Harry Griffen Park – La Mesa Photography

Posted on March 25, 2010

Just a few peeks for the M family. We met at a beautiful park to take some Easter portraits of the girls. Pink balloons, fuschia gerbera daisies, and Organic lolly’s from Trader’s were the order of the day.

I am sorry to inform you that none of the props made it out alive. The balloons were popped. The daisies crushed. And the lolly’s demolished.

But we had fun.

Here are a couple to enjoy.. the rest will be up soon!

Gluten Free 5 minute dinner..

Posted on March 20, 2010

You know those days where you just don’t have the stamina to cook dinner?? Which is mostly every day for me… haha. Well, tonight was one of them. My delighful daughter woke up at 1am with a bad headache and decided not to go back to sleep until about 5am.

Guess who woke up with a sleep deprived migraine??

That’s right.. ME!

I think the weather must have had something to do with both of us getting ill, but all is well now, so I am going to stop complaining about it!!

If you know us, you will know that we have been gluten free for about a year and a half. It has been a challenge to find easy suppers that this tired/migrained/fibro-flared up momma can make. I praise the Good Lord for Trader Joes and that gf living has become quite mainstream. It makes it a bit easier.

So, imagine my delight at finding a gluten free, preservative free, nitrate free roast beef hash that isn’t too expensive! The current price is $2.49 a package and I love that! I mean, I might have danced in the Trader Joe’s aisle a bit over this one. It may even have been to a classic Beach Boys song, but one cannot be certain.

And I may have embarassed my children in the process, but really, isn’t that my job as a mom??

So, when the migraine/fibro flare knocks at my door, and my sweet hubby is working (read.. I can’t call him to go and get In N Out..) I love having a 5 minute, healthier than fast food meal at the ready.

Honestly, I flash fried the organic eggs, wilted the organic spinach and warmed up the hash, and it was on.

And my sweet son inhaled it and proclaimed me the best cook ever… Poor unaware lovie..

Here’s a link to the pic. Happy Eating!!

San Diego Newborn Photography.. Baby Logan

Posted on March 19, 2010

Just one itty bitty peek..

And FYI.. sometimes you don’t need all those expensive props and equipment to capture a newborn’s first weeks. This session took place on top of a kitchen table. We had a boppy and covered it with a big fluffy white blanket. I was blessed that this little man was a deep sleeper and we just turned the boppy until the best light landed on his face. Simple.

Simplicity really is underrated.

Welcome to the world little man!

My girl who is 8..

Posted on March 12, 2010

This girl.

She leaves constant reminders of her presence in our home.

Her purple butterfly hair pretty.

The red nail polish she spilled on our patio.

Her pink and black and white bedroom that will.not.stay.clean.

Her latest recipe concoction in our fridge.

The pink Barbie backpack that she packed to leave home. (She decided she needed her DS, some Clementines, and a orange blanket.)

Her purple lipgloss and blue eyeshadow smears she just so happens to leave all over the walls.

Her hot pink wire glasses that she forgets to wear constantly.

She is my heart. I was over the moon when I was told we were having a girl. I just thought life couldn’t get more perfect. A husband. A boy. And then a girl. And then the dog.

Of course, in the 8 years between the girl and the dog, God had to do some mighty changes in this depraved heart of mine. (Another post for another day)

She absolutely drives me nuts. I never yelled at my children until Miss H turned 2. For reals yo. She brings out the best in me and the very very worst. I know exactly why God gave this precious squish to me. So, I could learn to love better. And, oh, how I am trying. How I am trying!

I see sweetness and sass every single time I look at her. I see beautiful blue eyes that can twinkle with laughter, shoot daggers, or pool with unshed tears. Right now, she is painting her fingernails a brilliant shade of Tiffany box blue. It is called “For Audrey”, and yes, when the time is right, she will watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s with me. And maybe sing Moon River.. but that’s a long shot. My entire family rolls their eyes when I break into song.

I can’t help it though.. It’s just who I am.

And who she is?? Pink and squish and all girl all the time. She wants to be a vet and a hairstylist and a mom. She still hasn’t learned how to do a cartwheel and cries every time she sees someone else do one. She doesn’t like to pray aloud at bedtime, but begs to do so at dinnertime. She is learning how beautiful God thinks she is and I pray she will never ever forget. She is learning to stand up to mean girls at school and becoming a young lady of courage.

Like I said.. she has my heart. And how could she not?

Finally.. a few of Miss H’s 8 year portraits.

Shout out to Gluten Free Girl…

Posted on March 4, 2010

Well, I sat down to write a post a few hours ago, and I am just now getting to it.

Forgive me blogspot.. I was enraptured by reading about other people and what they are doing today.

I love this time of year. My business side has usually slowed down considerably from the Christmas madness, and I can breathe, take photos when I want, nap, re-connect with friends, cook, read, just enjoy living. I mean, who wouldn’t like this season??

One of the blogs I love to read is GlutenFreeGirl’s site. When our family first went gluten free, hers was the first site to pop up in my searches. She is such a phenomenal writer that I spent a week devouring her blog from start to finish. And then, I went out and got her book. I’m not sure I would have made the transition as easily if it weren’t for people like her.. willing to share their journeys, the ups and the downs.. so I could learn and grow too. Thanks Shauna!

I wish we still lived in WA, so I could go meet her. Maybe one day.

If you are gluten free, beginning, or seasoned.. take a moment to stop by her site. It is a veritable wealth of gf knowledge freely shared.

Little Italy Portraits..

Posted on March 2, 2010

J is our worship pastor and I have been dying to get some snaps of their fun family… For 3 years in fact. Yay!! They finally agreed.
We went down to Little Italy, where the walls are brightly colored and wrought iron abounds. Where Blik art supply stores are just around the corner. Oh, how I wanted to go in and shop, but alas, I had to jet to another session… Boo for me.

Here are a few of my faves. Loving that laughter!!