Foto Friday: Week 3

For our (Mary & HeatherM & me) photo this week the theme was signs. (mostly cause last weeks really could have been used for this weeks but I didn't read ahead to plan for that!) And I wanted to do something besides just a sign. Well what I really wanted was to take pictures of someone who was homeless with their sign, but that didn't really happen.

Soooo instead I was thinking about other signs in life. And aging comes with signs (like hairy ears and droopy parts - hahahaha but hands seemed a much nicer thing to take a picture of.)

Mine is of Daisy. She is 92. And she has worked hard her entire life. Right now she is taking care of her daughter (who is 75) and has cancer. She is an amazing woman!

Kinda of funny that I now have taken 2 of the 3 of hands...... well actually hands were in all of them. Next week.... my goal - NO HANDS. HA!



Love both Heather and Mary's again! These girls! Making me try harder!

List 3: Quirks about Me

I asked Reg what some of my quirks were. It is kind of hard to think of them about yourself. Cause you do it, and normally you wouldn't do something you thought was quirky. Would you? hhhhmmmmm..... ANYWAYS,

1. I make the bed in the morning while I am still in it. As in I sit at the top of the bed pull the blankets and sheets up around me so they are neat and then slip out of it. Fix the top. Add the decorative pillows and done.

2. I detest people clicking their pens. It drives me batty. Go ahead and scratch the blackboard that won't bother me, but clicking pens. ANNOYING. I've gotten a lot better about this as I get older. But man I just do not like that.

3. I get waaaay more books out the library than I will ever read. Like i love books. And I come home with these piles of books. I do read a lot but it would be physically impossible to read all the books I bring home. Yet I keep doing it. Cause they look great and they are right there!

4. I have trouble throwing away papers. So I keep them in piles. And more piles. Mostly hidden. And then I have one crazy day where I go through and throw them all away (or file). WHY can't I just throw them away when they come in?? who knows!

5. I have a color coded closet. I don't really think that's quirky (I think it's smart) but Reg does. :)

6. I always finish eating first. Even if I started last, I finish first. I'm not trying to eat fast, I just do.

7. I don't know if you've noticed but I always make my blog posts come up at 6am. Why 6am? I have no idea. I think it started cause I thought people I know out east get up earlier then out here so I started doing it then.

8. When I use the microwave I always use straight lines when typing in the numbers. Mostly 123. Even if I think it needs longer I'll just do 123 then when it runs out of time add 123 and run it again. Or stop it in the middle and reset.

9. If I was driving and you told me to turn left or right, I would shake both my hands to see which one I wrote with so I knew which way to turn.

10. I always say thank you out loud to other drivers. Who can't hear me. (and Lucy is always asking me who I am talking too.)

Check out Mary and Heather :)

In the kitchen: Oriental Lettuce Wraps

One of my favorite suppers. So easy and so good.


1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 green pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/2 - 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 - 2 cups cooked rice
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2-3 Tbsp chicken broth or water
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3-4 Tbsp chopped peanuts
1 head crisp, cold iceberg lettuce
Spicy Vinegar Dipping Sauce

Heat oil in the large skillet. Add onion, pepper and garlic, saute until barely tender. Add chicken, rice, soy sauce, broth, ginger and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir until heated through about 5 minutes.

Stir in peanuts. Transfer to serving bowl. Wash lettuce and pull off leaves, keeping them as intact as possible. Put leaves in another bowl.

To serve, have each person spoon some of the hot rice mixture onto a lettuce leaf and wrap like a taco. Wrapped leaves may be dipped in sauce.

Spicy Vinegar Dipping Sauce
In a bowl mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon brown or white sugar and 1 Tablespoon minced green onion tops. Serve with lettuce wraps.


Try it!!!

In the Craft Room

Starting a new series on my blog. Now this is not going to be every Tuesday or anything like that. But if I am sharing a craft, then it'll be "In the Craft Room" and if I am sharing something from the kitchen then aptly will be called "In the Kitchen" (brilliant names I know! hahahaha)

ANYWAYS, Today's craft I'm going to share...... something is different in these pictures??!! Besides Eli causing trouble!


I made this today.

