Hiatus

Since I have not posted in quite some time, and since I am slowly developing my new blog, this blog is going on hiatus...until further notice. This makes me sad, but I feel it is time. I have so many things I want to post about, and I want to be able to make it a priority. I am just not able to give this the time it requires right now.

BUT, please stay tuned! I am working on a new blog with a new theme, and hopefully will have that up in the next few months...and when I feel I am able to devote some time to posting. Thanks for those who read! I really do appreciate you three so much. :) 

My heart

I've been trying for a week now to post this on Facebook and it won't let me, so I'll post it on here. :) This kid has my heart. Both of my boys do, yes, but there's something different about your first born. You don't love them any more, just differently. He's such a funny, smart, amazing kid...even when he's talking back and shouting "NOOOOOO, I don't WANT to go pee-pee!" (or whatever other million things he doesn't want to do at any given time). He's a special kid. And I'm not just saying that because I'm biased. 

ha, well maybe I am. 

Thankful

I am really thankful for friends who take time to give encouragement and advice when they don't have to. A few sweet friends shared with me things that help them to get motivated, and I tell you, it was a big help. Whether it was telling me how they prioritize, or set goals, or just get inspiration from others, it was advice I needed to hear. So, I looked at a few blogs, some photos on my flickr group, set some immediate goals and I feel a little more motivated. So thanks, ladies! Now, if I could just get out around the city on a photo trip, that will really get me motivated in the photography area...anyone want to go with me? :) 

Motivation

How do I get motivated? I haven't been motivated to do some of my favorite things lately, like taking photos of my kiddos, or blogging, or getting my new blog ready, it's really kind of sad. Where do any of you get your motivation from? I know I should be, considering it's Spring and there is so much inspiration around. I think I may need to take some time to think, plan, and dream. Time away is always good for the soul. I think that might help get my motivation back...or at least I hope so. What do you think? 

A new treat...

I'm going to plug something new I've discovered that is yummy...AND good for you. It is Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). It's organic, it's a grain, it's full on protein, it's loaded with vitamins and minerals...and it's really, really good for you. I cooked mine in chicken broth to give it a little flavor, but you can fix it several different ways. It has this delicious nutty flavor that is simply yummy. I thought I'd pop in and post this because, well, we're all looking for more healthy things to eat and ways to be nice to our bodies...and this is one of those ways! It's not cheap, but it's worth it. Your body will thank you! 

Check this site out to read more about it...

...this girl too!

I {heart} these girls!

Oh, dear blog readers. I have not forgotten about you...computer time is short these days. I will kick back in gear here very soon. I have a lot I want to post about! (and still wanting to get my new blog up, geez, that is a job!)

Trying out light

I have been reading a lot about lighting lately. There is so much to be learned, sometimes it gets overwhelming. I have to confess, I've been guilty of only thinking about how much light I have/need and not really about the direction of the light, the harness/softness of it, the color of light, or any other aspect of it. I am learning very quickly that it's not just about how much light you have, but the quality of light also.

A couple of shots I actually liked...

 Backlit tree

ISO 200, 1/200 sec, f/16, manual exposure

 

I can't decide if I like regular or b&w better (I'm a stickler for b&w)

Playing with a little sunflare, same tree, just closer

ISO 400, 1/80 sec, f/29, manual exposure

 B&w again

 

I love the lighting on her face here, isn't she beautiful?

ISO 400, 1/800 sec, f/1.8, manual exposure

Pictures, maybe

My sister kindly informed me the other day that I haven't been taking very many photos lately. And she's right. Sadly, taking photos has moved, not to the bottom of the list but farther down than it used to. So with that making me sad, I tried to make up for it by taking a few of the boys. 

 Jude (and I, mostly I) thought it would be fun to get in the toy box..which only lasted about 2 minutes)

 messy bathtime face, pre-wash

taken a few weekends ago (the kids NEVER look at the camera!....and I just realized that Ross wears that same hoodie in just about every photo we take as a family)

Lately I've been working on my new blog (which will hopefully be up soon) hanging out with friends, working on being a better housekeeper, doing lots of texting to my sister (who I miss oh so much!), snuggling with my honey, raising 2 crazy boys, and watching SO.MUCH.SNOW fall....which got old about 3 snows ago. Seriously, if it never snowed again, that would be too soon. 

