Helping The Animals - Lost Our Home Pet Foundation

It's heartbreaking to hear of animals that have to go to rescue...heartwrenching when it's because of a foreclosure. Lost Our Home Pet Foundation is a nonprofit group of real estate professionals who rescue pets left behind due to foreclosures or other financial hardship. Like many groups there is a great need for volunteers and you have an opportunity this weekend.

Lost Our Home is holding a Foster Orientation on Sunday, January 30th, from 2-3pm at the Country Inn and Suites at 808 Scottsdale Road in Tempe. Along with learning how you can help there will be cookies, other pet lovers and a raffle for prizes including a Puppy Love Portrait Session from me ;-)

Is Your Child Adorable? A Winner, Too?

Starting now we are participating in the annual ADORABLE National Kids Portrait Contest. For a limited time only, all children photographed at Marcia The Art of Photography are eligible to win $7500 in prizes nationally along with local prizes, too. Special sessions are available at $79 per child (a 69% savings) with promotional print package pricing provided only until the contest deadline. Hurry now for best portrait times for your child.

A Little Something For You

January is my Birthday month and I'm always somewhat contemplative this time of year. This image, shot along the Mississippi, conveys how I feel as I count the years passing.

This month's desktop image is my Birthday gift to you. Please feel free to download and enjoy.

Keep checking back for new images. A little something different, but something always for you.

New Business Ideas for The New Year

Anyone else as excited for the start of a new year as me? I am so ready to put the past recession to bed and embrace the bustling new economy (and make mucho money, too). I've been thinking a lot about ways to promote career security and have come up with some thoughts I'd like to share:

Diversification: When I moved to Arizona I was intent on keeping my focus as exclusively a wedding photographer, now I'm looking at any and every way I can make money using my talent and training. From photographing sweet puppies to finding ways to sell my images as fine art it's all good as long as it's legal ;-) What are you doing to stay self employed and loving it?


Creating Multiple Sources of Income: Today I monetized my blog, adding Google AdSense and Amazon so I can sell the products I love and have recommended for free. In my future? I'm thinking E-books, notecards and maybe even building a stock images collection. What can you do to create multiple sources of income for yourself?

Staying Creative: Did anyone else have a Creativity Freeze when the money started drying up? I know I did and I never want to be in that position again. 2011 is going to be the year of trying new things, from different camera techniques and equipment to new recipes and different art mediums...When I make something new I'll share it with you, proving my commitment to my creativity...what will you be doing to pursue your bliss?

Charitable Activities: This will be the year of giving for me. I am focusing on animal rescue groups and could use some help. If you have a favorite rescue, let's talk. Let's see what we can do to help some great animals and maybe some new clients for me, too ;-)

I'm looking forward to watching how my business grows in 2011 with these new plans, hopes and dreams. I'd like to take you along for the ride...so hop in, shut the door and hang on, 2011 Here I come!

SIMPLE PLEASURES: Sharing Recipes

If you're like me this time of year it's very often 11am and I haven't even remembered to have my coffee much less breakfast...life just get's too busy and, well, I need help to have that first meal of the day. This recipe makes having a nutritious breakfast easy. It's protein filled, gluten free and just plain good.

Southwestern Egg Cups

12 Eggs
1 Package Crumbled Turkey Bacon
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup Salsa
Optional: Chopped Green Onion for garnish.
Paper Baking Cups
12 servings

Pre-Heat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients except green onion. Place paper baking cups in 12 slot muffin pan and then spray the cups with Pam. Pour egg mixture into cups about 3/4 full. Sprinkle a little green onion on the top of each one. Bake about 25-30 minutes, until eggs are slightly browned and set.

These little gems can be kept in the fridge for about a week or frozen. Microwave to warm, one to two minutes on high.

It's the simple pleasures that make life good....sharing is just one of them.