Sundays Quote

"Do we stop playing because we grow old? Or Do we GROW OLD because WE STOP PLAYING?"
-author unknown

How can he be 16 already?

Rarely do I get to photograph my own son, but today I told him I wanted to do a few shots with his car and he surprised me and didn't put up a fight!

I know that I brag a lot on here about him, but since hes my baby, I think I need to do it while I still can.

Also, our family reads this blog from time to time, so I thought Id give them a recognizable face on here. Ever since he got his car (FROM PRUITT FORD IN BURKBURNETT) he has taken good care of it. I think he may have washed it about 6 times in 2 weeks! He vacuums it a lot and takes good care of it. He has saved up his money for years in the bank and this week he actually spent some of it and got one of those HUGE BASS speakers that go in your trunk! He drove me around today and played it at only 30% . My ears were throbbing. But since he likes Christian music I did not complain. I just didn't realize there was so many Rock n Roll type Christian songs out there these days with Bass. haha

(oh by the way, He got a haircut yesterday! I am not kidding. So this is short for him these days.) But then I had to hear a little bit of Van Halen and Aerosmith too.

We love you Scott, keep making us proud.

PS im adding a couple of my favorite songs to the blog that i like to listen when I ride in his car.

Oh by the way, This kid isnt spoiled. He makes Straight As in advanced Pre AP classes and never violates curfew and hasnt done anything wrong since he was 4 years old. Im not kidding. He is a good kid.) He dont even backtalk!

(yet anyway. hee hee)

Quote of the Day. "FAMILY"

"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family."
-Virginia Satir

Black Friday

Wow I had a great day shopping here in Dallas yesterday. I went to stores in Irving, Valley Ranch, Coppell, Lewisville. I got all my employees gifts first thing, So I'M so proud of myself for that! (and I didnt take any credit cards and only made a small cash withdrawl from the bank and that was it.)

Steinmart is where I got theirs! I love that store. A lot of people think Steinmart is Womens clothing, but its so much more, its home decor and bedding, sheets, pillows, towels and novel things that you just cant get anywhere else. Plus they have beautiful frames.

I went to Gardenridge, Michael's, Home Goods, Linens and Things, Hemisphere, Macys, Saks and Dillard's. I intended to go to IKEA, but I never made it that far. I was headed to Frisco but by that time it was 4:45 and I was pooped!

I'm glad I brought my lap top down here with me because in the evenings I'm getting work done too.
I had some wonderful Sushi yesterday at "SUSHI AWAJI" on MacArthur and 635. It was the best Ive ever had! (next to when I lived in JAPAN of course) And I had Hot Green tea and fried rice. Of Course you always have to have Garbi and Wasabi! And the MISO soup was really good too. And What a beautiful place!

Here's their web site if you are in the Dallas area. http://www.awajiirving.com/

I let my employees off for Friday too, so they could travel and be with their families too.

We'll be back in the studio on Tuesday. Have a good weekend. (now wheres my mother-in-laws Pumpkin pie?)

COOL Christina

I don't always blog every photo shoot I do, it would just be impossible to do, but I photographed Christina back in early October, and I have been thinking about her a lot. Shes a free spirit and was so much fun. I love her easy going ARTISTIC spirit!

She even has pink hair! I had so much fun with her and I have to blog some of her images.

I was sending some work to the lab and came across her order, so I just had to post a few of her.

Thanks Christina for choosing me, I had so much fun with you. Don't ever change and stay free spirited and zany and wild. Because the world will beat that out of you eventually if you don't hang tight to it.

I hope she achieves her dream of becoming a pastry chef! I think shes definitely creative!

Hope you had a good day

I hope you all had a good Turkey Day! We did, we are still in Dallas with family, but Ive been working this evening on the lap top. My mother in law outdid her self with her famous Dressing (family recipe) and Turkey and all the fixin's. I love this holiday.

I remember back one year when I was only 14, and my parents had gotten a divorce that summer and my sister and I went to live with our father and our brother stayed with our mom.

My father didn't buy a turkey and when the day came, we thought we would just eat out someplace. But the one place open that day closed early so their employees could be with their families, so we didn't have Thanksgiving that day. I remember my sister and I crying and missing our mother so much. My dad tried to cheer us up and it wasn't working. Finally we went to a 7-11 and bought some cans of chili and that's what we had. Chili and beans and some white onion.

