CHILDREN OF A PHOTOGRAPHER | Photography and Personal

     I have five amazing children.  Four girls and one boy. It would be an understatement if I said they are my world. My husband makes fun of me because I am with them pretty much 24/7 with the exception of the two older ones who live on their own in Florida. The three that are left here with me are home schooled through an awesome public school online program called Connections Academy.  So literally, we are together all the time. I love homeschooling them because our schedule is super flexible!  I don't know how many times we pick up and go on vacation on a whim because we don't have to worry about school schedules.

     Along with the flexible schedule there is a really huge reason I love them being home with me all the time. I am a photographer.  You might be thinking... So what, who cares?  Well, imagine being an artist and your home is always fully stocked with paints, brushes and amazing canvases to work on and you never have to order a single thing. You would be in artist heaven!! That is how I feel! I am in photographer's heaven every day.  If I get an itch to try out a new idea, I grab one of the three girls and start photographing. The funny thing is the other two will usually offer to assist by holding a light source, reflector or battery pack.  I love it when we all work together.  My eleven year old specializes in building or putting together sets, my sixteen year old like to model and my five year old... well, she is a camera hog. LOL!

     Recently, it snowed really hard.  We actually had snow stick to the ground! I was sitting at my desk at 9:00 pm and jumped out of my chair saying "Brooke, do you feel like playing in the snow?" She smiled and said, "What outfit would you like me to wear?"  It was great! She new immediately, that I wanted to take pictures in the snow. Within minutes my husband dragged a red vintage sofa outside and brought out some lights.  My daughter got dressed and braved the cold weather. All so that I could get to 'play' in the snow.

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I appreciate having such great girls and live in models.  Another time, my daughter decided to play dress up with my five year old. When the baby came out of the room she looked just like Shirley Temple.  Of course I had to take out my camera and take her picture. However, I played it as though it wasn't all that and the baby says "Mommy, don't I look cute?  Are you going to take my picture?"  OMG! how could I resist.

Then I have the eleven year old who doesn't care to be in front of the camera as much as the others, but when I get her to cooperate she is awesome.  She can go from grungy to glamorous and not skip a beat.

 My life is full of color, laughter and joys because of these children of a photographer. May God bless them always.

EL MATADOR | Personal Restaurant Review

El Matador Mexican Restaurant ~ 2919 Wade Hampton Blvd. Taylors, SC 29687

http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-matador-restaurant-taylors

    I think I have to start off with asking a few questions. How many of you like going out to eat? I know I do. How many  of you like Mexican food?  For me, it depends on the restaurant.  I have eaten at several places that I wish never to visit again.  But I am not writing about the bad experiences. LOL.  

  The other day I had the pleasure of visiting a restaurant in the Taylors area called El Matador. This restaurant has been around since 1968!! It is the oldest Mexican restaurant in SC!! Makes you wonder how they have stayed in business so long. I have the answer.  

  The moment we arrived, we were greeted with a smile. The hostess seated us quickly and gave is our menus. Before we could open the menu, our server was there getting our drink order. He brought us our chips n salsa. I asked if they had anything hotter, because I love super hot salsa.  He said sure. In a few minutes the CHEF comes out to our table and explains they grow their own peppers and they have a very bad attitude.  I laugh thinking "yeah right". Well when they bring this salsa out, true to his word it was feisty!! I slathered some on my tortilla, my husband Josh was a bit more cautious, he took a small piece of onion to sample. he pops it in his mouth and his eyes get huge and his face red.  I chuckled popped my piece in my mouth and "HOLY MOLY, that is some hot stuff." I grabbed my tea and just let it sit in my mouth until the burning sensation diminished.  (It took a while.) The salsa was perfect!! Of course i refrained from using much more of it so I could actually taste my food. The left over salsa came home with me and I use it sparingly on my food.  

  We had no idea what to order because usually we order the same thing over and over again at Mexican restaurants. Sooo, Josh decides we should let the Chef decide what we are going to eat.  The server tells the chef we are at his discretion with our meal and the CHEF comes out to our table again! LOL.  He took the time to explain some dishes and learn what kind of food we like.  The two plates he chose for us were perfect!  We ate that food like it was going out of style. Then we shared a Flan for dessert.  It had homemade cream on top and drizzled with chocolate powder over the cream and a humongous strawberry on top.  Completely, delectable. My cup was never empty or half full. The server constantly asked us if we were ok or needed anything.

  

 So in conclusion, El Matador, has been open for so long because of it's excellent customer service, heavenly food and great atmosphere (Very cozy).  Of course, this is my opinion.  I challenge you to visit this eatery and make your own decision. The address is on the top of the blog :)