A Snowy Wordless Wednesday

"We heart kisses" week 6 challenge

Here's my first entry into the I Heart Faces blog contest. This weeks theme is "Kisses" and I'm super excited about the photo I am choosing.

i wonder what they're thinking about...

For more great pictures and to enter your own kissy  pic, head over to iheartfaces.

Oh those eyes

Squeeeeee!!!!!

A Baking Bonanza!

~Update~
   I brought a batch of the brownies raved about mentioned later in this post to work today. The verdict? A-maz-ing! I actually had one co-worker say, "You are going to make some man happy and fat!" High praise, right? Now, if only that praise could turn into the truth, like now? That would be even better!

~Original Post~
Pardon me, I love alliteration!
I am completely obsessed with social networking (duh!) and I love to read people's blogs, tweets, status updates, etc. Part of the fun, for me, is finding new inspirational stories, new places to shop, and new recipes to try out! This was the case the other day when I stumbled upon the blog i am mommy and the link to her baking page, i am baker. That is where I discovered these amazing cookies!

 

 These are Coffee Sugar Cookies! 

Oh. my. goodness. You put coffee in a cookie? That's a definite winner in my book! The recipe was super easy to follow except I totally did not read all the instructions. I missed the part that said you had to let the dough chill overnight. Oops. (Side note: if you are making the dough at night, as tempting as it may be; do not eat the dough if caffeine wakes you up. Let's just say that I laid in bed staring at the ceiling for a few hours that night.)

Some of you might remember a few months ago, (let's say it was October) I featured the amazing S'more cupcake that brookiellen introduced me to. I love s'more's, so ever since then, I have been obsessed with figuring out how to make a s'more brownie. I think know that this is it! I have always been about the brownie. It was one of the first things I learned how to bake. And I have been perfecting them ever since. I would NEVER use a boxed brownie. Okay, confession: I did once. Horibble, awful, never again.

The brownie recipe I use is Hershey's Best Brownie recipe. It has never, ever failed me.

I can't give you exact measurements, but I will do my best to guess.

Make the brownie batter first and then add about a 1/4 cup of finely ground graham crackers.

Take 4 sheets of graham crackers and crumble them into the batter. My goal was to have graham cracker pieces throughout the entire brownie.

 

Spray the pan with non stick cooking spray and spread the batter on the bottom.

Bake the brownies for roughly 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove from oven for the next step.

This is the tricky part. Spoon bits of marshmallow fluff randomly across the top. 

Take another 2 sheets of graham crackers and roughly crumble them on top and pop the back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until the brownies pull away from the side of the pan.

Let them cool before slicing... if you can wait that long!

 

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

So nerve-wracking

This past Saturday I did my first maternity shoot. It was my friend, Tara's, sister. I drove up for the shower and stayed for the shoot. They were such troopers... it was about 15 degrees that day and they indulged me with a few shots at the playground.
I have to admit that I am super nervous about how these photos are going to be received. Here is a sneak peek of some. Please be honest but gentle; it's my first time.

 

 

Help me choose!

I've decided to enter another photo contest today and I need help picking which picture I want to use. It's a contest through I Heart Faces and it is in honor of girlfriends for Blissdom '10. The theme is "Girlfriends" and my first thought was to use one of the pics I snapped of the three lovely best friends from last May. But the problem is, I can't decide which one I like better. This is where my loyal readership (all 3 of you) comes in. Help me pick which photo to use and I will be forever grateful.

I kind of know which one I am leaning more towards, but could really use some extra eyes! Please leave a comment and let me know which one you like better!

Trying my hand at editing

I haven't been obsessively taking pics for about the last month or so. When I was sick, my joints hurt so bad that I couldn't even pic up my camera. That's when you know it must have been bad.

The problem now, is that I am feeling the need to create but I have no recent pics to work on. But I happen to have thousand upon thousands of pics from the last few years that I can work on.

I can't seem to get photoshop elements to work with my computer, so I have been using paintdotnet for all of my editing.

Here are some that I have been working on the last few days. (And I would appreciate any constructive criticism you can offer!)

This is Brooke's Cash. Isn't he dreamy?

I am in love with this castle picture!

