Education is fun!

Previously I have used other editing tools for editing photos.
A few months ago I got Photoshop....when I first got it, my head was spinning....I didn't know where to start. I honestly was afraid of it, like a big, scary monster...
So I decided to take an online Photoshop class through my local community college....Wow! Already, I have learned so much in just a few lessons....I can't wait to learn more.....woo hoo!
(Above is a photograph I took of my son and had
to do an assignment with for my Photoshop class)

Belly Love

Yesterday I did a "Belly" Session with my neighbors and good friends, The Magnusons. We had so much fun! Denise and Garth and Big Brother Jax are expecting the newest little addition to their lives at the end of February. Jax is my kiddos best friend and I repeatedly hear all day, "Can we go to Jaxie's house?' Well yesterday, Rocco got to play with Jax while sister was at school. In between pirates booty and fighting over choo choo trains, we got some very sweet shots....I will share more later, but here is a little sneak peek!

Cupcakes...

So, for my birthday I got a special delivery from my friend from Icing on the Cupcake and then in that same night, my mom brought over another dozen cupcakes from the same place....all I have to say is I feel loved and boy were they yummy.

Yes, I did share, I didn't keep them all to myself...but I could have, although I would then be running around town with a cupcake top (instead of a muffin top)...

Have your heard about what a muffin top is?

When your jeans are so tight that your stomach hangs over your jeans...just like a muffin top...ugh...no thank you!

Anyways, thank you for the birthday love and all of those cupcakes!

My favorite was the Red Velvet!!!

Rain, rain go away..

During a break from the rain, we took a little drive over to Nana and Papa's house to run around outside. We even ventured up to the neighbors house to do a little orange picking...there is nothing better than fresh, sweet, juicy oranges...yummy!

Twenty-Nine

Today I am 29....wow!
The last year of being in my 20's....
I have accomplished a lot in my 20's and I feel like I am becoming "me".
It has taken a while to get here, but I am here...I am embracing life!
And this little yummy latte is what I got to enjoy this morning with my hubby at a cute little cafe in Sonoma, California.
He surprised me and took me away last night...oh how I love him so, especially his spontaneity...thank you honey!
You have made my day one to remember!

A good day for soup., originally uploaded by Rachel K-.

So, did I ever tell you that I am the master at making soups?...I know, I know, I'm bragging, sorry, that is so rude of me...but I love making soups! It is the one thing that I am not afraid to experiment with. I mean, you basically just choose a bunch of things that go well together and throw them in a pot of broth...well, this one right here is Beef Vegetable Soup (no, not stew....I don't like thick stews too much). Anyways, today I'm going to share the recipe with you...in fact every Wednesday until the weather warms up, I am going to share a soup recipe with you...because heck, in this cold weather....it's always a good day for soup!

Vegetable Beef Soup
1 pound stew meat
2 quarts Beef broth
2-3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, choppped and sauteed in olive oil until golden brown
1 bunch of swiss chard
1 can chopped organic tomatoes
Throw it all in a soup pot (or crock pot) and let it cook. I prefer to do mine in the crock pot and then let it cook all day. The meat gets so tender and breaks into shreds. This time of year you can find swiss chard and carrots at your local farmers market, which makes for an even tastier, fresher soup.
Enjoy!

Our glasses were full...

Filling up our glasses, originally uploaded by Rachel K-.

On Saturday, I went wine tasting with my neighbors, which I can now call my friends. We had the best time....I don't think I have laughed that hard in years....thanks ladies!

Hello....

I apologize for not being around lately...I began training for my first 1/2 marathon that I will be running in March with my hubby ...it is one of my goals of 2010...who knows, after I'm done with that, I might even try running a full marathon at the end of the year...we'll see though, I'm not going to push it. For now, I am staying focused and working on eating healthy...(no I'm not going on a diet) I'm just working on eating good, organic, healthy foods EVERYDAY (which includes lots of fruits and veggies)....so far so good!!! I also have a few other things I'm working on for the year, but I will tell you more about that later....I hope you are all enjoying the new year so far...I always love January....it is such a refreshing month and of course I also love it because it is my birthday this month....

Isn't he so cute? (I think so!)

2010