Super easy - found the board in my board pile in the garage and painted and sanded it. Hung it. Took me about 30 minutes. yippee!

Another recent addition to this ocean themed bathroom....

A really small old painting I found at the thrift store. I just painted the frame white to match.

Ukrainian Christmas & MSBH Update

This past weekend we celebrated Ukrainian Christmas. Yes it was a week late. But we were out of town the actual weekend and ended up celebrating it on the Ukrainian New Years. So that works! This year we had a lot of people (although there were quite a few I would have also liked to invite but we just didn't have the space!).

I looooove celebrating with lots of friends for Ukrainian Christmas! We had 23 people over and it was jam packed in our little house but so fun!!
I made 12 dishes (including cabbage rolls, perogis, etc) 7 meats and 7 desserts. It was a really fun time! I love this tradition and I love inviting different people. It's just so fun!


I also used the opportunity to finish off a whole pile of MSBH Challenge recipes.
Baba Au Rhum
Rum Syrup (I made Apple Syrup instead)
Kouigh Amans
Chocolat Babkas
Streusel Topping
Pissaladiere
Pissaladiere Dough
Plum-Oat Crisp
Dried Peach and Goat Cheese Galette
Corn and Shiitake Tart
Cornmeal Pate Brisee
Lime Glazed Cookies
Lime Glaze
Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies

So I have 10 recipes left.
I am going to make them all before the end of January!

Spiritual Sundays

Alden made this video (with help from his mom) for two Cub goals, telling the story of the First Vision.

Foto Friday: Week 2

This week the challenge was self. And that for me was hard. I see the pictures people take of themselves and i love them.... but it seems it is hard for me. Anyways, here are the three pictures. (I LOVE both Heather and Marys again!)
I wanted to say something.... but I came back to this.


If you are new to this, check out last week's and check out my photographer friends Heather and Mary.

List 2: 13 Things to Do in 2011

I am joining up with my good friends Heather and Mary on another project, in which we post one list a week in 2011 resulting in 52 lists.

List 2: 10 Things to Do in 2011

1. Sell our house and buy a new one in Raymond

2. Get into shape. Like actual in shape. Running and everything.

3. Go on a trip with Regan and me (sans kids)

4. Sew at least 4 articles of clothing. Not just altering something but sewing it.

5. Take a picture of our family with everyone in it once a month

6. Sew curtains for Eli's room and hang them up

7. Refinish my headboard and actually use it on my bed.

8. I am going to learn to crochet this YEAR. (and maybe even Knit)

9. I am going to build something. Book shelves, a bedside table, I don't know what. But something.

10. Mail out Valentine's day cards (instead of Christmas cards)

11. Potty Train Eli.

12. Purge, purge, purge, My entire house. And Purge again. Too much stuff.

13. Fix the second hand lamp I got that matches the one we already have. (Finish them both!)

Independence

This year one of my goals is to teach more life skills to my kids. I am reading a book right now about teaching my kids to work and it really had some things in it that really stuck with me. The point of parenting is to prepare my kids for adulthood. To be capable, able adults. If I am not teaching them things, then I am giving them MORE problems in the future. Yes it can be more work. But is it worth it. Yes.

So this year one of the skills I am going to teach is cooking. Each week they will each help cook one meal. They can pick whatever they want to make but it can't be cheeseburgers every week for Alden and chicken nuggets every week for Lucy. They have to try new things. Alden will be Tuesdays and Lucy will be Wednesdays.

Alden's was last night. He picked stuffed manicotti and garlic toast with fresh veggies. We worked together and he was totally excited. He first wanted stuffed shells but I didn't have shells so I showed him manicotti and how it was the same just a different shape. And he said great. The best part is, he totally ate it and so did Lucy.

After I was thinking, maybe the way I have gone about trying to get my kids to eat has been all wrong. If they are more involved with the picking and making perhaps they'll be more involved in the eating too.