It made me vow that I would learn how to cook and that I would never let that happen. As the oldest child in the house (14 years old) I wanted to take care of my sister who was 11 yeard old, and dad and I took home economics and learned to cook.!
It was both sad, and so scary, especially with my little sister crying for our mom.

It never happened again that way, The next year my mother made sure that we drove to her town (2 hours away) and that we had a good Thanksgiving, but ill never forget that year before.
I hope that no one has to go through something like that, especially as a child. That's why I try to support places like Faith Mission in Wichita Falls, and the Salvation Army because they feed people who don't have a family or the means.
Remember to be thankful for the things you have and mostly the people you love for others are not so fortunate.

God Bless and Happy day!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope you all have a nice day with your families. Our studio will be closed today and tomorrow and we will be back in the studio regular hours next week.
(940)761-5111

about Gratitude

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
-Dennis Waitley

Love this Family!

Such sweet precious girls!

Thank you Kaye and Bill for choosing me to photograph your family portrait. It was so much fun! This family made me laugh and smile and I pleaded with them to adopt me!

They are good down to earth folks and Ive grown fond of them this year. You see the Dad is our sons Football coach and the mom is a teacher at his school too. They are warm, friendly folks and the worlds a brighter place because of nice people like them.

Thank you Dalke Family, y'all were so much fun! (Oh and when I locked my keys in my car, they let me have dinner with them! I would of done anything to get to spend more time with them. hee hee)

Happy Thanksgiving Guys!

Tuesdays Quote

In any moment of decision... the best thing you can do is the RIGHT thing, the next best thing is the WRONG thing, and the Worst thing you can do is NOTHING.
-Theodore Roosevelt

Quote of the day

"The walls that we build around ourselves to keep the saddness out, also keeps out the JOY.
" -Jim Rohn

Kids have so much fun here at our studio!

Wow, Dont children and babies have so much fun here? I guess I bore them to sleep.

I love this shot of baby Holland snoozing on my baby sofa.

Shes got her John Deere boots on too.

So precious... Okay Im back to work again.

Our Studio Hours

Just a note to remind you that we are closed on MONDAYS.

Ou Reg Hours are Tues-Friday 10-5:30. We will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving and also on Friday as well.

NOTE: We expect all the Christmas Magic portraits due in this week!

If you call, please be patient and we will get back with you on Tuesday. Or send an email to PDIXIE@sw.rr.com

Megans Cheer Composite. Mercy, these things take forever! I started it on Friday, worked on it on Saturday morning, more yesterday (into the late hours) and at last on Monday morning at 10:45 finished. I would estimate I have about 8 hours in this. Phew my butt hurts! haha I hope you like it Megan.

The Best Banana Banana Bread

When the weather gets cool like this I love to bake. Here is a really simple recipe i like for banana bread. I originally got it from SIMPLY magazine. Its quick and easy, I'm making one right now!

Its movie night, my husband cooked a roast, while I took a nap and now we are going to watch a movie ("Monster in Law" with J.Lo and Jane Fonda)

3 or 4 over ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour

Directions:

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F . With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack.

Remove from pan and slice to serve. (I love it with Coffee or a glass of Cold Milk! Enjoy)

WHAT IS BRAVERY?

BRAVE

Possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching;

"Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver ...
audacious: invulnerable to fear or intimidation; "audacious explorers"; "fearless reporters and photographers"; "intrepid pioneers"

a North American Indian warrior (The brave hunted game and fought battles for his tribe).

Ppeople who are brave; "the home of the free and the brave"

Weather: face and withstand with courage; "She braved the elements"

brightly colored and showy; "girls decked out in brave new dresses"; "brave banners flying"; "`braw' is a Scottish word";

BULLDOGS YOU GUYS ARE BRAVE!

Its not the critic that counts.

There is no reward, without risk.
about 15 years ago, I stumbled across a SPEECH in a book, and I Xeroxed copied it and Ive kept it ever since.

So Bulldogs, you tried, you tried your heart out and that's all that truly counts.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the Arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a Worthy Cause, who at the best knows in the end the Triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while Daring Greatly.
So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt- Paris

Bulldogs hang tough with loss.

