~Our Family View From Us Two~

Randomosity: Bullet Points Post!

2012-02-12T18:26:00.001-05:00

Just because this picture made me insanely happy. :)

Having a rabid cat on your porch and finding that your county Animal Control is closed after 4 on Sundays is disconcerting to say the least.
Regardless what anyone says, skunk-smell from far away smells like marigolds or coffee and is therefore is one of those country smells that is ever-so-slightly comforting in a way. :)
Tootsie-rolls kind of taste like orange now and then..
Coca-cola may have a cooler logo, but at least Pepsi doesn't dry out your mouth. :)
Peacock feather earrings are utterly amazing.
Since November 38th (app.) I have written nearly 40,000 words of The Scarlet-Gypsy Song...it's coming together nicely!
Rabid cats are scary.
Swing Dancing would be so much fun to try.
You may have your chicken soup--I'll take Panera's broccoli-cheddar soup in a bread-bowl! :) *yum*
Ferdinand is a splendid name for a bull, and if ever I have one I'm naming him that.
It tickles your vanity and gives your warmth all over to hear your 5 year old sister vow that your stories are better than books and that they "shine like stars"...rather overly poetic, but sweet all the same! :D
Valentine's Day means the making of valentines...and the making of valentines means airing my annual heart-cutting skills.
I would like to sharpen the claws of my brain on a session of banter with a witty person sometime soon.
Little Dorrit....amazingness in toto. In toto? In toto.
Les Miserables...a book and a half [in length, at least] if ever I saw one.
I got an entry into my Valentine's contest that made me vewwy vewwy happy!

Oh yes! Check out our newest venture in the Blogging world: The Heffington Post--Sarah, The Gentleman from Virginia, and I are starting it up! :)

Coffeelicious! ;)

2012-02-11T12:27:00.000-05:00

One thing you may or may not know about me is that I love coffee! :D Last week I was looking around the web for new ideas and recipes to use coffee in and found this one. I made it one night for the whole family, and I believe it was a big success. :) I mean, seriously. Coffee, chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream all rolled into one steaming mug?! How much better can it get? ;) So, without further ado, here's the recipe:

Deutschland Black Forest
Ingredients:
6 oz hot coffee
2 tbs chocolate syrup
1 tbs maraschino cherry juice
Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings
Maraschino cherries

Preparation:
In a mug, mix coffee, syrup and cherry juice. Stir well then top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and cherries. Yep, it'll make you want to start speaking German and give you the urge to visit the German Alps! Serves 1 person, double or triple the recipe for more people.

I hope you all have a blessed weekend! :)
-Sarah

Humor Snobs?

2012-02-09T10:36:00.002-05:00

"Well now what's so funny?"

"You are, Max. Expensive but really funny."

-The Sound of Music

Sometimes I think our family is comprised of a group of humor snobs. We are a funny family. We laugh far too much when we get together. There are several lead humorists, several wits, and a whole group of other people to laugh at our jokes and witticisms. But Sarah and I have noticed a startling trend...

We don't laugh at things everyone else is laughing at...

Take the latest example: That Messy Mondays "7 Lies About Homeschoolers" video that has been circulating...I had no interest in watching it. Sarah watched it and laughed once. Everyone else in our circles and even not in our circles was dying of laughter. We smiled...mildly. Sometimes even Tim Hawkins over does it and we find ourselves tolerating the howls of laughter rising from the crowd....so what is up with that? We're starting to feel bad for our reluctance. You might say, "Well then, perhaps you don't have a sense of humor!"

But I would have to correct you. "Oh no, we just have an expensive sense of humor." We laugh often, but we laugh at what's really funny. When a person has real wit or real humor we are a pile of giggles. When it's original wit it's even better. And when it's original wit compiled with the knowledge of how to present the funny comment well, we die.

Not to slight anyone who liked the Messy Mondays fellow, but his video was based off of jokes and jibes I've heard since I was 4 years old. "Homeschoolers stay in their pajamas..." "Homeschoolers can't stand in lines..." we've heard it before, and it's just used up now. It's been touted among the masses of public-school neighborhood kids till you are just annoyed at their ignorance...and the fact that they think it's funny.

But it's not that we intentionally stick up our noses over "the common hoard." ;) Sarah and I actually feel bad that we don't find those sorts of things funny. It's a strange strange thing. :D

So what do we laugh at?

Randomness

Jostie Flicks

Uncle Billy's jokes in the Mitford Series

Dickens' characters

Accents (and good impressions of accents)

Wit. Real wit.

Bill Cosby

Each-other

Awkward moments

Characters (You know, those unforgettable people you meet in a store?)

Baby-laughter

Broadway songs

Misshaps

Comebacks

Witty Banter

And much much more. :)

What sorts of things do you laugh at? :)

In Which He Has A Birthday....

2012-02-07T19:13:00.000-05:00

Today is the 200th Birthday of one of my all time favorite authors........

That's right! Charles John Huffam Dickens was born on February 7th, 1812.

you've gotta love google's honorary doodle for the day ;)

He wrote so many wonderful books with incredibly creative plots and very colorful characters!

Oliver Twist

"Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people."

Great Expectations

"Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true."

Bleak House

"It is a pleasant thing to reflect upon, and furnishes a complete answer to those who contend for the gradual degeneration of the human species, that every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last."

A Christmas Carol

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

Nicholas Nickelby

"Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips."

Little Dorrit

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again."

Our Mutual Friend

"The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists."

*happy sigh* As you can see, he was a very quotable man, too. :) (I'm making myself want to go read one of these book right now!) Anyways, all of this to say....

Happy Birthday, Mr. Dickens!!!

Cue the "Awww!"s ;)

2012-02-03T23:35:00.000-05:00

So, I figured it was high time I gave you all an update on the handsome young fellas around here. ;)


Ain't he a happy baby?

See his little "teddy bear" ears! :)


Silly boy!


I love his expression in this one. :D


AWWW!!! <3


LOVE the ears!!!


He's such a sweetie!

Singin' in the Rain!

2012-02-02T13:50:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! It's rather a drab and rainy day around here, so to cheer us all up, I'm posting a bunch of funny/pretty/cute/smashing pictures with lines from a song to match! :) Ready?

"What a gorgeous ha! ha! ha! Situation ha! ha! ha! What a startling ha! ha! ha! Revelation ha! ha! ha! ha!"
~Charlotte Church's "The Laughing Song"

"...I'll buy me a brand new dress to wear, I'll scrub my neck, and I'll brush my hair, and start all over again!"
~ "Many a New Day" from Oklahoma!

"I love to walk in the rain! Look for me when it's stormy down some lazy lane--I'll be there..."
"I Love Walk in the Rain" by Shirley Temple

"..Does he send you yellow flowers when the sky is gray, oh hey-ey!He'll find some way to show you, a little bit every day! That's how you know, that's how you know he's your Love."

"That's how you know" from Enchanted

"Oh, the lady in red is fresh as a daisy when the town is in bed.
Dancing and dining and shining originality.
She's very proper
She's nothing more than a pal.
You'll never stop her
She'll be a dangerous gal."

"The Lady in Red" by Ricky Ricardo

"The pies and cakes/ a woman bakes/ can make a feller tell her/ that he loves her very much/ so never underestimate a woman's touch!"
"A Woman's Touch" from Calamity Jane

"I say, hey, I be gone today/ but I be back around the way/ seems like everywhere I go/ the more I see the less I know/ but I know one thing:/ I love you!""Say Hey" by Michael Franti

"Standin' on the corner watchin' all the girls go by...."
"Standin' on the Corner" by Dean Martin

"With my high-top collar/ and my high-top shoes/ and my hair piled high upon my head,/ I went to lose a jolly/ hour on the trolley/ and lost my heart instead!"

"The Trolley Song" by Judy Garland

"In the rain the pavement shines like silver,/ all the lights are misty in the river/ In the darkness the trees are full of starlight/ and all I see is him and me forever and forever..."
"On My Own" from Les Miserables

I hope you enjoyed it! Have a lovely lovely day! ~Rachel

P.S. all photos courtesy of pinterest.com

Oh Snap! Katie Edition

2012-01-31T19:47:00.000-05:00

Hey Katie! Thanks for being with us today.
Thanks for having me, Sarah! Nice idea!!

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?I really picked it up end of last year and started a photography blog in March.

What was your very first camera?
A power Shot A3100 IS Canon camera.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?
My Aunt and her awesome camera!! ;)

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)
Canon Rebel XT. EFS 18-55 lens. 50mm with macro. 35-135mm. I also have a macro extension tube and macro lenses I can screw on the lens itself.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?
I’m self-taught [up to 6 weeks ago.] I’ve just started photography classes.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)
Probably landscapes and artistic shots. I enjoy shooting “blind-shots” too.

Do you have any professional experience?
Nope. =)

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
Either by playing with my camera, from friends who have done it longer than I have, or my Aunt.

Do you, or have you sold your work?
No, just given when asked. =) But that is a possibility for the future.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)
Yeah, it is! =)….But here are 2:

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?
Artistic for the first one, I enjoy taking “interesting” shots. =) And the second, probably artistic/passionate.
I really like using a natural lighting, [for the lighting I do.]

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?
A few years.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P) ;)
CANON!!! =)

And the last one.....
Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)
I love photography because I love Christ! I love taking pictures of His creation and sharing them with others! Every time I take a picture of a flower, leaves, bugs, animals, you name it! I thanks God for the opportunity I had to snap a picture of His beautiful creation! God said, we were made to glorify Him! That’s one way I glorify Him….through the snap of a shutter!!

My name is Katie Wilson and I am 19. I’m the second oldest of 9 kids and the farm manager for Full Quiver Farm. I love the Lord with ALL my heart!! I love photography, as you know now! ;) Here are a few other things I enjoy…Volleyball!! =) Music/Guitar. Riding horses. Square dancing. =) Working with my Dad and brother, Will… and I have a few more! =) Thanks, Sarah for having me! I’ve enjoyed reading the others. Here is my blog for those who haven’t seen it! : http://mylifethroughthecanonlens.blogspot.com/
~Katie

Okay, cheerio til next time, you guys! :)

-Sarah

Oh, the fun to be had......

2012-01-28T09:54:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! This post is to notify you all about some fantastic things going on over at The Inkpen Authoress. :) Rachel's having a blog party!!! xD And to quote Eloise, "A party you're not part of? What fun is that?" ;)

The Blog Party

As part of this grand event, there is this really cool pair of fountain pen nib earrings,

that could be your's free of charge!

The Wonderful Giveaway

And what's a blog party without a contest? :) Click on the link below and check out all the info.

The Contest

So, there you go! Please make sure and check it out. :)

-Sarah

Oh Snap! Beth Nell Edition

2012-01-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

 
Hey Beth! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather?
It is my pleasure! This cold weather is great-but I am very much looking forward to spring time :)

 Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?

