Anne(d) now for something a little different

Apparently Anne fell off her bike.

Here's hoping Anne (and her bike) are alright. 

Mama Picture This Does Last Thursday - First Time Ever!

Yes - we see you.

The crowd gets bigger.

It gets dark and the crow gets bigger still
(but I didn't remember to change to night setting on my camera).

It ends with LOVE!

What a Shot Wednesday

This is perfect for me today. I took it a couple of months ago and then played with removed the color from the background. It took me 1.5 hours to get home from work tonight so I didn't really have the time, the light or the energy to take a new shot. 

And speaking of photos I love... how can you not love this baby with parents reflected in these sunglasses? I LOVE it! Too bad my kids are too old to do this to/with! http://www.favething.com/christine/photo-ideas/baby-photography-2/

And then there's this guy (PeeTee): 

And now this extremely tired Mama is gonna watch a little stupid television and head to bed!

Sweet dreams,

Mama Zuzi

What a Shot Wednesday

Only 3 days left for my kids before they are out for Summer! 

I still remember when we were getting excited for the first new flower blooms of Spring. In fact, it appears the last photos I took just for the heck of it and not shop work related were of spring flowers. 

This week's What a Shot Wednesday pic is: 

And now I must go try to get as many flowers out of my yard as possible for the 5th and 8th grade graduations at my children's school. 

Enjoy! Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

PS... more later, I promise.

More thoughts on getting older (& better)

My last post was one about aging and acceptance. I have always struggled to adjust to the big birthday (you know the ones... they end in 0's). 

It started during the beginning of my 29th year. I spent that year telling everyone that I was 30 years old to which they would reply, "you are still 29." It has been my style to start processing a year ahead of time and then by the time it was ACTUALLY my birthday, I was all good and ready to go! 

Turning 50 (or approaching it) has been the hardest of them all by far. Interestingly, for the most part I have tried to ignore it as if it would go away. Of course it has not. It shall arrive in less than 2 weeks. I continue to process this milestone. 

Forcing myself to say it out loud and to type it seems to be helping. Rather than trying to be the cool lady/mom whom everyone thinks is actually younger than she is, I'm trying to focus on just being my own version of cool. Don't let me kid you, at this point in my progression, I'd really LOVE to hear a bunch of "No way! You can't be 50!"'s but if it doesn't happen, I'm trying not to care too much. I still disdain being called "Mam." I know that it is supposed to be a gesture at respect but hint here people, most women in "middle age" aren't fond of it -- not one bit. 

Regarding my last post, I did say that I didn't have a lot of time to research people I actually admire and then listed some celebrities who are turning anywhere from 50 - 60 this year. Most people seemed fine with my list but I did get a little negative feedback when I shared it with a group of my Facebook Friends who are all women in this age range (or getting close). To be honest I a) appreciate the feedback and b) understand where it came from and why. Good points related to women looking up to other women who are "meeting their age with grace, ferocity, and determination." 


If you have women you admire who are over 50, who are they and what about them do you admire? 

Here are a just a few of my own favorites: 

Here's a quiz. Can you name them? Do you know their age? What about them might I admire? 

Feel free to comment on these wonderful women and/or share your own favorites below. What does aging gracefully mean to you? Do you care if a woman colors her hair? I know I don't. Color - don't color. I say that's your choice. I do like Ellen DeGeneres even if she chooses to color her hair. And as to why I included pictures of Daniel Day Lewis and Johnny Depp along with her in my last post I say this: I enjoy looking at them! I may be getting older but I'm not yet dead! 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi (Sue) 

PS... a few more days to comment and get in on my Birthday Blog Comment Contest! 

Blog Birthday Comment Contest

As you may know, or may have noticed, I have a big birthday coming up. Despite my best attempts to hate this particular birthday year, I am actively working at ways to make it great. 

I don't know about you, but I feel WAY younger than I am. And while age is just a number, they can wreak havoc with our emotional state until we adjust. If we allow them to, they can even send us into a deep depressionary spiral and ruin our year. But we are the only ones who can choose whether to wallow in self-pity or to celebrate ourselves in all our glory at whatever age we happen to be. 

What is life without celebrations? 

We all know just what life is if we aren't getting older. 

And on a somewhat somber note, those of us celebrating big birthdays should remember that not every one is so lucky to get the chance. 

And so ... despite how much it pains me to type these words, I am actively working toward being FABULOUSLY FIFTY! Can it be? Not me! But alas tis true. 

In honor of this momentous occasion that is coming all too soon (see my birthday countdown calendar to the right of your screen), I am having a Blog Birthday Comment Contest! 


