Tea Room Junkie

I must admit, I am addicted. I'd go to a "Tea Room" every day for lunch if I could... And this one still stands as my favorite overall Tea Room anywhere. It's called Spring Creek Tea Room and it's in the heart of Ozark, MO, just off the West side of the square.
 If you have been so blessed as to have eaten there, you know that they are known for their amazing cakes - made fresh every day, and in every imaginable variety. This pic below is my standard fare, and although I have strayed several times for a taste of something else, I keep coming back to this half sandwich with everything on it and the half salad. "Half??" I eat the sandwich first, and then dump my salad on the big plate so I can enjoy it even more! It's no piddly little 1/2 salad, that's for sure. And oh, that raspberry citrus vinaigrette! Yumm... It is the best value around, as far as tea rooms are concerned. (Entree's under $10) A must try here is the Strawberry soup and dessert! Be prepared to wait a bit, but it's located in a huge antique store, so it's easy to pass the time :)

I couldn't find a website, but here is the address:  107 S 3rd St, Ozark – (417) 582-1331

Not too long ago, I visited a really incredible place - no, it's not a Tea Room - it's FRENCH! I will go back, this time armed with my camera, and fill you in on the best kept secret of SW Missouri! Check back here for that one!

Broadening the Blog

I don't seem to blog very often these days, although I have somewhat interesting thoughts and complete articles swimming around in my head constantly... I just don't seem to find the time to write. But the other day I posted something on Facebook that really is where I am: "A good thought, never expressed, no matter how sincere, true, or profound it may be... Holds no bearing on others, brings no change, nor warms a heart. It's time to speak up and get it out there." I do have lots to talk about, and so much to share. It really doesn't bother me if people are reading it or not, but I do hope, that if you are here, you will be glad you came, for whatever reason. Maybe it's to check out my latest favorite shot - shown below - or to get a little information on various topics ranging from photo tips, to travel, God topics, to parenting and life... This blog used to be anything and everything, and while it's interesting to some, and not so much to others, it's like a virtual scrapbook for me. And I'm good with that! So I'm opening it back up - mostly photography, yes, but other stuff, too... Restaurant reviews, places to visit, vacation, what I am learning through Scripture, health, and (gasp) maybe even a recipe once in awhile. It is time to speak up and share more with those around me, virtually and especially literally. One status update or 140 character post doesn't cut it - I am a woman, yes. Typically I don't share my opinion, but maybe this comes with a little age... I am committing to speak the random "ya know, I really do think you're amazing," tell my husband more often how incredible he is to me, and talk about various matters going on inside this brain. So, welcome back to LIFE THRU MY LENS. ~Teri Here is my latest favorite shot - taken just yesterday in Ozark, MO. For more previews of this incredible photo shoot, visit my Facebook Page!

Sam Stiles!

All I can say is... WOW. This girl is just amazing, and so wonderful to work with! I just love the confidence in her eyes, and it especially shows in this first image. Enjoy a little preview of her session this past weekend!

Editing Fun!

OK... I am still using Photoshop CS4- but as of today, I'll have the newest version known to man. So far, that is. I got to photograph this Senior's older sister about 2 1/2 years ago, and at that time I think I edited her entire session with iPhoto. True confessions of a photographer just starting out, huh? I have learned a lot in the last 3 years, I've read everything I can, taken seminars, and scoured the internet for tutorials. I believe I can learn just about anything if I have a good night sleep and the desire to figure it out! So did ya catch the difference in these 2 shots above? A huge shout out to Sam for being brave enough to have me take her picture even when there's a pack of guys just behind her having a splash in the fountains. I guess it'd be worse, though, if they were amazingly cute guys!
Ok, so here is another fun thing... As I mentioned, I took Senior pics for her older sister, and I have used this shot below numerous times to depict how life is a journey, starting that journey, a new chapter, etc... So we did it again! This time it's Sam's turn, and I think we got it about right! The first image below was edited in CS4, and taken just this past weekend... the last shot was from over 2 years ago and totally edited in iPhoto. Tell me what you think!

PS - there are amazing photos of Sam coming up! She has the most incredible eyes, just like her sweet Momma and older sis...

Carter~Miller Wedding... Hurricane Who??