Who can believe my little Ezra will be ONE tomorrow?? Not me!!

Love changes everything

Movies and magazines,
filling our heads with dreams.
Love is the little things,
love changes everything.

Thanks to my awesome hubby who knows me so well, and knew I would love, love, love this group sent me a link to their YouTube page the other day. Pomplamoose, check them out and buy their music. (They aren't associated with any record labels and live solely on the money they make from their music. So please buy, not steal.) I haven't been able to stop listening to them since. The music is so original and unique, and the girl's voice is interesting and lovely. They do covers that are almost as good as the originals, (like this one) and in some cases better, (like this one). Their music just puts me in a good mood. As a matter of fact, this morning started off horribly, and once I put this on, it immediately perked me up.

Speaking of horrible mornings, Jude has regressed a little in the whole potty training thing. Now, he will go #1 all day long. #2 is a different story. Does anyone, anyone out there have ANY advice on how to get their almost 3 year old to stop pooping in his pants??? We are doing full-on underwear all the time now, no pull-ups at our house...ok, I am lying. He wears them to bed, but no other time. Please help! I am in dire need and at the end of my rope here. Do you know how gross it is to clean up poop in pants, a dirty kid and sometimes surprises on the floor? I will spare you the details, but it is not pretty. 

I just have two things to say. 

1) I love this kid. He is really fun.

2) Yes, he was outside momentarily without his jacket on in the freezing cold snow.

Ok, that was three things.

Foodwaste Friday

Currently there is nothing rotting in my fridge, which is super news. However, there are a couple of things that need to be used/eaten somewhat quickly. A bell pepper, some fruit and some salsa...maybe by writing them here I will remember and not let them go to waste! How did you guys do with your food waste?

Snow police

Yes, it's snowing...again. There is something about snow that makes me allergic to doing housework. It seems that as soon as it starts snowing, I don't feel like doing anything but curling up with something warm to drink (wish it was coffee!), a book and a blanket. I am one of the rare, weird people who actually doesn't care for snow. It's fun the first time every winter, but after once, it gets old. It is pretty yes, but it's wet, cold, and terribly inconvenient. Who likes to drive on slick streets...not this gal. Is it just me or is anyone out there with me? Anyone? ...Anyone? 

Guess it's just me. 

Pumpkin Brownies

I tried this recipe last night (with some tweaks that I included in the link) and it turned out really, really yummy. The only thing was, I put it in a smaller pan and it took more than twice as long to cook. I don't recommend that. So please, go try this, and share it with everyone...because pumpkin is so good, and so good for you (except for the chocolate chips, and I couldn't resist those.)

Foodwaste Friday

I might have to start a Foodwaste Friday like The Frugal Girl does here. I have food that constantly goes to waste because I either forget about it or I put off cooking it until it goes bad. This is on my mind because last night when I went grocery shopping, I got home and went through the things I already had to see what I could cook this week...the asparagus I bought had gone bad. Asparagus is not cheap, folks. And I had bought 2 bunches. This frustrates not only me when this happens, but Ross also. (actually I don't think he minded much about the asparagus because he's not a fan of it like I am). So, last night I said no more! I am so tired of needlessly throwing perfectly good vegetables, or anything away just because I've waited too long to cook it. Maybe if I post it out here, it will help? Not sure how, but it couldn't hurt, right? 

Right now, I am enjoying the quiet while my boys sleep, while searching for BlackBerry apps that will help me plan my family's menus...anyone have any suggestions? What are you doing on your snow day?

Christmas morning

Just a few pictures from Christmas morning...no time to edit, so these are SOOC and not the greatest. Oh well, here they are anyway! :)

Jus

 

Crazy thing called life

Life has been crazy. Places to go, people to see, kids to raise, house to clean, same old story. I think of posting often, daily, but I haven't the time or energy. There is always one more load of laundry to fold, or one more sink of dishes to wash. I'm not complaining, todayI actually enjoy this role I feel I was made to fill (honestly, I don't always feel this way)...just makes it hard to do extra things. I think I say this every time I post. Blah. Are you tired of me repeating myself? I just miss blogging out my thoughts, sharing new recipes I try, and posting new updated pictures of us and the boys. And I still have a new blog I'd like to start up sometime in the near future. Hopefully in the future, I will be better at this. 

