this is our happily ever after

2013 Project Life (week three)

Week three: Jan 21-27

I always use Design A as a base for my week and this week I  added half of a Design C page protector to have a home for photos I took of K one afternoon outside.  I didn't feel the need to do much journaling...the photos speak for themselves.

I'm going to challenge myself to jot a quick list of photo ideas based on the PL layout I'm blogging about.  I hope this will inspire you even more to capture things you may not have thought about capturing.  I feel that I'm pretty good at getting a wide variety of shots each week and I'm honored and humbled that Becky Higgin's, the creator of Project Life, has chosen my everyday life photos to share with all of her readers quite a few times.  She recently shared one of my photos and her assistant emailed me and said that over 40,000 saw it (it was a simple photo of cupcake liners..for real...no professional photographer here!)

The top right photo shows Karsten's recent favorite thing to do...empty the dvd's out of the cabinet.  This was a big thing for him during this week that I documented..now he's moved on and isn't interested in making a huge mess.  I love that PL helps me to capture these little stages of his life...even if they only last a week.

photo ideas from this week:

• dirty hands
• kid's favorite mess to make
• skin care routine
• adventure outdoors
• something homemade
• self portrait
• bookshelf
• how you menu plan

Karsten @ 21 months

Almost 22 months!!!  Brian and I are already talking about what to get him for his 2nd birthday and how to celebrate his big day.  I can hardly believe I'll have a 2 year old in just over 2 months!!!!  We're hoping and praying for terrific twos rather than terrible twos

He loves to be outdoors more than anything else.

He is really good at dribbling the soccer ball as he runs. 

 He loves putting items in something and taking them out, over and over again.

He loves books, especially this one, Six Fine Fish. He chooses it nearly every night for story time.

 

He also loves Nemo....I see a trip to the aquarium in our future.

 

His vocabulary is growing every day. 

• Bah= Boz (a dvd series he watches)
• Da= Daddy
• Ma= Momma
• Bub= Bubble
• Dow= Down...or where Da works!
• jew= Juice
• Num num= yum yum, or the Wiggles dvd, Yummy Yummy
• I luh you= I love you
• Oh No!= Oh No!
• Lo= Lola (neighbor's dog)
• choo choo= train
• all duh= all done
• go= go

He's still wearing some 12-18 month clothes, but mostly 18-24 months (which are big on him)

He LOVES going to the nursery at church to play and see his friends.  He has quite a large fan club there!

He has days where he eats alot (and really well) and other days where he's just not interested in food.

He's at the age where he likes to "vroom" his cars around...I have a feeling this stage will stick around awhile.

He LOVES Elmo.

He enjoys drawing and coloring and has only colored on the walls twice.  Thank God for the magic eraser!

He laughs and smiles most of the time...although whiney boy shows up occasionally.

Daddy is his best buddy---I love listening to them play in the evenings.  Complete Joy!

this photo may be blurry, but look at the glee on that boy's face!  He was watching football with Daddy and enjoying a snack!

He is a big fan of riding things...which will probably influence his birthday presents.  This photo was taken at the Children's Museum...he wanted the helmet on.

If he sees an airplane outside he points to it and then runs around with arms out...pretending to fly.

To say this he is physically advanced is an understatement.  He can keep up with the 3 and 4 year olds on the playground...and loves the slide

 And my most favorite Karsten story of late: We were running errands last week and I was listening to our local Christian radio station, KSBJ.  I was singing along to the Newsboy's very popular song "God's Not Dead" and as I was singing the chorus "My God's not dead. He's surely alive and He's living in the inside, roaring like a lion" and as soon as I sang roaring like a lion I hear a roar from the backseat.  For the remainder of the song whenever he heard that chorus he began roaring. 

 

This is our life with Karsten....he's so funny...so full of life...and learning more and more everyday.  We are so blessed!

Some may question why I always have a camera with me...whether it's my point shoot or my dslr...this is why...to capture moments at the playground, in the backyard, at the museum, etc.  And the reason I blog??? These photos tell stories...stories I want to remember, but never would if I didn't take the time to write them down.  

