I heart Faces - Fix It Friday's 10-7-11

Well, it's Friday again ALREADY!

This week's FIF showcased a picture from one of my current most admired photographers. She is a newbie that has really made HUGE progress in only a year. I've never met her but follow her fan page on FB and enjoy her blog tremendously! She's such an amazing inspiration for someone looking to improve upon their photography skills! You can check out Liz's site HERE. Her daughter is her muse, (like my boys) and I've seen her sweet face often! So when I saw the pic this week I was excited to try my hand at the image!

One of my recent desires in editing is to learn how to even out and correct skin tones. I (along with many others) have "Asked Liz" on her Q/A section of her blog. I'm excitedly awaiting her tutorial post! In the meantime, I searched online and found a remarkable action from Rita at The Coffeeshop Blog. It's called Perfect Portrait 3.  It walks you through step by step how to even out skin tones, adjust the sharpness of the eyes, as well as whiten whites! ALL in ONE! It's by FAR my most favorite clean edit action to date!

The above image was edited using the Perfect Portrait 3 action with a few tweaks to adjust to my liking. I also cropped the image to make it vertical and avoid the crack in the concrete.

This process is so EXCITING and FUN! I have a feeling I'll be looking forward to Fridays from here on out! =)

I heart Faces - Fix It Friday's 9-30-11

Today I joined the online community of Photographers and Momtographers looking to sharpen their photography and editing skills. I've been following a few of my fave photographers online and one of them recently recommended the Fix it Friday's to improve editing. So, without further adieu...

Here's my attempt at THIS challenge...

I can't remember all the steps I took to edit this, but here are the basics.
I started off by using the healing brush on a few specks on her face. Then I did a Gaussian blur on the face to soften it. I enhanced the saturation on her shirt, sharpened the diamond on her necklace, and adjusted the shadows and saturation on the background. I'm sure I did a few other things but since I'm learning as I go I was more concerned with making it look the way I wanted and forgot to write down the steps... BUMMER. Here's to playing around! =) Such a pretty girl!

Master Bedroom on a budget!

This is sadly the state of our master bedroom most days....{Embarrassing I must admit!}

My husband and I are fortunate enough to have build our own home. We've lived here for just over 4 years now and STILL haven't really decorated our house with any sense of style or coziness. We've been busy living life and the room has just served as a dumping ground for extra stuff and a place to sleep. There's good news though! With baby # 3 on the way I can't help but wonder if the nesting instinct is kicking in early....I can't get the idea out of my head to actually decorate our room! It's sort of becoming my obsession! 

So... with money being tight and my other new obsession of Pinterest...I'm inspired to take the challenge head on! 

My goal is to have it completed no later than October 1st, and for $150 or less. I'm going to use stuff I've been hoarding...(another obsession - geeesh), found items, or re-purposed items. I'm generally pretty handy and like the challenge of a DIY project. I've got quite the plan in mind and look forward to seeing if I can pull it off. Anything will be better than nothing! And it may help to clear some goodies I've been stashing out of the garage and put them to good use!

Generally I wouldn't blog about such a thing but I figure it might add a bit of pressure knowing I put my goals in writing and online. I work well under pressure. =) Also, the net is awesome for inspiration and maybe I can inspire someone else to make something beautiful with less!

Here are a few of my inspirations... 

Please feel free to check out the rest of my inspiration and the sources of these images on Pinterest!

That's it for this post! 

Wish me luck....

For the Love of Boys!

Here are some pics of the boys on a recent photo shoot I attempted for our Valentines card. 

They were NOT happy about being in the freezing cold...but they did enjoy the rare treat of bright red

LOLLIPOPS and BALLOONS.

I managed to get some shots that make me smile!

 

I love these boys!

AMAZING EGGS!!!

Well yesterday I began getting really suspicious that one of the ladies was about to start laying some eggs...

She would go into hiding for a few hours and then return to join the rest of the group! She's been doing other strange things as well... So I did what every sensible parent would do. I locked her up! HA

This morning the boys and I left for a couple of hours and then came home...I was dying to see a cute little egg in one of the nesting boxes! Sadly to my dismay I came home to 7 ladies in the chicken run...and the 8th (Georgina) was MIA! I was on a mission...the boys and I searched high and low throughout the yard and woods. I decided to brave the spiderwebs and slugs to see if she had gone into the little overgrown area right behind the coop....sure enough, this is what I saw!

