We've got 2 openings on Sunday!

Okay, We've had a couple of cancellations for Sundays PORTRAITS In the PARK in Fall Foilage.
So first come, first served.... The times are for 3:00 and 3:30 on Sunday.
So give us a call. Lucy will be working Saturday in the studio, so give her a call at 761-5111 or leave a message.
This is the only time we will be doing this this year, so take advantage of it.
Remember to FALL BACK on Saturday night for Daylight Savings Time.
Happy Halloween and see yall later!

Hugs!
Dixie Chick :-)

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Click on the link to see some Funny Halloween Pranks. They made me and my employee Lucy Laugh! Enjoy! And have a safe and Happy Halloween. As for me, Im going to a football game tonight! Yipee!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj1I1GH8ADw

Just Jordan!

Meet Jordan! Shes a bubbly, bright and bundle of cheerfulness girl! I have to tell you, Jordan is both quiet and unassuming, yet her internal light shines at the same time. I wish I could hire her, I'd love to have her energy here every day.

Here's just a sneak peek of her photo shoot. Oh, and she brought REAL Gerber Daisy's with her. (no using my silk ones when we have the real deal.)

Here are a couple of Jordan's facts: Ill add more later!

Favorite flower: Gerber Daisy
Favorite ice cream: Rocky Road

Sweet Seger!

Yesterday baby Seger came to see me. (I'm sorry about everyone waiting to get BLOGGED.) Baby Seger just cut in front of you, because hes just so adorable! He reminds me of my own grandson Aaron, because of his beautiful creamy white skin. I love those eyes and obviously he was teething. He smiled so good for us!
I swear I never saw a baby smile so much.

Ive photographed his 2 sisters over the years, and it was so great to get to take his 6 month photos too.
Thanks Mama and "GLAM-MA!"

Amazing dance-Worth Watching.

I am always on the lookout for beautiful and inspiring things. I cant help it, Ive always loved the profound and the special.
Each day I try to find beauty in this world gone mad, and thanks to the Internet, I usually find something to take my breath away.
This is a beautiful dance between a man and a woman, who are both special in their way. The human spirit is always much stronger than the circumstances we are in. This is proof.
By the way, if you've never seen GOD TUBE, its amazing. I discovered it last year and have been enjoying it a lot. Its like You Tube, but no negative videos. Only Inspiring ones.
enjoy! Be sure and mute my JUKE BOX before clicking on the link, so the music doenst interfere.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=19d8ac11627107892b66

Operation Smile

Not everyone is proud of their smile. There are many children born with a birth defect which makes them ashamed to smile.

They are teased and stared at. Thats why I support Operation Smile. Its an organization that helps pay for surgeries for children with Cleft Palate.

If you could help just one child have a better smile, would you?
Go to my site to help this outstanding organization.
http://support.operationsmile.org/site/TR/Events/OneSmile?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&px=1111861

Audrey Look-a-like!

Wow, Doesnt this young lady look a lot like Audry Hepburn??? Wow! Its uncanny. When she came in I was so amazed!

The first photo is the real Audry Hepburn and the 2nd one is the one I shot. Uncanny. They say everyone has a twin!

I love Halloween!

As the wife of a military Pilot, I have to say I love love love this costume!

That's one Fly dog!

Thanks Gina for sending this to me and making me smile this morning. (the morning news doesn't make me smile these days, but this did!)

I hear its going to be warm on Halloween which is good so the children don't have to cover up their costumes with coats like usual.

Appointment times open for next weekend

We still have just a few openings next weekend for our FAMILY and CHILDRENS photos in the Fall Foliage! We will be doing these in a local park where the leaves are just beautiful! This makes such a great Christmas card and family portrait.

Bring your Dogs and the whole gang! Its our 13th year of doing these and are so popular!

Just shoot us an email at PDixie@sw.rr.com today or call us on Tuesday. 761-5111 (We are closed on Mondays.)
First come, First Served!

A love story Movie

Okay, If you are an old married woman like me, (hee hee) then you gotta go see NIGHTS IN RODANTHE. Its great. I heard both good and bad reviews on it, but I liked it! I just added the main song to my blog here. "Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale. Love it!

heres the link to the movie trailor, check it out !