I was 9 when I got my first long narrow barbie camera...and I remember just loving the fact that I had my own camera and could take pictures that would be mine. It got lost one day and so I used disposable cameras, and many of then at that, until I was 16. I just loved the fact that I could push a button and have memories stored. Permanently! That love has just grown over the years.

What was your very first camera?

My first was the barbie camera and then I saved up for so long to get a digital point and shoot Pentacle camera :)

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?
Nobody really inspired me. Just the fact that there is so much freedom with what you can photograph and how you can do it has just always made me want to take pictures and capture memories.N

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)
Right now I shoot with a Nikon D90(praying for an upgrade :)) and a 50mm 1:8, 85mm 1:8, 18-105 mm and a zoom lens all Nikon brand. A Nikon Sb600 flash and other such things. But those are my primary things that I use.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?

Self taught. Though I have plenty of books and Dvds...I just prefer learning by experience and by being with others that are more knowledgeable.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)

People

Do you have any professional experience? 

Yes. 

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
Being around others who know what they are doing :) shadowing photographers and following photographers blogs! :)

Do you, or have you sold your work?

Yes, I have.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)
I currently don't have access to any of my photos and certainly not any of my absolute favorite, but here is one :)

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?

Someone who wants to learn to the best of my ability and glorify God with anything that I/my camera may produce.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?

Quite a few :) avidly since I was 16 so 4 years :)

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon?(or neither :P);)
Definitely Nikon :)

And the last one.....

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)
I love it because God has created so many beautiful subjects to be captured. And I love that I can bless others by giving them photographs that they want to keep and can use.

Hi, My name is Beth Lay.

Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains I live with my husband Brandon and our one cat and a donkey. I am striving to be a homemaker that glorifies my husband and my Heavenly Father while teaching violin and reaching out to neighbors. Photography is something I love to do and hope to explore more and more as the days go by.
Her Blog:

Her Photography Blog

:) Thanks so much, Beth!
-Sarah

Little Notes :)

2012-01-24T17:12:00.002-05:00

Dear Churchill, thanks a million for staying quiet last night!

I really needed the rest. :)

Your new sis

Dear Jack Frost, you've got an open invitation here in VA...just sayin'.

Come and stay as long as you'd like!

Very Warmly...

Dear Latin II, you're a very fun and challenging subject

and I have a feeling we'll be great chums.

Tu amo ;)

Dear crazily untuned piano, I've gotta say, you're pretty pathetic.:P

Quite Flatly...

Dear camera, *sigh* Where to begin? I apologize for my

desertion and promise I'll pick you up this week.

Your's til the shutter closes..

Dear Jo-Jo, I was a lonely alto today.... Missing you lots and hope to see you soon! ♥

Lots of Love!

Dear hair, you really vex me. Please grow a tad more before needing to be trimmed again,

or else you'll stay in a continual state of just-below-the-shoulderness.

Closely attached...

Dear Winter, Where are you? Why can't I find you?

Why have you gone a--wayyy? ;P

Ever Hopeful...

Dear Mail-lady, I'd love to get something interesting in the mail...

wanna put a good word in for me?

Thanks!

Dear Amazon Gift Card, you were a delightful surprise and

have given me a lot of possibilites! Fun, fun, fun! xD

Still shopping...

Dear Lemon-pepper chicken, I will fix you for dinner soon, I promise!

Continually Craving...

Dear January, you sped by like lightening! I've had bunches of fun with you

and hope to enjoy your last week just as much!

Time flew by...

Dear brain, I could use some inspiration just about now...please respond a.s.a.p.!

Densely...

Dear Abigail, thanks for the amazing weekend and the introduction to contra! :)

Pluffily...

~Sarah

{p.s. If you are a bit confused by the first letter, we have dubbed our new puppy Churchill Sherlock Lewis. C.S. Lewis. Goes by Churchill ;) }

Since a picture's worth a thousand words.....

2012-01-23T17:19:00.000-05:00

"Think Pink: A Better Way of Life"

2012-01-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

Because we could all use a little more pink in our lives!

(Singing "Defying Gravity", I'll warrant)

Isn't Gracie the cutest? :) [This is one of the tamer outfits she puts together. :P]

Oh Snap! Ampersand Photography edition

2012-01-17T19:04:00.001-05:00

Hey Sarah!(by the way, I love the name! ;) Thanks for being with us today.  

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?

It was very serendipitous, actually. I was out of highschool, working a part-time job, studying music theory, and praying about what to do with my life. Photography was kind of one of those “huh, I think I'd like to do that someday” things in the back of my mind, but I never seriously considered actually doing it, you know? But it was one of those things I just thought I might like to try. Not long after that I started what would be a three-year stint in full-time ministry. The desire to pursue photography consistently swelled inside of me, but whenever I had time to pursue it, I was broke, and whenever I had money I was working crazy hours and had no time. By the time those three years were up, I was 22, the desire had grown into a passion, which grew into a purpose, and I was determined to pursue it. So I bought a camera and dove in headfirst.

What was your very first camera?

I had some little point-and-shoot film camera when I was in high school… I think it was Fuji? I have no idea. My first "real" camera was a Canon 30D. 

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?

I love people, and I love communication, and photography seemed to be a very natural way to merge the two loves… and it's much more than a hobby for me. =) 

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)

Canon 5d Mk2, Canon 30D, Canon 20mm f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, Canon 85mm f/1.8, Canon 135mm f/2.0, Canon Speedlight 580EX II 

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?

Mostly self-taught, but I took some workshops through the Institute of Photographic Studies (IPS). If you're looking for a basic, "everything you need to know about photography" class, this is it!!! 

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)

Brides. 

Do you have any professional experience?

Yes, I'm starting my fourth year as a full-time, self-employed wedding photographer.  

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?

Watching other people and hearing them explain it. 

Do you, or have you sold your work?

Yes and yes. =) 

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?

None, actually. I would label myself as a professional. Photography is my job, not the thing I think about day in and day out. I think about marketing and to-do lists way more than I think about photographic techniques or cool things to try. And I'd always prefer sitting down with a person and talking heart-stuff over coffee over taking their portrait. Yes, I'm passionate about photography… but I'm more passionate about God and the Gospel. I'm more obsessed with doing well in business than I'm obsessed with photography in itself. I'm definitely a die-hard, but since it's the thing I do all the time and have to do all the time (or I won't have house, car, or food), I've grown past the "I want to be known as a photographer" stage, and I'm now in the "I don't want to be defined merely by my camera" stage. =) 

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?

I've been interested in it for about ten years, I have practiced it for five. 

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)

Canon. Alllll the way. =D 

And the last one..... 

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

Photography is all about seeing people as God sees them. I whole-heartedly believe that every single person is made in the image of God, and reflects a bit of His glory. When I look at a person through my camera lens, I have the precious opportunity to look at them they way that God looks at them, and to document that individual beauty that reflects His glory.  I shoot weddings because I love marriage, and I love marriage because I love Jesus Christ. I also love weddings because I love love, I find joy in contributing to other peoples' happiness, and because... well, I just like pretty things. 

Hi! My name is Sarah. I'm a portrait and wedding photographer in the Northern Virginia-ish area. I'm passionate about God, light, people, and love, and obsessed with just about anything pretty, or textured, or vintage. I love photography, and coffee, and meeting new people, and... lots of other things.

  Website // www.ampersandphoto.com

 Blog // www.ampersandphoto.blogspot.com

Facebook // www.facebook.com/Ampersand.Photo

Twitter // www.twitter.com/scdanaher

~Sarah 

The Little Things in life....

2012-01-14T18:03:00.001-05:00

Today I'm linking up with "The Little Things" photography challenge over at lucia,etc.

I was excited about this particular challenge, because first of all, if it has to do with photography, you can count me in! ;) Secondly, I really liked the subject.
There are so many beautiful, intricate, and wonderful things in God's creation that are easily passed by, just because of their size. Think about a dew-drop on a rose, a spider web, a baby's feet, or a snowflake. I am constantly in awe of the Lord's creativity in *every* piece of His handiwork! :) I can get so much joy from catching one of His little treasures; and you have to remember: They are everywhere! You've just got to notice them. :)

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Have a great Sunday, you all!
~Sarah

Nonsensical Girl! ;)

2012-01-13T09:44:00.000-05:00

Prepare yourselves for a very...interesting post. I [Rachel] have invited Sarah to take part in a strange sort of post. It'll start off like any other story, only we'll alternate writing sentences....almost like a madlib. I'll write a bit and then ask Sarah for a sentence or word, and her's will be given and written down without knowing anything that's already on the page. :) Black words are mine. Blue are Sarah's. Ready? :)

Once upon a time in a land not so very far away in a place not at all metallic for this sort of creature lived a....Echidna. It was uncommon for echidnas to live in The Forest of Never-Never because they were the favorite food of...Cabinets. Every evening the cabinets would tramp about holding their sabers in their earlobes and making terrible noises. The echidnas would hide, being careful to not make a "squish" lest the cabinets hear them.
But one Perforated evening in March, Edmund, the last and onliest echidna in the kingdom decided he had had Opaque. He crawled out of his bungalow, intent on killing all the Cabinets before he returned. He had nothing but the Cellos on his back, and a dangling spear that he had tied to his left fore-leg with a piece of parliament. Thus it was that Edmund sallied diagonally through the Forest of Never-Never to seek his revenge.
Near 5:45 Edmund reached the first of the Cabinets' hotels. There was no one about the place, save a noisy cabinet-sentry who appeared to have been drinking too deeply of the Barley-Juice. Edmund gathered himself and sprang at the sentry, knocking him backward into a puddle of tentacles. It was evident that the sentry was agitated. He would trouble Edmund no longer. Edmund flew through the chimney and alighted on the parlor sheet-music. Ah, so this is what the Cabinets did with all the diamonds they stole from the pantries of his people! Edmund ground his elbows in fury. He would leap every last cabinet on the place or die in the memory. But then, just as he had risen from the ground and taken his brass knuckles in his paw, a faint beep told him that he was discovered. And that, my dear hopes, was the end of this spotted warrior. Many Moons may Edmund-The-Spotted live on in our chins, and may we fort-nightly remember his blue quest.
The Purse

:D I love keeping people in the dark! Sarah was a prime subject, because I didn't even let her know the barest bones of the plot of this story. :D Oh my goodness! This turned out funnier than I thought it would. ~Rachel

P.s. It's twice as funny reading it aloud. :)

All I have to say is.....

2012-01-09T21:17:00.001-05:00

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xD

I am totally in love with our new design, beautifully done by Bree! Thank you so much for giving our blog a wonderful makeover! :) So what do you guys think of the new look? Please leave us a comment and let us know!

Hairstyle Tutorial: Free-fall Curls :)

2012-01-03T08:46:00.000-05:00

No matter what anyone says, I am still of the opinion that gently curling hair is one of the most beautiful ways to wear your hair down. It's so feminine and timeless.

