by Amy | Oct 6, 2012 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Hey all! Amy Allender Productions is thrilled to have the opportunity to offer mini sessions at Angelic Gardens in Minot, ND. I’ll be on hand during their Halloween at the Gardens celebration. It’s going to be so much fun!
In addition to being a great outing for the family…it’s a great opportunity to get a few last snap shots of the kiddos or the fam before the cold weather sets in up here in Practically Canada.
It’s a pretty sweet deal…$65 for a 15 minute session. You’ll get 5 photos, fully processed in color and black and white. They are yours to print and share as you please!
Or…you can chose to have a single portrait taken for $15. I’ll process it in color and black and white. You’ll get it and be able to print it as you like.
But really, it should be a great time. I hope to see lots of you out at the Garden at the end of the month!
And for those of you who don’t live in Practically Canada…Here are a few tips for creating your own mini session. {I’ll be bringing you more tips after the session date!}
1. Go outside. Natural light always looks better than a flash.
2. Bring something outside with you. I have an old trunk I use sometimes to have families sit on. I’ve pulled my white rocker into a corn field…or in this case, I sat sweet baby Zoe in a potato crate.
3. Think color and texture. Add variety to your photos by adding pops of color around and on your subject. Zoe’s bow and the pumpkins pop in these images. Color is great…but try to keep the background fairly neutral. You want to notice the person first, not the electric green stripped background sheet. Using several different textures in your photos will add interest.
4. What to wear? Call me old fashioned…but I’m a fan of solids. You don’t need to deck your whole family in white shirts and jeans…or a uniform of any kind. But the cold truth is, simple, solid shirts and cozy sweaters will look timeless. Your colored jeans and lace tank {while adorable}–will not. My mom endured a good amount of fashion harassment from me as I looked back at photos of her. I try to avoid this in portraits by wearing something that will be harder to target by my kids 20 years from now.
5. Overtake. We aren’t using film these days. Take way more photos than you think you need. Then weed them out later. After you think you get the “perfect” shot…take a few more just in case.
Hope this helps. And I hope to see all my Practically Canada readers at the end of the month!
Amy
by Amy | Oct 4, 2012 | Blog, Context, The Art of Faith
I’m a fan of daily Bible study. Now…before you go judging me for being some kind of prude, let me assure you that I’m not perfect by any means. Just because I ready the Word daily, doesn’t mean I know it by heart or that my Walk is without struggles.
I’ve talked to lots of people who have said that they wished they could have a routine like me. They wished they read their Bible every day. They try, but somehow, the next thing they know…it’s been a week or two and the ol’ NIV has just been collecting dust.
Well, I’ve got a secret for you. I’m no super hero. I don’t have any special Bible-reading powers. I just have a routine. A habit. And I’d like to share a few things that I’ve learned along the way, that just might help you get in to the habit as well.
First…let me make a quick case for why you should make the Word a habitual part of your day.
1. The Bible is a living word. It is the perfect word, God-breathed, inspiring, truthful, and living. Now, you may be getting ready to look away and come back when I’ve got a craft up…and stopped trying to convince you of “living” books. No, it’s not going to get up and walk down to Taco Bell for a Crunchwrap…but the Word will speak to you in a way no other book can.
2. You’ll be changed. Even if you are great the way you are {you are obviously awesome…you are here at amyallender{dot}com} Bible study will improve you. Your attitude will change. You’ll start to understand where morals come from…why abstaining from using curse words is more than just showing off your wide vocal. You’ll start to think about things differently. Even if you are already a practicing Christian.
Don’t believe me? Just try it. Give it 3 weeks. And, yes, I know there are loads more reasons to read the Word…but I’m not writing a book here. Just a little light reading. So let’s move on to some easy ways to put it in your routine.
