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i heart faces photo challenge | Best Face Photo from 2011

2012-01-08T21:34:00.005-05:00

I just adore taking photos of my nephew Max. Not only does he love the camera but the camera loves him.
This photograph was taken after our trip to the farm. We stopped for a doughnut
and as you can see he was really enjoying it.

Enter your
"Best Face Photo from 2011"

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Double Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies

2011-12-30T17:13:00.000-05:00

This is my entry for the Zanussi Cookers make every meal a masterpiece competition.

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
4 oz. peppermint candy cane, ground into a powder
4 oz. peppermint candy cane, crushed (Save 2 oz. to sprinkle on cookies)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Start off by grinding the first 4 oz. of peppermint candy cane into a fine powder using a coffee grinder. Then take the other 4 oz. of peppermint candy cane and crush into little pieces using a food chopper/processor. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, candy cane powder, 2 oz. of the crushed candy cane, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each egg. Then gradually add in the dry ingredient mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Place 1 tablespoon of mixture into rows onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 4 minutes then sprinkle a bit of the extra crushed candy cane on top of each cookie and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes or until done. Remove cookie sheet from oven and let cookies cool for at least 2 minutes then place them onto a cooling rack and let cool.

Wordless Wednedsay - Amish Farmland

2011-12-28T12:04:00.000-05:00

Nikon D90 Giveaway @ Oh So Posh Photography

2011-12-16T12:52:00.000-05:00

Here is a wonderful giveaway that will not only inspire both the amateur and professional photographer but also those who might hanging on the line just thinking about it. Oh So Posh Photography is giving away a beautiful Nikon D90 to one of their readers.

Here are the details for the camera:
Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

It's a dream come true. I highly recommend that you not only enter this wonderful giveaway but do a lot of browsing while your there. There's lots of beauty in store. Also if you get a moment, make sure you check out Oh So Posh Actions as well.

Wordless Wednesday - Black and White

2011-12-14T06:48:00.000-05:00

5 Minutes for Mom Christmas Giveaway 2011

2011-10-30T13:18:00.011-04:00

With Christmas right around the corner, 5 Minutes for Mom is getting ready to begin their annual 5MinutesforMom CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY 2011! Starting on November 1st, the gals over at 5 Minutes for Mom will begin publishing their first giveaway with a new giveaway being published each day through to the end of November. You can enter one giveaway or all of them but each giveaway must be entered separately in order for a chance to win that specific prize.

Be sure to stop by 5 Minutes for Mom to read the Giveaway Rules. With great prizes for the whole family, this is an event you do not want to miss. See you there!

2011 Christmas Giveaway Prize List:

Wordless Wednedsay - Creme Filled

2011-09-14T07:55:00.000-04:00

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Let Them Be Little

2011-09-07T06:33:00.008-04:00

I took this photo of my 2-year-old nephew during our visit to Dunkin Donuts. We had just left the farm and my sister and I thought the kids would enjoy a yummy donut. It was a great day of watching them be little.

Share yours today!

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Beautiful Eyes

2011-08-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

My son was a little grumpy the day I took this photo.
But it really helped to open up his beautiful eyes!

Head on over to i heart faces and share yours.

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge | Friendship

2011-08-08T21:59:00.002-04:00

A little laughter between friends.

Share yours today!

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T09:23:00.000-04:00

Wishing everyone a blessed 4th of July!
God Bless America!

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Psalm 118:5
In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.

Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:12
In him [Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
--Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever."
--Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!"
--The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, pp. 165-166.

"And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace."
--Samuel Adams as Governor of Massachusetts, Proclamation of a Day of Fast, March 20, 1797.

"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10)."
--Life of John Quincy Adams, p. 248.

Wordless Wednesday - Life of the Amish

2011-05-18T06:09:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Sweet Ham

2011-05-04T06:00:00.003-04:00

Anything But A Face! Photo Challenge | iheartfaces

2011-02-28T19:35:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - Enjoying the Snow

2011-02-02T06:29:00.001-05:00

People’s Choice Photo Challenge | iheartfaces

2011-01-31T12:47:00.001-05:00

So this is my first time entering one of I Heart Faces Photo Challenges. Here goes...

