I found today drawings from two very special little ones named Zachary and Sam. They made pictures for me a few days before we left New Jersey for Ohio. I miss pancake breakfasts with them on Saturday mornings and playing with them at the park. I have so many good and funny memories with these two little ones and can't wait to see them again!
These brought such a big smile to my face this morning...
Ice Cream!!!! by Zachary
This one is by Sam
It's a big green Lady Bug!! or maybe it was a dinosaur?
Sam was learning to write his name! He was struggling with the stopping point of the letter "S." He just wanted to keep going and going.
Or maybe this is the dinosaur?
This is my jeep. They loved the jeep. One time Sam sat in it for an hour pretending to drive and making spitting BRRMMMM BRMMM sounds. Safety Tips: put the parking break on...no keys...and I even put rocks behind the wheels. Never underestimate a 3 year old!
Take a look at this fun song I stumbled upon this morning.
I have never had red velvet cake before! When I heard that one of my friends, who is pregnant, was craving red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting I decided to bake some for her. Which means I get to try my first ever red velvet cupcake!!
As I write this I am eating guacamole...to try to keep myself from taking another bite out of this delicious cupcake and licking the cream cheese frosting bowl clean. It's working but I am running out of guac!
Why is it that whenever I try to cut a recipe in half- it never works...without fail I will not halve one ingredient and of course it was the milk this time! So I now have 24 cupcakes!! Anyone want some cupcakes??
Don't these storefront windows remind you of the wonderful classic Breakfast at Tiffany's?
Audrey Hepburn wore a little black dress. I would wear the Tiffany's mint green on the left. Aren't they adorable! How about that white one in the middle?! The white one is actually my favorite, anything white and flowing is my favorite. I told Jenna I liked the one in the middle and she said to me, "So predictable." She knows me too well.
Doesn't this remind you of the little toy store in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Remember? The one...shhhh... they stole masks from because it was a day of doing things that Holly and Paul, or Fred, had never done before.
Speaking of things I have never done before...this Friday Matt and I are going to a Fish Fry with some friends. Do not really ask me what that is...all I know is that there is Fish involved and churches hold Fish Fry Friday each week during Lent? I had never heard of a Fish Fry until we moved to Ohio.
When asked how I love, serve, and inspire others, I guess the reality is: I don't. You see, I'm not really all that loving, inspiring, or servant-hearted. But Jesus is and he lives his life through me. Let me show you what I mean.
When I asked God if he loved me, this is what I heard...
When I formed you, I took your eye and poured into it the purity and peace of a dove. I gathered together the sparkling topaz and the blue of the sea; I took a flex of fir mica, a rock that captures color. I took the black of the raven, a bird that watches and waits. I took these and held them in my hand and created your eye. Your eyelashes were made long and soft like the tail of a colt anew and fresh to the world. And to your eye I gave compassion and tears of love. Your eyes will see my people and ache for those who are broken and lost.
God is the one who loves, serves, and inspires; when I get out the way, he does it through me. That is my goal in life and as a photographer: “God, give me your eyes to see beauty, your heart to bring joy, your life to bring everywhere I go.”
Rather than try and tell you myself, I asked my friends and family , “How do I love, serve, and inspire others?”
My Dad
“[You do it by] seeing beauty that others pass by, by pursuing possibilities with seemingly little concern for the level of difficulty, and oh yeah your smile...
Jenna – best friend
“You are great at loving and serving others! I was just thinking today of how good you are at putting others first...Like, you are very in tune to the needs of others and always put their needs first without any mention of your own needs. And you are very encouraging. Like I am never wondering if you want to hang out or talk to me, you are great at making people feel special.”
Susan - good friend
“You love and serve for sure in your willingness to come to our house this summer while getting ready for you wedding to help with the babies. Your honesty in faith inspires me to behave similarly and well you simply radiate love and peace. Kind of that God overflowing into others lives thing.. Anyone who sits on a couch for 2 hours so a baby can suck on her finger and sleep is a loving servant if you ask me!”
Brittany – sister-in-law
“I would say definitely going out of your way to be there for those you care about by giving advice or phone call or getting together with them.”
My Mom
“You give life; whoever is around you becomes happy and sparkles and you make kids around you feel special, important like they are the only one who matters.”
Matt – husband
Hurt, and you'll see her comfort. Grieve, and you'll see her joy. Want, and you'll see her serve. Meet her, and you'll feel her love.
