Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I get by with a little help from my friends...

...On this last day of November, I am so grateful I am a kid at heart. You'd think I was a little nutty giggling when I shoot these shots of my little man! But I'm ok with that. Laughter keeps you young! I also want to thank my new blogger friend Geri over at My Heart Art
She wrote up the nicest piece about me and my blog...This is my way of thanking her!
Danbo was so excited when I told him he could help me photograph some chocolate covered pretzel sticks...
Uh...Danbo's idea of help is not exactly my idea!
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thankful...

...That's what I am!
Rounding out the month of Gratitude, and linking up with Kim's TT Kim Klassen cafe - .
* I figured this would be a wonderful time to thank all my new blogger friends & my on-line friends I've "met" through the years, for coming & visiting me here in my little piece of the blogging world.
* I'm thankful for every person & little thing I have in my life. It makes me giddy to think I'm married to the man of my dreams and have children who are thriving in this sometimes dog eat dog world.
* There are reasons beyond our knowing why we are sent along each others life's path~and I just wanted to say how very grateful I am that ours have crossed...truly.
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Monday, November 28, 2011

Candid....

...shot
So yesterday, one of the prompts for the Scavenger Hunt was CANDID. I don't like taking photos of people that I don't know & I'm not even comfortable taking photos of people I DO know! I mentioned yesterday that I'm not even graceful taking photos of people that aren't suppose to know I'm taking photos of them, but that is something I'm going to work on in 2012.
BUT...I really wanted to complete the set-sooooooo...yesterday, our family got together to celebrate my Mother-in-law's 80th birthday. I think I nailed "CANDID"-






My sister-in-law & niece totally engrossed in this little man...


























...I have NO idea what he was so passionate about...but I got it!

Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Sunday, November 27, 2011

SHS~11/27/11

What a wonderful, relaxing, family time week this has been. 4 days off certainly does wonders for a gal! Hope you all had some memorable moments with loved ones. So, for my Scavenger Hunt over Ashleys, Ramblings and Photos,
I have 4 of the 5 prompts~but the day isn't over... yet! I have a hard time w/CANDID. I have issues with taking photos of people I don't know-I don't like to!! lol AND-I'm not very graceful when I'm trying to take photos of people who aren't suppose to know I'm taking photos of them! The whole candid thing is something I've decided to work on in 2012. With that said, here are my interpretations for the week:


WAITING

I waited a long time to watch for this water drop to fall. A gust of wind finally did.












FOLIAGE

I love shooting on gray, wet days. Everything looks fresh and new.







KNIFE, FORK or SPOON

My silverware waiting to be set for Thanksgiving dinner.









RULES of THIRDS

Love this prompt. It is a very good rule to follow...but sometimes, rules are meant to be broken...I have to remember that when I shoot!
















CANDID-
yeah..this is the one that i'm going to work on....Maybe even today!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Afterglow...

...This was how I felt after our Turkey Day~all aglow! Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work but when your family walks away from the table smiling and "complaining" they couldn't eat another bite...is like sweet music to my ears & totally worth the effort! Oh happy day!

Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Peace...

...I'm grateful for the peace that Frankie & I have created around us as the world gets seemingly nuttier and more chaotic. We work as a team to keep things on an even keel. We see the rewards from our effort in Austin's success, for us as a loving couple, & as happy, easygoing individuals. Peace be with you and your family through this holiday season and Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours.
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

TT~Dream eDition...

Happy Tuesday!!
Continuing to share what I'm grateful for, today it's Time. I often complain I don't have enough of it & when I see open time, I try & use it wisely. Part of that time I'm thankful for is being able to steal a few moments and enjoy the abundance of wildlife that surrounds our home. I marvel at it on a daily basis.  My dream is to capture a perfect hummingbird in motion & I get pretty darn close! This is dedicated to Kim Klassen who talks a lot about dreams &she's got my imagination excited about possibilities. And thank you Bea-for always saying such nice things when I go into work about the photos I post...xo!



TT Recipes:
 Each photo has Florabella's Vintage Wash @100%
The 1st photo has KK's new MUSIC LOVIN' texture-set @Lighter Color 27%
& the Reverse TTV set to Lighten @ 35% with her amazing clone stamp inspiration.
The 2nd & 3rd photo have KK's Serious Magic on Screen mode @25% & the second layer is KK's Canvas Back also on Screen mode@ 100%
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly




Monday, November 21, 2011

I bought a new hat...