That's What CHRISTmas is all about Charlie Brown

2010-12-12T17:32:00.000-05:00

Centrum Holiday Contest

2010-12-11T22:59:00.002-05:00

This holiday season, the makers of Centrum® multivitamins and Molly Shannon are in search of “America’s Most Amazingly Energized Woman” and they want your help!

In celebration of women who live life and love to the fullest by staying healthy and energized, even during the busiest time of the year, Centrum® is kicking off a new contest.

To enter visit LoveFeelingHealthy.com and nominate either yourself or someone special in your life. In 300 words or less, explain how you, or the individual that you choose to nominate, does it all. From the nominations five finalists will be selected. Then from January 17-31, 2011, the public will cast their votes to who should be named “America’s Most Amazingly Energized Woman.”

The Grand prize winner will receive a $3,000 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate. And the four (4) Runner-Ups will each receive a $400 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate.

Nominations are being accepted until January 3, 2011 (12pm EST). Contest is open to US residents only. Click here for Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations.

Download a $3 coupon for Centrum® Women’s or Centrum® Men’s.

Disclosure: I am a member of the One2One Network. I received no compensation for posting this information about the Centrum Ultra Women's Holiday Contest with the exception of having my name entered into a drawing.

Tell Rayovac How You or Your Mom ROCKS the Holidays for a Chance to Win $1,000!

2010-11-30T06:50:00.002-05:00

Does your Mom ROCK the Holidays? Or how about YOU! Then Rayovac's Mom ROCKS Holidays Sweepstakes is a must for you to enter.

Entering is a simple two step process:

“Like” Rayovac on Facebook: Facebook.com/Rayovac
Go to Rayovac.com, complete the entry form and at their option, tell Rayovac in 120 words or less how you (or your mom) rocks the holidays.

Grand Prize: Three (3) Lucky winners will win $1,000 cash from Rayovac.

Runner Up Prizes: Twenty (20) First Place Prize winners will receive a Rayovac Jam kit including a Paper Jamz guitar, drum, amp and guitar strap as well as 2 packs of Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs (prize package valued at $90).

Hurry on over to Rayovac's Mom ROCKS Holidays because there's not much time to enter. The sweepstakes ends on December 5th

Disclaimer: Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

My 5 Tips for Editing and Creating Beautiful Photographs

2010-11-23T21:06:00.004-05:00

As you can sort of tell by my blog, I really enjoy photography. I think it all started way back when I was just a young girl taking photos of the Thanksgiving Turkey in the oven. My family thought I was crazy. While I didn't pursue a career in photography, I did end up graduated from college with a degree in Printing Management which I guess was my way of being creative. That meant using applications like Photoshop for color correction, as well as other page layout programs. My way of being artistic. lol

Anyhow, it wasn't until after I had my son and bought my first digital camera, a Canon Powershot G6, that I really wanted to learn more. So I began my journey within my cameras manual and then headed to my local library. At the library I was able to find books of all kinds that taught me how to use light, aperture, shutter speed, deep of field, etc. I got a basic understanding of my camera controls, what they meant, how they worked, and what I could possible achieve. After about 5 years of messing around with my Canon I finally bought my first D-SLR and I'm loving it.

So here are 5 of my tips for editing and creating beautiful photo:

1. Learn your camera, and how to use the controls that are on it. A wonderfully edited photo needs to start from somewhere and that is usually with the original photo that you have taken. So learn your camera, what it can do, what it can't do, and how you can use those little controls to help you get what you want to begin with. A good place to start is with your camera's manual. Then work your way to your local library to read up on techniques, etc. Or take an online photography course or class at your local college.

2. Practice by taking lots of pictures. It doesn't matter where, when, or how. Just go out and shoot. Play around with the controls on your camera. Take the same picture over and over with different settings and even at different times of the day. Get a feel for what changes occur when you change your settings, and what happens during different times in the day. The more photos you take, the more you have to work with later when editing.