The rules are easy: 

1. Comment on the Mama Picture This blog between now and June 6th
2. Share the blog post that includes your comment ... on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
3. You are automatically entered in a random drawing on my birthday (June 7th) 
4. Winner receives a t-shirt & 4-pack of photo cards (you choose the photos)
5. 2 Runners up win an 8x10 (or 8x8) photo print of their choosing! 

*** In addition, I will donate 5% of every sale in my shop between now and my birthday to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (in honor of my Dad). 

Happy Big Birthday to Me... and to you too! 

Help me to make it a great one! 

I am counting on all of you (you know who you are) who read the blog but rarely if ever comment to comment and spread the word far and wide! Without your help, this contest will fizzle... but with your help it will be FABULOUS! 

10 Ways to Celebrate a Big Birthday without Breaking the Bank

If you are having a big birthday and want to celebrate without breaking the bank, there are still some great things you can do to mark the occasion. 

1.  Get a tattoo 

While a large or elaborate tattoo can set you back hundreds of dollars, you can often get a smaller one for under $100. 

2. Pierce something

Never gotten your ears pierced? Do it now. Looking for something more adventurous, consider your upper ear or nose. I got my nose pierced just last year and it cost about $50 including jewelry. 

3. Manicure/Pedicure

        Want to go wild and spend a bit more? You can do
        both manicure and pedicure together. Save money 
        and just pick the one that makes you feel extra 
        special. 

4. Cut & Color

If you are anything like me, you don't cut your hair as often as you might like. A good hair cut can make you feel great so go for it. If you can spend a little extra go for some color. I always color my own hair but this year am splurging for both a new cut and a little fun color -- something I don't normally do. 

5. Shopping

The nice thing about taking yourself shopping (in stores or online) is that you are in charge and you can buy anything from a whole new outfit to a new piece of jewelry at the local resale shop or even some sparkly new nail polish to do your own nails. 

I know I'd like to spend my next birthday on an island in the Pacific or in Europe but this year it isn't going to happen. And that's o.k. My birthday celebration (and yours as well) can be special even on a budget. 

Happy Birthday to You! Make sure you find a way to honor just how wonderful you are even if it can't be elaborate. And while you are at it... consider figuring out ways to celebrate all year long throughout the year. You deserve it!

Thursday thoughts on celebrity

I have been thinking about nice new card stock, sticker paper and taking new photos but... 

My day job has been keeping me too busy to do anything about the shop these last couple of days. My job has had me thinking about celebrity, privilege, charity, causes, philanthopy and basketball - yes basketball! 

ROY Damian Lillard with staff from LifeWorks 

The last couple days at work I've been busy monitoring twitter, facebook and news sites focused on the NBA and a press conference yesterday, May 1st. 

Now why would the marketing coordinator at a mental health and addictions non profit be doing such a thing? 

And the answer to that question is Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazer. Now what is it that connects the dots between an up and coming basketball player and a non-profit? In this case it is a 2014 KIA Sorento! KIA named Damian Rookie of the Year for 2012-13 and he is having them donate the KIA to LifeWorks NW for our Project Network program! 

While monitoring every thing during the NBA press conference yesterday, it became clear that it was one of the busiest news days I've seen in a very long time. There was national news on the Boston bombing front, there was local news and schools on lock down, May Day celebrations all over the country and more. 

There was even another BIG sports story in Portland, Oregon competing for the media's attention. Funny thing is that that story was all about an 8 year old soccer player... who just happens to go to school with my kids! 

Diagnosed with cancer about a year ago, yesterday was a big day for Atticus! Thousands came and cheered for he and his soccer team, The Green Machine, who played and won against, the Portland Timbers soccer team! 

These young athletes and their professional counterparts (but more the kids) faces were everywhere yesterday, on pretty much every local news channel and outlet, all day long! 

Portland was awash in Atticus Fever! Sample coverage here: http://www.katu.com/sports/Boy-8-gets-wish-to-play-against-Timbers-205671301.html

And then, not at all related to sports, I have been noticing lots of news articles about Cheap Trick celebrating the 35th anniversary of their Live at Budokan album. Why would I notice that in the midst of everything else? I didn't attend Budokan, why should I care? 


Simply put, all the news of Cheap Trick commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Live at Budokan album puts me in a time warp. It suddenly takes me back to the many hours I spent with the guys at photo shoots, video shoots, back stage at shows, hanging out wherever they were (and no I wasn't a groupie). I worked for Epic Records back in the day, not the original Budokan day but during the Lap of Luxury days... and they were fun. 

