Thursday, February 28, 2013

Lightroom...

Okay, so almost a year and a half ago, I ordered Adobe Lightroom 3.  Then, I let it sit in my closet until last night when I randomly downloaded it.  And now...I.am.hooked.

I know some of the settings get a little crazy, and I have no clue what I am doing, but I'm having a blast!  Does anyone know of an online course teaching Lightroom 3?  Let me know.





Some before and afters with subtle differences...















Wednesday, February 27, 2013

John Paul's Weekly Post...

I know these pictures all look the same, but I cannot stop taking them!  We're at about 11 weeks here.




Carter wanted in on the action...








Our happy little blue-eyed boy!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Liebster Award...

Yesterday, sweet  Natalie G. gave me a Liebster Award.  From what I gather, it is just a fun way to recognize other small bloggers and learn a bit more about each other.   Fun, huh!


So here is how it works:

1.  Thank the person who nominated you and link your post to their blog.
2.  List 11 facts about yourself then answer the 11 questions given to you.
3.  Create 11 more questions for your 9 nominees, all of whom have 200 or less followers.
4.  Comment on their blogs to inform them of their Liebster Award nomination.

11 things about myself that you might not know...


1.  My children are basically the same distance apart as my brother, sister and I are - 16 months, and 14 months.
2.  My sister is part of Father Barron's Catholicism Project, working for Word on Fire!
3.  I cannot stand the feel of chalk.
4.  I worked in the White House.
5.  If I could choose a talent I didn't have, it would be to sing.  AND, I wish I wouldn't have given up on the piano or Spanish.
6.  Nothing beats a homemade tortilla.
7.  I've been told I should make a career of voice overs for cartoons.
8.  A fleece and my Ugg slippers are part of my everyday at-home attire (even on some summer days).
9.  Easter season is my favorite time in the Church.
10. I would love to have more than four kids.
11. Home is my favorite place on earth.

11 questions given to me


1.  Who is your favorite saint?  Ahh, I'm just now delving more into the lives of the saints.  My confirmation saint is St. Clare.  I love the little way of St. Therese, and Teresa of Avila is a new favorite.  Can't pick just one.
2.  What time, if any, do you have to stop consuming caffeine?  I stopped drinking it when my littlest was nursing, but I love my daily decaf with loads of Creme Brulee creamer!  Oops, I think I missed the point on this one.  Mid-afternoon if I want to sleep!
3.  How often do you change your sheets?  Not as often as I should!  Maybe once a month...yikes!
4.  Show me a picture of your favorite mug.  This mug has changed my life.  Okay, maybe not, but I LOVE it!  I ordered a pair for my husband and me from a fabulous breakfast joint in Denver called Snooze.  Go there.  Order one.  You won't regret it!  Eat there, too, if you're in the area - best breakfast place ever!

5.   How do you like your eggs?  Scrambled
6.  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Rome.  I have never been.
7.  Do you use pens or pencils?  Pens
8.  With five words or less, why do you love the Catholic Church?  His Real Presence
9.  Do you prefer shorts or pants to bed?  Depends on the season, but I love pants!
10.  What three websites are your biggest time wasters?  Gmail.  Blogger. Facebook.
11.  What is your favorite beverage?  I'm a water girl, but I'm loving my daily decaf right now.  And, a Sonic diet vanilla coke is hard to beat.  Can you tell I'm a decision maker?!? ;)


My nominees are....

1. Jacque - Don't know her but love her precious blog!
2.  Jo - my sister-in-law.
3.  Lindsay - college friend.
4.  Erin - college friend and mom of four adorable boys.
5.  Allison - cousin.
6.  Whitney - cousin and new mama-to-be!
7.  Rebecca - cousin.
8.  Renae - friend.
9.  Amanda - college friend.
10.  (yes, I'm doing three more): Liz - cousin.
11.  Amy - high school friend.
12.  Tricia - Don't know her either, but I love that she has three little guys,too!


My questions for you 12 are...
 
1.  Best book you've read?
2.  Fashion trend you want to try?
3.  Best advice you have ever received?
4.  How do you drink your coffee (if you do)?
5.  Favorite season?
6.  What's your release?
7.  Name of your first pet?
8.  If you had college to do over, what would you major in?
9.  Link a recipe you love.
10.  An item you can't live without?
11.  Favorite candy?


Thanks again for the nomination and fun!

The Simple Things...

Some days I find myself totally and completely wrapped around my to-do list.  Typically I do have a few important/necessary things to get done in my days.  However, I'm not sure "Memorize John Paul's SSN" should be just one more line item to add to the list of twenty.  Sometimes, I equate my worth to my productivity or lack there of, hoping the boys are learning to be independent and play by themselves.   Yet, the marking off of items seems to be an addiction.  As one item is accomplished, I add another to the list.  And, I'm never really done.  That "in a minute" in response to a plea to play turns into, "tomorrow."  "Tomorrow" turns into "next week" and you can see where this goes.

I know there is a time and place for getting things done, like keeping up with the housework and making meals for the family, and paying bills, etc.  However, there is also a need to simply be a parent in the sense of playing, teaching and loving on our children.  

Reading is my favorite form of "play." While Peter isn't as into it as Carter is at this point, there is nothing quite like a good book.










just a little nose-picking to go with it...


Jeremy loves to take the boys outside, and I think it is their favorite activity as well.  It doesn't matter if it is twenty degrees, they are happiest out in the open with their Daddy ( I didn't take the time to edit the red eyes).










As everyone always tells me, "The to-do list can wait."  In reality, most of it can.  These simple activities need to be one of its most important line items.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Our Everyday: Volume 7

This Sunday we made Summer Nights S'mores Cookies

There isn't much I love more than a s'more (well, a good brownie or a caramel...okay, about any good sweet).  So, this recipe looked like fun and promised to be delicious.  

It all started well...


Melt a little butter and marshmallows...

give the boys some good ol' fruit snack fuel...

(shirts and PJ bottoms or some other combo of day and night wear is common around here)



 and make sure to snatch the egg from Carter's hand before it lands on the floor!

Dad helped this time, too!



How yummy does this look?





A bit of an interjection of what Carter really wanted to do...



and the cookie looking as good as you can get without eating a real s'more...

UNTIL I tried to remove them from the cookie sheet - FAIL.

Apparently in the baking world, there is a difference between parchment paper and wax paper?!?!  Who knew?  I do now.  These cookies were not budging.  So, instead of trying to chew through remnants of wax paper with every bite, I made a few on a cookie sheet coated with Pam.  It worked, yet so did my smoke alarm when those marshmallows coated the sheet.  Needless to say, the tastiness isn't worth the craziness. We did manage to ship a few off to a sweet cousin, but this will be the last batch of s'more cookies for the Fisks.  Next time...the real thing :)