Warm cruise memories a cold Boston winter- Samana, Dominican Republic by Celeste Sheffey

Now that winter has arrived in Boston I find myself happily reminiscing about warm sandy beaches, tropical breezes and aqua blue waters.

My family and I were on a cruise celebrating my oldest son’s wedding. There we are in one of the photos below.

One of our stops was Samana, Dominican Republic. We all piled into the tender for a short, fun boat ride to the DR.

Once we landed, we immediately looked for and hired a tour guide to shoe us as much as they could in three hours.                                                                                                                                                 We found ourselves walking in a hot yet beautiful tropical rainforest, heading deep within the mountains of the Samana Mountain Range,                                                                                                 the falls are surrounded by lush green tropical rainforest, and small cocoa plantations. I never really thought about it nor had any idea cocoa                                                                                      grew on trees which is one of the many reasons why I feel so blessed with the love and means to be able to travel and experience life outside                                                                                             my front door that currently has a very cold winter wind blasting past it. 

 

 

 

 

Green, Brown and Blue Baby Shower Colors by Celeste Sheffey

One of my most enjoyable video assignments are taping baby showers.  Baby showers are colorful, fun, energetic and filled with laughter as family and friends get together to celebrate a new impending birth. The new mom to be for this particular baby shower loves the colors green, brown and blue which was reflected in the invitations, the decorations and even the thank you cards.  I was asked to videotape all the activities, capture photos, edit to DVD and create a beautiful online animated photo slideshow which I placed on a password protected webpage.    Clients have the option to have a private page or a public page and I’m happy to accommodate either selection. One of the activities that everyone was taking yarn and cutting it to the length the person thought would fit around the waist of the mom-to-be. I taped everyone doing this and saw one of the male guests use his own waistline to measure against. When it was time to announce the winner- guess who won! The man who used his waist and it was on video for everyone to view later on the DVD – lol.

I love my video jobs! I hope you enjoy these few colorful images and feel free to share or connect with on with your baby shower posts.

A. Celeste Sheffey HD Videographer, PhotoGraphic Artist

Tel: (617) 442-9912 | Mobile: 16714429912@tmobile.net

celeste@khoncepts | www.khoncepts.com

Franklin Park Zoo animal photo collage by Celeste Sheffey

First, let me say that I have very mixed feelings about zoos. Unlike aquariums where most of the inhibitants are in more natural surroundings, zoos house animals for our enjoyment because we’d probably never see them in the wild. That said, I’m thankful to be able to view these gorgeous, and amazing animals. My family and I have visited the Franklin Park Zoo off and on since the mid 80′s. When my children were little, you could visit the bird sanctuary for free coming in from the Seaver Street side of the zoo. I believe renovations of the Tropical Rain Forest were completed in 1989 which unfortunately transformed the free section of the zoo into part of the whole zoo.

This Christmas, 2011, in support of Franklin Park Zoo, I purchased a Family membership allowing my adult children to bring their children throughout the year and/or their friends. The added bonus for me as a photographer/videographer is that the membership is also a partial business expense- A win-win-win trifecta.

I’m looking forward to visiting The National Zoo – DC this April school vaction.

Enjoy a glimpse of these amazing animals in this colorful Franklin Park Zoo Animal Photo Collage.

No Public Restrooms by Celeste Sheffey

I’ve enjoyed living in Boston since 1973. One of  it’s best qualities is when I need a break from all the madness, I head out and visit other places. My first trip out of the country was a superb ten day visit to my brother’s flat in London, UK.  I was amazed at all the many public restroom signs!!!  and stunned to see restroom attendants, flowers and  everything was clean.  Back then, in the early 90′s I believe  it cost about 25p which was worth not having to beg to find a ladies room. 

Boston, is very very slowly catching up by including the large public, round restrooms. I’ve spotted one in Dudley Station Roxbury and one in Government Center. The first time I saw one  was in San Francisco 2009. I haven’t tried them but it’s nice to know they are available to use.  Which brings me to why a food/eating establishment on such a main downtown Boston street as Tremont St. would tape such an unwelcoming sign in their window?  Does it mean no one can use the restroom or just folks that walk in off the street?  As a customer service provider myself, I would have worded the sign differently.

“Sorry, we do not have public restrooms, however the closest one is directly across the street at the Visitor Center.” 

This would service two adjectives, one it helps the possible customer locate a restroom and two they may even return as a paying customer because they were helped with their immediate need. 

