{What They Wear}

I just spent two days in Baltimore at Tastefully Simple On Tour, a high-energy, FUN conference where consultants receive training, recognition, inspiration and knowledge. We found out all kinds of super cool changes coming soon AND we got to taste the new spring / summer products that are coming your way. I had SO much fun! I'll share more when I'm allowed to (top secret stuff, you know), but I will say that if you have ever thought about hosting a fun taste-testing party OR if you have ever thought about partying for a living you need to do it n.o.w. I wish I could tell you why, but you'll have to trust me. This company just keeps getting better and better!




Anyway, because I've been in Baltimore this weekend I haven't been able to blog my Joy Of Love photos. I actually took Friday's photo yesterday morning before I left but didn't have time to post it. And I haven't even read today's assignment yet . . .


Yesterday's assignment was to photograph what our loved ones wear. As soon as I read the topic I knew I wanted Cory to be my subject. Cory doesn't dress like many men do for work. The dress shirts, ties, and suits that hang in his closet are worn to church, weddings, funerals and the occassional date. They certainly are not a regualar part of his wardrobe.


What does Cory wear to work every day? Layers. Lots of layers during the winter. He wears jeans (sometimes insulated), overalls, Under Armour tops, windbreakers, and finally coveralls. He has to wear so many layers because he is outside on dairy farms all day long. So there is no dressing up. While he does his best to stay clean, let's face it. It's hard to be a dairy vet and not get some yucky stuff on your clothes. So everyday he takes numerous coveralls and surgical jackets with him so he can change into clean ones between farm visits. I wanted to photograph him wearing his typical garb, but he refused. Once all of those layers are on, he looks about 35 pounds heavier than he is. So instead, I photographed a stack of his laundry that I folded. This is actually a rather small stack consisting of several pairs of coveralls and some Under Armour. Usually there are surgical jackets and clothes in the mix as well.

It's always interesting to do Cory's work laundry. Although I'll be honest and say that he almost always does his own wash. I just end up folding it for him. I find many items in the drier that most wives don't find: long plastic gloves (you can guess what they are used for), syringes, operating tools, tape, and needle caps to name some. Someday I hope we'll have a seperate laundry for his work clothes and the rest of the household laundry!

The other part of the photography assignment was to play around with the metering on our camera. The metering is what controls exposure. Depending on the composition of you photo and what you are photographing, you may decide to change the exposure and play around with the metering a bit. I took the same photo of Cory's pile of folded coveralls using three different metering settings. I liked this one the best because it kept the majority of the photo nicely exposed and the colors look natural and true.

I don't know that I ever would have photographed and documented Cory's work clothes if it weren't for this assignment and I'm glad that I got the nudge to do so. These little things are a part of our everyday lives - a part of the lives I love so much. The coveralls are also a symbol of how hard-working Cory is. He loves helping farmers take care of their herds and be more productive. He is passionate about what he does. I'm so grateful that he has such a strong work ethic and is such a wonderful provider. What a fantastic role model he is for our children!

We are very blessed to love the man who wears these clothes.

{Then and Now}

My sweet Sasha Rose. My first-born baby girl. There is something about her that is so unique, something I can't even put into words. Perhaps this is a part of the oldest child mystique - we love them in a special way that can't quite be described. Sasha has definitely charmed us from day one and we couldn't possibly love her more!

For today's Joy Of Love assignement we are to photograph a change in someone. I'm sure I took the obvious path and chose to show how my first-born child has changed over the years.

This is my girl in January of 2006. She was two years and three months old and cute as could be. I vividly remember styling her hair in those "spouts" or "boingers". And look at that little button nose! Be still my heart. And here is my baby today, all seven years and four months old. Her hair has grown thicker and is often in ponytails or braids. Her little nose is now splattered with freckles. And her tiny baby teeth have been replaced by her permanent adult teeth. My baby girl is growing up.

A part of today's assignment is to get a tight, close shot of our subject. This can be done by taking the photo very cropped or by cropping the photo during post-processing. I chose to take the photo in a tight crop. I love how the focus is on my pretty darling and there is nothing distracting in the background.

Then . . . and Now. As much as I miss the higher-pitched baby voice, the tiny giggles, and the boingy hair, I'm so proud to watch how my daughter is growing up to be a lovely little lady.

