According to my original blog archives, I’ve been blogging since February 2006. That seems crazy to me…over 6 years of blogging. Life has remained the same in some ways, but in many ways it’s changed so much. Blogging has been so personal to me, definitely not just  a business tool, although it’s been that too. It would have been very difficult to have my photography business grow the way it has without my blog. I’m so thankful for that. I’m also grateful that I can share who I am and what’s important to me…even the little things. When you click to read, you never know if you’re going to find a post with spiritual inspiration, home decor, recent vintage shopping finds, organizational ideas or thoughts, craft or scrapbooking projects, cooking references, book recommendations or my thoughts on Dancing with the Stars…in addition to the always present recent photo peeks. I’ve always been as real as I can be, even when things haven’t been perfect. I appreciate this outlet more than I can say. So many of you have been so supportive and that means a lot to me! You’ve encouraged me to keep doing things in my own rather quirky way. So as random as it sometimes can be, I will continue to do what I’ve been doing!

Here’s our uber exciting menu for the week : )

Monday: Thai Braised Beef with Coconut Milk and Ginger When I visited Tara a couple of years ago, she made this for dinner one night and it is amazing!

Tuesday: Chicken Cashew Lettuce Wraps Best recipe I’ve tried recently. Couldn’t wait to make them again..and I’m doubling the recipe. I want leftovers!

Wednesday: Chicken Caesar Salad

Thursday: Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

That’s all I have planned. If we’re home Friday night, we’ll most likely grill something simple.

Last week, we tried Asian Salmon Patties and they were just okay. I probably won’t make them again any time soon…I’d rather have grilled salmon if I’m buying salmon filets.

So today, I would also like to announce the winner of KP’s Sketch Class……

Kim Thomas - Thank you so much for the opportunity to take Kelly’s class. She is awesome, and very sweet. I took one of her CKC classes, and I just loved her. I love sketches, and would really, really love to win a spot. I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time too with CK. Your work is amazing. Thank you again. Take care.

I don’t think Tom has ever picked the #1 before, so congrats Kim! I know you will LOVE Kelly’s class! Please send me your email address and I’ll get in touch with you about specifics. Thanks for participating!

Today, Lexi has a challenge on the OA blog and I played along…you can check it out here. Challenges and sketches are just the best at getting my creativity going…and I don’t think I’m the only one : )

Finally, before I share today’s peeks, I just have to say a little something about an opportunity I had yesterday. I can’t get into specifics, because the project is still top-secret, but if you’d like a hint about the session, you can see some teaser visuals on my Instagram feed. I am fairly easily inspired by beautiful locations, and what I see isn’t always the obviously beautiful…but yesterday, the location was over the top phenomenal. It boosted my creativity to a new level. I am dying to share the images…I don’t know how I’ll wait for 3 months! Let me just say, that something new is coming to our area….and it’s pretty exciting!

I was elated when Laura contacted me about taking family photos recently. I had photographed Addie when she was about three or four and then again when her baby brother was tiny. It’s been a couple of years and since they live out of state, it was a very pleasant surprise to hear from them! I also got a surprise when they brought Laura’s mom Barb along! In spite of some recent health issues, Barb looks more beautiful than ever!

The first time I did photos for this family was with these two beauties.

LOVE.

There will be another little one joining their family this fall!

I had Addie show me a few of her gymnastics tricks. Every family session should be this fun!

God bless your day!