In the studio.

It’s no secret that I love painting almost as much as I love Girl Scout cookies.

Over the last few months, I’ve been madly painting away in my home art studio. And I couldn’t love it more.

In fact, I’ve been in my studio so much that I may or may not be classified as a hermit. But I’ll never admit it.

Over the years, my eyes have opened so much as an artist. Even within this year itself, my obsession for portraiture has grown leaps and bounds. I’ve harvested my passion children and bridal portraits to the point where I have skin-tone palettes coming out of my ears! I get an internal high when I capture such a precious once-in-a-lifetime moment that can be cherished for generations.

Here are just a few pieces that I’ve been working on:

My past works are now available for purchase (recession prices!) on Etsy and have hit the Etsy Treasuries.

I’m so honored and am in good company with other great artist and crafters!

Check the treasuries out if you get a chance:

::Bathing Beauties::
South Padre for Spring Break!!!
Spring Break

::The Last Great Race::
Iditarod 2011

::Ms. Attitude::
Pink Flamingos

::By the Window::
I’m awake now

::Drop of Golden Sun::
Portrait of a Lady

::Nostalgia::
Beautiful Faces

::Custom Commission Portrait::
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

::Drifting::
I need a vacation near the ocean

::Patience::
Mystical Ocean

::Custom Commission Portrait::
Babies!

::Soaking Up the Sun::
Winter Escape

In the meantime, I’m having a Mother’s Day promotion! Space is VERY limited --like possibly 3 slots left, depending on your deadline.

If you’re interested, just contact me and we can start the steps in creating a piece of art that will be treasured for years to come!

I’m now off to work on another art commission while sipping a cup of hot tea! Yippee!

PS If you order through Etsy, let me know ahead of time so that I can give you a LOWER price!

this promotion is NOT limited to military

A farewell to winter.

Spring is just over the horizon. The sunlight is extending its rays across the Alaska tundra, melting away our frozen white landscape and leaving a golden glow on every surface it touches. And in some places if you look really, really, really close, you’ll see the tippy tops of grass blades peeking though, reaching towards the sky.

We enjoy this time of year, the merging of the seasons. The earth awakens with all things new and fresh, like spring’s first rain and baby chicks hatching and cherry blossoms blooming. Of course, at the moment this isn’t happening in Alaska, but the wildlife is making its way down the mountain and feasting on anything it can get its hands on --that is a sure sign that spring is, indeed, on its way.

In honor of our soon-to-be spring, I’m going to wrap up our February and March winter photos that didn’t quite make it onto my blog.

Dashing Through the Snow

This winter, Krysta was part of her school’s cross-country ski team and she loved, loved, loved it! My girl has been zip-tailing it around the bend and kicking up snow as she took long strides with her outrageously long skis. Doesn’t she look fast?

Ballet

Krysta has also been a busy ballerina. The girls have been diligently toe-tapping and tutu-swishing like graceful little swans, all dancing in rhythm of the music.

We have a dance recital coming up in just 7 short weeks; you can bet your hiney that there will be more photos to come.

One word that describes their recital costumes, swoon.

William on the GO

William has been up to his own little happenings. He has taken up a huge interest in books. Sometimes he chews on the books. Sometimes he attempts to rip them. But mostly, he flips through the cardboard pages and rubs his fingers across pictures of fluffy sheep and spotted puppies.

I’m harvesting his love for books by taking regular outings to Barnes and Noble. We did this when Krysta was a toddler --Outback for dinner, Barnes & Noble for lattes, followed by Thomas the Train and books for the kids-- I’m pleased that we're carrying on with our little tradition.

Supermoon

On March 19th, the “supermoon” appeared. The last time the Supermoon came out, I was 11 years old and didn’t give two flips about seeing a moon. Now, 17 years later, I gave way more than two flips about seeing that over-the-top moon. This was a real treat, you guys. Spectacular!

There were some badass photos (pardon my French) taken of the gigantic moon that night. Click here for your viewing pleasure.

Awards

You’re going to have to keep me grounded when talking about my girl’s academic award because I’m simply over-the-moon giddy about this one!

This was her third academic and outstanding citizenship award this year. All of her hard work and all of our hard work pushing her to be-the-best-she-can-be, paid off.

Krysta was just as ecstatic --if not more-- as I was.

Her confidence is soaring high.

overjoyed

This just about wraps up our winter happenings. It truly has been a blessed one.

Here's to a fantastic week and a Happy Spring!

 it's like an upside down ocean

Pass the Salt- Linky Tools Expired

Why Hello there!

Today was suppose to be "Pass the Salt" day, where we exchange yummy recipes... HOWEVER, my Linky Tool has expired and the website wants me to pay them to renew it.

Fah.get.That!

I'll figure something else out, like possibly doing to separate recipe blog post or possible a recipe link? We'll see.

So in the meantime, I apologize for being distant. I've been crazy busy in my art studio working on some commissions -oil paintings, drawings, and digital illustration- before we PSC (move) in May.

You can be sure to expect a "real" blog post from me on Monday!

Until then, I hope y'all have enjoyed your weekend!

Cheers,
Em

"Pass the Salt" LINK UP WEEK 2

Welcome “Pass the Salt” Sunday Link Up! If you’d like to swap recipes, come on and join in.

The Rules, because there are always rules:

1. Share a recipe (anything goes)
2. Add our “Pass the Salt” button in your recipe post

Voila!

Now let’s wipe down our stove top, dust off the caps of your spice rack, strap on your apron, and lets cook something together!

