Recipes

They say the best recipes are the ones you know by heart... but I think the best recipes are the ones you have to call Mom for.

This Pecan Delight recipe (also known as Spanish Wedding Cookies) is one that I jotted down on the back of an envelope many years ago after a phone call to my mom. I can almost imagine the conversation,

"Hi Mom, you know that yummy shortbread type cookie that you roll in powdered sugar?...no...no, not that one... the one that Mrs What's her name made for the Welcome Home Party for Nick...yes. Mrs Nieuwenhuis...yes, yes, that's it. Can you give it to me over the phone? Wait! Let me find something to write on..."

Or am I the only one that writes recipes on the back of old envelopes?

Day 10

Little Cherub

Don't you just want to kiss him?

December Photo Project, Day 9

Candy Cane Trumpets

I didn't even have to ask him to pose. I just handed him a candy cane and let his imagination take off. Isaiah has always been my musical child. He loves singing and he loves sitting next to the stereo when I have music on. I think he's already memorized Josh Groban's entire Christmas CD. I'll never forget last Christmas when he asked, "Can we listen to Andrea Bocelli instead, Mom?" Touche.

December Photo Project, Day 8

Wordless Wednesday

Grande Mama

It's the perfect day for hot espresso. And since I'm a native (but no long a resident) of the Pacific North West, I'm somewhat of a Starbucks fanatic. So, because there are not many 34 degree days in this Southern state in which I now live, I bundled up the boys and headed off to run errands who am I kidding? Starbucks.

When I got home later, and had unloaded children, groceries, and even a few Christmas presents, I quick snapped a picture of our drinks.

As I looked at the cups on the table, I couldn't help but think that, metaphorically speaking, the drinks looked just like our family today. The grande mama in the middle (nuts! I knew I should have gotten the "tall") with two little hot cocoa's standing next to me.

Only the two kids hot cocoa's would be holding hands with each other, while the grande mama would be balancing a 25lb baby on her hip, while also holding her purse, her trusty Starbucks card, and the hand of the youngest hot cocoa.

Perhaps it's needless to say that by the time we were done, this grande mama needed a venti ice water despite the outdoor thermostat.

But... it was so worth it. Some might not even call it coffee, but I still think that a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha is THE. BEST. DRINK. EVER.

DPP, Day 7

Poinsettia

I'm certainly not an amazing photographer, at least not yet anyway.  But I do so enjoy my new camera... and by participating in the DPP, I've found myself spending more and more time fiddling around with it, trying out different settings, white balance, shutter speeds and ISO's.

Fun, fun, fun. And I mean that in all seriousness. I recently read that photo editing is no substitute for photography technique.

And I agree. So I'm going to work a bit harder behind the camera and strive to keep things unedited until I master techniques.


Don't you love the colors in this one?

This is my first poinsettia. I've always loved the bright and brilliant colors, and the distinct holiday feel that they bring. But I've never had one of my own. Then on Saturday, my hubby took the older two boys out on their almost weekly special male bonding adventure. **This involves Nick transferring their carseats into his super cool Jeep (as opposed to the not-so-cool minivan that I drive) and running different manly errands (Dunkin Donuts, the flower store, the park, and sometimes Nick's office which includes a stroll by the motor pool and lots of big Army trucks).** I came home from a baby shower with my youngest to find the boys had bought me my very own poinsettia while they were out. Love it.

And can't stop taking pictures of it either. One of these days I'll do it justice and take something really beautiful.


On a photo related note, if anyone has a website (their own, or one they'd recommend) that teaches beginning photography and offers photo taking tips, I'd love to have it.

December Photo Project, Day 6