Thanksgiving 2010

Theodore bleeds purple!!!! :)


The beautiful centerpiece!


The cheesecake!!!!!


The chocolate cake.

Feel free to read about the recipes HERE.

BIG photo :)

Erik helps dad hang their lovely new (LARGE) canvas in the living room! :)


Before/After.

A big wall calls for a big photo!

New couch :)

Out with the old:

And in with the new:

(Erik takes it for a test drive)

Long story short, we acquired a new couch for the basement. It's another sectional. More oversized than I'd get for upstairs ... but it's super-comfy and great for downstairs. :)


Esse, of course, takes it for a test drive, too.

This is a pretty amusing series of photos of Erik + Esse.

Halloween 2010

Went again to Highland Ave. for Halloween this year. Loving the powercat pumpkin. :)


Erik went as "super-annoying Chiefs Fan."

Jekyll/Hyde

I.Don't.Want.To.Know.


Theodore's come up a few times to visit us. Esse, of course, is sure to check out the situation.


This is all of the sniff of Theodore that she wanted.


Theodore keeps asking me to teach him how to play poker, but he settled on the colors/numbers of Uno.

We got a dog

Well, it's happened. Our cat has been unseated as the "only pet" ... she's not thrilled about it, but taking it better than I expected. She hasn't clawed our eyes out or attempted to slit our throats as we sleep. She even goes outside to run around and then willingly comes back into the house!


Meet Bailey. She's 13 months and FULL of energy.

We were fortunate enough to adopt her from friends in town who just didn't have time to take her on long walks and such.


For the longest time, I have resisted getting a dog. Erik grew up with dogs, but I don't have much (read: any) experience with dogs on a long-term basis. With the cat, she went into the litter box once and that was the beginning and end of training. It was SO easy. I wasn't sure I had the patience to do house training and puppy training.

We lucked out with Bailey, though. She came potty trained and with all of the basic commands.

This actually reminds me of the book "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" .... it's been called "the next great American novel" and I have to agree. It's fabulous. It's about a boy and his dogs ... well, I won't bore you. But the dogs are "Sawtelle dogs." They come fully trained. Seriously, I could go for that! Get the dog a little older, but they have already been well-trained. SIgn me up! Oh wait, we already have that! ;)

I have a little more time and have a LOT of catching up on blogging to do ... so stay tuned!

The secret to silky hummus

Last night I was in a dizzy tizzy, trying to not freak out too much. I REALLY wanted to get to bed early, but no such luck. One of the reasons was I was making hummus.

I don't want to brag, but I get a lot of compliments on my hummus. Which got me to thinking about it. What did people like so much about it? I think it's the texture. Which is interesting, because the last time I made hummus, I was in a bit of a hurry and wasn't completely satisfied with the results.

So here's my secret: I use the dry beans and of course soak over night. Then on the cooking ... the recipe says about 1.5 hours, but I don't think it's quite long enough. Last night, I cooked my chickpeas for a little over 3 hours. No joke! But the result was silky divinity! Of course, you have to keep adding water as it cooks. But the results were sensational!

Oh, and about yesterday's crazy list. I've decided since it's just a few days until Christmas and I haven't put out the Nativity set, it's just staying in the box this year. I am a lazy bones about putting them away, so the Advent wreath will have to do. Besides, we got a new painting of the holy family in the Nativity scene, so it's represented in some way.

Overwhelmed

I have not yet:

• purchased all of the gifts I intend to give for Christmas
• pulled any sort of list for the Christmas cards
• mailed said Christmas cards
• done my grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner
• mopped the kitchen floor (seriously, this needs to happen. It's wretched)
• put out the nativity scenes
• made the yogurt
• made hummus

I need a clone. And I don't have kids to contend with.

I'm trying not to spaz out. Really. We don't have 26 events to attend over the next 10 days. I am thankful for that. Somehow, this year things just crept up on me.

We've been reading Advent reflections, and I'm really trying to let the message and purpose of this be my focus .... well, hoping anyway!

What I really want to do tonight is lie on the couch and be a vegetable. But there are chickpeas on the stove and there's yogurt to make. AND floors to mop. I'm just hoping I can accomplish all of this rather quickly so I can take a little chill time.

3.5 years

It was the 3.5 year trifecta. Well, not exactly a "trifecta" by the dictionary definition. But by my own.