1. Pick a time. I hate the morning. I’m lucky to get up and get pants on by the time I need to be at the gym to teach at 8:30 a.m. And I don’t think God cares that my study time isn’t first thing. I know lots of people who feel like they are Christian failures because they fail to pull their butts out of bed early enough to study the word before the day begins. If you love the morning…go for it…get up early. For those of us that aren’t that perky…know that God doesn’t care when you do it…He just wants to be close to you. So pick a time that works for you and stick to it.
2. Think about bed time. My study time is always before I go to sleep. Even after the longest day, I make myself stay away long enough to read a little bit. Even if it’s only one chapter…or one Psalm…or a couple Proverbs. Which brings me to my next tip.
3. Start small. The Bible is full of long names, genealogies, and wisdom. Don’t feel like you have to take on the whole book in one sitting. I’d even be bold enough to tell you to steer clear of those “Read the Bible in One Year” plans. To me…those are simply things that set you up to fail. You miss a day, a week…and next thing you know, you feel overwhelmed. This isn’t a contest. Read a little at a time.
4. Blessed are the children. Confused on where to start? Yep…I was. I recommend looking at a children’s Bible “Story Index.” Here is a pretty good online list. This is a good place because you might be familiar with some…and they are interesting. And you’ll avoid getting trapped in lists of laws and long lists of weird names.
5. Reread. My lovely friend Krissy just laid this little nugget on me while I was in California. She said, sometimes it’s most beneficial for her to read a passage night after night. Don’t feel pressure to read something new every day. Spend a few days with a chapter or passage. Let it sink in. Memorize part of it. Write in on your heart. It’s a living Word, remember? If we spend time to look deep into the word, it will faithfully look back at us. The word will speak to us. Without fail.
Give it a try. Set a time. Set a goal…an easy goal like: I’ll read at least one sentence of the Bible every night for a week. Accomplish the goal and move from their.
My life has changed since I committed myself to daily study. I’d love for your life to change too. Do you read every day? What helps you stay in a routine? What helped you start and establish your routine?
Amy
by Amy | Oct 2, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
I’m thrilled to show off the {somewhat} finished product of our dining room/living room makeover. I love the way it turned out. Last night while Derek watched the Bears-Cowboys game I even got out the Halloween decor. That always makes me happy.
We used Dutch Boy washable paint from Menard’s for the cabinets and trim. It’s in White Lullaby. And it was okay…but no where near as awesome as the Emerald Brand paint we bought from Sherwin Williams. It was a bit more pricy, but when purchased on sale for a whopping 40% off…it only cost as much as the Dutch Boy. And let me tell you, it was worth it. I’ve never painted with really nice paint.
There is a difference.
That’s the biggest thing I learned during this project. Quality counts. The Emerald paint was thick and bold, it only took one coat to get the job done. The living room and dining room walls are in Sherwin William’s Filmy Green. The stairway is painted Gateway Grey.
Now, let’s check out those B&A’s.
Now the brown carpet looks even more out of place. Well…we’ll get to it eventually. Isn’t it nice when a project turns out well? There is no better feeling.
Amy
by Amy | Oct 1, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Faith
I’ve been cranky lately. Full disclosure. I never feel like I need to hide from you. And maybe that’s a bit awkward…I really do keep my dirtiest laundry to myself. But I’m all about being open and honest, because I fully believe that we can learn from each other. I believe that it’s okay to be fussy sometimes and that if even one of you relate and feel understood after reading my ramblings…well then…it’s been worth it.
So. Yes. Me. Cranky.
It’s been compounding for a while now. Loads of things that haven’t got the way I expected or wanted. The unexpected life has crept up and sucker punched me. {What a jerk, right?} None of it was a big deal, really. It was a poor turnout to a photo shoot I thought would be a hit. Panda has been sick. A curt email that hurt my feelings. A missed opportunity. The wrong laptop ordered. A broken sugar bowl. A box of chocolates dropped on the world’s dirtiest carpet.
But isn’t that how it goes sometimes. Little things can stand on top of one another and before I know it…I’m looking at Andre the Giant instead of simply an ant. And so I write about it. Because when I put things into words, I feel pressure to find some kind of positive spin. And that’s what I need right now. Maybe even more than a spin. I need a merry-go-round, a carousel, a whir wind, a tornado.
