And the Winner Is...

Thanks to everyone who entered for the CD giveaway!

Yes, I am a day late with announcing the winner. I’m going to blame it on the heat. Had no idea  yesterday was Thursday! I’m sure we have all been there and done that one before.

 I didn’t use radom.org this time. I decided to pick the last entry. Why, because sometimes even when your last you deserve something!

Drum roll………

jamae fulton said...

I really like Chris Tomlin, amazing songs! But especially at Christmas time we love the group GoFish!!

Congratulations Jamae! You CD is on its way and I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Friday!

I have Mastered Photoshop

I just had to share this…

For the past few weeks I have been staying up into the WEE hours of the morning trying to teach myself how to use my new Photoshop software.

I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to launch my laptop across the room. But this week it finally started to all “click”! I have concurred layering masks! The above image was SOOC {straight out of the camera}.

Now take a look after I ran it through Photoshop!

So excited to now be able to offer even better images to my clients.

Yes, yes I am patting myself on the back for this one. If you have ever attempted to learn new software, ALONE, you know how rewarding this is.

 Can’t wait to start designing all those Christmas Cards this year!

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter last Friday's giveaway!

Christmas In July

Nothing like trying to wish yourself into a cooler place and time!

Honest to Betsy I’m not sure how we ever survived this heat before AC.

Anyway, am addicted to Sarabeth’s Strawberry- Peach jam. It makes the best toasted chunky peanut butter and jelly sandwich around.

 So when I had a few pounds of this

And this…

I decided to make freezer jam, following these steps.

Super easy and come December when its 10 degrees out I’ll close my eyes and think back to that 109…

I made a double batch to pass out to teachers and friends, along with some scones mixes, for Christmas this year.

I filled 18 cute little jars like this and dropped them in my deep freeze. So happy to already have something to mark off my list!



Linking up to these great sites Tempt My Tummy - Tuesday at The Table - Tasty Tuesday - Home Sweet Farm 

Good Deed Cards

Now this is a cleaver idea

Pictures from eighteen25

I found these Good Dead Cards over at eighteen25.

It might take my little man a year to get his punched! But hey...it's worth the shot!

I'm All In GIVEAWAY!

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of Robert Pierre’s new album “I’m All In” due to be released July 26^th, 2011.

The kiddos and I have been rockin out to him in the car all this week!

Here’s a few amazing things about Robert…He just graduated from HIGH SCHOOL in Orlando, Florida. Here he regularly leads Sunday morning worship at his 800+ member church. In addition to writing and recording I’m All In and playing on a summer tour. W-O-W!

 “All of the songs have something to do with things I was going through my senior year,” Robert said of I’m All In. As he was preparing to say goodbye to friends and not really knowing what would come next he found comfort and peace in the Lord’s plan for his life.

 I think we all need to “pinterest” this as a great gift for all the seniors in our life next year. And guess what?

 I have a FREE copy to giveaway to one lucky follower!

All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question…

 What is your favorite Christen singer?

Good luck, you have until midnight Wednesday July 27^th, 2011. One random winner will be picked.Winner will be announced Thursday July 28^th.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

End of the Season

Somehow, we as parents, allowed out 6 year old to join a competitive T-ball team this past season.

Hmmm…in retro spec it might not have been the best parental move we have made. But, as with everything, it was a HUGE learning experience.

He had a blast learning his position as a catcher… It was about the only position that helped him stay somewhat focused and in the game.

Drinking green Gatorade.

Hitting home runs {and learning NOT to drop his hands when swinging}

Or just making it to first and learning to LISTIN to when the coach says to run.

One thing he can do really well

Is slide.

And get Oklahoma dirt red dirty!

We he have fulfilled our obligation and made it through our first year of competitive t-ball. And my eyes {and ears} have a whole new prospective on competitive sports.

 But this group of boys play’s with true heart and was lots of fun!

It's time to leave the nest...

I respect nature and wildlife, I really do.

And I understand that I can be fined up to $10,000.00 for trying to remove this lovely little nest of Mud Swallows from my front porch.

I have been one patient mama {not a strength of mine} waiting for these little ones to fly, fly FAR away.

So that I don’t have to scrap this off my front porch every morning.

This is their third year to stay with us, in the EXACT same spot. After they move out I am bleaching those rocks in hope to “relocate” them to a more coastal view!

My First Wedding

I shot my first wedding last month.

Not sure who had more butterflies in their stomach, me or the bride!

It helped she was so relaxed and wanted to capture her day with candid images, rather than posed.

The new camera a speed lite were put to the test.

I have so much more studying to do with regards to my aperture and ISO setting in low light! Natural light is a piece of cake; we can all shoot in that. But really learning how to read light in a room means you can take good pictures anytime anywhere. And I have yet to learn the Photoshop software that I got 3 months ago.

It means that not just every few pictures you take are good.

It’s means that every picture you take is a keeper.

This was the second marriage for both of them. The day was really relaxed and this time around they both knew what was important.

Never thought I would start shooting weddings…but I have already booked another one.

 Stop by my website, I 've made a few new changes.

Magic Jell-O

Nifty little product to share with you today.

Have you seen theses on the Jell-O aisle?

The kiddos sure did and could not wait to make them.

We pulled out everything we needed to make the pudding first.

Three things… my kinda of cooking and clean-up!

Waived our magic wand!

And ta-da, green pudding.

Fun summertime cooking, next we are going to try the Jell-O with Root Beer!

Estate sale vs. Birthday Party

I hit an Estate sale this past Saturday, while Hannah was at a Fear Factor Birthday party.

 Funny now that she is a “tween” having boys come to the birthday party isn’t quite the same as when she was two!

Anyway, they had some really great stuff, if I had been there two hours earlier.

 I did end up with this cart, for $8.00.

Brought it home wiped it down and tossed my junk on it.

 For now it’s going to hang out here.

I also bought a great big snow shovel. It was 108 that day and I was remembering how just a mere 5 months earlier it was -30 below….

Head Country, WHAT?

Sometimes I wonder how far down in the sand my head is buried. It seems to be the simple things that I am clueless on!

 A few weeks ago a friend of mine was telling me all about how she made a BBQ meatloaf using Head Country Spice.

What, back up, you mean Head Country BBQ Sauce. Nope the spice!

We have used nothing but Head Country BBQ sauce for years. I had no idea that they also make and sell a spice. So, I spent two weeks trying to catch it in stock at the store.

Yesterday, I gave it a try for the first time on some grilled shrimp and veggies.

Delish and no worries about burning the sauce at the end. I am looking forward to it on hamburgers, chicken and that meatloaf!

Now, I have done my duty and spread the love. Pass it on and help another buried in the sand soul!

Linking up to all these great places today Tempt my Tummy - Tuesday at the Table - Tasty Tuesday - Home Sweet Farm

Yep, it's hot!

This was my dash board yesterday...

Yep, it's HOT! And there is no end in sight of tripple digit days!

Think I'll let the kiddos try the ole frying an egg on the sidewalk tomorrow.