleep during Phantom.  Just remember that I got up at 4 AM, flew to New York, walked all over town, and I go to bed at 9 anyway.  After a little catnap during the half of the play, though, I was good to go.  It really was an incredible performance, but I have never been much of a play/musical kind of person.  I find it hard to get emotionally involved in live performances for some reason.  

It appeared that most people's night was just beginning as ours was ending.  Come on New York, what about Sunday morning church?  I hate to be missing Powell Church this morning - they have a great lineup today, and I'm sure a challenging sermon as well.  Thanks to our tech crew, I can watch it when I return!

Well, it is now daylight, and I'm ready for another fun-filled day in the city.  My updates will likely be in the morning because with this group, I'm the first to crash at night and the first to rise in the morning.  First stop:  Europa Cafe for a yogurt parfait and a latte!

New York City Itinerary

Here is our itinerary for the trip to New York City.

Saturday:

• Circle Line Tour (3 hour boat cruise around the island)
• Macy's
• Phantom of the Opera

Sunday:

• American Museum of Natural History (We'll drop Mom off here while Rachel and I head to...)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Ground Zero
• Century 21

Monday:

• Union Square
• Lombardi's Pizza
• Shopping in SoHo
• Dinner at Balthazar

Tuesday:

• Chelsea
• Chinatown
• Little Italy
• Brooklyn Bridge

We're staying at The Royalton Hotel in the theater district, just a few blocks from where we'll go to see Phantom. You'll notice that this itinerary is a bit less detailed than the Paris trip from last summer. I'm only a little bit nervous about not having every subway stop and meal planned out! I am, however, looking forward to wandering into coffee shops and boutiques as we see fit. I'm bringing the new macBook with me to blog every night so check back in for updates!

One Student at a Time

Last weekend I was cleaning out closets and drawers to find some things for the rummage sale we're having on March 21st.  I found a few things that I don't wear anymore, but I thought instead of using them for the rummage sale I would give them to one of my students.  Her home life has been pretty rough lately, and I noticed she often wears really baggy, inconspicuous clothes - almost as if she is trying to be invisible.  She is such a sweet student so it's frustrating to see her going through this crap that she doesn't deserve.

So Monday morning I took her a Vera Bradley bag (thanks Mom!) full of clothes, jewelry and makeup.  One of the coaches at the school has brought her a backpack full of clothes before, so when she came in I just said, " Hey, there's a bag for you over there."  I think she just assumes it too is from him.  Well, yesterday she walked in carrying the Vera Bradley bag and wearing a shirt, necklace and pair of earrings from the bag.  I had to go sit behind my computer to try to keep my composure; I just wanted to cry.  Today she was wearing a different shirt and pair of earrings from the bag.  While many moments of teaching are difficult and frustrating, moments like these remind me how much I love my job.  One student at a time.

Poor Puppy

Poor Milly has to suffer through so much because of her skin issues: shots, pills, sprays, even some really cute sweaters.  The worst for her, though, is the bath.  

How pitiful is this?

Being the sweet dog she is, she doesn't fight it, but she definitely gives us the cold shoulder.  It is pure torture to watch her suffer through it.