I love those "feel good movies" When I was a kid my mom would take my sister to the funny movies, my brother the scary movies and me to the LOVE STORIES. I still love them. :-) http://nightsinrodanthe.warnerbros.com/

A Fun Night!

Last night I tagged along with my sons friends to go to some Haunted Houses. First we went to the one in Randlett Oklahoma. THE HOUSE OF CARNAGE . We went on this one last year and its really the best all around! It has a hayride out the house and you can get hamburgers and hot chocolate and they are showing scary movies on a big screen tv in the Volunteer Fire Dept while you wait.

However, the wait was too long as we got there so late (We got there at 10 Pm) so we decided to hit the ones in Wichita Falls instead. So we went to the one downtown- The Crime Stoppers one on Scott Street in the old McClurkans building.

Admission was $5 for adults and so we went in. I smuggled my camera in and got some shots off. Let me tell you it was PITCH BLACK in there and I had brough a small camping lantern but forgot it in the Suburban, so I used my camera flash as a light to see.

There is fog everywhere and its really good. i wouldnt recommend it to kids under the age of 12 though. The ending is pretty scary too! AUGH! We stood out on the sidewalk and watched people coming out of the back entrance and laughed and laughed. It was great!

Here's some of the images I got. It was a lot of fun with all my sons friends. Big strong Football players to protect me. haha.

I laughed and screamed so much my sides were cramping. It was the reactions the guys had to everything that made me laugh so much. They were like little boys. And I screamed my head off. My throat is actually hoarse today because of it. Then we were going to see the movie SAW, but couldnt find what theatre it was at, so instead we went to Taco Bell and pigged out there on tons of food. It was a great night. I dont want my 15 year old boy to grow up because I love hanging with him.

They have a football game Halloween night in Iowa Park so we made tonight our Halloween. (Hallows Eve) and Burks colors are Orange and Black, so how appropriate!

I LOVE HALLOWEEN. To find out about the 4 or 5 local haunts here go to this link http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/oct/17/haunted-houses-scream-halloween/

Last nights football game Burkburnett vs Decatur 61-47

(Burk dawg, Tommy Dalke sacks Decaturs QB Friday night, photo by Dixie)

OH. MY.GOSH. Words cannot begin to express Friday nights game against Decatur in Burkburnett. This game had it all. Drama, injuries, fights, scoring all over the place, passing, interceptions, fumbles, bad ref calls, players being ejected from the game. and an Ambulance on the field taking off a injured player (Tucker McDaniel) strapped to a board to immobilize his neck injury!

The game started great in the nice cool autumn air, we scored immediately with the first few minutes of the game. We were were doing great till halftime. The half time show was amazing. The Boomtown babes show was Halloween inspired and the Decatur band did a great show as well. Then halftime was over and the drama began.

I couldn't believe my eyes when for 45 minutes one of our players, TuckerMcDaniel laid on the field for 45 minutes not moving! Burks' trainer, Paige crouched near him talking to him and working with him. We held our breaths waiting for him to get up, but he didn't. Then the police on the field, the players all kneeling, and then the Decatur team all came onto the field and prayed with our boys for McDaniel. I wept watching them pray, along with everyone else. (young people praying always makes me cry. Its so beautiful!)

I held my breath and then an ambulance pulls onto the football field and took him away. I hear he is doing good, but I'm not for sure yet.
Then our guys warmed up again and stretched and the game resumed over 45 minutes after he was hit.
Then we scored in the first few seconds upon returning. Then a fight broke out ( I heard one of Decatur's players twisted a Burk boys arm up behind his back. Bad words were spewed back and forth and it was ugly.

Finally we got back in the game again and it was war. I have never seen anything like that. Decaturs Quarterback Jr. Tim Metts, can pass and his offense can certainly keep the pressure off him while he has time to locate a receiver! It was like watching Troy Aikmen to me. I was impressed. But then we were tied 33 to 33. It was scary. Decatur wanted to win this one. They wanted it bad. Thank heavens for Jay Gould and his super fast legs. That boy can run! Jason Beach and Jay Gould and interceptions made by Jordan Beach. Tackles everywhere. My friend Ginas son Josh Houston made some great plays! Our son tried his best to hold them back. Those boys are tall! It was amazing. We finally won it 61-47, but My gosh what a game! Our boys are battered bruised and sore. They are out in Burk raising money for the "TEENS MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY". I suspect my son will spend the night in the bathtub in hot water.
WOW. Amazing. Reminds me of the movie Friday Night Lights. We re now 7-1. This is the most amazing football season year Ive ever seen next to Odessa Permian in the 80s.

