Life in Idaho

Constructive Criticism Friday

2010-10-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Instead of the usual Fix It Friday, Iheartfaces is hosting a Constructive Criticism Friday. I'm relatively new to photography and editing, picked up my DSLR last Christmas and started using PSE 8 about six months later, so I still have a lot to learn.

The was photo taken by a friend of my son and I, I'm usually the one behind the camera so I don't get many of these! I really like the photo but just feel there is something in my edits missing so I haven't printed it yet.

Photo details: f 5.6, 1/60, ISO 1000; taken with my Nikon D5000 , 55mm

So, here's the original and a link to the photo in Flickr http://flic.kr/p/8Hosbd

And the edited photo. I used PSE 8, I can't remember all the edits to get to this... I'm wondering if it should be cropped, and maybe our skin tones aren't just right. Any advice would be appreciated!

Easy Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

2010-09-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

During one of Little C's naps this weekend I decided to make something for husband's sweet tooth. We haven't had a good strawberry-rhubarb pie in awhile and I, myself, had a craving. It was so yummy - I thought I would share my recipe.

Pie Crust:

Favorite store bought - I use Pillsbury (I said this was a "super easy" recipe)

Filling:

2 1/2 cups chopped red rhubarb, fresh
2 1/2 cups de-stemmed, washed and cut strawberries (in larger pieces)
1 1/2 cups sugar (1 1/4 cups for high altitude)
2 tablespoons tapioca flour
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons butter, cubed small
1 egg white beaten with 1 teaspoon water
Large granule sugar

Directions

Mix the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, tapioca, flour, juice of lemon, dash of cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix well in a large bowl and pour out into chilled crust. Dot the top of the filling with the butter. Brush edges of pie crust with egg white wash. Roll out the other piece of dough and place over filling. Crimp to seal edges. Brush with egg white wash and garnish with large granule sugar. Collar with foil and bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Decrease temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling starts bubbling. Higher altitude will take 450 degrees F and 400 degrees F respectively. Let cool before serving.

CHALK

2010-09-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

This week's photo challenge at iheartfaces is "Chalk". We picked up some chalk to scribble with yesterday afterwork and headed out for some fun - the photo is of Little "C" in action.

Check out the other chalk entries at -

Have Fun Communicating with your Little One - Baby Signing

2010-09-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Little "C" is now 13 months. He says a few words, although I'm probably the only one who understands him, and he babbles a lot. He loves pointing :-)

He is starting to get the hang of baby signing and it is really exciting when he communicates with me using a sign (his favorite is "milk" - usually used at the end of the day when he is ready for bed).

This week I've decided to make more of an effort to expand our signing vocabulary and to use the signs at every opportunity. Because it is such a fun and positive experience, I thought I would add baby signing to my blog for anyone who needed a little motivation.

We have been doing MILK, EAT, MORE, ALL DONE and DRINK so this week I’ll start Sleep.

I would love to hear your comments about baby signing!!

Below are descriptions – I have a Baby Signs book and I got help with describing the signs at http://www.ehow.com/baby-sign-language/ .

1. Sign: MORE
Hand shape: both hands use a semi-flattened "o"
Location: chest
Orientation: palms facing each other
Movement: bring both "flattened-O" hands together.

2. Sign: ALL DONE / FINISHED
Hand shape: both hands open and flat
Location: chest
Orientation: palms facing outward and your hands out in front of you-almost like you’re about to pad down something
Movement: turn your palms in towards your chest and back around to face outward two times.

3. Sign: MILK
Hand shape: fist with thumb folded over index finger
Location: chest
Orientation: fist facing left
Movement: open and close fist two times
Memory Aid: milking a cow

4. Sign: Drink (also referred to as "JUICE" - but Little C is a water drinking so we go with drink)
Hand shape: "J" shape with right hand
Location: cheek
Orientation: pinkie finger up, middle three fingers folded down, thumb next to chin
Movement: twist hand back and forth
Memory Aid: draw a "J"

5. Sign: EAT
Hand shape: "O" shape with right hand
Location: mouth
Orientation: palm facing you
Movement: tap mouth once with fingers

6. Sign: SLEEP
Hand shape: open right hand over face
Location: face
Orientation: palm facing you
Movement: move hand down toward chin, bringing fingers together to touch thumb

SMIRK

2010-09-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

This week's photo challenge at iheartfaces is "Smirk" and to quote Charles Dickens, "there are only two styles of portrait painting: the serious and the smirk."

