One True Thing...

365 day Photo Challenge

Photo #1

So one thing I've been waiting on for this new year is to start the 365 day photo challenge. Taking one photo a day for one year sounds right up my alley, totally do-able, rewarding, and well, lets face it, FUN!  My friend Carrie did this last year and I really enjoyed following hers.  So I've begun a Flickr account but will be posting my pics here too...maybe not each day, but more like a week at a time.

Enjoy, join me, and "Choose to LOVE 2012"

My prayer is that 2012 is much better than 2011...not just for me, but for MANY other friends and family members that I know of, who had a rough go of it in '11. Lets put the past behind us and love this new year we've been given.  Lets begin...

Behind the scenes at Help-Portrait Louisville, 2011

What an honor to participate.  Here are some behind-the-scene shots I took.  There were a lot of happy faces on this great day in Louisville at the Jefferson St. Baptist Center. (Click on pic to enlarge) For more on Help-Portrait and how YOU can get involved go here: www. help-portrait.com.

Thanks, Heather

 

Words can't describe want this event was like and how it felt to be there...I guess that's why they say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Can't wait for next year.

Holiday Dance Performance

Em's Dance Recital Practice:

Our Mischievious Elf on a Shelf, Elle.

For some reason I haven't been in the Christmas spirit quite yet.  Maybe we just need to get our tree up and lights on outside and I'll get more into it, but I will say that I've really enjoyed our Elf on a Shelf, Elle.  She is quite mischievious this year....very messy and in to all my things, but Em's laugh in the morning makes it all worth the while!  Here is what Em has woken up to the last four mornings. 

Snow angel

Snowball fight

Tea Party

Fishin' for goldfish

Em's face each morning is priceless! She doesn't know what to think half the time and she just stands there speechless...and speechless is a state that we rarely find Em in! :-)

Advent Calendar #2

Last year we made this advent calendar...

It was made from paper that I turned in to pouches by sewing them up the side.  In each pouch Em would get a little gift (a sticker or candy) and then she'd get a sentence or two of the story of Christmas.  On the last day of the calendar we put all the slips of paper together and read the whole Christmas story. It was great fun!  This year I changed things up a bit by creating this little calendar...

No gifts of candy or stickers this year though.  To create, I simply took a canvas and glued clothes pins that I'd decorated with sparkly ribbon. Then above each clothes pin I stenciled the numbers of each day of December.  Each clothes pin holds a little to-do note for Em to make sure she understands the "reason for the season".  I want her to be thankful...I want her to be grateful...I want her to be helpful!  We're approaching day 3 and she is eager to grab her little slip of paper and tackle her task!  Here are a few examples of her tasks:

• Spend the day helping your dad
• Pick out a jacket to donate to the Salvation Army for another child
• Tell a friend thank you for being such a great friend
• Pick out one of your toys or books to give to another child
• Write an I Love You note for Granny
• Write down five things you're most thankful for this year
• Do something helpful for your teacher today
• Write someone in your family a thank you note
• What are five things you most want to learn next year
• Call up a family member and sing them your favorite Christmas song
• What is one chore you can start doing every day to help out your family?
• Who is someone we can pray for tonight?

These are just a few things that on her advent calendar this year.  I just wanted to get her thinking and acting upon thankful thoughts!  I want her to be a thoughtful child and if I can have the types of conversations that go along with these little tasks then I believe that is a good step in the right direction. With each task comes plenty of coversation before her task and after her task...its a great thing to talk about on the way to school and again later at the dinner table.

I love advent calendars!  I especially love the one this year because I feel like it embodies all the things that this season represents...if only we could carry this spirit of giving throughout the whole year...it is a goal worth aiming for!

We hope you're all enjoying your start of December!!  Lets all do something each day that can help another feel better, warmer, and special.

Overwhelmed in thankfulness

It was such a memorable Thanksgiving with our family in the Carolina's.  I know there are a lot of people out there who say this, but I truly come from the best family (on both sides).  I have aunts, uncles, and cousins galore and we only keep multiplying...my grandparents would all be so proud that the legacy of family continues on to this day.  I can see the pride in family that all the little ones are being instilled with and it brings great joy to me...I could well up with tears at just the thought of it, to be honest.  Memories are in abundance and I'm so grateful that no matter the miles apart we have all remained close and dedicated to keeping our family spirit alive and well.  I don't know how life can get any better when you have such a great family...for family is ALL that matters in the end.

So I say thank you to all my aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I love you all dearly and I cannot wait to see you again very very soon.  Here are some highlights from the trip.

Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving (yeah we're pretty fortunate!).  Dinner at Aunt Elaine & Uncle Toby's with Nick, Nat, & Natalie and their crew.  Also there was my cousin Niki and her big family...it couldn't have been a better way to start off the holiday! Thank you Niki for surprising me with your presence right when we showed up!!