I didn't like the fights and the drama, but I'm proud of the boys for giving thier all and doing their best. They have a winning season and thats something to be very proud of.
UPDATE! I just heard that Tucker McDaniel (the injuured boy) is doing good. He did have a concussion but he is back home and doing well today! Praise the Lord!

Here's the story from the Times thttp://m.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/oct/25/bulldogs-make-passes-count-61-47-win/

Who am I?

Wow, A friend of mine sent this to me. I know you'll love it too. Only takes a minute.
Enjoy!
Have a Blessed weekend everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

Have you had a peak experience?

I read this article this morning on the website I get called Daily Reflections by John H. Sklare, Ed.D
I love this mans articles, Ive been reading them for a couple of years. Hes an amazing man, who lost his wife a few years ago and he writes columns for various magazines, and e zines.

I'm going through something right now that's very painful. I don't want to bore or scare any of you, but its a rough time for me. I have always been an optimist but this is something I cant fix. Its something that I cannot do much about. I just have to give it to God.
So this article made me smile, Because I too have had those Peak Moments. Moments of Joy that flood you at times. The first time I went scuba diving. Hearing my 2 children cry right after their births. The day I walked down the aisle on my wedding day.
Para sailing in Hawaii high over the beautiful ocean. Living in Japan and enjoying the trade winds blowing and sipping iced tea and looking at the ocean view from my front yard.
many times Ive had a Peak Moment. Read on... what the good Dr. wrote today. And to see his site in the future go to http://lifescript.com/Experts/John.aspx I pray you have a peak experience soon!

"I was lounging on my deck the other day when suddenly I became aware of how quiet it had become. Not a mower, car, plane, voice or anything could be heard. It was simply a rare and magical moment, at least in my neck of the woods. As a matter of fact, the silence was so profound and I became so engrossed in it that it almost seemed mystical. It reminded me of something that I had read about in a psychology theory class years ago in graduate school called a Peak Experience!

American psychologist and philosopher Abraham H. Maslow, who lived from 1908 until 1970, coined this term to describe “nonreligious quasi-mystical and mystical experiences.” According to Maslow, peak experiences “are sudden feelings of intense happiness and well-being.” I’m sure most of you have had this experience at least once in your life. Accompanying these experiences is a heightened sense of control over your body and emotions, and a wider sense of awareness, as though one was standing on the very top of a mountain. The experience often fills the individual with wonder and awe and is truly an invigorating and magical moment.

These experiences can be found in doing the fantastic, like scuba diving in the Caribbean, or in the simple wonder of holding the hand of someone you love. Regardless of the situation, a peak experience is a “stop and smell the roses” moment. So, with that said, here is your mission: See if you can find one of those magical moments today. Even if these happen to be the worst of times in your life presently, find one single moment today when your appreciation for something simple takes you away from it all. "

Sam

heres more of Sam. She is so much fun. Today we got wind burned and a lot of sun but it was a great day! Thanks Sam!

PS to see the pics larger, just CLICK ON THEM.

Happiness is...

Happiness is... Your husband taking you to Starbucks early in the morning just to spend time with you. This morning my husband is working "late week" at the base and flying jets at night, so he doesn't have to rush off in the mornings to work.

So he took me to Starbucks and we read the newspaper and chatted. It was a great way to start off the day. Thanks Honey!

My 1200th post!

Wow, Hard to beleive that I have written 1,200 posts on my blog! I started my first blog back in August 2005 on Xanga (3 years ago) Time sure flys by!

I wanted to post this lovely portrait I did of Gracie and her doggies.
Gracie is the daughter of a local physcian here in town and what a lovely girl she is. Shes going to be a real heartbreaker in a few years!

Love lives here!

Wow! Newsflash! Love lives here in my own backyard! I got a shot to prove it!
Wow! hee hee. Im feeling goofy on this beautiful Monday. I had a Mani and a Pedi and had lunch at the Cotton Patch. Did some shoppping today. It was a "Dixie Day" as the Dixie paper plates commercial says.