3. Find a good editing software program and learn how to use it. Right now, while I would love to own any Photoshop program such as Photoshop Elements, I just can't afford it. So I use GIMP. It's free and gives me the tools that I need to edit my photos in the way I need for now. From the use of layers and blending modes to contrast, sharpening, saturation, etc. It gives me enough control to go from this

to this

4. Don't be afraid De-saturate. Changing your photos from color to black and white. Black and white photos can make for some really nice pics. When I think of black and white photos I think of shades of grays from dark to light or light to dark. if you look at the photos below you can see how they differ. Changing a photo to black and white may even be the way to go if you can't get the colors to look just right. Or you could choose to use selective coloring like I did to my sons eyes in the first photo below. There is something beautiful about black and white photographs.

5. Don't be afraid to apply a texture or pattern to your photo. They can really help to add some of your own style to your photos. Textures come from textured images, or from using patterns or paint brushes in your editing program. You can also create your own textured images to use by photographing items like brick, stone, rust, etc. Below are a few examples of photos that I used textures or patterns in.

My sisters hands where in this photo and I needed a way to remove them so I used a textured pattern to remove her hands.

Adding texture to this photo just gave it a little bit of style that I kind of liked. Plus it made the water on the glass door stand out a bit more.

No matter how you choose to edit and create your photos just be yourself. Photos are windows to the soul not only through the people that are in the photos but also through the people who are creating them.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Adobe blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

I'm in Need of Your Vote - Help Me Win a Magic Castle Bounce House for My Sister and Her Family

2010-11-20T22:38:00.003-05:00

Hey Everyone,
I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me out. Right now Bounce Houses Now is having a 2010 Holiday Photo Contest on Facebook. The photo with the most votes by 12/15/2010 will win a Magic Castle Residential Bounce House.

I really want to win this Bounce House for my sister and her family. She has 5 boys that I know will thoroughly enjoy this prize, including the oldest, but I really need your vote.

The photo I entered is of my nephew, Jacoby. He is actually a Christmas baby and will be 2-years-old this coming Christmas. My sister has no idea that I'm even doing this so if I won it would certainly make for a wonderful blessing and surprise. And I know how much this would mean to her and her family. Your vote would be greatly appreciated.

Voting is a 2-step process:
1. LIKE "Bounce Houses Now" on Facebook
2. LIKE the photo that I entered of my nephew.

I can't begin to thank you enough. God Bless!

5 Minutes for Mom Christmas Giveaway 2010! Haul Out the Holly!

2010-11-20T10:53:00.001-05:00

It's that special time of the year again! Starting on November 8th, 5 Minutes for Mom will be hosting there awesome annual CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY 2010! And as always, this year will be jammed pack with fun and tons of great giveaways. It is definitely an event you do not want to miss.

The Christmas Giveaway 2010 is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 8th and will run all the way through the month of November with all entries closing on Tuesday, November 30th at 8pm EST. With this month long Christmas Giveaway comes loads of giveaways, tons of fun, and plenty of chances for you to win.

The gals at 5 Minutes for Mom will also be sharing some great gift ideas that you can add to your Christmas shopping list. Maybe even get a few of those family members and friends crossed off your list. So if you'd love to hear about some of these great ideas and have a chance at winning some of these great prizes, then make sure you stop by 5M4M to enter! See you there!

Winners will be drawn randomly and will be announced on 5M4M on Friday, December 3rd.

2010 Giveaways List:

Britax B-Ready Stroller valued at $499.00
Little Tikes Neighborhood Market
Keurig Single-Cup Brewer and Selection of Folgers Gourmet Selections and Millstone Coffee K-Cups
Superstructs Custom Kit
Sing-a-ma-jigs Giveaway
BISSELL Steam & Sweep
Indestructibles Baby Books
$25 Gift Certificate to Lavish & Lime
Oneida Bakeware
Kaleidoscopes for Christmas
Epson Stylus NX625 all-in-one printer
The Land of Nod Christmas Giveaway
Disney Sing It Party Hits for the Wii
Hot toys from Playskool, Hasbro and Playmobil
Playful Playskool Giveaway
Nintendo’s New Carnival Games for the Wii
dB Logic Earphones Giveaway
Metal Frame Micro RC Helicopter from Discovery Store Giveaway
Hall Stars Indoor 2 in 1 Hockey Baseball Game
Things Remembered Giveaway
Beyblade Giveaway
Celebrity Gift Basket Worth Over $450.00
Gift Certificate to Jewelry Ninja
Step 2 and Infantino giveaway

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

2010-11-17T09:28:00.002-05:00

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

My wish for my family is that each and every family member near and far would know how loved they truly are. And that this season would remind them that Jesus loves them greatly. And for all those family members who have not received Jesus yet, I pray that they would this Christmas. I also have a special wish for my younger brother. He is heading out today to spend 6 months on the Mission Field in the Ukraine. My wish for him is an abundance of love from the church family there and that he always remembers that we love him and are so very proud of him. And that we are praying for him and the people of the Ukraine that they may come to know the Lord this Christmas season.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?

