Five On Friday-Southern Utah Photographer

1. I am a little stumped as to what to say. Don’t ask me why, but everything seems so simple. I guess that is what life is like as a stay at home mom…I spend much of my life picking up messes, making tools out of cardboard (our craft project today), filling up sippies with milk, breaking up fights, soothing crying children, teaching, etc. Being a mom is what I always saw myself being, but little did I know how difficult it was going to be.  Thank heavens for photography. It has given me an outlet on those days that seem monotonous (because so many are…routines are great, but not always exciting). It has allowed me to capture my children at those moments I never want to forget. It is a life saver.

2. Last Saturday, after a week of not so healthy eating, I was dying to make something healthy. I discovered this recipe, ran to the store, and made it. Even my two year old ate an entire bowl. Just thought I would share:

Southwestern BBQ Chicken Salad  

2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (I used a rotisserie chicken)                                                                                         

1 cup barbecue sauce                                                                                                                                                                                                

1/2 head romaine (or green leaf), chopped

1/2 head iceberg lettuce 

1 can corn, drained (I used frozen that I slightly warmed)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 cucumber, chopped

(any other veges you like!)

shredded cheese

crispy tortilla strips (slice in strips with scissors or pizza cutter, place in a single layer on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking oil, salt generously, and broil until slightly brown on the edges–under 10 minutes)

ranch dressing (I buy the Hidden Valley packets and make it myself with lowfat mayo and buttermilk)

Stir together chicken and bbq sauce until desired saucy-ness. Toss together lettuces and other ingredients and top with dressing, cheese and tortilla strips. Enjoy.

3. Have you ever read the “Fancy Nancy”  series? They are so darn cute! My Little Miss P loves them and even my son enjoys them!

4. Anyone else ready for spring??

5. My little Miss P had her tonsils removed this week. It was hard to put her through that, but it was the best thing for her. She had sleep apnea and snored like an old man. Her snoring has already stopped. Hooray! Her cute, little, raspy voice is gone, but she sounds just as cute now!

Isn’t she such a cute little thing. She was so brave..not a tear until after. She of course took her dollie and snuggler and that helped.

p.s anyone know how to make Wordpress single space between lines so my recipe isn’t years long?

Really Cute Family-St. George Family Photographer

So, I have been MIA for some time and I have really good reasons…February was CRAZY. We had family here, twice (lots of fun!!), I taught my beginning photography class (a big success), I traveled with the hubster to Virginia and DC (a well needed escape), my J man turned 5 (can’t believe it) which included a birthday party and my little Miss P got her tonsils out on Monday (can you say LONG WEEK). Needless to say, something had to give and it mainly ended up being work. I more or less took the entire month off. Now, it is time to get back into the swing of things and finish up the ever so dreaded taxes (doesn’t it feel like we just did those??). Thank you for checking back in and I will try to get back to blogging!!

For now, here is a family picture of my brother and his cute family!

My kiddos-Southern Utah Photographer

It is a rare occurrence to get a photo of my kids together. One will make a silly face (usually the older), one (usually the younger) will claw the other’s eyes. It isn’t pretty. Every so often though, the stars will align and both children will cooperate. In those moments, I let nothing deter me and I shoot away. They are still usually bribed with copious amounts of candy and prizes, but that is okay in my book as long as I can get a good shot.

My two kiddos are good little friends. They are also the best enemies. I will see them playing so sweetly together knowing that it is only a matter of time before one ends up in tears. I guess that is how brothers and sisters are though. And you know what the best part is , that no matter how the day goes between the two, a new morning will come and they are little pals again. Having them as close as I did (they are just over two years apart–close for me!) has been really hard for me, but I am so glad I did. I hope they grow up to be the best of friends.

So, a few notes about this picture…notice my son’s hair. He has cut his hair more times than I can count…the most recent being right before Christmas. You can see that it is still growing out. That kid, I tell you. Also, many of you know about his accident at the DQ last August where he split his lip open…you can see his scar. I often edit it out, but I wanted to document what it looks like. It should continue fading, but it has already improved so much!

