When I started thinking about this post and leading up to writing it, the only thing that came to mind each and every time was the Sound of Music's Favorite Things..it's only natural I'm sure.  And because I like juicy, hyperdescriptive words, I went with Fantabulous Faves.  Fantabulous is waaay better than favorite...dontcha think? So off we go with the inaugural Fantabulous Faves!


#1: Flowers from the hubby. 

Fresh flowers from my significant other are bound to put a smile on my face every time; especially when it's been a particularly rough day.

#2: Dog Shows!


I am by no means bashful about my love of animals.  I've pretty much had at least one animal in my house since I was born and any chance I can get to be around a multitude of animals is heaven for me.  I have big plans for a mini farm someday.  What happy little home isn't complete without a goat named Stanley?

There was a regional dog show in town recently and off I went to fall all over the Yorkies and the Great Danes.  While this was a smaller show, not all 157 breeds recognized by the AKC were there (thank you quick internet research!) but there were definitely enough to keep me occupied.

#3: IKEA


IKEA.  Need I say more?  I was first introduced to this mecca of home decorating back in college and have been an avid devotee ever since.  However, Colorado has been a little behind the times on having an IKEA in its presence...although come Fall 2011, I will be stimulating the economy a little bit more when Denver has its very own IKEA come to town!  The hubs and I visited the Pittsburgh IKEA this weekend and it did not disappoint, as usual.  If only I had an extra ten grand in the bank account...

#4: Colorado Colors


Fall is my favorite season by far.  And the fall in Colorado is even better.  I get a big smile just thinking about it.  The crisp, gotta wear a jacket and maybe some light gloves kinda mornings, the sun warming you just enough to ward off any chills.  And then there's the random fiercely golden patches of leaves dotted among the pine trees to let you know that hey, better get your snow brush out and ready!  Colorado doesn't have the rainbow of leaves when summer bids adieu with their only natural color-changing deciduous tree being the Aspen but they're awesome in their own right.  While they're normally a vibrant golden color, they can range in hue from a pale buttery yellow to a screeching orange.  Add to that the fluttering noise the leaves make in the breeze.  Ahh, fall you're not too far off and I've missed you!


#6: my absolutely favorite place on earth
It's no secret that Colorado has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  The mountains where I grew up never cease to make me pause and soak it all in.   They're part of my upbringing and my persona and I just can't get enough of them.  There's many a photo of a teeny little Mandy trying her hand at fishing.  (Gotta get all those scanned to a disc now that I think about it...they're priceless!)  But out of all the beautiful gems this state has to offer, my favorite has to be Ptarmigan Lake.  It's a glacier lake sitting in a little bowl at the top of the world at an elevation of 12,147 feet above sea level...it's high.  There are 2 ways to get up to it: a 3 mile hiking trail leading up the north side of the trail......and a 4 wheel drive "road" leading up to the south side of the lake.  And road is very loosely defined.  It's sharp switchbacks, drop-offs that make your heart pound, and some definite scrambling around huge boulders and shaley ledges.  But after you get to the top and walk the short distance OVER the top of the mountain, this view is beyond worth it.


Here's the view looking back at the way I came...


Can't wait til next summer when I can get back up there!


 And lastly, #6: The Fin-meister


This dog gives me such joy in life.  I have never met a dog with such a personality...it's like there's a little 5 year old mischievious kid inside.  And like any child, sometimes I want to strangle her but when she plunks her head down on your lap and looks up at you with those woeful eyes, how can you resist!

It's been said that rain on your wedding day means good luck.  In Ben & Jolie's case, they're in for lots of good luck!  Saturday arrived in the form of just short of a torrential downpour.  Lots of prayers were said for the rain to at least let up to a drop here and there....my prayers were answered for a total of 5 minutes during the day!  While the rain may have ruined all the great ideas for locations to shoot, it certainly didn't put a damper on the love and excitement Ben and Jolie had.  I waited outside with Ben while Jolie finished getting ready and there's nothing better than the look on a groom's face the first time he sees his future wife.

I'm a sucker for the little ones.


I loved the way they were always looking at each other like this.


The rain let up for about 5 minutes...just enough time to grab a few portraits before the skies opened up again!



Love me a feet shot.

The cake was a replica of the train of Jolie's dress...very unique!

Now these are some loyal Rockies fans!

Choreographed dances for all 3 big dances?  You guys rock!



I had a great time with you guys!  Enjoy!

