Week 23 {true confessions}

I must admit a little something here on the blog today.

I LOVE SUN FLARE or LENS FLARE (whatever you want to call it).

I mean it is just so pretty...don't you agree?

I also love the beautiful golden glow of backlit portraits.

The way the light catches the edge of a silhouette - it's just breathtaking in my opinion.

AND here is where true confessions comes in.

Wait for it.

Okay, here is the scoop:

This Week 23 photo that I took today, had some nice backlit features (which is why this next part works so well).

I cheated just a wee little bit on the flare part.

I know, I know: Bad Kim!

I had downloaded this awesome free - YES, I said FREE action over at the CoffeeShop blog called Sun Kissed {I know, how appropriate, right?} awhile back which adds a nice flare onto your photos and I used it for the first time today on this photo.

Actually this was not the picture I intended to use for my selfie this week, but I decided to play around a little bit since I liked the angle and framing.  I rediscovered the sun kissed action that I had totally forgotten I'd downloaded.  That's really the only processing I did besides bumping the contrast a little and I totally loved the way it looked!

Some of the CoffeeShop actions have become my go to actions for post processing.
What I also love is the customization of each one and there are always wonderfully detailed tutorials which are nice to refer to.

I am not in anyway getting paid to endorse CoffeeShop, but I do encourage you to go over there and take a gander around.  They just give these actions away!  That amazes me!

There is a Paypal spot on the blog where you can donate if you like what they have.

How cool is that - it's like the honor system!

letters are our friends

If you know me IRL you know I am somewhat of a font freak - typography is so fascinating...certain styles of letters can totally change the feel of a document.  

I think that is cool, because the content is still the same!

Anyway, while perusing the old blogosphere I was looking at Design*Sponge and came across this cool montage of unique type. 

I do not know the original sources of these, but they are posted over at D*S.  

(Cool site for all things design...remodels, DIYs, art, etc.)

Those books are awesome and the rocks are insane!

I mean, who find rocks that look like letters???  

.....

.....

.....

No, seriously, does anyone know?

Well, if you find out, I'd love to know.

Speaking of font and typography...although I have not updated my Etsy in stinkin' months...I do still have my Country Text photos and actually have a couple of orders to fill right now.  If you are interested in seeing how I see type in the everyday surroundings where I live, I'll be happy to share! :)

do you love orange?

I love the color orange...it is bright, fun, and energetic!

So when I saw this giveaway of one of the uber-talented Emily Falconbridge's cool camera straps in orange, I was pumped!

{image from Emily's Etsy Shop-go check it out!}

You might win it if you enter, but I'm really hoping you don't and I do! ;P  

If, by chance I don't win and you do, well, you can thank me later! 

Now get yourself over there!

It is always cool to stumble on new blogs to add to my reader - I have already added Sara - her blog looks interesting, no?

Emily Falconbridge giveaway via Sara Janssen

some foodie love

So if you are my Facebook friend, you probably know about a lot of this. I'm thinking FB is the downfall of my blog - as I feel I am somewhat repetitive.

Anyway....I have some food-stuff to share.

#1 - go out and get - or call from the infomercial and order - one of these bad boys:

Trust me on this!
http://www.buythebullet.com/

I now actually have breakfast because of this little beauty.

Now, I will tell you they tout the fact that you can make practically anything in this little bullet of fun, but I have yet to get past smoothies and milkshakes!

All kidding aside, I have started eating a little healthier lately and hope I can continue to find ways to bring more healthy choices into my household.

#2 - Make this:  Grilled Caribbean Lime Chicken with Tropical Salsa and some Grilled Corn on the Cob on the side.

Again, trust me, it will make your mouth happy - it's so summery and tropical.  Plus, you don't even have to turn on your oven or stove!
My mom gave me a gift subscription to the Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine and this month's issue is chock full of grill recipes.  Oddly, this particular recipe was also on their home page when I went to the website!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning
• 8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

Salsa:

• 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 2/3 cup cubed avocado
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions: 

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the lime juice, oil, garlic and Greek seasoning; add the chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours. In a small bowl, combine salsa ingredients. Chill until serving.
• Using long-handled tongs, dip a paper towel in cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Serve with salsa. Yield: 8 servings.

If you have never subscribed to one of the Taste of Home publications, you might consider trying them out. The recipes are easy peasy!


#3 - Pickled Beets!  Oh yeah Baby!
If you have never had a true pickled beet - not that canned crap they sell at the grocery store...that is a beet impersonator, you don't know what you are missing.

These are out of my mom and stepdad's garden.  Our family loves beets and every couple of years, my mom cans the pee-waddly-do out of some beets!  I went last week and helped can this batch.  Granted she and Randy had done the hard part - planting, harvesting, cooking, peeling, cutting, but darn-it I helped can them!

They are so pretty with their bright fuschia color which will stain by the way but the taste is quite addictive as well.  They are perfect alongside a sandwich or hamburger...really any meal!