What the heck am I talking about?

On Saturday, my youngest brother graduated from college. Three of us kids have graduated, each taking 3.5 calendar years (more about the "calendar year" distinction later).

The bulk of the fam schlopped up to Illinois to watch "Baby Paul" graduate from the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. The weather was cold, there were snow piles on the ground and girls were walking around in moccasins with no socks. Yes, winter in Illinois. ;)

I got to thinking about this whole 3.5 years. I pounded through college in that amount of time. So did Robin. And also Paul.

Why the heck would we do such a thing? Well, for me it was because I was so over school by about the 7th grade, I couldn't wait to be done. I was ready to hit the ground running and start living life. Robin? Well, I asked her over the weekend. Her response was along the lines of "it was fairly easy to take the summer classes and so I decided to do it that way." Paul? He was in the same boat as me. Maybe not sick of school since the 7th grade, but plain ready to be OUT of college/the papers/exams. But bring on all of the fun projects! ;)

Those of you who know us know we're a competitive bunch. I didn't actually *intend* to start a "graduate from college in 3.5 years" sort of thing, but it looks like it happened. I'm not sure if they felt they had to keep up?

Here's the competitive part of it: I did it in 3.5 calendar years, but in THREE academic years. Full of myself, right? I won't deny it. Paul tried to tell me he did the same .... because he spent a semester in Taiwan. I say NO DICE!!!!! Baby bro, you were taking academic classes and getting credit. I don't care if it was totally easy. I dropped out of college for a full semester and didn't get a lick of college credit for the semester-long internship I had. So there's our competitive edge.

I do have photos to share ... but haven't had time to download them quite yet. There's an especially cute one of Robin cheering with Baby Theodore. :)

An un-bucket list item

I never "formally" added this item to my "bucket list", but it's something I've wanted to do for quite some time. I've wanted to do something for clients for Christmas, but haven't really gotten it together ... until this year!

This year, I went to Crate & Barrel and ordered almost 3 dozen ornaments .... for the clients we photographed this year!


There were A LOT of them!


The allure of the C&B ornaments is that they have the current year on them. So if this was the year you got married or engaged, you'd have an ornament with your photo and the year.


Let's just say I was "THAT PERSON" in line at the post office. The person you didn't want to be behind!!!!! ;)

The response has been sensational! It's upping our customer-service game and letting people know we're thinking of them. It also helps with word-of-mouth advertising/promo, too. :)

Another thing I'd love to do for wedding clients is give them some sort of gift or "thank you" for booking with us ... and it'd be easy to do chocolates or candy or something like that. BUT here's the reason I keep holding off: it seems once girls get a ring, they go in search of the dress, and consequently start obsessing about "fitting into the dress" ... so giving sweets doesn't seem like a good idea. I'm certainly taking suggestions for this one!

GET OUTTA THE WAY!!!!

Editing through wedding pix/combining images Mike and I took ... and there I am (far right, clipboard under my arm), flat in the way.

Advent

Some of my blog-friends are really getting into the spirit of Advent, and I have to admit, it makes me want to, too!

In years past, the advent wreath has come out, but that's about it. But this year, I wanted to do more. So I picked up the little blue prayer/reflection book our parish has and we've done pretty good about lighting the wreath and reading the reflection. It doesn't get any fancier, I'm afraid, but even though it's a small start, I'll take a start!


Monica rocks the socks off of creativity/planning for Advent.

My friend, Mary, also has been doing some great Advent-related events with her kiddos.

One last Advent tidbit.

I was in Hobby Lobby yesterday and was passing the candle section. A woman had a few purple candles in her hand, and I quipped "replenishing the Advent wreath?" She looked up and smiled. "Yes," she said. "I've been to Target and all over the mall, but nobody has advent wreath candles." She was able to find them at Hobby Lobby, though. For any of you looking to re-stock for the trusty Advent wreath, there you have it (our Hobby Lobby is open far more than our local Catholic bookstore).

Thanksgiving Dessert Recap

I am proud to report my first attempt at making a cheesecake was not a complete disaster. In fact, I dare say it was a success!


For the recipe, see this blog post.

Along the way, I learned a few things:

1) 3 c. of gingersnap cookie crumbles = 1 box.

