perspective …

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any photo tips, hasn’t it?  I’m long overdue!  So I am sharing one of my favorites – perspective.  As in, change it, get a different one.   We often get stuck in a photographic rut.   Like taking all our photos at eye level and aiming the camera.  For example, we all have photos of family and friends all lined up and smiling.  They don’t all have to look like that.  Sit on the floor, stand on a chair, aim your camera in a whole different direction.  You may find you love the results. 

 Try looking at the world in a whole different way today.

 
Best,

Stephanie

gone camping …

Not really … but anyone who looks at my Pinterest boards knows I have a thing for campers.  I don’t do camping, but I am head over heels for those old, retro campers.  I don’t want to necessarily take it anywhere but my own back yard, but I love them.  Love.  So when my husband was going through some boxes in the garage, and found this little treasure from when he was a small boy, he gave it to me.

 

It’s an old Corgi toy, a camper.  Isn’t it precious? 

The door opens, and you can’t really tell from the photo, but there is a little kitchen, and a table in the back with a plant on it and some chairs.

And my favorite part?  The awning really works!  Love!!  

Depending on my mood, it is either on or in my desk at home.  Don’t you love boys who share their toys?

Best,
Stephanie

 

nook

By now, I’m sure you all know that I love my Kindle.  I mean, LOVE it.   But I do also own a Nook.  Which I rarely used.  Except for now. I recently learned that if you live in the US, you can borrow books from your public library for free, as long as you have a library card.   All without leaving home.   The borrowed book stays on your Nook for two weeks.  Not too bad, right?  And since I read anywhere between five and ten books a week, this one is sure to save me some money.  I finally downloaded the software to use this program this week, and I’ve already read three books for free.   So if you have a Nook, contact your local library to see if they participate in this program.   I think that e-readers are getting better and better. 

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Stephanie

stella & dot

 

You’ve probably heard a lot about Stella & Dot on line and in magazines lately.  On Sunday, I hosted a jewelry party for a girl in our neighborhood who just started selling it.  She had a pretty good sale.  And in exchange for hosting, I get a percentage of the sales in free jewelry.  Fun, right? 

If anyone is interested in their jewelry, take a look at the website – there is something for just about everyone.  And if you do want to order, drop me a note here, and I’ll tell you how to access “my party”.   

Thanks to everyone for their sweet comments on Sugar Magnolia.  She looks like a puppy, but she just turned five.   And for those who asked, she is a Maltese.  They are sweet, loyal and smart.  And yes, maybe a little bit spoiled.  But she is a very good girl too.

Have a great day!

Best,

Stephanie

 

our dog …

She’s little, cute and sweet.  We’re sort of crazy about her.

She hasn’t learned many commands.  She’ll sit, she’ll stay, she’ll come – but only if she wants to.  She rarely wants to. 

But one thing she loves to do is play peek-a-boo.  Yes, that’s right.  I can’t teach her to come, but she will play peek-a-boo. 

She is such a little ham, isn’t she?

Hope you all have a great week!

Best,

Stephanie

spring …

I don’t know if it was all the spring flowers I bought, (still keeping to my resolution of keeping flowers in the house),  the hydrangea cupcakes, or the groundhog keeping to its word, but we’re finally in the 50’s!  Woo hoo!  Tomorrow we’re hitting mid 60’s before it goes back down to the 40’s.  So it’s just a tease, but hey, go ahead and tease me.  I can tell spring is coming!

Spring sports are starting up here, which in our house means baseball, lacrosse and softball.   And running.  Lots of running.  And cheering.  As I say, it makes you busy, but it’s a good busy.

I’m surprised that I have, but I’m still watching American Idol.  And even though I don’t think he’s the best singer of the group, I still think Scotty is a cutie.   But there is some terrific talent, and after Wednesday’s show, I really don’t know who will win.  If you’re watching, who’s your favorite?

Lots of plans for a busy weekend coming up, though nothing really to blog about.   I hope I’m not boring you all to bits while I go about the working mom routine.  And thank you again to everyone’s well wishes for my grandmother.   We truly appreciate it. 

