Bliss and Folly

#lovingthistoday

2012-02-12T14:02:00.003-05:00

follow me at Instagram
@papercoterie

I love being their IG photographer.
So proud to be associated with this awesome company.
xo

instant beach

2012-01-14T16:53:00.001-05:00

I stopped this morning at Bathtub Reef with my new Fuji 210 Instax. I am enjoying the whir of the motor and the gratification of holding a print in my hands.

Even the lovely color film couldn't compensate for the grey skies. A temperature of only 52 degrees and a layer of clouds added to the moodiness of the morning.

Have you considered the Fuji210? I love the wide- landscape format.

available at amazon.

Product Description

The Fujifilm Instax 210 Instant Photo Camera Kit offers vivid, high-quality prints almost instantly. The Instax 210 has a LCD control panel displaying focal distance and film count, a programmed electronic shutter (1/64-1/200 sec.), wide format and close-up (45cm lens) capabilities. Its rounded shape, easy to hold grip, fingertip controllable control panel, automatically adjusting flash, high resolution lens add up to unsurpassed performance. The kit comes with 5 packs of compatible Instax Instant film. The camera and film combine for professional grade pictures and superior performance. Includes strap & 4 AA batteries.

jammin'

2012-01-04T18:02:00.000-05:00

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Ingredients

2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
4 cups sugar
1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin
3/4 cup water

Directions

Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars or other storage containers.
Place tops on the containers, and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer, and store frozen until ready to use.

Today, I made my first batch of homemade strawberry freezer jam. We are having a cold week here in Florida and it was very relaxing to prepare this treat for my family as the sun shined on my face through the kitchen window.

I sliced.

I crushed with a potato masher.

I spooned the jam into Ball jars.

It is official... I have become my mother. :)

Left over strawberries were used to top a salad of fresh greens to go with a herb-crusted roast.

My word for 2012 is NURTURE. It is such a wonderful word.

I am finding that activities that nurture my family also nurture my soul and desire for creativity.

I embrace it with my whole heart. It's going to be a great year.

brave girls

2011-12-31T08:57:00.001-05:00

I loved this so much I wanted to share it here with one of my photos. I hope it speaks to you too. xo tam

Dear Phenomenal Girl,

This was a year that you made huge strides that you won't even recognize for awhile. You touched people's lives that you don't even know about. You were protected from situations that you never saw coming, and so you don't even know how big that protection was. You overcame things that you weren't expecting and you made it through days that sometimes you weren't sure you could make it through. You woke up almost every day and decided to make the most of that day....and you did. You saw beautiful things, met beautiful people, and shared your beauty too.

This year your story was continuing on....

This might be a chapter that you are thankful is over, and it might be one that made you laugh and that you will fondly remember. This year might be right in the middle of a chapter and the story of it has not played out yet.....your story goes on from here!

This year you grew. This year you learned. This year you had 12 whole months of brand new experiences that are a part of YOUR story. This year your story was rich with ups and downs and tragedy and triumph.

This year you made it through. Sounds like a pretty fantastic year to me.

You are so loved...now and forever.
xoxo
A message from your friends at the Brave Girls Club - www.bravegirlsclub.com

2011 - the highlights

2011-12-23T10:30:00.003-05:00

It is time to focus on the amazing events of 2011 that got buried under the drama and sadness.

I will wrap my heart around the memories as we move into 2012.

It is going to be an awesome year! It has already started to shine bright and we are ready!

New Year's Day spent savoring the quiet moments on Lake Okeechobee

Slice of Life Project with Darrah Parker focusing on what matters.

Our second litter of Border Collie pups. Awesome Zac. He stayed with us all year and filled our hearts with joy.

A trip to North Florida to visit with photo friend Marie Rush.

Finding my purpose... homeschooling Casey. Each day brought out the best in me.

Helping others find their potential.... It is what I love.

Picture Color with Tracey Clark - Day after Day of Color. Who could ask for more?

Winning the AirPrint Moments iphoneography photo contest with HP!

A fun project just for me... Learn to Draw in 30 Days. Loved it!

Lots of fun art projects including my first Sun Prints.

A wonderful visit to Savannah with Charlotte.

My first post as the newest Shutter Sister. I am still wondering "why me?" Pure awesomeness.

Watching my dear friend fulfill her dream of starting a new creative business.

Our newest family member. This little guy brings me more joy than makes sense. I love Randall.

My first post as an Everyday Storyteller at Paper Coterie. sigh. Love them.