I believe that God is taking what little I have and giving me the ability to become a role model, a photographer that loves serves and inspires others. When I look at Amy Wenzel's blog I see children's faces that have been loved and I see a women that is a role model for me. This is why I want to walk by her side for a day or two.
I am entering a competition to possibly win a seat at a photography workshop in Grand Rapids, MI! The photographer holding the competition is very talented and I would be able to learn a great deal from her...so here it goes. This was a tough one, but I had to answer this question... How do you love, serve, and inspire others, and what does attending this workshop mean for your photography journey. Well, if you are interested in how I answered this tough question read on to the next post....otherwise wish me luck as they review and judge my response!
I used to have thoughts of becoming a cake decorator like the ones on the show Cake Boss...until I attempted my first cake. Let's just say it was a complete disaster!! I think their was more icing than cake in the end and my gingerbread cake house leaned like the Tower of Pisa. Only moments into the cake building process was I yelling, "Matt...hurry!!!!!Come Here HURRY!!!" He found me basically hugging the cake trying to keep everything together! Parts crumbled to the floor. My art studio sculpting skills from college were not helping.
I have not completely given up on cakes, but my dreams have dwindled and at the moment I am dreading making a cake for Matt's birthday.
...but this post is about lobster tails a pastry I first caught a glimpse of on a Cake Boss episode. And I have wanted one ever since!!!
Take a look at how big they are!!!!
Flaky, crispy, and stuffed with a custard whip cream combo---Oh so good.
Jenna and I split one in Boston and we were both heavenly stuffed ... moments later feeling a little sick from so much delicious cream.
Jenna trying to get it into her mouth.
My attempted shots of other goodies within the bakery, which was so full that the end of the line went well onto the street. All crammed together, many were trying to decide which pastry to get, but I knew exactly what I wanted.
There they are!
and I can't forget the Boston cream pie, but that will have to wait until next time.
Pizza at suppertime... When Pizzas on a bagel (or in this case table) you can eat pizza anytime."
There are a few foods that I miss now that I am living in Cleveland and pizza is one of them. Please if you know of a good pizza place--save me by posting or emailing or calling in the number.
I had a great time visiting my best friend, Jenna, in Boston this past week!! There is so much to talk about and the Pizza, oh the delicious Pizza, is making the first post.
Take a look at this Pizza!!!
MMMmmmm peperoni!
Where did we get this pizza? at the famous pizza shop in Boston.
The Menu is HUGE... you can order anything from a classic to a whole wheat pie with lobster!
Am I making you hungry yet?
Bye bye pizza. It was such a family place to go too!
Can you find me in this one?
Next up is Boston pastries!!! It is a good thing Jenna is a personal trainer. She burned all of the calories off of me in no time. Running outside, walking, lifting, running stairs! If you ever need a personal trainer in Boston I know the best one there.
Back from Boston!!! I took a trip to visit my best friend in Boston these past 5 days. So no... I did not fall of the face of the earth; however, I went 5 days without my own computer! I felt like I was missing an apendage.
I had a wonderful time with Jenna exploring Boston, but I am glad to be home. I have much to recap in the coming days. I came back to Cleveland transformed....
I was wearing short sleeves!!!!! Thank you God for some sunshine on my ghostly skin!
3 inches less of hair!!!!! AAHHH! I guess that is what happens when you go to a salon that chargers $14 for your haircut
and a very sore body...thanks to Jenna (she is a personal trainer) who tested out some new techniques on me
but Spring is coming everyone!!! The snow will probably come again, but more sunshine, longer days, warmer weather is on it's way!!!
I love to Laugh...to run ...
I love blueberry pancakes and waffles with warm maple syrup or a big stack of french toast covered in a snow of powdered sugar.
I love the smell of the ocean and coffee, just please don't make me drink either one.
I love talking and laughing with friends and family, but I also love to climb under a blanket and rest in the arms of my Lord.
My imagination gets bigger every day and I love to create, draw, and capture the beauty I see all around me.
I have a degree in art and education, basically I love all ages of children and I love to be creative.
I pray that even when I have grown old, I will still have the spirit and heart of a child.
Welcome to my photography journal! Grab a cup of coffee or my favorite- hot cocoa, get cozy, and enjoy looking around! Even better, leave a message...I love making new friends!