In the Kitchen: Thai One On

from Eat Shrink and Be Merry

2 tsp butter or olive oil
1 cup each chopped onions and chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup celery
2 tsp minced garlic
4 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes (about 2 large)
1 Tbsp grated gingerroot
3/4 tsp each ground cumin, ground coriander and curry powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups chicken broth
1 can (14 oz) light coconut milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp each chopped fresh cilantro and chopped fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp light peanut butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1 lb cooked medium shrimp, tails removed (thaw first if using frozen)

Heat butter in a large non stick soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, red pepper, celery and garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
Stir in sweet potatoes, gingerroot, cumin, coriander, curry powder and cinnamon. Cook and stir for 30 seconds more. Add broth, coconut milk, salt and pepper. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, just until sweet potatoes are tender.
Transfer half to blender and puree until smooth. Return to pot with remaining soup. (instead I just put my braun mixer thing right in the pot and pureed it right in the pot.) Stir in cilantro, basil, peanut butter, brown sugar and lime juice. Mix well. Add shrimp and heat for about 2 more minutes, just until the shrimp is hot.


Super easy, super tasty and even low fat :)

RAS Retreat

This past weekend we went up to Bragg Creek (well just outside of Bragg Creek) to the RAS (Rural Alberta South) retreat. It was a mix of fun company and activities, horrible sleeping, beautiful scenery, doctors learning, loads of food, lots of kids and a crazy drive home that took us over 4 hours, lots of prayer and driving as slow as 5 km/ hour with Regan watching out his side to see the yellow line and me watching out mine to see the white. I took lots of pictures (I know you are TOTALLY surprised!) Thought I'd share a whole lot of them.

Alden tried for his first time with his dad on our weekend away. He thought it was hard but fun. It was FREEZING cold so I was super proud of him for doing it (he's not a cold kid!)

Lots of sledding!




Our view in the day

Lucy playing in the fort she build.
And Eli outside wandering (what he does best)

Cloe going fast (well not really) but panning is coool (and hard to focus!)

Lots of hockey going on at our retreat

The retreat we went to was for all the residents in our residency program. They spend all of one day learning about outside winter care.

Just out from our camp was this beautiful view. This was at 11 at night so it was pitch black out, but I used my tripod and had a long shutter and got this.

Smores in the freezing cold winter. It was fun (but cold!)

What did YOU do this past weekend?

Spiritual Sundays

“Keep all the truth and all the good that you have. Do not abandon any sound or proper principle. Do not forsake any standard of the past which is good, righteous, and true. Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe. But we also say this to all men—Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day. The more truth we have, the greater is our joy here and now; the more truth we receive, the greater is our reward in eternity. This is our invitation to men [and women] of good will everywhere.” - Elder Bruce R. McConkie

“It is morally wrong for any person or group to deny anyone his or her inalienable dignity on the tragic and abhorrent theory of racial or cultural superiority.We call upon all people everywhere to recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect. We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.” - Statement of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, 18 Oct. 1992; as quoted in Church News, 24 Oct. 1992, p. 4.

Foto Friday

This week marks the beginning of a weekly photo challenge.
It's a creative challenge with two of my photographer friends Heather and Mary.

I am super excited about doing this and I KNOW they both will be challenging me to do better and think more about what I want to say with my photos and then to DO it!

So the first week, and here are the three photos.


I love them together and how each of our minds work. I love that Mary was so bold and brave to put herself in it. (I find that to be scary). Love Heather's honest and open list of how she wants to improve. I love them all.

I'm already thinking of next weeks!

New Year's Resolutions

WEll did you make them?

I try to keep some in mind but I don't make myself crazy with them. Instead I kind of have a general I'm trying to do better in these areas kind of mantra.

But I thought I'd share my areas :)

1. Healthy living. We are trying to eat healthier and exercise more around here. Been doing the treadmill (it's even in the unheated garage so it's COLD when I go on it - so I feel extra proud of myself for doing it). Next weekend I will hopefully be all done my MSBH challenge. And then we are doing a whole lot more healthy eating. (Reg says I should cook a whole weight watchers book now to helps us all out. hahahahaha)

2. Religious-ness. Working on studying my scriptures better and for a longer time each day. Working on actually making what I read apply to my life and make a difference. Focusing more on reaching out to people around me in need.

3. Organizing. Reading a book and organizing my life. De junking (any one need a kitchen table or a big chalk board? Both have to go - along with lots of other things)

4. Monthly date night. We are pretty good - but sometimes Reg is busy and that kind of things gets pushed back and set aside.

