:: Team-up Thursday ~ Comfort ::

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I absolutely adore serendipity.  So, while Jaimee and I talked about this theme before the self-portrait challenge, it seemed logical to come back to it this week, now that we both have our feet planted a bit more firmly beneath us.  Honestly, the word itself feels good.  After the business we’ve had in our schedule, the unexpected vehicle repairs, the tantrums and stresses of life…it’s a good reminder to take solace in those things, those people who offer comfort. 

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I can imagine Jaimee needs a healthy dose of comfort right about now too, so when I opened her picture, I literally laughed out loud.  Jaimee, I don’t know the story behind this shot, but if it’s anything like the fun around our house, it involves a harried Mom and busy sibling.  What’s not to love about that sweet face – so relaxed and looking all grown-up.  I loved the brightness and the contrast of his sweet skin and the texture of the carpet.  I admit, I really resisted the urge to convert my shot to B&W, but now that I see them together, the warmth seems good…comfortable. 

Be sure to visit Megan and Melody today to see what creative themes are being captured this week!

:: Craft Tuesday ~ Party Time 2::

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After spending a wonderfully productive weekend with fellow NWP colleagues in Kansas City, I arrived home very late Sunday night, reconnected with my women’s Bible study group on Monday night, snuck in Seneca’s well-visit Tuesday afternoon before baking cookies for the Empty Bowls fundraising dinner I helped coordinate at our middle school.  The much-needed breather on Wednesday evening, was followed by all-day training meetings on Thursday, travel shots for our upcoming missions trip to Panama, pre-school open house for Calder and worship band practice. 

Amidst all this chaos, I was thrilled to have Friday afternoon completely free.  A leisurely lunch followed by naps meant “Let the Baking Begin!”  Cookies baked and bagged, the favors were pretty near done.  I forgot to snap a picture of the cute little dinosaur song and story (Five Enormous Dinosaurs) that we printed on bright cardstock. 

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I’d never used a shaped baking pan, so I admit I was a bit nervous that it wouldn’t work exactly as I imagined.  My neighbors were probably wondering what the squealing was all about when I saw that I didn’t have major holes or chunks missing!!  This was a yummy Peanut Butter Marble cake – a favorite Betty Crocker recipe.

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Despite the hours it took to actually complete frosting this terrible T-Rex, it was totally worth it to see Calder beaming.  That, and hearing “Is it cake time yet, Mom?” about eighty-billion times between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning!  While I didn’t get a great shot of the cake itself, you get the idea of how it turned out below. 

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{Love that sweet little dino face!  Too bad I didn’t think to move that stupid silly lighter!  Ugh!}

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He kept going back and forth between “I want the eye, Mom.  No, the teeth!  I think I want to eat the tail!”  All told, he ended with a sweet tooth (literally).  Guess he’s a boy after his Momma’s heart! 🙂  I think I’m sold on the shaped pans, which means we’ll be needing some crafty help to figure out how to use these for future celebrations! 

I’m just barely sneaking this little bit-o-craftiness in today, but be sure to stop by Carrie’s to see the other fabulousness she and other lovely ladies have going on!

:: A Closer Look ~ BSM ::

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I’m not sure I’ve slowed down since about Wednesday of last week.  It’s not looking like there will be much time for rest and reflection this week either…which is why this – my first real attempt at anything macro, makes me feel happy, peaceful and calm. 

Macro Flower

See what other best shots are bloomin’ this week!

:: Team-up Thursday ~ Self-Portrait ::

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{Gulp!}

This one was definitely a challenge.  I have this “gift” of being hyper-critical, especially of myself, so the task of taking, liking and publishing a picture solely of me – not me as Mom, or Teacher, or any number of other titles.  It was uncomfortable.  It was difficult.  It took thought and planning and time…and it forced me outside the comfort zone I never acknowledged behind the lens. 

I grew.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of this experience was learning what works and what doesn’t, and thinking like my subjects for a moment.  I have no plans to do anything more than have fun with my photography right now, but recognizing the feelings of awkwardness or uneasiness, feeling “posed” or less-than-natural.  That was good. 

Plus, knowing that my partner would be there with me, made this not quite as scary.  There’s comfort in company, in friendship, in recognizing common ground.  I look forward to “meeting” everyone today!

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Thanks Megan and Melody for pushing us to try new things!