And here it is. When things stack up {and the are bound to every once in a while} we cannot lose hope. At the end of the day, if everything is in a mess and we have our panties in a twist…it’s okay. It’s okay to take a moment, a breath, to get our fuss out. Then we must look down at our feet and remember that they are for walking. For running. We must continue to move one in front of the other and go forward. Put your rain boots on if the mess is deep, heck drag out your waders. But take a step out. Move toward that stack of nasty compounded, unexpected things and give it a good shove. Knock it over and see everything for what it is: A sugar bowl, an email, a reason to get more creative.
Then walk away. And move forward.
If we continue to stand in a muck of cranky it will eventually turn to quick sand. It will eat me up. It will eat you up. And this means our Enemy has won. Satan delights when the unexpected and worldly woes get us to lose sight of Hope. But we are smarter than he is. We see his plan and we know the meaning of life: To glorify God through every thing we do and every skill we have.
Whatever may be keeping you down…try to move forward today. I know I will. And if everything is going great…just remember this in your heart.
See you tomorrow…with a big dining room/living room B&A. I can’t wait.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 29, 2012 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s nearly midnight here in good old Practically Canada. Derek and I are watching “We Were Soldiers.” Wait. Let me rephrase…Derek is watching. I’m zoning in and out, making a comment every so often to show that I’m still paying attention. I was under the impression it would be more like Stripes, starring Bill Murray. I’ve been sorely mistaken.
But that’s all beside the point. Tonight I’m thrilled to share a very special sneak peek with you. A few weeks ago I was blessed with the incredible opportunity to capture the first moments of a new life on camera. Please welcome Sheridan Hope.
When you see a new life in it’s first hours, the existence of God is so obvious. From the look on mom and dad’s faces, to the sweet curiousity of brand new big sisters, the moments are sweet and infinitely precious. She is perfection, she was sewn together in the image of a God who loves her and has great plans for her life.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 28, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Fitness
Happy Friday everyone. Today is Friday, I hope you have all been taking advantage of the awesome fall weather. I hope you are ready to get out and be active.
Last night’s Trim and Tone class used steps…so the circuits were not equipment free. So instead, I thought I’d share a bit about my recent experience at an Urban Adventure Race. It definitely got us out and running. It’s fitness, exploration, and adventure in a creative way.
We participated in the Great Urban Race in Minneapolis, put on by Red Frog Events.
At the start of the race each team {of 2-4 participants} gets an envelope with 12 clues inside. On “Go” everyone opens the clues and starts racing. Clues can be in the form or riddles, puzzles, etc. Each riddle leads you to a location in the city…usually a cool small business, art gallery or other local treasure. One clue was required a sudoku’s solution to discover an address. Another was deciphered by solving a cryptogram.
Once you know where you need to go, get there as fast as possible. No cars, taxis or bikes. Go on foot or bus. Locations are spread across the city and can be miles apart. Upon arrival, your team needs to complete another puzzle or activity. Then snap a photo to prove completion.
1. After arriving at indie art gallery we were lead to the basement. Then we had a choice…tarantella or cockroach? Well, you see what we chose. Then lay down, put it on your face and snap a photo.
2. Once arriving at Hell’s kitchen Derek needed to paint a mustache on me with chocolate frosting, then I dipped my face in dry cake mix. And…photo.
3. One challenge required taking a photo with a bald stranger. That was an awkward request to make…
It was crazy fun. We jogged/walked about 8 miles…in addition to performing other feats of strength. Like scaling a boulder wall, jumping off scaffolding onto an air bag, biking an obstacle course, and talking to lots of strangers.