Who doesn't love a good smirk....well, maybe except for at the end of the day when you are trying to be serious and a little one thinks it's funny to through their food all over the floor.... or when you are trying to change a messy diaper and they think it's funny to twist and squirm and roll and make a mess so you have to than put them in the bath before heading out for the day (happened to me this morning). Smirks are pretty darn cute, though.

This is a picture of my son's friend "S", we were at a BBQ together and he was just hamming it up for the camera.

To see more smirks, hop over to:

Weekend BBQ : Activities for Kids

2010-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

I love fall! We are hosting a BBQ this weekend and there will be just as many kids as adults! The adult entertainment part is easy (and actually a little boring - food & drinks are planned), but I'm having fun thinking of things to keep the kids entertained. The kids will range from 10 years to almost 1 year old, the average age is probably around 3 or 4. Here is my activity list:

Pumpkin painting - I'm hoping pumpkins are available at this time, if not I'll save this for my Halloween party. It's probably more appropriate for Halloween - so if pumpkins are available now, I may just do it again with the kids at the end of October.
Paper Bowl Jack-o-Lantern craft - if pumpkins aren't available and if we are in a craft mood.
Color Poster Boards - this may be easier to organize than either of the above. I'll see what's available at the store this evening.
Fox and Hen Game - I forgot about this game and was reminded of it during a web search. For those who forgot how the game is played - see below.
Been Bag Toss Game
Bubbles

Fox and Hen Game

Children sit on the floor in a circle. Give two bean bags to two children that are opposite each other in the circle. Name one of the bean bags the "Hen" and the other the "Fox". Children pass the bean bags clockwise around the circle to see if the fox can catch the hen.

I should be able to get some pretty fun photos, too!!

We miss you

2010-09-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our friends are back in France, visiting family. We had gotten use to seeing them each day - we miss our little Nolan hugs. XX

The little face that brightens my day

2010-09-09T12:39:00.001-07:00

Back to Blogging

2010-09-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Back in June I thought it would be fun to start blogging and sharing some of my favorite photos. As it goes, life gets busy and now September is upon us and I have realized I haven't done much of my own blogging. When I do get on-line, and when I'm not playing around with my pictures in Elements, I have enjoy other blogs (the ones I am currently following are listed on the right). A recent post by Pioneer Woman has me motivated me to start writing. thepioneerwoman.com I enjoy writing and it actually feels good to just sit and type (non work related) for a few minutes. So here I am, at my blogging re-start.

Life today
- Teething, teething, teething = NO Sleep. Good thing they are cute!
- Late summer, early fall, cold nights; we can only cover so much of our garden
- Love fresh picked raspberries - gathered a handful to share with Charlie each day... crop is almost done and the store bought ones just aren't the same
- Pulled out a wool sweater this morning and wore it most of the day - love my sweaters but not ready for summer to be over
- First day in awhile I actually worked through lunch - productive Wednesday at the office!

New Water Toy

2010-06-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Nannie bought this fun new water toy for Charlie this week.

Contemplation

2010-06-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

I took this picture a couple weeks ago. The picture was taken at Trail Creek - Sun Valley, we were showing family around town. I love how in this picture both Charlie and Dad have the same "contemplation" look. Like father like son :-)

Charlie and his Binky

2010-06-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'm on the last days of my 30-day trial of Photoshop Elements and I'm starting to have a lot of fun. I just purchased the software and have signed up for a short on-line class for beginners :-) The B&W with colored binky was inspired by my friend Valerie :-)

The picture was taken at the park this past weekend. Charlie didn't have a good nap on Saturday and when he is tired he likes his binky. He was a little grumpy until he hit the swings and than it was all fun from there. He is my little cutie.

Week 24 - All About Babies

2010-06-15T13:04:00.001-07:00

This week's photo challenge at iheartfaces is "All About Babies". The picture is of my little one when he was 1 month old, at the time I only had a point-and-shoot but I still love this picture of my sleeping baby.

Click on the link below to see all kinds of great photos of babies.

Week 23 - Play

2010-06-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Playing at the park, his first day of many.

Week 22 - Barefoot Week

2010-06-01T10:01:00.001-07:00

My first iheartfaces post!
How can you not just fall in love with baby feet. This photo was taken February 2010, Charlie was 6-months old and already a ball of energy.

This week for iheartfaces challenge we are helping raise awareness for Soles 4 Souls.