It was dark and gloomy and stormy around here today (it has been for the last few days) but this was a bright spot in my day...
The girls in my current online photography class (which ends this week) ordered me a cake from a local bakery (A Slice of Heaven).
It's an ongoing joke in all of my photography classes that you can't have your cake and eat it to in the world of photography.
But today, I had my cake and ate it too (washed down with a beer stein of milk).
Thanks gals.
The crazy thing is that the gals from my last online class sent me a gift certificate to the same bakery awhile back.
Thanks to you gals too (I ordered an apricot bavarian 3-layer cake, a marion-berry cheesecake and six orange-cranberry muffins).
My sugar-deprived family thanks you too.
And just to add to the craziness of moving and the final week of my current photography class...
We're mailing out class binders to all the students in the next online class that starts on June 22nd. (That's my mom adding to the mountain of priority mail boxes in my hallway.)
There's a boy in my next class (actually I think there's two unless Larry turns out to be a girl) and one of them emailed me to jokingly request something other than the array of girly, floral fabric I normally wrap my binders with.
Happy to oblige with a very special, manly, moose fabric just for you Mark.
I'm so hopeful that one day, I'll take your class! In the meantime, I'm coming out of semi-lurkdom (I HAVE commented before) to say that the moose fabric is perfect. Did you ever see the Princess Diaries movies? There's a scene that my kids and I quote all the time ... Anne Hathaway's character is saying something about looking like a moose and the response is, "But a very, very cute moose! Make all the boy moose go (insert some weird moose noise)!"
Posted by: Tammy | June 02, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I too hope to get in your class one day!!!
The cake looks devine, I'm sure the family enjoyed it :)
Posted by: Mary Ann | June 02, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I love to look at your photos. You have such a gifted talent.
Posted by: Erin Drennon | June 02, 2009 at 11:22 PM
So glad you loved your cake, it looks awesome! And that moose fabric is too funny, hope Mark likes it!
I know I was just tickled when my binder arrived, it is so pretty!
Posted by: Amy Batte | June 03, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Hi Karen,
I love your old, new house! Look at those floors! I love the "home" on the window of that door too...Oh what fun moving can be. I love change, as long as someone else carries the boxes!
I see where you got your GREAT smile from, look at your Mom, happy as a lark to be helping out!
Moose fabric is perfect for your guy(s)!
I am so excited, beside myself, silly like a school girl...oh wait I will be a school girl!!
Thank YOU!!!
I will someday fly to you, just to hug ya!
Posted by: Valerie | June 03, 2009 at 05:31 AM
PS can I bring Jen? :-)
Posted by: Valerie | June 03, 2009 at 05:31 AM
too funny about the moose fabric!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | June 03, 2009 at 06:15 AM
heehee....love the sarcastic moose fabric!
Posted by: april foster | June 03, 2009 at 06:40 AM
That cake looks absolutely delicious!
And I'm loving the moose fabric :D
Sophie
x
Posted by: Sophie | June 03, 2009 at 06:43 AM
What a fun cake..and so glad you enjoyed it. Seeing the binder makes me a little jealous of the new students. I remember how VERY excited I was when my binder arrived.
Have a great week, and don't work too hard at the old new house!
Posted by: janel | June 03, 2009 at 06:53 AM
I can't believe the class is almost here. I can't wait to get my binder! Goodluck with the move to the new old house!
Posted by: Dina | June 03, 2009 at 06:54 AM
I'm in your next class! I cannot wait to see that Binder on my door step :-)
Also, can't wait for June 22 to start learning from one of the best!!!
Posted by: trace-e | June 03, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Doing the "Happy I'm In The Next Class And My Binder Is Coming Soon" Dance. Yay, yay, yay!
Posted by: Caroline | June 03, 2009 at 07:21 AM
nothing says man like moose fabric! I love it!
have a great move!!!! :)
Posted by: ashley bugg | June 03, 2009 at 08:13 AM
LOL!
Posted by: Helena | June 03, 2009 at 08:24 AM
I covet thy filled binder! I had to put my lessons in plastic page protectors because they were falling out from paging through them so much.
I find myself reviewing lessons on a regular basis (like the shutter speed lesson). I should have read it 5 times instead of once before going to my nephews graduation the other night. My photos of the ceremony had camera shake, etc. Such a bummer.