 

2013 Project Life (week two)

Week two: Jan 7-13

This week I added a Design G page protector to share photos of my updated studio

I love that I captured a photo of my Mom in my laundry room with Karsten.  When she's here I don't have to do laundry...and that my friends...is a big gift for me (the one who despises doing laundry!)  Also you will see a silly photo of K, my weekly Scripture printable, and the final page of my 2012 PL album.  For those who don't do project life...let me just say that all of my photos from 2012 are in an album and documented.

Done

Finished

Stories Told

Complete...ahhhhh!  Love it!

back of Design G includes more studio photos and the right page just tells different stories from the week

I think my favorite creative thing on this page is the arrow I used on the top left photo saying Adventure This Way....that's the way my boy thinks...there's always an adventure ahead and I'm going to run as fast as I can to get to it!

That's week two...if you have any questions about products just leave me a comment! 

Photo Ideas this week:

• helping
• PL album
• creative space
• fun outside
• family
• happy mail

2013 Project Life (week one)

Over the next few days I'm going to be sharing weeks 1-3 of my 2013 PL album.  Click here to see my intro page

Here's a little background about this layout.

I start my PL week on Monday, so this is Dec 31-Jan 6.

There's also another Design A page protector between the weekly layout which includes a Project Real Life prompt, journaling, and photos.  Project Real Life was a 12 week online class that I took back from Oct-Dec.  (it's no longer available) 

The thing is...my life was crazy busy during those 12 weeks and I couldn't keep up with the weekly prompts, but I also didn't want to just "throw away" all the ideas I gained from this class.  So, I decided to take one prompt a month for 2013 and do it that way.  It seemed much more manageable for me this way.  The first prompt was "begin with the end in mind", so most of my photos and journaling on this double sided layout reflect this topic.

You will also notice that every PL layout for this year you will see a Scripture Printable, which you can find here. 

********************************************************************************************************************************************

Project Life is a product line created by the talented Becky Higgins.  Project Life is a simplified way of memory keeping which focuses on documenting the big and little moments of everyday life.  It can be anything you want it to be.  The core pieces used in my album can be found here.

I've also added other elements to my layouts.  If you have any questions about where I got something please leave me a comment and I'll respond soon.

Be Blessed

Photo ideas this week:

• evening at home
• entry way/mudroom
• photo of your blog
• kitchen sink
• something you watched on tv

 

2013 Project Life (intro page)

I can honestly say I'm more excited about Project Life this year than any of the previous 3 years.  I've learned so much about what works for me regarding taking photos, editing photos, printing photos, and getting each page completed. 

I tend to take a more creative approach to my layouts using extra embellishments here and there.  BUT I always use the Project Life Core Kit as my foundation, specifically the Design A page protectors and elements from the Core Kit(s).  This year (at least until May, when all the new editions are released) I'm using elements from every core kit I've used the past 3 years-Cherry, Cobalt, Clementine, Amber, and Turquoise as well as cards from the Baby Kit and Childhood editions.  It's a bit of a hodge podge, but it works for me and I try not to allow the creativity side of it take away from the photos and story telling.

This is just the first page--pretty simple and to the point.

 Supplies on this page:

• 2013 card (Studio Calico Project Life monthly kit.  Click here to join waiting list)
• @ card from Sn@p ---loving these for PL
• abide card from Turquoise kit using old letter stickers
• Scripture Card printed from Cherry Edition digital kit
• 3x4 Geniune card from Sn@p
• button from October Afternoon (i think)
• 3 card from Studio Calico

 

Memory Verse Monday (week 5)

It seems that everything I've been hearing and reading lately has to do with being obedient to Christ.  As believers we can find ultimate freedom when we are living in His will for us.  Being obedient to what He calls me to do on a daily basis is not easy.  Oftentimes it requires that I deny myself and think about whether or not my tendency would lead me closer to Him or further away from Him.

Press on friends...keep memorizing...and if you've skipped a few weeks, start TODAY!

This one's 3x4, don't let the large size on the computer screen fool you ;)  Right click, save, and print! 

