Friday Photo Journal - Week 6

Hello my friends! I'm so thrilled that you've stopping in for Friday Photo Journal. I hope that you are enjoying this journey as much as I am! I take soooo many photos each week as I love capturing all those little serendipitous moments. This weekly snapshot is a fun way to look back on what we've done and keep a journal of our year. If you haven't joined in yet, I hope you do! I love connecting with each of you and seeing what my friends have been up to.

Here's our peek at last week:

By the way, this cute little template is from Bird Design.

 If you like it, check out all the other fun stuff they have in store.

Thanks for visiting! I love catching up on your news. Have a fantastic weekend friends :)

Also linking up here: Finding Serendipity, The Long Road to China

Me and My Shadow

Even though it makes me rather uncomfortable, I have been trying to get in front of the camera now and then. It is often said that we as moms are always snapping pics and recording memories, but we are often absent from those because we remain behind the camera. 

This is very true for me. How about you? 

 So, I am challenging myself, and you! to get into the frame at least once a month. I know that later in life I will be so glad that I did. Even a phone pic counts. 

Just get in the frame!

If I can do it, then you can too ;)

Here is one of my first efforts. I have not found a wireless remote that works with my D800, so this was shot by remote with my D5000 and the ISO cranked up (no excuses!)

 I tend to like the grainy film look though, so I don't mind the noise.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with these lovely ladies today:

 

Don't forget, tomorrow's Friday Photo Journal. Come by and link up your favorite shots of the week. You can grab the button in my sidebar.

Have a great day!

Your Best Weekly - Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

To be honest, I'm not the craftiest person that ever lived. I can appreciate the unique beauty in things that are handmade. And I adore them! But, I just don't have the patience required to create them. Although I do try to engage my kids in artistic endeavors, the mess and tedium of it seriously drives me batty.

 However, I love visiting my friend Gina's blog and she inspires me every time I do. I really wanted to participate in her new Wednesday link up, so I managed to bake some cookies this week...from scratch. As much as I love sweets, I have even gotten lazy with baking and often use a mix (sshh! Don't tell my mother).

Though it is fabulously delicious, I can make no claim to this recipe. I found it through another inspirational blogger,  Tiffany, of June Makes Six. She posted it last week and it motivated me to spend some time baking with my kiddos. So, while this is not a post about my own creativity, it is a post about creating something meaningful with my kids.

 I snapped a few shots with my iPhone as we baked. The kids loved helping and the memories we created were even sweeter than the cookies.

 To find the recipe for these tasty treats and Tiffany's drool-worthy images of her own batch, click here. 

WW- A Picnic in the Woods

Thanks for stopping in! 

Don't forget to join me for Friday Photo Journal! It's a simple new link up where you can share your images each week. You can share one image, a few anecdotes, or a photo for each day of the week. Whatever suits you. Just capture those precious memories and share your favorites in a post, then link your posts here on Fridays. Visit friends and encourage one another!

P52 - Week 5

Happy Monday friends! I'm busy today with homeschooling duties and chauffeuring to kids' activities, but I thought I'd take a moment to share a smile from my mini "tree-hugger." 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Linking up with these lovelies: Gina and Tamar.

I'm also participating in a P52 with Kim Young on Shutterbag's Facebook Page. 

 If you are on FB you should check it out too :)

Simple Things Sunday - Simply Sweet

 Happy Sunday friends! I'm linking up with Rebecca today for Simple Things Sunday. 

I took this shot of Little Miss the other day when my girls were playing dress up. When I uploaded it my jaw nearly dropped. She looks so much older! When I look at this image I see glimmers of her future. Somehow it reminds me of a high school yearbook photo, and it pains my heart to think about how quickly times passes. 

Hug your babies close today. They won't be babies for long.

Squeeze your loved ones tight. Life is precious.

Visit Rebecca's place for more Simple Things and lots of inspiration. 

If you haven't heard, I have a new meme this year. I'd love for you to come by Fridays and link up your favorite moments of the week for Friday Photo Journal. Grab the button in my side bar and come join the fun!