Playing in the Snow::Snowflake::December 30

This was a fun pic to take! I put a black piece of construction paper in the freezer to make it cold (so it wouldn't melt the snowflakes), then I took it outside, laid it on the ground, and got ready for snowflakes to land - there were light flurries going on. When one finally did land, I focused in with my macro lens and took a shot. (It took me over 100 shots to get this one - persistence pays! :) )

After I took this pic I wondered what would happen if someone held a magnifying lens and the other person took the pic...I think I might have to try that! With this picture, I cropped it a little bit; not a lot, but I don't think it would print out much bigger than a 4x6 before looking out of focus. I'd love to have the original picture have a BIG, in focus snowflake..... Looks like there is more playing with the snow in my near future. :)

This Moment::December 28

Delicious Pancake Recipe::December 25

I found this recipe from one of my old blog posts and decided to give it its own post, since it really is deserving of one.

Want a good recipe for pancakes that are yummy even without the syrup?

I'll give you the mix version to store, and then if you'd like to double it and put some away for later you can.

2 cups flour
2/3 cup of instant powdered milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup of sugar

Make as much as you'd like and store it in a sealed container, then when you are ready to make some pancakes take 3 cups of the dry mix and add to it these other ingredients:

1/4 cup oil
2 cups water
2 eggs

This will make thinner pancakes - I have a hard time cooking thicker pancakes all the way through w/o making the outside too cooked. If you want a thicker pancake, just use a little less water.

Happy eating!

Christmas 2012::December 25th

What Christmas morning looked like at our house:

I love those people! I'm so glad that we could all be together this year. Twelve people in our living room is getting to be a bit much though... We might have to move the festivities to the family room soon!

Josh, Karen, & Aiden, and Amber & Tino came to our house for Christmas Eve - eating dinner, singing Christmas carols and hymns, & reading the nativity story, then Amber and Tino went home; Josh, Karen, and Aiden slept over. This morning Amber and Tino came back at 6 a.m. for The Opening of the Gifts. (Note to self: next year, no earlier than 7! ;)

OH! This was a funny thing: While reading in Luke 2, Amber found the first smiley face. Take a look in verse 4.

After gift opening, I made pancakes and sausage. After that, I am not responsible for the empty calories consumed by all ;)

Then, Amber and Tino went to Tino's family's celebration. Josh, Karen, and Aiden went home, too; poor Karen was feeling very sick. Jared went to sleep to get ready for his graveyard shift tonight. And Bill went to rest, since he didn't sleep much during the night.

Which left Steve, Emily, Matt, Michael and me to play, eat, read, watch tv, and eventually I took a nap - passed out was more like it. Holy cow! 1 a.m. - 6 a.m. just wasn't enough sleep!

This picture pretty much sums up the day:

Content. Peaceful. And very sleepy. ;)

I hope that you had a Very Merry Christmas, with family love, lots of treats, and that certain something that you'd wished for.

Merry Christmas, my friends!

♥

Julia and Todd's Family Pics::December 17

I did a photoshoot 2 weeks ago for a super cute family. The boys were so cute and full of energy and it came through in their pics. :) The girls were so pretty and such a contrast to the boys; they were easy to shoot and seemed to belong in front of the camera. The mom and dad were awesome and easy going with the kids, which made the shoot a lot of fun. Julia, the mom, and I went to high school together, so we've known each other for years. It has been great re-connecting with her. :)

Take a look at this cute family:

Thanks for letting me get to know your family better by hanging out with you for a while & photographing your family, Julia and Todd! Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Aren't they adorable?! Such a fun family!

I hope that you have a wonderful day!