WOW, Last nights Burkburnett game with China Spring down in Aledo TX,was a nail biter. We hung tough with them for 3 quarters. We scored first with a 3 point field goal (D. Devereaux)

I've never seen a game like it. Our boys were amazing, and then in the 4th quarter things took a turn for the worse. With China Spring getting 2 touchdowns on us at the end.
The boys played their hearts out and Bruce and I are so proud of them all!

The Bulldog crowd cheered and shook the stadium with noise the whole game. We screamed and chanted and rocked the multi million dollar stadium. We definetly had spirit and were pumped.

and I think China Spring underestimated our boys. In fact, I found this morning in the Waco Tribune the quotes below of what their head coach had to say about the team.

But honestly I'm so proud of all of them. They wanted this and they wanted it bad and statistically they outplayed the cougars. Just look at the stats in the Times Record News. Just in the 4Th quarter they got a couple of plays on us and there wasn't time to recover.

Or son got a good sack and they looked like College players out there on that field. Our defense was amazing too. All the boys played well. Considering they played the #3 ranked team they really surprised the Cougars who underestimated us. Our boys have nothing to hang their heads about. You done good guys, it was a great effort. -D.D.


WACO TRIBUNE NEWS-“That’s a very good football team,” China Spring coach Mark Bell said of Burkburnett. “You don’t come in at 9-1 without being a good football team. We knew it would be a physical game, and it was.”

Was it ever. For fans of bone-jarring defense, the game was a masterpiece. Neither team could muster much offense against the other’s swarming tacklers.

With the score tied at 3 entering the fourth quarter, China Spring finally dented the end zone — and did so in dynamic fashion.

With a deceptive move, Hicks found an open gap behind the Bulldog secondary, and Brian Bell found him with a deep toss downfield. A charging Burkburnett defensive back darted in and appeared to cut off Hicks’ path to the end zone, but the receiver cut back, then took advantage of some fine blocking from fellow receiver Reece Meador to complete the 67-yard TD.

Burkburnett got the ball back, but Matt Frazier intercepted Bulldog QB Jason Beach and brought the ball back to the Burkburnett 16.

Every time Burkburnett tried to get its upset bid kick-started in the first half, it stubbed its toe. The Bulldogs mounted a 16-play drive on their opening possession to take the ball inside the China Spring 10, but the Cougars’ Lloyd swooped in to block Derek Devereaux’s 22-yard field goal try.
“They’re a good football team, and essentially their mission is to try to jump out in front of you early. And with their ball-control offense, it’s hard to get back in it if they do that, Coach Bell said.

THE RIGHT STUFF

Tonight's the Night.

Tonight the Burkburnett Bulldogs are playing the China Spring Cougars for the 3A Area Championship. The Dogs are ranked 13th and are playing #3 Ranked China Spring. The game will start at 6 pm at Aledo, in their beautiful multi-million dollar complex.

A lot of friends and family will be coming including grandparents, friends and cousins. The Bulldogs have worked so hard this year and so deserve to win this game. We are so excited for them. Thursday night the Booster club fed them Steaks and baked potatoes and did our best to convey to them how proud we are.

Win or Lose, the Dogs should be proud of themselves for taking it this far. Ive been proud to be their official photographer this year. I love all of these boys! I know they got the right stuff!

Listen on the news tonight to hear the score. The photo above is our son Scott and the rest of the Varsity Team. GO DAWGS! You can listen to the game live here at this link http://www.1010kbw.com/

THANKS TO GINA FOR SENDING THAT TO ME! Yeaa!

Todays quote is on patience.

"All human wisdom can be summed up in two words. "WAIT and HOPE"
-Alexandre Dumas Père

More of Megan

Thanks Megan and Debbie for choosing me, for Megans Sr. pics. They will be here next week, sorry they are late! Heres a sneak peek for you!

The image herei is called a One face many personalities. They are a lot of fun and I first started making them in 1997.

The one below is one of Our Senior Collages, they come in 16x20s or 20x24s and are a great keepsake. All you have to do is frame them, no need to buy mats, they come already as one large image ready for you to frame. They've been popluar since we introduced them in 2005.

Im only 30% Dixie!