...I had to have me one...so I hunted
                       shopped, and waited until I found exactly what I wanted! (I never settle!)
They are all the rage here...
Why should all the young chicky-s have all the fun...
I say, hmmmfp! 
Us young-ish chicks want to have fun too!
I think i'm having my 2nd childhood!
I made my first diptych too.
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly


Sunday, November 20, 2011

SSH~11-20-11

This week has just flown by & my weekend just is jammed packed with getting ready for Thanksgiving at my house. I've got my menu all planned~I'll be precooking throughout the week so I'm not SO crazy come Thrusday!
Linking up with Ashley over at Ramblings and Photos for Scavenger Hunt Sunday. It was a fun week. I didn't get to one of the prompts...forgive me?
So without further ado...my interpretations for the week:


MAINLY ONE COLOR


















AROUND THE HOME




















I love my 7 man Circle of Friendship candle holder. It's always lit when friends visit.
















WRITING
Don't hate me...I've written and addressed my Holiday cards!
















WATER

Thursday I was filling up my pool in the late afternoon and when I saw how the sun was hitting the water I ran and grabbed my camera & was thrilled at what I captured.













Another WATER shot.



Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Is it soup yet?

Why, yes it is! As promised~drum roll please! The following photos are actually my first official food photos that I actually set up with bounced lighting & following tips from the book...
 Plate To Pixel at Amazon | Amazon.com
Because there's fresh thyme in the soup, I made fresh croutons by slicing fresh French bread, brushing with olive oil & added a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Bake in hot oven 350*-400*. Keep an eye on it, turn over until the bread looks like this...





























...get the picture? :-)

















Tada! Yup...it's soup!!
As a side note, the recipe calls for 2 TBSP dry sherry to deglaze. White Zinfandel works just as well-but 2 TBSP? Hah! I actually pour in enough to cover the bottom of the pot...THEN deglaze!
I'm a happy cook...a little for the soup...a little for the chef!



















And the cheese? Well it's freshly shredded Gruyere...and A LOT of it-Enough to cover your ramekin..and then some! Swiss works too...a combination of the two would be divine!
I throw a dash of red pepper on top of the cheese before I broil...Paprika  works too.
For the broth, I use the brand BETTER THAN BOUILLON
For me it's the most flavorful without being overly salty...salt can kill a dish.




















If you make this I'd love to hear from you. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Now...
...Pour a glass of your favorite wine, slice up some extra bread to soak up the soup and enjoy your evening!
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly





















French Onion Soup
Melt:
2 T. unsalted butter
2 T. olive oil

Add; Stir in:
8 cups red onions, sliced(4-5)
1 tsp brown sugar
1-2 tsp minced garlic

Stir in:
1 T. all-purpose flour

Deglaze with; Add:
2 T. dry sherry
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 t. Worcestershire
1 t. fresh thyme
1/2 t. paprika
1/2 t. sea salt
1/2 t. black pepper

Stir in; simmer
3 Cups chicken broth
3 Cups beef broth

Melt butter w/olive oil over medium heat in a stock pot.
Add the onions & stir to to coat (add more olive oil if you need to)
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar & garlic; continue cooking for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in flour: cook 2 minutes. (don't burn the flour)
Deglaze w/sherry, scraping up the bits on the bottom of the pot. Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, & seasonings. Stir in broth & bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Transfer soup to ramekins. Float cooled croutons on top of soup, fitting into ramekins. Cover croutons with cheese. Broil 4-6 inches from flame until cheese is bubbly. Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My Apologies...

...I had every intention of posting photos & the recipe for my Onion Soup today, but children come 1st, & Austin needs my laptop to do a rocketry presentation for his Civil Air Patrol meeting. So I apologize, & it WILL go up tomorrow...
I'm thankful I had an easy edit for this!




Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

TT~Phoebe eDition

Happiest of Tuesdays!
 Linking up with Kim Klassen cafe - home & continuing the theme of being thankful in November.
 Here in So Cal, we have tons of evergreens and dapples of leaves turning color but not nearly the splendid foliage changes that you all get on the East Coast. So while we do have trees losing their leaves & as flowers fall into slumber for the winter, I'm thankful for those little splashes of color that brighten up my front yard.
And be sure to come visit tomorrow...
I'll have photos and the recipe for that delicious Onion Soup from here~
 A good night for soup...! (shameless plug!)
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

Monday, November 14, 2011

Lost to the J...