1. At a local sporting goods shop we scaled a bouldering wall.
2. At a local artisan showcase we had to make a craft for each other.
You can find a race near you here. But there are lots of event organizers that put these kind of events on. Like Urban Dare, Gulf Coast Adventure, and Merrell Oyster Races. Any way you cut it…now’s the perfect time to find a creative way to get out and get fit…before the winter traps us inside.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 28, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure
I thought it would be super appropriate to share some insider photos from my visit to the set of Parks & Rec.
I know…how lucky am I to have a super talented, awesome friend that works in production at one of my favorite shows? Pretty darn lucky.
Let’s review. Tyler and I met in college while studying abroad. We soon discovered that besides owning the exact same camcorder to document our adventures we had a lot in common…like, we’d rather be hiking through the wilderness than drinking at a pub. And we’d rather go to church {which we did twice a week} than dancing at the clubs. To this day, I still consider him family.
So you can imagine how proud I am that he has struck out on his own and made it in LA. He now works as a production assistant on Parks and Rec. And I was lucky enough to get to go to work with him for a few hours.
Ty said I wasn’t allowed to show these photos from the set. Copy right stuff and what not. But I couldn’t resist. So, check this out. It’s me behind Ron Swanson’s desk. I know…it’s a little blurry. That’s Krissy’s fault.
I had to block out a little bit of the shot…So Ty wouldn’t get fired.
I can however show you these photos. From the office upstairs, where the magic happens. It’s where the writer’s come up with the hilarious scripts that make up the show.
1. In the offices there is tons of P&R memorabilia from the show. Posters, maps, props…but best of all Lil’ Sebastian.
2. Welcome to Pawnee! The bottom says {First in friendship, fourth in obesity.} I am in love with this show, because they do such a good job at poking fun at Indiana.
3. Pawnee city map. Fun fact. Pawnee is a map of Muncie, IN inverted.
4. Tyler an me by his desk. It’s so legit.
Here are a few things I learned about making TV. First of all…it is so much work. They do each shot about 10 times. Just to garauntee that the funniest stuff makes it into your living room.
Everyone works so hard. Ty pulls 12 hour days all week. Some of the cast shows up for work at 5 a.m. The hair and make up folks are constantly on call. It takes about a week of super long days to make one episode.
The set is so awesome. City hall is more than partial rooms build to look like a government building. It’s halls and rooms and offices. The detail is insane. Photos, vitamins, random objects all in perfect place to make the set look incredibly realistic. All the paper is headed with the Pawnee logo, all the photos say Pawnee City Hall.
Everyone’s hair looks extra big in person. Especially the men.
Amy Pohler is so cute and she has the silliest laugh. Rashida Jones is even more beautiful that you can imagine. Aubrey Plaza is super pretty and I heard her say some really awesome-random things.
Did I talk to any of the celebs. No. Absolutely not. I was blessed enough to be there. They were working. I was a random spectator at their place of employment. So I let them do their thing. And I just stood there…and tried not to make eye contact or get in anyone’s way.
1. Funny stuff from the office.
2. Celeb trailers on the lot…literally, trailers.
Happy Thursday Comedy Night Done Right {NBC}.
Amy
by Amy | Sep 26, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
I like progress. I love to be able to see results. That’s probably why I’m so obsessed with B&A photos.
The dining room/living room paint job is still a ways from being totally finished, but it’s coming along quite nicely. The white is all up {save for one window casing and a door frame I haven’t made my mind up about} and tomorrow I’ll start in on the color. Ideally, this whole thing will be done by Sunday. I’d really like my table back.
Here’s how it looks now.
Just to refresh your memory…here’s where we started.
Yes, I realize that that’s a sloppy job and that I’ve splattered white all over. But here’s the beauty..the wall color will cover all that. The downside? Tomorrow I pull out the big roll of blue tape and start quarantining that pristine white from being tainted by a color called “Filmy Green.”
It’s prettier than the name implies.
Amy
Hey all! Amy Allender Productions is thrilled to have the opportunity to offer mini sessions at Angelic Gardens in Minot, ND. I’ll be on hand during their Halloween at the Gardens celebration. It’s going to be so much fun!
