Stones of Remembrance

we have our very own Alex P. Keaton

2012-01-24T13:30:00.002-06:00

And yes, my Christmas tree is STILL up.

this is amazing

2012-01-21T12:20:00.003-06:00

The view of "us" from outer space... check it out!

5 Fun Things Friday

2012-01-21T09:16:00.003-06:00

Sorry for the delay this week; I've been working behind the scenes on my new blog design. And it's been a giant, time-consuming pain, BUT... it's going to be SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! Here's a teeny, tiny peek:

The change involves a new blog address, which is featured on the 5 Fun Things button above. I'm looking to "go live" on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Now, back to business. Below you'll find my 5 Favorite Things for the week:

1. I'm quite fond of color generators and used THIS ONE to help sync up all of my web colors. (You'll find the color hex values here in addition to all sorts of other tools.)

Big Huge Labs will also generate a color palette based on colors in a photo (how cool is that?!), click HERE to see how it works.

2. Sometimes the best "prop" is an outfit. This one would be perfect for a mini Valentine's Day session:

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

3. Stumbled upon this lovely piece of chocolate...

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

And thought it would make a beautiful Valentine's Day gift for someone special.

4. Love these vintage-inspired cards!

Source: modcloth.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

5. I've been craving COLOR lately and this dress is calling out to me:

Source: modcloth.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Happy Belated Friday!!!

got a few changes in the works

2012-01-18T14:37:00.019-06:00

In addition to the new logo, packaging, and pending blog facelift I will be introducing several new products and packages. [Both digital AND print packages.]

Along with incentives for placing timely orders. And for referring friends and family my way :) But first I must tackle this dreaded pile:

My Minnesota sales tax is due to be filed in just two short weeks; just one of the many joys of owning a small business.

Not.

Once my paperwork is out of the way, I'll be able to devote myself fully to "going live" with all of the changes. I'll keep you posted on when that will happen, once I know when it will happen.

Capish?

Be back on Friday with my 5 Fun Things for the week. Stay warm!

new creations of minnesota

2012-01-16T22:49:00.002-06:00

Tony and I first met Steve Tuttle of New Creations early last summer and have since hired him to finish our basement, trench a sump line, and fix condensation issues in our attic. Come spring, he'll be back to build us a deck.

Needless to say, we couldn't be happier with his company's work :)

When Steve asked me if I was interested in photographing a new project, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity. In all honesty, I couldn't wait to see another renovation in person.

And it was as amazing as I'd expected... just see for yourself:

Interested in seeing more? Then be sure to check out their Facebook page by clicking HERE.

life is art

2012-01-16T11:44:00.004-06:00

Click HERE to see it enlarged.

double date

2012-01-15T21:00:00.001-06:00

Although we've been friends FOREVER, this was our first official double date with Tilly and her husband.

No kids.

Just us hanging out and having fun.

winter is the perfect backdrop

2012-01-15T15:50:00.011-06:00

Click HERE and HERE to see the images enlarged.

popping in to say hi and...

2012-01-14T06:41:00.005-06:00

...share a selfie I snapped yesterday while photographing a kitchen remodel.

Believe it or not, it was SNOWING again! Be back soon with all of the fun, colorful details.

5 Fun Things Friday

2012-01-13T00:15:00.003-06:00

1. I recently stumbled upon another fun photo app. PhotoToaster allows you to make a zillion adjustments [including the fine-tuning of those adjustments] AND has a bunch of texture options, vingetting options, frames, and more! (You can even export into Instagram for even more photo-tweaking goodness.)

Click HERE to learn more.

2. Holy smokes.

The iPhone 4 SLR Mount at the Photojojo Store!

You can turn your iPhone into a DSLR with this nifty mount.

3. I have a birthday coming up and would really, really like this lens and adaptor.

Buy the The Dreamy Diana Lens at the Photojojo Store!

It would be SOOOO much fun to play with!

4. Speaking of play, check out the Game of Photo-opoly.

Source: amazon.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

5. Another indulgent want.

Source: amazon.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Especially when paired with one of these:

Source: mochithings.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Happy Friday!!!

lunch date

2012-01-12T15:04:00.004-06:00

At the best burger place in town, with the Jiffy being the best burger in town. (Peanut butter, pickles... what's NOT to love!) Click HERE to learn more about the Blue Door Pub and HERE to learn more about the Jiffy.

now this is more like it [and not in a good way]

2012-01-11T15:43:00.013-06:00

The difference 24-hours makes. (Click HERE to see my post from yesterday.)

happy happy

2012-01-10T15:12:00.000-06:00

happy song.

happy day.

so not your typical january in minnesota.

cherry coffeecake & a couple other recipes from the retreat

2012-01-09T09:38:00.001-06:00

I meant to post these earlier but got swept up into All Things Christmas after returning home from the December Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat. Which is a bummer because the Cherry Coffeecake would have made for *the perfect* Christmas Day breakfast.

At least it did for my family :)

Perhaps you could save it to use on Valentine's Day. With all of the red (cherries) and white (icing) it really would be a spectacular breakfast then as well. I must confess that it is rather sweet and gooey so it is served best with something salty. Like bacon. Lots of it.

You'll want to begin with a box of yellow cake mix. (I already warned you it was sweet and gooey.) Mix 1-1/2 cups of the cake mix with 2 eggs, 2/3 c. warm water, 2 packets of instant dry yeast, and 1 c. of flour.

Spread it into a 13"x9" pan and top with pie filling.

In a separate bowl, mix remaining cake mix with margarine until mixture is crumbly and sprinkle on top of pie filling.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes and drizzle glaze over warm cake.

And enjoy!

The full recipe is below:

Cherry Coffeecake

1 box yellow cake mix, divided
2 eggs
2/3 c. warm water
2 pkgs. instant dry yeast
1 c. all-purpose flour
21-oz. can cherry pie filling
5 T. margarine, melted

Mix 1-1/2 cups cake mix with eggs, water, yeast, and flour. Beat for 2 minutes. Spread into 13"x9" pan. Top with pie filling. In a separate bowl, mix remaining cake mix with margarine until mixture is crumbly and sprinkle on top of pie filling. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Glaze

1 c. powdered sugar
1 T. water
1 T. corn syrup

Mix all ingredients together and drizzle over warm cake.

Too, those of you who attended the retreat can attest to the truly divine nature of the dips made by Kim that weekend. I've since had requests for the dip recipes and thought I'd better get those up pronto as well. (Superbowl Sunday is coming up after all.) Here you go!

Kim's Bacon Ranch Dip

16 oz. of Sour Cream (I use the good stuff no lite or fat free)
1 jar of Real Bacon Bits (found in salad dressing aisle)
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1-1/2 cups of shredded cheese (almost a full bag)
Mix, chill and enjoy with wheat thins (another cracker would work too, I just always use wheat thins).

Kim's Queso Dip

16 oz of Velveeta Cheese (cube and melt in pan on low heat)
1 can of Rotel Tomatoes (added it to the pan of cubed cheese)
While this is melting together, cook a tube of Jimmy Dean sausage in a pan, drain and then add to the cheese mixture when it is all melted. (I usually put the contents in a crockpot on low, or keep warm setting.)

We also enjoyed a tasty pumpkin dip (courtesy of Crystal). I'll try to hunt that one down as well!

i heart faces :: best face of 2011

2012-01-08T23:45:00.001-06:00

My personal favorite from 2011, straight out of the camera.

little suprises

2012-01-08T09:39:00.000-06:00

An average tool bench:

And its not-so-average contents:

Something tells me he's in lockdown for a reason.

family mealtime, my e-mealz binder & favorite cookbooks

2012-01-07T11:49:00.003-06:00

Family mealtime is a big deal around here. The table is set and food is served with everyone pitching in. And we've been doing this pretty much daily for the last several months.

It's become a ritual, something we all look forward to - not just for the meal itself. Conversation centers around a game called "HIGH/LOW" where each person takes turns sharing a high and low point from their day. We have also recently added a bonus question each night from THIS tub of fun. (Similar questions are available HERE and HERE as well.)

And our 11-year old and 14-year old boys willingly share. [A miracle because hearing anything about their day was a rare occurrence before.] It has opened the door to some cool discussions and has allowed us to connect more deeply as a family.

My monthly subscription to E-Mealz has played an integral part in facilitating the family meal (I wrote about it HERE in an earlier post), totally simplifying what was once so overwhelming to me. I print up my menu/grocery list each week and tuck both into a 3-ring binder for easy reference. If you're an E-Mealz subscriber, be on the lookout for free recipes on both the website and blog (I add those to the binder as well).

