blogging for bliss, typepad, and peach pie

My Mom bought Tara Freys new book "Blogging for Bliss". As I read about blissful blogging, and blissful bloggers, I started to think about why I blog. I (mostly) started this blog so that I had a place to share my budding love for photography. As my readership grew, blogging became a wonderful way to "visit" with new friends. I discovered new blogs, and new people. Blogging was fun! I loved reading the encouraging comments you left about my pictures. I loved it when someone new would leave a comment! Then summer came, and I was less focused on blogging. It became somewhat of a chore, even though I still loved it. Then I came across this new book, all about blogging for Bliss.

After much thought, I have decided to switch blog hosts'. Typepad will be my new home! I am working on the layout/design right now, so I will post a link when it's looking better. I am super excited; I just love the look of most Typepad blogs. They are so clean and fresh! While you're waiting... how 'bout some Peach Pie?

That's what I thought.

French Peach Pie

adapted from Betty Crocker's Cookbook

one round of pie crust (box works just fine)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/4 mounding teaspoon cinnamon

5 cups sliced fresh peaches

1 tablespoon lemon juice

for french crust

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup firm butter

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Mix crust ingredients with pastry cutter. Set aside.

Mix sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix in peaches and lemon juice. Turn into pastry lined pie plate. Sprinkle crumb crust on top.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 35 minutes, or until it bubbles in the middle.

Enjoy!

the blueberry monster

six blueberry's

(and what's that in the background?)

THE BLUEBERRY MONSTER!

(and only five blueberry's)

The Blueberry Monster strikes again!

(only three berry's left)

The Blueberry Monster gets away!

cute sam photo of the day

"Chocolate cake? ME? Noooo."

a day at the lake

a few weeks ago, we had a little birthday party for Joe and Ethan. i didn't take too many photos, but here's a few..

the photographer-me

ready for a day at the lake

feeling the water

holdin' dadda's hand



the giving of birthday cards

the troublesome two-year-olds

not a winner but...

a finalist! Hannah has posted the winners of her photog contest. I was one of three finalist's in the Still Life category! I'm pretty excited. :D

Thank you Hannah, and congrats to the three winners!

photography contest: still life

And here's the picture I'm entering in the Still Life category!

photography contest: portrait

Here is the picture I am entering in the Portrait category. It's of my little friend Lily at some friends wedding. She was the flower girl. Isn't she adorable?!

6x6

In the last week I have been tagged for more tags than I can count on one hand, lol! And I was tagged for this one THREE TIMES!

I was tagged by Lady Jess, then Hannah, then Caroline.
The rules: go into your 6th folder and select the 6th photo. This picture is from sooooo long ago, back when I had just gotten my Kodak point-n-shoot.

Ethan holding baby Sam.

I tag:

Serena

Hannah (from A Roaster's Daughter)

Elizabeth (from Quiet Streams)

Caroline (from Standing in the Sunlight)

and Moriah

photography contest

Hannah at Farmgirl in Flipflops is hosting a photo contest! I am excited to enter some of my photos. I'm (hopefully) going to enter one in each category, so watch for more posts! Here is the picture I am entering in the Nature category.

thistle {drying}

a little robin...

waaaaaayyyy up there,

and bird's flying.

the pump house

sam's lips

ain't he cute?

thank you Lord,

for your wonderful creation!

jasmine

queen anne's lace

pretty chair


jasmine vine

thistle

handmade gifts

A dear friend of mine celebrated her 15th birthday in May. Her younger sister planned a surprise party for her. It was so sweet, and very fun! She had no idea, and when she walked in the door thought "The house looks pretty." Then we all jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" She set her bags down and was like "Hiii." It was funny. :D Anyways, this is what I made her.

The blue zipper pouch is made of 100% cotton; the outside (blue) fabric and the lining (white) both came from the remnant bin at Joann's. I used a 7in. white zipper, and some white pom-pom trim. I used the instructions in Bend the Rules Sewing. I love that book!

The pink ipod case I made from scraps; the outside is 100% cotton, a fat quarter, and the lining is 100% cotton (pink) flannel (from the remnant bin as well). I used Velcro squares to close it, and added a vintage blue button for decoration. I didn't use a pattern, just made my own. It turned out smaller than I wanted it, only big enough for her nano, and not ear buds. Next time I will do it larger.

Then I made some simple pink earrings. I think they turned out quite pretty!

morning glory's

wild hollyhocks

these hollyhocks just popped up amidst the weeds in our backyard, and a few other places too.

bits of home

bright green thread

little one's laundry

cozy bedsheets

sick :(

That's what I am.

Sick.

Sick of being sick!

And three of my brothers.

For a week now,

starting with Ethan.

Then Sam,

then me,

then Joe.

Fever, aching body,

sick eyes, and a horrible cough.

Today we seem a little better.

sneeze

But the allergies!

Once the sickness is subsiding a bit,

sneeze

our allergies seem real bad today.

At least mine.

Ugh.

Sweet spring.

But it feels more like summer.

We have our air conditioner on!

sneeze

For the last few days

all I have done is lay on the couch.

Watching movies,

eating when I could.

I must get better.

Soon.