Did you make any?
And since a post with a picture is more fun....

Alden with his current love.

Reader

This little girl is reading. She is at the beginning stages but she is doing really well. And all one her own. Lucy is a natural reader. She is half way through kindergarden and already can read quite a bit. I have done nothing and she just knows words. So I've committed to working with her and helping her along to encourage it. I love to read and I want my kids to as well. It sure is nice to have a child WANT to read and WANT to do homework! Refreshing change from fighting to get Alden to do it!

In the Kitchen: Caramel Mousse Napoleon with Caramel Sauce and Berries

We belong to a dinner club with some friends. It is really fun to try different foods and get together and laugh a lot :) We meet each month and have a theme - like Martha Stewart or French or Moroccan or 30 mile diet, etc. Well New Years' Eve we had a party.

Abby (the hostess) made Cornish Hens, something I've always wanted to make. It was soo good and so was the rice dish she served with it!!!


I had dessert, so I made this.
Caramel Mousse Napoleon with Caramel Sauce and Berries

from Epicurious
Pastry Layers
1 17.3-ounce package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
6 teaspoons sugar

Caramel sauce and mousse
3 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin

2 3/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 3/4 cups whipping cream, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream

Assembly and final decoration
Powdered sugar
Assorted fresh berries

Make pastry layers:
Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Roll out 1 pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to 15x12-inch rectangle. Using small sharp knife and long ruler, trim sheet to 13x10-inch rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise, forming two 13x5-inch rectangles. Pierce rectangles all over with fork; transfer to 1 ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet, transferring to another ungreased baking sheet. Brush rectangles with melted butter; sprinkle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
Bake pastries 8 minutes. Reverse position of baking sheets and bake until pastries are golden, about 8 minutes longer. Cool pastries on sheets.
Make caramel sauce and mousse:
Pour 3 tablespoons water into ramekin or custard cup. Sprinkle with gelatin; let soften while preparing caramel sauce.
Combine sugar, corn syrup and 3/4 cup water in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves, frequently brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep golden brown, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1 3/4 cups cream and butter (caramel will bubble up vigorously). Return to low heat; stir until any bits of caramel dissolve.
Pour 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce into glass measuring cup; set aside pan of caramel sauce. Place ramekin with gelatin mixture in small skillet of simmering water. Stir until gelatin dissolves and mixture is clear, about 1 minute. Mix gelatin into measured 1 1/2 cups hot caramel; cool just to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
Beat chilled whipping cream in large bowl to medium-firm peaks (do not overbeat). Gradually pour cooled caramel-gelatin mixture over cream, folding constantly but gently. Chill mousse 15 minutes.

Assembly and final decoration:
Arrange 3 pastry rectangles on large clean baking sheet; drizzle each with 2 tablespoons caramel from pan. Spread 1 cup mousse evenly over each rectangle. Chill until mousse begins to set, about 1 hour. Reserve plain pastry rectangle.
Place 1 pastry layer with mousse on small baking sheet or board. Top with second layer, third layer, then plain pastry, aligning layers. Press assembled pastry lightly so that layers will adhere. Cover; chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. Cover and chill remaining caramel sauce in pan.
Using serrated knife, cut pastry crosswise into 6 pieces. Dust napoleons with powdered sugar. Transfer to plates. Rewarm sauce over low heat just until pourable; drizzle sauce onto each plate. Garnish with berries.

Soo good, and not hard! Give it a try!

Family Time

One of the things we like to do is go for walks together. It started way back when we lived in Nova Scotia and we would go for Sunday walks by the beach. And Tuesday walks. And whatever day it was. But most weeks especially Sunday walks. Well, if we need out of the house we still go for a walk. It's free. And you get to enjoy beautiful creations of God. Sounds like a win win to me!
Last week we went on a walk and I had fun taking pictures. And so did Alden.

Alden has decided that he wants to learn to take pictures. I still have my old D80 around. I couldn't sell it since some times it works and some times it doesn't. So Regan and Alden have claimed it to be theirs.
While we were out walking, Alden said to me "mom, how about we have like photography classes were you teach me how to take good pictures....but I might need a new camera since this one doesn't always work."
I told him photo classes with us two would be great, but no new cameras would be coming to him any time soon.