So those are my Thursday thought on celebrity. Back to my regular life. 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

Perk up a room

I am certain that just the right photo can perk up a room in no time and for not a lot of cost. That is part of my thinking often times when I look at my own photos. Funny thing is that I've been so busy that I haven't really decorated any of my own walls with photos since the ones I took of my kids that are in our bathroom (and that's been awhile). 

I had a couple of my photos (from last year's Fizz show) up in our living room but honestly I need something bigger there and framed to fend off the misc. Nerf things that zoom through our air! There are certainly plenty of possibilities such as the orange tulip or even something from the ghost town pictures. 
My daughter took another smaller photo from the show and put it on her bedroom wall and it did look lovely until she had a tantrum at bedtime and all the pretty things on that wall ... well ended up not on the wall any longer. 

One of my goals for the year, along with reinvigorating both this blog and my Etsy shop, is to get more decorating done in my house and to that end, if I promise to share it here with you, then I just might actually do it this time! We have painted both kid rooms and the "family" room and our bedroom but we need to decorate more, especially the walls. 

Funny thing is that the very first image I want to frame and put on our bedroom wall is our daughter's art. The minute she drew this image, I knew it would look great against our calm green bedroom walls. 

I am committing to framing it and putting it up in our bedroom. The next question is just where it shall be placed. 

I hope to get more creative with our family photos and my own images, kid creations and other ideas so I hope you will stay tuned. 

How do you decorate your walls, if at all? 

Shiny irony

Usually, I'm looking for the beauty in every day.

Today I found some beauty in this antique car. 

Beautiful and shiny too. 

And in that shine, there was a  bit of irony. 

Do you see what I see? 

Finding the hidden beauty in every day

Spring Break has sprung. Doing this by seat of our pants. At least I have 2 days to be at work to think about some ideas before it is my turn to be in charge of the kids. I'm thinking a movie, maybe a trip for a hike or to the trampoline place for some jumping and maybe even a short jaunt to the gorgeous Oregon Coast in honor of my boy turning into a TEEN-ager! 

And in the midst of spending some time with my girl this weekend, we came across this beauty tucked in and easily missed by most. Wishing I'd had my better camera (not just my phone) but alas this is what we got. Still beautiful and simple. Here's hoping you find some beauty tucked in to your day and your week and the end of March 2013! 

Fun in the summer time

Summer fun.

To most of us those words bring up images of running around our neighborhood with friends, sleeping in, Popsicles, the ice cream truck and swimming! 

As Summer weather has finally arrived in the great Northwest, we decided to go ahead and put up our inflatable pool. It is the first place I look for my daughter from now until I know she is in a school classroom. She is a water baby for sure.

Unfortunately she wants someone in there with her at all times and often she wants it to be me. Yesterday I was off the hook because I was at my office working all day. Tuesday (my other day off this week) I got a short respite in the morning while we waited for the clouds to burn off. I had hoped to be working on my Etsy shop orders during that time but the right magnet parts have not arrived and the prints were still a work in progress. Instead I made scones - real ones - the kind that are even triangular in shape!

Ready to go into the oven

Ready to eat!

Chocolate chip scones were quite a hit, especially with the sprinkled sugar on top. They looked so good, I even had to have one -- which added 300 calories to my daily count! Two bouts with the treadmill to work that off!

By the time we had mixed, baked and eaten our scones, it was warm and sunny outside and time to get in the pool. I bought a wee bit more time by taking a trip to purchase pool toys and of course ended up in the pool for much of the afternoon. 

The good news for today is that my beautiful prints have arrived thanks to the hard work of Thomas Webb! You really must check out his incredible paintings and prints at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Webbitup! 

I have forewarned the girl that I will get in the pool but once because I will be working on Etsy orders and packaging, including a trip to the post office and possibly a store for crafty supplies. Soon this pile of gorgeous prints will be cards, canvases, necklaces, magnets and more.

Stay tuned!

So many prints, so much "making" fun to be had!

Beat the Heat

It is a quiet house this morning at 11:00 a.m. and I'm trying to decided just what we/I should do. While the rest of the country (mostly) is roasting with temps above 100 degrees, we are supposed to have our first 90 degree one.


I had been hoping to hang in my basement studio working away on necklaces, canvases, cards and magnets but there have been a few glitches in the supply chain to be worked through. Likely I'll be working on shop items on Tuesday (my first day off all Summer)! 


I should exercise before the heat sets in and make up my daily smoothie, but then what? 


I need to prepare my clothes and other goodies for work in advance as I am definitely not used to getting up at 6 am anymore and leaving the house at 7 am nor am I used to working an 8-hour day! Should be interesting. 


