April & May In Review

If you've been wondering where I've been, we are at full speed ahead captain. Our life has been full of bridal showers, weddings, and other special occasions. In the month of April, my niece and the love of her life said their wedding vows. She had a beautiful bridal shower and breath taking wedding. Shall we look back, starting with Natalie's Bridal Shower.  Her wedding colors are all soft pastels with a sweet country feel.  We had a craft day and all of us learned to decorate vases, bottles, etc. with burlap, twine, lace and other pretty embellishments.  It added a special country touch to all the guest and food tables.  Dainty frames with Nathan and Natalie's picture were displayed all throughout the room.  I caught guests going from to table to table, looking the arrangements on each table.  

   

Above photo: Natalie with her grandma, mom and future mother-in-law and grandma-in-law

A beautiful group of ladies.  Poor Natalie put on her flats and is still the tallest in the picture.  I think, she is a superstar!

I felt absolutely honored to be asked to take their rehearsal pictures.  Nathan's mom, Phyllis, asked me to take pictures during the rehearsal dinner.  It was very nice.  

Nathan getting instructions down pat.  A whole new experience for this country boy.  :)

The rehearsal dinner was held Nathan's brother's place.  They have a beautiful barn, just for parties and special events.  It is rustic, filled with antiques and a warm cozy country feel. A perfect place for a great celebrate, for a perfect couple.  Congratulations guys!!! 

The kids had a blast running all over the farm.  Katie was so hot and sweaty, but she had so much fun.   It's great when all the relative children get along well.  The little girl and boy to the right is Nathan and now Natalie's niece and nephew.  Such sweet sweet kids.  My kids took to them instantly.  

The Wedding

Us ladies were all sitting around, talking, resting and watching the clock tick away.  Natalie was sitting by this window sill, talking to us.  My photography brain kicked in.  I thought, her sitting there would make a great silhouette.  I took the silhouette first and then Leslie asked me to just take a picture of her with a flash.  As much as I like the silhouette, I have to say that I love this picture the best.  She is so beautiful!  

It's always hard on the daddy's to give their little girls away.  I love these precious moments and it's these moments that I love my job as an artist. 

Doug had the honor to do a reading for his niece, Natalie.  The "Brown" sign, I doctored a little, using Photoshop.  The sign was actually written lightly with chalk.  All I did was enhance and replaced the filter to make it appear a little rustic.  

Ryan's fiancee, Angie, painted this beautiful family tree for Natalie and Nathan as a keepsake, to hang in their new home.  All of the family and friends had the opportunity to put their fingerprint on this tree during the wedding rehearsal and reception.  It turned out so perfect!  She just did such a great job with it.  Angie is a terrific artist!  

Grandpa and Daddy dancing with the bride - It's tradition

Our kids danced more than the adults.  Katie danced so much that she got a headache later that night.  

I absolutely thought this was adorable and something that I hope they will NEVER forget.  Most of the night, Natalie danced with college basketball buddies and friends.  Finally, Nathan put on his shades and hit the dance floor for his bride.  They sang and danced together, it was great!  

Sheer Happiness!  

One perfect wedding of the year has met it's Happily Ever After.  Now, the second wedding of the year is still in process.  

If you didn't know, I've been doing a little volunteer work at our church.  They needed an extra hand and I was happy to loan mine.  During Easter celebration, I saw this display from my desk.  I had to capture it.  I made this photo manually with my DSLR.  It took a few takes to get that perfect shot.  What I envisioned in my head.

Easter

We all came together as one big family and celebrated Jesus' resurrection at Doug's parents place.  Of course, we had a great time and you couldn't have ordered a better day of good weather.  The Easter bunny hid approximately 100 filled plastic eggs.  The kids loved it!  They loved it so much that I hid them again.


Is this not the most precious picture?


She was trying to get the egg away from him.  LOL!

Angie's Bridal Shower

Ryan and Angie will be saying their vows in the next few weeks.  They are beach people and Angie absolutely LOVES the color turquoise.  I've seen houses decorated in turquoise and brown.  So pretty!  Well, we thought we would have a beachy themed bridal shower.  I think it turned out beautiful.  We all pitched in our different sized lanterns, sea shells (we've collected over the years) and throw a few flowers here and there.  I think she had a lovely bridal shower and received so many neat things.  Now, bring on the WEDDING!  

Mother's Day

We are grateful to celebrate another Mother's Day with our little momma.  She walks a little slow and gets distracted easily, but she's a feisty one.  Don't say that I didn't warn you!  I still say that she is beautiful at the young age of 78.  My brother-in-law, Kevin, has given my mother her corsage every year for Mother's Day and Easter Sunday.  She loves it and expects it now every year.  LOL!  Be careful when you start things.  Of course, I'm the biggest in the group of my little sisters.  I think I take after my dad's mother.  She loved cooking, eating and having too good of a time.  :)

Our newest mommy-to-be and daddy too!  She's going to be out of commission in a few short weeks. Twins are growing fast and doing well.  Momma may have to put the nursing job to the side for a while.  

Then, you have me with my white legs and my babies.  

I'd like to wish all of you momma's out there a very good late Mother's Day!  