Not every meal served in our home comes from E-Mealz. I'm still a teeny bit afraid of seafood (though I am becoming much more adventurous) and will occasionally sub out a meal with either an E-Mealz repeat or one from a favorite cookbook. Which is easy to do with a shopping list that is broken down like this:

The meals are numbered so you can easily remove unnecessary items. Piece of cake!

As far as other cookbooks go, my favorites right now are:

1. Heritage from the ♥'s of St. Henry [A bridal shower gift from Grandma Deutsch.]
2. Gooseberry Patch Farmhouse Christmas
3. Southern Living Slow Cooker Cookbook
4. Southern Living Big Book of Christmas
5. Gooseberry Patch Big Book of Home Cooking

Perhaps the dinner hour is CRAZY in your household with everyone off and running in different directions. How about starting with one night a week? Or if dinner doesn't work, perhaps breakfast? If you're just not feeling it and need a little more inspiration, click HERE and HERE and HERE to find all sorts of compelling reasons to be more intentional about family mealtime. I promise you won't regret it!!!

this is beautiful

2012-01-06T09:17:00.002-06:00

What a talented, talented mommy - this Christmas video is almost like a living scrapbooking. It will take your breath away.

5 Fun Things Friday

2012-01-06T01:00:00.022-06:00

1. Rain Boot Liners. I'd never heard of these until spotting them while shop hopping in Nisswa. They are absolutely adorable in person.

You'll find some cute ones HERE and HERE. And if you're crafty, you can even make your own (click HERE for pattern).

2. Check out this cute Word of the Year bracelet:

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

3. Love these SUPER ADORABLE sunglasses!

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Plus a ton of others at THIS unique Etsy shop.

4. These Vanilla Bean Scones caught my eye.

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Almost too beautiful to eat! (Her Maple Oat Nut Scones look amazing as well.)

5. These would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Found them on Etsy at THIS shop (I think my favorite of all fingerless glove sellers). Everything is so feminine and delicate. Gorgeously detailed!

Happy Friday!!!

spring retreat & nogsicles

2012-01-05T12:31:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to remind everyone that the Spring Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat deadline is quickly approaching. You will find all of the fun details HERE in an earlier post. A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to hold your spot with the remaining balance due February 1, 2012. Right around the corner. And while I can't make any promises at this point, I may even have an egg nog chai latte or two to give away that weekend.

Yes, very much OUTSIDE of the egg nog season. How?!! you might ask. Well...

I've been making little nogsicles :)

So while the egg nog chai lattes are usually reserved for the Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat, you may just find a couple of coupons attached to goodie basket prizes...

Redeemable for egg nog chai lattes that weekend! Because I am capable of exercising self-control.

I think.

If you have any questions about the weekend, let me know!

treasure hunting

2012-01-05T07:00:00.017-06:00

Picked up a couple of sweet deals while shopping in Nisswa. Our first stop, the Chocolate Ox:

Which by the way, also appears to have a summer shop located on the property of Grand View Lodge. It was filled with lots of candy. LOTS. Everything from jelly beans to fancy chocolates. (They even had an ice cream counter!) I chose some old-fashioned candy sticks and this:

Um, yeah... chocolate-covered peanut brittle with a hint of cayenne - totally up my alley. Next stop was this cool shop that had a little bit of everything inside:

Zaiser's is the name of the place. Not only did I find a bunch of unique things to share in an upcoming edition of 5 Fun Things, they had a large selection of itty bitty sterling earrings.

This pair is mine :) They even have little safety backs for young children. (Some of the earrings were so tiny they were clearly intended for munchkin ears only.)

I'm so fortunate to have boys who indulge my need for shop hopping (Tony even added to to the wintercation itinerary). Taking my own sweet time to browse through little shops is one of my favorite things to do. As silly as it sounds, I'm inspired by knick-knacks and handmade goodies. What inspires you?

Monthly Faithbooking Crop :: January 2012

2012-01-04T15:13:00.016-06:00

The January Faithbooking Crop is around the corner! Join us at Hosanna! on Saturday, January 14 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm for a fun and productive day of scrapbooking (or whatever sort of crafting floats your boat). As aways, the crops are FREE and include:

•snacks and beverages
•hourly prize drawings
•monthly journaling lesson
•hours to work on your projects

Just click HERE and follow the instructions to reserve your spot! The rest of the year has been mapped out as well, future dates follow:

February 11, 2012
~~March 10, 2012~~ - CANCELLED!
April 14, 2012
~~May 12, 2012~~ - CANCELLED!
June 9, 2012
July 14, 2012
August 11, 2012

If you have not been receiving my monthly email reminder and would like to, let me know and I'll add your name to the list! (Just a reminder... please RSVP by Wednesday, January 11th!)

road trip bokeh

2012-01-04T08:43:00.005-06:00

LOVE.THIS.SHOT. Especially when it fills the screen (you can view it that way by clicking HERE.

family vacation :: grand view lodge resort

2012-01-03T14:44:00.002-06:00

In an effort to embrace Minnesota winter, I booked us a vacation up north. A wintercation. My family seemed a little surprised by the idea, voicing concerns about how exactly we'd be spending our time. So I wooed them with talk of renting snowmobiles and snowshoes - not realizing when I'd booked the trip several months earlier, it would end up being the brownest winter ever.

oops.

Thankfully, the place was jam-packed with fun things to do. And they even had snow!!!

We rented a 1-bedroom cabin at Grandview Lodge Resort in Nisswa, Minnesota. They'd offered a great holiday package that included an elaborate breakfast buffet each morning AND a host of activities. There was even a spa on-site!

We happened to have THE BEST server our first morning there [Garrett] who whipped up amazing drinks for the boys. The attention he gave our kids reminded me much of the staff on our Disney Cruise last spring.

Our cabin overlooked Gull Lake and included a huge jacuzzi tub, wet bar (microwave oven and mini refrigerator), and a real fireplace.

There were horse-drawn wagon rides, nightly s'mores outside of the Main Lodge, their very own pub on-site (the food was excellent), a waterpark, a special New Year's Eve seafood buffet, and laser tag. The resort even provided transportation to nearby Ski Gull [we received a 15% discount for being guests of Grand View Lodge as well].

It was a SUPER deal and so much fun that the boys want to do it again next year. I'm hoping we can convince family or friends to join us!

Because we saw LOTS of groups there together and thought it would be a memorable way to celebrate the New Year. (Our first night there, we ran into a gal from my bible study who was vacationing with her extended family!)

Oh snow much fun.

out with the old & in with the new

2012-01-03T11:27:00.035-06:00

My word for 2011 was good to me.

I'd chosen it shortly after my father-in-law's death, his battle with cancer and a whole host of other junk in 2010. It seemed the perfect word. Necessary.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

When craziness would abound, I'd meditate on the passage above. And I found great peace, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding me.

It was the perfect word. But a year has passed and it's time for a change. My new word [after much hemming and hawing] is:

inspire

In 2012, I want to get back to why I began this blogging journey in the first place. I want to seek out what inspires me in the hope that I will in turn, inspire others. To be all that God wants me to be. To be a better mother, wife, writer, and photographer.

I will be looking for inspiration in everyday moments, in God's word, through my lens, and in the world around me. Keeping my heart and eyes open. Not allowing busy-ness to take over and cloud my vision. To be motivated (and motivate others) to change. To grow.

How about you? Have you chosen a word for 2012? If so, I'd love to hear what it is! [Just add it as a comment to this post.] Or, if you have NO CLUE what I'm talking about and would like to learn more about Ali Edwards' "One Little Word" challenge, click HERE.

happy new year

2012-01-01T15:17:00.008-06:00

We just arrived home from a little getaway, which happened to be our first real taste of winter this season! I'll be back later with details. And my word for the new year.

Happy New Year!!!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-12-30T01:00:00.005-06:00

1. Aren't these the cutest little magnets ever?

Source: modcloth.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

2. Donut pan recipes.

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Baked Caramel Apple Donuts HERE.

Baked Gingerbread Mini Donuts HERE.

Double Glazed Funfetti Donuts HERE.

Vanilla Bean Baby Donuts HERE.

Fluffy Cake Donuts HERE.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts HERE.

[Got myself a cute little mini donut pan in Christmas Eve BINGO this year and CAN'T WAIT to test it out!]

3. Snow White Apron. Love.

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Because there is a little princess in all of us :)
4. StickyGram.

Make all sorts of cute magnets using your Instagram prints!

5. How about this as a sweet Valentine's Day gift?

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Happy Friday!!!

confessions of a former kitchen failure

2011-12-27T14:07:00.002-06:00

While I enjoy eating good food, cooking has never been one of my strong suits. In fact if it weren't for Hamburger Helper, frozen pizzas, and the occasional casserole EVERY SINGLE ONE of our family dinners would have been eaten out. That is, until I discovered E-Mealz.