Just a handful of the MANY kids in this great family.  I'm pretty sure that we could never get everyone in the picture in one sitting.  I remember having to sit for pictures like this when I was younger with all my cousins.

What would family time be like without LOTS of time in the kitchen.  Some of our best family recipes are mom's salsa (seen here prepping), cheesy beer bread, mom's stuffing, pimento cheese dip, & sausage balls (thank you Toby).  I really should add these famous recipes to the blog soon.

We got to suprise Uncle Charlie (my dad's brother) & Mel with a little visit in Asheville.  We had a great dinner and Em got to meet "Santa's brother" for the first time. :-) 

As you can see it was the perfect vacation...family filled! Now we're home and it's time to get myself in gear!  Time to clean up, decorate, and fill the house up with LOTS of baking and yummy smells! Time for some serious crafting too!

First....I must put together our holiday playlist...something I LOVE to do and gets me in the Christmas spirit.  I've already downloaded the album "This Warm December vol 2".  Vol 1 was great, so I'm happy to see that Jack Johnson has pulled another one together this holiday season. 

Love to all! I am thankful for family and friends who make this life full of happiness, hope, and amazing memories of love!

The Small Things...

I realize I'm behind.  I've been working A LOT!  It's amazing how many couples wanted their baby to be born on 11/11/11...therefore, my job of taking baby pics was CRAZY!  It was so fun, but we're finally slowing down from all  that madness.  I'm about to have four days off, so we can take a road trip to the Carolina's where we'll meet up with family for Thanksgiving and also go to my aunt's wedding.  I can't wait for Em and Joe to meet the Tate side of the family (my mom comes from a family of TEN brothers and sisters, so there are A LOT of cousins for her to hang out with and meet).

It's probably going to be a few days before I get back on here, but we have been having fun in the midst of all the work and little down time.  Here is a peak into our normal life...

1.) Em helping her dad peal the tape off the window trim (we've been sprucing the place up). 2.) Joe added beadboard to our bathroom closet & I added a wine rack to hold our hand towels.

3.) Used a file holder for my jewelry. Also using a plate that I glued to a candle holder to add a little bit more organization to my world...nothing new in the blogging or crafting world, but I was still happy with the end results. 4.) A FREE piece of furniture that Joe found sitting in someones yard waiting to be tossed in the garbage! It's heavy and has beautiful lines!  Cannot wait to paint it up, add some new hardware to it, and make it a focal point in the dining room!  As they say.. "One man's trash is another man's treasure!"

5.) Em dressed up for the music awards...she danced every second it was on!  I remember doing the same thing as a child, so I found it hilarious and heart warming!  6.) Em has taken to baths lately...not just baths, but baths with candles and bubbles.  I love this little pic of her just relaxing...I really wonder what she was thinking about here.

7.) First time painting her own nails!

8.) A no T.V. day. Em is starting to get into her Children's Dictionary (she really likes it!). I'm reading Diane Keaton's recent release "Then Again".  I'm really into it and will probably have review for you soon!

9.) Meet my new love! Got in a little Fall shopping on Sunday. I met this fine coat while browsing J.Crew...it was love at first sight!  I know it will be a long last relationship! :-)

So that's our normal life...and I wouldn't have it any other way!  Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Crock Pot Sante Fe Chicken

I made this today and the house filled up instantly with this aroma that made me want to curl up with a book and coffee...so homey!  I served it over chicken flavored rice (Uncle Ben's).  Sprinkled it with cheese and a dab of sour cream...oooh so good!  This in now one of my top 10 fav Fall dishes! I found it on Pinterest (of course), but it comes from ( http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/crock-pot-santa-fe-chicken-425-pts.html )

Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
Servings: 8 servings (Great for leftovers)

• 24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
• 14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
• 15 oz can black beans
• 8 oz frozen corn
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
• salt to taste

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred (I didn't have to remove the chicken from the crock pot. The chicken could easily be torn apart gently with a fork while still in the pot). Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice.  Sprinkle with cheese and dollop of sour cream.

New Recipes...thank you Pinterest

Fall has only just begun and I have found myself already very bored with our evening meals!  So where to go for a bit of inspiration (or should I say pinspiration)?  Just a few clicks and a couple of scrolls and voila!  We have a new menu for the week.  Here is what we tried and what we liked! You'll notice that there aren't too many ingredients in either recipe and to make it even better both of these recipes shared ingredients! I hate reposting from another site...sorry it's not original, nor does it have my own photos, but really...is that necessary?  We made it, loved it, now I'm sharing it. :-) Enjoy and get cookin'!