My mom makes all of us a new hat every year for Christmas. This was Eli's this year. I love it and so does he. He calls it his Santa Hat.


They just love love love each other. And I love that they do.

I told him to smile and this is what I get. Totally him right now.
Totally a goof!

Cold winter in Southern Alberta. Love the spots of color!

I love to find plants that survive the winter. It gives hope in a lot of ways.

I love the days when the sun is shining and sparkling the snow. Those are the winter days I enjoy!

In my 365 this upcoming year, I am doing one family shot a month. This one was out on our walk. I propped my camera in the snow and timed it. Lucy was goofing around, Alden was shooting it too, Eli was happy to be here. I love this picture!

Spiritual Sundays

Merry Christmas

to all of you from our home to yours!

In the kitchen: Christmas Cookies: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

from Martha of course!
Another favorite of mine!

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk
1 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 cup confectioners' sugar (for rolling)
Making the Crinkle Cookie Dough

In a medium size bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat until well combined. If necessary, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure all the ingredients are well blended.
Add the melted chocolate and beat until blended.
With mixer on low speed, alternate adding flour mixture and milk until just combined.
Divide the dough into quarters, wrapping each with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 2 hours.
Baking the Crinkle Cookies

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
Remove portions of cookie dough from the refrigerator one at a time.
Divide the portion of dough into 16 1-inch balls.
Place each of the sugars in a shallow dish.
Roll each ball in granulated sugar and then in confectioners' sugar to coat completely.
Place the cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Bake, one cookie sheet at a time, until the cookies flatten and the tops form cracks, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and place the baking sheets on wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container, between layers of parchment or wax paper for up to 1 week.
This recipe yields about 5 dozen Chocolate Crinkle (Crackle) Cookies

AND since I didn't take a picture of any of these this year.... here is a little treat I made for Lucy's K Class party last week.
White Chocolate Marshmallow Snowmen.

Saw the idea on the internet somewhere.
Three marshmallows on a stick. Dipped in white chocolate, with some eyes and a nose. I think pretzels would be cute for arms but I didn't have any!

Spiritual Sundays

"The Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty.
Let us all make this year’s Christmas season a time of rejoicing and celebration, a time when we acknowledge the miracle that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world!" - BY PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

In the Kitchen: Christmas Cookies: Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti

One of mt favorites I make every year!

Ingredients
Makes about 4 dozen

* 1/2 cup dried cranberries
* 1/2 cup boiling water
* 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
* 3 large eggs, plus 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Place cranberries in a small bowl; add boiling water. Let stand until plump, about 15 minutes. Drain, and set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until combined. Mix in cranberries and pistachios.
3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each piece into a 16-by-2-inch log, and transfer to prepared baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. With the palm of your hand, flatten logs slightly. Brush beaten egg over surface of the dough logs, and sprinkle generously with sugar.
4. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until logs are slightly firm to touch, about 25 minutes. Transfer logs on parchment paper to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
5. Place logs on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut logs crosswise on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place a wire rack on a large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange slices, cut sides down, on rack. Bake until firm to touch, about 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven; let biscotti cool completely on rack. Biscotti can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

In the Kitchen with Christmas Cookies: Lemonade Cookies

My SIL Jen asked for some of my favorite cookie recipes for Christmas. Soooo here's one to start.



Lemonade Cookies (new to me this year but I loved them!)
from Maire Barfuss
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
Pinch of salt
1/2 can thawed frozen lemon concentrate
3 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda

Mix margarine, sugar and eggs. Add lemonade, flour and soda. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. (original recipe said 400 but it seemed to high of a heat for me, so I changed it). As soon as you pull them out of the oven you brush them with more lemon concentrate and sprinkle with sugar.

Winter Play

I am in the count down until Regan comes home.
This Friday.
YIPEE!!!!!

Spiritual Sundays

Overheard

As we were walking in today at lunch time after picking up Alden from school.

Lucy: "Hey, who smells like Grandma Davis?"

Mom: " What does Grandma Davis smell like?"