A longtime customers said recently something to me that made me feel so good. She said you should rename your studio to "The studio with a HEART". When I asked her why, she said "I always feel so special when I come here. You always have a smile for me and you do more than just take pictures. You ask me about me. and then you give me some advice too." I apologized for the advice part. (I cant help it, ive always been that way, the good women in my family give unsolicited advice all the time. hee hee) She said "No, I like how you always tell me the truth. My friends tell me what I want to hear, but you tell me the truth and I love you for that!" WOW!!!!
Isnt that great? Its nice to be appreciated for who you are. Its really nice.
Thank you L.G! I appreciate you!

Our Grandson Aaron

Fall Family Portraits almost Full!

We still have just a few openings left for our Fall Special. We are photographing families in the fall foliage on weekends while the leaves are changing. If you want to get on the list give us a call or send an email. These are 30 minute "mini sessions". Shoot us an email for available times to PDIXIE@sw.RR.com or call 761-5111 and leave your name and number.
This is our 13Th year of running this special! We are also offering a discount on our Christmas and Holiday cards from this special session.
As you can see, they also make beautiful Wall Portraits for your home!

Thanks! Back to carving more pumpkins now, Gosh I love Autumn!

Baby Holland

I cant believe how fast baby girl Holland is growing! You might remember her from last month in the cute little cowboy boots. Her mama brings her in every single month and Ive loved watching her grow in front of my camera!

Shes such a little sweet pea. Well actually, she will be this Halloween.( A pea in a pod!) "Sweet Pea" is a nickname I like to call pretty babies! so I thought that was pretty appropriate for Holland.

Thank you Leah, you two always make my day!

100 years from now.

"100 Years from now it will not matter ...what my bank account was;
the type of house I lived in,or the kind of car I drove;
but the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a CHILD.

-Forest E. Witcraft American scholar, teacher and Scout Leader.

Little Meggie

This is a precious girl and her main squeeze Ben! Megan is such a natural beauty! She is my neighbor and honestly, she gets prettier every time I see her. Plus shes just a good kind person too. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat children and dogs and Megan is always so nice to both. During her photo shoot my dog wandered into the room and laid down next to her and she just cracked up and started petting her. I think Megan is pretty special and I'm glad to know her. Thanks Megan and Ben for coming, I really enjoyed you guys!

Hugs!

Mrs. D

Cutie Kiah!

Love my new lens! Its a macro and wow can I get close!

This is Kiah! She came all the way from Tennesse for her Senior Portraits! Look at those eyes! Just a beautiful girl. Her grandmother made me smile and laugh and is a very interesting woman.

Thank you Kiah! It was so great to meet you!

CELL PHONES CAN KILL

Do you text message while driving? It may seem harmless, but distracted drivers account for nearly four out of five crashes in the United States, and looking away for just two seconds doubles that danger. Still, nearly 50 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 continue to text behind the wheel. I

personally know a boy who has wrecked his car while texting. Thank God no one was hurt, but his mother was so stressed about it and it cost money and insurance, etc. I have another friend who recently got a ticket going through a children's school zone and talking on her phone while speeding!

The Grim Reality of this is, is not only could you kill or maim someone else (or many others), but you could wind up going to prison for involuntary manslaughter for your carelessness!

In March of 2007A distracted driver, who was using his cell phone and ran through a stop light, killed Lauren Elizabeth Mulkey.
Only 17 years of age, her life ended too soon. Lauren was an accomplished scholar, athlete, and artist. Her family started a website and program called HANG UP - SAVE A LIFE. COM

http://www.handupsavealife.com/

The intent of Hang Up - Save a Life is to provide information and education on the dangers of distracted driving. Consider how many times you personally used or witnessed someone driving while using a cell phone, whether it be talking, looking up a number, or text messages. This seemingly innocent act has caused countless accidents and fatalities.

http://www.handupsavealife.com/

With our son getting his drivers license next month, I worry about other drivers, or he himself being distracted by a ringing phone or a friend texting. Please check out this site to see what you can do! We need to let our congressmen know that we want to outlaw driving and Texting. California has proposed a bill already after 3 children were crushed in their backseat!
Dr. Phil will have a show about it on Thursday this week.
http://www.hangupsavealife.com/

Bulldogs Win again! 23-6!