Stay tuned to a school field day, fantastic ballet recital, wedding and other summer events . . .

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

We tried this recipe tonight and it was really good. It will be used a lot, I believe this Summer - it's that easy and inexpensive. An added bonus, it's a Weight Watcher's recipe - only 6 points per serving. While looking for some new light cooking recipes, I came across this WW Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken recipe posted by Stella B's Kitchen. It looked so good and loved that it was an easy crock pot meal, I can use on these nice Spring/Summer days.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 2 inch strips
1/2 cup soy sauce (I used the 50% less sodium)
1/2 cup honey (I used local honey)
3 garlic cloves, whole
hot chili sauce (optional)  - I used 1 Tbsp. and 1 dash of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

Instructions:

• Place chicken breasts in crock pot along with soy sauce, honey, garlic cloves and hot chili sauce.  
• Set crock pot to low and cover. 
• Stir once 2 hours into the cooking and then cook an additional 2 hours.  Add a little additional time, if chicken is frozen.  I used frozen breasts, so I added an additional 30 minutes and it was perfect.  
• Remove the garlic cloves.

I served this chicken with baby spinach salad (baby spinach, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, cut cucumbers).

The house smelled so GOOD!  No hot kitchen, supper was ready within 4 1/2 hours and I got to spend time with my children.  It was so delicious and the hot chili sauce gave it a great flavor and no heat.  I just LOVE crock pot meals in the Spring and Summer time.

I'm trying my best to get back on our regular healthy diet.  It would be a good opportunity for us right  now because we like to eat light meals during the warm months.  I've always loved baby spinach in my salad instead of iceberg lettuce.  I know that spinach is very healthy for you.  I read an article the other day and it said not only is spinach good for you, but to try kale to switch things up.  Well, I'm a little nervous trying kale.  I've never been good on eating greens (collards, turnip).  I blame my childhood.  My parents made me eat collards and turnip greens during the Winter months.  The leaves were not washed good because I always tasted the grit (sand/dirt) from our outside garden.  It would turn my stomach every time.  When I first got married, I would hold my nose and quickly swallow the greens during New Years Day.  It's tradition, everyone that wants lots of money in the coming year has to eat lots of greens and blackeye peas.  My sweet sweet mother-in-law found out through my husband my hatred for greens, so to this day she makes me a pot of cabbage instead.  I did try creamy collards at a barbecue restaurant this past Winter.  They were good!  I couldn't eat a whole lot, but it reminded me of creamy spinach dip.  I'll eat spinach dip, so good.  I know I'm strange.  I love spinach (raw) and cabbage, but can't handle turnip or regular collard greens.  Saying this, I'm a little nervous to try kale.  Do you think I'll like it?  Does it taste more like spinach or turnip greens?  On Pinterest, I found a few recipes that sounded good.  One was a Gruyere Cheese and Kale Quiche and the other was kale cooked with white beans.  Do you have a good kale recipe that I should try? Please let me know.  Thanks!
 

How Great Thou Art

If you turn on the news or keep up with your local newspaper, you read or see terrible events all the time. With the horrific shootings in Texas, the high magnitude earthquake in Chile to our own troubles at home. The world is filled with pain and suffering. Some environmentalist claim that we are living in the time of global warming and that is why we've had such a crazy Winter (blizzards, frigid cold temperatures, severe storms, and mudslides). Our planet is out of balance due to human abuse to our planet. Well, I agree to a certain extent. Our planet is out of balance that is for sure. When God created the heavens and the earth, He made it perfect. We allowed sin to enter into this perfection and destroy it as well as us. We are out of balance because of sin, we can not have a close and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. The world is pushing the Only God out as fast as possible because He doesn't fit in the evil and selfish lifestyle that we desire. We choose our passions and desires. Whether it is our career, family life, craft, etc. The list goes on and on, unending. It's okay because we all do it. As long as we realize it and turn to God with forgiveness and thanksgiving. We are not perfect and never will, but God desires a relationship with his children. The environmentalist say that we need to create more regulations and restrictions to reverse this action to more positive end results. They claim that we are living in time of global warming. I believe we are living in the ENDS OF DAYS. I believe we are living the days of Revelations, we have for many many years. Instead of more regulations, we need repentance to God Almighty. Instead of more restrictions, we need to embrace God and all his wonders. Because He is Still In Control, whether we want to admit it or not. It might feel better if we say that WE ARE IN CONTROL, but we are not. Never have! GOD IS IN CONTROL and what is, will be.

With all the craziness that is going on all around us - earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, mudslides, murders, tornadoes, hurricanes, severe storms, terrorism, bad health plans that are forced on us and other evil acts. Be assured the God is with you. Just go to him and he will give you rest. He will give you peace during the worst of times and joy during the best of times.