I struggled with meal planning. And grocery shopping. And enough leftovers to feed an army. And serving the same old sides over and over and over again. We were in a rut. A giant one and I had no clue how to get out.

At first I tried cookbooks. And the Internet. And more cookbooks. Truth is, they were really nothing more than a temporary solution to an on-going problem.

Until I discovered E-Mealz.

I pay $5/month for my subscription ($1.25/week) and E-Mealz not only plans my meals, but creates detailed shopping lists as well! And the meals are WONDERFUL. Tailored to a family of four. Our grocery bill for a week of meals ends up being about $80 for the week. Seven glorious meals that are easy to prepare. With delicious sides even.

It's been a total kitchen breakthrough. Even during my crazy busy photography season, I would return from sessions at 5:30 pm and NOT be in a panic about dinner. We typically ate out several nights a month, spending anywhere from $20-$40 for one meal as a family. Crazy, but not anymore.

My E-Mealz subscription is seriously the best purchase made in 2011.

They offer a variety of meal plan options: gluten-free, low carb, low fat, family of 4, family of 2, vegetarian, natural & organic. Something for everyone. You can check out sample menus on their website by clicking HERE.

I am happy to say I no longer dread making dinner (I might even go so far as to say I enjoy it). E-Mealz ROCKS. If you're looking for a way to simplify your life and budget, be sure to check it out!

one year ago today

2011-12-26T14:30:00.004-06:00

Remembering Grandpa Lito.

Who passed away one year ago today.

a few from the christmas eve service

2011-12-25T10:27:00.001-06:00

Christ => our light in the darkness; that message beautifully woven into the Christmas Eve service at Hosanna!

Imagine my surprise at seeing a gal I graduated with on the big screen, radiating hope in the face of darkness as she spoke of her recent cancer diagnosis.

A profound message. The January sermon series will focus on relationships ("Relationships, Passion, Marriage") - what a great way to begin the new year.

Because we could all use a little fine tuning now and again. Click HERE for service times.

Have a warm and toasty evening :)

today

2011-12-25T00:01:00.004-06:00

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV)

A Savior, which is Christ the Lord. The same as Jesus.

To make safe.
To make alive.
To deliver.
To confide in.
To hope.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

looking for a special way to celebrate?

2011-12-24T11:33:00.006-06:00

Check out the Christmas Eve services at Hosanna! in Lakeville. It'll knock your socks off.

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-12-23T23:55:00.000-06:00

1. How about some yummy [grown-up] hot drink recipes for Christmas?

Click HERE to find several.

2. Breakfast of champions.

Source: ourfamilyfoodadventures.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Maple bacon biscuits... just kill me now.

3. Really wish I could pull off this look.

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

So cute.

4. Love these shoe clips:

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

5. The new Jimmy Fallon "wake-up call" app (only $.99):

Happy Friday!!!

december 2011

2011-12-23T14:05:00.000-06:00

I've fallen a couple of months behind on my monthly family photo challenge. Oops. I'm sure our home is much like yours this time of year... FULL! I've been reviewing the year and looking ahead to 2012 (journaling about goals and such) and realize my blog has taken somewhat of a backseat to Facebook and other forms of social media. I plan to change that. Because I miss the way it used to be. Because blogging is where my heart is. Because I want to be more intentional about how I spend my time.

In case you missed the Tweet, my Grandma Deutsch now has a Caringbridge site. While I never thought in a million years she'd go for it, a friend shared with her the many benefits of having such a site. (The friend apparently tried to set things up on Grandma's behalf but felt she was in over her head.) And because "sharing sites" are my thing, I volunteered to help :) Just click HERE to access the site.

Merry Christmas Eve eve!

Elfcapades

2011-12-21T10:10:00.003-06:00

Elf is more experiment than tradition. My husband and I had been following the activities of some other elves in the area and began brainstorming one night. I had NO INTENTION of spending $30 on an elf. Our kids are teens [teen boys] so the cutesy video and book that accompanied it would have been a total waste. Lo and behold, we ventured out to Gertens and stumbled upon The Land of Elf Ornaments. (Mind you, precious shopping hours were lost as we sorted through alien elves and satin elves and felt elves and mini elves - it was more complicated than choosing a pet!) We finally settled on this guy:

We call him "Elf" - quite fitting, if you ask me.

It turns out Elf is a very naughty elf. VERY.

The first night we left him alone, Elf photocopied his naked tushy.

The next night, he stirred up all sorts of trouble with the snowmen of the house and ended up with a black eye.

We had to have a talk with him about the language.

Elf may or may not have gone potty in the milk.

Not cool.

Oh and then there's the day he teepeed the tree.

It reminds me of what it was like with a puppy. I am still haunted by the day I woke to black shreds everywhere... only to realize in horror that Angus had eaten my absolute FAVORITE pair of shoes. It's sorta like that, only this time the kids are being traumatized instead of me.

We woke to this today:

A zip line in the living room.

Needless to say, Tony and I are having a lot of fun after the kids go to bed :)) We have saved THE BEST for last so be sure to check back next week!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-12-18T16:14:00.003-06:00

1. The Mystery Cafe.

Thought this would make for a great date night with Tony :))

2. The Price of Privilege.

Our teens today are really struggling, this author seeks to help us understand why.

3. Thought these rubber bands would go well with my SMASHbooks. (The SMASH series currently has only two. Russell+Hazel on the other hand, have 14 different styles!)

Check out THIS Recipe Binder Set (on sale now AND free shipping right now as well!):

How about THIS wedding organizer for a bride-to-be?

4. The ultimate curling iron: T3 SinglePass Whirl.

It's pretty spendy but you'll find a great deal on it HERE.

5. Wallaby Bag Company. Super cute cases for your smart phone, iPad, or Nook/Kindle.

Happy Belated Friday!!!

my happy place

2011-12-12T11:35:00.000-06:00

My family and I went to Gertens to soak in the holiday goodness yesterday afternoon. I could spend hours there just looking. Everything is so beautiful.

I noticed A LOT of people hanging out around the vintage decorations. Lots of older people. Spending a great deal of time in the area myself, I couldn't help but overhear stories of Christmas past. Simple, sweet, and handmade.

Speaking of Christmas past, I stumbled upon this sweet audio series on Amazon:

Click HERE and HERE for details!

Our theme for the journaling lesson at the December Faithbooking Crop was "Meaningful Family Traditions"; I heard several inspiring stories from the women there about traditions important to them and their families. [I'll be posting that lesson later this week.]

Speaking of traditions, our new Advent Activity Calendar has been a huge hit with the boys :)) I've been taking pictures along the way and will blog about it a little more in-depth at the end of the month.

I've got some work to catch up on (the stomach flu invaded our house on Friday); be back later!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-12-09T16:07:00.001-06:00

1. This DIY project:

Source: asortafairytaleblog.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Baby's First Christmas Ornament... adorable!!!

2. The Tuesday early-bird discount on oil changes at Protech Automotive in Lakeville.

Get your oil changed before 11:00 am and it's only $19.95 (plus tax)! You seriously can't beat that.

3. This beautiful ring on Etsy.

Source: etsy.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

4. Elf on the Shelf. I know many of you have an elf as part of your Christmas tradition. I have never quite seen it marketed quite like this year! Pinterest is full of some absolutely ADORABLE ideas for things to do with your elf.

Source: google.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

My boys would get THE HUGEST kick out of this, even at their ages.

5. Check out this cute crafty project:

Source: Uploaded by user via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Happy Friday!!!

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

2011-12-07T13:58:00.004-06:00

I promised to share retreat recipes but want to post them with pics SOOOO they'll need to wait a bit. In the meantime, here's a recent one I whipped up to serve alongside a pot of soup.

Yes, blueberry muffins.

The recipe begins like any other by mixing the dry ingredients together.

While you have the flour out, you'll want to mix a tablespoon or so with your blueberries in a separate bowl (this will prevent the batter from turning purple).

In a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar together until fluffy.

The add in the eggs and vanilla. (If you're feeling a little adventurous, you could also add 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest.)

Mix well and then add your dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two as you continue to mix by hand.

Gently fold your blueberries into the batter. Using a spoon, fill prepared muffin pan with batter before mixing up the streusel ingredients.

Nut-lovers could even add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans to the mix. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Let them cool a bit before using a butter knife or spreader to loosen and remove them from the muffin tin. The full recipe is below:

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. flour
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
5 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. butter, diced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease or line 12-muffin cups (24 mini). Combine 2 c. flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt in medium bowl. In a small bowl, sprinkle 1-1/2 Tbsp. of flour over the blueberries and set aside. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 c. butter with 3/4 c. white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and stir in vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Combine 2 Tbsp. flour, 5 Tbsp. brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon with 2 Tbsp. butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans on wire rack.

