Garden Tomoatos!

One of the greatest benefits of my grandma having a garden in the backyard is that there is an abundance of vegetables! I love the cucumbers and tomato's. They make for a great snack. Of course, I'm not the only one that likes them. Lydia and the kids enjoy them as well. They don't last long once brought home and they don't go to waste....

Tomatoes from the garden are so good, it's almost a shame to mix them with anything else. So, I just cut them up, put them in a bowl, add a little salt, and I'm happy!

Yum!

~Matt

Princess Parking Only

One of the best part about knowing graphic design is seeing something and being able to reproduce it for myself... or in this case, my daughter.

I've seen several of the signs for "princess parking", so I redesigned it and printed it out. It's now on her bedroom door!

~Matt

Those Acronyms!

I often get frustrated when reading blogs and texts when they're filled with acronyms and shorthand words leaving me with "DNC". Thanks to texting and twitter, people go nuts with them... ain't that "GR8"? I'd often wish I'd have a decoder app that would help!!!

I know I'm not the only one that gets irritated at times. I've often went to Google for my answers, but that's not always the safest practice and giving me "511". 

So what do I use? Thankfully, there is a website that doesn't have ads or graphics: http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

Now I'm in the loop!

"DUNA"

~Matt

It's been twelve years since the attack by terrorists on our nation. Like every year, I'll take time to day to pause and remember those who died in the tragedy, both victims and heroes. Many sacrificed to try to help save others. 

Then, there are the families of those who perished. I can't imagine losing a loved one under those circumstances. My heart goes out to them.

My mind goes back to when it happened. The days following when our nation gathered together with a spirit of unity. How dare we be attacked... There was call for justice, for freedom of fear, the longing for what is right. We looked back on what we stood for, those statutes upon which our nation was built. There was a great stirring throughout our land.

Yes, today is a day of remembrance. I will never forget.

~Matt

Time To VOTE!

It's time for you to help me out. I am to submit a song for a chance to win in the Cathedral Family Reunion contest.

I've narrowed it down to three songs:

• Going Home
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9357196/Going-Home.mp3

• I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9357196/I-Know-Who-Holds-Tomorrow.mp3

• Suppertime 
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9357196/Suppertime.mp3


Take a listen, and then comment or email on which you think I should send in!

~Matt

App Review: tadaa

I don't do too much reviews on mobile apps like I'd like to. I have a few I'm working on, and this is one that has really impressed me over the past week. I've moved it ahead of the rest!

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll notice I post many pictures. I'm not a professional photographer... I just enjoy taking them! Of course, having two photogenic kids and beautiful wife helps! I also use photographs to chronicle our lives. It's not unusual to discover I've taken over 600 pictures with my iPhone each month.

To have some fun with the camera, each month I do a "Daily Photo Challenge". This has required me to try out several photography apps. Some have helped and some have just been basic. I've been in search of one that would give me great controls, but yet be simple in operation. 

For now, it seems I found a great app. And best of all... it was FREE!

Tadaa has been helpful in letting me crop, adjust contrast and saturation, pick great frames, and give me great options for correction. I've also been impressed with some of the filters as well.

If you're looking for something to "spice up" your photos, then "tadaa" is a photography app worth checking out!

~Matt