Becky Novacek Photography

I go through phases with my list making. Sometimes I have 20 lists going and other times, I have none. I find that the times when I don’t have any lists going, are usually the times when I am not thinking ahead, I’m just surviving. Right now must be a good time, because I have booku (it’s a real word) lists. I thought it might be fun to share my current lists…..not necessarily what’s on each one : )

*b* list of lists

• to do list. My to do lists used to consist of household tasks and everyday type things…now it’s more work-related….like order proofs from July 17 wedding, build web gallery for Lindsey, project for Jenni Bowlin, subs for Fiskars…you get the idea. It’s funny how life changes. I like keeping my to do lists on paper, because I love the feeling of crossing things off!
• books. I’ve kept a list of books I’ve already read and books that I want to read. Anytime anyone recommends a book, I add it to the list. I used to keep it on paper, but for a quite a while now, I’ve used Goodreads.com. I know I’ve shared that many times. I don’t know if I’ve shared how much I love to print off my list of books that I want to read, to take to the book store or library. So handy!
• junking list. I have a running list in my little notebook with things I’m looking for, along with measurements. I’ve had a light fixture for my entryway on this list for months and months and still haven’t found one, but I know someday I’ll find the right one.
• home improvement projects. This is one slow moving list. I’m happy to say that one thing will be checked off the list this weekend. We will finally have the deck floor painted. Sunday, I scrubbed the covered deck ceiling down with bleach water, while Tom scraped and primed the floor. It will feel so good to have this done! The list is neverending.
• craft projects. Any time I get an idea for a project, I write it down, because I don’t often get to create when I want to create. Know what I mean? But I have a list of projects, just waiting!
• menu ideas and recipes. If I have it written down and I’m at a loss as to what to make, it’s good to be able to check the list and come up with something that sounds good. I’m sure there is probably a good way to keep a list online, but I haven’t done that yet.
• grocery list. I try to keep a running list of what we need, so that I don’t just walk into the store with no idea of what we need.
• wish list of stuff. As I was sitting by the pool one day eating bonbons (ya right!), I made a list of things that we want…not need, but want. Just a fun wish list. I think it’s good to know what you would buy, if you had the money. I haven’t dwelt on it or even looked at it again, but it was fun to write it all down.
• bucket list. I started a bucket list two years ago after watching the movie. I still haven’t checked many things off, but I do think about it : ) At the top of the list is a missions trip…I hope that happens soon.
• photo locations and ideas. Tom and I will often take a drive just looking for cool, out of the way locations to shoot. I always have a pen and paper to jot down places…because if I don’t, I do usually forget where I saw things that caught my eye. I think I won’t forget, but I do. That is why I love pen and paper. A great way for a person with lots of scattered ideas to gather and collect them in an organized manner.

What do you keep lists of? I love to hear ideas.

I want to share peeks of another senior session. Rudi and her mom and I scoped out some awesome industrial locations, along with a couple of other really unique spots. They were privy to a couple of industrial locales, that I’ll probably never have access to again. They have connections : )

I love sassiness.

This one was taken at Rudi’s Grandparent’s house….they have the most gorgeous flower garden!!!

Thanks for having me take your senior photos Rudi!

God bless each of you!

in just a minute. First, I want to say thanks for the pesto tips! I checked out Heather’s blog (Nancy left a comment about Heather’s pesto recipe) and I plan to make it and also freeze a bunch. Even though I keep saying I’m not ready for fall, something in me is feeling it….this morning I fall cleaned by bedroom. I washed windows, inside and out, screens, woodwork, and detailed all the furniture and decor. Feels SO good! Now I just need to replace the trashed carpet and chair! We’re having a garage sale this weekend (at Brooke’s) so I’m hoping to get more decluttering done!

On to the *b* list : )

*b* list on why I love Costco:

• fresh produce. It can be hard to find good peaches and avocados in Nebraska. I buy them at the grocery store, bring them home and try a bite and throw them in the garbage. Not so, when I get them at Costco. The peaches, avocados, pineapple, and limes that I picked up last week have been wonderful! I haven’t had to throw anything away. With only two of us, the amount we need to buy is a little daunting, but I’ve eaten half an avocado a day, as well as all of the other produce I picked up and even with all the avocados, I’ve lost a couple of pounds! Having great produce on hand makes eating right so much easier. I saw Martha on the Today show yesterday and she recommended keeping your produce out in pretty bowls on the counter….exactly what I’ve been doing for years. I’m convinced that having it visible is key. I have to say that I love the local farmer’s market, but there are some things you just can’t get there and I think Costco is the next best thing!
• entertaining needs. Any time I know we will be entertaining, I hit Costco. I can always count on being able to get just what I need. The only other “must stop” place is Whole Foods. I can get everything I need with just these 2 stops!
• books. I can’t stop at Costco and NOT look at the book section. The prices are SO low! I picked up the last in the Larsson Stieg’s trilogy, The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. It was only $15 and it’s a hardcover. I’ll put in on Ebay when I’m done, along with the other two books. I’ve found great cookbooks at Costco too at a great discount.
• fresh flowers. I don’t often buy flowers at Costco, because it’s 35 minutes or more from my house and generally, I have other stops to make. However, I always admire the flowers and they seem to be moderately priced.
• cookware. I’ve had my eye on the Kirkland Stainless cookware for a couple of years and couldn’t ever justify buying the set. It’s under $200, but you know how that goes. I’ve had the same discount Calphalon pans for many years and I know that the Teflon coating is not good, so when I stopped and looked for the millionth time last week, Tom said he would buy them for me. I heart that man. My Aunt Mary’s SO Dave, is a cook AND a consumer researcher….and he told me years ago, that the Kirkland Stainless won high marks across the board, even against highend competitors. So I trust that it’s good stuff. I just used one of the pans for the first time at noon. So far, so good….although I haven’t washed the pan yet.
• returns. My friend Kelly has raved about how much she loves Costco’s easy returns. So, when Brooke complained that her carpet cleaner from Costco was a disappointment, I told her to try returning it. She took it in, after several months of using it, and told them that she wasn’t happy with the quality. They returned her money, no hassle! That’s impressive! By the way, before I move on, you need to check Kelly’s blog out in September. She is planning to make September a “sewing month”…and I can’t wait to see what she makes and shares on her blog!
• photos. I personally don’t have my photos printed at Costco, but I have quite a few friends who do. They say they love it and once again, the price is right. I did have a few things printed that I needed in a hurry for a project at home and they did a good job.

When I like a store or a place of business, I’m generally very loyal. I’m obviously a big fan of Costco, but I also love Target and JCrew : ) I feel like I’m cheating on Target and JCrew by doing a post dedicated to Costco!

I love when I get to take photos of returning clients. Doing senior photos for a sibling of a past senior photo client is awesome! I took Melissa’s older sister Megan’s senior photos 2 years ago and now Melissa is up.

You just never know : )

She’s a reader which makes her a kindred spirit.

It was good to see Megan again…and to catch up on what she’s been doing. After hearing about her summer, I wanted to be her!

One of the chairs in their great room was soooo cool, I had to use it. Added lots of grain with a conversion called funky grunge. Thanks for continuing the tradition Melissa! I hope you like the peeks!

Have a great day and God bless!