Friday, July 29, 2011

Your Appointment with Friday

This week's photo prompt brought with it a super fun photoshoot for me and my friend Stephanie (love that).  The photo prompt is to.....

Take a photo with a friend

*S&C {2}*

*S&C {1}*

We had an awesome afternoon at the La Jolla shores.....taking photos.....

*S&C {3}*

The weather was just right, so we crafted on a giant quilt under a huge tree on the soft grass next to the ocean, took a stroll on the boardwalk, soaked up art at the Mangelson Gallery, and ate yummy gilato.  It was the perfect treat after my productive work week!


*S&C*

We specifically took instant camera themed photos since we both have a love for photography in common, and on Tuesday when I share my Project Monday you'll see why.....it's a really cool surprise!!!

I hope your weekend is full of creativity and happy times.
Love, Carrie

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Project Monday

Hello, lovely people : )  Today I finally made time to snap a couple photos of my 2011 album so you could take a peek.....

*my 2011 album*

As you can see I really like using the different size page protectors to share my projects as well as any additional photos from that day.....

*my 2011 album*

Originally I was also going to add in some of the text from my blog posts that coordinates with the photos, but I started at the beginning of the year without keeping it up.  And I am totally OK with that.  The main thing is that I personally have found this specific project probably the most rewarding project I do for myself.  There is something about having photos from my posts over at Blume & Grow, along with my Bubblegum Life photo prompts and projects all printed up and seeing them together that really feels great!  I can honestly say that it has made a major difference in the enjoyment of my photo, project and blog activity.....I love that I have this fun to look forward to every week <3

Love, Carrie

P.S. This Friday and coming Tuesday I have an extra special photo prompt and Project Monday to share so stay tuned.....

Friday, July 22, 2011

Your Appointment with Friday

Happy Friday everyone!  This week's photo prompt is to.....

Go on a picnic.

*our picnic basket*

*go on a picnic*

Ryan and I spent a wonderful afternoon relaxing on our soft quilt (handmade by his Grandma) last Sunday.  These photos are of what I saw from the quilt.....the palm tree view above us (witch also provided our shade), the ocean view at our feet, our yummy lunch, and little goofing off.....

*picnic love*

I actually have a whole sequence of us making silly faces that I still need to edit.  The photo above is one of the only shots I got of us just being happy : )

Your assignment this week is to go on a picnic and take as many or as few photos as you like of what you see while you're there.  And honestly  it doesn't have to be a big ordeal.....for our picnic I just grabbed a couple dishes from the cupboard, some travel mugs, napkins, silverware and food, and it was perfect!

Enjoy your weekend!
Love, Carrie

P.S. I am planning on sharing a peek into my 2011 Album for my Project Monday.....it will probably be up sometime later in the day on Monday <3

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

HARRY POTTER AT MIDNIGHT....



So I ended up going to midnight showing of Harry Potter last week with a sweet friend. It was totally last minute, due to babysitting issues and we had a blast!

Here's a couple things I want to remember from that night:
  •  Standing in line, and later walking through the theater I thought all the Hogwarts looking ties that people wore were really fun
  • Popcorn and cherry coke for dinner was yummy (I actually forgot to eat a real dinner on accident)
  • A late night filled with lots of people and excitment in the air was a thrill
  • I tried to take photos while I was standing in line outside, but they all came out blurry because I couldn't focus on what I was doing
  • I'd never shown up to a midnight movie this late before...I think I got there at like 10:15pm (it felt a little hectic till I settled in)
  • Chatting with April before the movie started was nice.....she hadn't seen Part 1, so I tried to remember all the good stuff to help get her caught up.....I think talking about it added to the anticipation
  • Being able to see the midnight showing of the LAST Harry Potter movie is something I think I will never forget
  • And last but not least, the theater gave us super cool Harry Potter looking 3D glasses which I LOVE!
It was a good night <3 Carrie

Summer Muse

*summer muse*

Here's a little bouquet.....I hope it adds some cheer to your day.....
Love, Carrie

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Your Appointment with Friday

Since summertime means warm weather, fans, AC, cold drinks, smoothies, swimming, evening dinners outside and all the other things we do help us enjoy the warmer temperatures.......this week's photo prompt is:

Keep it Cool

*Keep it Cool*

I asked Ryan to take this photo of me with my iced Starbucks, a special treat that has been helping me say cool during the heat wave we've been having here in San Diego.  Raspberries are my favorite fruit this summer, so lately I have been enjoying my iced raspberry vanilla latte (with a little cream)!  Hmmmmm....soooo good!!!  Oh, and right now I also really love my trusty Starbucks mug.....it often holds yummy lattes (pictured above), ice water, ice tea, or cherry coke zero with a little cinnamon.  It's kinda like icing on the cake for me <3

What have you been doing to keep cool?

