The Ham

No, I’m not talking about the holidays and the ham I spoiled.

I’m talking about my 10 year old, second born, nut.  Here’s his “I am a ham” photo.  I must admit after having a first born who will allow no photos I’m glad this one poses every time I take out the camera.

Here’s his serious “Mom, I must be a movie star” look.

A little out of focus on my part but I’m feeling the need to show my imperfections today.

The same day we were playing outside the kids grabbed my camera.  I found this on the CF card….

I’m thinking out of all the “out of focus” shots someone nailed focusing in on the end of this arrow.  It’s frightening close to baby girl’s feet don’t you think?

Time for a bath before the nerves take over.


MCP Project 52-Week 2

Illustrate a song is this week’s theme for MCP Project 52 Week 2

So here is mine…..

Gonna Fly Now (The Theme from Rocky)

Actions used:  Pioneer Woman’s Lovely and Ethereal and Jodi’s MCP Action Crystal Clear Web Resizing and Sharpening at about 50%


A Picture a Week….Now I Can Do That!

Jodi at MCP Actions is sponsoring PROJECT 52

Trust me, it rocks!!!  And so does she!!

There have been some “take a photo a day” happenings around the web but as a homeschooling mom of four that is a little overwhelming.  But one a week?  I can do that.  Go on over to her blog and check it out.  You can submit a photo in many different ways… Flickr, Facebook.

Here is my “last week’s assignment”…….Something around the house.  It’s my favorite water bottle.  You can get some of the colors (including the ones shown here) for under 7.00 on clearance at Target.  They are by far my FAV!!!  Spill proof, handy, a hook incorporated into the handle.  Just my favorite water bottle EVER.


Playing with MCP Actions

I’ve been playing with some of MCP Actions today.  I love them and wish I could afford more but for now I’m stuck with the freebies.  Thanks Jodi!!  You rock.

Go check out her website here and see what amazing things you can do with your photos.


Merry Christmas


Tamron Giveaway

There are so many giveaways and I found another at Southern Hospitality.  Her blog is awesome with so much decorating advice.  I’ve been trying to catch up on my blog reading over the holidays and was blessed to find her giving away a Tamron too!  Oh how I’d love to add this to my arsenal of lenses.

Go check her out!

Tell her Julie sent you!


Oh a give away!

Love those Tamron Lenses and Steamy Kitchen is giving one away to one lucky winner.  Plus she has a yummy zucchini recipe to boot!  Check her out by clicking on the link I just gave you for her blog.  And don’t forget to tell her Julie sent you!  This is from her blog:

Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Lens Giveaway

Alright, my lens-lovin friends! What I love about this lens is that it’s got the world’s largest zoom ratio of 15X zoom, which means the lens covers an angel of view equivalent to that of a 28mm wideangle to a 419mm ultra telephoto with just one lens.

This is a great travel and food lens – because you can take a panoramic shot of the beach as well as closeup shots like the zucchini (take a look at the 2nd shot of finished dish).

The Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Lens also has built-in vibration compensation – no tripod was used for the final shot, though I did use a tripod in the kitchen (I only have 2 hands!)

There’s a lens for Canon as well as Nikon and retails for $629, but there’s currently a $150 rebate so you can grab this baby for $479.


Not just a football family any more!

We’ve been a football family for a long time.  Whether it has been flag football or the thump of pads during fall football season, we’ve been a football family since my oldest two were able to play.

Football, football, football.

But just as having our fourth-born being born as a girl has changed our lives from trucks, bodily function noises and wrestling, she is changing the face of sports in our family too.

Today, without a single practice because we signed up late, baby girl (sniff, sniff) played her first soccer game.

She sweated.  She ran.  And she was a trooper in 98 degree weather.

She played as a team.  She overcame her shyness very quickly.  She’d never met her coach or any of her team mates.

She cheered her team on!

She waved at me from the game and grinned when she did well.

We bought pink and black cleats, pink shin guards and a pink and black bag for it all to go in.  She was so  proud…..her own bag of sports stuff!!

And while I missed the older boys game today there was one big brother there to support her!

I bought him a Frog Togg for the hot weather.  I think he’s in love!

It was so much fun to see her trying something new, being a little scared but overcoming that fear, and enjoying herself and her team.  She kept telling me she wanted to stay in the game to help her team win.  I think my heart broke a little.  What character God is developing in her.

And after the game?  The tunnel!!!  The best part for all the kids!

So you go baby girl.  Be all God has for you to be and love him and chase him with all your heart!

FOREVER….

LOVE, mom


Your best recipe?

My best-est friend (well, one of them – I have 5 – yep, I’m blessed!!) is having a little contest next week on her blog so I decided to answer her early.

I’m tired of the grumbling and fussing with dinner so from now on we’re eating these.

Found dead daily outside our house I think they will make a nutritious and protein filled meal.

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3

Example #4

I’m pretty certain after a couple rounds of these guys what I make for dinner will not be a problem!!!

It’s been a bad day, what can I say???


Macro Photography

I love Macro Photography.
I love sweeping watercolor painting that allow the view to see what they’d like to see in the picture.
I paint but am much better at detail painting than abstract.

So Macro really floats my boat.
I took this today in the yard and just happened to catch a little ant climbing on the flower.  It’s my favorite part of the picture.  What do you think?


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