I simply adore my Sasha Rose.

{How They Look}

Today's Joy Of Love assignment is to capture how our loved one(s) look. The trick is to transfer that person's personality - the good, the bad, or the ugly! - into the photo. We are also to pay attention to how we compose the shot. In other words, make sure the camera is at the right height and angle to get the most flattering photo possible. This is one of the areas I think I've paid the most attention to lately. For many years I just snapped photos any which way. I have pictures of Sasha and Clara as babies lying on the floor and I stood next to them to take their pictures. Bad, bad, bad. I should have been lying on the floor at their level. Lesson learned. The position of the photographer is every bit as important as the position of the subject.

So here is today's Joy Of Love submission: How They Look. I chose to photograph my dear middle child, Clara. She is always smiling and happy. It is quite rare for her to get upset about anything. That's one of the things I love about her - she has such a sweet, uplifting nature. Plus, this girl loves pigtails. She asks for pigtails on a regular basis and looks so darn cute with her hair this way. In my opinion, pigtails make for the ultimate "little girl" look, so I will happily oblige and give Clara piggies anytime she wants them.

My Joy Of Love: Clara Grace

{What They Do}

One of my dear friends told me about a fun online class being offered by Willette, a great photographer and blogger. The class runs throughout the month of February and is entitled, "The Joy Of Love". We are given an assignment each day along with some tips and examples, and our mission is to document different aspects of the ones we love throughout the month. Fun, right? So today was the first day and the assignment was to photograph "what they do". I didn't want to stage anything just for a photo, so I kept my camera handy throughout the day so I could catch those everyday moments with the kids. I took photos of the girls playing with Moon Sand. But I wasn't happy with the composition. Then I took photos of Sasha reading. But I wasn't happy with the light. I thought I'd just have to use a photo that was only so-so, until bedtime rolled around. Every night while we read stories and get ready for bed, Dixon climbs into Clara's bed and tucks himself in. He would sleep there all night if we let him! So here is my submission for our first "Joy of Love" assignement: What They Do:

And as I'm typing this, the little man is crying up a storm in his crib. He has become quite a night owl and wants to stay up with Cory and I until 10:00 or later. Usually we don't give in, but every now and then it's easier than listening to him scream and cry. I think I'll go get him now. Sigh.

Look for a daily photo and blog post from me this month as I attempt to keep up with all the Willette assignments! :)

Night, night!

{My Pages}

Many months have passed since I last shared any of my layouts here. Well, I've been a total blog slacker in every respect so the lack of layouts should be of no surprise. Anyway, because all three kids are home and it's too yucky outside to go do anything I thought I'd spend a few minutes and share some of my creations with all of you. This is a handful of what I've done over the past several months. I'm looking forward to getting them printed in a book . . . someday! :)

{The Ticket}

The Chambersburg School District has a system in place for handling discipline problems at the elementary level. When a student disobeys, he or she pulls a ticket. Depending upon the teacher, that may mean the student loses a privilege, gets a note sent home, or is separated from the other students. If they pull multiple tickets in one day, the parents will receive a phone call and further disciplinary actions may be taken. What I like about the ticket system is that it is consistent in every single elementary school in the district. I also like that it seems to be effective at keeping most of the younger kids "in line".

Our family was introduced to tickets last year when Sasha entered kindergarten. I'm proud to say that Sasha is very well-behaved at school. She doesn't want to get in trouble and wants her teachers to like her. So last year she was one of only two or three (I think) students in her class who didn't pull a single ticket. The only thing she got as far as I know was a warning for talking in the hallway. Not only were Cory and I proud of her, she was proud of herself.

First grade has been going much the same way. Sasha listens, does as she's asked, and is excelling at school. We couldn't be happier. Then on Monday of last week we got a bit of snow. Not much - just about an inch. And it happened. On Tuesday Cory met her at the bus stop. When they walked in the door I was greeted by big tears streaming down Sasha's face and she was sobbing about something I couldn't understand. Finally I made out what she was trying to say: She pulled a ticket. Her world came crashing down around her as she thought Cory and I would be mad and disappointed in her. Her perfect record was perfect no more.

So what did our dear, sweet girl do to pull a ticket? Did she cheat? Backtalk the teacher? Hit a classmate? Tell a lie? Talk out too much in class? Nope.