But practice, practice, practice is the key and conveniently, I've got another nephews graduation tonight!
Hopefully, I'll have it down before my own kids have a graduation . . .
Posted by: Juli | June 03, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Love the moose fabric -- I can't wait to get my (girly) binder and get started! When I registered I was at work and all alone in my classroom (I'm a teacher) and when I got the confirmation I raised my arms and was about to cheer before I realised that I was all alone and a scream coming from an empty room likely would not attract the kind of attention I would want...
Posted by: Jen | June 03, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Your blog always leaves me with a smile on my face! Enjoy your cake and good luck with the move!
Posted by: Cathy | June 03, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Oh, man, the presure is on the next class to get you something from the bakery too!
I keep telling everyone that I'm starting the class in a few weeks. I can't wait for my binder.
Posted by: kelli | June 03, 2009 at 11:05 AM
All of you in the next class-get ready for a great ride! Glad you enjoyed the cake Karen...it is only a small treat compared to what a treat it has been to be in your class. You're the best!
Posted by: calliezant | June 03, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Karen,
I find it fastcinating that while you had bad weather, we here in NW WA state, have warm sunny weather!!!! And usually it's the other way around and I'm jealous of your warm sunny weather. I just had to mention that........ My husband, son and I just got back home from spending 10 days on the Hawaii Island.
So it's great coming home to warm suny weather. The cake looks delicious!!!!
Posted by: Becky Coburn | June 03, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Question: So, what's the big deal about photos of a cake, a lady carrying a box and a folder?
Answer: Karen Russell took the photos.
I love reading your blog, I love the emotions and stories that your photos convey. I love the time & detail that you are obviously putting into your photography classes. I love that I've set the goal to one day be a student in one of your photography classes.
Good luck with your move.
Posted by: renee | June 03, 2009 at 01:40 PM
I'm glad you enjoyed the cake! It turned out really pretty. I remember when I got my binder and couldn't believe how big it was...it's completely filled and that's without the Message Board posts that I'm planning on printing out after the class is over!
Posted by: Melanie C. | June 03, 2009 at 02:07 PM
OMG! I can't wait to get my binder! Something fabulous to look forward to! Yay!
Posted by: Yvonne Michelle | June 03, 2009 at 04:19 PM
WOW...the cake turned out perfectly!! And I just drooled on myself and gained 5 lbs! Thanks a lot!
And thanks for the awesome clas, too!
Posted by: Ember | June 03, 2009 at 04:50 PM
You're a riot! And you're always take that extra step to personalize your packages. I bet Mark just loves it!
Posted by: Colleen | June 03, 2009 at 06:15 PM
I'm not gonna lie... I am wrought with binder envy!! LOL!
Posted by: Samantha Hunt | June 03, 2009 at 08:59 PM
Yowzers...!!,, I feel Special with my Moose Binder.. Thanks Karen!! Looking forward to your class in a few weeks.
Posted by: Mark E. | June 03, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Nice cake! I cannot wait until I can do one of your classes. Of course I am hoping to get in for next summer as photos around Minnesota from November to March are boring and all snow.
Posted by: Alicia | June 04, 2009 at 11:45 AM
OOOH! so excited! Can we have a shot of the binder with the girly trims too? Can't wait for my binder.
Posted by: maridette cachola | June 04, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Was it waaaay back in March when I registered? It seemed like FOREVER before my class started and here it is, time for my binder to arrive. Wooo hooo! So excited!
Posted by: Kim P | June 04, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Love the moose fabric! I'm signed up for the next class and am SO EXCITED!!!
Posted by: Terri Guerrieri | June 05, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Whoo-hoo! I'm so super duper excited that my binder is on its way! I took your one day photography class at the Junkie in Houston and have been a devout Karen follower ever since!
Posted by: Amy | June 05, 2009 at 09:07 PM
All looks fantastic, (as always), love the moose ribbon. Starting the class in June and can't wait!!!
Speaking from the UK, will your non US students get the folder as well??
Posted by: louise | June 07, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I got my binder over the weekend and screamed!! I can't wait to get started!!! Now if I could just find the lens!! Everyone is sold out!!! :(
Posted by: Christie McCarley | June 07, 2009 at 07:34 PM