poignant pauses

sweet music

I hope you all had a great Christmas! We had a lovely quiet day, lots of laughs and smiles and yummy food!

I was surfing a bit while drinking my star bucks this morning and found some music I love! I love music that brings back memories or makes me feel so I love happy family and love songs.  I can't tell you how many times songs like remember when (which I'm not even crazy about music wise) has made me cry.

I think during the hard stressful times music and memories can bring you back; hold you in a good place. Marriage, family etc... It definitely has it ups and downs. I am not a perfect person therefore well.... There is an old song I love by Dan hill sometimes when we touch. I love the whole song but the lines a brother or a sister and then the passion flares again have been so true in my life. Chris and I have always had our ups and downs; one season so stressful I thought we couldn't recover but then always along comes a sweet season that we connect fully and life is just soooo sweet. The dark days come less and less the longer we are married I think because we understand each other better and it's easier to connect to cling when the bad stuff happens rather then pull apart. One word picture someone once told me, I think it was family life marriage conference (awesome, great for the engaged and married, I can't recommend it enough. We've been several times and going again this coming year) that also has helped me is to think of marriage as two kayaks going down on a river with a strong current pulling them apart. To work on the things that connect us it's so worth it because when you do connect it's like heaven on Earth. A bit of sweet sweet heaven.  I love that Chris's song for me that he always thinks of me is the song "You’re my best friend” by queen. I love that he gets romantic and gushy about me. It's like when we connect we go right back to the beginning right back to the feelings we had for one another when we were dating only now they are stronger. He can still make stomach drop, blush, he still is the person I want most to spend time with. I love that a song can remind me of all of that. This is why I love songs about family and love. Life can be ugly, but family is a haven a sweet haven.

These videos' made me smile this morning

 

I love the lines""Every time I look at you, you always look so beautiful"  It's funny we have wrinkles and extra pouches but to me his eyes are still every bit as blue and beautiful.   

a bit fustrated here not sure why but all of a sudden my song list isn't playing so I'm just going to add it to this post for now.  I created a new one finally

Merry Christmas!

We’re deep in the middle of preparations.... Little ones already all strung out.... LOL! Sebastian's been wrapping all his treasures up and regifting everyone. Broken buzz light year (Sebastian lives and breathes super heroes), a very loved tigger etc... He is so excited he can’t' stop talking. Now I’m not a morning person and need a little bit of space when I first wake up, when I'm really tired ,I really need that space. Well I'm really tired today and he just couldn't stop. I asked Sebastian Can you please stop talking for a while and he says "Can't I just say one more thing?" and then proceeded to just ramble on forever.  Calgon....

So we're making cookies doing some cooking and cleaning. Then some prettying up for our candle lit church service tonight.  Nadia was Mary in the church’s play this year. They pick the older kids to play the main roles.  She's a good sport. 

Our pictures should be interesting this year. Yesterday when Nadia was watching (supposedly) them downstairs while we wrapped the mass amounts of gifts we had to wrap. Well Ollie got into my craft supplies and painted his face red.... It's not coming off... Sebastian has a huge bruise (fell off bed while wrestling with Ike and a scratch on his face (cat).) Francesca also has some small pics from the cat.  Some deserved and some the cat does to wake her up in the middle of the night....  None of us want the cat in our room at night he's so annoying! He's a great cat really cuddly and loving but at night ugh!!!! The tree has NO and I mean NO decorations on the bottom between the cat and Ollie it's been robbed bare.  LOL!  We are so not picture perfect people!!!

Here are a few snapshots of our holiday so far. Nadia in the play and our party with Chris's family. Chris in cased his brother's home depo gift card in orange jello that got a big laugh and we have the best yankee swap gift thanks to Deb and Mike with our new ear wax pickers....

Chris's Dad He's a great guy the apple didn't fall far from the tree(well and Chris's mom is really wonderful as well so I guess Dad is only half of the apple! I'm so lucky!)

chris and Ollie.... with his big boy haircut

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!!

and what would Christmas be with Charlie Brown's special????
I just adore this!!

HohoHo!