A Heart for the Hurting

I had trouble waking up this morning. I was cranky, tired, and had a massive headache. I stumbled downstairs to start the coffee pot and to drink as much coffee as possible this morning. Then, I headed back upstairs to get on facebook and check twitter. I signed on to my email and saw this. Sometime this morning, the people of Haiti encountered another earthquake. Of 6.1 magnitude. That's almost as powerful as the one last Sunday that killed so many and left millions homeless and too many children to count as orphans. It just breaks my heart.
I know that many of have probably given through your local church or some other organization. But it's not enough. It may never be enough.
This is not a plug for any one organization. This is just a list of links to point you towards helping at a time when it feels like you can't do anything.

Food for the Hungry


Compassion International

Haiti Earthquake

The American Red Cross

Doctor's without Borders


These are just a few of the many organizations that are collecting money to aid those affected by the earthquake (now quakes) that have devastated a nation.

Happy New Year... a little late!

2010 started out in a way that I hope never to repeat. I woke up on the morning of the 2nd with a fever and aches. This fever lasted for FIVE DAYS! That's right, 5! Turns out I had Fifths Disease or, Roseola. Fever, sunburn-like rash,and joint pain for quite some time after you are no longer ill. I'm hoping with this illness out of the way, 2010 can only get better!
For some reason, I have a really good feeling about this year. Things feel like they are going to change and I'm really looking forward to seeing what can happen.
Some big things that are happening this year:

-- The big 3-0. Phew, I just had a mini-panic attack typing those numbers. It's not something I am necessarily looking forward to, but I am hopeful that this will be a good time in my life.

-- Disney, just me and my mom. I'm really excited to spend some quality time with my mom at a place that we both love!

-- Photography shoots. I'm already starting to line up some shoots for the upcoming months. I have one at the end this month that I am filling some anxiety over. It is a maternity shoot for my friend's sister, who is expecting her first baby. I've shot babies and people but never expectant mothers... and I am a little unsure with how to proceed with this job. I also have family shoots and baby shoots and a possible wedding.

-- Starting a new home based business. My friend just launched her own Arbonne business and I have been seriously thinking for at least the last 6 months about launching my own. I would really like some more flexibility and extra income, plus I love their products... it just seems like a good fit. My only concern is being able to find people who would be willing to host a party for me (wink, wink!)

-- Getting back on track with healthy eating and exercising. I started watching my portions again, and once I am feeling up to it after being sick, I will start working out with the goal to run a 5k. And I mean, run it! I think I'm going to try the Couch to 5k, which a few of my friends have started and really like.

-- But most importantly, this year I am really looking towards figuring out who I am and what I am here for. Why did God ordain for me to be where I am and what am I supposed to be doing with that?

All in all, I'm ready to see where this year is going to go. I'm committed to not letting time pass me by as I have for so many other years. Here's to a New Year!

Disney: A teaser

I keep meaning to blog about Disney but keep putting it off. Here is a pic I took crossing over one of the bridges!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I took the above photo and did a little editing. I love how it turned out!

I've had a lot of fun with the photoshop mobile app that I have on my iPod. Here's a few more from my trip!

 

 I love how these turned out!

 

I have a blog?

Oh, right. I knew that. Really, I swear I did! I promise to update soon. A special "year in review" or something like that. Yeah.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

On that mindnight train to Georgia

I love Savannah. No, I mean I am crazy in love with this town. The charm, the architecture, the people... the beach right down the road. I may have to make this my go-to city for vacations. That's how much I love it. I got a few pictures when we went downtown yesterday, which I will post when I get home, before my dad started not feeling well and needed to get back to the hotel.
But all is good, we leave for WDW in about an hour!

Gobble, Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to talk a little bit about what I am thankful. Let's see. My family, my amazing friends, having somewhere to celebrate the holiday, my car, Milicent and so much more.
I'm stoked and thankful that my vacation starts officially TOMORROW! We pack up the car and hit the road around 7:30! wOOt!
Enjoy your day and remember what makes you thankful!

