Rock the Shot

I follow a blog called Rock the Shot. Love it for all kinds of information and inspiration. I decided to enter their monthly photo challenge with this picture.

This months theme is Spring, and I found this picture very fitting!

You can pop over here and check it all out!

MandyAnn Clothing

I had the opportunity to do some "commercial" work a couple of weeks back. For the very talented Amanda Whorton with Mandy Ann clothing.

She has a fabulous etsy store you can visit HERE. And is in the works on many new exciting avenues with her line.

So I was so excited when she approached me about doing a photo shoot for her spring line.

We enjoyed a bright "chilly" day.

But all our little models did a fantastic job!

Lovin' the details!

When you get time go visit Mandy Ann Clothing. She has some fabulous unique options for Easter, Spring and styling your new photo session{wink}!

The Selphs

Had a great time working with this growing little family.

It's been a few weeks back but the weather was so kind to us.

And these kiddos listen so well and were so helpful!

Thanks for a great afternoon!

And As I look back at this post I realize how badly I need to get a photography blog. My images loose so much sharpness and color after I save and upload to this blogger site. I never knew what a HUGE difference there was until I really got into photography. Just another something to add to the "to do" list!

Meet the Cheez-It Chair

Yes, these first few pictures are from my iphone.

And I've only been able to work with the chair for one shoot.

But, I'm so looking forward to using it a lot this spring.

A Salvation Army find! And it took me over a year to track down my fall seating. This was just a drive by on my way to do something else when it called out to me from the window.

Hannah has knick named it our Cheez-It chair!

March Madness & A Hot Water Tank Lesson!

I'm beginning to realize that March for The Gaines Gang is truly March Madness. If you've been around this blog for a while you remember this happening last March.

Gabe being attacked and mauled at a birthday party by a springer spaniel.

Evacuating our home not once, but twice, due to grass fire threats of burning it down.

And then ending the month with my dad having a heart attack and having a few stints put in.

Well folks this March ain't looking much better!

We started off with a simple tire rotation. Leading me to having to purchase a brand new tire and having my car realigned. Let's not forget that the car is only TWO years old. Never was pulling, drove fine. But, was out of alignment and wore the inside of one tire down to the wires. Thank you Oklahoma {pot filled} roads!

This was my view for 3.5 hours.

Ryan was on the road and this was his view he texted me as I waited.

$350.00 later we were released and learned that it's best to have your tires rotated every 3,000 miles. For me that's every other month. J.O.Y.!

Then this past Sunday morning Hannah was in the shower and I was ready to hop in my shower when I got nothing but ice cold water. We have always been able to take at least 3-4 showers without any trouble. 

We built our home 7 years ago and installed a 50 gallen tank for a family of four, so I wondered what was the issue. Awe...maybe the pilot light went out. I dress my self head out to the garage and open the hot water tank door. And this is what I saw.

I know enough to know that you NEVER want to see your drip pan full of water and flowing over into your run off drain.

Running back in I asked Hannah if her shower was cold. She said yes! Crazy that she stayed in.

I being the ever want to fix it myself googled what I could do, nothing but call a plumber. It was Sunday morning. We were now going to miss church and I was going to be late for our last home game of the year {my day job}. Knowing how hard it is to get someone out on a Sunday I boiled a huge pot of water for little man and filled up the tub. I took the fastest military shower ever known to man!

Did I happen to mention that Ryan was yet again on the road in New Mexico! I called, whined and displayed by concern. Bless the man, he got someone out there that night to drain the pan, light the pilot light and tell me what I already knew. Ma'am your going to need a new hot water tank! I took the model and serial number off and went back to my computer hoping that there was still some type of warranty. Nope, it expired on January 31st, 2012! Yes, that is soooo my luck.

Turns out it wasn't really the hot water tanks fault. See those two little copper pipes up top? Noticed how the one on the right looks all nice and shinny? Now look at the one on the left...notice the build up an coarsen? That's because when the plumber that installed it, 7 years ago, did not thread it just right when tightening it up. It took that leak 7 years to reach the bottom pan. In the mean time it rusted out the entire inside of my hot water tank! So home owner lesson 101. Take a step ladder and kindly go look at the fittings on top of your hot water tank. Notice anything odd, call a plumber ASAP! Might just save you $1,000.00 and a very cold Sunday morning shower.

It's only March 7th and I cannot wait until April 1st arrives. Just hoping that we all can make it until then. As I type this we have 30-50 MPH winds and an extreme fire danger alert. I have already packed our bags with what I can grab and run with. If a fire, tornado or earth quake are in store for me during this March Madness!

Better-Than- Chipotle Burritos

To say I can't live without my crock pot would be a H.U.G.E understatement!!! . Without it meal time at our house would almost be non-existent during the weekday. So anytime I come across a great sounding crock pot recipe I like to give it a try, at least one time!

I found this one stashed in a binder of things that I came across before pinterest came about. When I used to print out and file away!

1 London Broil roast {1.5-2 lbs.}
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves {minced} {I used 3}
2 T whole peppercorns
2 T apple cider vinegar
2 {8oz} cans tomato sauce
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
2 tsp chili powder, more or less to taste
2 packages {8ct} Mission burrito -sized tortillas
Cilantro-Lime white rice, see recipe below
black beans, see recipe below
Additional toppings as desired, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cheese

For the Cilantro-Lime White Rice:

1 cup white rice
2-3 T minced cilantro
1-2 tsp lime juice
salt

For the Black Beans:

1 {15oz} can black beans
1 tsp cumin

Ready? This is just about as easy as ordering at Chipotle!

1. Place London Broil in slow cooker, throw on chopped onions, garlic cloves, peppercorns, and apple cider vinegar on top. Add enough water to cover roast. Cook on low for about 6 hours.

2. Remove meat from slow cookers and shred. It might seem a little dry and tough at this point, but we're about to fix that! Remove the garlic cloves and peppercorns form slow cooker, reserving the liquids. Blend the tomato sauce, Chipotle pepper, and chili seasoning together until the Chipotle pepper is very fine. Add the meat back to the slow cooker, along with the tomato sauce mixture and enough of the reserved broth to keep it plenty moist. Cook on low for another hour.

3. When you're about 20 minutes away from wanting to eat, coo the rice according to the package directions. Once it's done cooking, scoop it into a bowl and toss with the cilantro, lime juice, and salt {to taste}. Warm the black beans and cumin seasoning together.

4. Now that everything is ready, begin assembling your burritos! Warm tortilla are a must, and I've found the best way to warm them is, we;;, just like the Misson package says- heat them one at a time on a skillet on medium high for 10-15 seconds on one side and 10 seconds on the other.

These burritos have a TON of flavor and got two thumbs up from Hannah and Gabe!

Linking up to these great blogs today...stop by when you can Tasty Tuesday - Tempt My Tummy - Tuesday at The Table