Sometimes I get caught up in thinking that every photo I take needs to have a person in it. Below are some of my favorite photos ever taken. As you can see, a picture, even if it’s of an object, is worth a thousand words. Read on…

I’m a summer mom! I live for the lazy days of no homework, fun in the sun with my children and late nights under the stars. I always cry the first few days that my children go back to school. Yesterday was Sage’s first day and yes–it was emotional.

Here’s a fun photo idea. Sage has to wear a uniform and sometimes the colors can get a little boring in photos. So–I found the brightest item I could in front of the school and snapped a shot. I love the results!

Enjoy those last few days of summer before your kids are back in class.

Sincerely,
Lisa

In just a few short months, my parents will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary! They have been married three times longer than I’ve been married! Their wonderful union has been built on love, sacrifice, faithfulness and devotion to each other. It’s tender to watch them in their “golden” years of life. They are simply each other’s best friend.

I love this photograph of their hands:

They remind me of so many wonderful memories:
Driving the carpool
Making yummy cinnamon rolls
Creating homemade dresses
Directing choirs (they both are professional opera singers)
Hugging hurt little girls (they had no boys)
Fixing flat bike tires, weeding a huge garden so we’d have food on the table and squirting a hose during our annual summer water fights.

Thanks, Mom and Dad! You have been a huge source of inspiration for me over the years.

Take a photo of some hands that have been special in your life. I promise it will be one of your most cherished pictures.

Lisa

We always have a big meal after church on Sundays. Now let me tell you a little something about myself. I don’t hate to cook, but I don’t love it either. I like recipes that have a lot of flavor but are easy to prepare and don’t have too many ingredients. Today’s dish was a HUGE hit with my family! Best of all, I simply put it in the crock pot in the morning, and by mid-afternoon it was perfectly cooked. Here is the recipe:

Chicken Lickin’ Pork Chops
6-8 lean pork chops
1 T. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 cans chicken rice soup
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 T. oil

Mix flour, salt, mustard and garlic. Cover pork with mixture. Brown in oil. Put chops in crock pot on low. Add soup (no extra water is needed). Cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over a bed of cooked rice.

My children had several helpings each. I also served cut-up watermelon, green beans (with olive oil and garlic) and corn bread–easy, quick meal.

Enjoy! Hope your week will be great. I’m off to the mountains for a “girls-only” camping trip.

Lisa

I frequently work with a wonderful graphic designer, Jen Foxley. She recently had a beautiful baby boy and I just had to share her creative birth announcement.

I love the colors. I love the photograph. I love the classic design.

Great job, Jen, on the birth announcement and congratulations on your beautiful baby!

Hope you’re having a great day!

Lisa

Hey Everyone!

I just returned from a week on beautiful Bear Lake. If you’ve never been, you must go. It borders on Idaho and Utah and the blue, crystal clear color of the lake is truly unforgettable.

One of our friends had a cute little ceremony the first night we got there where he “crowned” each of the captains of the speed boats.

The lake can be a little chilly. I laughed so hard when I saw these cute five girls crammed into a bathtub all trying to get warm!

All in all, a great trip. I’m sad summer is coming to an end. Only three more weeks to play with my family!

Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather.

Lisa

After serving faithfully for our country for two years, our neighbor, Kaleb Harris, recently returned from Afghanistan. And what a welcome he received! This large sign was hung on the front of his house:

Read on…

Here is a fun idea for a quick cake. While we were at girls camp, my pal, Lisa Hunter, had a birthday. Ho Hos and Ding Dongs made for the perfect cake! No baking, no mess and a huge hit with the girls.

Ding Dong and Ho Hos make for a quick, fun cake!

Last Saturday night, our family hosted a movie night under the stars. My husband purchased a big blow up screen where we showed “Bedtime Stories.” Over 100 people came which made for a memorable event. The evening was magical. It brought me back to going to drive-in movies as a kid.

Brecken set up shop with her snack shack. She served popcorn, drinks, churros and candy bars. She’s my little entrepreneur and she was excited about the money she made.

A few years ago, my hubby made his own screen with PVC pipe and white heavy fabric. It worked well too.

You must try this idea at home! Truly a fun evening for the entire family.

Hope your summer is going great!

Lisa