Bigger pictures part 2...and two turkeys.

Okay, for those who are "scared" of html code in any way, shape or form, here is another easy way to get big pictures on your blog. When you are in your photobucket account, after you upload your picture, when you drag your mouse over the top of it you will see this:

Instead of copying and pasting the html code, just copy the "direct link" info instead. Then, go to your normal blog post and click just as if you were going to post a regular picture. Instead of clicking on "browse" to find your picture on your computer, just paste the "direct link" info into the URL slot on the right side. Click upload. Walah! Make sense? You can do it!


AND, because every post is a lot more fun with a picture, here are my two little turkeys! We made these hats yesterday. (they insisted we make them "girl turkeys")

Gobble and Gobble.

She makes me laugh

*I love how every morning she snuggles up next to me and asks me if I'll make her, "brekbust." I don't know why but it makes me laugh.

* She makes me laugh everytime she calls syrup, "Surbutt." (I just can't bring myself to correct her yet.)

* When I'm upset at her for something, she breaks out into song because she knows it makes me laugh. Today, through her tears, she serenaded me with the days of the week. "There's Sunday and there's Monday...."

* After gymnastics she informs me her leotard gives her, "a wedgie." It makes me laugh.

* Sometimes when we are outside and it's windy, she has to hold onto her ponytail because she's afraid it will blow away. This one always makes me laugh.

* I don't usually buy "orange chips" (aka. Doritos) but when I do it is a real treat and Samantha has to carry them all around the store. I can't put them in the cart. As soon as I have paid for them, she has to carry them out to the car. This makes the check out lady laugh.

* When I ask her who she is going to marry when she grows up, she says, "Daddy." It makes me laugh....and I think it's pretty sweet.

Thanks for making me laugh Sam Bam.

BIG pictures and blog templates

Getting bigger pictures on your blog is really quite simple. I promise it's not as complicated as it looks. The first thing you need to do is pick an image hosting site. There are quite a few of these out there but the two I see the most are Flickr and Photobucket. I use Photobucket so these instructions are for that. All you need to do is create an account (it's free) and you are ready to go. There is more than one way to do this but this way is quick and easy and less intimidating than some of the other ways. Here we go:

Upload the photo you want to use by simply clicking on the button that looks like this:



After your image has uploaded, click on the button that looks like this:

Find your picture then put your mouse over the top of it. A picture like this will show up underneath it:

Put your mouse over the html portion of the code and copy it (command C) and then go to your blog post and click on the "edit html" tab. It looks like this:

Once you are in your html tab just paste the code from Photobucket (command V). Then go back to the "Compose" tab and WAHLAH! Bigger pic's. Easy peasy.

Now if your picture isn't centering the way you'd like you may need to go back to your html code and type the word "center" in between these little arrows < > before and after the paragraph of picture code. This will center your photo. If it centers your text as well, all you need to do is highlight your text and click the left paragraph button on your toolbar. It is this one:

Then, you'll have BIG centered pictures and normal text.

Okay, onto blog templates. My blog template is called Photoblog II and I got it from a site called:

http://www.ourblogtemplates.com/

There are a lot of 3rd party blog templates out there and you just need to sift through them and find the one that fits your style. I found with my other blog layout that I rarely used my sidebars. This new template doesn't allow for sidebars but sure makes a great layout for showcasing photos. It just depends on what you like. My template has a lot of features that I'm not using yet. Someday I hope to make the time to play around with it a bit more but for now, I love how I can make my pictures stand out. If I don't want bigger pictures, I can still use the traditional blogger photo upload. When you look through the different blog templates you will see a "download" button. When you find the one you want, just download it and save it to your computer. Then go back to your blog and click on the "Layout" tab. Here you will see the option to "edit html". Click on Edit HTML. It looks like this:

After you click on edit html, you will see this:

Click the Browse button and find where you saved the 3rd party template and then double click it. Click upload. Your new template should upload within a few second. You can click preview to see if it's what you want before you save it. If you like it, click save.

There ya have it!

I hope this is helpful. Good Luck and feel free to email me if you have questions.