Now, I know that most people are not endowed with this perfect sort of hair that is neither too kinky or stick-straight. I have never dealt with kinky hair so I'm afraid I can't help you sorts much, but I have developed a way for people with straighter hair to get curls without having to use curlers, or a curling iron. Bear with me. :)
Curling irons are terrible for your hair (not to mention a pain for anyone trying to do their hair independently) because they basically fry each strand of your hair. Now and then it isn't a problem, but if you are in the habit of frequently using a curling iron your hair will end up frizzled. Yeah. Not so much.
So here's how to get soft, gentle curls:

Start with clean, slightly damp hair. (Not too damp, or else you'll have to have it up for much longer.) Beginning with medium-sized strands of your hair, wind them around your fingers and into coils (rather like a curler-shape), then pin down. You can pin them flat or leave them standing up. If you do this step neatly, you can achieve this sort of look:
I love this method of curling my hair because it is perfect for wearing throughout the day. If I put it up in the morning, I wear it through the afternoon, and then if I'm going out in the evening I let down the coils and voila! We have lovely, soft curls! :)

There are no tangles or curlers-getting-stuck using this method, and it is fairly easy to do on oneself. Here are two pictures of the process. (Pardon the lighting--the camera battery was dying and I didn't have time to be choosey.) You can spray your hair after you let it down if you'd like. :)

Tips about this style:

Tip One: The longer you leave the coils up, the tighter the curls are.
Tip Two: This style is a great base for some of the historical styles I've shown you how to do.

I hope you enjoyed this hairstyle tutorial! :) ~Rachel

A Happy-ish New-Years-ish sort of Post

2012-01-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

First let me say....

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!!!

I am still trying to grasp the fact that the holidays are over!! :P But either way, we are officially in 2012 now. So, that brings up an interesting subject....what are you calling it? Are you going with the more traditional, "Two-thousand and twelve" or the trendy, "Twenty-Twelve"? :) I have a feeling I'll be using the latter.....but we'll see! I hope you all had a great New Years' Eve, complete with family, friends, games, snacks, sparklers, and fun!:)

You can't truly bring in the new year without Sparklers!!! Right? :)


Bop-it is a great game to play in a group setting!!! :)

Oh, and I really hope all of you were sports and stayed up til Midnight at least. ;) I, for one, didn't go to bed til 2:00! :P


the ball! We do like to see it go down, but have found through the years that it's best to turn the TV on at the 1 minute mark, and turn it off as soon as the count-down's done! :P

How many of you have made any resolutions, goals, or the like for this brand new year? In our family we pick a few goals for the year---and we try to categorize them either physical, spiritual, or I guess you'd call it "intellectual". (any sort of skill, project, educational type thing would go into this one)

Anyways, have a great night, and we'll see you guys later.

~Sarah

*WOOOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!* Bye-bye 2011!!!!!

Ring out the Old...? :[

2011-12-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I hope all of you are enjoying your after-Christmas break! This is the one week of the year when our entire family is "off", and we don't have to worry about working in our businesses or doing school or anything of that necessary nature. :) Although it is a habit peculiar of our family to fill up our time with projects--among those looming on the deep, dark, horizon is the cleaning out of our garage. Ahem-ahem-ahem. It is our yearly nemesis, and one I balk against with all the force of a villain being pulled to the gallows. :D
It is so very hard for me to believe that 2011 is pretty much history. I am still puzzling over how in tarnation it could have been a whole 12-month!?! Life was packed to the brim with things this year--so many I hadn't the time to count months and weeks and things so I was genuinely surprised to find myself already at Christmas, having not felt the usual length of the year...maybe it's part of growing up? However it is, I am still unaccustomed to the idea that 2011 is going away.
I don't usually like years with odd numbers, but 2011 went right along with left-hands, cool temperatures, and the color blue! (Ask me about that sometime--it's a strange preference) I'll be sort of sad to see it go, especially since I think I'll start saying Twenty-twelve....all year I've been "old-fashioned" and said "Two-Thousand-Eleven". :] Oh well! :D
Do you have any plans for New Year's? We have an end of the year Generation Joshua open-house party in our area that The Gentleman From Virginia's band (including The Oldest of Many) will be playing for. (In case you hadn't heard, they are pretty great and their band is called "Paid in Full".) :) Then, of course, the next day (New Year's Eve) we will be staying up till midnight. I haven't heard if we are doing anything extraordinary for that...I hope so! :D
Anyway, I hope you are enjoying this holiday week. And how do you like our background? :)

~Rachel

P.S. On a random sort of New-Year's-Fireworks note, I love Sparklers....

Wait. Not that kind. ;)

This kind. I feel dangerous and daring and..sparkly. :)

Christmas Day!

2011-12-25T15:51:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas. I pray that all of you are having as blessed of a day as I've had so far. ;) And I hope that this year you really and deeply understand the awesome Gift that was given to you by your Papa. :) Please take some time out of your day to think on these words....

"O, Holy Night"

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Luke 2: 10-14

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Matthew 1: 23

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”which is translated,

“God with us.”

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

We both wish you a *very* blessed Christmas!!!

~Sarah and Rachel

"Fashionably Late, as usual."

2011-12-22T19:31:00.000-05:00

It is a tradition for our family to be late.

Not by choice, per se, nor by design, but by Natural Talent. It's a gift, really, ;) By late, I don't always mean too late, nor do I mean terribly late. Haven't you all ever heard of a dear little habit called fashionably late?

The sort of late that causes you to come through the door into a party after everyone else has arrived so that you are immediately the center of attention. The kind of late that gives you a breathless, wind-blown, "Oh haven't I been having fun!" sort of color in your cheeks. The sort of late that is no one can blame you for and no one can criticize. ;)
I am in jest. But sometimes I do like being just the teensiest bit late for beginning things. Christmas shopping for instance. It is a Holiday Law for Daniel to do his shopping no earlier than three days before Christmas, and it is an equally important Holiday Law that I go with him to be his conscience.

Daniel: "Do you really think I should get this?"
Me: "Get it."
Daniel: "But will she like it?"
Me: "Of course."
Daniel: "But is it too expensive?"
Me: "Are you kidding? It's the best price I've seen all season!" etc.

We have rather a lot of fun, my gentleman and I, and it would not be at all the same to go out, say, December 6th. There would be no jolly rush, no peppermint-chocolate-and-sparkles feel to the air, no half-jesting fear that the shopping won't get done. No. One must be late for this sort of excursion.
There is also invariably a little dilemma known by some as a Simple Matter of Mathematics. It goes thus:
"Susie, how is fifteen dollars to be divided between gifts for four people without any sacrifice of quality or taste?"
Ahem. I may not be at all bright when it comes to General Math, but I am quite proficient in this art. The solution is solved in this fashion:

You are determined. You winkle your way through your wallet counting and counting and counting your money (including pennies) to be sure it was Fifteen and not Fifty instead, which would solve everything immediately. Having assured yourself that it was Fifteen after all, you begin to scour your memory as to how much of certain gift-cards you have already spent. If there is a spare 3 dollars and change on a gift-card,that store is immediately your destination, as even that paltry amount would nearly double (for one person at least) the current balance. You get in the store and debate over various items, find a long-forgotten coupon which happens to still be good, buy the item for much less than you had hoped, previously, and suddenly one person is checked off the list.

Repeat as many times as desired until your shopping is done.

Yes. I am rather a mathematician.

~Rachel

Spreading Oodles of Holiday Cheer :)

2011-12-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning to the ground covered in a thick, white, layer of....

Frost. :)

We are timidly remembering that by this time last year we had had one very large snowstorm and another one coming up right on Christmas....this year? Let's just say it was almost 70 degrees till a week ago. Truly, I can sing with a boy I used to know:

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....just like the ones we never have!!!" ;)

So what's a girl to do when the weather outside is positively sweaty, yet Christmas is bloomin' in her heart? Let me name just a few things...

We can bake gingerbread men by the dozen and sigh over how darned cute they are...

We can drink gobs of hot chocolate and fish the last chunks of marshmallows out with our fingers... :)

We can sing "Jingle-Bell Rock" at the top of our lungs and dance around the living room in a manner that would astonish and delight you. ;)

We can wrap Christmas presents and pile them under the tree yelling, "Don't squeeze yours!!!" at the top of our lungs to anyone in hearing.

We can walk in and out of the front door just to smell the greenery...

We can lick our candy-canes into sharp points and have mock duels with them until they break and we have to eat them...

We can all wear Santa-hats and run around the house yelling "Mewwy Cwissmas!" at gale-force volume...


(crazy girl!)

We can wear diminutive wreaths on our head and wander around the house looking angelic and saintly and altogether useless. ;)

We can re-read A Christmas Carol and scare ourselves deliciously, knowing there's a smashingly happy ending by the last page...

We can sip egg-nog and try to like it...

We can stand outside on the frostiest of nights when the stars are just pin-pricks and our breath hangs white on the air, and hum "Carol of the Bells" to nobody in particular.

We can mull cider and try not to swallow the cloves as we drink it...

We can fling Christmas Cheer to everyone we meet, even if that everyone is limited to our cat...

We can watch Eloise at Christmastime and half-way wish were 6 years old and living at the Plaza Hotel...

Did I mention that my sister, Gracie *is* Eloise? I mean, a real Eloise. :)

Yes. All these things and lots more are do-able, even if there isn't any snow on the ground. After all, we Virginians are well-versed in combined New England Christmas charm with Floridian temperatures. :P

~Rachel

Oh Snap! Lucia Edition

2011-12-17T15:11:00.000-05:00

 In this installment I'm interviewing Lucia!! :) I love how (even though up til just recently she hasn't had real nice equipment) she uses the resources God's given her to express herself beautifully through the pictures she snaps. :)

 How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?
I have always loved taking pictures, but I think 2009 was the year I really took an interest in creative shots, enhancing my photography skills, learning new techniques, etc.

What was your very first camera?
I always used whichever one our family had at the time--just little point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix, Sony Cybershots, and so on.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?
I guess I just discovered how much fun taking photos was! Also, when I was younger, my friends and I would do "photo-shoots" with each other every time we saw eachother (which resulted in a ton of photos of us,but lots of pre-photographer experience!).

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)
In 2010 I decided I really, really needed to get my own camera, but decided since I would be spending over $100 anyways on a
point-and-shoot, I might as well save up for a DSLR.  This last week, I JUST received my first ever DSLR camera--a Nikon D3100. <3 It came with an 18-55 mm lens, which I have been using--I hope to save up for a 55-mm lens and a 35-mm soon. :) I am mainly just using what came in the box! :)

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?
I have taken a 4-H photography class for one year, which has really been helpful. We meet once a month, and our teacher gives us assignments and such, so it has been fun to learn and try to be creative while getting better at photography. Other than that, I have just been learning from other photographers' work, and scouting about for inspiration. :)

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles,
artistic shots, candid moments,etc)
I adore taking pictures of people, so--portraits. :)

Do you have any professional experience?
Nope, not yet, but I hope to someday--my dream is to become a Wedding photographer. <3

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
As I mentioned above, I love looking at other peoples' work online, or anywhere, and gaining inspiration from their ideas. Also, I have been scouring my camera's user manual, learning in my photo class, and looking up ideas on-line!

