A Messy Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen

We live in our house. I mean, really LIVE in our house. We do our major house cleaning once a week. Which means by Friday it can be disgusting. Last night, after making peppermint bark and fudge, my husband and I decided to make a Chocolate Panforte. He had bought the hazelnuts. When I went to roast them, I found they were still in their shells. Joyfully, I used the metal meat tenderizer to individually crack open each one before roasting and then rubbing off the skins. The shells were flying everywhere, the dog was looking cowardly for flying objects, and I was giggling incessantly. Note the dirty floor and the full counter of mess after mess. We decided not to clean up between projects and didn't really care. We would get to it eventually. Working hard for something tasty, filled with love, and making a mess in the process is quite fulfilling. Now, if we only had a maid...

No Chicken Soup Today

My husband kept jokingly threatening to make chicken soup if they didn't lay more eggs. He gave them a pep talk, "Ladies, if you don't start layin'..." I guess they listened!

A Touch of Autumn

Growing up in upstate NY gave me the gift of many a breathtaking fall season with vivid display of lavish foilage. This year I was desperate for it. I took my girls to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum for a taste.

Curls

This determined beauty is exploring the field of police work. Can you believe?!!

Inspiration From Little Britches

“There are only two kinds of men in this world: Honest men and dishonest men. ...Any man who says the world owes him a living is dishonest. The same God that made you and me made this earth. And He planned it so that it would yield every single thing that the people on it need. But He was careful to plan it so that it would only yield up its wealth in exchange for the labor of man. Any man who tries to share in that wealth without contributing the work of his brain or his hands is dishonest.”
― Ralph Moody

“Always remember, Son, the best boss is the one who bosses the least. Whether it's cattle, or horses, or men; the least government is the best government. ”
― Ralph Moody

There are jewels and gems all through this book. I love the weight carried by the words his father speaks. I think he was one of the few that meant every word he said. I want to be like that...especially as a parent. No empty threats. No venting. Just well thought out speech filled with truth, grace, and discernment for the moment. How 'bout you?

Photo Shoot

Here are a few of my fave's from Monday's photo shoot in downtown Chandler.
More to come later...

An Eye for Beauty, A Dramatic Flare

All photos taken by Alex or Audrey, make-up by Alex. Photo editing almost entirely by them as well. They do have fun together! Oh, the drama and beauty of life!









Can you guess what this is? Audrey couldn't resist photographing it during dinner one night...