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!

Ruthe Jackson Center HDR Wedding - Jim Rode Dallas wedding photographer

The Ruthe Jackson Center was a wonderful place for Amy and Lyalls wedding. The wedding ceremony was at sunset in the Gardens at Ruthe Jackson in Grand Prairie. Family and friends were abundant and had a blast, from arrival to a sparkler sendoff. The decorations were gorgeous, thanks to Signature Productions and Lori Jackson the entertainment director was cool! Guests could wander to the photobooth for fun pics. Of course, it all ran smoothly under the watchful eye of Lucia Bitnar of Foster Blue.

Truth is, things went so smoothly it was easy to simply have fun and watch Amy and Lyall kiss, hug, whisper, dance, party. Wow, what a great night!


The next morning we borrowed Rick's car (Amy's Dad -so generous!)


I feel so lucky every minute I was with these fantastic people.

The romantic hour was so heartwarming I hardly noticed it was 37˚!

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.

I get what I need…

Today is the feast of the Epiphany. It celebrates the time when 3 or more travelers from the east (Persia? India? China? Who knows?) –often called the 3 kings, followed a star until they found Joseph, Mary, and the new baby Jesus.

Many believe they were Zorro Astrian; people who interpreted dreams, astrology, the stars. They were the ‘originals’ believing we follow a star (or ‘astar’) in our life. And when you go off the right path, when you move away from your destiny, you are in fact in "‘dis’ astar" –away from your star. It is where we get the word ‘disaster’.

Many times in my life I’ve pondered on the why of Jesus being born 2000 years ago. Why that time in the history of mankind? Were the people of the earth not ready a 1000 years sooner? Why not the middle-ages? Why not now? (Of course, no “Christianity” until he arrives…so the sooner the better I think…) But really, God works things out according to His design, not ours. Would we really ever be ready? Because of this, it is easy to think He is not in our lives. We don’t always get what we want… At least we sometimes wonder and wait, impatiently.

And so, the Rolling Stones…

And so I’m sitting with coffee, pondering the Roman Empire, and the interesting way they ruled –both with official tolerance towards the strange (strange to them) way the Jews worshiped only one god, and their firmness of rule –where you’ve got to do certain things the Roman way or we will brutally make an example of you –“we got an empire to run”. It was then the Stones drifted into my earshot. “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.”

That is when everything came together. I have always asked for help, for guidance. I have always been thankful to Him of the good things that come my way. I have also when in longing, or in need, asked for help. I eventually see that help is delivered…often delivered years late. But, delivered at the right time. Delivered after a journey through life so I would understand the gift better. He knew when to give it. I know the gifts that have been given me and to use them in honor. I think my path is a destiny guided from above…a very complex destiny that weaves here and there for a reason. The journey reveals the insights I need to know to fully understand how I should live my life (and yes, I screw up. I also marvel at the depth of God’s forgiveness). I’m amazed at the complexity of asking and wanting something 30 years ago, and getting what I need at a time I can best use it. It is often not simply for my benefit, but provided in a way that is fruitful for others in my life.

Make me a better person…

Recently, someone needed a photographer for a wedding. Money was a huge factor. But it was not a normal wedding day. So I’m available, and I’ll charge a smaller price. Why not? They only wanted one hour of time. (Interesting, that’s their want…but not their need.) Twenty years ago, tiny wedding…tiny charge…I would have shown up and provided more than what they paid for…and thought better of myself in a selfish way. Today, God has crafted me into a better person (Hey - I’m still in need of more help!). I had coffee that morning…breakfast…and then I asked Sylvia if she want to go for a car ride. Even though my wedding that evening was simple –an hour of time –I wanted to scout the location around the chapel for better pictures. I spent an hour and 30 minutes looking around.

That evening, I showed early…telling my client I’d be there early, just in case she could come early too. I’m waiting…watching the sun preparing to end its day…selfishly wishing she understood better just how much we need the light. And then she arrives…with four children…dressed beautifully (as was she) ready for her wedding hour. I can’t believe the prep she must have gone through! Money may be dear, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a sacred day in her life. My morning drive with Sylvia was nothing compared to the mayhem of dressing the kids and getting to our meeting place on time! She’s my hero!

I poured my soul into 90 minutes of fun, family and love. She deserves my best. I’ll spend hours and hours making those pictures look like a glamorous magazine story. I love my job. I think I’ve been guided to it. Something a self-absorbed guy like me can give to others –while God patiently works to make me into a better person. I’ve got so far to go! But, sometimes you get just what you need.

It’s good to follow your star.

HDR Morning After Session and Bridal - from Jim Rode Dallas wedding photographer

Amy and Lyall got married! I have hundreds of images from the wedding to enhance, but the morning after session was 1/4 the size - so I did them first! Fun morning- their first morning as "Mister and Misses!" The temperature Sunday morning was in the upper thirties, but Amy is gorgeous in her beautiful gown from Afred Angelo and warmed by a soft mink stole (and a handsome husband).

We had a lot of fun walking around getting wonderful images. Thank you Rick for loaning the vette! Wedding images coming soon.

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.

Bridal Published in Garden Magazine - Images from Jim Rode Photographer

The image you see is from a bridal I did at the newly created Ruthe Jackson Gardens. A gorgeous addition to a great wedding/reception site in Grand Prairie, these gardens are a terrific asset for the city. Some of my other photographs are included in the article. To read the article (if you are into landscaping!!) - click here.

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.

Little Chapel in the Woods, in Denton Tx on the campus of Texas Woman's University.

Oh my! What a lot of love floating around in Denton tonight! Tara and John were married at the Little Chapel in the Woods. Family, fun, smiles, love brought a tear out here and there. Tara and John are a great couple. I always think of the groom as a hero stepping up before the crowd...to marry his princess. Oh my goodness...John was about to marry a gorgeous woman. How did he keep his knees from shaking? Lucky guy. I'll post the webcast here in a day or so. In the meantime...check out Tara and her beautiful gown and flowers.

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.

Homecoming wedding walk through the floats - Jim Rode Photographer Dallas

After the wedding at the Little Chapel in the Woods, Lene and David headed for Homecoming at UNT. We had a great time cruising by the floats with a favorite friend. Afterwards, dining with close friends. Memories are made of this.



For more images, go to www.JimRode.com.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is Wedding Ready.

Lindasy Egan and the staff of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History hosted the Professional Wedding Guild to a Mad Scientist Party Tuesday night. A crazy time was had by all!

The museum is a beautiful location for a wedding or event. I can't wait. I was also surprised at the variety and depth of exhibits. I loved the scenic atrium garden and waterfall. This museum ought to be put on your list of must see visits.


For more images, go to www.JimRode.com.

Lene and David at the Little Chapel in the Woods.

The beautiful Lene said "Yes" to the handsome David and the wedding day was meant to be.

Lene was a gorgeous bride walking the aisle at the Little Chapel of the Woods. David watched and waited, a knight standing tall. When Lene reached the sanctuary steps, she handed her flowers to her maid of honor and stood with David to make a vow. I thought it was so cool to see David place his arm around her waist as they stood together.

In only minutes, they were married...their hearts bound together, forever.



For more images, go to www.JimRode.com.