A Month of Blogging 7/22-Heart Garland

Last year, I decided to implement some Pinterest craft ideas to re-decorate my room. 

Music is one of my loves.

Garlands were and still are trending on Pinterest.

I had a free Saturday morning to create.

The result was this:

I took some old sheet music, and cut hearts about 2.5" tall.

Fold them in half to make a slight indention, lay thread in the middle and glue middles together.

(I used embroidery thread for my rope.)

I left about 5"-6" between hearts.

This is draped across my lace curtain and I love the softness it brings to the room.

You could use also use jute or twine for the rope.

Also, there are a variety of shapes you could try. Birds, stars, circles, etc.

 

A Month of Blogging 6/22-An Anniversary........

......50 years of marriage, and 65 years of knowing each other.

That is the story of the relationship between my grandparents.

Met in 2nd grade, that cute little boy in the overalls, and the sweet girl riding her horse through the pasture chasing rabbits. Church youth events, high school games, off to college. People always put them together. 

Jim. Joanne.  

After a time of separation in college, they realized what everyone else knew.

They were made by God for each other.

Trials began for them even before they were married.

The day the invitations went out, the father of bride suddenly died.

The joyous event turned to crushing sorrow and sadness.

They went through with the wedding, even though she walked down the aisle alone.

In planning a surprise for them, we knew it would be essential to make it special.

They care for so many people, let's spoil them for a change.

One of the comments that really summed up their entire span of marriage, was how the marriage celebration of 1963 was marred by the loss of a dear loved one.

The celebration of 2013, 50 years, was of pure rejoicing.

 

What an honor to mark this momentous occasion with this collection of photos.

My grandparents have been so effusive in sharing these images.

My grandpa has the link to the video on his phone's home page.

My grandma calls me often to tell me of another person she showed the video to.

It has been a blessing and encouragement to me that each time they share it, they share the commitment they have upheld, the Lord who has knit them together, and the image they portray of Christ and His Bride.

 

In this world of faulty friendships, random relationships, non-committal companionship, affection given freely, love and intimacy tossed around like Frisbee, the example of 10, 20, 40, 50, even 60+ years of marriage is both humbling and challenging. Although each year of marriage is a great achievement, those special years are mile markers. 

Mile markers remind of where you have been and where you are going. They are something to look forward to, as well as remember when you arrive at your destination.

My grandparents will leave a legacy of love for me, my parents and siblings, extended relatives, and close friends to strive to attain by the grace of God.

It started with just two.

My grandma and I (wearing her going away outfit minus the coordinating raspberry jacket, which she gave away to someone in need of clothing)

 

 I have 300+ images of my grandparents, but instead of sharing a selection of those, here is the video I created for them using two songs very special to them.

A Month of Blogging 5/22-The Uncomprehendibility of God and His ways

How about that for a long title?

Our family recently went through an unexpected event, as the result of heavy rainfall during the month of July. One particular day, about 4-5 inches fell in the time span of one hour.
Our area of town had some major flash flooding, causing the two egress windows in our basement to explode and allow 26" of water to fill our basement.

Although it has been a physically and emotionally draining 10 weeks of reorganizing our lives and remainder of possessions, we have been encouraged spiritually by the support from Christ's body of believers, promises found in God's Word, and theological doctrines illuminated in hymns.
A good friend shared this song as his favorite a few years ago, and the words of it have quickly become endeared to my heart as well, especially during this season of life.

May you find both a challenge to trust in the Lord whatever the circumstance, as well as encouragement and hope in the knowledge of these powerful words.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" ~Romans 11:33

God Moves in a Mysterious Way 

Lyrics: William Cowper  Music: Scottish melody

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.







 Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower. 

 Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

A Month of Blogging 4/22-Chocolate+Peanut Butter+Sandwich+Recipe!

Take above ingredients, combine and enjoy.
Well, actually you have to do a bit more than that, but that's the general idea!

I always wished that I could use a magic spoon to take a bite out of each recipe book photo.
Is that odd? I mean the presentation looks fantastic, the recipe filled with all your favorites, and you just want it right.now.
Mmmm...."Kale Salad", sounds good, crunch, crunch, flip page, "Roasted chickpeas", interesting, munch, munch, turn, "Carnival Cookies", whoa, don't mind if I have two.