Do you, or have you sold your work?
No, I haven't.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)

"Orange Blossom Special"

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as:Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a
photo-holic, or a die-hard?
Can I say "all of the above?" ;)

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? 

Around two, if we're talking "really" into it.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)
I have a Nikon, so...*Nikon.* ;) But, I have heard Canons are just as good, so I can't really be the judge. :)

And the last one.....

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)
I love photography because it enables me to cultivate my creative

side, prosper in something fun and stimulating, while at the same time exult in God's creation of people, places, and things. I do it because I love it.

Lucia is a small town girl with a passion for words, music, photos, and laughter. She loves to share her thoughts with the world in the hope that she will inspire, encourage, and amuse. Lucia lives for Jesus and is keeping her eyes on Him.
You can learn more about her, and check out her photography at her blog, lucia,etc . :)

Thanks a million, Lucia! :)
~Sarah

Jesus, welcome to our World...

2011-12-15T19:06:00.001-05:00

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long awaited Holy Stranger
Make yourself at home
Please make yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

"Welcome to our World" by Michael W. Smith

How often is it that we stop to think of the whole picture of the Christmas story? I like to let my imagination wander through the story, waiting with the the shepherds on the hill-side to see their reaction to the angels, peeping through the kitchen window as Gabriel tells Mary she is carrying the Christ-child, following behind the young couple as they walk the weary miles to Bethleham...and then on from there. To the stable, to the temple when Jesus is twelve, to the many many incidents where He spoke to the multitudes of people and performed miracles...to Calvary. And to victory. To His ascent into Heaven, and to the hope He has given us.
It's a triumphant tale that never can grow old if we pull it out of the dusty pages of antiquated Bible-picture-books and see it as it is: A story that has not ended. A story we are living. A story that is full of adventure and intrigue, emotion, war, famine, peril, and then sweet victory at the end.
That's the Christmas story I like to think about, and then retract my imagination as quickly as I let it run away and focus in on the stable. On Mary, holding her sweet baby in her arms for the first time. Of the angels singing for pure joy and exultation on the Bethlehem hillside. It's just such a beautiful, timeless truth, and it gives me chills every time I think on it in this fashion.
I can't understand it. I can't understand God's perfect love for me, that He'd send His one and only son, Jesus, to live a life here on earth, become my sin, die for me (personally!)....just because He loves me. And then He rose again, more triumphant and powerful and splendidly beautiful then before...and He calls me to Him.

"Come, my child. I love you. I want you. I gave my life for you. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Come to me, love."

This is what I'm celebrating this Christmas. Thank you, sweet Jesus! ~Rachel

Layered Peppermint Bark

2011-12-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hello! Here's a very holiday-ish recipe for one of our favorite Christmas candies! We made this for the first time a few years ago, and it's turned into an annual tradition. :) You can make it as a fun treat for your family or you could put some in a pretty box or tin and use it as a gift for a dear friend. :)

Layered Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

1 lb. white chocolate (either chips or bar)

1 lb. semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

2 tsp. peppermint extract

crushed candy canes

Okay, so this recipe couldn't be simpler. :) I have made quite a lot of this candy and have kinda modified several recipes to the results I like.

First of all, let me give you a very helpful equivalent to keep in the back of your head:

1 cup of chocolate chips = 6 oz.

I was constantly having to go use those equivalent calculators, until I read this recently.

1. Melt your dark chocolate in a double-boiler. (or if you don't have one, you can be like me and make your own. Simply take a medium sized pot, fill it with water and set your smaller pot (the one the chocolate will go in) in there when it's boiling.

Tip #2. We've been making Peppermint Bark for our Coastal orders for the past few weeks. Several times as I was melting my chocolate (for some reason it's only happened with the white chocolate..) it wouldn't melt down well, and would get terribly grainy. So, after it happened again today, I Google searched my issue. And guess what? Apparently it's common enough in candy-making. When that happens they say the chocolate has "seized". It's caused by the chocolate coming in contact with water. Which makes complete sense, because I'm using a double-boiler and I'm sure I've had a few splashes make it into the pot before.

2. Once the chocolate's melted, add in 1 tsp. of peppermint extract. Stir it in well, but you don't want the alcohol evaporating, so try not to keep it on the heat for too long.

3.Then get a cookie sheet and put parchment paper on it. Spread the chocolate out evenly all over the pan. Stick in the freezer for a couple minutes to let it set.

4. Do Step 1 and 2 with the white chocolate, this time spreading it on top of the dark chocolate layer.

5. Sprinkle on the peppermint candy pieces and stick the tray in either the freezer or fridge.

6. Once the chocolate's set, remove from freezer and here's the fun part. Take a hammer and brake up your peppermint bark into whatever size pieces you'd like! =D (if you don't wanna risk the hammer ordeal, just brake it by hand. ;)

Since this candy is so quick to make, I always seems to forget to take pictures of the process. :P But here are some of the final product! :)

Mmmm.....doesn't it look scrumptious??!! ;)

Until Later,

Sarah

Oh Snap! Bethany King Edition

2011-12-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

 Today I'm interviewing Miss Bethany King from Bethany King Photography. :)

Hey Bethany! Thanks for being with us today.

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?

I became interested in photography as a teenager. In high school and college, I was always the one with the camera taking embarrassing pictures. When I was a child I spent hours and hours looking at my parents' old albums, and I think that's what really inspired me to do the same. I love to print out my photos and put them in albums, and I have so many albums from all stages of my life, with every sort of embarrassing haircut and fashion faux pas from the last twenty years or so. My one regret is not writing down everyone's name in the pictures--you'd be surprised at how quickly you forget people's names. 

What was your very first camera?

Hmm, my very first camera? I think I had a Fisher Price camera as a child! I remember that it was blue, long and skinny. Does that count?  

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?

My husband was my main inspiration-he really encouraged me to pursue photography as a career and follow my passion. He believed in me even when I didn't. My two kids, Miles and Stella, are also a major source of inspiration for me.  

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)

 I shoot with a Canon 7d. I try to use natural light when possible, but I do have a Vivitar flash with a Gary Fong LightSphere that I use in low light conditions. I mainly use a 28-135mm lens and a 50mm lens. I also have an older Konica Minotla 5d body that I use as my "back-up" camera. I've got a few lenses for that body, but my current favorite is the Lensbaby 2.0, which produces dreamy, soft focus photos. 

 Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?

A little bit of both. I am mainly self-taught, but I have taken some classes to learn the basics. I took my first photography class in college.While I feel that experience is the best way to learn, and just lots of practice, classes helped me to better understand my camera. My latest challenge is to master studio lighting-I'm trying to teach myself using the internet, books and practice.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)

I love shooting people! Kids are so fun and make great subjects, but they are also quite the challenge. My kids are probably the most difficult subjects because they are so sick of me sticking my camera in their faces. My ideal portrait session is with someone who is creative and flexible, who is willing to try out my whacky ideas and who has a few whacky ideas of their own.

 Do you have any professional experience?

Yes! A few years ago I decided to start my own photography business. I launched Bethany King Photography in 2009, after my family and friends convinced me that I was talented enough to make something of my photography hobby. I shoot kids, families, couples, singles, weddings, engagements, bar mitvzahs...I'm up for anything. 
  What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?

The internet is my favorite way to get new information, for sure. I follow a few very talented photographers online, and I am always getting new ideas and inspiration from them. I also have photographer friends that I share tips and techniques with.   

Do you, or have you sold your work?

Yep! I sell my work via my business, Bethany King Photography. I sell prints, canvas wraps, cards, albums, etc. However, as a photographer in a time when digital images are so prevalent, I try to focus on selling my time and and creative energy rather than paper or prints. Sure, people may want prints for their walls at home, but they also want to be able to post their shots to facebook, on their blogs, or send to their families in an email. My business model is a little different than other photographers in that I have a slightly higher session fee, but you get all of your high-resolution images after the session and you are free to do whatever you want with them (except sell them). I really think that this is what people want with their photos. I'm not going to charge you $200 for an 8x10 print.  

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)

That is tough! Here is one of my favorites from a recent engagement session that I did. This was shot at Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C. 

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be,
obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?

Definitely artistic!  

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?

For as long as I can remember! But I really became passionate about it about 5 years ago.   

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)

Canon for the win! 

And the last one..... 

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :) 

At the risk of sounding like a cliche, I use my photography as my artistic outlet, and as my way to be creative. 

 Bethany King is a photographer from Northern Virginia. Bethany lives with her two kids and husband in Falls Church, VA. She is left-handed, loves ice cream and chocolate, and hates ice, celery and carrots. She once had a pot-bellied pig named Hercules as a pet. Check out her website at Bethany King Photography or like her on Facebook at here.

Wow! This was so much fun! Thanks for taking time to do this with me, Bethany. :)

~Sarah

p.s. Coming up: Layered Peppermint Bark Recipe and Pictures!! :D

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

2011-12-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

Shocking. Absolutely unacceptable! December 12 and nary a post about Christmas yet on this blog! I will admit to having been a lazy-bones in posting on this blog. It started with good intentions: Give y'all some of Sarah in stead of me for a change, but then I ditched you. Sorry, chaps! So gird yourself up and get ready for some fabulous posts from now till Christmas. We'll be having posts about our Christmas traditions, music, recipes, pictures, and much more to make up for our negligence beforehand. :)

This post is about our Christmas tree. The more Christmas trees I see, the more I realize that ours is a little different--we know some families who have themed trees--all silver and gold or blue and white. Some families swear by the parents decorating the tree. Some families have bought their ornaments at one time and keep buying new ones each year.

Our Christmas tree, somehow, is not like any of these.

The bottom limbs are always sagging from too many ornaments hung there by the littlest people. Our ornaments have no rhyme nor reason to them--the collection has grown with each child in the family. We haven't a color scheme at all--there's everything from gold to purple to turquoise to copper. But I think it's beautiful. The ornaments are not just decorations--they are memories, and practically part of the family. There are some things that hold honored court with the tree branches this year that have hung there every year since I was a wee little thing myself. I can remember peeping into the depths of the tree to see my favorite ornaments illuminated by the colorful Christmas lights...inhaling the clean, wintry scent of fir, and feeling that somehow everything was right in the world. You know what? It's still that way. If I just get close enough to the tree, bend low enough to look at it as I did when I was a child, and then just be, Christmas gains all of the wonder it had for me as a little girl. That being said, I thought I'd show you some of my favorites of our ornaments. Get ready for the lovely, the uncouth, the homemade, but the best of our ornament collection. ;)

This is an angel my Gentleman woodburned with my name the year he got a wood-burning set. I can still recall his sheepish grin as I unwrapped it and hung it on the tree. The little thread is frayed now, but I love it just the same.

