Post Christmas Blog

I hope you all had a great Christmas.  We had a nice Rack of Lamb dinner on Christmas Eve at home.  Yesterday we spent Christmas Day with good friends and had a wonderful meal.  When we got back we delivered some calendars I had made up to some friends in town.  It was great Holiday. 

On a sad note I lost my Cousin, Greg.  He was born the day after me so it really rattled me.  He had been battling a form of Lou Gehrig;s disease.  It comforts me to know he is not suffering and he is in heaven with our dear Grandparents.   Sending thoughts and prayers for his family.

My travel business is starting to get busy with all the cold weather in the Midwest where most of clients live.  It has become very challenging to find vacations that will fit into their budgets.  Prices are about 30% higher than they were even 3 years ago.  My best advice is to book as early as possible and make sure your passport is up to date. Booking your trip as package will help you get a better price.   Traveling midweek and being very flexible will help you find a better price as well.  Feel free to contact me if you need help planning your vacation.

If you are brave enough to head out and battle the crowds for those after Christmas bargains you will enjoy this article.  It gives you tips on the best things to buy this week to maximize your savings.
http://www.thedailybuzz.com.au/2012/12/15-best-things-to-buy-after-christmas/

Here is an article for all you lucky people who got a new camera for Christmas.  This article will help you out with your DSLR or with your point and shoot camera.  Take the time to read your manual and get comfortable with all your settings.  Remember to practice, practice, practice!
http://digital-photography-school.com/got-a-digital-camera-for-christmas-learn-how-to-use-it-here

Here is an article from our friends at Digital Photography School about getting sharper photos.  A tripod and an off camera trigger are the most important thing.
http://digital-photography-school.com/5-simple-secrets-to-sharper-photos?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalPhotographySchool+%28Digital+Photography+School%29

Here is the Thought For The Day:
“Without the edge, [life’s] boring...If you’re doing something that’s definitely achievable with 100% odds of success, where’s the draw in that?”—Chris Guillebeau.  Thank you to Positvely Positive for posting this one on Facebook.

Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359

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Christmas Season

I hope you are all doing well during this busy season.  I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Minnesota.  We had our family Christmas on Sunday.  I started having Christmas early once my children started to marry to avoid the stress of trying to get to all those family Christmas celebrations.   The meal was wonderful and we opened presents.  We had so much fun. 

I had a nice lunch with my Photo Buddy Tina.  I had a wonderful day with my parents, my aunt, my daughter and her family as well as my son and his family.  So good to see them all.  I was able to have a nice dinner with my YaYa sisters from High School Friday.  Love you all!

When I left Minnesota on Monday the temperature was 20 degrees so I was very happy to get back to Lake Havasu and a temperature of 63 degrees.  What I love about Arizona is all the sunny days.  Minnesota has so many cloudy days that really get me down.
I like to hang real candy canes on my Christmas tree but after the holiday what do you do with them?  I know the obvious is to eat them but here are some more creative ways to use them:
http://www.wisebread.com/16-fun-and-fabulous-ways-to-enjoy-candy-canes

I know a lot of people who are new to Digital Photography really struggle trying to learn all of the terminology and what it means.  Here is a video that might help you understand some of the terms.  Be patient, it takes time to absorb it all.  I am learning new things all of the time.  That is what keeps it interesting for me.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/photography-terminology-a-z/
Here is a cool article about using a back lit peg board for a portrait background.   Why didn't I think of this myself?
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/using-pegboard-to-create-a-starry-effect-background/
Here are five simple tips to help you take a more dynamic shot.  I like this article because it keeps it all  simple.  Here is a link:
http://digital-photography-school.com/food-photography-%e2%80%93-5-simple-ways-to-get-stronger-shot?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalPhotographySchool+%28Digital+Photography+School%29
Today's Thought For The Day:

“Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson  Courtesy of The Happiness Project.

Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/becky-mcguire.html

Minnesota Bound

I am busy getting ready for my trip back to Minnesota for an early Christmas celebration with my family.  Minnesota had a big Snow Storm over the weekend and then a cold front came through so now they are in the deep freeze.   I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends but I am not looking forward to leaving the nice weather here in Arizona.  
We had a great time at the Over The Hill Gang Car Club Christmas Party & Installation of Officers.  Lots of good food and fun with all our friends.  It was held at Shugrue's which is on the channel next to the London Bridge.  We had a table by the windows so the view was beautiful. 

I have a new Photography editing and design program called Topaz Adjust.  One of the fun features is being able to make people look like cartoon characters.  Check out the group shot below from our Christmas Party.

One of our frustrations when we are traveling finding good places to dine.  I recently came across a website called Chowhound.com that gives you reviews of restaurants, specific dishes and a lot of other insights as well.  This one is not really a travel site but i think it will enhance your trip.  Check it out:
http://www.chowhound.com
Here are some good tips for all of you Photography Newbies out there.   I cannot stress enough how important a tripod is to getting sharp phots.
http://digital-photography-school.com/5-photography-tips-for-beginners?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalPhotographySchool+%28Digital+Photography+School%29
Here is the Thought For The Day:
"Who is strong?  He that can conquer his bad habits."  by Benjamin Franklin from our friends at The Happiness Project
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC

Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/becky-mcguire.html

December Dreaming

Sorry that it has been such a long time in between posts.  My husband has had problems with his knee and back so I have been busy being a care taker.  He is getting better but still not a 100% yet.   Getting old is not for sissies as Betty Davis so famously said.
Saturday night I went to the annual Lake Havasu Christmas Boat Parade.    The boats were decorated with lights.  It was very cool and so much fun.  The weather was unusually warm which was a bonus for me.   I was lucky enough to be invited to watch the parade on a friend's Pontoon boat which gave me a whole new perspective.   It was a challenge to try and take pictures because of the low light and the movement of the boats.  I did mange to get a few good ones.

 

Here is a link to some low light Photography tips.  The most important thing is to use a tripod on a
solid surface and a off camera trigger or your camera's timer.
http://photographylife.com/low-light-digital-photography-tips

Here is a hotel review website that is an alternative to Trip Advisor.  It is getting over 250,000 visitors per month.  It is called Oyster.com.  They use their own professional  reviewers who visit properties in over 200 destinations world wide.  They name names and they document their reviews with Photographic evidence.  It is a Travel Channel affiliate.  Here is a link to their site.
http://www.oyster.com
Here is the Thought For The Day:
"Sometimes you will not be able to see where you are going in life clearly.  But know your Soul's inner GPS will guide you home.  You will find that you will be the right person, at he right place, at the right time rightly.  Trust your intuition.  You know what to do." Kute Blackson, courtesy of the Postively Positive website.
Thank you for reading my Blog!

Becky McGuire, CTC, MCC
Vacation Travel Specialist

612-490-0359

http://www.redbubble.com/explore/tvlgoddess

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26332264@N03/sets/

http://www.facebook.com/tvlgoddess
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/becky-mcguire.html