They kids were so excited that I didn’t' have to do any work yesterday!  I did end up having to drop off one package but it worked out ok because we were headed out to the library anyway.  We spent the morning snuggled under the covers and watched the Grinch. Today I finish up the last of my shopping and we are going to see a show.  Then we snuggle down and clean, wrap, bake Yeah! I hope it snows I'm starting to get so excited!!!! Oh and we do go to church Christmas eve. It's the loveliest service candle lit, everyone gets their own candle to hold and the singing is acapella.  The kids love it.  It's from 6 to 7:30

lighthouse website

We were trying out some new looks for the holiday on Nadia. We tried false eyelashes and she LOVED them. I was so surprised because this is my minimumalist girl. She said she looked like a model and well as her mom….

If you've never done false eyelashes they are simple. I'll find a video

Ok here is one

And some tips from me

Do not curl your lashes before hand the curl will make the false ones harder to apply.
If you are doing your lashes your self without a helper it's easier to use individual ones rather then a full set. Also Individual lashes are more subtle. Duo is the glue you want when first starting out the clear white is the one you want. It goes on white but dries completely clear. If are afraid your lashes might get wet or you want something stronger lash tight is super strong. It has a very strong odor and can make you weep.

Ok do your make up including eye makeup then measure and trim your lashes if you need to cut them cut from the inner set of the lashes. How you can tell which is the inner end is the outer side is longer.Use a tooth pick /orange stick to apply glue if you do not have a toothpick put a line of glue on your hand run the lashes through this. Use only a tiny even amount it will stick better
Bend lash into the shape of the eye ( a "c" shape). Apply to outer corner of eyes first then rearrange apply directly to lash line. Use tweezers fingers to rearrange and press down. Reapply liner in lash line, you can curl if you wish and then mascara.

When you are done with them just gently pull off. You can wash them in warm soapy water even cheap lashes will last a few weeks. Do not wear them to bed you will end up with a weird crease and you will have to toss them. Once you've worn them they keep the shape of your eye and they are so much easier to apply. If you don't want to have to wash them you can not apply mascara and pick off the glue. Some people prefer to cut them in half to apply

By the way the author of the video I shared has a great blog with a lot of tips and contests for free products so check her out. We're going to try her Pamela do on Nadia for Christmas.

sigh of relief

Everything done! What a relief it was to receive my last package and sending them off.  Also getting the root canal out of the way. I remember ages my friend Stef getting one and what pain she was in. We're talking 20 plus years ago well it's a bit different now. I was out in like 40 min and it hurt less then some fillings I've had done.

The staff was really friendly and nice. I couldn't recommend them more highly.  I was impressed by how excited the doctor seemed about his work.   It made me think of when I get that "shot" and I just get so excited.

Professional Endodontics

The kids have have been having a really good laugh saying I sound like a drunk. It's been 3.5 hours since I had it done and I still can’t' feel anything.... LOL! And I keep biting my darn tongue on accident. I 'm afraid of what it will feel like when the drugs wear off.

more holiday ideas

I've had a lot of friends ask me to give them make up tips since it's the holidays I thought I would share some. I know anyone who has seen me on a shoot will find it hard to believe but I love makeup and fashion. On a shoot I like to have nothing to worry about so I wear play clothes and no makeup so no worries. I can crawl on the ground, climb get wet what ever it takes to the get the image.

But there is the other side of me that loves to play around with makeup and when I'm thin clothes( right now I’m living vicariously through dd but it's not quite working for me because she is very plain Jane classic(we are so different). ) Anyway back to make up I think most of it is just experimenting trying new things. My oldest DD is so different then me. Her skin tone freckles and eye shape is totally different then mine so what worked for me just doesn't work for her. So we tried lots of different techniques and products till we came up with a few looks that work just for her. Books, magazines all great sources for ideas and now we have youtube.

She is one of my favorites there,do a search though and you can find lot so tips for hair and makeup

and how about a simple updo for the holiday?

I think in the new year I might write some tips for modeling as well as make up,hair etc... just little things to help on a shoot that you might not know other wise.

for instance if you have long hair dont' wash your hair the day of  your shoot. You will have more flyaways which show up horribly with backlighting. You can also use a hair serum which works wonderful to keep those flyaways down.  My dd loves how they help with frizz and add a LOT of shine.

