Day 335: Posh

I can't believe today is the last day of November. Where has this year gone. Have I already done Three Hundred and Thirty One Pictures? 

I absolutely love this picture. There is only one word for this picture and that is POSH. Sofia is so fantastically posh in her adorable coat and big hair bow. Wow. 

Couldn't decide if I like it better in BW or Color

Day 334: Finals Week

*sigh* yes, it is finals week. STRESSSSS! At least for me. I get anxiety for Boyd when he takes exams. Exam weeks are the worst. Last night Boyd was trying to study for Pharm with my help and I could hardly pronounce half the words from his notes. My favorite word was hypoprothrombinemia. nemia - blood. . . . something about blood. . . then Ah Ha! My eyes found the word blood on the page. I think that was the only word I recognized. As we were studying I looked back at Boyd and saw this:

 Ha ha! I asked him what was on his head 

"hair"

Wow Boyd, your hair sure is long

and blue. . . .

Personally I thought he looked like a Nephite

After hours of studying this is how we both felt.

Two down, three to go.

Day 333: Sweet Sofia Turns 2

Life has been so crazy busy with the holidays and work and church and photography and Boyd's school and getting projects done and and and 

I'm glad I got to do this shoot. Remember Sofia from 6 months ago? Her mom wanted me to come back and do her two year pictures. Something I decided from this shoot, I REALLY need to get a white backdrop for kids. Oh my goodness gracious. I loved having it. Her mom had a French children's clothing business and used this backdrop. She wanted me to use it for Sofia's pictures and I loved it. How cute is this!

Day 332: Dishes

Dare I post this picture? 

Sure. Check out this GIGANTIC pile of dishes. I don't know if I'm proud to say this or not, but I didn't wash any dishes on Thanksgiving. That's right, my super fantastic hubs washed everything. I think we went through 3 of these piles before the day was over. I somehow don't remember my mom ever having this many dishes growing up. Oh well. I will say that this pile quickly disappeared and now my kitchen is back to normal. Ahh, what a good feeling. I love having a clean kitchen.

Day 331: Leftovers

Uh, can you say LEFTOVERS! Yikes! 

This doesn't even include a giant turkey that is lounging in our fridge.

I don't know who we are every going to eat all this food.

It is a good thing this coming week is exam week. 

We're pretty much not cooking all week long.

Day 330: Pumpkin Pie

This year I made a really cute pumpkin pie. Can pumpkin pie be cute? I couldn't decide what I wanted to do for the crust. So I decided to take a circle cookie cutter and cut 1/2 circles and place them all around the edge. It was really cute! In the end it almost looked like a gigantic sun flower. 

When I was a Young Woman, my leaders taught us how to make pumpkin pie. I always thought it was so complicated; beating the eggs, then adding pumpkin, then the sugar & spice mixture, and having to slowly pour in the evaporated milk. Now that I'm older and have made a pumpkin pie every single Thanksgiving since, I look back and think "what was this ever hard?!?" I love making pumpkin pie almost as much as I love eating it.

Day 329: Happy Thanksgiving

This year Boyd and I decided to do Thanksgiving dinner on our own. We had many appreciated offers from friends to join them, but when it came down to it, we wanted to spend time together (plus Boyd has exams coming up and would rather socialize than study any day.) Lately we I have been so busy with work and church stuff I felt like we haven't had "us" time. It was really nice that we got to spend a whole day together.

The problem we often run into when Boyd and I cook is that we cook for a family. Not a family of two, might I add. We both come from larger families and for some reason we think that we are trying to feed at least a family of 6.

Here is what we had for Thanksgiving. 

Candied Yams. 

I love the new smushed marshmallows. 

They make for a very even top.

Rolls. 

I fell asleep and forgot that they were rising. Woops

Mashed Potatoes

 Cranberry Salad.
My first time making it. 

It was yummy and Boyd said it looks and tastes right.

Stuffing.

Boyd wanted something new. 

(New tradition, something new and different at every Thanksgiving)

So, we did spaghetti squash.

Green Beans

THE TURKEY!

Boyd did an amazing job with this turkey. 

It was juicy, tender, and very turkeyee.

Being turkeyee is important. I love a flavorful turkey. 

The secret: Boyd gave this turkey a massage the night before. 

Lots of freshly ground sea salt and tellicherry pepper.

 I think we ate about 1/20th of this turkey.

Cranberry sauce. 

I asked Boyd "What do people do if one person 

likes jellied and the other whole?" 

He said that they would have to buy two kinds. 

I said "that sounds complicated"

Luckily we both like the jellied kind. 

Especially with the lines from the can & all.

 

Like I said, we could feed at least a family of 6

There's my hubby carving away. 

What you don't see is him sneaking pieces as he carves.

After dinner we joined our good friends the Nelsons, the Wagners, and Boyd's cousin Dominick (who is on a mission, here in Ohio) for some pie. It was a lot of fun. 