 Little Miss Georgina "nesting" in the woods! 

 She had found quite a cozy little hideout! =) Too bad it wasn't in the NESTING BOXES I built for her!!! Geeesh!~

She was laying there and I was staring at her...I think I made her nervous! Anyway, she was kind of  breathing heavy and "contracting" so I was getting really excited that I might get to see her lay her 1st egg! (To some that may seem gross, but to me it's really exciting!) 

I noticed the cats starting to swarm around us and then our lovely dog Lily was also trying to figure out what was going on! I began to worry that someone might attack her......so I made the decision to lift her up and move her to the safety of her nesting boxes! Then I'd also be encouraging her to do her business in there anyway! NOT IN THE WOODS!!!! 

When I picked her up to move her this is what I saw! 

I was ASTONISHED!!!! 10 EGGS!!! YES 10!!!! She has been a busy little lady!

They're not that big, but I guess when all you've ever eaten is store bought... then unrealistic expectations are no surprise! I'm so excited to try "FRESH" eggs!

I kept 8 and put them in the fridge (don't think we can eat them but can't just toss em' either...I see a craft project in my future!), and left her 2 to try and encourage laying in the nesting boxes... hopefully this is not another flawed theory! =)

I tell you what, trying to figure out all this chicken stuff is pretty fun! I'm so proud of my little Georgina! Now if the other 7 start laying so well, I'll be sharing eggs with everyone! =) 

If you build it they will NEST!

Even though we've had the nesting boxes for quite some time now, they haven't been going in there. After a bit of online research I discovered that they can't really jump that high and needed a little ramp to help them along. So, I built a little ramp and a 'deck'. 

They've since been enjoying their nesting boxes.

Last night I found 4 snuggled up together in one of the upper ones. Not sure how they got up that high, there was a lot of squawking...but they managed! 

And two others found a comfy place near the new ramp! 

And "Buttercup" has my vote that she'll be the first to lay an egg. Shes the most dedicated to laying and nesting. 

I heard from a friend that putting golf balls in there lets them practice and suggests to them that they should sit and lay too! So far it's been unsuccessful... we're still waiting anxiously for the first egg! They seem to be going through the molting process as feathers are everywhere! I'm hoping that the molting doesn't delay the laying process.... we shall see! They're fun to watch and play with anyway! They're such sweet gals! 

In Loving memory of "Sprinkles" who met an untimely dog induced death on July 9th 2010. 

Glasses...

Here are a few of the choices we have for glasses. Dempsey picked out some of the more square frames, and I liked the ones with the thicker frame and band so they are *hopefully* less likely to break!

Option # 1

Option # 2

Option # 3 (We call these the "Racing ones" because they have an orange stripe down the side)

Make a comment to vote or give your opinion...this is actually a really hard decision! ugh...

Freedom for the ladies!

Sometimes people say things that are so darn convicting... We've had a pretty cold and rainy spring so far and sadly the garden and some other outdoor projects have been neglected. Our baby chicks were about 5 weeks old when it was pointed out to me that they were old enough to be going outside and learning about the big wide world. I knew that at around 5 weeks they'd be old enough, that yes on a nice day they should be allowed to explore etc. etc. I hadn't gotten around to cutting a hole for their exit let alone building a safe run that would allow them to explore without being EATEN ALIVE. (so I kept justifying not getting out there and doing it!) I assumed that by June we'd actually have had a few sunny days and that it would have been done already. So there I was feeling like a total slacker and realizing that in fact my girls were very quickly outgrowing their little indoor palace. I recruited my handy hubby and we got to work on the next non rainy evening.

We cut the hole!

Demps wasn't a fan of the skil-saw...I don't blame him, that sucker was LOUD in the coop!

I'm hoping my idea is as clever as I think it is (I've been having issues with this concept lately!) I used an old doggie door we had lying around and can easily close it up tight at night. My only concern would be that the girls might get too big to fit through?! Not sure, I'm still new to chicken raising but hubby thought it was a good idea! =) And eventually we'll trim it out so that black tar-paper isn't so darn ugly looking! =)

We built a ramp so they can get outside and then Demps proudly showed our favorite "Squirrel" how to use the door and ramp. She's such a patient and gentle little hen!

Then the others started to figure it out too! I am so proud of these girls!