From: http://lakelurecottagekitchen.blogspot.com

Crock Pot Terriyaki Chicken

12 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
6 tablespoons cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 1/2 teaspoons cold water

Place chicken in a 4 qt. slow cooker.  In large bowl, combine the sugar, soy sauce, cider vinegar, ginger, garlic & pepper.  Pour over chicken.  Cover & cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.  Remove chicken to platter; keep warm.  Skim fat from cooking liquid.  Place liquid in a saucepan & bring to a boil.  Combine cornstarch & water until smooth.  Gradually stir into liquid & stir until sauce is thickend.  Serve with chicken & rice.

We more than halved the recipe for our family, so cook time was reduced!

From: http://www.candcmarriagefactory.com

Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

1 (2 pound) boneless pork tenderloin (or regular pork loin)

1 teaspoon ground sage

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 cup water

Glaze

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

 

Combine sage, salt, pepper & garlic. Rub over roast. Place in slow cooker with 1/2 cup water. Cook on low for 6-8 hrs. About 1 hr before roast is done, combine ingredients for glaze in small sauce pan. Heat & stir until mixture thickens. Brush roast w/glaze 2 or 3 times during the last hour of cooking. Serve w/remaining glaze on the side.

Perspective

   PERSPECTIVE

Part of Speech: noun   Definition: view, outlook

Synonyms: angle, aspect, attitude, broad view, context, frame of reference, headset, landscape, mindset, objectivity, overview, panorama, proportion, prospect, relation, relative importance, relativity, scene, size of it, viewpoint, vista, way of looking

Notes: perspective is a way of regarding situations or topics or a mental view or the state of one's ideas; prospective means concerned with or related to the future.

Just as the word "kindness" was on my mind last week...the word "perspective" has been on my mind lately as well. It has been said that our ability to shift perspective can have a drastic impact on improving our health (mentally & physically). Practicing the flexibility of our perspective is just as important as exercising any of our muscles.  Thinking about how another person would view your problems (or what you call problems) is one way of shifting perspective.  How would you have viewed this issue 5 years ago or how would you view it 5 years from now?  There are many ways to change your perspective, thus change your outlook and I challenge any of you to the task and to practice this regularly. I'm starting incorporate this into my daily thinking and I have to say that it's been rather eye opening.

One of my favorite things about photography is the challenge of taking a picture in a way that most people wouldn't generally think to do so.  Sometimes this requires changing my position, playing with camera settings, or adjust the object in an unusual way...I think this same method could be applied to life and our perspective on any given moment, challenge, or hurdle. 

I see people all around me who have had challenges (BIG and small, depending on your perspective) laid at their doorstep.  I see how they face them and I've noticed that depending on the day they view them differently, depending on how new the news is  they view it differently, and  depending on a million different things they see things in a new light.  This makes me feel good because I can clearly see that no matter the issue, we have a choice in how we are going to navigate through it.  We have a choice by how we choose to see things. 

We don't have the choice to avoid all obstacles in life, but we do get to choose if it's going to make us or break us. Perspective is much like attitude...it's a little thing that makes a big difference. Viewing things in a way that you typically wouldn't really puts a whole new spin on life. Don't get me wrong...we're all still going to feel sorry for ourselves at time and have our low points, but it's what we do after we moved past those feelings that matter and one way to move past those feelings is to change perspective...what a great tool!

These are just my thoughts...and I've created a whole "inspiration" board on Pinterest to remind me of this tool.  Enjoy!

PS Thank you to those in my life who help me keep a positive perspective!

The Small Things...

Well the week started out with my phone being stolen (then returned) and ended with me having a stomach flu (the worst you could imagine) from Friday night until Sunday morning (hence, all the Pinning I did Sunday morning while lying in bed).  That being said...there were plenty of things to be thankful for this week.

Happy, blogging, & finding new music just before my phone was stolen.

...and happy after it was returned! Thank you Nicole & Highland officers.

Our first Halloween in the Highlands

Date night w/Em.  Who says only dads and daughters get date nights?

Ready for Cinderella! Em LOVED the play.

Em, Cinderella, & Nora @Sacred Heart Academy's performance.

Em writing me an apology letter for poor behavior.  She has a hard time talking when she is upset, but runs to the pen and paper (boy she is just like her mother!).  I always have to write it for her first, per her request. Her request here, "Mom, how do you spell "I'm really sorry for the way I acted".

Other things "small things" that made my week:

• Warming my daughters feet up in my bed and cuddling on the days we didn't have to hurry out of the house
• Joe taking care of me while I was sick (he even cleaned the whole house while I was in bed!)
• When Em gets reminded to clean her room for the 3rd time and she says "I'm sorry I forgot, Mom.  I'm losing my mind!" And she rolls her eyes at herself and finally goes off to clean her room...oh it's the greatest!
• Joe's dad, Joe, and Em laid new floor tile for a church and she comes home talking about how to do a "hot cut" and the important facts on laying tile.  She could explain it all!  Great memories for her to be making with Joe's dad and Joe.  I remember these kinds of moments with my dad...they can't be beat.

...and these are moments in life that I live for!