And yes, Boyd and I did go shopping at 10:30 p.m. Thanksgiving night. We went with Adam to Walmart.  I was looking for something specific (which I can't say because it is a present for somebody who reads this blog) and I saw people walking around Walmart with it. Apparently we were too slow. It made me so upset that people had 2 or 3 of these things in their carts. I almost wanted to grab it our of their carts and run to the check stand. Anyway, Adam was directed to a different line than us and we ended up checking out faster than he did. While he was standing in line, his line, somebody put back the thing I wanted and he was able to grab it for us! Boyd and I feel like everything ALWAYS works out for us. Just like this Black . . . Friday? Thursday. . . example. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Day 328: Casualty

This Thanksgiving we only had ONE casualty. That's pretty good! The night before Boyd placed the turkey in our fridge to defrost. He had placed the gobbler in a Pyrex pan and put in on our bottom shelf. What he didn't know was there was an innocent bottle of oil in the back. We normally keep used oil from frying, for frying. Oops! Thanksgiving morning I went to grab things out of the fridge to find them covered in oil. Boyd spent the morning washing the fridge. 

Day 327: White Tasting Dishes

For lack of a better description I'm just going to call these my new white tasting dishes. I love taking pictures of food, not lately because I have been way too busy, but before all the madness. Anyway, Boyd saw these dishes and made me get them. I have always wanted dishes like these. Now I have them. It makes me feel like I'm on Iron Chef or something. I love them.

Day 326: Tis The Season

Tis' the season to get packages,

far rar, rar, rar, ra, rar, rar, rar, ra.

I'm sure the UPS guy gets sick of coming to our place,

but we never get sick of seeing him.

Day 325: Back From The Dead

This deranged little fella is back from the dead. While Boyd was in college, his mom sent him this turkey for Thanksgiving. By the time I met Boyd, it had stopped clucking, but he hung on to it anyway. Last year I found it and naturally gave it a little squeeze. It kind of gurggled and died. . . again. Still, we kept it anyway. This year as I was unpacking decorations it got bumped and suddenly we heard "ga gobble Gobble GOBBLE!!!!" To Boyd's astonishment and my shock it was ALIVE! It is a Thanksgiving miracle!

Day 324: Hartville hardware

Over the weekend Boyd and I went to Hartville Hardware. It is a locally owned hardware store in Hartville of course. Boyd grew up in the town right next to Hartville.  We were getting our oil changed and noticed the crowds of people going to the hardware store. My curiosity got the best of me and we followed the crowds of people into the store. They had some pretty sweet deals on almost all of their tools. How did I end up walking out of a hardware store with this adorable bowl? All I can say is I love the crafty section of Hartville hardware. Oh yeah, and I finally got my pair of needle nose pliers!

Day 323: Happy Fall

Happy Fall! I'm loving that it is mid November and there isn't any snow on the ground. Life is good!

Day 322: Stampin' Goodies

I went to a Stampin' party a week or two ago and now my Stampin' shelf looks more complete. I got some awesome punches and some new stamps. I was so giddy because I have been waiting for these for so long. Yay, I can't wait for Christmas break so I can start making some cards!

Day 321: Paper Sale

 Uh, can you say paper sale? 

I think I went a little nuts today. I just started grabbing. You can't beat $2 for 50 sheets! I don't think I need paper for a VERY long time. 600 + pages later I think I'm stocked up for a while

Day 320: The Kosher Kitchen

 Tomorrow morning I volunteered Boyd to teach seminary. He is teaching from Leviticus 11 about the law of Moses. Boyd's mom came up with the idea to do a clean and unclean menu. Here is what Boyd came up with. First of all he called his "restaurant" "The Kosher Kitchen"

Here is the Menu. Isn't he creative!

Appetizers

Crunchy Rice: sautéed rice, deep fried locusts, and assorted vegetables

Snake on a Staff: marinated snake kabob with peppers, onions, and pineapple

Cheese Plate: an assortment of goat cheese, mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar

The Eden Platter:  sliced apples in a sweet and sour sauce

Soups

Pheasant Bowl: diced pheasant and potato stew

Eel Ball Soup: chopped eel dumpling in a creamy white vegetable soup

Eagle Corn Chowder: corn and eagle with a overwhelming hint of cumin and chili soup

Chicken Noodle:  mom’s classic, chicken pieces and homemade noodles in broth

Osprey Egg-drop Soup:  an Asian staple, osprey egg cracked into boiling osprey broth

Dessert

Grasshopper Milkshake: mint ice cream, milk, and chocolate covered grasshoppers

Salted Snail: picked from their shells, not too sweet, for you savory lovers

Apple Tort: apple pie baked in a tortoise shell, served hot

Strawberry Goatgurt : fresh strawberries swimming in yogurt made from fresh goat’s milk

Entrées

‘Am an’ Cheese:  a simple ham and cheese melt

Leg of Lamb: lamb’s leg grilled to perfection smothered in a cherry glaze

Filet Minion: tender sirloin medallion wrapped in juicy bacon, grilled just right

Black Bear on Rye: shredded bear meat doused in tangy BBQ sauce

Prime Rib: only the best beef in town

Noah’s Ark: An assortment of meaty medallions: beef, elk, buffalo, lamb, and deer. 2 of every king of course

Catch of the Day: whatever road kill the chef finds on his way to work

Father Abraham: Alaskan salmon smoked over hickory kindling

Day 319: My Kind of Magazine

Found this at Costco, my most favorite place in the world. 

