Never Never Let It Cool

It's snowing!! Actually, this isn't unusual for Cleveland and I probably say this every morning.  But did I ever tell you how much I LOVE the snow? I think it is beautiful and I like walking around or playing in it too, but today was not one of those days.  Soft big flakes falling down turned into small pellets flying parallel to the pavement...it's a blizzard.  I took ten steps out the door...

turned around and ran back inside.

Sorry scarf and mittens but today is just too windy

If you are having a day like this...here is something tasty to warm you right up.

I am going to unpack my oh so complicated wonderful HOT CHOCOLATE...very very kid friendly with vitamins too. Could hot chocolate really get that good?

Here is what you will need...

Milk and Ovaltine are the staples.  I don't use the packaged hot chocolate...yuk.  Ovaltine give a rich and creamy taste and it has vitamins moms!! Oh, and please don't use water..yuk...choose to strengthen your bones.

The Hershey kisses and whip cream are extras just for today, well actually the dark Hershey kisses are for everyday, but dark chocolate has antioxidants!!

Warm the milk and add at least 4 spoonfuls of Ovaltine.  I added I think 5 or 6.  Stir.  Add your dollop of whip cream and enjoy!!

I like it really chocolaty, so I plopped a kiss on top!

 

( Please ignore the ugly watermark on the bottom of the images.  I am still learning my editing software) 

Now that you are sipping your rich creamy hot chocolate be sure to listen to the HOT CHOCOLATE song from the Polar Express!

Baby Payton Sneak Peak (Cleveland, OH Newborn Photographer)

Not only did I get to hold this beautful little one the other day, but was able to play with and read to her big brother!!  I love to read stories to children and this little guy kept bringing me book after book which I just could not turn down.  Pictures of him to come , but back for now to his little newborn sister!

Normally this little girl sleeps and sleeps, but lucky for me I was able to catch a glimpse of these stunning blue eyes!

Back to nap time

 These last two are my favorites!!

I can't wait to share more with you! I had a blast playing with train sets, reading books, and this family has a mini trampoline and tons of those plastic colorful balls,  the kind that they have at McDonalds Playrooms! What are they called, the kind that you dive into and throw up into the air?  Anyway, I was very jealous of their playrooms and was wishing I was two feet tall.

I Will follow You

A beautiful song, with beautiful words, and beautiful children


 

By Leeland - I will follow you


Life Beauty Joy

Baby Abby Preview (Cleveland, OH Baby Photographer)

Two of our friends have the most beautiful baby girl.  Soon after Abigail was born her parents were concerned she would get the name Crabby Abby.  Abigail is now sleeping more hours for her parents and they are witnessing many big smiles like this one...

She is going to become such a beautiful little girl on the inside and out just like her parents.

Take a look at these big blue eyes.

 

This was just a quick preview!  Many more to come this little girl did nothing but smile and pose.

Peace

I find peace when I draw and I just thought I would share with you some sketches... every now and then.

(some I never finish)

Most of the time I use a pencil, but sometimes I will use ink

I draw what catches my eye...sometimes it is a moment full of joy other times they are serious, but I love to draw pictures that make me want to know more of a story...and cause me to look deeper.

Katie Round Two at the Barn

 

This barn cat wanted her own photo shoot.  She was so cute and friendly.

 

Are you sticking your tongue out at me?

Brrr was it cold outside!!!!!

Katie has such a love for these animals and they love and kiss her right back.

But when it is time to ride...its time to ride.  I love the seriousness in Katie's face.

 It was so much fun to capture the horse and Katie in action.  It was absolutely beautiful to watch the horse open up its stride and gallop.  These were great shots to turn black and white.

I had to take a second look at this one.  I feel like I am right back in the moment.  Everything looks like it's spinning!  I was sitting on my bum for this shot and as Katie came flying around me I spun panning my camera with her and the horse.  I got it!!! but my bottom had skid marks...oh well.   Whatever it takes to get the shot.

This one I tried in creamy browns. 

That's all for today Harvey. You can go eat your hay now.

Splish Splash

Sometimes I wonder how I and the floor end up soaked whenever I am around a sink.  I wash my face...puddle everywhere and I think more water runs up (or is that down?) my arms.  I wash dishes at the sink and water floods the counter top soaking my shirt, dripping down the cabinets and onto my socks.  Everything ends up soaked!

After talking to my mom yesterday, I think I understand why...

When I was little I was a little fish.  I loved water!! If I could have been any animal; it would have been a dolphin! The only time I think I really purposefully disobeyed my parents was when I had to get out of the pool.

During the winter, when I couldn't play in the puddles, I would put on my raincoat and boots and ask mom if she could fill up the sink. Mom would pull out a stool to stand on, and cover the floor and counters in towels before she began filling the sink because everything was going to get wet.

Moms note: this is a great way to not only clean dishes, but to clean your child as well, oh and it's a lot of fun!

BUBBBLES were added lots and lots of bubbles!!!!!
I would giggle with joy as mom plopped floating and sinking objects into the sink!!!

Thanks mom for being so creative, but now I need to put on my raincoat and boots before I wash the dishes!


Mom note number 2:  have lots of towels and one extra for your little one!

Beautiful People

Turn down the radio...I want to hear

Turn down the voices...hurting my ear

There's a moment getting away

"Beautiful People," by Jason Upton

I like to just take walks sometimes.  I love to listen to the wind and breath it in as I slowly walk.  I like to tune out the taxis and buses honking, the people on their cell phones, and tune into the loving voice of Jesus.

I was on one of those walks a few months ago, when the air was warm and the trees were alive.  I was walking beside the underneath of a bridge trying to avoid the noise above when I saw this man... and my heart broke.

So many questions fill my head.  Why is he here?  What happened? What is his story?

There is another homeless man that sleeps on our street.  He sleeps under a huge piece of plastic surrounded by his belongings and huddled up against a building trying to keep out of the wind.  Many times Matt and I have tried to show kindness towards this man in particular, but he refuses conversation, food,clothing...

One day we  both went to invite him over to help decorate our Christmas tree and eat cookies.  It was such a cold day and he was sleeping in the snow.  He shook his head no even when I pleaded with him in my pom pom hat.  Questions began to fill my head as we walked away.  Why?  Who hurt him that he can't trust a girl wearing a pom pom hat? Isn't he cold and hungry?  Can he talk, does he understand...Oh God why does he remain alone?

Everyday we drive or walk past him hidden beneath the plastic.  Just wanting to tell him that someone loves him; he is beautiful.