Photography info

I have had a few of you ask what type of camera I use and also, what I thought about the photo class I took a few months ago. Here are my thoughts:

First, I shoot with the Canon Rebel xsi. It has been a WONDERFUL camera to learn the basics with. If you are just starting out and are wanting to get your first SLR, this is a great one to get your feet wet. Canon has come out with a similar upgraded version of this called the Canon Rebel T1i. This one has video capabilities whereas mine doesn't. You can compare the two on Canon's website. If you are ready to make the switch to an SLR camera, I would recommend that you learn how to shoot in Manual Mode. Learning about aperture, ISO, and shutter speed will make such a difference in the overall quality and look of your photos. So often people make the investment in a great camera and then stick the setting on AUTO and never fully understand the capabilities that their camera has. So, if you get a sweet camera, learn how to use it. :) Nikon is also a trusted camera brand and they put out great products as well.

Now, my class. I took a photo class from the lovely Brooke Snow. I took her basics class. I had been reading online and in books about how to use my camera to its greatest potential. I wanted to sit across from a pro and ask questions and see if what I was doing was correct. This experience allowed me to do that. She goes over step by step about the different modes on your camera and how they all work together to create great pictures. She also teaches about composition and how to use natural light. If you don't know anything about shooting in Manual Mode, I would highly recommend this "basics" class. Brooke is a fantastic teacher.

That being said, if you understand these different modes I would recommend holding off on her basics class and perhaps sign up for her advanced class. If I had to do it all over again, I think I would have gotten more bang for my buck had I taken her advanced class. If you're not ready to take a class (or can't afford it), but would still like to learn a few basic tips and tricks, I would recommend buying the book, "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson. I have this book and noticed that a lot of what Brooke went over in this basics class is in this book. There are different exercises to help give you more experience shooting things that perhaps you wouldn't think to shoot on your own and I love how the author tells you exactly what lens he used and what settings he used to achieve the different looks in his photos.

Editing: My editing program is Photoshop CS3. I like to digital scrapbook and Photoshop is a great program to work in. A great, less expensive editing program is Photoshop Elements.
I have never used Photoshop Elements but I have many friends who do and really like it. A website that I love and have learned A TON of editing tricks on is iheartfaces.blogspot.com. Check it out. You'll love it (and learn a lot!).

If you have opinions and insight on different SLR cameras feel free to share. Tell us what you have (or what you wish you had) and why you like it.

I hope this helps some of you that are making your Christmas lists!

(ps. Many are asking about different blog layouts and how to make your pictures bigger on your own blog. I will post about that soon.)

Innocence

I was staring at this picture today and wanted to share a few thoughts. This little girl recently had a birthday and she was so excited and as happy as can be over every little detail of the day. It was so fun for me to watch her as the day’s events unfolded. When all was said and done and I was tucking her into bed that night she put her arms around me and said, “Mom, today was such a happy day.” That made me smile.

Made me think about life’s simple pleasures.

I love her expression in this picture. She has wanted this Dorothy Barbie for months and months. If you push a little button on the doll's back, Judy Garland’s voice will sing, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Hallie pushed the button over and over and over and I don’t think her expression ever changed. She was mesmerized. It was fun to watch. But more than just being cute and fun, as I stared at this picture today, it made me think of the innocence of these little children. I was reminded of the admonition to, “becometh as a child.”

This past week as I read the news I read so many disturbing things. So many killings, so much immorality...so much heartache. I read about a young man who got fired from his job for simply stating that homosexuality is, “bad stuff.” I obviously don't know this man but I was sure proud of him for saying what he said. It wasn't a finger pointing response at all, he simply stated that the action was wrong and that he wasn't going to acknowledge it as an acceptable practice. In a world where good is laughed at and punished, and bad is recognized as good, it's no wonder there is so much confusion around us. I'm grateful for the Family Proclamation and for my knowledge of the great plan. I am thankful for my little family and for our simple life. I know that someday, all too soon, my girls will be reading the headlines and have heavy hearts concerning all the suffering in the world.

I'm thankful they are young.

And innocent.

And for now....I'll let them think that life is as simple as ruby slippers and songs about rainbows.

Smithfield Mayor

Thanks so much to everyone who supported my parents in their campaign! You can view the results here.

Somewhere over the Rainbow...

...this little one LOVED Halloween.