I hope to gain more knowledge on the whole canning thing from Mom so I can one day do this stuff on my own.

Where 'O where is Kim?

Here she is!
I know, I continually neglect my place in the blogosphere, but I am vowing to do better.

I must.

I truly don't know why I have quit blogging regularly...maybe all these freaky spammy comments that keep appearing.  annoying

I certainly cannot promise I will be blogging as regularly as P-Dub or Elsie, heck those 3 of you who checked in on me from time-to-time may have given up completely.  But, honestly, I didn't start blogging three (has it been three?) years ago for people to read my blog - I didn't even expect it!  I started it for me!  Therefore I need to continue to do it for me.  I have become so self-centered since turning 40! 

Nonetheless, I WILL persevere and make this place hap-nin' again (insert climatic, inspirational music here) and vow to bring my wit and humor  -AND-  maybe some gasp photos or craftiness BACK TO THIS VAST EMPTY PLACE IN THE NETS of INTER.

ok, I'm worn out after that build-up so I will leave you with my last few weeks of selfies.
Yes, that is one thing I have stuck with - go me!

Beginning with Week 20 which was the weekend of Alex's graduation, thus Alex is included in my selfie!

This was taken after her dinner before going to the Commencement ceremony.

Week 21:

Ironically, I commented to someone on Facebook that this was a "What you Talkin' Bout Willis!?" look, and a week later, Gary Coleman passed away. :(

I loved me some Different Strokes growing up! Heck Gary was only two years older than me! RIP Arnold!

Anyway, I took this shot on my Mom's back porch - I actually rigged my camera up from one of her plant hooks and let it twist and turn and just snapped some random shots with my remote. I thought this angle was pretty cool! wish my necklace hadn't been turned around with the clasp showing. :\ Nit-picky, ain't I?

Week 22:

I know, I know...completely unoriginal. I just thought I needed one of these camera shooting in the mirror shots. Plus I was just blank on anything original so I went for it!

I would be interested in any original self-portrait ideas.
Do you have any you'd like to share?
Know any fun websites, blogs or flickr groups?

I have some foodie things to share this weekend.
Enter: tropical salsa and some beet canning.
I know, the suspense will probably snuff out any life you may have left but please try to be patient.

Proud Moment

FAMILY!

So happy to have some updated pictures of us all together.

This is my oldest stepson Cody and his wife, Amy (who has lost 70 pounds by the way) YAY AMY!!!!

Middler...Brooke and husband, Rob. They live in Orlando and I miss them like a fat kid misses cake!

And Alex (the graduate!) with her boyfriend, Jessy.

These pictures just make me smile!

thrilled

I am taking a break to rest after my quick cleaning spree this evening I must blog about my super duper excitement!  I needed some happiness after my recent "blah-ness" and today has been one of those great days that I have something to look forward to. As I sit here at 10PM, I am waiting for my middle stepdaughter, Brooke & husband Rob to arrive in an hour or so from their all day drive in from Orlando.  I'm just so excited about them coming.  It's like I feel we have not seen them in far too long.
They are coming for Alex's graduation Friday night and I just look so forward to spending some time hanging out with everyone visiting, laughing, eating, you know, family stuff!
I have taken off work for the rest of the week for this occasion as has Amy, my DIL so I hope to snap lots of candid pictures as well as some family shots while we are all together.

I will blog more about the upcoming days later, rest assured! 

I have a feeling there will be a lot of these type of moments over the next couple of days!

(photos: circa November 2007)

Week 18

just for record's sake I am posting last week's self-portrait. 
Hate that I got out of order - oh well!

This is outside my Mom's house - I was sitting on one of her rock flower beds in front of the garden gate from her childhood home.  (I love that gate!)

It's cold and rainy here today - blackberry winter - always seems to happen in May.

for serious

I really do have good intentions of B.A.B.B. (being a better blogger).

Scout's Honor.

I will begin by saying thanks to all my blogging friends that have left me such sweet comments and messages. It really does mean alot...and to anyone else who stops by from time-to-time, I really do hope to get back to myself soon. And to those spammers that seem to have found my blog, um, can you please stop? K-thanks!

I must say Happy Mother's Day!!!!

I have truly had a great day - pretty low key, but full of messages, cards, calls, gifts, cards and time to worship and time with my own special Mom!

I am truly blessed to have such a great family and my Mom has been a real inspiration in my life - I hope I can be half as caring and giving as she is.

My selfie this week includes her:

I may not be a biological mother, but I am a Mom.
I have been blessed enough to be stepmom to three great people and they also helped mold who I am today.
I do hope I have had a positive influence on them as well.
I love them dearly and realize my life would not be complete without them in it.

Things are getting better - my MIL is improving slightly and we hope she continues.
Please continue to keep her (and us) in your thoughts & prayers.

Alex graduates Friday - I am shocked by that to be honest.
We've had some recent rough patches...just the normal stuff, but that situation is also getting better and I could not be prouder than I am of her and her accomplishments.
I look forward to seeing what lies in her future...she is destined for greatness!