Here is a pretty feather-angel that I've always loved, even before Scotland became my heartland-after-America. :)

Relics of the years when Dad and Mama taught music in the public schools...there's an entire marching band of these fellows. Actually, we have a rather musical tree with a quantity of trombones, tubas, and other paraphenalia on it, though I suspicion the youngest kids haven't the foggiest idea why.

The ice-cube man I bought Mama. Isn't he stinkin' cute?

A little bit of retro-ness to brighten the tree. :)

Ah. And who could forget the Christmas Pickle? It's a Victorian Tradition that we started with Daniel partly as a joke because he loves pickles so much. You're s'posed to hide the pickle in the tree and whoever finds it has...good luck or something. Anyway, it's now a family favorite.

These little hand-print reindeer and the like crowd our tree like fall-leaves. :D

Before Cracker Barrel stopped giving out free biscuits, it was one of our favorite family restaurants. :P

This little musical-note has a rather Gift-Of-The-Magi-Christmas-Miracle story behind it. ;) It was made by a very poor little girl Dad taught in band who wanted to give him a Christmas present but couldn't afford anything, so she made him this ornament. Dad always gets to hang it up and get sentimental.

And last but not least we have the little dove glass-ball. It has its own midnight blue velvet box, and we always handle it extremely carefully like we did as children, even though I routinely handle things just as delicate now. It's almost a sacred duty, hanging it on the tree. ;) There are many many more ornaments that are just as beloved, but I didn't want to bore you. :) I hope you enjoyed this first peep in our Christmasing. :)

~Rachel

P.S. Thanks for your patience as we give our blog a beautifying treatment. :P

Where In the World Have We Been?

2011-12-03T21:57:00.001-05:00

Hello Guys! Sorry our posts have been few and far between. I cannot believe it's already December 3rd! Anyhow, I thought I'd show you a cool thing I did recently. I really love this verse, Romans 8:38-39, so I decided to take an artsy twist on it. ;) It was real fun to try to figure out different fonts that corresponded to the words, and all the colors and stuff. :)

How'd you like 'em? :)

Oh, and for all of you who have been wondering why in the world there haven't been any "normal life" posts. I though I'd let you know what's been going on over here real quick:

Both Rachel and I have become busy starting into this holiday season, with baking for Coastal.

Last week we started selling candy (think peppermint bark, norweigian crunch, etc) along with some pies, holiday-ish cookies, and the like. It's been fun to have some more variety in our baking days. ;)

Also, school's been keeping me busy. I'm in the midst of Latin II, Biology, Algebra 2, etc. Fun stuff, eh? :D And we've also been kept busy making/preparing Christmas presents! (Yes. It really is time to start thinking about those things, isn't it?;)

We went out as a family and picked a nice, big tree yesterday, and today was spent decking the halls with boughs of holly. (and other greenery, decor, wreaths, candles...:) **sigh** Don't you absolutely love this season?!

Till Next Time!

~Sarah

Oh Snap! Eve Edition

2011-11-28T14:00:00.001-05:00

 
 Alright guys, today's interviewee is Eve from Essence of Eve Photography. :) 

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?
I first got interested in photography last year, after I created my main blog, The Chronicles of His Swordmaiden. That's when I started blog hopping and noticed that most blog authors were also photographers, whose abilities I was simply blown away by. I began thinking "What if I started taking photos? Would I ever be able to excel that much?". That very same day, I remember picking up the family's point-and-shoot and going out the door to take photos of random objects. I believe that windy fall afternoon was what started it all, because in a few weeks I'd become so very fond of taking photos that I decided to put the money I'd been saving up to good use, and bought my DSLR.
What was your very first camera?
My very first camera, the one that I bought myself and that solely belongs to me, would be the one I have now, my Canon Rebel XS. When I opened its box, it was love at first sight! :)
Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?
As I explained earlier, the lovely blogger photographer community is responsible for bringing the photographer in me out of hiding! Many thanks to you all! :)
What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)
You can view all my equipment by going to the What I Use page on my photography blog.
Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?
Mostly self-taught. I did take a few classes at one time, but I didn't sign up or anything; my homeschool group happened to be taking them so I just tagged along. The classes were targeted toward beginners, so I already know most of the things, however, I did manage to pick up a few helpful tips.
What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)
Anything small that's unusual, often overlooked, and/or has tons of detail.
Do you have any professional experience?
Nope, can't say that I have.
What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
I mostly rely on experience, it's the best teacher! ;)
Do you, or have you sold your work?
No, but I'd love to be able to do that someday. In fact, I'm hoping to open up an Etsy shop sometime in 2012.
Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)
Very tough indeed! I think I'll go with my newest favourite...



Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be,
obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?
I think probably passionate, obsessed, and artistic, all meshed together. :)
For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?
It's been a little over a year now.
Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)
I'm going to say Canon, just because I have one and because I've never used a Nikon before. :P
Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)
I love photography because it gives you a whole new perspective on God's creation. You start noticing all the little things, the details, things you would normally never even stop to consider. I strive to glorify God through my photos, and to prove to people that if they think it all came about by chance, they are greatly mistaken.

Eve is a homeschooled christian {conservative reconstructionist} girl, and her ultimate goal in life is to grow in "faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Along with helping around the house and spending time with her family, her many hobbies include reading, photography, writing, and graphic designing. 

Thanks for doing this with me,Eve! :) That was really fun.

-Sarah

Some Thanksgivingish Thoughts ;)

2011-11-24T21:33:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving:

The word brings to mind thoughts of harvest time, pilgrims, family, friends, a chilly autumn day, turkey, pies, and other cozy things related to the well-known holiday.

Too often though, I think we keep it in that "holiday-ish" box.

We all know that the last Thursday of November is a time purposely set aside for looking back on all the blessings the year has had in it, and being grateful for them.

We may be able to get in a good groove of being thankful for a few days surrounding Thanksgiving...

but I'm afraid that at least I am guilty of dropping back into my self-absorbed, silly and rather ungrateful self. I'm so glad that the Bible is full of scriptures reminding us to Praise the Lord and thank Him for His goodness! Otherwise, I think I'd become too wrapped up in the concerns and details in life to ever recognize and be grateful for the *many* blessings I truly have.

My challenge to myself, as well as all of you, is to remember to thank the Lord daily for His awesomeness, power, love, salvation, and mercy He gives to all of us constantly. Because, you see, the thing is: We don't deserve *any* of it! If it weren't for the grace and salvation of God, we, as the selfish sinners we are, should be in the lowest, most terrible and dark place ever. That's what we deserve, without Christ.

But that's not where the story ends.

Oh no.

Because...

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds we are healed."

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Do you see that? The Perfect Lamb of God died, so that we may have life! "By His wounds we are healed"!

So, right there I have two great examples of why I should never stop giving thanks to the Lord! He has been soooo amazingly, exceedingly, good to me, and I am so blessed!

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!

Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!"

" Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
         For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
         For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
         For His mercy endures forever:"

      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
      Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
      Be to our God forever and ever.
      Amen.”

I hope you all have had a blessed Thanksgiving Day full of family time, laughter, love, fun, and hopefully some turkey thrown in there. ;)

~Sarah

My Thanksgiving Day 3

2011-11-23T22:36:00.001-05:00

My Thanksgiving

Day #3.

Laughter!

(What would I do without it?)

-Sarah

My Thanksgiving Day 2

2011-11-22T21:54:00.001-05:00

My Thanksgiving......

Day #2.

My Awesome God!!

-Sarah

Oh Snap! Bri Edition

2011-11-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

 

Hey Bri! Thanks for being with us today.

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?
I was 12 years old when I first became interested in photography. A
friend of mine was doing a school project on a certain type of flower
and was required to take pictures for the project. I was fascinated
and began “playing around” with my Dad’s camera. It all went down hill
from there :P

What was your very first camera?

KODAK EASYSHARE CX4230 Zoom Digital Camera

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?

My parents were definitely my biggest supporters. They have given me
most of my equipment over the years. My Dad also really loves
photography so I was exposed to it for as long as I can remember. I
would say God inspired me, but He used my parents (particularly my
Dad) to make it become a reality.

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)

I use a Canon 50D with four lenses: (1) 50mm 1.4 (2) 30mm 1.4 (3)
100mm 1.8 (4) 17-55mm 2.8
I also use the LumoPro LP120 Manual Flash. I use my Dad’s Canon T2i as
a back-up if I’m doing a wedding and have an assistant.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?

Both. I have taken a few online classes as well as interning with some
local wedding photographers, but the majority of my knowledge comes
from online research and real-life experience.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles,
artistic shots, candid moments,etc)

In general, I enjoy taking landscape or macro shots the most, although
I also thoroughly enjoy doing portrait sessions and weddings in
particular. It usually depends on what mood I’m in. ;)

Do you have any professional experience?

I have worked as an assistant photographer with a local wedding
photography business. I have also recently started my own freelance
business and have photographed numerous family and engagement sessions
as well as a few weddings.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?

I’m constantly browsing articles and photographers’ blogs to learn more.

Do you, or have you sold your work?

To private clients, yes.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough
question.....)

Very tough!! I don't think I've even thought about it before. I always
have a new "favorite" after every photo shoot. "

I visited London this past summer and snapped this shot of some street performers right across from London Bridge. As a musician, I love the contrast between the performers and the motion blur of the passing onlookers who are too busy to stop to listen.

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as:
Passionate, a wanna-be,
obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?

Passionate and artistic. It is definitely a side job/hobby at this point, but I would love to spend more time photographing once I
graduate.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?

For as long as I can remember.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)

In my experience…Canon! Can’t say that I’ve had extensive experience
with Nikon though, so I’m open-minded. ;)

And the last one.....

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

I love photographing engagement sessions and weddings because I love capturing all the joyful and special moments that mean the world to that couple.

I love photographing family portraits because it’s always fun to seehow family members interact, especially the young kids!

I love photographing God’s creation because it gives me a sense of aweat His greatness. I love capturing a small part of the beauty that He’s given us and displaying it in a way that brings others to marvel at His beauty. Soli Deo Gloria.

Thanks so much for doing this interview Bri! :) It was a lot of fun for me, and I hope you had fun doing it, too.

You can learn more about Bri and look at a lot of her wonderful photography on her blog, Heavenly Things Photography. :)

My Thanksgiving Day 1

2011-11-21T18:48:00.001-05:00

{source}

Thanksgiving is coming on us, and it's too important to pass this holiday by without making sure I recognize the real reason for it. So, from now to Thursday I'll be posting one thing I'm thankful for each day. :)

#1. My Family

(not everyone was here....)

-Sarah

The results are in! :)

2011-11-20T17:15:00.001-05:00

............And the results are up! :) Here you go!