They freeze very well and can be easily reheated in the microwave oven. Enjoy!

just finishing up our retreat weekend...

2011-12-04T11:42:00.013-06:00

I'll be posting recipes and a few other fun things from the retreat later this week. Be back soon!

5 Fun Things Friday :: Special Edition

2011-12-02T15:10:00.001-06:00

It's easy to get caught up in the shiny parts of Christmas - decorations, food, presents under the tree. While I firmly believe in reaching out to others THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, it is in this season opportunities abound. As I shared last February in this reality check, others are hurting and hungry in ways most of us will never grasp.

This week's edition of 5 Fun Things Friday will hopefully inspire you to reach out to someone who hurting this season. This is especially important if you are hurting yourself! As I mentioned in my February post:

Sometimes we can be so blinded by our own situation, we fail to see anyone else - or any other problems besides our own. Sometimes the antidote to our own pain, is reaching out to someone else in the midst of theirs.

Here's a list of ideas to help you get started:

1. Compassion International.

You simply must read THIS STORY to hear about the life and death of one sponsored child. This organization (and those of you who sponsor children) are amazing. To learn more about becoming a sponsor yourself, click HERE.

2. Union Gospel Mission. Reaching out to the poor, homeless, and addicted in our community. Click HERE for information on clothing donations and financial gifts. Click HERE for information on how to best help a homeless person you might encounter personally this season.

3. Dakota Woodlands. Helping homeless women and children here in the south metro. Click HERE for a list of current holiday needs.

4. People Serving People. Helping homeless families in our community. You'll find a number of serving opportunities HERE. A wish list of donation items to drop off HERE. Or you can make a tax-deductible cash donation HERE.

5. Salvation Army.

December 9th is the LAST DAY to adopt an angel through their partnership with JCPenney; you can order gifts online and send them to someone in need. Click HERE for details. You can also add a virtual kettle to your blog or website by clicking HERE.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

Happy Friday!!!

more sweetness

2011-12-01T22:00:00.000-06:00

This is the first gift I ever received from my 14-year old son (he was three at the time). We were at a church craft fair and they had a "free" Christmas store for children. The teeny tiny entrance was cut out of cardboard and he went into the room without me. There he choose a gift and even had it wrapped! It nearly killed me having to wait until Christmas to see what the sweet little thing had chosen.

The Star of David

I love the many memories and stories these Christmas ornaments hold. I'll be sharing a few more of those memories (along with a related family tradition) next week!

total sweetness

2011-11-29T09:28:00.000-06:00

Dug this out of my son's backpack. Hadn't realized he had Grandma on his mind. Sweet, sweet thing.

Let me tell you a thing or two about her towels...

They are so special we FIGHT over them. Because certain people [Stacey] seem to receive a TON!

We went to visit my grandparents over the holiday weekend. She looks SO WELL for being so sick. Praying she'll continue to tolerate the chemo well. Praying for lots more time with many more moments... because really, she's even more special than the towels.

Monthly Faithbooking Crop :: December 2011

2011-11-28T09:49:00.011-06:00

The December Faithbooking Crop is around the corner! Join us at Hosanna! on Saturday, December 10 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm for a fun and productive day of scrapbooking (or whatever sort of crafting floats your boat). As aways, the crops are FREE and include:

•snacks and beverages
•hourly prize drawings
•monthly journaling lesson
•hours to work on your projects

Just click HERE and follow the instructions to reserve your spot! The rest of the year has been mapped out as well, future dates follow:

January 14, 2012
February 11, 2012
March 10, 2012
April 14, 2012
May 12, 2012
June 9. 2012
July 14, 2012
August 11, 2012

If you have not been receiving my monthly email reminder and would like to, let me know and I'll add your name to the list! (Just a reminder... please RSVP by Wednesday, December 7th!)

DIY holiday project :: advent activity calendar

2011-11-26T12:08:00.000-06:00

Several weeks ago I was inspired by this lovely advent project on Pinterest:

Source: kimberlypetersen.typepad.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

And it became the visual springboard for my own:

Begin with two 12x12 cardboard inserts from scrapbooking paper packs as your base. And pick up an 8x8 pad of miscellaneous Christmas papers from a local craft store to use for the pockets.

Create 24 pockets using the holiday paper. Cut the paper into 2-3/4x3-3/4-inch rectangles. Cut an additional 24 rectangles in the same size out of white paper as well, to use as backing for your individual pockets.

Arrange the Christmas paper rectangles on your 12x12 boards. Decorate and number them. I used a Cricket to cut out numbers in varying sizes and colors but you could also use stickers or type them up on your computer as well.

Assemble the pockets using adhesive, brads, staples, and/or stitching around the edges - using Christmas paper for the front and white for the back. Use your favorite scrapbooking adhesive to mount your pockets to the 12x12 boards.

For the final touches, connect the two 12x12 boards together using coordinating ribbon strips and add a ribbon hanger to the top.

Then create 24 inserts for your pockets by cutting down manilla folders to a size that is slightly smaller than the pockets. Use a corner rounder on the edges to help the inserts slide more easily into the pocket.

Use a pen in a coordinating color to write assorted activities on the inserts. Some ideas might include:

1. Visiting the 39th Annual Folkways of the Holidays. Click HERE for details. (It is especially beautiful in the evening.)
2. Christmas in the Village at Dakota City. Click HERE for details.
3. Breakfast with Santa or A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's. Click HERE for more information.
4. Watch a holiday movie and eat popcorn.
5. Fill a holiday stocking with treats and deliver it to someone you don't know.
6. Write a Christmas letter far off loved ones.
7. Make hot chocolate and stir with candy canes.
8. Attend The Story at a location near you. Click HERE for tour dates and locations.
9. Make a donation to a local food shelf.
10. Bake treats and deliver them to a neighbor.

Hang your advent activity calendar in a spot that is easily accessible.

The activities can be changed from year-to-year to suit your family's needs and can include already established family traditions. If you have any questions about the process, let me know! (Too, I'd love to hear your holiday activity ideas as well; to share, just add them as a comment to this post.)

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-11-25T01:00:00.000-06:00

1. This potato chip, pretzel, popcorn, caramel & chocolate concoction by Funky Chunky.

Check out all of the goodness HERE.

2. A personalized iPhone case like this would make for a lovely gift:

Add your own images or artwork. Click HERE for ordering details.

3. How about this reusable Doodle Tablecloth? Perfect for the holidays:

Click HERE for details.

4. Have a budding fashion designer in your midst? This website is a MUST!

Kids design their own clothes at Fashion Playtes, click HERE for all of the fun details.

5. Eggnog gelato by Talenti. Because you can never have enough eggnog.

Happy Friday!!!

Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad

2011-11-24T07:41:00.022-06:00

My grandma introduced me to this delicious SALAD years ago. My husband and youngest child insist it is dessert. Either way, it is one of my favorite holiday dishes - a little salty & a whole lotta sweet. The secret lies in its crust.

After years of making it myself, I have perfected my pretzel-crushing technique.

The key is using a heavy, flat-bottomed glass. And not crushing them too small.

Melt a stick of butter, add it to the crushed pretzels along with a half cup of the sugar.

Mix well and then pat it into a 9x13 pan and back for 6 minutes at 350 degrees.

While it is cooling, mixed together the middle layer.

Which of course, includes more sugar :) Once mixed, you'll have a vat of creamy goodness.

Spread it onto the crust and move onto the next layer. Which is the part that includes fruit.

Well, sort of... because it's in all sorts of sugar. So to balance things out, you might want to use a little sugar-free gelatin.

After you've dissolved the gelatin with boiling water, the frozen fruit serves to thicken it. Keep stirring until all but a handful of chunks remain. Add this layer on top of the creamy goodness, being careful not to splash red gelatin all over yourself. Or your cookbook.

A better solution might be to pick up one of THESE darling aprons ;) Here's the final product and recipe:

Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad

1-1/2 c. crushed pretzels
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 large carton Cool Whip
1 c. sugar
1 large pkg. raspberry Jello
2 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen raspberries
2 c. hot water

Mix crushed pretzels, 1/2 c. sugar, and butter. Pat into 9x13-inch pan. Bake 6 minutes at 375 degrees. Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, and 1 c. sugar. Pour over first layer. Dissolve Jello in hot water. Add frozen raspberries. Allow to thicken slightly. Pour over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate.

Personally, I enjoy it best as leftovers. Enjoy!

November 2011 Faithbooking Lesson

2011-11-23T08:10:00.034-06:00

Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Faithbooking Devotion #42 ~ Stones of Remembrance
Creating Rock-Solid Reminders of God’s Presence
©2011 Tina Vega

Our attitude affects every aspect of our lives. It not only sets the tone for our day, but greatly influences our relationships, the way we view ourselves, and the perspective we have on life. It is a powerful thing. A bad attitude, for example, will not only ruin your day but rob you of peace and contentment long afterwards as well.