I can't wait to try some of these project out!

Day 318: Boots

I loves these boots.  I think they are just so cute. The best part about these boots is that they actually fit! It was a miracle. If you know me, you know that I have gigantic calves. I don't know why, but as a sick joke my genes decided to give me the "Chen legs." Grandpa Chen has gigantic calves and I, unfortunately, inherited them. Anyway, for the first time ever I found a pair of boots that fit over my humongo calves! Yay! I'm actually wearing them as I am typing this right this very moment.

I decided to take a picture of what my feet would really look like if I wasn't trying to make them look cute and turned out. I really am pigeon toed and it is kind of weird. Sometimes I'll look down and notice my feet looking triangleish. Oh well, it is a good thing Boyd notices these kinds of things and reminds me to not stand all pigeon toey.

Day 317: Playing Catch Up

I have been so crazy busy lately. Story of my life right? I can't say I have good excuses but I sure do feel a little overwhelmed lately. Between girls nights, soccer games, church obligations, photo shoots, work, school, etc we don't have time for much else. For example, this weekend on Friday I wrote my talk I was giving on Sunday, planned my lesson, tried to blog, took baby Ruby's pictures, planned my super Saturday photo class lesson, ran some errands, then we slept over at Boyd's parents house. On Saturday I taught a photography class at the Canton Ward's super Saturday, drove back up to Strongsville to have a girls night and watch a movie, then back down to Akron to chaperone the quad stake dance, back home to finish my talk and edit some pictures. Whew. I think it is time for a break. Maybe after tomorrow we'll get one. . . But tomorrow is another one of those days. We volunteered to teach early morning seminary at 5:50 a.m., then we are setting up for Young Women in Excellence, then I'm working from 12-5 which isn't too bad, then we have Young Women in Excellence, then Boyd has a soccer game at 9. I sure am excite for Christmas break to be here.

Boyd has been amazing and putting up with all my crazyness. He has to be the most supportive husband in the world. When I get up to go to work he gets up and makes me breakfast and packs my lunch. I know, I'm spoiled. He also has dinner ready when I get home. On my second day of work he made me Mickey Mouse pancakes the size of a large plate.

The other night Boyd ran to grab the camera and I heard him opening the microwave. I think this is what was going on. He sure does like microwaving plastic wrap.

Dsu 316: Bruening Family

I seriously Love this family. This is the Bruening family. Jessica is simply adorable. She has to be one of the nicest women I have ever met.  Troy is just awesome. And their kids? They are hilarious! I'm so happy I got to take their fun fall family pictures. 

Day 315: Beautiful Baby Ruby

I must say I am actually extremely proud of this picture. First of all, baby Ruby is just beautiful. She is the easiest baby I have ever taken pictures of. I cranked our heat up in our apartment and she was just in heaven. Note to self: Babies love when it feels like summer in your house. I don't normally brag about my pictures being amazing, but this one is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for letting me take picture of your beautiful baby Jessica. I can't wait to edit the rest.

Day 314: Flo's Shot

I have been trying to get pictures together for a picture calendar and took some individual shots of Carrie's girls. Here is Flo baby's picture for the calendar. So cute!

Day 313: Favorite Family Picture

Thanks again Jenny!

Day 312: Meet Jess, the Clydesdale

I wanted to give Jess the perfect birthday present this year. I was in the middle of exams at the time of his birthday, so I'm a little late. No matter, I took some time to make this awesome photo to honor Jess. Notice the horse is a safe biker and wears a helmet.

~Boyd

Day 311: Pretty Red Flower

I'm so super busy lately. Working like a big person is hard. I'm being lazy and just did this picture I found from when we were in Kirtland. Happy Sunday! 

Day 310: Fall Trees

I am loving this fall weather! It is not too hot and not too cold. The trees are gorgeous. 

Day 309: Cute Caden

Caden is my adorable little buddy.  He belongs to Jess and Melissa. I love how he just smiles and will pose for my camera! How can you resist this cuteness?

Day 308: John Johnson Farm

Boyd's roommate Jon Johnson came for a visit a while back. 

Of course we had to take Jon Johnson to the John Johnson Farm.

I loved the doors and the crazy designs!

 Wow, could you imagine this floor!

This is the revelation room.  I love this room.

 The actual barn