I receive emails from one of my favorite bands "The Piano Guys" whenever they release a new album or song. I just love these guys. This morning while watching Fox News regarding the latest events, the shooting at Fort Hood, TX. As I shake my head, so sorrowful for the victims' families and those that are wounded. My heart is so heavy with more bad news of the world. I think to myself how much this country alone needs God and a good ole' revival to bring our spirits back up and give praise to God for what he has done for us. I opened up my emails to clean out mostly the junk messages, when I noticed that The Piano Guys have released yet another masterpiece "The Mission: How Great Thou Art". How fitting to what has been going on for several days, months and years. The Piano Guys are strictly instrumental, but growing up in a country church I remembered most of the lyrics. If you don't know the lyrics to "How Great Thou Art", here they are:

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

You know, even as I read these lyrics once again.  I always get choked up during the part of "he bled and died to take away my sin."  Of course, I'm in tears of joy at the last verse in the song.  How encouraging to know, no matter what happens to me, Jesus is coming back for me and taking me to a place of no pain, no suffering, no tears - EVER!  How great is this and how powerful my God truly is.    Y'all he is coming back and the signs are all around us.  Will it happen tomorrow?  I don't know, but I do know that it is coming and Jesus will come to embrace His children and take us home.  Nonbelievers can call it global warming, but I know what it is.  Time is slowly coming to an end and I will be with my Heavenly Father FOREVER AND FOREVER!  Praise God for all his grace on my soul.  I pray that if you are not a believer that God will touch your heart, so you might let him in.  He will give you peace, love and rest from all your troubles.  HE LOVES YOU!!  Please ask him to come into your heart and soul today.  God is LOVE and a world without LOVE is very grim and gloomy.

I encourage you to watch the musical video of The Piano Guys and their version of "How Great Thou Art".  It is taken place in Iguaza Falls, absolutely beautiful.  I don't think they could have picked a better place to produce this video.  Just breathe taking.  

If there is anything that I can give you is Hope and Peace.  Hope that God is coming back for his children and he will give us peace to all the tragedy around us.  In Exodus, Moses had the opportunity to have a one on one conversation with God Almighty.  Jehovah told Moses, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14.  It's that simple.  Today, I hope you embrace God's rest that he is offering you without cost.


 

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

 

   

 

Gulf Coast Trip - Part 2

Jackson Square

This was my first trip to New Orleans and of all opportunities, we got to visit during Mardi Gras week.  Of course, I went with a little fear because I heard a lot of horror stories.  We stayed in the areas that we were advised to hang out.  It is basically around Jackson Square.  We had a very good experience and encourage others to have just as much clean and stress-free fun.  

• Stay close to Jackson Square area - very family friendly
• Keep all of your personal items close to your eye sight.  I took a small hipster purse.  Put it  across my chest and the purse in front of me.  This might help you from becoming a victim of pick-pocketing.  Guys - keep your wallet in your front pants pocket. 
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  
• I wouldn't stay out too late unless you are enjoying the parades during Mardi Gras.  When the crowds clear out, go with them back to your vehicle or hotel.  

I hope these simple tips help you have a wonderful experience like we did.  A few landmarks I would recommend you visit: 

• Jackson Square
• Cafe Du Monde - try the beignets or French Donuts - They are delicious! 
• French Market - is an awesome place to shop for anyone and everyone.  
• Aunt Sally's Pralines are to die for.  The shop is just down the strip between Cafe Du Monde and the French Market. 

To me, as long as you stay along that strip, there is so much to do, eat and see.  Shopping galore, wonderful flavored cuisines, beautiful landscapes and I really enjoyed the street performers. 

The Naked Cowboy normally hangs his hat in New York, I thought.  I was so surprised to see him on Bourbon Street, playing his guitar and singing with Naked Cowgirl by his side.  Yes, they do have on underwear.  

Another thing about Bourbon Street, PLEASE BE WARNED!  IT ISN'T FAMILY FRIENDLY AT ALL!  It's an experience, but be prepared to witness drunks, puke, and some nudity.  It reminded me of a college frat party.  We just went to say that we've been on Bourbon Street.  Now that we've been there and experienced it, I wasn't too impressed nor have it on my list of "To Go Back and Visit".  

I had to have a picture of these ladies - Red Solo Cup - LOL! 

Rednecks after my own heart - so creative

The Mardi Gras Royal Court - ready for the parade to start

King of Mardi Gras

I loved how parades would just start up out of the blue and it might be just one band and a few people throwing out beaded necklaces to the crowds.

We had to take a break after walking, for it seems like 20 miles.  It was good exercise for me to make room in my stomach for some Emeril's delicious grilled salmon. 

My special date with the man of my dreams and Emeril's.  We started out with three different types of bread (rosemary, sweet potato and cornbread).  The appetizer was barbecue shrimp - delicious!  For our main course, Doug tried their sea scallops (huge) and I got the honey glazed salmon.  I've never had a chocolate soufflé, which is what the waiter recommended for dessert with a serving of vanilla ice cream.  Trust me, you'll need the ice cream to cut the sweetness of the chocolate.  It was all so good and I would absolutely go back for seconds again.  It's a once in a lifetime experience.  

On our way home, we decided to go through Gulfport, MS.  It was such a beautiful drive and I hated to leave the beach.  

Mississippi Coast

 

I would absolutely love to do this again some time.  I enjoyed experiencing great Southern cuisines, the beautiful sights, and different cultures.