Last nights game in Vernon in the Crisp fall air was a good one! Burkburnett won their 6th game! (6-1 now.) Jason beach threw two passes which scored touchdowns and he was flipped once in the air and landed on his neck! It was scary few minutes while Paige, the professional trainer worked with him.
Thank Goodness he got back up was back in after only a few minutes.

(This photo is from the Times Record Newspaper (jason palmer) and our son #75 helps make a hole so Jay Gould #5 can run through in the first quarter. Looking at these boys, they look small, but our son is 240lbs. and #78 is even heavier!)

I just can't believe the season these boys are having! Our son got a sack and would you believe right at that moment my camera battery went dead?! Its NEVER gone dead during a game.

But thanfully his dad got it on video. Our friend Lorenzo Barnes jumped and made an interception during a pass (He does that every year a few times!)
The team was fired up and seemed to be moving really fast on the field. It was an excellent game! Now this morning at 9am they have Film review where they watch what they did right and wrong, even though they didn't get to bed until 1 am. That's dedication. I'm so proud of all of them. :)The newspaper already has a story and photos up this morning at 8:00 am.

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/oct/18/bulldogs-bounce-back-23-6-win

Sam

Today I got to meet Sam. She is tall and leggy and reminds me of the girls in Germany and the Netherlands! Thanks Sam and Mom, yall were so much fun!

Favorite ice cream: Vanilla
Favorite color: Green
Favorite music: Texas Country
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Favorite actor: Adam Sandler
Favorite Movie: The Wedding Singer & Happy Gilmore
Sports played: Volleyball and Basketball
College attending: Texas Tech

BEST OF SHOW!

I just found out that my Image titled "Ti amo bambino" (I love my baby in Itallian)

won the Best of Show from J/ISO Magazines print competition/convention tradeshow held in Las Vegas NV!

The image was selected by a panel of 9 judges as BEST OF SHOW and Best portrait of a Child. They received over 14,500 entries into the competition

I cant wait to tell the mother of the baby. They are living in Germany right now so I have to get a hold of them via email. She reads my blog a lot too, so maybe she'll see it today.

Another image of the same mother and baby, won a merit and was awarded the honor of Exhibition last year at another event in Dallas last Spring.

The cool thing about it is it was shot with my Medium Format Bronica GS1 on Film! I am going back to film for numerous reasons. I love the crispness, the snap and the beauty that only film can deliver. I will still show my images digitally but will be using film on my special shoots. Nothing can compare to it. I love Velvia film. I'm even thinking of reviving my darkroom again. I miss having my hands in the chemistry and the smell of fixer in the morning!

Honestly, I'm running out of room for these awards and trophies, I even have them sitting on the floor along the wall.

But I thank my wonderful clients because they are the ones that make me look good!

Delta Goodrem Aussie Singer

Im in love with this girls voice and music! Shes amazing. She is from Australia and her name is DELTA GOODREM. ( I love D names! )

Shes beautiful and super talented and amazing. I hope you'll check her out. Her music is amazing.

(the 2nd song on myjuke box here to the right is hers. "IN THIS LIFE.")

She almost died of a rare form of cancer at a young age. Check out her site and you'll fall in love too.

I would love to photograph her. Shes so natural and pretty and you can tell shes a good person, cant ya?

http://www.us-deltagoodrem.com/index.php

Heres how to get her new CD in stores now. Or through Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=delta+goodrem

A sweet email ...

"Hi Dixie,

I hope this finds you having a wonderful week. I have truly enjoyed reading about you and your “dadsy,” this week. As you know, I can relate. The bond between fathers and daughters can truly be amazing. Growing up I thought all daughters and fathers were all the same and had the same relationship with their fathers, as I did with mine. However, this is unfortunately untrue.

I am thankful everyday for the bond my father and I share given to us through God’s amazing grace. Your father sounds like a true gem. He reminds me of the type of man you would want to sit on the front porch with for hours just talking, or just simply sitting quietly taking in all the wonders of the world.
Knowing first hand, you are truly blessed to have such a close and positive relationship with your “dadsy.”


Ok, now let me wipe the tears. I can sometimes be emotional when talking about father/daughter relationships.
Thank you for your time Dixie.

-Michelle"