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Best,

Stephanie

 

more random thoughts …

1.   Is it still a random thought to go on and on once again about how busy it’s been?  Work, kids, board meetings, volunteer work, entertaining, my grandmother.  Phew!  So I’ve been a bad blogger.  But I’ve finally gotten half a moment to breathe, and here I am.  And I’m really looking forward to catching up on all your blogs.  I’ve missed you all and can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to. 

2.   Thanks and more thanks to everyone for their good wishes on my son’s birthday.  It means a lot that people took time out of their day to wish him well.   He read all of your comments (and he never  reads this blog!). You really made us both smile.

3.   Thanks too to everyone for their good wishes and prayers for my grandmother.  She is doing better, and being discharged from the hospital this morning.  She isn’t 100% but she is stable enough that she can go home.  Because of her age, my sisters and I have been there around the clock, taking shifts so that she was never alone.   

4.   I may be on another baking bender.  Forty-eight hydrangea cupcakes and one hydrangea cake, and two Oreo cakes this week, along with some home made peppermint patties and truffles.   All the hydrangeas may make you think it’s spring here.  Nope.  Not even close.  I do want to make the cake again. I didn’t have time to get the colors the way I wanted them as my guests were coming over shortly, so I left well enough alone.  

5.  Can I just say that the Oreo cake was delicious?  And super easy.   It is really rich chocolate.  The hydrangea cupcakes were devil’s food cake.  And the hydrangea cake was a three layer vanilla cake with butter cream frosting.   We have leftovers if anyone is hungry. 

5.  We’ve had people over a lot in the last week, and that makes the husband and kids be careful a bit more in picking up after themselves.   As long as I pick up after company pretty quickly, they tend to keep things together.  So I’ve been enjoying a full house and a clean house.  Which makes for a happy mom.  I fully plan on having people over constantly until it becomes second nature to them.  I hope our friends won’t mind.

I hope you have a great weekend.  I’m looking forward to catching up with all of you!

Best,

Stephanie

my guy …

I don’t often put up photos of my children.  (Once you see your baby’s face on someone else’s website, it does sort of creep you out!)  But I have to make an exception this time.  I really can’t believe how the years have flown.  It seems minutes ago that they put him in my arms for the first time.  Happy Birthday to the nicest kid it’s ever been my privilege to love.  You see that look?  He saves that one for me.  

Thanks to everyone keeping my grandmother in their prayers.  She’s still having a really hard time of it.  Your kindness and good wishes are so very much appreciated.

Best,

Stephanie

random thoughts …

1.  Still busy as can be here, on all fronts from work to home.   I think it is a definite fact of motherhood these days that the more we get into warmer weather, the more the kids’ schedules really ramp up.   It’s like “Ready, Set …. SPRING!”  And all of the sports and school functions that go along with it.  I just keep saying to myself: “It’s a good kind of busy.”

2.   My grandmother is suffering from a very bad cold.  And even though a cold isn’t normally a huge deal, she is in her hundreds, so it is for her.   Please keep a good thought for her.   Thanks.

3.   I tried the new Crest 2 hour whitening strips on Sunday.  It is about $50 for a pack, though I had a $10 off coupon, for a year’s worth of treatments.  I can’t say I like the feeling of the strips on my teeth for two hours, but I can say I’ve been grinning like a fool every time I get near a mirror.  They really do work!

4.    I’m not a huge fan of American Idol, but I have been watching with the kids this year.  Mostly because I really get a kick out of Steven Tyler’s reactions.  But can I tell you that the 13 year old girl that lives in my heart thinks that boy Scotty is so cute?     

5.   I heard a snippet of this song on a commercial, and I think it’s really sweet.   It’s a remake of “Don’t Fence Me In”.  I just checked the site, and the singer is offering a free download on his page:  Daniel.  Hope you enjoy it.  And maybe they’ll do a video of it, since this photo looks a little “police line-up” to me. 

See? I told you it was random.   Hope you’re all having a great week.

Best,

Stephanie