She threw a snowball.

And one of her friends told on her.

I had to laugh a bit when she told me what happened. She threw a snowball! Of all the things she could have done to get into trouble, this isn't anything major. I reassured her that it was ok and we weren't upset with her. In fact, I'm kind of glad that she finally did pull a ticket so she didn't have the pressure of being "perfect" all the way through school.

Of course, I also reminded her that she shouldn't have thrown the snowball and that someone could have gotten hurt. Kind of like last winter when I threw one towards her and busted her lip open because there was a chunk of ice in the snowball. Yikes!

I think this is a good lesson for Sasha. She's not perfect, but she sure is going to try hard to tow the line once again. Now if only I could enforce the ticket system here at home . . .

{Books of 2010}

It's a new year! 2010 really did seem to go by in the blink of an eye. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, maybe it's because I've been busier than ever before, and maybe it's because time goes faster when you watch your children grow up. After all, my baby is going to be two years old in less than four months!

In 2009 I started writing down all of the books I read over the course of the year. It was fun to look back and see everything I had read . . . and I made it a goal to read more. So last year I did the same thing. I regret that I didn't read any more books than I did in 2009, but I did discover a new favorite author and got lost in many exceptional storylines. It was a great year of reading!

So here's my list of 2010 books in the order that I read them. Perhaps you will b inspired to pick up one of them and go for an adventure!

1. You Have To Kiss A Lot Of Frogs by Laurie Graff

I must admit that this is not a book I'd recommend. The plot was not very rich . . . in fact, I had to plug my way through just to finish it. Basically, a Jewish actress recounts all her failed dates and relationships and her struggles to find "Mr. Right". There are some moments of hilarity, but overall it just isn't a story that is inspiring or thought-provoking. I suppose it would make a good beach read if you want something mindless and light. Now that I think about it, I don't even remember if she finds a husband, although I don't think she did. My verdict: Skip this one.

2. Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore

Beth Moore is an amazing spiritual writer and teacher and I've learned more from her Bible Studies over the past couple of years than I have from all the years I spent at church, Sunday School, and church camps combined. This book focused on how to overcome pitfalls in our lives and how to live a life of positivity and happiness. It was a great read and really helped me look at myself in a different light so I can be a better person. I definitely recommend this one - and anything by Beth Moore!

3. Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip - Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by Steve Dublanica

As a former waitress (or "server" if you want to be p.c.), I know all about the frustrations and hardships of working in a restaurant. So this book was right up my alley. I LOVED it! The author became a waiter in a high-end Italian restaurant by chance and spent years there serving people from all walks of life. He describes all the secrets of the kitchen staff, managers, and servers - the good, the bad, and the disgusting. Not only was it a very entertaining read, it was also informative. If you ever wondered what is expected of you when you go to a restaurant (or what you can do to ensure the worst experience eating out), pick up this book and devour it! ;)

4. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Allow me to introduct to you my new favorite author: Francine Rivers! My sister-in-law lent me this book to read and gushed over it. Once I picked it up I did NOT want to put it down. It is set in the West during the Gold Rush and follows Angel, a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a girl. Then she meets Michael. Michael is a God-fearing man who wants to save Angel, but he soon realizes that that isn't going to be as easy as he hoped. The story is heartwrenching, gripping, and eye-opening. You can't read this book and not be changed by it afterwards. I love this book so much that I've given it to friends and family as gifts. If I could buy a copy for everyone I know, I would! RUN to your local bookstore and get this amazing work NOW!

5. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Like all of Picoult's novels, this one described an unusual legal case. A family is divided over whether or not to sue the prenatal physician for not giving them the option to abort a baby who was born with Brittle Bone Disease. The twist in the story is that the physician is also the mother's best friend. A beautifully written story, many hot issues are touched on that make the reader question her (or his) own beliefs. And the ending will definitely surprise you! A good - although sad - read!

6. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

I was so spellbound by Redeeming Love that I couldn't wait to read more by Francine Rivers. I chose this one next. It is the first in Rivers's Mark of the Lion series. Oh. My. Word. This book is so incredibly rich in history, scripture, and perfect storytelling! I learned an immense amount about what the world was like during the Roman Empire, just after Christ died. This period of time truly came alive for me. The main characher, Hadassah, is a Christian slave for a very prominent Roman family. She strives to introduce Christ to those she works for and loves, despite the fact that she could be sent to the arena (as in gladiators - yes, there are gladiators in this story, too!) as a result. It is a story of courage, conviction, and ultimate sacrifice that will leave you hungry for more. Thankfully, there are two more books that follow the characters.

7. Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

I don't read too many political books or autobiographies, but given the political climate of the past two years I couldn't pass by this one. After reading Palin's first book I am more convinced than ever that the media is totally self-serving and one-sided. The details Palin revealed about her experience running for Vice President alongside John McCain are eye-opening. I was shocked by how she and her family were treated, by the lies that were spread about them, and by how intelligent Palin is. She is an example of how hard, honest work can take you anywhere in life - even to the White House. I hope everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, gives this book - and Palin - a chance.

8. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

This fall I joined a book club. Our first book was Little Bee. I had never heard of this book before but apparantly it has been on many best sellers lists and is a common book club book. Set in both England and Africa, it is rich in history and cultural references. An English couple go to Africa for a vacation and find themselves caught up in a little-known African political war. Their involvement follows them home to England in the form of a girl named Little Bee. While this wasn't a favorite read of mine, it was fascinating in many ways. I think most people would enjoy the story and it is a fairly quick read, too.

9. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

In 2009 I got sucked into (pun intended) the Twilight series. And like most Twilight fans, I was disappointed when I had finished the last book and had nothing left to look forward to with Edward and Bella. Thankfully, Stephanie Meyer wrote a novella that follows one of Victoria's newborn vampires she created to kill Edward. Readers get a look at a totally different type of vampire and see the final battle between Victoria and her army and the Cullen family in a completely new light. It's a fast read and will satisfy your thirst for more Edward and Bella.

10. The Ten Best Days of My Life by Adena Halpern

While at Tastefully Simple's National Conference last summer I attended a breakout session on self-motivation. The speaker emphasized the importance of reading inspirational books, and this is one that she spotlighted. The story follows a 20-something woman who has a seemingly unimportant life with little direction or purpose. When she is tragically killed, she enters Heaven and is amazed at how wonderful it it. But to stay there she must write an essay about the ten best days of her life. If it is good, she will stay at that level of Heaven. If not, she will go down to a less "perfect" level of Heaven. Yes, levels of Heaven is a rather ridiculous concept, but the self-discovery she attains by analyzing her life and the lessons she learns make the book a great read. And it really does leave the reader inspired to make the most of each day.

11. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Get ready to be transported to China during the 1800's. A wonderfully crafted story about two young girls from different social classes whose lives are brought together by old Chinese customs, this book gives the reader a very detailed look at what life was like in China during this time period. There are parts that are difficult to read - especially the foot-binding chapter - and parts that leave the reader feeling very proud of the female characters who made the best out of bad situations. I highly enjoyed this novel and recommend it if you want to read something from a different culture and time period.

12. The Help by Kathrn Stockett

Oh my, I LOVED this book! I've always been a HUGE lover of African American literature so this one was right up my alley. It is a story of black maids in the south and their relationships with the white families (mainly the women and children) they served. Set in the 1960's during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, the novel is full of historical references and the voices of the women are extremely vivid. It is almost like you are peeking inside the windows of peoples' homes and witnessing life during that volatile time period. I can definitely understand why this book has been so widely popular and on so many best sellers lists. It's a knockout!

13. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

I ended the year with Rivers's second novel in the Mark of the Lion Triology. I didn't think it could be any better than the first, but I was wrong. I was yet again blown away by the way Rivers teaches about history and about Christianity by weaving the past and scripture into a beautiful story. I found myself thinking about the characters non-stop and had a hard time putting the book down at night. This is another book that will stay with me for a long, long time. Go out and get it and be prepared to be swept away!

And that's it! Thirteen novels. Not bad, but definitely not what I had hoped to read. I have a feeling that this year I'll be reading LOTS more books because my sweet hubby bought me a Kindle for Christmas! YAY! Now I can easily take my books with me wherever I go and I've already discovered that I read much faster on the Kindle than I do with regular books.

I'd LOVE to hear about some of your favorite books from the past year! What did you enjoy? I have a running list of books I want to read and am always adding to it, so please share!

Here's to a great, inspiring, and positive 2011!