We're introducing the girls to the dog and one of the cats. So far Lily (Our older black lab) isn't sure what to think and is actually a bit afraid of the hens. Our tom-cat Little Buddy is sure they'd make a good supper. He's quite the hunter and is definitely on the prowl for fresh chicken meat. I'll be keeping my eye on him! Zoe (our lab puppy) is with Little Buddy on this one and sees the hens as a fancy feast. She remains tied up on her leash during the day as she keeps trying to jump the fence and attack the girls. (NOT acceptable behavior!) The other cats just circle the fencing but haven't yet figured a way to get into the run so for now we're all safe. In the end we'd like them all to co-mingle nicely and all be free to roam the property. I've become very attached to these hens and would be sad if anything happened to them.

In the recent days Geezer has started roosting on one of the poles and they're all laying around as if they want to lay an egg or something. We're all waiting anxiously for that exciting time to arrive. I don't believe I've ever actually eaten a truly farm fresh egg. I'm so excited! =)
Of course the picture of Pierce inspecting the area was a must to include in this post. 

Beach Fun!

I've been wanting to take the boys to the beach for quite a while now. We got the opportunity to go and enjoy the company of "Oh-Ma" and "An-Em" on one of the few sunny days we've had this season! It was gorgeous!

An-Em working to teach the boys how to throw and skip rocks.

This shot cracks me up...An-Em was teaching Demps how to throw rocks into the water then he gave it a go and nearly clocked her in the head...he's got a great arm, just not that great of aim yet! Luckily she saw the humor in it too! =)

 Dempsey was begging to go into the water but once he realized it was so cold he wasn't sure that it was a good idea anymore!

Oh-Ma made some carrot and raisin salad. Pierce was enjoying it so much he ended up shoveling it in and making a huge mess all over the place. Luckily at the beach there aren't any floors to mop! ;-) This recipe will be going into the arsenal of favorite and digestible foods for the little guy!

He, well I'm not sure what he was trying to do in this picture but he thought it was pretty funny!

Me, Dempsey & Pierce (one of just a handful of pics of ALL three of us together...)

Oh-Ma, Dempsey and Pierce

What a fun and memorable day!

Tractor Time

Dempsey had a great time today with our farmer friend "Harvey" on his tractor. He farms silage corn in Carnation. When they were done, Demps was so cute and proud telling me that they had tilled up the dirt for the corn they were going to plant for the cows to eat! Harvey asked him if he wanted an excavator or a tractor when he grows up. My little smartie replied "both" : )

Shabby Princess "Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge {TWO}"

I was going to bed AT 10PM SHARP tonight! I promised myself!

BUT then....

I stumbled upon this challenge and LOVED the idea of not only a "challenge" but creating a page to enter to win free digital scrap-booking supplies. I've admired the Shabby Princess Shoppe for quite some time and until yet hadn't created a layout with their products. (Even though I had purchased a few kits and downloaded a few freebies)

I downloaded the free template, chose a few of my recent photos and then incorporated some papers from my kits into the template. A little tweaking here and there...and here's you go. A page about a boy and a dog! 

Even though I'm tired, I'm so glad I did this page. I enjoy looking back on these special moments and hope that someday the boys will too!

Almost 2 hours later and I'm REALLY going to bed now....  ;-)

New Spring/Summer Header

This new picture signifies spring and new beginnings....the scripture is not my thinking that I'm "all that" or really all that peaceful. More-so a reminder of the way I'd like to be. I'm continually striving for improvement and this is an area that could use some work lately. In both my thoughts and actions towards the people that I love and cherish in my life. Here's to growth, the changing of seasons, and the Peace and Joy that follow~

A little place for Prayer

I'm so happy about my new little space. I had been wanting a quiet place where I could go and read or pray. This is what I came up with.

I love how I was able to re-use my boys old rocking chair as well as my Great Grandma's old chair. The lighting from the window is perfect during the day and there's a cozy little glow from the lamp in the evenings.

This is one of the ADORABLE little throw pillows hand crafted by my SIL. They mean so much to me. On a cold day I also have a few blankets tucked away nearby to grab and snuggle in with!

I'm truly grateful!

Here's a tiny peek into the rest of the room. 

The 1st of a whole makeover that I'll SOMEDAY accomplish!

I had some large bamboo blinds given to me and after cutting them to size and screwing them in with eye-hooks I think they turned out pretty darn cute!

More to follow...but don't hold your breath, it may be a while! ;-)