Holy Vacation,

Mickey Mouse! This time next week, my mom, pop, and I should be arriving at Walt Disney World. Yeah, I'm pretty much super excited for this vacation. For quite a few reasons, too. Let's see. I haven't been on an actual vacation since 2002, and technically that was a Mission Trip, but it was so much fun that it was like a vacation (where the "final destination" was WDW.) Before that, it was the family trip to WDW in 1995. That's right, my last 2 vacations were to the "Happiest Place on Earth."
I have had so much fun planning this trip with my mom. Planning events is something that we both like to do, so it was great to be able to do this together.
Another reason to be stoked, it's just my parents and me, so think of how spoiled I will be by the end of this trip. (Watch it, those of you who might have a comment re: me being spoiled!)
We leave Friday night at around 7:30 to make our way to Savannah, GA. I can't wait to take pictures of the architecture and everything else. We should hit Savannah sometime Saturday morning, with the plans to do some sightseeing. Then, we'll spend the night there and hit the road early Sunday morning... We have rest stops built in, time to stretch our legs, maybe grab a meal, but for the most part we will just ramble along.
We will be taking my car, Milicent. She's got some miles on her but I'm confident in her abilities to get us there and back. (Just pray for safe travels, please!)
I can't wait to write all about our Disney vacation!
On the way home, we are planning to swing over to Ft. Mill, SC to visit some family friends and spend the night. We have known this family for my whole life and longer! I'm super excited about this part because it it the family of one of my childhood best friends, LA! I even offered to do a family shoot of LA's family for her, since I don't think they have any...
Ok, I will not bore you any longer with the details of our trip, today anyway. I might be back on later this week as the excitement builds to a fervor.
Have a great Sunday!

Could it be?

Could I really be getting a car? Ok, so it's nothing fancy and it certainly won't be the most attractive thing on the road but it will be mine. Here's the stock photo of what it looks like. It's a 1996 Buick Century Wagon. And yes, it was previously driven around by a grandma. It seems I have a penchant for old lady cars!
I had been trying to stay patient and trust that God had something out there. On Sunday, I had heard from a friend that someone was selling a car... that belonged to his mother. I went up to him, asked him about it, and the rest... is history.
I should have it by the end of the week!

Do Good Intentions Write a Blog?

I didn't think so. I have no other excuse for myself other than being slightly busy with baby-sitting, seeing friends with their 4 day old babies, booking photo shoots, working, and just lazing around. (Wow! I just made myself look really busy!)
But really, there hasn't been much going on here but next week I have two shoots and the following week I have an e-session and a birthday party! I can't wait to post pics from all these upcoming events!

So, I'm having a bit of trouble with the fact that next year, I will be turning 30. I don't even like saying it. I mean, crisis mode, do-something-wild-and-crazy kind of trouble. I've thought about a tattoo, a nose ring, packing up and moving somewhere warmer...


Can you see that!? Isn't it fabulous?! After I do the "big reveal" at church tomorrow, I will post more obvious pictures.

Until then, have any of you had a hard time with getting older? What age has been the most difficult so far?

A Wonderful Day

This past Sunday, I finally got to meet up with my lovely friend Kara (and her fab husband, Jesse) and I finally got to meet her beautiful baby, Juliana! I believe that Juliana and I are now best friends, and I am totally smitten with her. And here is why...

How can you not love this face?

A great time was had by all and it was just so nice to sit and chat with an old friend. Just hanging out with a cup of coffee and a good friend. I really need to take more time and do that more often.

Turnpike Tales

There is a story behind my picture of the week this week. (Although, there usually is a story where I am concerned. I have had this uber-crappy week. I would love to enthrall you with all the fabulous details but I will just leave it at this. I am a car jinx.
This picture comes from my time on the turnpike on Wednesday after work. The tire shredded while I was driving. And apparently there is a kill switch for when that happens. So, the tire shredded and the car wouldn't start. And I sat on the turnpike waiting for my pop. (Who awesomely helps me when stupid junk like this happens.)

P.O.T.W.

Ok, so I'm inconsistent at best with posting a picture of the week. Hey, could be worse... I could have skipped posting my picture of the day for a month.
This week's picture...

I went to Chinatown last week. And took tons of pictures. Perhaps I will post some others at a later date. Perhaps.