Sunday with Amy

Halloweeny treats- I love caramel apples but the stores charge sooooo much.
We decided to make our own, I do plain caramel with chocolate. But artistic daughter Amy wanted sprinkles, peanuts, graham cracker crumbs and a scary face! Almost as much fun to look at as to eat.
And some peanut butter ghosts complete with a pirate and a cyclops.

Glittery fun with the beginning of christmas crafts. Last year at closeout time I bought new ornaments in the colors of silver, bright green and blue and purple. So I need decorations to match. This banner will grace the entrance to the hall and most likely not hang so low since only Amy and I could walk under it if it hung like this! The overall photo doesn't show much so I took a close up of part of it. I love this!! 10/31 oh, it says deck the hall! (not halls because I miscounted-but I do only have one hall....

Next Sunday we will make something for over the mantel, so be sure to check back.

It's a good thing we decorate right after Thanksgiving...I can't wait!

TA-DA

The new reception room! A place for everything and everything in it's place.

There are even a few empty spots-amazing.

Here is the fireplace after DD finished putting up the finishing touches. I could do it, but she enjoys it so I let her have her fun. Pretty huh-makes me want to go take a walk in the fall leaves.

We are working a wedding on Saturday at a cute little church in Portland. The couple are really nice and so lovely together. Should be fun, I'll post a few snaps next week.

ttfn,k

1 AM!!

yep, it's 1 AM and I am online and surfing through blogs to see what people are up to.
I don't know why, just am. But I'm tired and should go back to bed.
I just realized that I haven't shown the office "after" pictures or the decorating that happened here on Sunday. I'll get to it later today for sure.
My daughter has had my car for 2 days and will have it again today. Weird, being home all day...
kinda had to get out last night. Destination-the grocery store, how lame is that?

We had our first no show last night. I had called the senior around 1 pm, oh that is 12 hours ago (ha). Anyway, he said he would be here. When he was an hour late DH called and the kid said he had been in a car accident but DH said it sounded like he was at a party. Oh, I was upset because we could have had someone else come for portraits. Someone like the student who has been canceled twice because of rain! Oh I feel better for talking about it. But am still bothered by it. I guess when you work with teenagers you have to expect something like this, but still....

Right now

Right now I feel settled. We are in a routine of taking portraits, proofing them, sending in orders, packaging and delivering them. But within all these moments of work I am glorifying in the sun shining and the leaves turning. I used to get stressed out during the "senior months" but that hasn't happened this year. Not having the house torn apart to make it a portrait studio probably helps, but I think more than ever that Gary and I are at a peaceful point. We are remembering to be connect as a couple. It makes a world of difference to me. He is also taking my suggestions for poses, etc. and not feeling like I am taking over his creativity. Maybe I am being nicer about how I make my suggestions too.

Our children are at a good place in their lives too. It is so cool to see them as adults making a living and being productive in the community. I shared the portraits we took of each of them with their loves. It is fun to see new lives beginning and relishing the 27 years I have had with Gary.

So just want to encourage you to look around at what you have and rejoice in the little things.
Don't let the election and economy get you down. Remember, no matter what happens you will still have those close to you to hang on to.

I wanna decorate

I wanna decorate my living room for the fall season. I picked these cuties in my backyard. They will look so great on my mantal with some leaves, etc.
But...we decided to redo the reception room this weekend. All the modular furniture we got at IKEA and I put it all together in the living room. So I have stacks of furniture pieces and empty boxes all over the place as you can see:

It will get better...I'm sure-...

What's for dinner?

This is what was for dinner tonight. Cost about $6-from the fridge I added a chicken breast, napa cabbage, carrots, celery, edamame and zucchini (from the garden!) Along with a spring roll (Costco freezer) it was a yummy din-din. They have other flavors too. We ate pretty well and still had enough for 2 lunches! I was amazed that the sauce in this stretched for all the veges.
I found it at Albertson's, but I bet it is in most grocery stores. Let me know if you try it...

A whole lotta stuff happening

A whole lotta prepping-for book club. I hosted book club this time, so we painted and fluffed. Amy made pretty flower arrangements and snacks were laid out and a pitcher of sangria was made.Pretty Janene of paperdoll-co...

the goodies on my new table....
A whole lotta baking was happening last Sunday. For an event at the afore mentioned paperdoll-co. Stop by the shop tonight for a cupcake and some fun shopping!

A box of finished beauties!
A whole lotta crafting in the cottage. I have been teaching sewing to a gal. Here is here first project-a book bag from a pillowcase.

A whole lotta planning. Vendor night at Skyview High last night-yeh, we were the second table in! This is the first display which we modified a bit.
Oh- I had to make eye contact with someone at just this moment...this is the new display.
Candy is always a good way to get people to come to the table! Our new books were a big draw too.

Don't Vote

Please watch this...but you have to watch the whole thing!

Seniors

A few of the portraits we have taken lately-

Dustin....

Kathryn....

Alicia....

Gretchen....

Candace....


Krysta....

Dillon....

We are taking part in a vendor fair at Skyview High tomorrow night. We hope it will help our business grow. We don't do any advertising other than letting the seniors at our church know of our services, so this may be a great thing. We have been getting a lot of students through the website. Gary created the site all by himself and his portraits are selling themselves!

Helping others

I am blessed in that I am able to work in our home business and therefore am available to help others as needs arise. This week has been very fulfilling in that respect. I was able to accompany my dad to the doctors office a few days ago. I have been concerned about his memory the last few years. His mom died of Alzheimers, so I have wanted to have him tested. But how do you tell your parent that? Well, as a result of his initial consultation, he is now set up to be tested. Scary, yes but comforting too. Yesterday I got a call at 6:30 am, yep-I was still in bed. My daughter had a bit of a health issue, so I was able to sit with her and take her to the doctor. He said she was probably okay but will run a few tests anyway. So glad I didn't have anything else scheduled. This week I will be helping a friend with her shop and doing some baking for an event at her store. This morning I am helping another friend out by keeping her son because of the late start for school. This afternoon I am teaching a craft class for the daughter of another friend.

It is so great to be able to be of service to others. It makes me feel like I am a useful part of the big universe. Not just filling my time until I go on to my next life.

We also took some portraits of Nick and Gabriele on Friday. Yesterday was their two year anniversary of dating. They are so cute together...

May God bless you this week with the love of a friend...