Alden: "Potatoes!"

Mom: "Grandma Davis smells like potatoes?"

Alden: "Well she IS a gardener!"

Mom: "I don't think Grandma smells like potatoes"

Lucy: " I think she just smells like an old lady"

Mom: "What does that smell like?"

Lucy: "ummmm bread and.... potatoes?"

Sickies

Around our house.
Lots of puke going on.
And not a lot else!
Except looking cute :)

Lovely Links

I found some super cute things to share.

One: these camera bags oh MY I'd love one! Look at how CUTE they are!!!!!!

Two: Read this right here that the great photographer Erin Cobb wrote about taking a picture a day. I am trying to do again next year.

Three: Look at these lovely necklaces. As always classic and beautiful!

Four: Rebecca is doing some great blogging this december. I am going to be doing a post next week.

Five: Look at this GREAT idea for a gift. Love love love it! and Alden would sure love to get it! (and so would Lucy!)

Six: A fun game of Holiday Bingo we are going to play tonight that you can download and print to play with your kids.

Seven: I love these ornaments here

Eight: I love books. A LOT. A couple I've got my eye on. Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision and Vision Mongers.

Anything online caught your eye lately?

Photo Talk: Christmas Bokeh

I assume you've seen the word Bokeh before? At some point. People loooove to throw it around. Like me I do! :)

"Bokeh (derived from Japanese boke ぼã', a noun form of bokeru ぼã'ã‚‹, "become blurred or fuzzy") is a photographic term referring to the appearance of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens using a shallow depth of field."

Sooo really it means the fuzzy stuff in the background of pictures! :) Like in this one. You can see it easily in this one. All those little circles on the left side - Bokeh!


One of the great things about Christmas lights is getting cool bokeh from your tree lights!
See this picture is pretty... but no bokeh.


Want me to teach you how to take some bokeh? GREAT :) This is NOT going to be in photographic talk. (well unless we use the word Bokeh... but we can now since we already discussed that right! ;) )

The first thing is that you need to take off your automatic focus. It needs to be in manual. Then you put it out of focus so much that small circles appear. Then you take a picture.
small bokeh
f 9.0 1/8 ss
ISO 500

See how this one is lighter? Cause I was shooting more wide open with my aperture.
f 2.8 1/8 ss
ISO 500


Medium Bokeh
f 4.0 1/8 ss
ISO 500

This one is the same as number 2 it is just zoomed in more, and the viola bigger circles.
BIG bokeh
f 2.8 1/8 ss
ISO 500


Does that make sense??
And wanna try some and show them to me?

Spiritual Sundays

"Daughters of God know that it is the nurturing nature of women that can bring everlasting blessings, and they live to cultivate this divine attribute. Surely when a woman reverences motherhood, her children will arise up and call her blessed (see Prov. 31:28).

Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.

Oh, how we pray that every young woman will grow up to be all the wonderful things she is meant to be. We pray that her mother and father will show her the right way. May daughters of God honor the priesthood and sustain worthy priesthood holders. May they understand their own great capacity for strength in the timeless virtues that some would scoff at in a modern, liberated world for women." - Margaret D. Nadauld The Joy of Womanhood

Random

1. I feel overwhelmed lately with how kind people are to me. I am undeserving but so thankful. The birthday celebrations, some one brought me a cake and another offered to make me one, people calling to watch my kids so I can have some alone time, the calls, clearing the snow from my drive way. So much more. It has all made me feel a great desire to do more for others.

2. I loved Regan's post yesterday. If you didn't read it, go read it and tell him how funny he is :) Ah i just love that guy. And I am sooooooooo excited that he is coming home for a few days tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. I am one photoshoot away from being completely caught up on editing. And I couldn't be MORE happy about it. Recently I have taken less of my kids cause of the overwhelming amount on my plate to edit. I have edited 7 shoots in the past 2 weeks and 2 of them were weddings. That is a LOT of time in the evening doing editing. But since Reg has been gone the whole time I was alone and just hunkered down and did it!

4. Yesterday my friend took Lucy and Eli for the whole afternoon. (See #1) I went out to eat and read a book, went to the library on my own and did a whole bunch of shopping for Christmas and some for me. It was mmmmmmmarvelous. And Eli was so excited to see me when I got back that he was so happy during his normal crazy time. Loved it!

