Five On Friday-St. George Photographer

Posted on May 14, 2010

Well, it has been some time since I have rambled off my five on Friday and it is even Friday while I am doing it! Hooray for me! My hubby is at a “Father and Son” campout with our church group which means the evening is mine to play…computer, sewing, taking pics of the little miss (which turned out mega cute!). It has been a fun evening. So, here go my 5…

1. If ever you are in Utah you must make a stop at Cafe Rio. It is the yummiest, best Mexican joint EVER. I am going to sorely miss that place and their delish coconut shrimp tacos they offer on Tuesday (and I eat most Tuesdays). Honestly, Cafe Rio really is reason enough to come to St. George, Utah for a visit. Oh, and Zion National Park, which is also in the running for coolest thing in my town .

2. The other joint that I frequent far too often is The Golden Spoon. Can I tell you how happy I am that fro-yo made a comeback? I LOVE it. And the best part is that a small is only three point with Weight Watchers (once a Weight Watcher, always a point counter!)

(I know this next picture looks professional, but it really is just me with my kinda long arms getting a semi okay shot after about 10 tries. Where is my dear friend anne and her long arms when I need a self portrait??)

3. So, can you tell me why, when I live in St. George, Utah…just two hours north of Vegas and very similar climate wise to Vegas, I needed a fleece sweatshirt at my son’s baseball game this week and ended up leaving early because Little Miss was a popsicle?? It is the middle of May my friends!! But don’t you fret…it will be in the 90’s tomorrow. Who wants spring anyway?

4. I have been on a fabric buying frenzy this past week or so. I love to make clothes for Miss P and have found some darling patterns lately. If you like to sew check out these…http://izzynivydesigns.blogspot.com. I bought some awesome Amy Butler fabrics and with the hubster gone, I will be up late sewing. I can’t wait!! I will post pictures when I finish!

5. I have been pretty successful keeping up on the house, though I spend around 2 hours every morning cleaning, folding laundry, dishes etc. Props to those of you who always do this! It is so hard to be so efficient. I would much rather be doing just about anything else! I do feel accomplished though that I can do it and very happy that my laundry gets folded within the same week it is washed. (Sounds like my house is a sty normally…not that bad, just not as spotless as it is now!)

And, here is a little teaser from my fun night with Miss P. We went to Cafe Rio, frozen yogurt, the fabric store (okay, I really am obsessed) and then she wanted to take pictures. Twist my arm. Oh, and a funny story…we get to where we are taking pics and of course she needs to go peepers (as we call it around here). There was no b-room nearby and I WAS NOT passing up my photo op, so we found a patch of secluded dirt and I attempted to help her go. Well, long story short, I should have put the camera down (no worries, it stayed dry). It is much easier to help a girlie so this in theory than reality. The show must go on though and the shoot was completed and P got a bath as soon as we got home!

Five on Friday-St. George Family Photographer

Posted on March 26, 2010

 

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but this is a photography blog…I had to have something, right??1. So, have I mentioned that we are moving?? Yes, it is sad, but true. Actually it is very exciting in many ways, but will be so hard to leave so many great friends and a beautiful area. My hubby is going back to school to get an MBA…yes, we will be students again. This time with two kids. Wish me luck. I say me, because I think the transition will be hardest on me. It should be a fun adventure too, right??

2. As part of the great move, we have to sell our house. This project has consumed my life. You see, I am a pack rat. I mean, I don’t save totally useless junk, but I have a lot of hobbies which involve a lot of stuff. I have been slowly weeding through my things since the first of the year. I have gotten rid of a lot, but there is still SO MUCH to do. Don’t worry though, I have a week to get it all done before we list the house. A WEEK…(breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.) Needless to say, this is the reason I have been fairly absent from the blogging world. Let’s hope once we have it up things will be a little calmer for a while.

3. Could spring just come, and stay. The cold weather is starting to make me really grumpy. I live in the desert for heavens sake. I need at least a little spring so I can endure the HOT summer.

4. I still have a couple of mini session spots available. I pushed them back a bit so I will start them in April. This whole school thing has thrown us a little curve ball (my hubby was offered a LARGE scholarship to a school other than the one we had finally decided to go to) and we are having to fly out to Michigan for 4 days at the start of April.

5. Anyone lived in Michigan? Sounds cold. Would love some reassurance that I will love it if we end up out there!

Five On Friday-Southern Utah Photographer

Posted on February 27, 2010

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?

Five On Friday (St. George, Utah Photographer)

Posted on January 15, 2010

What is “Five on Friday”, you ask?? Well, it is a blogging idea I got from a fellow photographer where I can talk about any five things I want on Fridays. How fun is that? Really, for those who know me, you know that talking about random things comes very easily to me. What I really want from this, though is for others to share their opinions on what I say as well (and if you think I am totally crazy, you can say it, just please say it nicely…HA!) So, here we go. Here are a few of the things that have been stewing in my brain this past week for this post.

1. I {HEART} popcorn. Really, mildly obsessed. I think what I really like is that I can eat a lot and not feel guilty (as long as I don’t smother it in butter–YUM!). I got an air popper for Christmas and have used it many a time since then. Did you know that yellow popcorn pops much larger and fluffier than white?? It is true. What is your favorite snack??

2. This is a fantastic toy…It is called “Frigits” and it is a magnetic marble run for the refrigerator. My kids aren’t toy kids, but they have spent so much time constructing these while I cook dinner or clean. It is so nice. And, it is fun for adults too! You can buy it at Amazon.com.

3. So, I just watched the first season of the show “GLEE”. Very cute and creative show. I spend a lot of time on the computer editing photos and I like to go to different networks to see what shows they have available to watch. Here are some of my favorites:

Burn Notice–fantastic writing. Love the characters and story lines.

Brothers and Sisters–true drama and very engaging. I make the hubster watch sometimes and so tonight when I turned an episode on while making dinner he had me fill him in on what had happened since he last watched.

Castle–good mystery show, fun characters and not too bloody.

The Office–really, need I say more?

V–I remember watching the old one and so when they came out with the new, I was anxious to watch. I have really enjoyed it!

Dancing With the Stars–fun.

Frasier–So, so funny.

I could go on, but I will stop. I would love your suggestions on other great shows. I am always looking for something good!

4. I love this foodie blog. Check it out if you enjoy cooking. Everything I have tried has turned out great!

5. Decided to paint my bedroom. Can’t wait to post some after pics!