2) I LOOOOVE gingersnap crust. It's amazing and so unlike any I've ever had before. :)

3) If you want to make the cheesecake slightly less calorie-saturated, use 2 packages of regular cream cheese and 1 package of 33% reduced calorie cream cheese. I stayed away from the "fat free" cream cheese because it had added sugar in it (and sugar is my enemy .... except in ginger snap cookies). ;) The consistency is still good and like a regular cheesecake, but it's not quite so rich .... so even if you get a big slice, you won't fee like you overindulged *too* much. :)

4) "no sugar added" cherry pie filling ain't my favorite.


5) In place of regular or "no sugar added" pie filling, I found a great alternative. I returned home and was thinking "I want to put something on my cheesecake. And in the fridge, I spotted my no sugar added Tree of Life cherry jelly (pictured above). It is the best cheesecake topping EVER (well, without added sugar/sweetener).

Our little secret — Christmas trees

The day after Thanksgiving seems the most appropriate for setting up the Christmas tree. Even if the retail stores have had Christmas stuff out since the beginning of October (sheesh).

Can you keep a secret? Really?

Ok, here goes: we don't have a Christmas tree. And we don't go get one at a tree lot or farm either.

Growing up, my family had a fake tree, which was fine with me. It lived in the basement and made its way out every year the day after Christmas.

In college, I split the cost of a small tree with a roomie, but when she moved on, the tree went with her. Didn't really bother me, though. One less thing to move, right?

Then I moved out on my own, and Esse the cat came into the picture. I honestly have to say I'm not sure how she'd take/interact with a Christmas tree. Would she climb it? Likely. And it'd be a battle all Advent, so I admit my laziness over the whole thing.

What I DO do for Christmas, though, is get out the Advent wreath (which the cat has chewed several of the candles on ..... what would she DO with a tree???) and the nativity sets out. And that's "decorated" for Christmas.

I don't really think of myself as a "scrooge" per se. I actually like ornaments and Christmas music IN MODERATION.

This all has pushed my brain into gear. There has to be some middle ground for people like me, right? And then, I was introduced to the ornament tree! :)


I actually think this could be a nice compromise on the tree front. As in, it gives me something to hang ornaments on, but isn't a real or fake tree.


There are some smaller table-top options, but I am digging the "full-sized" ones, which range from 47 to 90 inches tall.

Here are a few interesting ones I've found online:

Gold tree, but I"m not sure how I feel about a gold tree...

Another one in black or gold, yet again, I'm not sure if black is something I'm crazy about either.

Here's one with beading. I wish they had a better picture online. Can't really tell much from the photo.

A more rounded option, which I find interesting. I also like the Fleur de Lys on the top.

Does anyone know of a location where I can see something like this in person? It's just difficult to tell with some of these online photos.

Q: What constitutes an emergency?

There I was, in Hays at my fave Chinese restaurant. Getting something I KNEW I shouldn't .... but I was all the way in Hays. And there was China Garden. AND the number IS programmed into my phone. So why waste it?

BUT I was making an effort to be good, so I ordered something little (mini crab rangoon!) instead of the big heaping serving of egg fried rice I really wanted.

There I was, at the register and I saw the dreaded words "no credit card for charge under $6."

Uh-oh. I don't carry cash.

So I'm trying to explain this to the lady, and come up with other items I can order to get up to $6. Then I remember THE EMERGENCY $20. You all have an "emergency $10 or $20" stashed in your wallet, right?

Well, I said "I think I have an emergency $20" and the lady (who spoke VERY broken English) looked at me and I could see she was trying to work out how $20 could be an emergency or some such white person nonsense. I think I finally explained I keep a little something stashed away in a not-so-obvious place so in case of an emergency, I have a little money.

Because, really, being in Hays where your favorite Chinese restaurant and them not taking a CC for a purchase under $6 IS an emergency.

I have some good friends who are originally from Burma, and every once in awhile, I'll pass along a catch phrase to them, but we live far away now, so it made me smile to introduce one of my insane phrases or habits to an unsuspecting foreigner.

Black Friday for Photographers :)

In the last few years, I've been amused to see the photo industry focus its efforts at photographers.

Justin & Mary's workshop. Killer info, great opportunity. I seriously want to be one of the people they photograph .... I think it'd be a blast. :)

In years past, Totally Rad Actions has also had some alluring specials.