A quick rundown of the last few weeks, Christmas was great, New Years was a blast, and now I have so many "resolutions" (I like to call them goals) floating around in my head that I should write them all down. Maybe I will in the next few days and share them for accountability purposes. 

As for today, I have some dough rising in the kitchen, almost ready to put in the oven to bake, Jude and I jumped and clapped our jiggles/crazies out, and my house still looks like a tornado went through it. Will it ever be clean? I doubt it. It's been a great day so far. (I just accidentally typed fart instead of far and it made me giggle...can you tell I have small children, and a juvenile sense of humor?)

Family fun-ness

My niece turned 13 yesterday. It's so weird, I was there when she was born and for the first 3 years of her life...and it does NOT feel like 13 years ago. She has grown into such a little lady (13 going on 25), and I think she is a fun, sweet girl. Most years I am not able to celebrate her birthday with her, but this year I was not only able to make it to her family party, but to also see her on her birthday too.

We love you, Jess. Happy 13th!

The day after, we had our annual Harrison family Christmas fiesta...

This is a fun bunch, really. I always enjoy being with them, laughing, eating and singing with them (which we weren't up to doing this year, boo). I love my family and am so thankful for those God has put into my life.

And these are some outtakes just for fun:

Oh, and I fixed a new, killer recipe...zucchini casserole. Stay tuned for the recipe!

Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

So, I am typing this from my phone to see how it works. I tried downloading an app to my phone which I thought was supposed to post directly to my blog, but that wasn't the case. All the app did was email the post to me so I could upload it from there. Lame! Then I had the great thought of actually going to the blogger website from my phone and trying to post from there. I don't think I can upload photos from here though, which is a bummer. It's just so hard to sit at the computer for any length of time nowadays.

I am loving this Christmas season this year. We've done a lot of fun things, spent time with friends and family and will get to do more of that coming up in a few days. And I am excited about all the things we've done as a little family of four, like looking at Christmas lights, watch movies, dance around to Christmas music, hang lights outside, and baking cookies tomorrow with Jude. This has been a great year.

Today in our world, we are watching Meet the Robinsons,doing laundry, running errands and making a new bread (cinnamon, mmm). What are you doing this Christmas Eve Eve?

Back on the wagon

It's hard getting back on the wagon after being sick. Back to working out, housework, laundry, cooking, the works. (notice I didn't say mommy duties because there is never time off from that!) It's hard playing catch up. The remnants of being sick is, my house looks like the tazmanian devil ripped through it (or more like a little preschooler), my kitchen counter still has flour on it from the last poor attempt (and fail) at making bread, the laundry is piled up in a hamper beside me waiting to be folded, and the house smells like fresh bread. That last part makes me happy, though. Hopefully order will be restored to my house, my laundry and my head before the whirlwind of the holidays take us over.

On a few other notes:
I just got this phone (in black, not white), and I have come to loooove Blackberry...and this phone. So what if it's not a touchscreen? I didn't really want one anyway.

Ross did not like that hairstyle that I posted a few posts ago, so I am thinking about bringing this back:

What do ya think?

I have been love, love, loving this song and this one too ...and listening to them quite a bit. Jude calls them the "girl's song" and loves it too. This girl's voice gets my mind set back on the One it's supposed to be on, instead of all the crazyness, stress, and all the 'stuff' that has whelmed up around me. Look her up - Lanae' Hale. She is amazing.

I have been thinking about cooking this. I know, it looks grody, but I am so in love with curry. I think that even though it looks gross, it probably tastes really yummy...simply because it has curry in it. :)

We still have not been Christmas shopping. Ross and I have a date to go shopping on Friday, and we still have no idea what we are going to get our boys. Maybe we should plan better next year?

I'm going to go listen to more Christmas music. It makes me happy too.