I took a test online that a friend sent me, and it asks you questions about how you pronounce words. Being married to a military man, Ive sort of lost my Texas accent, to a degree. Hes from Dallas, but he doesnt have an accent because hes moved around so much and lived overseas. So i guess Ive lost some of mine.
Take the test, its fun!

Your Linguistic Profile:

45% General American English 30% Dixie 10% Yankee 5% Midwestern 5% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Megan

Internet Road Runner Fixed now! YIPEE!!!

Yea! My husband is my hero! He got our Internet connection problem worked out! Road runner is back up to speed!
I just resent all the orders from last week and this is what i got!

Step 9. Confirmation
Order 0006855534 has successfully uploaded. Rush Service of 200% in effect. Thank you!

Okay Great, This means we will get a huge box on Tuesday, thanks to all of you for being so patient. Especially McGhee and Johnson, Adair and Chandler!

Which were due early this week, or late last week.

So sorry, I guess when it rains it pours. That's my luck though. :(
Back to work now.

Oh the UPS Aint Gonna Like me, Hes gonna have Huge Boxes!

Internet, Electricity, Pneumonia & Toothaches!

Wow, what a week its been. Guys Ive been having a lot of dental pain and am trying to control it with pain medicine and antibiotics, but I havent been up to par, and our office managers son was in the hospital with Pneumonia (poor baby!) And then add on top of that Internet problems, so all the orders sent the the lab this week, via Internet, DID NOT GO THROUGH! That means all orders, plus the photos for year books and the High School Football images for Saturday nights game.


Step 9. Confirmation
Your order did not successfully complete. This could result from a number of factors.


Its been crazy. Fortunately my husband was able to take off work today and is trying to help us out and our O.M. Lucy's son is back home as of today. (he came down with Pneumonia on Friday and is finally back home a week later today.) She is trying to catch up on phone messages, etc. Thanks to Pam our part time girl who helped out. Thanks PAM! She has another job and tried to squeeze in between shifts to help.

What a week.... I'm still fighting with Road Runner on the Internet connection issues. Then this morning we had a power outage in the neighborhood and all computers, printers, everything went off line.
Okay. Can we start over Monday???
Thanks for your understanding. Can someone say a prayer for us today? Please? Lets see if this post even works or not to the blog. Cross your fingers....

Marisa!

Quote of the Day

I love this one and have for years!!! For you LUCY!

“Watch your thoughts, for they become Words.

Watch your Words, for they become Actions.

Watch your Actions, for they become Habits.

Watch your Habits, for they become Character.

Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.”

What really matters

Wow, Today I have gotten several emails about the video I posted this morning. (The Link to a video!) I'm going to post it here again, so you guys can see it at the top of the page tonight.

I'm so glad that it moved so many of you. I am sorry so many of you cried! I don't like to make people cry, but I do love to inspire people. (my employees tell me all the time that I make them cry, good tears though! Inspiring things. That is what I live for really to be inspired and inspire others. After I almost lost my life in 1989, I've been that way ever since.

Thanks for your emails guys, Its good to know that my clients have soft hearts like mine. Have a good night everyone!

Here's the link again. Get the Kleenex.! Even my tough husband was touched by it too. Click here. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Tennis Anyone?

Thanks to the Burk Tennis Team, you guys crack me up!

Thanks for being good sports, who knew the weather would be so good in November?

One of Dixies Favorite Things

This week I wanted to showcase one of my favorite places! Summertime is a great time to go there, but so is winter! they have Lattees that are fabulous too!

BAHAMA BUCKS!

Of course I am biased, its owned by one of my favorite clients, Shawn Butler.

When i go there, its like I am down at Padre Island on the beach and sipping a smoothie and enjoying the summer. Today I had a Chunky Monkey and it was DELISH!

But warning if you go, you are very likely to get ADDICTED!

They have a great menu with tons of flavors, why dont you check them out? They are located at 3202 Kemp street.

I've been to the one in Odessa and several in Lubbock too and they are so good! SO check them out today!

So thanks Shawn for holding my LOVE SIGN and for making me happy everytime I cruise down Kemp!

http://www.bahamabucks.com/

You're all I want, you're all I need.