Congratulations to Molly Carter & Derek Miller!! Meet this incredible couple who just got married last Saturday in the midst of a steady, but much needed rain. "Isaac" was the name... "Hurricane Isaac," that is. And while his arrival finally brought some relief to the devastating drought here in the Ozarks, he was a bit unwelcome at the Carter homestead on the North edge of Springfield. Fortunately, the ceremony was indoor, at the Drury Stone Chapel, but the reception was in a barn and under a tent. Handling all that expensive camera equipment, umbrellas, and soggy shoes was a bit of a challenge, yes, but I'm convinced that nothing could've dampened everyone's spirits! That was truly one of the most fun weddings I have ever been to or photographed. So just enjoy this little peek at the wedding photos... I'm still going through the many, many shots, and my list of favorite images is getting really long! I can post more pictures soon (DANCING!), but this is a little preview of what's to come!
Molly & Derek ~
You are an amazing couple and I'm sure there will be years of blessings ahead for you two. I have loved working with you and getting to know your families. What a crazy group! Seriously, you guys are so blessed. :)

Gauldin Family!

Such a joy to get to know this family over the past year! What a cutie that Easton is! He is a whopping 18 months old now, I met him when he was just a little blonde headed baby with a very proud big sister. I am creating a video slidewhow of our sessions, and will post that here very soon - till then!

"What I Know" ~from Duke

I'm just a dog, yes. But I understand things. Probably more than any of you realise. You see, I can think, feel emotions, and yes, I do feel pain. That's actually what brings my story to this page. I was in lots of pain, and my people, well, they tried their best. But I'd like for them to know, that even though I'm just a dog, I did know. For example, I knew these words:

"Duke" - this is the first word I ever learned. A pretty lady with bright eyes and light hair, she called me this when I was really little and everyone has called me this since. She taught me to be good, and run, and bring her a tennis ball over and over and over again. So, when I hear "Duke!" it always means something good. "Duke!" I get to go somewhere. "Duke!" I run to whoever says this to me and I get a treat, loved on, or my ears scratched. I think they say it is my name.
"Sit" - now this one I know, I put my backend to the ground & get a treat. Nuff said.
"Stay" - oh I'm not so fond of this word, but I do it anyway. I hear it and force myself to obey. And I heard more often, lately, when my people would go on their runs without me. Its ok, though. It really was hard on my old legs.
"Come" - now this words gets me going! Sometimes, I get to jump in the big red truck and go to town and sit under a big desk at the office, sometimes I get to go on a hike, sometimes it just means I get to sleep inside. Oh yes, I like this word...
"Down" - I was taught to be a very mannerly and good lab, so I know to never jump on people or up the couches unless I was first invited. But I was an extra-good dog.

This is not a word, but I know it really well:
THE RED LEASH - I'm going runnin!!!! And before that silly cow hurt my leg, I was really good at this.
MY BOY - they call him "Nathan." He was the first one in my new family to throw a stick for me, he begged for them to adopt me, & then he took care of me. Nathan gave me lots of ear scratches, he let me sleep by his bed every night. He even used my body for a pillow when he and other boys like him would sit in front of a huge glowing screen & laugh and play games. I would do anything for this boy and he would do anything for me. His voice is the last thing I ever heard, his touch was the last thing I felt. I rested my chin on his knee, felt his tears on my head, and went to sleep. And that was all. I think I had the best boy ever.
So you see, I knew things. It was real, and it was good. My mom owner says that God is real too. This God created all living things and there is nothing made that He didn't make. So I'm included in that, too. God made me, a black Labrador Retriever named "Duke," and I was a unique gift, of sorts, to my family back on Earth.

This is when I first became Nathan's friend ~ he was so good to me, right from the start!

Senior Girl Trip 2012

I'm going home to convince my hubby to move to the beach and start a new business... I doubt that will happen, though, at this stage of the game for us. We kinda have our feet dug in deep in MO! However, this was so much fun! I hope to do many more shoots like this, whenever, and wherever I can. The light changes minute by minute, so with 11 girls, and wanting to do "individs" for each of them, we had to move fast! For more of this session, watch my Teri Roy Photography Page on Facebook. I think that's where I will show off about 75 more images... No, seriously.