God’s word has a lot to say about our attitude as you will see in the following verses:

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CEB)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

Several recent studies have suggested that people who are more grateful have a higher sense of well-being. Grateful people are happier in general – they are less depressed, less stressed, and have a greater sense of satisfaction within their lives and social relationships. They also have a higher level of control of over their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. These studies have also shown that grateful people tend to cope more positively with difficulties they experience in life, being more likely to seek support from other people, grow from the experience, and spend more time planning how to deal with the problem. They are less likely to try to avoid the problem, deny there is a problem, blame others or themselves, or cope through substance use. Grateful people also sleep better – likely because they think less negative and more positive thoughts just before going to sleep.

♥ Create a list of benefits in your life and ask yourself, "To what extent do I take these for granted?" What steps could you take to begin cultivating an attitude of gratitude in your own life?
♥ Try reframing a situation by looking at it with a different, more positive attitude.
♥ Take a moment to reflect on the benefits of a grateful attitude listed above. What most appeals to you? Why?

You might want to begin by keeping a gratitude journal or taking on a daily gratitude photo challenge. Within time, you will develop an attitude of gratitude as habit instead of exercise.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
– Melody Beattie

* * * *

Ideas and tips:

1. Create a "thankful" framed project, similar to what is pictured above (Becky Higgins is the inspiration behind this project; you'll find her gratitude project HERE). Purchase a frame (I'd recommend nothing smaller than a 16x24) and art paper from a local craft store. While the felt alphabet stickers were from Making Memories, any 1-inch letters will do. Temporarily mount the art paper outside of the glass, add your title, and keep a marker handy for family members. Have everyone add something they are thankful for each day, using pictures and/or words. At the end of the month, simply slip the art paper back behind the glass and you have yourself a beautiful piece of art. (You can see how it looks on my wall HERE.)
2. Using this same idea, create a 2-page layout in your scrapbook album and encourage your family to document things they are thankful for on a daily basis for one month. An alternative would be to have everyone add something to the page on Thanksgiving Day as we did in the layout below:

Especially meaningful in light of her recent cancer diagnosis, is my grandma's addition to the page:

3. With the first of the year approaching, you might want to consider a Project 365: Gratitude where you take a daily photo of something you are thankful for. If that's a bit much for you, a gratitude album would be an ongoing project with a little less pressure.
4. Keep a Gratitude Journal. While doing "research" for this lesson, I discovered some amazing things about this practice. Several studies have clearly shown that participants who began keeping this type of journal experienced significant mood changes for the better. This is the best way to cultivate an "attitude of gratitude" as you get into the habit of recognizing and appreciating blessings in the everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

corn

2011-11-22T19:19:00.006-06:00

I love this shot from a few weeks ago. There are lots more to share from this day. And lots more after that. I'm down to my last three photo deadlines for the year and then I'll be taking a bit of a break to revamp my blog, send my camera in for a cleaning, change up a few things on my website, etc.

Which also means more time for blogging :)

For those of you who've been waiting, I'll be posting the November faithbooking lesson tomorrow. Have a great evening!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-11-19T02:40:00.000-06:00

1. Love, love these custom planners and notebooks available through Tiny Prints.

Click HERE for ordering information.

2. This sweet journal from Modern Scrapyard.

Click HERE for details.

3. For the musician in your family:

A Pick Punch. CLEVER! Click HERE for details.

4. Check out this sweet potato casserole recipe:

Which has two different topics - traditional marshmallow along with mix of cornflakes, pecans, and brown sugar.

5. My bed! Because it's late & I need to call it a night.

Happy Fri... er, ah - SATURDAY!!!

this inspires me

2011-11-16T20:23:00.005-06:00

I've been listening to old records and may need to expand my holiday collection. In fact, I just added this little gem to the mix:

Reminds me of when Stacey and I were little, listening to holiday records NON-STOP during Christmas break. These were our all-time favorites:

Now it's called "Winter Break" and we listen to holiday tunes on our iDevices - oh, how times have changed! This record player lets me hang onto a bit of my childhood and is a reminder of simpler times.

Inspiring me to keep things simple in the here and now.

Dr. Phil's Five Factors for a Phenomenal Family

2011-11-14T11:00:00.004-06:00

I was working on a little "research" for my next faithbooking lesson when I happened upon some wisdom from Dr. Phil I thought worth sharing. Here's a summary of his Five Factors for a Phenomenal Family:

1. Create a Nurturing and Accepting Family System. This entails making a conscious decision to actively and purposely work on improving your family situation every day, bringing out the authenticity of every family member, and creating a sense of security and peace in your home.

2. Promote Rhythm in your Family Life. Create a predictable pace for your family and be accountable for choices.

3. Establish Meaningful Rituals and Traditions. Do this by means of purposefully planned celebrations, telling family stories, holding naming rituals, and worshipping together.

4. Be Active in Your Communication. Discuss sensitive topics such as politics or religion to help teach your children how to express their opinions and learn how to communicate. Engage in family activities such as tending a garden, painting a room, or washing the car - a "group project" of sorts.

5. Learn How to Manage a Crisis. Be prepared for a crisis before it hits, aim your energy at the PROBLEM - not the person, resolve not to turn on one another, and find meaning in your suffering.

You'll find the original article HERE and Dr. Phil's related book (Family First) by clicking HERE.

The winner of OH Prize Drawing # 8 is...

2011-11-13T21:22:00.004-06:00

Heidi said...
Super Cute!
November 12, 2011 10:48 AM

Congratulations, Heidi!! The Creative Memories prizes will be sent out later this week, once my order arrives.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the drawings and placed sale orders this week :) Hope you had fun!

The winner of OH Prize Drawing #7 is...

2011-11-13T15:33:00.011-06:00

Lori V said...
50 degree day on 11/11/11!
November 11, 2011 3:19 PM

Congratulations, Lori! Prizes will go out this week :)

[Virtual] OH Prize Drawing #8

2011-11-12T07:03:00.004-06:00

-THIS PRIZE DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, HEIDI!!-

Last one! The winner of this drawing will receive the new CM Scallop Tearing Tool. (You'll need to click on the orange link to view the prize... I only have a short time online and couldn't post a pic in time!) Just add your name as a comment to this post and I'll choose a winner tomorrow!

The winner of OH Prize Drawing #6 is...

2011-11-11T15:30:00.006-06:00

Heidi said...
My favorite treat this time of year is pumpkin bread.
November 10, 2011 3:58 PM

Congratulations, Heidi! I'll place the caramel order today and have it shipped directly to you :))

[Virtual] OH Prize Drawing #7

2011-11-11T14:09:00.018-06:00

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, LORI!-

Have you heard about these new little books from Creative Memories yet? The line is called, "Simply Said" and you'll find it HERE. This prize drawing will include a Thank You themed Simply Said book which you could use to create a gift for someone you are grateful for OR use it to make a gratitude album for yourself. The winner will also receive a Classic Thanksgiving sticker pack, pictured below:

To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing one thing you are grateful for today. A winner will be chosen (and posted) on Sunday because I'll be cropping all day and tied up all night tomorrow. Speaking of which, the final prize drawing for the week will be posted tomorrow. Remember, everything is on sale through Saturday! Details are HERE.

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-11-11T14:06:00.000-06:00

1. Starbucks has a new line of cocoas at the grocery store.

There's a salted caramel, peppermint, and this yummy toasted marshmallow flavor. Just stir in warm MILK and you have an instant mug of delight.

2. I'm in love with this burlap table runner from Ruffled Daisy.

I'd like two in shorter lengths to cross the width of my dining room table. Along with a centerpiece-thingy. Perhaps next year :)

3. Julie Nelson on her new Faith Radio show entitled, "The Conversation" which is on Fridays at noon. LOVE IT! She makes me laugh. A lot.

To learn more about it, click HERE.

3. Sew Easy Stitch Piercer.

Use this cool scrapbooking tool to add stitching to your pages without having to use a sewing machine. I love this look and am in need of this little tool for my holiday craft project. (Which I'll be sharing later!)

4. TRUECar. Just discovered this helpful website which will be EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL when it's time to purchase another car. It's a hassle-free, haggle-free way to buy a car. Click HERE to learn more.

5. This DIY canvas chalkboard would make an adorable gift.

Source: kellehampton.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

You'll find everything you need to know about it by clicking on the link above.

Happy Friday!!!

And the winner of OH Prize Drawing #5 is...

2011-11-10T22:33:00.002-06:00

Anonymous said...
I like it because you don't have to bring all your supplies. :)
Tilly
November 9, 2011 2:48 PM

Congratulations, Tilly! You'll be receiving a special code via email to redeem the $10 gift certificate :)

Just call me the cider lady.