Continuing with giving thanks in November...
Even though I lost my shirt & was stuck with the letter J in Scrabble, I'm thankful I was raised playing boardgames with my family & have passed the game playing gene on to my kids! And now that it's dark so early, several times through the week, Frankie & I will sit and play Scrabble. Nerdy? Perhaps to some...Spending precious time together...Priceless! There's always next time babe!!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

A good night for soup...

One of the reasons I love fall so much is because now I can make and eat soup! Kind of hard to think about eating soup when it's 100* out! But not today~Today is the perfect soup day-cold, dark, and rainy. On the menu tonight is French Onion Soup. And it tastes SO much better in these old fashioned ramekins...
They even come with lids...
Had me a blast at Trader Joe's today...





These wines came HIGHLY recommended!!!




















Can't forget the French bread!!! The Gruyere is shredded & waiting...
Yeah....it's a good night for soup!
There's a fun story that goes with the ramekins...
AND the soup is fabulous~fabulous & easy!
I'll post both in the next few days!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

Friday, November 11, 2011

11-11-11

The day wouldn't be complete without a shout out to all the vets who have served our country.
I have two VERY special Vets myself...
That's my dad on the left and my honey of a husband on the right. My dad proudly served 20 years in the Navy & we were lucky he never served on a carrier or was gone for months at a time. We were fortunate to live in some amazing countries. I've lived in Europe, The Philippines, Japan, and a couple of stateside tours thrown  into the mix. We've had our share of doing without but you know what? It made our family very appreciative of what we did have.
Frankie also proudly served 20+ years~1st as a helicopter pilot in the Army then flew F-4's in the U.S.A.F for 8 yrs then continued flying those beautiful birds to finish his 20 in the CA National Guard. Sadly those boys got their toys taken away in a conversion and were made to fly Tankers...that was a sad day but it was flying none the less. (Oh & can I just add how hot he looks in a flightsuit???!!)
Both my Dad and Frankie served with honor, pride and dignity and I  am very proud to be the daughter and wife of such exemplary men. Thank you. And thank you to all our vets. You deserve so much more than what our country has to offer at the moment. You are not forgotten.
Peace, Love & Gratitude,
Kelly

Thursday, November 10, 2011

November is a time...

...to be grateful.
November is the month to count our blessings-but I have to tell you, I really do that 365 days of the year. From the moment I get up, till I kiss my boys goodnight.

As winter quickly settles in...



















...and the last of the summer leaves have yet to fall...



















...and the sights and sounds of summer have quietly slipped away...


















...the newness of Spring...




















...is but a dream away.

I am grateful every day for the ability to share...
...with you.
Happy Snapping
xo
Kelly

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

(Texture Tuesday)The Number Two eDition


I just love minimalism. This is symbolic for me cause I don't let loose & go for what I want-it's scary for me-not even sure why-I have the ideas-I have the know how to start, I know you'll learn what you don't know along the way-but I always limit myself for what ever reason-I try, really I do and seeing some of the bloggers I follow & their infectious enthusiasm gives me hope yet! So thank you to all the sisters who go before me and help carve a path for me!
Used:
 Kim's SERIOUS MAGIC-screened@100%
 Florabella's Deep Azure-soft light @35%
 Kim's REVERSE TTV-difference@50%
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly

Sunday, November 6, 2011

SHS-11/6//11

Is it really Sunday already? I know it's because the holidays are FAST approaching that time is flying by at a faster rate-in fact...i'm sure of it! If you haven't already, go check out the fabulous interpretations of this weeks prompts over at Ramblings and Photos
With out further ado...here are mine:
FOOD

I chose to become Gluten free about 9 months ago-you'd be amazed at how far the industry has come. I found this spinach & cheese pizza that is so delicious, I can't wait for my lunch on the days I decide to eat one!


Look at that delicious crunchy crust...














PURPLE

Found these at Love Culture
yesterday...such fun.
















IN DISGUISE



I was in the mood to edit yesterday-Frankie gets these great wigs in China, so I was very happy to see this prompt!


This was a "Happy Accident" and I never, ever throw those away!





















SHAPES


This was originally my "Purple" until I found the polish-so I'm borrowing Ashley's term "stretch-a-holic" on this one...there are very clearly shapes in this photo!







Photographers Choice

This was fun-it sort of looked
 3-D & so I decided it was worth posting.


Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world!
Happy Snapping!
xo
Kelly