Know what? I've only been out on Black Friday once. And have no intention of venturing out this year. Probably will be sitting at home with a cup of tea. :)

My Thanksgiving contribution(s)

With a major holiday this week, I've been trying to figure out how to marry my insane eating with some good old fashioned pigging out. DIfficult, I know.

A few months ago, I was reading Real Simple Magazine and found a few dessert recipes that don't call for *a lot* of sugar. So I'm making BOTH! :)


First, this Gingersnap Cherry Cheesecake looks divine! For me, I'll omit the cherry topping, but others who want can add it on!

***EDIT: CLICK HERE TO READ MY BLOG POST ABOUT CHANGES TO THE CHEESECAKE RECIPE.***


Next, for those of you who can't do flour, this looks great! Flourless Chocolate Cake. I think the cherries could be added on top of this ... or ice cream, too!

Also up for me: my famous garlic mashed potatoes.

I'm also going to give a hand to making my mother-in-law's corn casserole and maybe one or two other items. She's an amazing cook and I'm not sure if I can measure up, but I'll certainly try!

Roasting a chicken

I expanded my horizons this week. I roasted a chicken.

Once before I purchased a whole chicken, but I put it in the slow cooker, and it sort of fell apart and was a big, fat mess.

But I found THIS RECIPE and thought I'd give it a whirl.

Now, let me say a few things:

1) it was WAY easy to follow!
2) I had all of the ingredients (except for the chicken) around the house. I like a recipe where it doesn't call for anything fancy
3) it smelled AMAZING in the oven
4) shoving a lemon into a chicken is NOT as easy as it sounds.
5) I only seasoned with salt and pepper, but the skin was OH SO DARN GOOD!!!!

Let me also say IT MADE A DARN MESS OUT OF MY OVEN. Seriously, love this recipe. Hate what it does to the oven. Oh, it's a total disaster.

Erik asked if covering it in foil would solve the issue ... and the short answer is that I don't know. The skin needs to brown/crisp, but people out there, would it solve my messy oven situation?

The day after roasting it, I made chicken broth the old fashioned way, and it was surprisingly easy! So yesterday we had Amanda's amazing chicken rice soup for dinner. :)

Crossover

Workin' like a maniac over here.

So much that a few times this week I've said to Erik "let's order in ... I am being so productive I don't want to get out of my productivity groove!"


This new getting ready room at Kingman is top-notch.

Also top-notch is that my buddy Joel was around, so I was able to see him for a few minutes. :)


Things are so busy and a bit crazy, but I really have stepped back and see it as a blessing. I've never been more busy with families. Also is working on wedding and engagement albums .... it's a bit chaotic at times, but it can only be described as a blessing. And I try to remember that every day and be thankful for it every second.

My new literary obsession

I tend to get bored. Easily.

So when I'm editing photos/toning and working on orders, it's really great to have something to keep my mind going. I know a lot of photographers listen to music ... but I tend to flit around too much with music. I can't stay focused and decide on only ONE thing to listen to.

Enter: Audio books!!!!!

I'm a reading junkie, but with my eyes engaged to look at/tone/edit, I can't physically read at the same time. So I listen to books on CD. I lurrrrve it. Especially the 'whodunnit' books.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a coward when trying new authors. I have tried and true authors who I'm loyal to, and don't really venture out. But a week ago, I was at the library, and I'd listened to all of the books on CD that were checked in. Uh-oh. So I took a nervous breath and checked out a new author.


I have to admit, I really thought it sounded lame. Not really interesting. But I figured 'what the heck?' .... and was totally shocked and surprised at how much I enjoyed the book.


Since the first, I've plowed through 2 more and am on my 3rd.

One of the things I like about the books is the sleuth is a baker by trade. And along the way, the puts in these amazing recipes in the book. The downside for me listening to them is that I don't stop to write them down as I hear them. I figured I"d be clever and go to her Web site: Murder she Baked (a clever spinoff/play on words from "Murder she Wrote'", but the actual recipes aren't on the Web site! Boo-hoo!!!!! (well, the names of the recipe is on there along with the corresponding book, but you have to get the book to get the recipe). I guess I'll have to go check out the books and make copies!

Let me just say the "cherry bomb cookies" sound oh-so good!!!!!

