Merry Christmas!

The recycling bin is filled with shreds of wrapping paper and there was a mountain of dishes on the counter. It must be Christmas morning!

My family came to chill with us yesterday. It's the fourth year we've hosted, and I like doing it. We keep tweaking and working to find the best timing for everyone and everything. I think we're getting closer.

Menu*:

Salad
Pot roast. Easy and always tasty.
Mashed Potatoes with Broccoli as our side. It's one of our faves and my mom seems to like it lots.
Tuscan Polenta Bread. I couldn't find the right tomatoes, so I used dried ones. I'd cut the amount in half. I also forgot to make the bacon ahead, so we went without. Still good.
Cherry Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert. This is one of my all-time faves. And there's *some* sugar, but not TONS .... and I use my Irish Soda Bread for the bread cubes.

*This is more so I'll remember what I did. What worked; what didn't.

My friend Kristine stopped by and grabbed a full family photo, but I don't really want to download it now; I'll share later.

Coronado Heights

Bailey likes to ride in the car. No, strike that. Bailey LOVES to ride in the car. Whenever we get our keys or start to put our shoes on, she does happy little circles, then sits very still and hopes her good behavior will get her invited on every trip out.


See how excited she gets? :)


A few months ago, we headed to Coronado Heights. Erik had never been, and we wanted to go. Bailey is always up for an outing where she can sniff a new area.


She's *mostly* obedient.


Until she sees someone new or another animal. Then we have to put her on the leash and pray she doesn't have an epic meltdown.

It was a windy day, and even more windy at the top! I seriously thought we might get blown over the edge!

750 lbs of rock

We had a little plumbing done last fall, and it involved tearing up our rock area in front. It took MONTHS to find time to improve it. Ugh! This is the before.


So, so, so, so much better!

Last year we added more dirt underneath, then the plumber dug up some of it. :( Then we put it back. But as you can see, we definitely needed more rock because it was thinning out a bit.

Wild times :)

After our first trip to the zoo with Theodore, we made a second. To Tanganika outside of Wichita.

The major differences were: 1) it wasn't 800 degrees outside. In fact, it was cold. 2) Far less exhibits. 3) Far less people. 4) We were closer to the animals, so I think kiddo got to see them a bit better.




Seriously, look at how close we were! I think it helped that it wasn't free day at the zoo. When we were there, throngs of children were pounding on the glass. If I were an animal on exhibit, I'd have gone on strike.


Theodore REALLY liked the kangaroos. The staff let us pet them; they were surprisingly soft. They don't look it, but almost as soft as a kitten.




Aaaaand, the bird house.

PHOTO TIP: This is shot with my point and shoot. We were under a shade, but the birds were in a bright area. Because I wanted to have light on Robin + T, I forced my flash to go off. This means the people in the front have light on them, and I can still see things in the light background.

This tip would be handy in this sort of instance. but also in front of something like a bright window. If you are photographing someone who is standing in front of a bright window and not forcing the flash to go off, they will be all dark and you will see perfectly out of the window. Just be careful about the glare of the flash on a window. You might want to stand at an angle.


Evidently someone forgot to feed the birds that morning. When we walked in, the birds swarmed. I honestly thought Theodore would freak out, but he was a really good sport!

PHOTO TIP: Again, the flash was forced in the above photo. Look at it compared to the one below. You're able to see us a bit better b/c of the flash.




They liked Robin. Despite her avian name, she didn't love them back as much.

Christmas Cookie baking, 2011

Remember yesterday's post? How little Theodore was. Well, this is the 2011 version of him:


What a change, eh?


The morning started as every does at my parents' house. With coffee. And Papa teaching Theodore how to make a good pot of coffee.


Cookie cutters make FUN NOISE when you bang them on the counter. Just ask Theodore. :)


The FIRST cookie.


Adding a little pre-baking decor.


Working on those fine motor skills.


AHA!


I'm not gonna lie: eating the cookie dough is the best part. I get sort of sad when it goes into the oven to cook.


"Q: What's in there?"
A: The best part, kid!




He finally caught on!


This is a cute little series of photos.






... see, disassembling the rolling pin is just as much fun as using it!


Waiting for cookies to bake.



iTheodore. :)

Papa Wayne is showing him the joys of technology. Next year, the kid will be able to re-program my cell phone.

Christmas Cookie baking, 2010

Yeah, so I'm a year late on this. I've been meaning to post it, but life has happened.

So, this is from LAST year before our nephew could crawl or walk. BIG difference from this year, where he was running around the house! :)


I'll share photos from this year's installment of cooke baking SOON! :)

#117 — Have photos published on a wedding inspiration blog

Well, in making some recent post about my bucket list, I realized I have some items I have completed, but didn't realize were on the list. So I'm playing a bit of catchup.

Anyone remember THIS blog post?


Well, it was on my list, so I'm officially crossing it off! :)

#73 — Photograph a family for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

This item was originally on my 101 in 1001 list, but it was transferred to my bucket list. I actually have done several over the last several years, but I heard from one of my clients from this year who was willing to share her family's story.


You may read what mom shared with me HERE.

This session was very special because baby was living at birth, and lived for a short while. The priest came in to baptize, and at the same time gave last rights. As a Catholic, it was a beautiful circle of life for this baby, to be welcomed into God's family, and then into his kingdom.

After each and every single one of these sessions, I cry. Usually on the way home. Sometimes while talking with my mother.

As having kids hasn't been the easiest path for us, it has been easy to think "well, at least you can get pregnant and carry a baby for a significant portion of the pregnancy." --- and this session hit me like a ton of bricks. This is not easier. In some ways, I think it is harder for these families. Each situation is its own cross, with a differing set of pains.