1. "Oh of course we live in the real world, as you say, where men of sense always reject a girl with a pretty face in favor of one with a well-informed mind!"
-Emma 2009 said by the heroine herself.
People who got this right: Joanna and Abigail

2. "This is...huge...Prison huge. You are gonna go to prison..you know that, right?"
"Yeah, probably."
"That would...bother most people."
-National Treaure, Ben and Riley
People who got this right: Joanna and Abigail

3. "Percy. Fashionably late as usual."
"Sink me, your highness. It was this demmed cravat. Simply refused to tie. I ask you. Sticking out like a pin-cushion."
"I might have known it was something serious."
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy and the Duke of Wales
People who got this right: Joanna and Abigail

4. "Rob? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We simply borrow a bit from those who can afford it."
"Borrow? Boy are we in debt."
-Robin Hood, Robin and Little John
People who got this right: Joanna, Leanna, Abigail, Katie, Shaina and Stephanie

5. "I don' want de girl....you don' want de girl...PO-lice! Maybe she want de girl!"
Roman Holiday, the taxi driver :D
People who got this right: Abigail

6. "A mother's love holds fast and forever. A girl's love is like a puff of smoke--changes with every wind."
-North and South, Mrs. Thornton
People who got this right: Joanna and Abigail

7. *Gasps as needle goes in* "That wasn't so bad."
"That was the penicillin."
-Captain America, Steve and Dr. Erskine
People who got this right: Joanna, Abigail, and Stephanie

8. "Roz, my tender, oozing blossom, you're looking fabulous today. Is that a new haircut? Tell me it's a new haircut. It's got to be a new haircut. New makeup? You had a lift? You had a tuck? You had something? Something has been inserted in in you that makes you look... Listen, I need a favor."
-People who got this right: Joanna, Leanna, Katie, Shaina, and Stephanie
Monster's Inc., Mike Wazowski

9. "This is crazy. I finally meet my childhood hero and he's trying to kill us. What a joke."
-Up, Mr. Frederickson
People who got this right: Abigail, Leanna, Katie, and Shaina

10. "Forgive me, your Majesty."
"Oh don't waste my time with flattery."
"Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you."
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The fox and the White Witch
People who got this right: Joanna, Leanna, Katie, Shaina, Stephanie, Taylor Lynn

11. "As a matter of interest, will the time come when I read them first?"
"You'll enjoy this. She has a real flair for description."
-Young Victoria, Albert and adviser guy
People who got this right: Joanna, Abigail, and Stephanie

12. " 'Strange treasures in this fair world appear, strange all, and new to me.' That is a poem by Thomas Traherne and I have absolutely no idea what it's about. But, when I was small I was made to learn it by heart so I don't see why you shouldn't suffer too."
-Amazing Grace, Thomas Clarkson
People who got this right: Abigail
And we tally up points........
***Extra points were awarded for each character specified in the quotes***

The Winner is............

Miss Abigail with a total of 44 points!!! :)

Next in line were Joanna with 40, Stephanie with 12, Katie and Shaina with 10, Leanna with 4, and Taylor Lynn with 2.

Great job everyone, and sorry it took us so long to post the results! :P

Hope you all have been doing well---I'm gonna be doing a "regular" post sometime soonish...

~Sarah

Random Bullet Points Post!

2011-11-16T21:20:00.001-05:00

Having been so very busy and so very splotchy in my posts on this blog, (Sarah, you are priceless!) I figured that the best way in which to catch you up on things would be a random bullet-points post. Ready?

Apple pie, when it turns out, is so worth all the work
♫"I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill"♫...and I didn't have anything wrong with me this time! :D
The Lord is so faithful and amazing.
♫ "True love can be whispered from heart to heart when lovers are parted they say, but I must depend on a wish and a star as long as my heart doesn't know who you are..."
Cricket is a very sleek and velvety-black pussy
Levi has amazing dimples
I wonder what part of the turkey processing process will be mine tomorrow?
I wish (for the thousandth time) that I knew an instrument
I sang "Pie Jesu" and hit the high note without a flaw today...it was a good feeling.
The fall is almost over! :[
Driving in a 15 passenger on skinny country roads without a speedometer is not as scary as it once was.
My sewing machine is at the doctor!!
And I hope to make a dress soon after it returns!
Dickens is my literary hero.
"It is a sword day! A red day ere the sun rises!" is stuck in my head
I love the BBC [Masterpiece Theatre] Pollyanna
How did Ginger Rogers dance in those shoes?
A couch-arm in lieu of a chiropractor...not so much.
There are so many teeny countries in the world that I've never even heard of...and to think each one has its own history, culture, and customs. "I never have liked the notion that the world is round...makes me giddy."
I want to set my hair in bandanna waves soon
Christmas is hot on our heels
And I've started making gifts. :)
Our piano needs to be tuned
Decaff coffee is good at night
I love my family, despite (and perhaps because of) our idiosyncracies
Provence, France, sounds like a nice place
But Scotland sounds better
I feel Spanish when I write my name like this: !Rachel :)
"Sway me Now" by Dean Martin is imprinted on my musical memory this week.
I can't wait for "Carol of the Bells" weather
Winter nights, breath hanging white upon the air, stars just tiny pin-pricks in the velvet of the sky
This is an exceptionally long random bullet points post and I know you are bored to death with it.

Thanks for enduring, folks! Have a nice night. :) ~Rachel

Oh Snap! TKB Edition ;)

2011-11-14T10:48:00.001-05:00

This week I'm interviewing Miss Stephanie from TKB Photography.:) I just recently came upon her beautiful photography blog and asked if she'd be willing to be interviewed.

Hey Stephanie! Thanks for being with us today.
Hi Rachel and Sarah! I'm so glad to be here! :) Thanks so much for asking me to do this photography interview - photography is possibly one of the things I come close to obsessing about. :)

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?
Well, I just got started by picking up a camera and taking off from there. That was when I was around 12 years old. Family and friends tell me that I just have a natural talent - I never really had to work hard to get a good picture. A picture idea came into my head and I took the picture(s). Sometimes I find myself doing the silliest things just to get a good picture. :)

What was your very first camera?
Hahaha... a kid's Fisher Price plastic film camera - I got it when I was about 6 years old. I'm not going back to film ever... kind of self explanatory. ;) The next camera I got when I was 13 or 14. It was a Kodak Easy Share C433. 

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?
I've always wanted to be able to capture special moments or beautiful landscapes, and at first I wanted to paint. But for me painting takes up space and time that I don't have. Photography can capture what I want in a second. And it can capture what my poor paintbrush skills can't. So I've generally stuck with photography. Plus, photos are fun to edit. :)

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)
I use the camera I bought this last May. It's a Canon Rebel XS (10 megapixel). I use the camera flash that the camera already has. For lenses I use the Canon 18-55mm kit lens. I also use a Canon 80-200mm EF Zoom Lens that I bought a couple months ago. Then I have a small Tamrac camera bag (I actually need a bigger one) and one battery and charger. I also have a 4GB Sandisk memory card (which with my camera holds about 700 some odd pictures). Hopefully I'm not getting too technical. :)

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?
Self-taught all the way. I've never had classes, although this next weekend that'll be changing as I'll be going to one with my aunt (who's also a photography nut).

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)
Umm... can I choose all of the above? My top three favorite are landscape, artistic, and candid. But I love photography in general. :)

Do you have any professional experience?
Er... I've never worked with a professional before. I've never been hired, as of yet, to do any photography. So I guess the answer would be no.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
Ask knowledgeable people, observe other people's photographs, and learn by experience. Actually I'm doing a guest post on Nov. 5th on He Designs My Life (my friend Bree's blog) about "rules" I like to stick to, to a degree,  while taking pictures. I'll be posting up the link to that post on my blog if you all would like to check it out.

Do you, or have you sold your work?
I've never sold my photography, although I've been considering doing so lately.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)
This shot is definitely one of my favorite shots. I have lots quite frankly, so I just decided to pick one. :P

 

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, 
obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?
Passionate, avid, and artistic. Although I could call myself all of these, except a wanna-be and a newbie.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?
For as long as I can remember. But I think that interest really took off when I got my Kodak EasyShare because it was digital, and all the benefits of a digital over a film were great.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P)  ;)
Canon. I can and have used a Nikon, but I like Canon way better. I just do. :D

And the last one.....

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

I do photography because I can capture a moment, be artistic, and express myself through my photography all at once. And I get instant results - I don't have to wait for the paint to dry, like with painting. I have many purposes for doing photography... to show the glories of God's creation, capture a precious family moment, have fun, and be creative. And because I LOVE it!! :D

More about Stephanie:

So I guess some people must be wondering who I am. Well......

I am the author of The King's Bookworm and TKB Photography. I am 20 years old and and the oldest of 10 children. I live in the Northwest US and love it. My interests include (but are definitely not limited to): God, family, friends, photography, books, blogging, movies, politics, animals, and jewelry making. I have been told that I am passionate, fun, mature, friendly, creative, and unique. I guess I'll have to take people's word for it. :)

Thanks so much, Stephanie! This was great fun. :)
~Sarah

Vote For Us!!!!!! :D

2011-11-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

So, I just found out this evening that somehow, somebody nominated lil' ol' us as the Best Family or Group Blog in the 7th Annual Homeschool Blog Awards!!!!! :)
Yay! Thanks to whoever nominated us---I would have had no idea, if it hadn't been for a tipster. :D
And I guess this means y'all should click on this link and go vote for us! :D Haha! It doesn't take long, and you can go vote for other catagories, as well. Oh! I almost forgot--Rachel's blog "A Butcher, A Baker, A Candlestick Maker" was also nominated in the "Best Homemaking Blog" catagory so while you're over there, make sure and vote for her, as well! :) Thanks Again to all of you wonderful followers!
-Sarah on behalf of both of us. ;)

Oh Snap! Polka Dot Edition

2011-11-07T05:30:00.000-05:00

So today's interviewee is Miss Polka Dot! I'm really excited about this one, because I really admire her talent and creativity that shows through the photos she takes. :)

Hey Polka-Dot! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather?

Trying to get used to it/have a good attitude/occasionally loving it/appreciating it because I'm obsessed with cardigans and boots and berets and crazy long socks. :)

Okay, let's get started:

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you?

I fell in love with it on a cruise we took to Victoria BC when I was maybe eleven? I didn't get my DSLR and get super into it until August 2010.

What was your very first camera?
A trusty Canon Powershot point-and-shoot. It served me well until dying/getting broken and facilitating the purchase of my DSLR. :)

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby?

I just loved the idea of capturing the crazy-beautiful world in unusual ways. A photo can make you look at something differently. But mostly, because you can snag memories and go back to them over and over again.

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.)

My Nikon D3100, with a 18-55 mm kit lens and a 70-300 mm lens. That's it!

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?
No classes as yet.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc)
People, in all kinds of different ways. One of my favorites is candid action portraits. :) hello, beautiful zoom lens! (they're pretty much impossible without one)

Do you have any professional experience?
Nope.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?
We have a professional photographer friend who I have emailed regarding equipment, etc, and I do some web surfing about some stuff. I have a great book called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson that I have yet to read cover-to-cover, but it has a lot of great information on the technical part of photography.

Do you, or have you sold your work?
I have done maybe two paid photoshoots, and sold a few prints at a church mission fundraiser, but that's it.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)

It just makes me happy because I'm so in love with my aviator sunglasses and the amazing blue sky that means summer.