Hung another one of my larger photos in our family room yesterday. Liking the way it looks other than the reminder that we truly need to paint all of our walls after years of living in this house! 


I may take some pics (in the cool basement) and post "Eye Candy" show pieces to Etsy shop today but otherwise we may need to go to a movie or some other indoor (with air conditioning) activity. What are you doing to stay cool if you need to? 

And the contest winner is...

The Fizz Show "Eye Candy" images have come down... 

and the name has been drawn... 

the

is

Sarah Lansky

of Lansky PR! 

Congrats Sarah!

Welcome to Christmas in July!

Mama Zuzi's no grinch! 


July has arrived and with it Christmas in July! 


Help me celebrate with a purchase from the shop at 15% off any item all month long! New items being added regularly so check back often this month. 


Use Coupon Code: CHRISTMASJULY2012 during check out to get your discount. 
Happy Shopping! Mama Picture This on Etsy


Mama Zuzi

Hip to be Square

With a tween in my house, I'm certain with each passing year I become less "hip" despite no doubt having more hips. On that front (my hips), I'm adding a little Vitamin D to my diet in hopes that it just might kick start some weight loss but I am not (repeat not) holding my breath!

While I may not be as hip as I used to be (if I ever really was), I believe I am more at ease with myself and better able to fully enjoy the things I do... such as exploring my photography and ways to display it. I may no longer work and dine with the likes of INXS or Debbie Gibson or go dancing with Marc Anthony, but I'm more comfortable in my own skin.

And so I decided the other day that it was time to do some experimenting. I made a trip with my 9-year old daughter to the local craft store and the photo below shows just what made it's way home with us (other than some projects for the girl). 

Since my shot of purple flowers has been popular, I decided it might be fun to make it available on canvas. I'm going to try it on (as you can see) a 5"x5" size canvas and an 8"x8" one. 

Then the girl and I saw these adorable little cardboard frames that come ready to hang with their own twine and we just HAD to have them. Purple Blaze is a likely candidate for one of these as is Leaf Love. They might make the cutest little pics to hang in a child's room or a guest bathroom! Square artwork on wood, in frames, on canvas etc. do seem to be all the "hip" rage when I look around Etsy and the Internet..

Once I get my prints, I'll have to get a little Hodge Podge and some craft paint to round out my experiments. Soon enough we shall see if my photos can look "hip" in/on these squares! 

Now I'm going to go play a little Huey Lewis & The News. 

If you know who I am talking about, you may no longer be "hip" either! 

Back at 'cha soon.

So smooth

Morning and night lately, I find that I crave two things. 

1) A sale in my shop & 

2) Smoothies! 

Around the same time that I added my newest photos (from the Fizz show) into my Etsy shop, I tried Dr Oz's (or Dr. Fuhrman's) supposedly great healthy crash diet. Well crash it did. I lost all of 1 pound and have in the Etsy shop made all of 1 sale - but I'll take it! 

Have a 1-day sale, make a sale. It works! 

Even my daughter is getting into it... advising me what to do or think about my shop and regularly requesting her own smoothies. 

This morning, the girl had mango/strawberry smoothie while I had banana/raspberry/pomegranate/strawberry/peanut butter/kale! Sounds truly atrocious when you get to the kale but it is delicious! 

It even looks good... I should have shot the mango one because the color was sublime and the texture perfection... but alas I did not. But here in all it's glory, is my smoothie and my sale. 

I'm hoping with enough of each I just might lose more than 1 pound by the end of the summer and be able to pay my nanny bill too! 

Now I'm going to spend some time thinking about other ways to display my photos... such as small wood blocks (ready to hang), necklaces or on canvas. Thinking, thinking, thinking... 

More soon.

Falling in love with pictures

I find that I fall in love with pictures. It doesn't take much and I never know just when it will be, but I do it pretty regularly.

This is the picture I am in love with today. I took it this evening. Points to Portlanders if you can tell me where I took it and just what's going on in that orb.

I am in love with the color and the shapes and the reflections.

I am in love with this photo and with taking photos. I don't love all photos, not even all my own photos. Sometimes I hate 'em.

But tonight, I am in love with this photo. So glad I thought to take it when I did.

Do you fall in love with photos?

Should this photo be more than just a blog post? When you fall in love with a photo or an image, must you have it? If you must, in what form?

Fall in love when you can... even if it is with a photo or art. Fall in love often and hard. Life is worth it and so are you!

Running on the wheel of life

Do you ever feel like a gerbil running in circles on your wheel? Life feels a bit that way of late.

A typical day in SE Portland