Winter

Winter Schminter... I hate Winter.

At least it is 60 degrees here today, and I don't live in a really really cold place.

I do have things to be grateful for like:

A warm home

A garage to park my car in

and a place that hardly snows.

You see I don't really like the snow.

I think it is beautiful to look at, until it turns black from dirt.

I like to play in it, until my hands get cold.(that last about 5 minutes)

I prefer basking in the warm sunshine, then a cold dreary day. 

I do however like to add a little bit of winter to my decor.

Here is a little trick for doing that.

Keep out some of your Christmas decorations.  Particularly the ones that remind you of Snow.

Here are some of mine:

These glass jars have snowflakes, glittered pinecones, and silver balls.  Oh, and you can't forget the fake snow at the bottom of it all.  (I like fake snow)

I added them to my mantel, and a few bowls around the house.

I also think that anything silver goes.  I enjoy having my little piece of winter inside my warm home.  It isn't cold, it doesn't melt, and it always sparkles.

I also have to share a few of my new favorite Flea Market finds:

I found this adorable lamppost for   $15.  Isn't it so cute?

...and the pinecone wreath for $8.  I have used this on my table as a centerpiece, and now it adorns my door.

I also got this cute trunk.  You have already seen this here.

It is not just for photo shoots, but it houses my kids toys.  You would never know would you?  Isn't it adorable.  I love it.

I told my friend that I wanted a trunk while we were out looking, and they were all outrageously priced.  Then we found this little number.  The color was amazing, and the size perfect.  My friend looked at the price tag, and my heart dropped.  I knew it was going to be as high as the others.  Then her face lit up.  "What?", I said.  "ten dollars!!", She replied.  "No way!!", I exclaimed.  And that is how it became mine.  I had to do a little rearranging to make it work, but I actually like the change.

One last little addition.  This treasure was my Christmas gift from The Bradfords.  The first of my collection.  An old vintage camera.  I want more. 

   

I love looking at is on my desk.  It makes me think about how much photography has evolved.  It is amazing to think that it was done completely without the technology of a computer. 

What new changes have you made to your home this New Year?  Does it involve any winter decorations?

I hope for those of you who love winter that you are in a blizzard (I mean some fresh white powder), and for those who don't I hope you find yourself curled up next to the fireplace.

One down

I finished one of my many projects for the year.  I have been dying to make this wreath.

Are you wondering what it is made out of?

Those are pages from the 1981 Almanac.  I picked it up for $1.50 at the goodwill.  It looked nice and aged.  Perfect for this little project.

I planned on hanging it on my laundry room door, but it ended up larger then I expected.  Advice: if you plan on making this remember that it will be almost double the wreath that you put it on.  I put mine on a straw wreath.

I found the tutorial here.

Final Project cost me $ 4.50

P.S.  Have lots of glue gun sticks on hand.  Oh, and 3 hours to kill.

Fat Free and Tasty

I joined the band wagon that most Americans join as the new year begins...

I am trying to loose my baby weight. 

I have already lost seven pounds, and I owe it all to these little babies.

Fat Free Chocolate Muffins.

Here is the secret recipe:

2 1/2 Cups of bran flakes

1 Cup Apple Juice or Orange Juice

Bring the juice to a boil and then add Bran and let it sit until it becomes mushy.

Add:

1 box of Low fat brownie mix

1 tsp. Baking powder

1/3 C. water

Beat well, and divide between 24 muffin cups.  Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

I love these, and so do my kids.

They are keeping us all regular that is for sure.  Isn't bran a wonderful thing?

Any-hoo here is the nutritional info:

Fat 0

Calories 111

Fiber 3.5

WW points 2

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. 

I haven't tried this yet, but you could add some chocolate chips to the recipe.  A few in each muffin would not add that many calories.

Let me know what you think.

Ready Set Actions...

As many of you know, I am soaking up as much Photography knowledge as possible.

I have read about actions and always wanted to try them, but have never taken the time.

I took the plunge today, and I am in love.

It is so easy, and look at the results.

I followed this site for instructions and downloads.

One more thing for you to add to your TRY OUT list.  You must have Photoshop to achieve this.

Meet our Children

This year for Christmas, I got a new lens for my camera.

I got a new camera last June when ours died.  (it has decided to work again)

I am glad it died for a short time. That gave me an excuse to buy my dream camera. It has allowed me to find something that I love.

Now that the baby is here, and my brain is working again....

I am doing lots of work trying to figure out my new camera. 

I am doing lots of reading, and gathering knowledge from all four corners of the internet.

I have been learning so much.

My new lens just came in the mail... and I couldn't wait to try it out.

Yesterday was a day of practice for me.

Finally putting to work the knowledge that I have been collecting.

Here is what came of it...

You must meet our kids.  You see they are the only subjects that I have to practice on.

We have four beautiful children.  I can't believe that we are a family of 6. 

It struck me as a pretty big thing when I realized that we don't fit in just any vehicle, and we take up an entire pew at church.

This is Jex.  He is Seven Years Old.

He is our loving, helpful, sensitive, and patient child.

He is also pretty RAD if I do say so myself.

This is Stella.  She is five.

She is our inventive, talkative, shy, snuggly child.

She is also adorable, if I do say so myself.

This is Isaac.  He is two.

He is spirited, silly, loveable, and crazy.

He has the most beautiful eyes, if I do say so myself.

This is Tessa.  She is 2 1/2 months.

She is all smiles, calm, patient, quiet, and very very kissable.

She is the best baby if I do say so myself.

I just love my kids, and new hobbies.  I am thankful for something to take over my mind.  I hate thinking about the dreary winter.  I will push through and keep learning about this fun new hobby.

Now I just need some new subjects to practice on.