Here is a repost that still REALLY grabs me.

Here is a really cool video. It is about how one person can affect the hearts of others. It is about a young man with Down Syndrome who wanted to add service to the place he worked -and did it so effectively, it changed the business. It might make you cry. At the end of the video, it leaves you at a sign up page, but you don't have to go further unless you want too. I was inspired by the video itself.

http://www.stservicemovie.com/

I hate squash. I won't die if I ate it, but it is just about the last vegetable I'll reach for...except spaghetti squash. This is a magic vegetable that yields thin crunchy strands rather than the mush that regular squash gives you. And it can be seasoned wonderfully.

Here is how I do mine - and please excuse the iPhone images...it was handy. I microwave it about 3 minutes to soften it for the knife. When cut in half (be carefull) you'll spoon out the seeds and fiber.

Then I place a half in a pan with about an inch of water and microwave about 5 minutes (time may vary depending on squash size, and the microwave you use - the shell will soften when done). In the winter I'll use the oven...adds warmth to the kitchen, but in spring I turn to the microwave to get it done quick.

When the little bell goes off, I use a towel to hold the squash half (Start the other half and you'll be done in no time) and spoon out that wonderful "spaghetti." While it's hot, I'll add butter (big gob!), and brown sugar (couple spoonfuls). Final touch...a couple dashes of sea salt. Yum.

Special thanks to Brandon and Brandi of Bella Pop who encouraged me to start posting all that cooking I love to do!

“Are you planning to attend the UNVEILED Wedding Event on Sunday, February 20th at the Hilton Anatole? If so, I want to share a special offer with you: Buy one ticket, get the second ticket for FREE.

While you are at the show, stop by our booth for exclusive offerings only available on Sunday, February 20th. You could win a museum-sized portrait for your home. Fabulous!

Here is the link: UnveiledWeddingEvent.com Don't forget to enter BOGO for your 2 for 1 offer!

Jim

If you are engaged, contact me about turning your wedding into fabulous! JimRode.com the art of the wedding. Dallas wedding photography from Jim Rode Photographer.

KissLoveWedDFW

Call the Sheriff, I'm ready to confess. I love weddings. Yep, I'm a guy -married and in love for 30 plus years...but I love weddings. I'm sorry that others work 9-5 in an office...I hope they love it too. I however, go to work with people who talk to each other with their eyes. People who can feel love so deep, they can cry right in front of the camera...kiss and whisper promises...laugh and pledge their lives together. And that just might be in the engagement session!

On about 20 Saturdays a year, I watch the love all over again on the wedding day - with an even greater intensity. Is it any wonder I'll spend a couple weeks making the images from each wedding awesome? If I feel so inspired with the love - so responsible, how can I slapped the pics from camera to Dvd and pretend I've done anything to match the intensity of the feelings in the heart I see? I know, these images represent so much, and will be valued for so long.

The KissLoveWedDFW is a twitter name to help me post to Facebook - Twitter etc. Click on it to go to this blogs home page for the latest in 'happenings'. If you want to visit my engagement and wedding site - www.JimRode.com. Feel free to contact me so we can connect on a personal basis. If you are engaged, contact me about turning your wedding into fabulous! JimRode.com the art of the wedding. Dallas wedding photography from Jim Rode Photographer.

Another day in the great white south...(a Canadian winter joke on us). It's nineteen degrees, snowing, everyone is worried about their pipes bursting. In Texas, they routinely bury the water pipe into the house at about 2 feet. But when it doesn't get above freezing for 3-5 days, everyone starts to worry. I've been in the house awhile, no reason to go out and freeze. The washer doesn't work now...I'm sure it's frozen pipes...
No one from Texas knows about snow tires either. Super Bowl is in a couple days, and Amarillo Texas has sent a dozen snowplows to our area. We never have a need for them here, but in the Texas panhandle -about 350 miles from here, they get a lot of snow. It is nice of them to help us plow...

It's fun to work on my photo skills...catch up on recorded TV...cooking romantic dinners for two...and Sylvia's been doing breakfast -50-50 split for cooking. I've also been painting. I love to copy Van Gough. Totally amateur of course, but fun. I enjoy it right up to the minute I see the real thing...then I realize how bad my version is... No wonder his paintings bring millions. Of course, he only sold one piece during his lifetime. I guess if you met him in person you'd think "who wants a painting made by a crazy man? -It can't have value!"

Sometimes I daydream about a friend calling from Europe "I'm in a small village in France at an estate sale. There is small painting here for 50 bucks...I know it's a Van Gough...do you want me to buy it for you? Do you want to take a chance? I mean it's only 50 bucks. They don't know what they got! It belonged to their great grandfather who has lived here forever!" I know, it's a silly thought. To make it worse, would I ask, "I don't know, how big is it?"
I laugh at the thought that the size of a Van Gough windfall would make a difference. "What? It's only 8 inches by 13 inches? That's no bigger than notebook paper...deal me out..."

I'm sometimes puzzled by people who ask over the phone how many pictures they get if I were to photograph their wedding. It's a quantity question without regard to quality. Anyone can take a picture...what they capture, and how they treat it is huge. Just like I painted a Van Gough...His -15 million, mine...5 bucks. Suppose you and your love were sitting having coffee at Starbucks -and Van Gough was still alive. That red-haired guy, sketching on a notepad overhears you talking about your wedding plans. "Excuse me he says...I'm an artist (it's Vincent). I'd like to come to your wedding, and paint the scene. I'll try to capture the feelings and romance of the day, give you the canvas when I'm done. Can I attend?" Do you ask, "I don't know, just how big is the painting you make for us? Can you do two smaller ones instead of the big one you were thinking of?"
Gosh, you trust the plumber or electrician who comes to your house, why not trust the artist or photographer?

Snowed In Winter Bridal Edits - by Jim Rode dallas wedding photographer

When the temp. hits single digits...wind chill goes below zero...and there are rolling blackouts with the electricity turned off for an hour at a time...(really, I've never seen that in winter!) What does a photographer do to stay warm? The answer, practice, practice, practice.

Here are some shots from a while back... before to after. Each adjusted for cropping, noise, contrast, nature, color, intensity, burned and dodged.Tons of fun, and the time passes quickly! The perfect image is so worth it!