There are a lot of serums out there an inexpensive one you can find at the local drug store is

John Frieda Frizz Serum  about 10.00

Towel dry hair and allow it to air dry for a bit. You only need a tiny bit of product about the size of a nickel which I spread out over my fingers. I apply it to the ends of hair first then the rest. Brush then blow dry style as usual. That it! You will be shiny and frizz free and my dd thinks it looks better the second day. She will sometimes apply more but often only needs it that first day. The product lasts a long time. She has long hair and only shampoos every three days or so.

so there you go a few beauty tips :)  for those holiday parties.

feeling so sorry for myself LOL!

Chris is off to a lovely dinner party while I mope about at home.  I was in the middle of getting a tooth fixed when it decided to really go south and now I have an exposed nerve. So back on the happy pills and lucky me is going to have a root canal for Christmas.  So I wasn't up for mingling tonight and it's a bummer ....  And my root canal is going to be during a Christmas tea I was invited too..... bahhh humbug! I guess I do feel grateful they had an opening.... I guess.... LOL!

We're full swing into Christmas. Last Sunday we made Gingerbread houses and decorated our tree ,we put our garlic and instruments on the tree. LOL! Francesca called the garland, a garlic and Sebastian said the instruments in place of Christmas ornaments.  We about bust a gut when they said the mistaken words almost one on top of the other. They looked at us amazed like what was our problem!  I'm all done shopping for the immediate family and so I'll be done soon! 

I love Christmas and am looking forward to snuggling down with my family after all the scurrying around and work. Tomorrow is the last day I have to mail some portrait packages and then pretty much I'm done.  We'll start baking for the big day! yeah!

I remember my mother spending weeks and weeks baking and freezing. I don't even come close to that but we do have a lovely dinner on a much smaller scale though. 

One thing we really enjoy that I make and I like it because it can be made ahead of time is over night French toast.  I used to make homemade cinn rolls but they are a lot of work on a day I'm already doing a lot of cooking so for I guess 6 years or now we've served this in morning instead. I usually double the cream chz(chris loves cream chz) and thick heavy bread is the best kind for this.  It reheats well too.

enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 cup fresh blueberries

12 eggs, beaten

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup maple syrup

 

1 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup water

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the dish, and top with cream cheese cubes. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over the cream cheese, and top with remaining bread cubes.

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the bread cube mixture from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cover, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and surface is lightly browned.

In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter, and pour over the baked French toast

Snoopy dancing going on

here!!!!! I just put in my next to last order.  I have to head out so one more tommorrow and then that is it!!!!!

How about a slideshow as a hooray!!!

princess slideshow

a few images for those who can't view the slideshows.

I did a painting kind of feeling with this one. She looks like a fairy princess.

small break

had to take a small break so I thought I would post something on my blog

a few more favs for Xmas ideas

I ADORE cheese! One of my girlfriends was amazed when I told her my favorite cheese is $17.00 a pound.  I do not often buy it but I would much rather have some good cheese then well anything except maybe Ice cream(now you all know why I'm a chunk,if I lived in Wisconsin. I would be in Serious trouble. )

a tasty treat each month

cheese club

Ayo - She reminds me of a darker skinned Heidi Klum and love her music.

some fun covers for laptops phones etc...

gelaskins

ok if you are into self portraits you want one of these.... I know I do! :) can be held out at arms length, extended to a length of 18.5" and features a built-in self-image positioning mirror that assure that the camera is aimed in the right direction.

cool tripod

I Love this lady's artwork!!!! and now you can get a ton of it at an incredible price as a calendar

creative thursday

last and most fav of all is

we love colors

tight heaven a rainbow of colors for women...

I was talking with some girlfriends about what we see first when we shop. One said texture she has to touch everything, another smell(sorry lisa I'm just not getting that onel LOL!) and I said COlOR . I love color. Now my choices would be more subdued then this outfit but still a funky unusual mix.

and as long as I'm window shopping oh i would adore a pair of  genetic denims sailor jeans and that is saying a LOT because I never wear jeans. They remind of these Gap jeans I bought every pair in the store that was my size  about 7 years when I could fit in Gap's little girl 16's (yes short chucky me was super little once upon a time.) I LOVED those jeans and now they are back! and a bit (LOL!) more of a price tag I would totally be window drooling on these even if I was a size 1 still.

genetic denims

A new adventure!

My Hot  red headed Geek is going to be working in Boston again. I never ever would have thought I would want him to be working in Boston ever again but a few things have changed. First the t now runs out of Middleboro and his office is a short walk from the station. Second he will only be working three or four days a week.