The amazing experience of Camp Shutter Sisters. Such an inspiring group of ladies.

Walking the beach in California at Asilomar. bliss.

Every moment spent with Kim and her family in California.

Watching a boy become a man. Ryan finishes High School and leaves for college.

Moments with Kyle as we adjust to a smaller quieter family.

Chris passes his United States Coast Guard Captain's License and launches his newest venture...

www.oldfloridaairboat.com

Basking in the quiet moments and reflecting on the amazing highlights of 2011.

At the end of the year, these are the moments that matter.

I hope your year was awesome. xo tam

saying goodbye

2011-12-22T19:12:00.005-05:00

Tonight

We say goodbye to 2011.

While there were some truly amazing highlights,

the ridiculous number of lows was daunting.

Tonight

The weights on my heart are written down.

I sob as the pile of pain grows so high.

Each a moment that will change our lives.

Tonight

A match is lit and I watch them burn.

I say goodbye forever.

Resilience has brought us through.

Tonight

I bask in the glow of letting go.

There is hope that 2012 will rise from the flames

and burn even brighter.

xo tam

little things

2011-12-20T18:24:00.001-05:00

It is the little things in life that make me smile.

Fellow Shutter Sisters Camper Kendra Laflin sent me a Christmas card with this tiny origami crane in the envelope. If you participated in the 1000 paper cranes event in March, you know that these creations are a challenge to make in a standard size. I placed two M&Ms next to this little guy to show the scale. My eyes and fingers are crossing at the thought of making it.

A wee bit of joy proudly displayed on my Christmas tree.

I hope you are finding little things that warm your heart today. xoxo tam

a bit more

2011-12-18T22:05:00.000-05:00

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

~ Dr Seuss

escape

2011-12-17T19:43:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful day today exploring Lake Okeechobee, airboating,

and looking at a potential new home for our little family.

It was a day filled with giggles, silly conversations, and pure joy.

Such a wonderful, much needed, escape.

I hope you enjoy a few of my iPhone captures.

Have a great weekend.

wings

2011-12-16T17:28:00.000-05:00

The wings of hope carry us, soaring high above the driving winds of life.

~Ana Jacob

finally a tree...

2011-12-15T20:47:00.003-05:00

We finally started to decorate for the holidays. It is such a bittersweet time. This is my eleventh year setting up a Christmas tree in this house but it will also the last. We officially put the house up for sale today.

The ornaments were placed on the tree this year with extra care. Each keepsake seems even more important as we head into 2012 without knowing where we will be living or where our next tree will be decorated.

Wherever it is, I am sure it will be an adventure and filled with bliss & folly.

We are filled with hope and are ready to have 2011 behind us.

xo tam

a few of my favorite ornaments...

everyday beauty

2011-12-05T14:08:00.002-05:00

everyday beauty, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Embrace the beauty of everyday moments.

Picture The Holidays - Day 1

2011-12-01T14:39:00.003-05:00

Picture The Holidays - Day 1, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Holding onto gratitude.

Today, I am grateful for warm homemade spicy tomato soup with rice that soothes my sore throat and tired soul.

sweet

2011-11-29T18:49:00.002-05:00

sweet, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold. ~ Judith Olney

everyday beauty

2011-11-27T20:57:00.001-05:00

a few quiet moments from the weekend.

friend

2011-11-23T15:09:00.000-05:00

every moment is better with a friend

download this free texture

more textures available here

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make sure to stop by and enter to win the POMPIDOO Camera Bag at Girl's Guide to Gear

11-11-11 at 11:11 EST

2011-11-11T12:15:00.001-05:00

11-11-11 at 11:11 EST , originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

11-11-11 at 11:11 EST

a moment in time.

kiss. A boy and his dog. originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

artful

2011-11-10T18:14:00.001-05:00

artful, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Coloring outside the lines is a fine art.

~ Kim Nance

furry clients

2011-11-07T19:36:00.001-05:00

Today, I am grateful for my clients and the wonderful furry new friends that they bring into my life.

_____

My Olympus Pen and the Dramatic Tone Art Filter produced some weird results on my shot of Baloo shown above. I still can't figure out if I love it or hate it but it definitely makes me smile. The other drivers on the road were laughing as I hung my camera out the window on the way to the local granite yard.

dirty

2011-11-06T18:18:00.001-05:00

dirty, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Grateful on fun days for lots of soap and warm showers.

PENREADY PEN#800 - Dramatic Tone

saturday randomness

2011-11-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

Playing with my Olympus Pen this morning. The love affair continues...

