Stockings!

Oh, wow. I haven't written a post in for-ev-er...and I feel like a loser. Well, only KIND OF like a loser. A little bit...

I mean, seriously - it's been so C-R-A-Z-Y busy. I can't even begin to tell you.

But, I'll try.

First, we went on a road trip to Colorado for some meeting and to see the fam. Fun times, I tell you. FUN times. :)

I have lotsa pictures - none of which I have prepared to share. Because I am...so...busy.

Anyway - THEN, we got stuck in a blizzard on my birthday. So, I call it the Birthday Blizzard of '09. Pretty Snazzy, huh? So, the Hubs, Josefine and I stayed at a hotel on my birthday...with an indoor waterpark, which happened to be closed down because of the fa-reezing water temps. Se, we just hung out in the hotel pool, which was awesome enough, for sure. Josefine had the time of her life...I swear...this girl is a fish!

And, we finally got home last Thursday. And EvErY night (and day) since...has been BUSY. The night we got back, I had a party...Friday, Jim took me out *sigh*, Saturday we had one amazing Sunday School Christmas party with a fabulous (and hilarious) White Elephant Gift Exchage. Sunday - church, of course. Monday - a visit with our Germany-Bound friends. Tuesday was a Sign Language Class and Test, which I don't even think I've mentioned to you that I've recently taken up (and fallen in love with) Sign Language. Holy Cow...I totally don't need to bore you with my EVERY day of the WEEK busy-ness. BUT, it's just a little taste of how busy it's been.

Today, I had a wedding shoot. Beautiful and busy day for sure...I always adore weddings. I never cease to shed at least one tear out of happiness for the lovely couple. And here, I'm supposed to be taking pictures! Anyway - I've got tons of photos to update my photography blog with, too. See what I mean? Is your head spinning with MY schedule yet? I wouldn't be surprised. Mine is. ;)

And here, I've titled my post "Stockings." Oh, rabbit trail.

This is one thing that I've been spending all of my free time on...stockings! :) I have to make mine yet, but I was too excited not to show you Jim's and Josefine's! :)

This is where I got the pattern!

7 New Things and a Surprise Ending

New Thing #1 - My Photography Blog, Ministry Blog and Josefine Blog (that's 4 blogs, Teena - including this one) are all newly designed and have MENU BARS! Woot! It looks sooo much more professional even IF the first try took, like, EIGHT hours. This one is NEXT! And my Josefine Blog has a new design, which rocks my face off...

New Thing #2 - New (and FIRST) family pictures! Jim's mom snapped these and this is the one we're giving to our home and sending church for the prayer board - will probably send them to our supporting churches as well. We're using this one on our ministry blog and for prayer cards.

New Thing #3 - I have a newfound interest in cooking lately. Especially baking! And will soon be posting the recipes and pictures for YOU to try!

New Thing #4 - My friend, Stacy, got Josefine some adorable new hair clippies. One is pictured above in our family photo (the yellow flower). I ♥ New Hair Clippies! Sooo, I've tried my creative hand at making one myself. Josefine's Granny got her a new dress, which she'll wear to the shower tomorrow night and I made her a new custom hair clippy to go with it!

New Thing #5 - My interest in knitting has been re-charged. That happens about this time of year. I can't seem to knit a single stitch during the summer. The idea of it just raised the temperature another 10 degrees. Another thing about fall - it just makes me want to break out my running shoes. But, I won't go out on a limb and add it to my list of New Things yet. My friends Sarah & Julie should be credited for inspiring my back-to-knitting days. I'm starting a new beginning on an old project. - and if you read her latest post, she's also inspiring me to start running again. Last year on Labor Day weekend, I tried and strained my achilles tendon. Since then, I've been in the pool. But, that has nothing to do with knitting, eh? ANYhoo, it's going to be a purse, and I'm currently working on the strap and gussett.

New Thing #6 - Josefine has a new head.

New Thing #7 - This is a FUTURE new thing, but I must, must, must tell you about it right NOW, but not without a preface. So, I was made aware of a jewelry giveaway that a million and one people will probably enter. I, on the other hand was reminded of my super-fantastic jewelry-making friend, Sylvia. She's a very creative designer of so-cute and so-fabulous (that one's for you, Sylvia) jewelry, and you must see her work. I am going to purchase this necklace with Josefine's name on it. THAT is my future New Thing #7.

Aaaand, because I teased you with the word "Giveaway" and a picture of some snazzy, handmade jewelry AND because we ALL love new things, I suppose I'll give in to the trend and host a giveaway of my own. It IS 09-09-09 and all, a perfect reason to give something away, no?

Soooo, I'm giving THESE away...a pair of Sylvia's MUST HAVE earrings. Very dainty, very pretty, very FREE when you enter to win! I'll purchase them at the same time I purchase my necklace, so they'll be ready to ship to one lucky winner.

Here's how to enter (four entries max):

1. Comment on this post - 1 entry

2. Link back to this post (leave a comment to tell me that you've linked) - 1 entry

3. Check out Sylvia's Etsy Shop and come back and let me know which piece is YOUR very favorite by leaving ANOTHER comment - 1 entry

4. Tell your friends on Facebook! Post a link to THIS POST on your profile page and come back and tell me that you did...on your honor! :D example post "I entered to win a free pair of earrings on Sarah's Blog!" - 1 entry

You must leave 4 separate comments for them to count!

That's FOUR chances to win! Now, go do it!

The deadline is next Wednesday, September 16th. I will draw at 11:59 pm (CST) and announce the winner then! :D Thanks for participating!

The Birthday: Part 1

Ok...so, a while back I told you about my friend Gina's birthday and how I had an exciting surprise planned. Well, it went off without a hitch and here are the results.

Working on The Big Surprise

Before I load 'em in the car. 3 paintings & 3 frames of flower pictures I took. Her birthday was in March...and we still have our Christmas tree up.

After I revealed her gifts, we got to work painting the kitchen, which was, in a way, part of her birthday present. We started out with a shade of "pink" not wanting to go too dark for fear the landlord would have a heart attack. Well, it looked like Pepto Bismol and made us feel like puking.

So, Gina had a stroke of genius. We opted for a much prettier hue. And more appetizing.

And this was the result at 3 am. Beautious, is it not?