5. Today we are starting our Christmas advent tradition of reading a Christmas book each day until Christmas and doing a craft or treat or activity that coordinates. I hope to post about each one as we go along, but really I am not putting any pressure on myself about it!

6. Speaking of #5 I don't know if you've noticed but I've decided that I was putting too much pressure on myself about blogging. It is so silly. But I was trying to do it all the time just cause I said I was going to. And well, frankly it doesn't matter. Reading my scriptures before bed, more important. Hanging out with my hubby, more important. Going to be at a good time, more important. I am trying to change the part of myself that puts unrealistic expectations on me. We'll see how it goes. Not just with blogging. But with everything. It'll be a on going project. Really it has been brewing for a while and really this talk really hit home with me. Read it. I am going to work on making better choices and not just overwhelming myself with stuff, as I am sooooo good at doing!

7. I just watched some cheesey girl movie last night that reg would have HATED. I always watch shows he doesn't like when he's on call or out of town. But I'd rather have him home. (see #2)

33 Things About Rhonda By Regan (for her birthday)

Please skip the next paragraph if you have a short attention span or think that I (Regan) am not very funny.

I have actually only known Rhonda for about 11 years so emphasis will be placed on the latter third of her life (although I do have some second hand knowledge of the previous two-thirds). Also, Rhonda probably won't like this very much, but I should say that the decision to do this was made jointly. I don't want any of Rhonda's readers, whom I assume are mostly female, to think that husbands without any prompting do this sort of thing (I have heard rumors of husbands doing this, but I can't confirm or deny whether it was done without prompting). Having said that, I agreed quickly to Rhonda's suggestion as I knew it would be easy to come up with 33 nice things about her (but I am slow writer so it might take a while). Also, I assure all the readers out there that Rhonda had no input into the content of the 33 things. There are, of course, more than 33 nice things about Rhonda but I'll try to give a good range of things.

1. When Rhonda and I were first dating she came with me to a dentist appointment (not sure why I brought her along for that) and the dentist (who was also my scout leader as a kid) told me that Rhonda has a really nice smile. I also agree that Rhonda has a nice smile, but it was good to get it validated from about the closest thing to a smile expert I know.

2. Along the topic of smiles. One of Rhonda's favorite songs is Smile (which according to wikipedia was based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954, it has been sung by many people and one of Rhonda's favorite versions is by Nate King Cole). When we were dating we were driving somewhere with one of Rhonda's good friends (you know who you are if you read this blog) and Rhonda had her sing the song. Rhonda does fun stuff like that, and has good friends to play along.

Sorry, I'll shorten these up, at this rate I'll never finish and if I do no one will actually read it.

3. Not only does Rhonda cook/bake great stuff she does it with lightning speed.

4. Rhonda does not like to run, but she did the Raymond 5k last year. I'll keeping working on her and I think someday she'll take to running.

5. Rhonda does not like to waterski, but she tried once. I'll keep working on her and I think someday...I'll realize that she'll never waterski.

6. Also, Rhonda is a great wife because she never says unkind things or even things that are close to unkind (if I had a broader vocabulary that would come across as an even better compliment).

7. Rhonda is good with words. She generally has interesting things to say and writes them in an interesting way (I assume you would all agree or else you wouldn't come here). She can use words to make profound points or be very humorous - a great combination.

8. Rhonda is great with pictures. Part of her skill is knowing the technical aspect of how her camera works (it has lots of buttons and knobs) but also she has a gift for seeing good pictures.

9. Another reason she's a good photographer is that she works hard at it. She doesn't just show up and take pictures, she has taken courses, reads books and studies up on things on the internet.

10. Rhonda watches America's Next Top Model. She tells me it's just so she can learn stuff about photographers, but I don't believe her.

11. Rhonda's current favorite TV shows are: Chuck, White Collar, The Good Wife, Lie to Me and probably others that I don't really pay attention to, but I know she used to watch Gilmore Girls.