Also, much like the Carol Higgins Clark books, these aren't dripping with unnecessary sex, sex, sex. The story is driven by the STORY, which I very much appreciate.

Bathroom short cut

It's not really a big secret: I don't like cleaning bathrooms. At all.

I'm pretty lazy/lax about it.

A few months ago, however, I read a tip in a magazine that I find to be handy/helpful in the bathroom arena: Store a container of Clorox wipes under the sink, then spot clean as needed.


This does NOT replace regular bathroom cleaning (but who am I kidding, I don't clean them regularly). But when the counter is all hairy or has a toothpaste smudge, I pull one of those out and it's a quick clean.

It's been a really positive change. And I can neither confirm nor deny that I used several to clean all of the baseboards in the guest bathroom before company arrived. It's great in a pinch. I even feel like I'm doing a little "light" cleaning in between the times I really work up the energy to give the entire bathroom a good scrub. Besides, if I do a little "light" cleaning in between the big ones, the big ones won't be such a daunting task, right?

I was telling my sister about this, and later she cautioned me to not use these to clean the mirrors. They evidently leave the mirror a streaky mess. Just FYI.

Slammin'

Slammin' busy, y'all.

For retail, the "Christmas Season" is from after Thanksgiving (or a little earlier, say, Oct. 1) thru December. For me, we try to have all orders in by Dec. 1 so I can deliver in time for Christmas. So, this is MY Christmas "retail" season.

I apologize for the blog neglect.

But here's the thing: being crazy out of my mind is SUCH A BLESSING. I'm thankful for the clients and the expansion. So I'm not complaining (the complaining is left to our cat, for those of you who are curious).


One of the stylists from the salon on the main floor of my building. :)


Cutie-pie family session from this morning.


Super-awesome panoramic float wrap (15x30 inches, top, compared to the VERY popular 16x24 inch size, bottom). I've NEVER ordered a pano from one of my images, and I'm glad a client told me this was what they wanted. I actually love it! :)

Our "big sister"

Last night, I made THIS RECIPE (using jelly in place of Nutella), then called up my sister and said "I just tried one of Melissa's recipes and it's AMAZING!!!"

Who is Melissa?

I think of her as our surrogate big sis: Friendly, approachable, kitchen goddess. I even showed Dad how to make Melissa's grilled corn on Labor Day. See, she's part of the family.


When I left home for college, I don't really think I thought much about cooking. How much I enjoy it has been a large surprise for me. But I do. I like throwing things together and seeing what happens. I don't know if I'd go as far to say that food is an artistic expression for me, but I see how it could be.

But back to Mel (I can call her that because, after all, she IS our "big sis"!). We "met" a year or so ago. One Sunday afternoon, Erik and I were flipping through channels and ran across the marathon of all episodes leading up to the season finale (for the record, this is my favorite way to watch a show/series). We were excited when she won, and I DVR her show so I can watch it when I have time.

What I really like is her practical approach to cooking. Nothing too fancy. Well, for ingredients, I mean. The dishes seem fancy when you put it all together, but the ingredients are things I keep around.

A few weeks ago when I saw her made the pastry recipe (first link on the top of this post), I freaked out. Because it's a recipe of hers that I can actually make and EAT. It's SOOOO easy! Butter + cream cheese + flour. That's the pastry. And let me tell you .... it's heaven. The cream cheese makes it so tasty!

See, because we're family, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Mel. I love her approachability and charm. I hate that she uses red wine vinegar and sugar with a high degree of regularity in her recipes. And sugar includes using bacon to add flavor to a dish b/c it's cured in sugar, so it's off limits for the likes of me.

So Mel, big sis, let's have some recipes that are more digestive friendly!!!!!

Sizzle

Slammin' busy!

Excited to proof this session this week:


Had a great time proofing this session last week:


Had a great time shooting this session yesterday:

Oh so close!

Three weeks.

THREE WEEKS.

Those of you who know what I'm talking about KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

HARRY POTTER MOVIE 1, PART 1!!!!!!!

I've been eyeballing the trailers on YouTube, but today saw one of TV for the first time and squealed.

One of those ear-splitting squeals. Louder than Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber fans COMBINED. Ok, let's be honest. If you wanted to throw in New Kids on the Block fans, too, I was probably STILL louder than all three of those fan bases screaming and squealing all at once.