If you haven't ever experienced this phenomenon, then please disregard previous paragraph, and jump down to the good stuff. If this feeling plagues you every time you look at pinterest, a new cookbook, blog, website, magazine----whatever, I'm about to make your mouth water, your stomach rumble, your mind whirl with a fabulous recipe.
That makes me sound like a magician, but work with me, ok?

Think smooth dark chocolate
sandwiched between
two buttery
golden
creamy
peanut butter
cookies.

Well, that's all for today's post! Have a great weekend!


Oh, did I forget something? You wanted a recipe for those cookies I just described?
Well, I guess I could probably share it with you.
If you promise to share with me---at least in thought?

Should I sever my striving for sticky sarcasm and shoot for the sweet sandwiches inStead?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Shared from Deb Pearlman's "Smitten Kitchen" Cookbook


Peanut Butter Cookie :

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature (let the butter from refrigerator sit on the counter for about an hour or so)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Peanut Butter Chocolate Filling:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate

Makes about 40 sandwiched cookies
To make the cookies:
1) Beat butter and peanut butter in a large bowl until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until combined. Add egg and beat until smooth.
2) In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt).
3) Add dry ingredients from step 2 to the wet ingredients from step 1 and beat on low speed until just incorporated.
4) Divide dough into 4 parts: the dough will be crumbly. Form a rectangular shaped log out of each cookie dough part and wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes until cookie dough firms up.
5) Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil.
6) Slice each log of cookie dough (after it’s been in the freezer for 30 minutes) into 1/4 inch thick slices. You can also roll dough out, but you have to work quickly.
7) Carefully place sliced cookies onto the prepared baking sheet (remember the dough is very crumbly). You don’t have to space them too far apart because these cookies won’t flatten or spread.
Bake for 10 minutes until lightly puffed and just a little bit golden brown at the edges.
8) Transfer to the cooling rack and cool completely before filling.
To make the filling:
1)Beat butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
2) Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until well combined.
3) Melt the chocolate and add it to the peanut butter mixture, beating until well incorporated, fluffy and spreadable.
4) Place about 1 teaspoon of chocolate frosting on top of a cookie and place a second cookie on top of the chocolate frosting. Press 2 cookies together. Repeat with the rest of cookies.
Eat. And think of me. 

A Month of Blogging 3/22 | Kelsey 2014 Senior

My first senior session for 2014 happened way back in June. (where did the summer go?! Eeek!)

 My mom's cousin's daughter (basically my second cousin?) asked me to capture her for her senior year, and I was thrilled!

It was a beautiful early summer evening, complete with mosquitos!

I loved using both the wheat field as well as her grandparent's barn and farm for our  location.

The golden hour lighting made for soft dreamy photos that portray her gorgeous blue eyes and stunning smile. 

We have discussed doing some more photos this fall, so you might be seeing more of her!

Kelsey, thanks for the opportunity to work together! I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Congratulations on your senior year!

The lighting on these was really fun to work with. Dark barn + shafts of light streaming through the cracks=awesome catchlights!

A Month of Blogging 2/22-What is it?

Day Two is  "Can you guess what this is?!"

Look at the photos below (the first four are the same thing just different angles),

and let me know what you think they are!

Also, check out the easy new Pinterest button by hovering over the image to repin.

(10/3 Addition----You have to comment with your ideas of the images!)

Blogtober 1/22-The Beginnning of an Adventure

Last week, I was reading a friend's blog post of her upcoming "Blogtober". This idea of blogging once a day, every week day, for the entire month of October spurred me on to do something similar. I love to read blogs that are frequently updated. Why can't I try to do the same? (I guess I'm good at procrastinating!). Actually, I have a very long list of reasons why (some relevant, some not!) I don't blog on a very regular basis.
A couple reasons are inconsistent internet, lack of specific ideas, and the goal to keep this strictly photographic.
I've decided to branch out a little bit in hopes that I can share different things about myself, as well as other topics such as spiritual insight and encouragement, recipes, ideas, quotes, stories, possible interviews, etc.
I don't have everything planned, but I'd like to try a giveaway too!
Will you join me on this adventure? Share with others, and let's have a fabulous month together!