2011-11-10T19:13:00.025-06:00

Our annual Halloween tradition lives on.

We started doing this eight(?) years ago as a way to get to know the neighbors AND to provide a little shelter from the harsh wind. (Our development was built smack dab in the middle of a field. A giant, empty field.)

Instead of grown-ups waiting at the bottom of the driveway for their children, I woo them up with all sorts of treats.

I see many of the folks only once a year, but love that they remember and look forward to stopping by. I even met a family for a session last weekend and first thing they asked was, "Are you the cider lady?"

Yep I am :) Too, I cannot forget to share *this* lovely neighborly tradition as well.

(Apparently, the little guy with his eyes closed is very much in character.) The family dresses up in theme together every year - click HERE to check out one of my favorites!

We ended up with somewhere around 175-180 trick-or-treaters (more than 200 if you count all of the grown-ups). It was a fun and busy night. My boys, by the way:

A black-eyed "P" and shooting star. Perhaps I can convince the oldest to be my cider sidekick next year :)

[Virtual] OH Prize Drawing #6

2011-11-10T09:15:00.007-06:00

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, HEIDI!-

Another fun treat giveaway! This drawing is for a batch of Harvest Spice Caramels from The Caramel Jar. To enter, just add a comment to this post sharing one of your favorite sweet treats. A winner will be chosen (and posted) tomorrow!

And the winner of OH Prize Drawing #4 is...

2011-11-09T22:19:00.004-06:00

Crystal said...
Every year I make Scalloped Carrots - it's my grandma's recipe and I feel like it's a good way to remember her on Thanksgiving. My second fav would be sweet potatoes.
November 8, 2011 7:45 PM

Congratulations, Crystal!! The prize has been ordered (it says they ship in 3-5 business days). Enjoy!!!!

[Virtual] OH Prize Drawing #5

2011-11-09T14:00:00.003-06:00

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, TILLY!-

It's time for a prize that would appeal to the digital croppers out there. A $10 gift certificate from one of my favorite digi places to shop - Weeds & Wildflowers. To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing one thing you really like about digital scrapbooking. A winner will be chosen (and posted) tomorrow!

a very special newborn session

2011-11-08T22:23:00.021-06:00

Two and a half years ago, I met a couple under tragic circumstances. I was volunteering as a photographer for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and received a call about a full-term loss.

It was their beautiful daughter. And I had the privilege of photographing her.

A little over a month ago, the family contacted me and asked if I could photograph their son in the hospital after he was born. It made me feel SO VERY HONORED to be asked, to be able to connect with them again - this time under joyous circumstances.

Of course, I said yes!

As you can see, he is absolutely beautiful.

Thank you again for inviting me to be part of such a special day.

And the winner of OH Prize Drawing #3 is...

2011-11-08T21:38:00.003-06:00

Cathy J. said...
I would like to scrapbook either the sunrise or sunset everday for a month, just to see the changes in each day.
November 8, 2011 8:22 AM

Congratulations, Cathy! Prizes will go out early next week in case you are a multi-winner.

[Virtual] Open House Prize Drawing #4

2011-11-08T17:13:00.005-06:00

-THIS PRIZE DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, CRYSTAL!!-

How about a little treat? For this next drawing, I'll be giving away a batch of this Spiced Pumpkin Seed Brittle from Zugar Haus. Unlike the other prizes, this one will ship right away! To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post describing one favorite Thanksgiving Day food item. A winner will be chosen (and posted) tomorrow!

And the winner of OH Prize Drawing #2 is...

2011-11-08T17:01:00.004-06:00

Amy W said...
YAY!!!
November 7, 2011 7:24 PM

Congratulations!! I know a couple of Amy W.'s so shoot me an email at acvega at frontiernet dot net with your contact information to make sure this prize goes to the right one! (Prizes will go out early next week in case you are a multi-winner.)

this is what love looks like | Minnesota Outdoor Family Photographer

2011-11-08T10:41:00.000-06:00

Mom, an avid photographer herself, told me her kids were used to being in front of the camera. Yes, that they were :)

Totally game for all of my antics. Willing to stop in a million different spots. Completely patient.

And ready to have fun.

Here are a few more of my favorites:

I love couples who are open to my antics as well :)

Total love.

[Virtual] Open House Prize Drawing #3

2011-11-07T19:18:00.016-06:00

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS CATHY J.!!-

I'll be giving away a copy of this book (That's Life by Nic Howard) to one of you! It is full of inspiration and ideas to help you scrapbook those everyday moments. To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing one everyday moment you would like to scrapbook. Stumped? Click on this link HERE and scroll through the slideshow for some creative ideas to help get you started.

A winner will be chosen (and posted) tomorrow night!

And the winner of our first prize drawing is...

2011-11-07T19:09:00.006-06:00

Lori V said...
I love seeing Christmas through my daughter's eyes!
November 7, 2011 10:54 AM

Congratulations, Lori! I'll be waiting to ship/deliver prizes until the end of the week in case you are a multi-winner :)

[Virtual] Open House Prize Drawing #2

2011-11-07T06:38:00.008-06:00

- THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS, AMY W.!! -

There were SNOW FLURRIES yesterday on our way home from church! It won't be long now before we are seeing white here in Minnesota :) Our next prize drawing would be the perfect addition to your scrapbooking/cardmaking stash: a snowflake pocket punch. To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post stating "yay" or "nay" to snow. A winner will be chosen (and posted) tomorrow!!!

welcome to my 2011 virtual open house & sale!

2011-11-06T15:00:00.004-06:00

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! CONGRATULATIONS LORI V.!!!-

Believe it or not, this is be my 11th Annual Open House and Sale. In addition to receiving a 20% discount on all Creative Memories orders placed with me by phone or email this week, there will be daily prize drawings here on the blog.

Even better, those attending the Winter Scrapbooking Retreat Weekend in December will receive an extra 10% off, for a total 30% discount on CM orders placed this week!!! (Three retreat spots remain open, if you're interested in learning more about it click HERE.)

So be sure to check back often between now and Saturday, November 12, 2011 for multiple prize drawing opportunities. Speaking of which, our first prize drawing - a book I can't help but share this time of year:

This book will inspire and empower you to take charge of the holiday season, celebrating the way you want with meaning and peace. If you tend to get swept up in the tide, the entire season a blur of spending, wrapping, and "obligations" (going through motions without heart), then this book is for you.

To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing one thing you most enjoy about the holiday season. A winner will be chosen and posted tomorrow!

Benefit for Lynn Sollin

2011-11-05T13:00:00.006-05:00

A high school friend/photography client recently received a devastating cancer diagnosis. If you live in the Lakeville, MN area please consider stopping by her benefit this Friday! (If you don't live in the area and would like to contribute, you will find ways to do so on her website by clicking HERE.) Online bidding is also taking place RIGHT NOW on some very cool silent auction items. You'll find that information HERE.

Hope to see you there!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-11-04T18:53:00.001-05:00

1. With cooler weather here and lots of soup on the menu, I thought this soup/sandwich platter from Uncommon Goods was absolutely adorable.

You'll find it HERE.

2. There's a new frozen yogurt place in town.

We had to check it out, of course.

It was dangerously good. The place is called Menchies and you'll find it in St. Paul. Their website is HERE.

3. Speaking of cooler weather, check out this stylish coat from ModCloth.

You will find it HERE.

4. Had a photography session last weekend at Valley Vineyard in Prescott, Wisconsin (despite how it sounds, the vineyard is not far from the Twin Cities area).

And was introduced to this deliciously sweet wine [Brianna].

Their website is HERE and you can place orders directly through it. (Check out the events calendar as well for wine tasting times.)

5. This beautiful photo collage grabbed my eye this week as well.

Source: woodwoolstool.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Totally my kind of collage.

Happy Friday!!!

any guesses?

2011-11-02T23:23:00.006-05:00

My boys in their "costumes" (I use that term loosely). I'll be back later with a few more images!

they grow like weeds leaves | Minnesota Outdoor Family Photographer

2011-11-01T14:16:00.000-05:00

I shared a few from this session in an earlier post (click HERE to view). Here are a few more of my faves:

Loved the puffy vests, the little guy hunting down snakes (so brave!), pat-a-cake and GIANT smiles from the 1-year old - a beautiful day with a beautiful family.