The digital card is from the Clementine Edition of Project Life

Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup

I almost always have simple syrup in my fridge.  Simple syrup is a pretty name for sugar water.  You bring a cup of water to a boil add in a cup of sugar, stir until the sugar is dissolved, and use to sweeten tea, coffee, fruit, etc.  I almost always use it to sweeten tea.

To make Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup you'll need

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup juice from  Meyer Lemons (2-3 lemons)

1 cup of sugar

Bring water and lemon juice just to a boil.  Stir in sugar until dissolved. 

Pour into iced tea to sweeten.  Pour into bubbling spring water to add a light and sweet lemon flavor.  Pour over fruit to sweeten. 

Store in fridge for up to a week.  I store it in this glass bottle I bought at Marshall's for a few dollars. 

Meyer Lemons are a cross between an orange and a lemon and less acidic than a regular lemon! 

ten on tuesday

1. It's naptime for K which means blog time for me....hello!

2. On Sunday night I made the BEST beef stew I've ever made or eaten.  It was just delicious and I'm so happy I made the full recipe so that we'll have leftovers tonight for dinner.  Sunday Night Stew from PW I made the recipe exactly as directed, but next time I would add more carrots...the carrots were extra yummy!  I also just made my regular mashed potatoes.

3. Meyer Lemons are in season....and this makes me happy!  We currently have a meyer lemon tree growing, but it may be years before it produces much fruit, so I bought these at my grocery store over the weekend. I'll be sharing a few Meyer Lemon recipes in the near future.

4. I am strongly considering (and praying about) taking a work at home job in the near future.  It would allow me to continue staying home, but I would put Karsten in a childcare/mother's day out program a few days a week so that I could do my job.  It's a very flexible job, but still requires a good amount of hours at the computer. 

5. I feel that it's a good time to pursue this for many reasons; one it would allow me to consistently contribute financially to our family; and two, it would allow Karsten to go play and interact with other children a few days a week.

6. I'm realizing more and more that he is social and he needs more time interacting with other children and adults.  I feel that we could both use more structure in our lives and this would provide both opportunities.

7. Brian and I are spending an hour each evening watching old episodes of 24.  We've started with Season 1 and are working forward one episode at a time.  We both love it... so full of suspense!

8. Have you had the new Vanilla Spice Latte at Starbucks?  It is so darn yummy!  It's kind of like a blend of a vanilla latte and a chai latte.  I bought a bottle of the vanilla spice syrup the other day and it's been in my coffee every day since! 

9. Yes, you can buy the syrup at Starbucks.  It's less than $10 a bottle and lasts a LONG time.  It comes with the pump and everything.  **they do not sell the Pumpkin Spice syrup for some reason**

10. I've been using these Project Life planning pages for 2013.  The only reason is that I found I was printing a lot of photos and then not using them in the album....thus, throwing them away.  This way I print exactly what I need in the size I want it in. 

Memory Verse Monday (week 4)

4x6 digital card from Olive Edition of Project Life

Cowgirl Cookies

In an effort to keep K and I busy yesterday we made cookies...well, I made cookies and he stood on the stool in the kitchen with tablespoons and plastic bowls and played.  These are one of my favorite kinds of cookies; chewy, yet crunchy.  I sent a container to work with Brian because I do not need 4 dozen cookies sitting around this house. 

Here's the pdf Download Cowgirl Cookies

½ cup shortening

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup regular oats, uncooked

1 cup cornflakes, crunched up a bit

1 cup chocolate chips

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup flaked coconut

 

Preheat oven to 350.

 

Beat shortening and butter in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugars, beating well.  Add eggs, one at a time then add vanilla, mixing well.

 

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well.  Gradually stir in oats, cereal, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut.

 

Using a medium cookie dough scoop (1 large tablespoon), drop dough onto cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned.  Remove from oven and let set on cookie sheet for a minute or two then transfer each cookie to a cooling rack to cool. 

 

Notes: This recipe is very easy to double for an extra large batch.  The cookies also freeze very well.