Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Stellar

I had to google that word before I could do this post...

I'm frustrated...and it is showing. I feel like I'm spreading myself too thin. I struggle between what I NEED to do and what my heart desires. Work vs. hobbies. I need to find an middle ground.

I want to be stellar at photography. NOW. But I suck. I feel like I'm really just not getting it and I'm frustrated because I want to be swimming in the sea of knowledge that is photography, but I don't have a minute to do it! AND I DEFINITELY DONT HAVE THE MONEY. I have about 5 spare minutes a day and then I waste it checking stupid FaceBook. What a black hole it is....and I DON'T EVEN SPEND THAT MUCH TIME ON IT!

Lately when I'm on the computer I feel A.D.D. Urgh, that's another post for another day...

I'm frustrated with myself. I am a jack of all trades but I'm not really GOOD at any one thing. So I try to do everything and end up with 10 yards of unused fabrics, tidbits, scrapbooking paper, unfinished projects out the wazoo.

But then reality hits and if this is my biggest complaint in life - awesome.

But I'm still frustrated. :)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

are you HER?

You know that woman? The one who loves to talk and rant and go on and on regardless of the fact that she has to see that you've obviously lost interest, are picking at your nails or have just said "uh-huh" for the 107th time in a row?

I think that she's the one who created blogging.

And sometimes I feel like I'm her.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Sa-weet!!!

Somehow I was able to dupe Adobe and get a 2nd free trial of Lightroom (photo editing software) woohoo!!! From what I remember 6 months ago I loved it but can I really fork out the $300 for it?! My sweet hubby got me Corel and it works but depsite hours of training I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. And my first Lightroom experience was dreamy. So I'll use my 30 day trial and start saving my pennies...maybe someday I'll get it.

In the meantime here are some pictures I took at my best friend's little sister's baby shower. It was fun! Nice time - no kids...need I say more? But somehow I was still ready for a nap afterwards. ??? Must have been the champagne punch and massive amounts of food. I can definitely see myself doing "party shoots" in the future but I'll have to get my "bossiness" confidence level up. So far I'm excellent at telling food to "hold still and smile" as you will see in the pics but people...I just feel like I'm intruding. Gotta get over that.

And not that these party pics are that great, but I do enjoy taking picures...that's all I'm saying. OH and hello, the main reason for me posting these pictures is to give some props to The Purple Pug who did the "S" centerpiece and cupcake toppers. Kristy does them herself and is unbelieveable. It just adds so much I think! She made some for my daughter's 4 birthday and now I'm just looking for excuses to use her! Check out her stuff - it's ridiculously awesome.

I'm battling a neck spasm (going on one full week) so I'll end and leave some pictures. Hopefully soon I'll have pictures of sweet baby Stella herself!!!! Her mommy has dutifully signed her up to be a free model for the "Kate cause."



Mommy-to-be...um hello...can you even tell she is pregnant here?

Sue (step-mother), Kate (mom-to-be), Sarah (my BFF), and Mother-in-law (I didn't catch her name!!!! )
Food - looks good, don't it!? Cupcakes made my the Cupcake Connisseur, Sarah Moss.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Just Avery....

Anybody seen my sunglasses?!

That's right - I'm a biker chick. Unca Dave I need a new bike - or at least a new paint job.


Bein' a fancy Nancy...

TY!!!! Come and get me! I want to be out there with you!!!!

Easter

Ahhh Easter. I love this holiday and all that it represents. If only Jesus' death and resurrection was the only part of this holiday. Oh no. Some money grubbing person out there had to add a bunny, chocolate, eggs...am I the only mom that feels overwhelmed by these holidays?

So much to do, to buy, am I buying too much? too little? I honestly try not to get too bogged down and buy into the hype. Anyway, that being said, my guilty admission is that I took more than half of the pre-filled eggs that Kendall got from her school egg hunt and set them aside so that I'd have less to do later.
So there.

Here are some pictures! We had a great day. Mike's family came over for a great beer can chicken, smothered green beans, salad, roll, baked twice potatoes. We've finally fixed up the backyard with some new landscaping and the girls are LOVING spending time out there. On Easter we had a little baseball game going.

Mmmm...I love to eat dirt and grass...and bubbles. Give me more of those bubbles! Who needs chocolate and jelly beans? Okay, just kidding - I love jelly beans too.

Kendall has been begging for an egg hunt for WEEKS. She even planned her own Easter Party about 3 different times. I think she loved it more than Christmas - seriously.

This is what happens with I put my camera on the manual setting - OVEREXPOSURE. Oh well! I was able to add edit in a little color...would have been a cuter photo with less light.
But she's still cute, ain't she?
This isn't the best picture of Kendall but I love it because of Avery. She just took off - as usual...
Batter up!
Aunt Becca playing catcher with Kendall's Fancy Nancy hat.

Stinky eggs

Dyeing eggs with Grandma Nancy (Mike's mom) and Aunt Becca (Mike's sister). Every year I forget how much the hard boiled eggs stink up my fridge. Blech...


Monday, April 5, 2010

Smothered Southern Green Beans

For a long time I have loved the green beans at Razzoo's cajun restaurant but I never knew what their proper name was (they weren't on the menu, they were just a veggie of the day) UNTIL we went to a new local cajun food place here in Katy called Orleans Seafood Kitchen which is REALLY good (I-10 and Westgreen). I saw on their menu "smothered green beans." So I googled it and finally came upon this recipe that I decided to try yesterday for Easter dinner. They were a hit! Not fat free by any means but really good. I found them on the blog Beverly's Back Porch and here is the recipe!

...side note - she added potatoes, but I did not.

Smothered Green Beans and Potatoes
6 servings

1/2 pound bacon, chopped
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups water
1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3/4 pound)

Fry the bacon in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until slightly crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

Add the flour to the fat in the pan and stirring constantly for 5 to 8 minutes, make a medium brown roux, the color of peanut butter.

Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, or until wilted. Add the salt, cayenne, black pepper, and water. Stir until the mixture is smooth and thick. Add the beans and potatoes. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Potatoes should be fork tender. Uncover and cook for about 3 minutes.

Fold in the reserved bacon and serve immediately.