Love, Carrie

P.S. I've decided to skip most of my Project Monday's for the month of July to give myself a short break.  However, I do plan on sharing a little peek into my 2011 album in it's place either this Monday or next.  xoxo

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Summer Muse

*Summer Muse*

*Summer Muse*

I think a lot of us are ready to feel like this right now : )

Love, Carrie

Monday, July 11, 2011

*thai peanut chicken*

(Serves 3)


Ingredients

•    1 cups uncooked white rice
•    1 1/2 cups good-quality coconut milk, plus a dash more
•    1 1/4 cups water
•    1/2 tsp. coconut oil, OR vegetable oil
•    3 tablespoons soy sauce
•    2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
•    2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
•    1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•    3 tablespoons olive oil
•    2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips
•    1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
•    1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger root
•    1/2 cup chopped green onions
•    ½ of a sliced red bell pepper
•    1 cup of chopped cabbage
•    ½ cup of shredded carrots
•    ½ cup of sugar snap peas
•    1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts chopped into small pieces

Directions

1.    Start with preparing the coconut rice.  Rub oil over the bottom of a deep-sided pot. You will also need a tight-fitting lid.
  • Place rice, coconut milk, water, shredded coconut, and salt in the pot and set over medium-high to high heat. Stir occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.
  • Once the coconut-water has begun to gently bubble, stop stirring and reduce heat to low (just above minimum). Cover tightly with a lid and let simmer 15-20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. To check, pull rice aside with a fork. If most of the coconut milk-water is gone, go on to the next step.
2.    While waiting for rice to simmer start prepping your chopped ingredients.
3.    Check rice after about 10 minutes…..
  • To check, pull rice aside with a fork. If most of the coconut milk-water is gone, go on to the next step.
  • Replace the lid and turn off the heat, but leave the covered pot on the burner to steam another 5-10 minutes, or until you're ready to eat. Tip: Your Coconut Rice will stay warm this way for up to 1 hour or more, great for when you're expecting company! 
  • When ready to serve, remove the lid and fluff rice with a fork or chopsticks.

4.    Once your chopped ingredients are ready, in a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, peanut butter, vinegar, dash of coconut milk and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
5.    Heat oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add chicken, garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring constantly, until chicken is golden on the outside, about 5 minutes.
6.    Reduce heat to medium, and add green onion, cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, peanuts, and the peanut butter mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, and chicken is cooked through. Serve over coconut rice.

I have been really enjoying Thai food lately, so I decided to make one of my favorite dishes at home last week.  It's recipe I modified from allrecipies.com.  It was soooo yummy (sorry I had trouble getting a good photo.....this one doesn't do it justice)!!!  If you decide to try it, I hope you like  <3 Carrie

Saturday, July 9, 2011

SOMEONE TURNED 1 TODAY

*Ponyo's 1st Birthday*

Happy birthday to my sweet little puppy Ponyo....xoxo  <3 Carrie

Your Appointment with Friday

This week I thought it would be fun to go out and take a photo during your favorite summer time of day.....

Your Magic Hour

*Summer Sunset*

My favorite time is just before sunset, so these photos were taken between 6:30 and 7:30 pm.  I love the way the sun makes everything light up.....

*Summer Sunset*

*Summer Sunset*

Plus, this summer has been pretty warm the past week, so evening hours have been heavenly.  What's your favorite summer time of day?

*Summer Sunset*

Have a wonderful weekend!
Love, Carrie

Thursday, July 7, 2011

INTRIGUING


( source, source, source, source, source, source )

Today I thought it would be fun to share the most captivating movies I've seen so far this summer.  You know, the kind that stay with you for a while, and know you'll enjoy watching again and again.....I find it comforting to relax in bed on a warm summer evening and enjoy a good movie.  So from top to bottom, here they are:
  • The Illusionist (2010) - new to DVD, this movie is so charming there is no need for dialog.....plus it's beautifully illustrated
  • Midnight in Paris (2011) - still in some theaters, Woody Allen's most recent movie is intoxicating.....the characters, the dialog.....I didn't want it to end
  • The King's Speech (2010) - I'm a bit late watching this gem seeing as how almost everyone else I know has seen it by now, but I love it just the same.....beautiful to look at, it is only enhanced by how interesting the story and characters are.....the humanity in it is uplifting : )
 What movies are you enjoying this summer?  <3 Carrie

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Friday, July 1, 2011

HAPPY JULY!



There is a special photo prompt up over at Bubblegum Life to add to your fun holiday weekend. Have a wonderful 4th of July!  Lots of love, Carrie

Your Appointment with Friday

Happy 4th of July weekend to you!  For this week's photo prompt I though it would be festive to try a little experiment with.....

Light bokeh shapes.

*hearts at the fair*

*hearts at the fair*

Bokeh is the pretty light that is out of focus in the background of your photo.  You can make this light turn into a shape by creating your own lens hood.  Cool, huh?!?  This is my first try, so my shapes aren't perfect.....but it shure was fun taking my pictures.  They are from the fair.  There were so many pretty lights on all the rides : )

Also, I have to say that I first learned about bokeh photos last summer while taking Kara Haupt's awesome "Summer of Love" class (if you haven't bought the class pdf yet, you should).....ever since then I'm always amazed with how much beauty they add to a photo!!!  Thank you Kara for introducing me to this lovely effect!  I learned a lot from your class while having a blast <3

And now back to our photo prompt.  For my bokeh heart shape I used this tutorial to make my lens hood.  I hadn't figured out the exact ratio of the size that my shape should be before taking these photos, so I improvised.  However, later I did find these instructions so when I try again it will be easier to be more accurate.  One thing I would like to mention though, is that I found it is really important to keep your aperture as low as it will go, and then looking at your light meter to just under expose a little.  It will help keep your shape crisp.  And just as a reminder, don't forget to turn your lens to manual focus so you can blur your background.

If you have an extra 5 minutes to make your own lens hood, you won't regret it.....it will make your holiday photos extra special.  Have a fantastic holiday weekend!!!

Love, Carrie