Beautiful Baby Boy-St. George Newborn Photographer

This little guy was the strongest baby I have ever photographed. He would hold his head up and throw his body back. It was pretty amazing. He slept fantastically and he is such a beautiful baby. Congrats Andrea!

Mine On Monday- St. George Family Photographer

I definitely will claim this little girl as mine. She is my niece and she is one of the sweetest, most obedient little girls I have met. I couldn’t believe how old she looked when I saw this picture. I guess they tend to do that on us…grow up. I am so happy that my kids are close to their cousins. It is such a blessing in their lives!

and the proud big sis-St. George Newborn Photographer

Can you believe how sweet these two are?? Big sis was as proud as can be of her new little sister. It was just the sweetest thing!

Beautiful Baby A-St. George, UT Newborn Photographer

Wow. I am behind. Sometimes life gets in the way of my blogging!! Life has been good to us at the Shaw house though, so I can’t complain. I really can’t believe we are starting another week already. These next two are busy ones. I will try to update, but we will see how I fit it all in.

Enough of that…I got the privilege of photographing a dear friend’s new little bundle. This little sweetie debuted five weeks early. After a brief stint in the NICU she is home. It was so fun to buy new girlie hair accessories just for the occasion. She is a beautiful little thing with lots of dark hair. Can’t wait to watch her grow!!

Mine On Monday-Southern Utah, St. George Photographer

This little boy…where to begin. I love this little guy. We butt heads much of the time because he knows more than I do whether he is wrong or right, but he is the funniest, smartest boy around. He loves to read, add, color, and play with friends. He loves to be hugged and kissed. He is kind to his sister (most of the time), a great helper and becomes a friend to anyone and everyone.  I sure love him!

For Sale-Southern Utah Photographer

This fantastic couch has been my companion on many a photo shoot, but it, unfortunately,  is time to let it go (for various reason). I hope it is just what someone out there is looking for. It is in fantastic shape and I actually had it cleaned within the last year. It photographs so well and is a unique and fun prop. I am asking $350 for it. Please email me if you are interested!! Thanks!

Here are a few sessions where I used it. Isn’t it beautiful?!?

BTW–I get more requests for this couch than any other prop I own!!

Hair Yo-Yos, Crafty Sunday-St. George, Utah Photographer

I love to make things…sew, knit, crochet, hot glue. I thought it would be fun to share some of the projects I do that are easy and fun. Here goes the first. Let me know if you like them and how they turn out for you!

I call these Hair Yo-Yo’s because they remind me of a quilting technique that they call Yo-Yo’s. These were easy and fun to make. I am going to make more to match all of the little outfits I make for Paige and with other fabric scraps. They really take just a little piece of fabric which is nice. I tried to make them entirely on the sewing machine, but I found that they work better when done by hand. I did sew the side seam on the machine though.

Take a strip of fabric (any size…just a long rectangle) and press it in half the long ways.

Put short ends together and sew the seam together. This is the part I normally do on the machine, but can also easily be done by hand too. You can see on the inside that I did this one by hand.

On the long, raw, inside edge do a long running stitch that starts on one side all the way around to the other.  A running stitch is just an in and out stitch as seen here.

When you get back around to your starting point, gather the stitches to form a circle. Make sure it is nice and tight. Tie both end in four or so overhand knots.

Cut out a piece of felt large enough to slip in a clip and cover the raw middle. Cut a slit in the felt on one end. Slide one of the prongs of an alligator clip into the slit. Cover the bottom of the felt and the bottom of the clip with hot glue. Adhere to the bottom of the yo-yo.

 

Turn yo-yo over to front side. Choose a button you like and either sew it to the middle or hot glue it on. I usually glue mine…much easier!

Voila…done. Easy as pie and cute as can be!

Here is another idea of what you can do with these. I made Miss P a dress (not the one she is wearing) and wanted to have a matching headband. I took a plastic headband from the craft store, covered it in grosgrain ribbon and adhered three little yo-yo’s to it. I will snap a picture of the dress soon too. It is super cute!!

**please excuse my ugly nails and poor photos…I just used my point and shoot**

Hope you enjoy!!

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