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?
Um, maybe all of them, actually! Maybe primarily passionate. :)

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art?
See above question. :) Sort of interested for a long time, but seriously interested for around two years.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? (or neither :P) ;)
I love Nikon. :) But I loved my Canon Powershot, so I actually didn't want a Nikon originally. I was advised to get Nikon since the lenses are better. Apparently Canons' video is superior, but that isn't as important to me. Now I don't like switching to a Canon when I use someone else's camera, because it's so different than mine and I love the way mine works. Plus Nikons have that super cool red thing right where you put your index finger. <3

And the last one.....

Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

I love it because you can capture the breathtaking beauty, color, joy, sadness, action, love, laughter, and pain that this amazing world is brimming with. I love the artistry of it, but also just the memories. I have always, always loved looking at photos, just to remember the blessings God has put in my life. People are my passion, and I love memorializing people-moments in my camera, if only just to look back at them and grin or laugh or cry.

Polka Dot is the author and creator of her blog, life is too short not to wear red shoes where she captures and communicates her love of "fashion, movies, photography, and life" . She loves the beautiful life her Lord has given her and tries to catch some of the moments and blessings through her photography. :) Make sure you go over there and check it out!

Alright! I, for one, really enjoyed this. Thanks Polka-Dot for your time and I hope this was fun for you, as well. :)

Signing Off,

Sarah

Is it "kahr-mul" or "kar-uh-mel" ?

2011-11-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

It's the time of year for things like....

.Caramel!!!!

car·a·mel noun   \ˈkär-məl; ˈker-ə-məl, ˈka-rə-, -ˌmel\-a firm chewy usually caramel-flavored candy

I pronunce it more like "kar-uh-mel".

*sigh* I have to say, this candy is one of my favorites in the fall! What about you all? What things remind you of this season? :)

-Sarah

p.s. If you haven't entered the Movie Quotes contest, please click here and enter!

Sink Me!

2011-11-02T16:29:00.001-04:00

Come now Chap-o's! Sink me if you aren't forgetting all about our Movie Quote Contest! 'Twould appear your new society is so equal no one wants to win a contest! Do take a peep at the challenge and try to make a witty comeback or two.Odd's fish, lads, it isn't all that hard! Cheerio! ~Lady Rachel Blakeny, Baroness ;)

Oh Snap! Week 3

2011-10-31T21:19:00.000-04:00

Today's interview is with Miss Shaina. :) Or as you may know her, Shi of Narnia.

Hey Shaina! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather? It's nice.

Okay, let's get started:
How did you get started into photography? And how old were you? I just somehow got interested in it. :) Maybe it was because of taking pictures with my brother's camera; I don't know for sure. I remember one time I started to get interested in it was a little more than 4 years ago, I think.

What was your very first camera? Well, my first camera (not the first one I used though) is the one I have now. It's a Canon Rebel XS. But I did have one that belonged to me and my sister, and it was a Sanyo VPC-S600 (I think that's it.) But I don't think I used that one as much as I used my Dad's, which is an Olympus FE-230.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? I don't think anybody inspired me to take it up. I just liked taking pictures I suppose, and that's what got me into it.
What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.) A Canon Rebel XS, which I have two different lenses for, a 18-55 mm and a 55-250 mm.
Are you self-taught, or have you had classes? Self-taught

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) I don't know if it's my FAVORITE, but I like doing people.

Do you have any professional experience? No.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information? Sometimes I just figure things out on my camera that I never knew before. I am definitely not a professional, and still have alot of things I can learn, I'm sure. One thing I like is trying to take pictures without the flash, because I think it makes it look more natural than with the flash.

Do you, or have you sold your work? Yes, on some greeting cards.
Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....)

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard? Can I pick two? :) Um, I guess a wanna-be, and maybe artistic.
For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? I don't know, maybe a little more than 4.
Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) CANON

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :) I love how photography can capture things that you see. Some reasons I take photos are because I like to, and also I take them for the greeting cards that we make. I hope that in my photography I will glorify Jesus Christ.

Shaina is a 19-year-old, stay-at-home-daughter, born-again-Christian who hopes to glorify Jesus Christ in all that she does. She enjoys photography and filming (though the extent of her filming are just the crazy videos she likes to make with her siblings and friends.) She also loves Narnia, and hopes one day to visit Ireland. 

Thanks for your time, Shaina! :) How are you guys liking this series? Please leave a comment and give me some feedback. :)
-Sarah

Vintage Hairstyle Tutorial!!! :) "Sweetheart Updo"

2011-10-28T21:24:00.001-04:00

I thought it was time for another hairstyle tutorial post, and since I've been looking at and thinking about vintage clothing/hair/makeup and watching such movies as Roman Holiday and others, I decided I'd try my hand at a vintage hairstyle for you. :) My model exited the scene as I was blow-drying her hair so you are stuck with me! :D I have seen styles like this in many vintage photos and even in a couple movies set in the 40's, so I'd say it's pretty authentic. :) I am randomly naming this the Sweetheart Up-do. It's sort of vintage-sounding, right? ;)

I'll apologize in advance for the quality/color of these photos. I was taking them myself in Mama and Dad's cavernous bathroom and trying to get a variety of shots at arm's length...needless to say, it was a bit flabbergasting.

1. Start by combing or brushing out your hair and parting it to the side.

The first of many funny faces as I struggled with self-portraiting an entire hairstyle tutorial. Blimey!

2. Separate a piece of your hair from the left side (or whichever side you parted it to.)

3. Begin to roll the hair with your fingers, keeping it neat

4. Pin it gently, but flatly to your head, keeping the center of the coil tidy.

5. On the opposite side, begin rolling hair, but instead of pinning flat against head, gently twist and lay flat so you've made a bit of a sausage curl. This sound complicated, but just play with it until you get this look:

You can leave the back hair down and gently curl the ends to get a half-up look. This is pretty and wonderful for a girlish look.

I look extremely devout about something. Haha! :D

I would have to do something about the frizz if I was to keep my hair down. :P

A view of the top, as it should look

However, I finished the style out:

6. Gather remaining hair smoothly into a low, tight pony-tail.

7. Gently loosen pony-tail holder and proceed as if you were making a flip-pony-tail. Don't pull all through. Instead, tuck the hair inside the cavity and pin in place. You'll achieve a sort of puff that looks vintage indeed! :) Spray in place. I find sometimes that my hair stays in the "puff" better if I dampen it before flipping. In the picture I wasn't as particular as I generally would be with neatness. The idea of the puff is for it to look soft and feminine.

I know this is a *horrid* picture, but I hope you can get the idea! :)

8. Voila! A lovely, vintage look. Here are some of the Glamour-Shots. ;)

Yes, I took off my glasses for these photos. How I miss my contacts!!!! I deemed my "Specs" un-vintage so off they went! ;)

Love my vintage pearl earrings! :)

Am I in love with my camera? :P

I'm sorry. I had fun with Picasa and this photo. I look ever-so-slightly like one of those famous glamour-girls way back then! :)

Boy, It's Been a While Since...

2011-10-27T15:15:00.003-04:00

...we've done a MOVIE QUOTES CONTEST!!! :) And it's been a while since I've done a post on this blog! Phew! But I'm off to remedy both things with a smashing Movie Quotes Contest. The rules, as usual, include:

Using your own information and memory, not looking the quotes up online. You can, however, ask family members their opinion
Telling me which movie the quote is from. Additional points will be rewarded if you can tell me who said the quote[s.]
Entering your quotes in a comment left on this blog no later than Nov. 9, 2011! :)

Ready? Set? Go!

1. "Oh of course we live in the real world, as you say, where men of sense always reject a girl with a pretty face in favor of one with a well-informed mind!"

2. "This is...huge...Prison huge. You are gonna go to prison..you know that, right?"
"Yeah, probably."
"That would...bother most people."

3. "Percy. Fashionably late as usual."
"Sink me, your highness. It was this demmed cravat. Simply refused to tie. I ask you. Sticking out like a pin-cushion."
"I might have known it was something serious."

4. "Rob? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We simply borrow a bit from those who can afford it."
"Borrow? Boy are we in debt."

5. "I don' want de girl....you don' want de girl...PO-lice! Maybe she want de girl!"

6. "A mother's love holds fast and forever. A girl's love is like a puff of smoke--changes with every wind."

7. *Gasps as needle goes in* "That wasn't so bad."
"That was the penicillin."

8. "Roz, my tender, oozing blossom, you're looking fabulous today. Is that a new haircut? Tell me it's a new haircut. It's got to be a new haircut. New makeup? You had a lift? You had a tuck? You had something? Something has been inserted in in you that makes you look... Listen, I need a favor."

9. "This is crazy. I finally meet my childhood hero and he's trying to kill us. What a joke."

10. "Forgive me, your Majesty."
"Oh don't waste my time with flattery."
"Not to seem rude, but I wasn't actually talking to you."

11. "As a matter of interest, will the time come when I read them first?"
"You'll enjoy this. She has a real flair for description."

12. " 'Strange treasures in this fair world appear, strange all, and new to me.' That is a poem by Thomas Traherne and I have absolutely no idea what it's about. But, when I was small I was made to learn it by heart so I don't see why you shouldn't suffer too."

There you go! Some of them are easy, some a tad more difficult, but I have faith in the strength of your memories! ;) Have at it! ~Rachel

Another Installment. ;)

2011-10-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

 Okay, I finally have an interview ready to post! :) Introducing my cousin, Matthew!! :)

Hey Matthew! Thanks for being with us today. What do you think of this cool weather? I certainly could get used to it that's for sure!!!

Okay, let's begin:

How did you get started into photography? Hmm...I really just kinda picked it up. There isn't a huge story behind it.   And how old were you? About 14

What was your very first camera? My VERY first camera was actually the still camera on a Panasonic video camera. I then received a hand-me-down Nikon D50 from my aunt.

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? Easy...my Aunt Cherie!! 

What kind of equipment are you using right now?( camera,flashes,lens,etc.) Like I said, a Nikon D50, with a standard 28-80 f:4.5-5, and a nikon 70-300 f:5.6-6 telephoto lens. 

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes?  Up until now, I was self-taught.  I'm currently taking a flash and a digital photo class.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) Artistic, probably!! ;)

Do you have any professional experience?
Ummm.....I have done one photo shoot for a family outside of my own family...so I guess that would mean yes? ;)

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information?  I am always looking at other peoples photographs, which helps me to see a wide spectrum of types of shots.

Do you, or have you sold your work? In a way...that photoshoot I mentioned earlier would be a yes then. I also just started a website with my aunt for selling some

of our photos.

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question....) Well, here are two of my current favorite:

 
Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard?
Passionate, probably.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? About 2-3. I've only been doing it for a short time! ;)

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) Nikon!!!! ;)

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :)

 I love it because you can capture so many moments with photography that you can't capture any other way. The purpose, to appreciate God's world in a different perspective. Other than that, God will decide what I do with photography later in life.....