Monthly Faithbooking Crop :: November 2011

2011-10-30T09:16:00.010-05:00

The November Faithbooking Crop is around the corner! Join us at Hosanna! on Saturday, November 12 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm for a fun and productive day of scrapbooking (or whatever sort of crafting floats your boat). As aways, the crops are FREE and include:

•snacks and beverages
•hourly prize drawings
•monthly journaling lesson
•hours to work on your projects

Just click HERE and follow the instructions to reserve your spot! The rest of the year has been mapped out as well, future dates follow:

December 10, 2011
January 14, 2012
February 11, 2012
March 10, 2012
April 14, 2012
May 12, 2012
June 9. 2012
July 14, 2012
August 11, 2012

If you have not been receiving my monthly email reminder and would like to, let me know and I'll add your name to the list! (Just a reminder... please RSVP by Wednesday, November 9th!)

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-10-28T00:15:00.001-05:00

1. Single-cup coffee makers and their K-cup counterparts.

My new [FREE] coffee pot! Gotta love credit cards with reward points :)

Not only does it make coffee, cider, tea & cocoa but a variety of iced beverages as well!

2. This lovely bow coffee cozy (click HERE for details).

3. This iPhone power boost key chain.

Source: coolmaterial.com via Keely on Pinterest

4. Costco Travel.

My friend Kathy shared this travel planning gem with us last weekend and I've been pricing out several trips ever since. Seriously, one heck of a deal!!!!

5. I recently rediscovered this Personality Questionnaire for Kids (click HERE). My teen took the Myers-Briggs assessment at school and the Personality Questionnaire featured here was spot on (he came up as the same type on both). It can be a very helpful tool - identifying both personal strengths and weaknesses. We have had a lot of fun with it this week. Once you've identified your personality type, there are all sorts of websites you can check out to learn more about yourself. My favorites are THIS ONE and THIS ONE and THIS ONE and THIS ONE.

Happy Friday!!!

JT | Minnesota Senior Portrait Session

2011-10-26T15:16:00.016-05:00

Here are some of my favorites from a recent 2012 senior session:

JT was a natural in front of the camera.

Which made my job VERY easy :)

Thanks again and have a FANASTIC senior year, JT!

DIY holiday project :: 30 days of gratitude

2011-10-25T17:03:00.000-05:00

I'm always on the lookout for ways to help cultivate "an attitude of gratitude"; with Thanksgiving around the corner and walls still to fill in our newly finished basement space, this family project seemed an answer to prayer. While mine is still an early work in progress, you'll get a better glimpse of the final result on Becky Higgins' blog HERE.

I went with a slightly smaller frame to fit my space AND a different word for gratitude:

Every day during the month of November, each family member will add one thing [to the white space] they are most thankful for.

The boys are a little nervous about this.

I, on the other hand, couldn't be more excited :)

I especially love the idea of it hanging as a permanent reminder of the gifts we are given each day... especially those everyday things we seem to take most for granted. [I'll be sure to share an image of the final product at the end of the month.]

you've been remade

2011-10-25T07:00:00.006-05:00

I was captured by a song this week. The lyrics so in sync with where we're at in our bible study.

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

A powerful reminder of the redemptive truth that God's grace mercifully rescues us anytime, anyplace, and in any situation. ANY. Whether you've made a series of destructive choices and your life is a mess. Whether you've been keeping secrets, hiding who you really are. Whether you feel that what you have done is simply unforgiveable.

He forgives, wiping the slate clean. All that is required of me, is to:

1) acknowledge the wrong that I have done - no more excuses, minimizing, or rationalizing
2) accept God's discipline - there are natural consequences to my actions, unavoidable fallout; instead of running from it, I need take responsibility by "paying my dues"
3) asking for forgiveness - ask God to forgive me and most importantly, receive that forgiveness by letting go of the shame and guilt
4) act on God's direction - if He is telling me to turn away from something... turn away!

True redemption - anywhere, anyplace, anytime, and in any situation.

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-10-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

1. Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream.

2. White Chocolate Candy Corn M&M's.

Super duper tasty.

3. Love, love, LOVE this idea - not only as a scrapbook page...

Source: thejoblingfamily.com via lisaleonard on Pinterest

But it would be lovely displayed on a wall as well.

4. This adorable autumn ring.

Available through Etsy by clicking HERE.

5. Great idea for movie night... this gourmet popcorn spice kit!

With flavors ranging from "beer" to "chocolate caramel" there's bound to be something that will please everyone. Click HERE for purchasing details.

Happy Friday!!!

just a heads-up...

2011-10-20T13:21:00.013-05:00

I'm now taking reservations for the Spring Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat that will take place the weekend of Friday, March 23-Sunday, March 25, 2012. There is a $50 non-refundable fee required to hold a spot (with the remaining balance due February 1, 2012). Refunds of the remaining balance will only be issued if the spot is filled by someone else. I am required to pay *the entire balance* well in advance of the hosted retreat and am unable to otherwise cover the hefty expense with last-minute cancellations. The cost for the Spring Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat is $145 (you can SUPERSIZE IT by adding Thursday, March 22) for an additional $30. All meals and beverages are included except for one food item that will be assigned to share. There are ~~NINE~~ FIVE SPOTS currently available at the spring retreat.

There are still THREE SPOTS available at December Winter Weekend Retreat (you'll find details by clicking HERE). You do not need to be a customer to attend (other crafters and scrapbooking consultants are also welcome :) If you have any questions about either retreat, let me know.

a day in the life of a cowgirl | Minnesota Lifestyle Photographer

2011-10-19T16:51:00.000-05:00

While my title may not be entirely accurate, I was able to spend a couple of hours with Amy and her four-legged friend, Ernie. While working on her images, I was mentally composing a mosaic much like the one hanging in my own home below:

I'm such a detail-oriented person that I find it difficult to truly capture the heart of something with only one image.

Especially when each is so different.

Thanks again for inviting me over, Amy :)

You can learn more about Amy and Ernie on her blog [Teachings from the Trail] by clicking HERE.

the days we are given are gifts from above

2011-10-18T17:42:00.000-05:00

I'd forgotten how much I love this song.

We Live by Superchick. The lyrics are below:

There's a cross on the side of the road
Where a mother lost her son
How could she know that the morning he left
Would be the last time she'd trade with him for a little more time
(so she could say she loved him one last time)
And hold him tight
But with life we never know when we're coming up to the end of the road
So what do we do then
With tragedy around the bend

We live, we love, we forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
And today we remember to live and to love
We live, we love, we forgive and never give up
Cuz the days we are given are gifts from above
And today we remember to live and to love

There's a man who waits for the tests to
See if the cancer had spread yet
And now he asks why did I wait to live 'til it was time to die
If I could have the time back, how I'd live
Life is such a gift
So how does the story end?
Well, this is your story and it all depends
So don't let it become true
Get out and do what we were meant to do

Waking up to another dark morning
People are mourning
The weather in life outside is storming
But what would it take for the clouds to break
For us to realize each day
Is a gift somehow, someway
And get our heads up out of this darkness
And spark this new mindset and start on with life cuz it ain't gone yet
And tragedy's a reminder to take off the blinders and wake up
(to live the life)
We're supposed to take up
(moving forward)
With all our heads up
Cuz life is worth living

Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat :: December 2011

2011-10-17T02:38:00.001-05:00

Of the two scrapbooking retreats I host each year, the winter weekend is MY FAVORITE. Nothing beats that bit of quiet time at the start of the holiday season... and the Egg Nog Chai Lattes... and the Christmas tunes... and the touch of snow. (For those of you who have attended either retreat - winter or spring - I'd love to hear your favorites... be it winter or spring retreat, favorite food or drink item had at the retreat, or just favorite retreat-thing in general. For those of you former-retreat-goers who add a comment to this post, there will be a prize drawing for a lovely little treat.)

Well, it's THAT TIME again and there are still ~~FOUR~~ ONE OPEN SPOTS for the Winter Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat in December. Details are below:

Where: Memory Lane Retreat, North Branch

When: Friday, December 2-Sunday, December 4, 2011

Cost: $145 for Friday-Sunday (for only $30 more, you can add Thursday, December 1!!)

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 to click on 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!

the four of us :: october 2011

2011-10-16T18:02:00.009-05:00

* one family photo * MY family * each month * for an entire year *

Dropped the ball last month, though I did manage to share a little of what went on HERE. This October has been more manageable than last, partly because I've been I've been more intentional about the way I spend my time. I have about half the workload than usual for fall, enough to keep me busy but not so much that it creeps into every inch of my personal life. I've even took this weekend off, making time to play with my family and snap lots of images for myself :)

I hope you are making the most of this beautiful season as well.

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-10-14T16:52:00.000-05:00

1. This yummy Enchilada Pie.

Especially when doctored up with my sister's homemade salsa...

The recipe is below:

1.5-2 lbs. ground turkey
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning mix (I simply used the taco seasoned ground turkey)
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 small can sliced black olives
4-6 large flour tortillas
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown turkey meat. Combine tomatoes, seasonings (if not using seasoned meat), onions, olives, and meat. Layer sauce, tortilla, sauce and cheese - 3 to 6 times - in a pie plate. End with cheese on top. Cook uncovered at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

2. Love the look of this sweater dress.

You can find more information about it HERE.