Chinese Chicken

Your Shopping List:

3 large skinless chicken breast
½ pounds of de-tailed shrimp
1 fresh broccoli head
Red Onion
Asparagus
Water Chestnuts
Bamboo Shoots
Chinese Baby Corn
Ginger Seasoning
Sesame Seeds
Unsalted Peanuts
Asian Ginger Dressing
Angel Hair Pasta
Soy Sauce

How to Prepare:

1. Cut chicken into small square pieces and cook in a pan. Use Asian Ginger Dressing instead of olive oil.
2. Once chicken is fully cooked, add water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, baby corn, red onion (cut), asparagus (cut), ½ cup of Asian Ginger Dressing, and a splash of soy sauce. Cook.
3. In a separate pot, boil noodles along with the broccoli (cut into small pieces)
4. When all is cooked, dish out your plate- add unsalted peanuts, sesame seeds, and soy sauce to taste
5. ENJOY!

Pass the Salt!

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Erin Go Braugh.

The night before Saint Patrick’s Day, I set a reminder on my cell to dress Krysta in green. I’m finding I need these little self-reminders more and more as the days go by. There’s so much on our plates right now, that if it’s not written down, it doesn’t get accomplished. But, as much as we have going on, I know that it’s only the calm before the storm.

So, in honor of “the calm before the storm”, I’m going to set forth and celebrate our small happenings, like world-wide holidays.

Saint Patrick’s Day.

Our Saint Patty’s Day was filled with green things, clover things, and Irish things that make you just a wee bit tipsy.

Everyone was decked out in green with shamrocks and greeting one another with a smile on their face, saying “Happy St. Patrick’s Day”. I love it when people from all walks of life come together to celebrate a common theme, such as Christmas and Forth of July. It’s a good feeling to know that we’re all alike in more ways than we think and we can come together to form a common bond.

I used to have a thing for Ireland, an obsession really. Still do in a way. I love how the Irish carry this high on life persona, making even the biggest Debbie Downer happy. Though I’ve only seen Ireland through photographs and books, I’d love to see the green rolling hills where it kisses the bright blue sky, fields of sheep, stone walls, and fallen castles in person --that would be such slice of heaven.

To sit in an Irish Pub, while eating a real Rubén with a tall glass of Guinness in October is on my bucket list. Just saying.

My favorite Irish Blessing:

"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the palm of his hand."

Erin Go Braugh!

~Em

Eight.

It’s hard to believe that eight years ago Ron and I were in the delivery ward swaddling a tiny 6 pound baby girl, who didn’t cry, but purred like a kitten. We sat in the hospital, staring for hours at her perfect little pink face that would forever change our lives.

Krysta, my firstborn, the one that made me mommy, turned eight years old. And so today we celebrated. We celebrated her day. Her birthday. Her birth day. And it was perfect.

Patterned paper butterflies scattered the walls, colorful tissue flowers adorned the ceiling, and a candy buffet with an array of clustered sugared goodness sat nestled on the table in crystal bowls. Our house was full of sweets and chocolate and two dozen children squealing with laughter --enough to give you a sugar high or perhaps just make you high on life.

Children excitedly flooded throughout the house --some danced on the Wii, some played up stairs-- but when it came time for presents, they all came together and watched in anticipation as the birthday girl ripped through wrapping paper and tissue to reveal her birthday surprises.

the aftermath

As everyone congregated to the dining area to sing “Happy Birthday”, my girl’s eyes lit up as we carried in her cake with eight illuminated candles that danced on the top of her pink butterfly cake. Her happiness factor was extremely high! Seeing Krysta so completely overjoyed and loving every moment of her day made me deliriously happy.

These are the moments I live for.

And speaking of cake, Superstar Pastry Design did our cakes for us this year. Don’t they look awesome? And yes, they taste as good as they look! We had some last minute RSVP’s, so Superstar quickly worked with us to make TWO extra coordinating cakes within a less than 24 hour notice! They seriously saved the day.

cake #1

cake #2 and #3

After the party, Krysta said, “mom, I totally feel like a princess!”

That alone was soul-satisfying!

Pass the Salt LINK UP!

Welcome to the very first “Pass the Salt” Sunday Link Up! If you’d like to swap recipes, come on and join in.

The Rules, because there are always rules:

1. Share a recipe (anything goes)
2. Add our “Pass the Salt” button in your recipe post

Voila!

Now let’s wipe down our stove top, dust off the caps of your spice rack, strap on your apron, and lets cook something together!

Recipe: Breakfast Tacos


What you’ll need:

• fajita-sized flour shells
• 2 large baking potatoes (or a small bag of red potatoes)
• ½ large yellow onion
• 1 ½ reduced fat sausage log
• 2 cups of Egg Beaters (or 6-8 eggs)
• cumin
• chili powder
• red hot (optional)
• cheese and sour cream

How:

1. Dice onion and heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high.
2. Dice and peel potatoes, add to onion. (optional, add hot sauce for taste) Cook until done.
3. Add sausage and brown it.
4. In a separate pan scramble eggs, add to potatoes.
5. Add cumin and chili powder (couple tablespoons of each)
6. Stir Well.
7. Add toppings as desired and serve!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to grab our button and link up!

Pass the Salt!

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A winter light show.

I feel a random post in the near future, as there have been a lot of little happenings going in our little household. But this however, was so spectacular and surreal that it’s worthy of a post all on its own.

Last night the Aurora Borealis came out to give us a light show, and she was nothing short of stunning.

What. A. Treat.

 Do you see that bright dot? That's a planet!

Bright green borealis and the night sky danced gracefully hand-in-hand in perfect harmony, stretching her arms over the mountains. She was really magnificent, reflecting her beauty across the frozen water and crystallized snow, leaving my heart swollen tenfold.

She was amazing. She was breathtaking. She was full of enchantment; the perfect way to say good-bye to our last winter of our four year Alaskan adventure.

Do you see that planet?

Love,
Em