sugar & spice & everything nice

Just whipped up a batch of pumpkin biscotti to add to the already sweet mix of treats we'll be sharing with the neighborhood tonight. Can't wait!

We had an impromptu pumpkin-carving party last night:

And of course had to taste test Stacey's pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing... to make sure they were okay and all. They were :) Grown-ups will have a chance to sample them, along with the Paula Deen pumpkin cake that almost killed me last year, tonight!

The kids (and Tony) did an excellent job with their pumpkins. Mine however, needed a little tweaking and isn't featured in the group shot below:

They look fantastic, don't they?

In case you were interested in attending the Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat, we are now down to ONE SPOT! In addition to enjoying a fun weekend away, everyone who attends the Winter Weekend Retreat this December will receive an extra 10% off during my virtual Open House and Sale. This means a full 30% discount (i.e. product at cost) for purchases made during the week of November 7-13, 2010!!!

Have a great (and safe) evening!

...and then there were TWO was ONE!

I've had so many last-minute cancellations and sign-ups, my head hurts! We have two one spots open for the Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat. If you'd like one (or both), let me know ASAP. Payment is due immediately.

For those of you who might have missed my first post on the topic, here is the scoop:

Where: Memory Lane Retreat, North Branch

When: Friday, December 3-Sunday, December 5

Cost: $145 for Friday-Sunday; $30 to add Thursday, December 2

Details: The fee includes all meals and beverages except for one food item which is assigned. Everyone has their own bed and work table. There are prize drawings throughout the weekend and a treat bag upon arrival. Memory Lane is located close to the Tanger Outlet Center, only 55 minutes north of the Twin Cities.

You will find a virtual tour HERE and a host of other links below:

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-all-about-egg-nog-chai-lattes.html

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2009/12/tales-from-retreat.html

http://tinavega.blogspot.com/2009/12/vroom-vroom.html

If you have any questions, let me know!

All About Five | Minnesota Children's Portrait Session

Had a session with this little guy in September... yes, just getting to the sneak peek now! (While I've been spot on with gallery deadlines this season, the sneak peeks have been a little slow going.) You might remember his milestone session last year (click HERE) along with his fondness for ties. And airplanes :) Well, he's a year older now and riding a bike!

His mom and sister joined us for a fall afternoon at the park.

And I had a ton of fun with this charming young model. Here are just a few more...

Thanks again Heidi :))

be still my pumpkin-lovin heart

I'll be embarking any day now on a bake-a-thon. Not just any old bake-a-thon, but a PUMPKIN-inspired bake-a-thon :) I plan to whip up a batch of Turkey Pumpkin Chili later this week in addition to one of the biscotti recipes below. Got a thing for pumpkin yourself? Then try one of these recipes (or two) on for size:

Pumpkin Rice Pudding. MUST. HAVE. NOW. Click HERE.

Bakerella's Pumpkin Pie Bites. Click HERE.

And for Pumpkin Biscotti. Click HERE.

And Pumpkin Pecan Biscotti (w/white chocolate). Click HERE.

Spicy Pumpkin Soup. Click HERE.

Pumpkin Pie Chili. Click HERE. And Turkey Pumpkin Chili. Click HERE.

Looking for unique carving ideas? Click HERE and HERE. More monograms HERE. And leaves, oh my! (Click HERE.)

On a totally unrelated note... unless you plan to PHOTOGRAPH your pumpkins (or pumpkin recipes) - I have a new book to share:

It is chock full of creative inspiration. You can find it HERE.

Happy reading (and munching).

aside from my red-letter remarks, this post was written by the hubby

[This was originally posted 10/13/2008. Due to "popular" request my husband's incessant badgering, I am posting this again. Apparently, "the people need to be enlightened" again.]

For those of you who know him, you've likely heard this before:

"It is that time of year! Once again the Education Minnesota Professional Conference is upon us!"

"Wait...the what? Oh, you mean MEA."

"No, I mean the Education Minnesota Professional Conference. The MEA (Minnesota Education Association) does not exist. It has not existed for 10 years. Education Minnesota is the merger of the old MEA and the old MFT (Minnesota Federation of Teachers.) It happened back in 1998."

"Whatever, it's just a name. Everyone knows it as MEA. I'll just call it that."

"Are you married?"

"What?"

"Are you married?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"What was your maiden name?"

"Pahula."

"And now?"

"Meyer...why?"

"Well I am going to refer to you as Ms. Pahula from now on. I mean, it's just a name right? Everyone knows you by that name too. So that's what I am calling you from now on, okay Ms. Pahula?"

"No, now my name is Meyer. I haven't gone by Pahula since I got married 10 years ago."

"Oh, you mean you and your husband decided to merge your lives together and when you did so you took on a new name?"

"Alright...I see your point."

Say it with me everyone... the Education Minnesota Professional Conference.

So for all of you enjoying (or soon-to-be-enjoying) the Education Minnesota Professional Conference break, remember - you heard it here first.

PS: Ren even corrected his Sunday school teacher when she made a reference to MEA break. Her response? "So how do you shorten that?" The hubby's response? "You don't."

a note about copyright and your photos

A common question asked by potentional photography clients is: Who is the copyright holder of the images?

I found an excellent explanation of copyright at Offbeat Bride (click HERE to read). As far as my photography business goes, I retain all rights to the images while giving you (the client) permission to use them for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may order reprints and enlargements on your own, share the images with friends/family, and post them on Facebook. You may not alter the images in any way, sell, or publish them. Copyright remains in effect for the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years.

The images I post on my blog through Flickr are covered under a Creative Commons license. Specifically, an Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license. This license is often called the “free advertising” license because it allows others to download works and share them as long as they mention and link back to the photographer. The images cannot be changed in any way or used commercially.

Click HERE for another excellent post on the subject by Shannon Holden Photography. If you have any other questions, let me know!

it's all about the egg nog chai lattes

The change in seasons brings with it many delightful things. One being my annual WINTER WEEKEND SCRAPBOOKING RETREAT.

My favorite hosted event of the year. Because of the Christmas music. And cropping with a view of the snowy landscape. But most importantly because of the EGG NOG CHAI LATTES that flow from start to finish. (Trust me, even if you're not typically an egg nog lover - you will LOVE this Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat staple.)

So it's that time again. And guess what? I still have FOUR SPOTS open! (The December retreat is usually full before I've even had a chance to advertise.) Here are the details:

When: Friday, December 3-Sunday, December 5

Cost: $145 which includes food and beverages (aside from one dish or treat assigned to share)

Where: a retreat house in North Branch

You can even "supersize" the weekend by adding on Thursday, December 2 for an additional $30! Let me know if you're interested in a spot.

Peace Garden | Minnesota Lifestyle Wedding Photographer

I have unfortunately been dealing with an illness for almost a month now. On top of it being the busiest time of year for my photography business. Not cool.

What is cool?

This couple and their gorgeous wedding:

And the fact that God called off the rain just in time for a lovely garden ceremony :)

But then again, the bride and groom had connections (the bride's father also happened to be the pastor). Here are just a handful of my favorites:

The reception took place at The View near Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.

A stylish brunch. Warm speeches. Friends and family. The perfect celebration of love :)

fall family FUN | Minnesota Family Portrait Session

I've been meaning to get these up (in addition to two weddings and a milestone session with *the cutest* 5-year old). This is Pippy's family.

My little guy's best friend :) It was ohsomuchfun being able to hang out with the entire gang.

And of course, being able to take a ton of pictures of them in action.

Can't you just feel the love?

Total sweetness.

Thanks again for letting me hang out with you for the afternoon :)