Hey everyone! Well, to start off, I'm 17 and the oldest of 8 kids. I recently discovered a love for photography, and have now started a photo website with my aunt. As for any other things I like, sports is one of my favorites! ;)
I currently work in our own produce and cut-flower business as well as my uncle's landscape business. Also, I am homeschooled, and will hopefully graduate in 2012. ;) Well, I guess that's pretty much it!

Make sure to check out Matthew's photography by clicking right here!!!!

Simply Seventeen Blog Party!! :)

2011-10-25T16:06:00.000-04:00

First off, I'd like to say....

Happy 17th Birthday Jo!!!! *<=)

Yep! My onliest bloggy friend I've actually met, is turning the big 1-7 today!!! :) Hope you have the happiest of birthdays and enjoy your cake. ;) And for this occasion, I'm going to link up with her "Simply Seventeen" blog party!

{1} when you think of "old movies", what immediately comes to mind?

Hm....probably "Roman Holiday", "It's a Wonderful Life" "Singing in the Rain", or Shirley Temple! :)

{2} who's your one of you favorite film or literary heroes (or heroines) and why?

Only one?! ;) Man.....probably Mr. Knightley (both in the book and movie) Mr. Clennam, or Sir Percy for guys. And as for heroines, Lizzy Bennet, Emma, and Anne Shirley

{3} if you could live in a movie, which one would it be and why?

Wow. Okay, let's see. I'd love to live in The Lord of the Rings. Specifically in Hobbiton. ;)

How much better can you get? You wouldn't be too terribly far from this cool place:

and it wouldn't take too long to visit here:

{4} music has changed a lot since 1900 - which "modern" type of music is your favorite?

Christian Contemporary and any classic Broadway tune! :)

{5} any songs you'd like to share with us? (lyrics, video, etc.)

Why not? :) Here's one with classic Broadway-style music and dancing:

And on a more serious note....This song is really great!

{6} if your life had soundtrack (i wish mine did :d), what would yours sound like?

Part of it would sound rag-timey....

Some tracks would sound more like this: =)

{7} when do you start counting down till your birthday?

Hm...my birthday is August 6th....and I probably start counting down after Rachel's b-day--so late July. :)

{8} what makes your birthday special?

Well, it's pretty simple. There's only one me. So there's only one of my birthday's a year! ;)

{9} do you ever wish you were born in a different month?

Nope! I love having my birthday in August because there are *no* holidays whatsoever in that month....and I like to have my holidays and events spread out through the year. :)

and finally...

{10} pick and post five words to describe your personality - you can add a description under each if you like.

1. Bubbly-According to my best friends, I am always either talking, laughing, smiling, or being mischievous. ;)
2. Playful- I enjoy having fun. Whether it's playing a game, teasing (in the good sort of way ;) or making jokes, I LOVE to laugh and delight in everything the Lord gives me. :)
3.Spunky- this one explains itself. ;)
4.Joyful- Mom and Dad say they should've made my middle name Joy. :]
5.Logical-Just ask Rachel about this one. :P

This was very fun, Jo! Thanks alot, and I hope you've had a fabulous day! :)
-Sarah

Schedule Update

2011-10-20T13:33:00.004-04:00

Hey guys---just wanted to update y'all on the interview series. I was hoping to publish my newest installment on Monday, but a few things were backed up and I haven't been able to yet. As of right now I have quite a few photographer's scheduled to be interviewed, but this is my first time doing something like this and I'm still working out the glitches:P Suffice it to say, an interview *will* be posted as soon as I get an email from the interviewee. :) This just builds the suspense even more....;) Thanks alot!
~Sarah
p.s. Oh! And I'm still open for suggestions on people to interview! :) Please leave a comment if you have someone in mind.

The Apple Doesn't Fall far From the Tree ;)

2011-10-18T09:01:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful week at Daughters of Destiny and have come home tired, happy, and bitter-sweet, having left a number of good friends [old and new] back in Pinnacle, NC. :) I thought I'd share a very simple, very true thought the speaker shared on the very last night:

She said that we young ladies were like apples.

We God-following, Christ-loving, pure young ladies are the apples on the top of the tree: the ones with the sweetest flesh, the best flavor, the prettiest appearance. But the top of a tree can be a lonely spot.

We see the young men who glance up at us on the top of the tree but are not brave or strong enough to make the climb. We see the apples at the bottom of the tree, within arm's reach, being plucked and taken home by the droves. But those apples, so available, are rotten on the inside. The real prizes are us, away up on the topmost branches. But as we watch the windfalls being picked up we begin to think that there must be something wrong with us. We must not be good enough--those rotten apples must be better....
Can you see where this is going? Mrs. Bjorlie (the speaker) cautioned us to wait and pray and know that the worth-while men, the ones who will fulfill all God asks in a husband, are the ones who have the strength of character and purpose to make the climb to the top of the tree to pick one of the best apples. We mustn't give up hope and complain that the rotten apples are being chosen--wouldn't it be far better to bide time and wait for the harvester who would appreciate the purity and beauty of a prize apple? I think so. :) ~Rachel

To put it shortly:

:) Gotta love it!

Introducing.....

2011-10-10T08:22:00.000-04:00

(not final button, but it will have to do for now...)

Oh Snap! -Flashes from a photographer's life

Okay, I'm really super excited about this new devolpment! This is a once-a-week series of interviews from photographers I know and love! :) I'm really looking forward to doing this and already have some *awesome* people scheduled to be interviewed!!!!!! XD I hope you guys enjoy this series as much as I *know* I will.
For the "pilot" of this series, I'm going to be interviewing Miss Annabeth H. :)

Hello Anna! Thanks for being with us today.  What do you think of this cool weather?  I'm loving it!! 

How did you get started into photography? And how old were you? 3 years ago my Dad and I started out wedding photography business. That's when I first started photography. I was 15 years old.

What was your very first camera? Canon EOS 5D

Who or what inspired you to take up this hobby? My Dad who inspired me to take up photography.

What kind of equipment are you using right now?(camera,flashes,lens,etc.) Canon EOS 5D, Canon flash speedlite 430ex11, canon zoom lens ef 70-200mm, Canon zoom lens ef 24-105mm, canon batteries LP-E6 and changer , tripod.

Are you self-taught, or have you had classes? I've never had 1 photography class in my life! My Dad's helped me a little, but for the most part I'm self-taught.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? (landscapes, profiles, artistic shots, candid moments,etc) I love shooting people, either portrait or a candid. I especially love shooting people at weddings.

Do you have any professional experience? Nope.

What is your method for getting new tips, techniques, or new information? I love reading photography blogs, but for the most part I've gotten everything from my Dad.

Do you, or have you sold your work? Yes!

Show me one of your favorite shots you've taken. (I know it's a tough question.....) This is a really tough question, I could not pick between these two.

Which of these would you label the photographer side of yourself as: Passionate, a wanna-be, obsessed, artistic, avid, a newbie, a photo-holic, or a die-hard? Probably artistic.

For how many years have you been interested in this sphere of art? I've always liked photography, so probably most of my childhood. Again, with photography being such a normal part of my life it would be hard not to be interested in it.

Now for the big question: is it Canon or Nikon? ;) Canon

And the last one: Why do you love photography, and what is your purpose for doing it? :) I love to bless people with my photography and to bring glory to God.

Well, thank you, Anna. :) I had a great time doing this interview, and I hope you did too!

Now, here's a short bio of the photographer herself: :)

Hi! I'm Annabeth Henderson. I'm the middle child of seven kids and 18 years old. I'm engaged to be married on May 12, 2012 to Samuel Taylor. I'm looking forward to this next chapter God has planned for my life. Along with being busy with wedding plans, I also teach violin to 18 wonderful students and help in my Dad's and my wedding photography business. If you're interested, our website is www.threedaughtersandawedding.com I live in small town in NC about 30min from the VA border. Thanks Sarah for doing this interview, I've really enjoyed it!:)

Well, I'm off to pack for camp!!! =) Yes, it has come up really fast on me, but this weekend we'll be leaving for a 6 hour trip to NC for Daughters of Destiny!! Can't wait to see all my peeps! ;)
~Sarah

2011-10-07T15:56:00.002-04:00

test

I need your input! :)

2011-10-05T19:28:00.000-04:00

So, according to our latest poll results, you guys are wanting most to see a series of interviews on fellow photographers! =D This sounds like bunches of fun! I already have asked several bloggy/photographer friends to answer a certain set of questions I'll make up. Just checking, but do any of you have suggestions for people to interview? :) I'm open for input on that, and also the questions I should ask! Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Oh, and here are some appropriate pictures and such for this post. ;)

{source}

Aren't those SO adorable??? I found this shop the other day and love all the creative paper-work!

*sigh* (Okay....I guess that's enough of my sudden "camera jewelry" search on Etsy. =P) =D Anyhow, aren't you enjoying this awesome weather!!! <3 I am *so* grateful for it.

-Sarah

Williamsburg!!!!

2011-09-27T20:25:00.002-04:00

Hey y'all! :) This post is composed of a Plan B. Yep. Saturday our whole family had been planning on going to a reenactment for the day. But alas, the weather has been so wet, that the land it was held on was a mess, and they had to close down the whole event that day. :( The sad thing was, it was the only visitor's day there is to be had this year. But, as the great parents that they are, Mom and Dad decided that we needed to do something fun, despite our disappointment; and they concocted a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, complete with a ride across the James on the ferry! :) Sounds good to me!

So here it goes!

The Governor's Palace

A building beside the magazine

Another one of the palace and the green

Aww! And this was *not* posed at all! =D

Abby was a tad too happy about this punishment :P

This little boy was exhausted by the end of the day. :)

Anna and I

Grace contemplating something serious...;)

This place was such an *amazing* store!!!! If you ever get a chance, you've gotta visit this store sometime!


Everything Scotland---Rachel (especially) was pumped when she saw this store-front

"Swoon--swoon in his arms!" ;) Her ideal hero......kinda. =P

Not a good picture at all.....but we enjoyed trying on authentic tams! :D

Really like this one. :) A view of the wall surrounding Bruton Parish graveyard. :)

This sweetie was really blessed when Dad bought her a pink lollipop from the Wythe Candy Shop! :)

Taken while waiting for the ferry. It was very gray on Saturday, and thankfully the rain held off for the whole outing! :) (oh, and on a side-note....*several* of these seagulls had only 1 leg...:=\ )

There you go! :) I hope you enjoyed this post. Oh--please vote on my poll to the right of you! :) Thanks!

~Sarah

p.s. our family went very "techy" today...Rachel got a cell-phone!!!!! And our Gentleman? Take a peek at this: Here it is

Just Wanted to Say.....

2011-09-23T09:08:00.000-04:00

Happy Autumn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say, once again, that the fall is pretty much my favorite season of them all! Thank you Lord for the beautiful change of seasons. :)

~Sarah
p.s. What do you guys think of the new look? :)