Yes, these sessions are difficult to photograph. They're even more difficult for me to edit later. I don't look forward to it/them. Ever. But I know the immense value this has to the families, and that is worth more than any discomfort I might feel.

Lazy laundry

I was talking with my sister last night, and she said "I'm using your easy way to clean the microwave! It's so easy!"

Which is why I thought I'd share another lazy way to do household tasks (sounds nicer than chores, eh?).*

LAUNDRY:

Let me back up to when we were little. Friday afternoon was when we'd sort laundry. We'd all take our basket into mom and dad's room, dump it on the bed and sort into piles: whites and colors. I'm the oldest of four, and have 2 younger brothers. When I was in high school, I was sick of wading through everyone else's dirty laundry, so I started doing my own. Solution!

This "lazy laundry" way started when we were married. I had a basket or two and Erik has a monster basket (read: it's actually an outdoor trash can that's monster-sized and has been with him since college, but he won't part with it, so I had to find a way to live with it). We had ample baskets, so why not pre-sort?

I have 3 baskets and 1 pile in the laundry area of our closet. It's actually not pictured here, but the very last picture in the post, the laundry baskets sit in a little nook just to the right. So, we have our 3 baskets and 1 pile.

Biggest basket (Erik's essential trash can): colored clothes/jeans
Medium basket: whites. socks/undershirts
Small basket: Karen's colorful socks/undies
Pile: Karen's delicates/nice shirts

This way, if I need something SPECIFIC (I'm out of undies), I don't have to sort through the ENTIRE pile to nab enough for a load. It's all there!

I shared this with Robin a few weeks ago, and I swear, she freaked out in excitement. Which is why I thought I'd share this with you.

Now, I also read in a magazine somewhere (maybe Better Homes & Gardens?) that for families w/ little kids, using those mesh bags for delicates is a great way to launder kids' socks. Just have a little clip or hang it close to their laundry basket and have them throw dirty socks in there. So during/after the laundry process, they're easier to find (read: maybe you'll loose less of them). I've never tried this, but it seems smart to me.


*I'm sure you now think I'm the laziest housekeeper on the planet, but I find if things are simplified/quick and easy, I don't have as many excuses to NOT do them. Which is why I've come up with a few of these things. Use them ... or not. If you're a highly motivated person and don't need my lazy ways, you rock! For the rest of us who might find ourselves in a funk about house tasks, I am happy to help share inspiration! :)

# 119 — Decide on a color; paint the middle bedroom

Holla!!!!! The middle bedroom has been painted! Yes, I know there's a paint drip in the corner; I still have to paint the trim, so we're in good shape.

Orange, you say?

Yes, ORANGE. It seems fun + energetic ... and I'm digging it. Erik wanted to go more salmon, but once the walls were painted, this was EXACTLY what I envisioned.

This is where our nephew stays when he comes to hang with us, so I wanted it to be vibrant, fun and energetic. All words to describe Theodore. See? We even have a photo of him for the wall! (you can read about the frame project HERE). It's going to be KILLER on the orange walls!


Before anyone completely freaks out and thinks I've gone off of the deep end with my color selection, I want to remind you of what the room looks like (see above). There is nearly a FULL wall of built-ins on one of the long walls (left side of above photo). These built-ins will be painted white. I'm going to paint them with the trim, and they're not done yet, which is why I don't have a photo to share. But with all of the white, it helps to balance the room. Plus, the room is fairly large (about 12x18, I think). Before the addition was put on the back, I guess this room was considered the "master" bedroom. So it can handle the more bold color choice.

I was prepared to put in a chair rail and paint the bottom of the room white if the orange was too strong, but we agree it looks great!


I found these little owls at Bath & Body Works. They're super cute! I know the intention is to put candles in them, but here, they're nesting on the shelf above the desk. See how cute they look with the orange wall?

Garrison Keillor is comin' to town!

I hardly know where to begin the story of my relationship with Garrison Keillor.


Perhaps my first introduction was a quirky composition instructor in college. He had a tape and played several of the Lake Woebegone stories for us.

It was during my college years that I started listening to NPR. I was in a photojournalism class, and the instructor would give us weekly news quizzes. Since I was (admittedly) too lazy to read the paper (terrible for a journalism major, I know!), I listened to NPR to get the general feel of what was happening on the national and international level. I must have eventually run into the show. And loved it. :)

This is a great little story. Erik and I were going to KC. I was going to meet his parents for the first time. BIG deal! Right? It was. Of course, after we'd made our plans and all, I found out Garrison Keillor was doing a show. That night. IN KC. I made the BIGGEST case to Erik about why I should go. He must have thought I was trying to make excuses about not meeting his parents. It honestly wasn't that. I was excited to meet them. But couldn't I meet them AFTER the show? No such luck.

I pouted a little, but we had a lovely dinner and I liked them enough to marry their son.

Maybe it was last year and we were talking about that weekend. Erik said to me 'I didn't realize how much you liked him then; if I did, I would have realized what a big sacrifice it was for you to not go to see him.'

Last night Erik came home from work with a paper in hand. This is a bit unusual, so I knew something good must be in it. AND THERE WAS. Garrison Keillor is coming to town on April 24 (info HERE). :) I'm so excited! It won't be a live show/taped for a show, but I could listen to that man read the phone book.

I'm going to add seeing him in his home theater in Minnesota to my bucket list, but for the time being, I'll settle for him coming to OUR Home Town. :)