From the Haugen Heart

I just created a short little video for you to enjoy. Have fun!

It was a sunny day in September when I first heard Monica's voice on the other end of the phone. "I was just on your website and liked what I saw. Are you available on January 7 to photograph my wedding?" Neil and I were open so we set a time to meet in person. As we talked, it was clear that the ceremony meant a lot to Monica and Matt. It was to be a full Catholic Mass with all that entails: singing, praying, sermon, full communion, sitting, standing, kneeling.... after an hour and 20 minutes or so, you really feel married! The ceremony was to be performed by the priest that they had gotten to know as part of Campus Ministries at OSU. Its More Than a Party This got me thinking about how the typical wedding of the modern era places so much emphasis on the party. The vows the couple is making is a small blip in a day full of hairdressers, photography, cake cutting and first dances. But the vows are the reason for all the rest of the hoopla and what the couple

Warm, yummy, fresh out of the oven, cornbread!  I can smell it now........ ahhhhhhh! I am not a gourmet cook. I have never been one to try new recipes for the fun of it or long to spend a day in the kitchen creating. Give me my camera and a few hours with Photoshop as my creative outlet, any day. But I do love the feeling of putting a home cooked meal on the table and having the family come running. Nothing speaks more to hearth and home and good feelings .... and that feeds me! I also love spending time with our 13 year old son, Lars. I love teaching him things, helping him with his homework (did I just say that?), helping him earn that next Boy Scout merit badge or get 4H exhibits ready for the county fair. Lars really likes to cook. It shouldn't be surprising because he loves to eat and he loves hearing people tell him what a great cook he is. What does this have to do with cornbread? Well, Lars had some in a restaurant and wanted to duplicate the sweet, moistness that you