Sunday, December 11, 2011

Focus, Patience and Persistence

The last few days have been really busy ones.  I was out late on Friday night because of our office Christmas party.  Saturday morning was off to an early start Christmas shopping.  I wanted to get ahead of the afternoon crowds and I thought I was doing well, but ran into another parade in the town of Leesburg. Trying to remain focused on the tasks at hand, and not really in the mood for a parade, I only took a couple of pictures and was off again.  I was on a mission after all!
It paid off as there were few people in the stores.  
Finally after about 5 hours of shopping, I was home!  
It was then time to try and capture that elusive perfect picture
of the dogs for this years Christmas card.  
Here are a few examples of my trying to get the dogs to cooperate... 
~Toby~
~Sheba~
Needless to say, I was worn out at the end of the day and the photo session...But determination and patience and a little bit of creativity did pay off when an unexpected almost perfect picture was taken.  Last night I ordered the cards online and I'll pick them up tomorrow.  I'm my worst critic when it comes to my photos.  This is why this morning I can't even look at the picture that we decided to use, so I won't post it today.

Today I'm looking forward to relaxing, watching the birds out the window 
and catching up on your blogs!  Enjoy your Sunday!

38 comments:

  1. I feel your pain but your dogs just cracked me up! They are so adorable and funny!

    LOVE the cardinal shot! So brilliant and beautiful.

    I think you've earned yourself a day of rest...but I bet that doesn't happen for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely photos. We only have a few people to by for this year so Papa and I will go out next weekend and get the gift shoping done in one day ! I am getting photos of Miggy picked out to try and make a calender I have soo many of her its hard to choose what ones I want for the calendar ! Have a wonderful day !

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love, Love, Love the first photo. That's my kind of picture. I think it's perfect.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVE YOU!
    I LOVE YOUR DOGS AND CARL!
    i know! i'm shouting!
    merry merry christmas to you and the crew. can't wait to see the picture.
    stay warm and cozy,
    tammy j

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't wait to see the postcard! Sophie hates the camera, so we have a hard time getting good pics too. Have you been over to bunny jeans pet parade? If not, there is a link on my post this morning, and would be a great place to show those pretty babies of yours off.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your Saturday sounds a lot like mine...endless shopping. I started out early, but still hit crowds. I hope you will post your card picture eventually because I am sure it is wonderful. For now, I am just enjoying the pictures you posted today. They are great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a cute backside little Todd has.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Time to put your feet up for 5 minutes, Kim!

    I ADORE the photo of Toby - just about sums up Christmas!!

    x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my, the dog pictures are the best. and the cardinal is worthy of National Geographic. wowow.

    I can't imagine My Vickie spending five hours shopping. she would go out of her mind. she doesn't do well with lots of people.

    Good job and go get some rest, you have deserved it.

    Love
    Bert

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh for dogs that won't stay still for a photo!..I get the same with William, JUST at the moment/second you think its great - he decides to move....grrrr, but I love him anyway. Looking forward to seeing the photo you decided on.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Busy, busy lady you are! Try to enjoy some time for yourself, okay? xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. i like the new header shot. and your cardinal is gorgeous! love those silly pups!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nothing like coming "home" to all that silliness and love!...:)JP

    ReplyDelete
  14. Laughing out loud at the dog photos and we think we like Todd's bum best. I have one photo hound (Pip) and one elusive furry who hates the flashy thing (Buzz). So getting a photo of them together is dang near impossible. Can't wait to see your cards.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We have loads of dog pictures like the ones you've posted!! But no beautiful cardinal photos. That one's a keeper!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Those are very similar to the photos I get when I try for the perfect shot. I've about given up on a group photo, though I still hope it comes along some day.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  17. We think your photos are beyond wonderful. Because they make us smile and laugh! The photos of the doggies are always too perfect- we think, and the cardinal is beyond perfect! WOW!
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh boy. I thought I was the only one trying to take good pictures of Roscoe. Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one in the boat.
    I so love the cardinal photo. I have been looking for a nice ornament of a cardinal for my tree. I love them. Gorgeous colors. The photo looks like a post card.
    TFS.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi sweet friend, Love the pups-they are always soooo adorable!
    What a beautiful Cardinal-wish we had them here. Have a restful afternoon my dear Kim.
    Love, Noreen & Reggie

    ReplyDelete
  20. What's wrong with Toby's picture? His expression sums up the past year for me, anyway. :)

    Love the cardinal. Really a beautiful shot! I do miss seeing those birds. The closest I get around here are the house finches with a bit of red on their breast. Not quite the same thing...

    Hope you are having a lovely Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  21. That parade looks like it's going past our auntie's house!

    We know how much 'that perfect dog picture' takes out of you. Rest well.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  22. Taking photos of the poochies can be such a challenge and having three....well it is worse than three kids.

    I'm not done with the holiday shopping...so I will have to be out and about hoping for short lines and plenty of parking spaces.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good job keeping your focus! It's amazing how stressful this time of year can be.

    I bet that your photo is great!!! Your love of your pups shines through in your photos of them.

    It is hard to get multiple dogs to cooperate though - I know that and I don't have as many dogs as you do!

    ReplyDelete
  24. that Toby photo cracks me up

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    dogisgodinreverse.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Too funny! I can't imagine trying to photograph more than two dogs at one time. I'm sure you got a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my, the pictures are just too funny. I think you should use them in a collage for the card, which by the way, I hope you post soon. The cardinal brings back so many memories of back home in Missouri. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You sound like a woman on a mission. It's maddening this time of year out there. It takes a well thought out plan. I feel your pain getting the "perfect" group shot of our pets. It was haywire this morning getting horses together. You're shots really made me laugh. What characters! Can't wait to see the postcard.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Envy is one of the 7 deadly sins,right! Well, I am guilty of that, your honour! lol

    Kim, that Cardinal! It is our dream to see one in our garden. How lucky you are. And gorgeous shot.
    OK, the dogs are cute too and I look forward to seeing the final one that made it through your screening.

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's tough to focus on anything this time of year! I was happy that we finally put a dent in our shopping this weekend, too!

    I bet your pictures are great! I'm a tough critic of my own pictures, too.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Woof! Woof! Oh KIM for sure it will be great. LOVE Toby's photo. WOW! 5 hrs of shopping ... What did you buy? Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  31. We know just what you mean about that perfect picture. Mom still hasn't ordered our cards and claims it's because she is still trying to get ONE good picture. Has she not seen the pictures of ME?? They're all good in my opinion...

    AROOOOF!
    Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really love those photos! You guys are having fun!



    --------------------------------
    It's all About Pet Fences | Dog Fence

    ReplyDelete
  33. Five hours of shopping? Oh, you brave, brave soul...

    I'm lucky that I'm not very picky with my own pictures...I am however picky with pictures of me!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Kim,
    After five hours of shopping I would also be tired out. I can't wait to see your Christmas card picture with the crew. I'm sure everyone will look adorable especially Todd. I just can't get enough of him.
    The last picture of the Cardinal is stunning. So festive looking right now with it's beautiful red feathers.

    ReplyDelete
  35. You have more energy than a everready bunny rabbit! You amaze me! And those pups ... never cooperate when a camera comes out in view! Love your cardinal shot!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Toby's expression is so silly cute!
    That photo of the cardinal would make a lovely Christmas card. Wish we had them up here.

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!