At a young age, I became shall we say 'obsessed' with things.  Meaning, I would find a topic of interest and soak up every possible bit of information ever published on the topic and before long, I was a verifiable expert.  Part of third grade was dinosaurs and thankfully, that phase was over quickly.  I soon moved on to dog breeds...and I can still point out and name what breed the dog is.  Even the weirdo ones that you'd swear are mutts.  Something to brag about I'm sure.  Also during the dog breed phase came the horse phase.  This one lasted years.  I started taking riding lessons and soon our house was filled to the brim with books on horse breeds, the health of the horse, horse racing (and the different types).  You name it, I'd read it.  I rode horses competitively and eventually became a horse owner myself during high school.  Eventually my obsession with all things 'horse' waned but I still love horses.  Even the ones who get a little too frisky for their own good and let off a good kick, sending me flying into a fence post.


Trying to figure out something to do to thwart the growing boredom here in Pennsylvania, I suggested we hit up the racetrack at the casino an hour away.  Now I'm sure when you think of horse racing, you think Kentucky Derby and galloping.  This was going to be harness racing; a whole different game altogether.  I know a fair bit of information about it but have never actually seen a race live.  This track wasn't particularly busy and allowed you to basically sit on the track with just a chain link fence between you...for free!  Perfect for snapping some pics of the ponies.

Here's a quick little lesson for you on harness racing.  The jockey or driver sits in what is called a 'sulky' and controls the horse from the sulky.  The breed of horse used in harness racing is the Standardbred.  Regular races, like the Kentucky Derby, is strictly the Thoroughbred.  These races are done at a gallop while harness races are done at one of 2 gaits: trot or pace.  Standardbreds are known as gaited horses: they have all the same gaits as say, a Thoroughbred (walk, trot, canter, gallop) but they've got an extra gear if you will: the pace.  Trotting is where the legs move forward in diagonal pairs; right front and left hind together, then vice versa and so on.  (The horse above is trotting.)  Pacing is where the legs move laterally; right front and right hind together and vice versa.  Pacing horses are faster than the trotters and boy can these horses move.  They average about 35mph in speed.  The Thoroughbred can go up to about 40mph...at a gallop.  Moving on!  Here are some images from the track.












Horses wear the blinkers usually because they get spooked by what is going on around them.  The blinkers help them to keep from looking around them and getting distracted or spooked.




Grey horses are my favorite.


This horse is pacing.

This guy is all tricked out in "don't freak out" gear: foam in the ears so the noise doesn't bother him, a full blinker on the left eye and poor guy, his tongue is banded out of the way so he doesn't chomp or choke on it while racing.

Here's a little sneak peek from the wedding of Jolie & Ben from their wedding in Boulder this past weekend.

This little 45-pound bundle of brown and white energy is my "kid".  No, I don't baby talk her or cook her food but she's been my constant companion, stepper-of-heels, for 5 1/2 years now and I only wish I could clone her.  I've never seen a dog with so much personality and such a great outdoor buddy.  She will shag tennis balls for hours and would swim just as long if Mom wasn't such a buzz kill.  She is truly unique.

I am an animal lover; always have been.  There was always at least one animal in our house growing up, much to the chagrin of my dad who wasn't too hip on pets.  Some animals were even brought into the house without the express approval of all family members: Squirt, the kitten I adopted from the humane society and smuggled into the house in a backpack but told my mom it was a gift for her just so we could keep her.  And then there were the 2 horses, Baylor and Moonglow; bought while my dad was away on business.  We then roped him into building a fence for the horses once he returned...oops.  We've had cats, dogs, rabbits, fish and at one time, an accidental hamster breeding facility.  What can I say, I love animals and especially those of the baby variety.  I almost turn into a squealing mess when I see baby animals...almost.  Or at least very quietly.

Upon arriving to Pennsylvania, I discovered a mama Canada goose with 6 fluffy goslings living on our hotel's property.  I was convinced I was going to get some great, up-close shots of the little family.  My husband was convinced he was going to witness an upcoming episode of When Animals Attack if I got too close to mama goose.  Determined to show him I was the new Goose Whisperer, I set out with my camera and a looong zoom lens, just in case.  Mama goose wasn't too concerned about my presence, although I made sure not to get too close as to upset her (and evoke goose rage).  The goslings were just beyond cute...all fluffy and teeny little wings.  Very tempted to pick 'em up and snuggle 'em.  But that definitely would've evoked goose rage.  So instead, I was content to capture these images and continue to watch the little ones get bigger each day!