Of course there is an increase in pay but that wasn't the deciding factor. We sat the kids down and asked how they would feel about the switch and we all agreed we would much rather have Chris for an entire extra day or two a week vs. bits on the beginning and end of the day. So guess who will now be getting up early to teach bible??? I am so not a morning person. He usually tucks the little ones in too, I’m sure they will really miss him those few nights he wouldn't be home.

The other reason is opportunity. My Geek's company was recently bought out and he went from working for one of the top ten companies in the country to one he had never heard of before. Buy outs, pretty common place in the IT field. Chris's Dad has worked for the same IT "company" for 35ish years but really has worked for MANY companies he's been bought out so many times. The tell tale sign of a bad buy out, they get rid of the free snacks..... LOL! Really!  I think it's like the woman who feeds everyone; usually it's a great house to hang out in so loving. It's the little things that tell a lot about if the cheese has been moved.  Isaac and Chris just went today to get their eyes checked and new glasses cost us 300.00 dollars more then last year because of the insurance.  Just yet another tell tale sign the cheese has moved.

great read

So a new adventure… I’m sure because he’s working up there we’ll probably go to Boston more often. We used to go a couple of times a month to visit museums, shows, shopping etc... But as our family increased I just stopped going. We might go once or twice a year that’s it. It’s tough going to Boston with a lot of little ones…. Just let me tell you about the time they shut down the Children’s museum because of Sebastian or the time Ike picked up a large sand shark…..  Well actually that happened when we were visiting NJ’s aquarium but you get the idea. One mom five kids can be a lot when they are little.

How are you doing with your Christmas Shopping? I am so not done!

I did find a few things I adore!!!!

This is the BEST children’s album I have EVER heard I Love love love it! I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered her. All of her music is so full of her life,real, like having a conversation incredible moving music.

This band is my entire family’s favorite new band. Now I like any kind of music with very few exceptions(elevator music,some modern country, some Christian praise are examples of I do not like becasue they all sound exactly the same like they went through Sneetches(Dr Suess) machine. I like anything that sounds real has a soul. )Growing up with my father's businesses (bar, resturants etc...)I was very fortunate to hear lots of music, all different kinds. Then I lived right outside of Boston for a while and that was another great music experience so I LOVE music all kinds. But it's been a LONG while since I liked something with a real raw rockin kind of feel but this band I LOVE!!!! Makes me wish deliverance was still a band...... just had that old itch to mosh. LOL! (No I've never moshed but it's interesting and painful to watch)

People describe this band as 5 kids who have ADD and didn’t take their Ritalin and broke into a red bull truck! My son has seen them in concert and he says they are incredible to watch.

and oh last but not least.....

We discovered these from some computer work. A friend of ours runs a bakery and asked Chris if he could help out  a friend with some computer work. Well after tasting these cookies she could of paid us with cookies they are that good!!!! They are dry but moist with a perfect mixture of flavor if you like chocolate covered pretezls, you will think you died and went to heaven when you have one of these. She had a write up in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago these cookies are incredible!!!

kayak cookies

I'll share some more of my favs from this year later in the week. This post is already inpossibly long.

when it rains it pours!

Ok not only did I hurt my arm last week,I ended up with a nasty cold.  I spent the weekend holed up on the couch.  I am finally starting to feel better though ugh! Weirdest of all is I am the only one so far here that has it.  I hope no one else in the house catches it. 

Ollie had his haircut on Saturday. I'm so glad I was sick and couldn't go. I think I would have cried. He looks so different. The kids and I are all sad about his hair but he is getting older now three and Chris who hates the long hair was pretty patient with me. So no more blond ringlets....  His short hair he looks all American boy no more animal. (Lots of jokes going round about Ollie's hair that he looked like Jimmy Buffet to Animal from the Muppets)

Something new I'm going to be offering(not to late for anyone who is in the middle of ordering) to seniors free of charge these cards. Great to hand out to friends or relatives you want to stay in touch with. You can choose what info and photo you would like to have on them.  They also include a special on them for any of your friends who might want a session.

and as long as I'm showing this beautiful face I might as well share her slideshow.  I'll also show a few images for those that can't view the slideshows.

Click here to view the slideshow