A. Celeste Sheffey HD Videographer, PhotoGraphic Artist

Tel: (617) 442-9912 | Mobile: 16714429912@tmobile.net

celeste@khoncepts | www.khoncepts.com

Photo Memories of Rome, Italy by AC Sheffey

The Coliseum, (Colosseum) olive trees, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Roman paving stones and a golden sunset are just a few special memories of a super, wonderful Rome visit in August.

Yes, it was hot but growing up, I spent my summers in DC so it was really just fine for me. Water, hat, sunscreen and good, comfortable walking shoes are strongly suggested.

 

A. Celeste Sheffey HD Videographer, PhotoGraphic Artist

Snow covered Boston Public Garden by Celeste Sheffey

A quiet and peaceful snowy morning view of the Boston skyline from the Boston Public Garden. One of my favorite spots to take photos on my way  downtown.

   

Bacon Lovers and The Family’s NuWave Oven by Celeste Sheffey

I confess, I purchased my NuWave oven mainly to cook bacon. My family and I love bacon, however standing over a pan of frying bacon with hot grease popping and sizzling all over me and my stove was a joy kill so it was always a special occasion whenever we had bacon. Now though! We have bacon regularly, no burns, no mess, no bacon oil, just nice, crispy delicious bacon.

One weekend we  only had a frozen package of bacon. I checked the Quick and Easy cooking guide and I was happy to see   bacon was listed.  I decided to line the bottom of the oven with foil,  placed the 4 inch rack onto of the foil, cut open the pack of frozen bacon placing it on top of the rack and set the timer for three minutes. Three minutes of cooking time was just enough to be able to separate strips. I placed several back on the rack, placing the remainder aside until I could add them to cook in the next batch. As you can see in the photo, the bacon fat drips away from the bacon to the foil.

The added bonus is everyone gets their bacon cooked the way they prefer. Mine is always last as I like it crispy! It may help to record your cooking times on a notepad to refer to and share with family members.

Enjoy and don’t be afraid to experiment. I find my comfort zone is to start with a short timer and add additional time as the food cooks.

A. Celeste Sheffey HD Videographer, PhotoGraphic Artist

Tel: (617) 442-9912 | Mobile: 16714429912@tmobile.net

celeste@khoncepts | www.khoncepts.com

Restringing My Mom’s Vintage Jewelry Collection

In November 2010, I inherited quite a bit of my lovely Mom’s vintage jewelry collection some of which she inherited from her Mom. I always enjoyed her three strand beaded necklaces and she often gave me one or two each time I’d visit her and my Dad so it was bitter sweet to be able to bring home all of her precious jewelry after her Home Going Service.

Luckily I have a friend with has a small jewelry business who has enjoyed restringing and adding new loop clasps to all of the necklaces I’ve given her. Below is a beautiful green necklace I wore and which broke once I took it off at home for which I’m thankful as I have all the beads. I’ll have my friend add a few gold pieces to update the look.

I’m being more proactive with the red necklace. I’m giving it to my friend to restring, before it breaks and will have her add a few gold beads to it as well.

Wearing my Mom’s jewelry, my Grandmother Pauline’s and my Aunt Katie’s pieces helps to keep them close. They are also heirlooms I can pass onto my children and their offspring.

href=”http://acsheffey.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/moms-green-necklace.jpg”> 

A. Celeste Sheffey

HD Videographer & PhotoGraphic Artist
(617) 442-9912

Happy Holidays from Boston, MA!

A. Celeste Sheffey HD Videographer, PhotoGraphic Artist

Tel: (617) 442-9912 | Mobile: 16714429912@tmobile.net

celeste@khoncepts | www.khoncepts.com

Thanksgiving turkey cooked using NuWave oven

for over a year, I’ve been looking at infomercials regarding the NuWave oven as well as looking at their webpage and online videos. Finally I purchased one November 13th. It arrived within a few days and I eagerly unpacked it, freshened and set-it up. I’ve been cooking on it everyday, this from a person who ordered take-out two to three times a week.

Here are some photos of my deliciously moist Thanksgiving Turkey. The only thing I had to do was remove the foil the last twenty minutes to be sure the leg portions were throughly cooked.  It was a simple matter to then cover the breast parts with the foil and finished the leg portions without the foil. Unlike a microwave, I really like being able to use foil in this oven. I also like that the turkey was sitting up on a rack with the juices settling on the bottom pan away from the turkey. The rack cleans easily in my dishwasher.

If you don’t have a dishwater, remove the bottom black pan, place the rack upside down into the black pan with soapy water while you eat and it cleans right off.

Cooking is fun again!