12. This one's a bit random but I remember Rhonda having a conversation with one of my friends (he'll remain unnamed) about how Gilmore Girls wasn't as great after some of the writers left and new ones came. It's nice she can get along with my friends and make them feel comfortable talking about things they probably wouldn't talk about with too many people.

13. She's generally a very friendly person and has a wide circle of friends. On top of that, I've been impressed with the relationships she has with some of her closest friends. I'm sure they know who they are - some of you don't live close by, she misses you. Even still, she's good at being a good friend, even from far.

14. Every now and then Rhonda will meet people who think they know her from somewhere but they don't. She apparently just has a familiar looking face.

15. When I first met Rhonda she was wearing joggers and a baseball cap...she still caught my eye with her beautiful smile (see #1). She looked familiar to me too.

16. Rhonda is pretty tolerant of my frugal ways. Sometimes, I think she'd maybe want to spend more money on clothes and stuff but she's really good about not doing that too much. Some people will tell her to spend more money on stuff like that, but she doesn't listen to them. In the back of her mind she never thinks, "man this guy (me) needs to lighten up a bit, clothes aren't really optional and they cost money, he needs to just get over it." (I hope that made sense). She doesn't avoid telling me how much she spends on stuff more than a few times a month. I was hoping that was funny but on reading it again, I don't think it was, but after all those words I'm not going back.

17. Rhonda usually doesn't wear the first set of clothes that she tries on Sunday morning. She tries something on, doesn't seem to like it and then tries something else. I usually avoid getting involved in those decisions and she always ends up looking very nice.

18. Rhonda does an excellent job teaching the primary kids at church.

19. She cares deeply about spiritual things. She has a wonderful gift to be able to share her faith with others.

20. Rhonda also loves to share her cooking and baking with other people.

21. Rhonda has made wonderful Ukranian Christmas (it's a family tradition) dinners a few times - I think she's written on here about it before. It's quite an ordeal - but she does it very smoothly.

22. Rhonda is a wonderful daughter and sister. Rhonda talks to her mom most days and I've always been impressed by the close relationship they have.

23. Along the lines of family. It's hard to talk about Rhonda without mentioning her little sister Kelly. Most of my knowledge of Rhonda and Kelly together is second hand, but I've never doubted the impact that that Kelly has had on Rhonda. I've always admired how Rhonda has remembered her sister, since Kelly passed away. Even though their relationship is, in a sense on hold, it is always clear in Rhonda's mind that their relationship endures and will be renewed in the future.

24. Rhonda is also a wonderful mother. Our kids love her and she can always make them smile. She's does lots of crafty stuff with them, plays with them and has taught them to love books.

25. Rhonda loves to read books. Every now and then I'll ask her what her favorite book is - she usually just has a list. She likes to read John Grisham and books like that, but she more girly books too. Even though I've been married to her for over 10 years I still don't understand how or why she reads cook books, but she does. I'm not complaining, I just don't get it.

26. Speaking of things I don't get - crafting. Rhonda does lots of it - not totally sure why. She's good at it, not that I'm really qualified to say so. I can say that I'm impressed by the number of mediums she's dabbled in.

27. Rhonda likes art. We went to a famous art museum in New York. She could tell me lots of stuff about it. I enjoyed it, perhaps because it was fun to see her having such a good time.

28. Rhonda's has always wanted to go to the Louvre. I think we'll go there someday, but...see #16.

29. We're not huge travelers but Rhonda has been in all the provinces except Newfoundland (I wanted to go there) and then Montana, Idaho, Utah, California, New York and New Jersey in the US. Thanks to parents who helped make some of this travel possible (prayers that helped us pull a trailer with a Saturn across the nation - Canada) and then helped us come home, even if it was just because we had to come if they wanted to see their grandkids.

30. Rhonda does most of the planning / organizing for our trips. She has found some great deals and many fun things to do.

31. Rhonda is constantly coming up with new schemes for organizing our lives. We're not the most organized home, but she makes sure that all the important things get done.

32. Rhonda really does make sure the most important things in life get done. She can stretch herself thin at times, but she makes sure to take time for God in prayer and scripture study, for our marriage, for our kids and for her friends - in serving others and simply being with them.

33. Rhonda turns 33 today. Happy Birthday.

Spiritual Sundays