Sunday, June 24, 2012

Cupcake Photo Shoot


Just wanted to share a couple of photographs from yesterday's Cupcake Photo Shoot for Donna H's upcoming dessert cookbook series.  As a photographer there are just some images that you absolutely end up loving.  The one at left is my favorite "look" of the day. It's colorful, appealing to the eye, and provides a terrific background texture.  Deb, who is a fantastic set coordinator and food stylist, created this wonderful color scheme for these fabulous cupcakes and I just love everything about it!  What do you think?



As for the frosting close-up on the right, I just want to ask:  "Don't you just want to lick off that incredible chocolate swirl?!"  The frosting is homemade, the flavor was pure chocolate heaven, and the consistency was a melt-in-your mouth dream.

Until next time.....Peggie


Saturday, June 23, 2012

The Twins Have Arrived


New twin baby announcement cards have arrived.
Check out the twins and other cards at www.donnacapozzi.com

Friday, June 22, 2012

Little Brewster Sunset Visit

This is Susan. I haven't blogged for a while so I thought I would 'stop by'. 

Last Wednesday evening I went with two of my fellow JOS-ites to a rocky two-acre island called Little Brewster in Boston Harbor.  Donna H, Margie and I left from Rowes Wharf at 6pm and were soon greeted by Sally Snowman, the full-time lightkeeper on Little Brewster. She is the last of her kind as all the other lighthouses in the country are fully automated. The Coast Guard thought it appropriate that due to Little Brewster's historic beginnings and the fact that it is the oldest light station in the country, it was deserving of a full-time keeper. Unfortunately, due to a little scuffle with our friends across the pond, Boston Light is not the oldest lighthouse. It was burned to the ground twice and then rebuilt. During one of these periods, in 1764, Sandy Hook in NJ built what is now considered to be the oldest lighthouse in the country. But I transgress.

We took this little excursion on one of the hottest days we have experienced so far this year. It was well into the 90's. Cool breezes prevailed on the island, however, and the visit was immensely enjoyable. I was excited to go since I need to expand my collection of available images for use in the book on the Boston Harbor Islands I have been working on for some time. The last time I was on Little Brewster, maybe four years ago, my camera battery died...and I had no backup. That will not happen again! We three, and about twenty other folks, roamed the island for about an hour. 

Soon, the red orb gradually, gracefully, began lowering itself into the familiar silhouette of Boston's skyline. It was time for us to head back.  While waiting to board the boat, we couldn't help but be awed by the beauty of this harbor sunset.

I think I now have enough photos to select from for that section of my book that speaks to Little Brewster Island. If not, another visit is just a water taxi ride away!

Friday, June 15, 2012

We Can Do It!

This is Susan. I had a great opportunity on June 8th. My company paid to send me and 15 other women to the DCU Center and attend The Worcester Women's Leadership Conference. It was an exciting event beginning with the 'zero to breakthrough' speaker Vernice "Flygirl" Armour and closing the day with Lee Woodward, wife of Bob Woodward and author of "Perfectly Imperfect". In between there was a luncheon panel moderated by Paula Ebben which included JudyAnn Bigby, Suzanne Bump, and Karen Wells. The contributions these woman have made to society are unprecedented; even more inspiring was the belief each of them had in themselves.

I have always been motivated; I didn't need a conference to get me moving. What I learned at the conference is that all women face the same issues, we aren't alone. When I heard one speaker say, "Men are promoted on potential, women are promoted on performance." I nodded my head. Then another speaker said, "Women do not want to make a public mistake. Men don't seem to care. Again, my head nodded. When a breakout session leader said, "Women don't advocate for themselves, but men will." I fell back in my chair and said, "Wow. That is so true." 

We need to take credit for what we do in the workplace as well as what we do in our own 'life businesses'. If you did the work, let everyone know you did the work...and be sure your name is on top of the list of contributors. Women are taught that being aggressive and wanting to win is not lady-like. Well, you need to forget what you were taught. Your mother meant well but she didn't have to fight for position in a dog eat dog world; you do.We have to learn that winning is a good thing, that it is not un-ladylike and it is okay to aggressively pursue our dreams.

In business, it has always been 'no holds barred'. We were just too busy keeping our legs crossed at the ankles and our hands folded on our laps to notice the boys outside our window. You know who they were, the ones who built a tree house and then tacked up a  'No gIRls AllOwEd' sign on the outside. Well, it's time to climb the tree, ladies.

"You HAVE permission to engage!" Vernice "Flygirl" Armour