I am dreaming of the 50mm 2.0 macro but look at this detail with the kit lens. *sigh*

Are you PEN READY? Look me up I am camera #800

Get your own here...

Halloween Fun!

2011-10-31T09:08:00.001-04:00

A few shots from the Olympus Pen.

I hope you have a fun day. It is rainy here and my little guy doesn't feel well.

Let's hope it all clears up before it is time to Trick or Treat.

If you missed it, make sure to look at the list of camera bags that I posted yesterday.

We are going to have some awesome giveaways for blog followers. Here's a hint...

One of the bags is valued at $405 US dollars.

xo tam

Find the perfect camera bag

2011-10-30T08:30:00.002-04:00

Last night I got sucked into the internet looking at designer camera bags so I thought I would share a list of my favorites. You never know when Santa may visit my blog. I hope you enjoy the list and find some inspiration in the sites that I have included. What do you use? Do you have a favorite? Are you lusting after a specific one... or ten?

Did I forget someone? If so, leave me a comment and I will add it.

Watch for upcoming giveaways for Blog Followers...

xo tam

Pompidoo

want.
Do I really need to say anything else?
*swooning*

Ketti Handbags

Gorgeous styles. It is no wonder that they sell out fast.
Check each Monday at 9am PST for the latest stock.

The Joy Bag

Yes, they have wonderful bags... but I also love the flexibility of this padded insert.

Use JOY10 for 10% off your entire order. $20 minimum purchase.

Epiphanie Bags

Designed by the professional photographer and former Shutter Sister, Maile Wilson.
This new Clover looks gorgeous. I personally own a black Lola and love it.

The new Lyric. I really like the size of this bag.

Theit

Fully removable padded insert to use in other bags.

Jill-e

It rolls and has a telescoping handle. Perfect.

Visit their site at www.jill-e.com

Etupirka

Big enough to hold your DSLR, 1-2 lenses and essentials.
I really love this bag. Looks simply perfect! And I love Etsy artists.

Giottos

Storage galore and affordable.

Jo Totes

Definitely my style. Holds camera gear and laptop.

Kelly Moore

Do I have to choose just one?? Kim Klassen had the Boy bag at Camp Shutter Sisters.

It has perfect styling without being fussy.

Dre Hhartmann

Perfect for the South Florida lifestyle.

www.drehartmann.com

Acme Made

Fun Bowler Styling for the vintage lover.

Emera Bags

An ideal merger of function and style.

Cheeky Lime

Stylish satchel with tons of storage.

Shoot Sac

I like the option of interchangeable covers.

Ona

Simple elegant.

The Ona padded insert. $59. Make your own bag...

Martilena

Messenger and Hobo Styles available. Padded inserts also.

BH Photo

Can you believe this is made by Sony? Quite stylish.

Capturing Couture

Available in six beautiful patterns. They also have amazing Camera Straps.

Stash

The bag comes with a removable padded insert for the camera and lenses.

Janine King Designs

Another gorgeous ETSY artist. Wonderful flap designs and padding.

Porteen Gear

Love the “Design Your Own Bag” approach to Robyn's Etsy Site.

Gypsy Rose Handbags

Homemade and available at Etsy.

Seasons Totes

Love the styling and it is available at Etsy.

xcessrize

Tons of fabrics and available on Etsy.

sizzlestrapz

More camera bags in traditional, backpack, and messenger bag styles...

Lowepro - I currently use their LowePro Fastpack350.
Holds everything including my 17" Asus Laptop.

Fogg, Goboda, Dakine, Tenba, Manfrotto, Tiffen - Dombke, Think Tank Photo,
Rotation 360, Kata Bags, Naneu Bags, Crumpler, Tamrac, Pacsafe,
Billingham Bags, Acme Made, incase

Camp Shutter Sisters and more...

2011-10-29T10:17:00.005-04:00

Join in the PEN fun and get one for yourself... Pen Ready!

A few pictures from Camp Shutter Sisters and my stay in San Francisco using my new Olympus PEN.

The built in art filters are great. I am especially smitten with the Dramatic Tone and BW filters.

You can also visit me at Olympus Pen Ready Project. I am camera #800.

http://penready.com/tagged/800

Lake Okeechobee

2011-10-14T11:49:00.001-04:00

Lake Okeechobee, originally uploaded by Tammy Lee Bradley.

Reflecting on home as I head off for a new adventure.

California here I come. So excited to meet all my internet friends and soak up their inspiration.

Have a great week. xo Tam