Happy New Years Eve!

Out with the old and in with the new!!! Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone!!! Thank you for letting me share my stories and I look forward to what 2011 will bring.

I saw this recipe on a blog I follow, One Charming Party, a yummy, fancy appetizer that I could have made blind folded. I was in and I was going to make it! I made a couple of changes because ripe pears are hard to find this time of year especially when you want to make this type of thing and eat it, umm, today. So I decided on apples. I baked them a little bit first so they had a softer texture like pears. My second batch I made included walnuts. I thought this would be a great combination with the cheese and the fruit. These were delicious and I highly recommend them. Enjoy!!!

Here's the recipe:
Goat Cheese Appetizers
     really good bread, sliced
     olive oil
     ripe pear, sliced
     goat cheese
     honey

A great find

I stumbled upon this great find at Aaron Brothers. Ornaments for $2! Can't go wrong. I think I bought out the whole store supply. I printed some of our pictures and put them on the tree. Saving the rest for gifts.

Mistletoe

We were headed to my brother and sister-in-laws and saw this woman on the side of the highway trying to flag someone down. We decided to pull over and see if we could help. She ran out of gas and had no money and no phone. Folks, remember to have one of these things with you! We couldn't help much but to offer our cell phone for her to make a call. She was so grateful that she went into the back of her trunk (uh-oh) pulled out a zip-loc bag of what she called hot lips mistletoe. I couldn't help but laugh. At first glance I thought umm green stuff in a baggie can't be good. But it really is mistletoe!!!

Merry Christmas everybody and try to lend a hand when you can!

Lemons!

What's that saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I say when life gives you lemons, take pictures of them! So I did! My brother and sister-in-law have this awesome huge lemon tree in their backyard. I helped myself to a huge bag. When I got them home I realized how gorgeous and bright they look in this brown bowl we have. I have been using these lemons in everything. I made some homemade cleaner of baking soda, vinegar, water and lemon. Added lemon to sparkling mineral water. Made my lemon scrub to hand out to friends and to keep a little for myself of course. I am definitely going to be making some lemon bars. Oh lemon drops! Who could forget the best use of lemons ha

Rain

The first day of our storm began. It was actually kind of comforting to hear the rain. I stayed in PJ's most of the day doing chores around the house. I kept looking out the window to see the rain falling. Boy is that grass bright green. I automatically thought I HAVE to get my camera. Perfect timing as my little guy was sleeping. Then I saw all of these birds hopping around. I didn't think I had a chance to even catch him on "film" but I did and I was sooo excited!

Staging

I woke up early yesterday morning as I always do with my little guy in tow. I was making my morning tea and I looked out the back window and there were beautiful leaves all over the grass. It looked so pretty I had to grab my camera and some items to shoot. Staging. I love it. It's easier, in a way, then working with people because you don't have to worry about is everyone smiling at the same time and is everyone looking at you. Being able to stay in my own home, trying to get creative and practice my shots is just awesome. By the way, Tazo Organic Chai tea is sooo good! Add milk, heat up and you are good to go!

Christmas in a whole new way

I've always loved Christmas but as I've gotten older I've become a bit more cynical at this time of year. A bit of a grump you might say. Now, I get to do Christmas in a whole new way. My little boy is almost one and this will be his first Christmas and in a way my first Christmas. Though he may not remember it, I will. New traditions, old traditions. I can't wait to show him all of those fun things I did when I was a kid and then some. Celebration, love and family. I.Feel.Blessed.

Cotton Candy

My husband has alwayyyyys wanted a cotton candy machine. We never really found one that seemed worth while until this past weekend. Bed Bath and Beyond was selling a cheap one with a 20% discount. We thought UM YEAH! Well...all they had was pink but my husband didn't seem to mind. So we bought it and we've been making cotton candy since. You should have seen the kid look on his face, priceless. Jolly Rancher candy was the recommended sweet. It definitely isn't the melt away sugar candy but it is quite good. Now if we can just find the real type of sugar/candy they use we'll be in business. 

French Toast

I think I love French toast when I am eating other fattening things. Take Thanksgiving, for example. All the rich, fatty foods and the over indulging. Why don't we throw in French toast for breakfast! Ya that'll do it! So I made me so French toast with REAL maple syrup from Vermont (thanks to Uncle Kerry). I've never looked up a recipe for French toast before. I figured it was eggs, milk and cinnamon. Today I decided to look up a recipe to see what else was out there. I'm a wing it kind of gal which is why baking and I would never work out so well. I like to add my own "this" and my own "that" and we all know baking is about precision and chemistry. I'll leave that to my husband. I found this great recipe that adds triple sec into your French toast mix. What an awesome orangey flavor to add to your French toast. YUM! I'll be using that again!

Sunflowers in November

What is it about sunflowers that make us smile? I went for a walk with my husband and munchkin the other day, in between rain showers, and came upon some of these gorgeous flowers. Well, I was glad I had my camera in hand. The bumble bee found his way in as I started taking pictures which really added to the photo. Thank you Mr. Bee.

Family Photos

I took a course online over the summer with Nicole Gerulat. We had to photograph different age groups in different settings I asked my dear friend, Brandi,  if I could take pictures of her girls and a wayyyyy we go! I've grown up with these lovely ladies and was lucky enough to see they've changed and also stayed the same over the years. Thank you for letting me do this!!


This photo is about advertising clothing for a popular kids store. It was a bit tough to take because the girls were a bit alrighty-roo lady HA but they humored me which was awesome.

So shy and very sweet, Summer gave me a smile!

Beautiful Phoenix ate up the camera. I really love this pic

what to do

I've been thinking about my blog lately and what to write and how to write it. I'll be walking with my baby, in his stroller, and I start talking in my head about what to write. It sounds good in theory. I go to type and I'm blank. It's as if someone is watching me and critiquing my grammar. It's very frustrating. It's a learning process to let go and be ok with what you have and what you write. I'll get there someday. Must. Think. Positive.


I've been loving this November fall weather in the Bay Area. Our summer was less then stellar which is quite normal so we tend to look forward to September and October being super nice. This year we've been lucky to have fabulous weather in November. I took a stroll to the mall with my little guy in tow and also my camera. I need to take more photos, even if they are not of people and blog about it. So here we are.


The variety of leaves this time of year always catches my eye.

How can you not resist a red tree!

The morning dew.

Birth Announcement

I wanted to post some of my older photos I shot a few months ago. I'm using this as my temporary website. I feel it is important to post photos I shoot most often so prospective clients can see what I do. This is very exciting for me to take on this new adventure but definitely afraid of the other side as well. We won't talk about that, I am staying positive.

My dear friend Tamara, as you saw in a previous post, had her little boy early this summer. I wanted to share his birth announcement photos. Welcome to the world Lucas. He's grown a lot since then!