3.This new Border Making System by Creative Memories.

You will find it HERE.

4. Spicy Sweet Caramel Corn.

The recipe is HERE.

5. Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze.

Details are HERE.

Happy Friday!!!

knee deep into fall

2011-10-12T15:42:00.000-05:00

While I've been enjoying the gorgeous weather we've had this season, I am reminded of how challenging life was last year. I think that's why I've felt so protective of my time, wanting to remain in the moment knowing life can turn on a dime.

The last month or so has been a whirlwind of highs and lows. I've been intentional about my schedule, working less and connecting more with family and friends. Our home has been peaceful. I've made time to play. We've been having some awesome family dinners and even planned a little getaway.

Then my grandma was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And shortly afterwards, a high school friend received a devastating diagnosis as well.

My heart has been wrapped up in these things, making this season unbelievably bittersweet. As I wrote last year in THIS POST, "our most difficult days and seasons are dotted with treasured moments to be embraced."

Savor.those.moments.

October 2011 Faithbooking Lesson

2011-10-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

You are the light of the world.
Faithbooking Devotion #41 ~ Stones of Remembrance
Creating Rock-Solid Reminders of God’s Presence
©2011 Tina Vega

My son has been sporting a colorful new bracelet this month, one he received at a teen church event. Stamped on it are the words: GLOW IN THE DARK – MATTHEW 5:14. It literally even glows in the dark. Intrigued, I decided to look up the passage in scripture:

14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

We have been talking a lot about what it means to “glow in the dark” – walking with integrity (even if that means walking alone at times), being a leader vs. a follower, and the importance of loving others.

Especially loving others.

When Jesus was questioned by the religious leaders of his day and asked what he considered THE MOST IMPORTANT commandment of God to be, he in essence replied, “Love God, love others.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 to love God with our whole being (body, mind, and soul) AND to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

What exactly does it mean to love? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, love is defined as the following: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another as: (1) the fatherly concern of God for humankind, (2) brotherly concern for others. A few synonyms for love would be attachment, devotion, and fondness. A few antonyms would be antagonism, animosity, and hatred.

If I want to be that light Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:14, I must also be a beacon of love. Loving others where they are at. Loving others even if they disagree with me. Loving others even when I disagree with them.

♥ Take a look at the verse below. Have you ever challenged yourself to love someone who was perhaps “unlovable” in some way? If so, how? What was the result?
♥ Are you struggling with feelings of animosity towards any one person or group of people? If so, how might God be challenging you to radiate love instead of hatred?
♥ What could you do differently to make your light shine a little brighter?

My friend, being a light in the world all hinges on love. (Click HERE for further a further reading on this topic - great article that will get you thinking.)

You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

– Matthew 5:43-48 (CEB)

* * * *

Ideas and tips:

1. Create a page spread that focuses on someone in particular in your life who radiates love like no other. This could be a friend, family member, or simply someone you admire (teacher, author, artist, athlete). Make their image (an enlarged image) the focal point for your page and journal about the light you see in their life. How do they inspire you to live differently? What is the message of their life?
2. You could take this idea a little further by creating a page about yourself and the person you are striving to be. Do you have a heart for hurting people? Do you love making a difference in the lives of children? Perhaps you are in ministry or otherwise serving a group of people. Again, this type of page could feature one image (yourself in action serving others or of the people you serve). What inspires you to do what you do? If faith is a motivating factor, how did God use your life story to bring you to this place of ministering to others? Perhaps you're still searching for that place... journal about a dream you have for reaching out to others.
3. You could even create an entire album about ministry or volunteer work. For example, I create pages about the people and projects God puts in my path - the lives I have been blessed to be a part of through our faithbooking crops, my time at Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, and various album projects I've had the honor of being part of over the years. Journaling includes prayers and verses that God led me to, how I saw Him at work in that particular situation, and how the situation changed me. Albums like these offer inspiration when things get difficult and give a strong sense of God's guiding presence and purpose. Through this process God has given me a heart for those who grieve... I think in part because of those who showed me love when I was in a very dark place. God used them to make Himself and His love real to me. Because they glowed.

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-10-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

1. Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea from Caribou Coffee. Like redhots? Then you'll LOOOOOOVE this drink!

You'll find the tea HERE and at your local Caribou.

2. E-Mealz.

Great way to simplify your life and save money at the same time. The subscription fee is $5/month and can be canceled at any time. Each week there is a new list of dinner recipes (including recommended sides) AND a grocery list. Click HERE to learn more.

3. Peanut Butter, Apple & Bacon sandwiches. Yep, you heard me.

What a creative way to use those SweeTangos!

4. Save on Crafts. This is a SUPER DUPER UBER COOL online craft supplier.

A great resource for party planning and decorating as well!.

5. OMG! THE CUTEST THING EVER! Visit Sweet Pea Toad by clicking HERE for more ADORABLE designs such as the one below.

Just too flippin' cute. Might even need to invest in one (or five) as a prop!

Happy Friday!!!

October Faithbooking Crop reminder!

2011-10-06T11:04:00.003-05:00

If you're interest in joining us this weekend, there is still room! Details are HERE. If you need a spot, let me know!

raining leaves

2011-10-05T14:26:00.011-05:00

Fall in Minnesota is why we will never leave. (Now winter, that's a whole nother story.) Wanted to share a few shots from last weekend.

I'll be back with a few more later!

g+k

2011-10-04T13:56:00.011-05:00

And I still haven't shared this awesome session yet either! I'll be photographing this lovely couple's wedding next year.

I love Kelsey's sense of style and can't wait to see how it is reflected in the details of her wedding. I'll have a few more images from their engagement session up in the next week or so!

There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his her horse. - Robert Smith Surtees

2011-10-04T13:54:00.001-05:00

You'll see more from this beautiful session soon, as well.

Until then, you can learn more about Ernie and Amy on her blog by clicking HERE.

This is Ernie's friend, Boomer :)

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, you'll be seeing more soon!!

bluest of blue

2011-10-04T12:25:00.004-05:00

His eyes were just that.

I'll be back later with more from this 2012 senior session!

happy belated birthday

2011-10-03T13:53:00.008-05:00

I have lots of catching up to do on the blog. LOTS.

Be back soon with a few more images from this session!

5 Fun Things Friday

2011-09-30T01:00:00.019-05:00

1. Creative Memories Custom Album Covers.

It's about time!!! (Just click on the image or any of the orange hotlinks to find all of the fun details.)

2. SweeTango Apples.

Very sweet and a little tangy. Cross between a honeycrisp and zestar apple. Delicious.

3. Love the of using old lace curtains as window screens.

Source: 365slojd.se via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

So beautiful.

4. Eggo Pumpkin Spice Waffles. Easy to make and so very good.

Source: pumpkinrot.blogspot.com via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

5. The book "A Heart for Freedom" (which will be released next week), written by author Chai Ling (who was one of the main student leaders of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy movement and is a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee).

Source: allgirlsallowed.org via Tina_Vega on Pinterest

Chai Ling founded All Girls Allowed in June 2010 to fight for an end to China's 30-year-old family planning policy. (AGA’s mission is to restore life, value and dignity to girls and mothers in China, and to expose the injustice of the one-child policy.) More information, including how to get involved, can be found at the AGA website by clicking HERE.

Happy Friday!!!

Monthly Faithbooking Crop :: October 2011

2011-09-29T15:00:00.007-05:00

The October Faithbooking Crop is next weekend! Join us at Hosanna! on Saturday, October 8 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm for a fun and productive day of scrapbooking (or whatever sort of crafting floats your boat). As aways, the crops are FREE and include:

•snacks and beverages
•hourly prize drawings
•monthly journaling lesson
•hours to work on your projects

Just click HERE and follow the instructions to reserve your spot! The rest of the year has been mapped out as well, future dates follow:

November 12, 2011
December 10, 2011
January 14, 2012
February 11, 2012
March 10, 2012
April 14, 2012
May 12, 2012
June 9. 2012
July 14, 2012
August 11, 2012

If you have not been receiving my monthly email reminder and would like to, let me know and I'll add your name to the list! (Just a reminder... please RSVP by Wednesday, October 5th!)

14 years

2011-09-24T07:00:00.003-05:00

A lot can change in 14 years...

Wish our 14-year old a very Happy Birthday! Looking forward to celebrating this year with wings served alongside the following waiver:

I understand that Ghost Wings are extremely spicy hot. Good hot wings always burn twice. Girvan Grille is not responsible for next day discomfort. Girvan Grille is not responsible for all other wings tasting bland and lifeless after consuming our Ghost Wings.

Um, yeah. The boy is growing up.