Since it is just myself and my 8 year old son, I usually get up early (after going to bed late) to make sure that everything is just perfect. To make sure that Santa (wink, wink) has drank at least half of the glass of milk that was left out. And eaten at least one and a half of the yummy cookies. Then I grab my camera and I wait for my son to awake which is usually anywhere between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. We always start out with a big Happy Birthday shout out to Jesus then a Merry Christmas. Then off to the stocking my sons goes. After emptying his stocking, my son then heads to the presents under the tree. I just love watching the joy in his face when he opens his gifts. And most of all the thankfulness to the Lord for this day.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

I could ask Santa for so many decadent things, but this is the season for giving and wishing for others. My decadent wish would be that someone out there in this world would be granted their wish and that through their wish someone else would blessed and so forth and so on. A continuation of blessings being passed on from one individual to the next.

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

We bake a birthday cake for Jesus. When we all get together after dinner we sing Happy Birthday. My son and I also love watching Christmas movies. From The Christmas Shoes, which always makes me cry, to A Christmas Story, which always makes me laugh. "You'll shoot your eye out kid". lol. We also love gathering around the fireplace with a warm glass of Hot Cocoa. Nothing like a warm toasty fire on a cool crisp night.

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

My family were very big on playing games. We loved playing Pac-Man and Donkey Kong on our old Atari game system as well as board games like Scrabble, Candyland, and The Game of Life. Then there was hide-and-go-seek in the house. LOL. I remember the day that my dad tipped the screen playing Pac-Man. That is when you reach the highest score even possible on the game system. I still remember him sitting in the chair in front of the old tube TV and all of us kids watching. LOL I miss you dad.

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

Some of the Christmas traditions that we have carried over from my childhood would be hanging stockings, leaving cookies and milk out for Santa, Christmas Eve service, and watching "It's a Wonderful Life".

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?

I would love to go back home to Boston to visit some of my family that I haven't seen in a very long time. But then again, I would also love to be out on the mission field surrounded by those who do not have the luxuries that we have but have one thing in common. . . the love of Jesus.

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

The three top items on my GameStop list this year are the Nintendo DSi XL Red Bundle, Kirby's Epic Yarn for the Wii, and Super Mario Galaxy 2

Send Your Name to Mars!

2010-11-14T14:54:00.005-05:00

I just thought this was way cool that I had to share! I have an 8 year old who loves the planets, stars, sun, and just outer space in general. He was so excited when I told him.

If you go to the NASA Website and fill in your information, your name will be included with others on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover heading to Mars in 2011! Pretty neat. And when you complete your information you can even print out a really cool certificate. My son already has his hanging on his wall.

Dear Crissy’s Can’t Wait til Christmas Lenovo Laptop Giveaway

2010-11-06T15:59:00.002-04:00

I entered Dear Crissy’s Can’t Wait til Christmas Lenovo Laptop Giveaway
and hope to win a $799.00 IdeaPad!

And I think you should too. I mean come on. Who can pass up the chance to win a brand new Lenovo IdeaPad U460. Not me that's for sure. I have been desiring a laptop for a long time so this would be the most sweetest Christmas present that I will place under my tree just for me.

Winning this laptop would change the way I do many things when it comes down to my computer time. I could use this baby for work and when I travel. I can surf the internet, and check email in the kitchen while cooking dinner, or while out in the backyard during a beautiful summer night. I could upload my photos after shooting or hang out in the living room with my son and still have access to a computer right at my fingertips. Right now my desktop computer is in my bedroom and I hate being stuck in there when I could be moving around the house with this lovely Lenovo IdeaPad. How about you? You up for the chance. If so, make sure you visit Dear Crissy and get your entry's in. Giveaway ends December 4th at 11pm EST.