Okay then...

Some avid shopper can be happy about the economy...

"The Economy Sucks Sale"

I saw this and grabbed my phone. Too funny.

Family Photo Session

I did a family photo session with a family in my church. They have four beautiful girls who I just love. We had so much fun, tons of laughter and craziness. Definitely not your normal professional shoot since I am so close to them. I was able to say, "Knock it off" "Be quiet" "Pay attention" "Open your eyes!" "Look at me not at them!" lol. I'm sure a stranger would take it well if I told their kid, "Shut up and look at me!", something I probably should work on. =)

You can click on the images to enlarge. Feel free to give me feedback, I'm always looking for encouragement or to improve!

It's a Crazy World

Goodness! It's been over one week since I last posted. I haven't even been keeping up with my photo blog like I KNEW would happen.

Life is busy, I haven't had one free night this week. Monday we had ladies prayer at my house, so good! Tuesday we have community groups, at my home. Wednesday - It was my week to teach the kiddos at church. I had a mini breather on Thursday, got a much needed pedi and then had to pack for the weekend.

I'll be a little lonely the next week and 1/2. My sis is left for an adventurous trip and I am already feeling a little lonely... okay a lot lonely. =( But I'll survive.

::

What else? I am supposed to be on Weight Watchers but I.can't.get.motivated. Maybe tomorrow... but then again there is too much going on... (shame, shame, shame).

Since we're on the subject of food. I must share this recipe for the BEST stuffed mushrooms. You cannot get any easier than this. Look at the picture... drool a little and then make it yourself! You will love them.

RECIPE

Button mushrooms, cleaned with edge of stem cutoff and stems removed (and saved)

Filling:(approx)
8 oz Cream Cheese
2 tbs of bacon bits
2 tbs of green onion
2 tbs of chopped mushrooms stems
3 tbs of shredded cheddar cheese (I use sharp)

~Fill mushrooms and place on baking sheet. Cover (sort of smoosh down) with chedder cheese

~Put in oven at 375 for 10 minutes or until cheese is starting to brown on top.

~You can add anything else that you think you make it better - Onions, garlic, spices...

Get ready for a party for the buds!

::

Onto other news, I did my first family shoot on Saturday! I had some families at my church approach me about doing their family photos after seeing my cousins photos that I did for Christmas. I was so excited because, of course, I now had JW and we can really get some great shots with his help. (Reminder to self: stop referring to your camera as a "him".) I'll share some of the photos once I get the "ok" from the family.

::

Check out my photo blog for some shots around town during our rain storm - The Daily Photo

Weird Art

Some people view things so different. We live close to Ripley's Believe it or Not and as a kid/teenager my parents used to take us there whenever we had guest or someone new showed up in the area. At our Ripley's there is a wedding portrait made out of lint. Entirely of lint. Someone put those loads of laundry to good use. The same artist was recently featured in our newspaper. I couldn't figure out why they featured a picture of sushi on the front of the local page. After reading that she was a lint artist, I gasped and proceeded to show everyone that came by.

How would you like to receive this box of chocolates from your honey? One good thing, there truly is now fat here. Ha! Maybe just an asthma attack.

Another odd thing that is one of my favorites at Ripley is the Last Supper Portrait made completely of TOAST. I love it. Now they have tools ans such, but this was done long ago without tools, just a crazy mind. I wish I could find it and show you, but this will give you an idea... makes me want to try it.





So, next time your overloaded with wash, think about saving your lint. Better yet, find ways to see other things as art, such as your dogs hair, dust balls, cob webs, chewed gum and your kids boogers... you never know what they can form into.

My Sister My Friend

Happy Birthday SONIA!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. It's been almost nine years since I met her. It seems more like twenty.

Sonia is my best friend, one of the people that I have in my life that I would be lost without.

Sonia,
Have the best burfday ever! I'm so glad that Peter talked you into dating
him nine years ago, we would have a much less eventful life without you!

I love you!

Deb

Everlasting Place

The past couple of months I've filled myself with uplifting music about the greatness of God, His love, mercy, grace and care for me. The moment I get settled in at work each morning, I turn on my music - "Blessed in the City" "You're Grace is Enough" "From the Inside Out" "Mighty to Save" "I'd Rather Have Jesus"... this music rings in my ears all day long and gets me through the days. Sometimes I am so moved at my desk that I feel it bubbling inside me to the point that I just want to have some church right there!

I was listening to one of my playlist from long ago and heard the words from an old song by Nikki Leonti. I listened to this song over and over as a teenager. For some reason today it spoke to me and I heard things that I'd hadn't heard before. It became new and fresh and made my soul long for that Everlasting Place.

I can see beyond

The meadows and the fields

I can see forever

I can tell you now

That His love is real

And holding me together

And I won't tell you that

Life is always easy

But I've found better days

Waiting there for me

:::::

I can't count how many times I've seen dark days that seemed like they would never end. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. But it always, always came to end. God never left me there. There were always better days around the corner.

Don't you wanna come with me

To an everlasting place

No tears And no pain

Forever we'll remain

Forever in the arms of love

Sheltered in the wonders of

Such a beautiful place

It's an everlasting place

::::

When you're in the middle of the dark days, it's so easy to forget that it's all for a purpose. This is only temporary. One day soon those dark days will be over... forever. No tears and pain? Can you imagine that?

If it's hurting you

Choices that you've made

Regret is your companion

Just lift your eyes and pray

He'll receive you now

You are not abandoned

I don't care about

Things you used to do

Cause I see better days

Are waiting there for you

::::

One thing I choose to remember, no matter how far I fall, how far I drift, how much I ignore Him - He stand waiting with open arms. Ready to wipe away all the wrong and let me start new and fresh. What a loving God we have!

My soul has one goal. To see this Everlasting Place, to get everything I can out of the dark days and be forever with the One who picked me up more times than I could count.

My Sig

HisGirl had a fun party at her place for her 300th post! Of course, be the wonderful giving person that she is, she gave away a custom made signature to each person that left a comment. Thanks HisGirl!

The snazzy sig below....