Image Map

Saturday, July 31, 2010

downtown {in film}

last weekend, i went downtown with my mom & sister!
i felt like shooting film, so i loaded my camera & took a walk...
& here is some of what i saw:









*i think, this one is my favorite... my sister said it reminded her of
the grest gatsby! :)

i have another roll that i am ready to shoot now! maybe this weekend!
:)
it was such a busy busy week for me, so this saturday feels even better than they usually do!!
hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

food from the weekend...

fresh snap peas, summer squash, & zucchini right from the garden...
 yumm... these were perfect in our summer chicken stir-fry! :) 

also, over the weekend, i made a "healthy(ish)" carrot cake!!!
it was so good. :)
carrot cake recipe ♥
{ingredients}
2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk*
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups grated carrots
2 peeled & grated apples

{frosting}
12 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

{instructions}
1. To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two round baking pans with cooking spray.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, & vanilla in a large bowl until blended. Stir in carrots. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until blended. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
3. Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
4. To prepare frosting: Beat fat free cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.

*no buttermilk? just mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice to 1 cup skim milk

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

color inspiration...

here is what is inspiring me lately...
i am loving all the color!!!

{amazing print from persimmon and pink}

{really cute cake decor from kiki la ru}

{i love these colorful italy photos by irena s... visit her shop}

{cabin charm from my fine garden}

{a stunning flower arrangment from lauren {elycerose}

{free birds photo by yvette inufio}

Sunday, July 18, 2010

over the weekend...


...i received a lovely card & the prettiest yellow scarf in the mail, from michelle elisabeth!!!

i won a giveaway on her blog, thymely thoughts, because i participated in one of her amazing photography challenges!! if you have never visited her blog, you really should! i have shared about her on my blog before, because she really is an amazing photographer & such a sweet person! :) thanks again, michelle!! the scarf is so beautiful!! i love love love the design & the yellow! :) i can't wait to wear it!

& in the mean time, it has inspired me to take pretty photos... love♥




i hope you all had a splendid weekend!! i sure did. :)

& don't forget about my ETSY SALE that is going on right now!
some of my prints are currently priced down to 50% off! YAY!!
this will be for a limited time only... so now is the time!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

BIG etsy update & SALE!!!!!

{first} i have added a some pretty new jewelry items to my shop! :)
my new fabric button earrings & two new necklaces! (with small buttons)


{second}
i have a brand new section for SALE ITEMS in my shop!!
some of my prints are currently priced down to 50% off! YAY!!
this will be for a limited time only, so if you have been wanting a print from my shop, now is the time!


thanks everyone, for all your support!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"nothin's sweeter than summertime..."

"steady as a preacher
free as a weed
couldn't wait to get goin'
but wasn't quite ready to leave
so innocent, pure and sweet
american honey"
loving this summer-y song by lady a!! :)

in the fields...

more cherries...

yummiest snack: cherries & homemade snickerdoodles {smile}

{in the garden}

blackberries...
 green peppers...
 snap peas...

 sweet, sweet summertime... :)

{all photos were taken by me}

Monday, July 12, 2010

{my blessed life} lately...

sweet cherries... yum! i have been eating a lot of these lately. they are a perfect snack!

i got mint nail polish!! yay!



i took some photos of my cutie doggie :) i love her!!!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

homemade chocolate ice cream

my family makes homemade ice cream a lot during the summer. & in the past, we have always had vanilla, but for the first time {on forth of july} my grandma made homemade chocolate ice cream. it was so good that i took photos and got the recipe from my grandma to share with you! :) it's so cool, chocolaty & perfect. i don't know if i will ever want plain vanilla ice cream again... can't wait until we make more!!

this recipe makes 1 gallon

1 quart milk
1 cup cocoa
1 cup light corn syrup
5 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 quart whipping cream
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

in 2 quart saucepan combine 2 cups milk, cocoa and corn syrup. bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. let cool. in a large mixing bowl beat eggs until foamy; gradually beat in sugar. add cocoa mixture. stir in 2 cups milk, cream and vanilla.

then all you need is an ice cream maker + ice + salt
:)

happy summer!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

summer giveaway winner!!!!

my summer giveaway has come to an end...
thank you {so much} for following me & entering the giveaway!
you all really deserve to win!!
:)
but i can only pick one {sad}
so the winner is....
congratulations kelly!!

kelly- send me an email, with your mailing address
& i will send your necklace and vintage stamps!!
{brightside_02@hotmail.com}

thank you again to everyone who entered!
don't worry, there will be more giveaways soon.
:)

Monday, July 5, 2010

4th of July {in photos}

{at the parade, eating pina colada shaved ice. yumm.}

{i bought this litte flag at the parade, for some fun photos}



{happy 4th of july}


{all-american sweet corn}

{it was so yummy}

{corn huskers}

{having fun}

{me & my grandma had patriotic nails}

{my sister & cousin playing with sparklers}

{my cousin is going to have a baby!!}

{more fun with sparklers}

what a beautiful day! i am so blessed! :)
hope you had a special 4th of july!

you only have until tomorrow (july 6th} at noon {mountian time}
hurry hurry hurry!!!
:)