No joke.



I'm not a late night person, but on Nov. 18/19, I'll be making an exception. I'll take an afternoon nap so I can be awake for the midnight showing. :)

I think I'm going to go with a client here in town who's also a BIG fan .... if anyone else wants to join us, hollar, because I'd love to have others geek out with me! :)

But for the time being, I think it's safe to start COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS!!!!

Crossover

Some, but not all, of these are on the Heartland Photography Blog. Those not yet on the blog will make an appearance over the next few weeks. :)


Mr. M was a better camper this year than last during family portraits!


Bre's a smokin' hot senior who rocked out this awesome location I found. :)


Gotta just love Drew + Jillian. Just gotta.

Monogamous relationships

I was getting a cup of tea with a girlfriend this week. And our conversation turned to our stylist. When I moved here, I asked a friend of Erik's where she got her hair cut, because she had a really great cut. Fortunately for me, she shared. And I <3 Nikki, my girl.

Now that I have a downtown meeting space, though, I'm sort of feeling pulled. I'm going to do some photos for the salon upstairs, and sort of feel like I should have a reciprocal relationship with them. But I'm a one-stylist kind of girl (please tell me there are others of you out there that feel this way!).

I'm actually not even joking about having a monogamous relationship with a hairdresser. When I lived in the southeast corner of the state, I'd drive back home to have the same lady cut my hair.

In fact, I can count on ONE HAND the number of people who I have made a conscious choice to let cut my hair (this excludes cuts as a little kiddo). Seriously. I am just not quite brave enough to try a new stylist. I have such fine, thin hair ... well, it ain't easy to get a great cut. I'd prefer to have someone be familiar with my crazy hair and just keep going with them.

Back to my tea talk with my friend. I mentioned this, and she gave this big sigh ... and agreed. We don't really want to "cheat" on our stylist. Or even go elsewhere, then go sheepishly back and deny that anyone else has taken scissors to our hair.

Isn't that silly?

Happy Sunday!

On the road ...

IN FUNK NEBRASKA!!!!!!


When I went to Nebraska for Jillian and Drew's engagement session, I drove through FUUUNK NEBRASKA!!!!! I stopped long enough to take a photo. and that's about it.

As you can see from the population numbers ... there probably wasn't all that much to see. ;) (apologies to any/all Funk residents out there that might be reading this!).

Jumping for joy :)

Woah.

It's 10:25 p.m. on Wednesday as I sit to write this. I'll schedule this to post in the morning, but I want to capture how I am right now.

Speechless.

In Awe.

Shocked.

Jubilant.

All at the same time.

I want to scream from the top of our roof. And I want to haul another bed into our room so I can jump from bed to bed in a victory lap.

But let me back up. Back in July, I signed a lease on a meeting space downtown for Heartland. I felt it was the right move. But it was still scary. I needed a place to meet with people. In addition to meeting with potential wedding clients there, I have also started to proof portrait sessions in this space. It's a work in progress. I am still learning a lot.

Over the years as a photographer, I'd be disappointed when someone would order an 8x10 as their largest photo. I know how amazing large photos are on the walls. They're so rockin' out of this world ... yet so few people get them.

Until now. With proofing in person, I can show people exactly how big (or small) an 8x10 is. And tonight, a portrait client walked away with ordering a 24x36 gallery wrap and two 16x24 gallery wraps. HECKS YEAH!!!!!

And earlier today, my parents came in to select a 36x48 gallery wrap for their house ... it's been a big wrap day around here today!

After I got over my initial shock, then excitement, my next thought was thankfulness. Seriously. It's so easy to ask God for help when things are crummy. And I know I do. But things are so totally amazing right now, and I want to remember to thank him for really rocking it out.

So this is my reminder ..... to myself. BE THANKFUL.

Backfilling

First off, we pushed the rocks back.


Esse, of course, had to investigate.


Our associate pastor, Fr. Peter, was really excited to learn we were doing dirt work. And wanted to help. More power to him! :)


We put down a bit of weed barrier. Then scooted some of the rocks back.

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Of course, we'll want to add some more rocks, but for the time being, it's a big improvement.

I'm actually surprised, but I really notice the visual difference, even just driving up to the house.

Of course, now if I would just never see water again in the basement, I'd be an even happier camper. *sigh*