This came out last year and it was so amazing. It always moves me. The start is a little boring but then it gets better. I think everyone should see this!

Take a minute and watch it to the end and let me know what you think. My son first showed it to me last year and I was so moved!
Plus I love the band Lifehouse, they are amazing. Just watch to the end please. :)

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Quote of the Day

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
-Robert Muller

Family Fun!

I just love this family. I met the mom way back years ago when I shot her Senior Portraits! She was the prettiest Rodeo Queen I'd ever seen! Its strange that I remember vividly meeting her even though its been at least 9 years ago or more.

Klint and Vicki were so much fun, they are the type of parents who know how to have fun with their kids and not worry so much about things being perfect.

It was so much fun with you guys, here are a few of my favorites. Little Morgan and Payton were adorable too! Just look at those blue eyes!

Thanks yall!

Todays Quote

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." --Mahatma Gandhi

Baby Holland

Here's sweet precious baby Holland again! I just love photographing her! Shes so precious and getting bigger everyday! She is in our baby plan program and comes every month. I love these, especially the one of Daddy holding her.

Thanks Leah and Kurt! I love you guys!

The last image is one that I worked on digitally to make it look as if it has been painted. A few years ago I wrote a book for photographers on how to do this. The book is called "From Ordinary to Extraordinary!"

If you would like to purchase a copy, they are $49.95 and $4.99 for shipping and handling within the US.

If you want a copy, write to me at PDixie@sw.rr.com or call our studio at 940-761-5111. Ive taught many people how to do this, and my workbook has step by step instructions! Click on the image to see it larger and see the detail.

Shes TOPS!

I was so happy to see Mrs. Peggy Baggett again. A few years back I photographed her for her Realtor portrait and since its been a few years, she returned for a new one. She is such a pleasure to talk with and so full of joy and life! I have a lot of respect for ladies like her. You cant help but be in a good mood when you are around her.

Shes a popular Realtor with Strategic Services here in town.

Thanks Peggy! It was fun to see you again!

For YOUR Realtor portrait, or Business Headshot, give us a call! We love to do them, and have a great packages specifically for this type of portrait.

To see some of the homes Peggy has available for showing, check out her website.

http://www.peggybaggettrealty.com/

Scars of Life

A friend of mine sent this to me last year, when I was going through something with my daughter. Ive saved it and treasured it.
Today I want to share it with you all.
Enjoy.

"Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could!

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs! That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived! His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go of me."


Myf riend also wrote this. " You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let you go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.

That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.

Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else.
Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too - enough to not let them go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Always Tell Your Family And Friends How Much You Love Them

JOSH

How cool today I finally got to photograph Josh. What I like about Josh is he has this little devious, yet innocent smile, that makes you wonder what hes up to. (HAHA) And he has beautiful Green eyes like his mom,Gina, our graphic artist. (and my dear friend!)

He's also got that independent-free thinker personality, which I always admire in people. I expect he will do great things in his life. PLUS HE"S REALLY FUNNY TOO! He made me laugh a lot!

Today was part 1 of his photo shoot and we will do the rest after football season is over.
Hes amazingly athletic and could be an amazing gymnast if he chose to!
I watched him walk on his hands for like a full minute!
I had so much fun with you Josh today! Thanks for letting me be a part of your Senior year! (and Thanks Gina and Gary for helping me!)

SLIDESHOW OF SCOTTS PARTY

BE SURE AND MUTE THE MUSIC ON THIS BLOG BEFORE PLAYING THE VIDEO. Just CLICK ON THE 2 Double lines on the JUKE BOX that look like this II
ENJOY!
D.D.

Birthday Composite

Thanks Gina for the Photos! I created a composite of his party, of some of the pictures. I am making a Slideshow too coming soon. His friends have all been asking about it!

Just click on the composite to see it larger, to see the Details!

Take 1 Birthday Boy, Find a 7000 sq foot Party Room, Add in Tables and Chairs for 100, Add in A Giant Punch Fountain, 112 Silver and Black Ballons, Throw in an Awesome DJ, and Bring in 2 SUMO WRESTLERS SUITS AND MATS, velvet ropes and 24 cupcakes and a Large Cake , MIX in 77 friends and TOP OFF 2008 Black Dodge Charger and you have one heck of a PARTY!!!