The Heart of the Matter...

I need a little help.

One of my goals for the year is improving my food photography.

You would think it would be easy to take pictures of cookies.

They don't move around.

They don't blink.

They don't squint if the sun is in their eyes.

They are incredibly patient and are GREAT at holding still!

(ok, it's not very hard at all)

But after awhile, things can get a bit monotonous.

So I'd like to add a little variety...

Y'know, spice things up a bit!

For example...in this picture I stacked them on top of each other a bit

and zoomed in pretty close.

There's also something going on behind those great big hearts...

Little bitty hearts!

I added a background!!

I'm waaaaay out of my comfort zone here people,

on a ledge...

So here's where I need your help....

Do you like that last picture, up close and personal?

Or this next one, a little further back and with the little vignette thingies on the corners?

How 'bout those little bitty hearts?

Do you like the background?

Or plain white?

I think I'll stop there...I sound like the eye doctor...

So what do you think folks?

Up close?  Corner thingies?  Background or no background?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

(please be gentle...)

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

My Date with Jack

Yesterday, Jack and I got to hang out. 

He had his swim class in the morning, but after that....we got to do whatever we wanted!

We went to an outdoor mall in our area and first stopped at the kitchen store (Mommy needed a new ballerina cutter).  Jack loves that place.  So many little gadgets and shiny things to touch.

Then we had lunch together with LOTS of french fries and SODA!!!

(the ultimate in decadence for a 5 year old)

He and I have a mutual love for the bookstore.  We were in the kiddo section for at least an hour.  

Then....cupcakes!  No frosting for Jack...still doesn't like it.  

It was a fabulous day filled with hand holding and 'I love you Mommy's.

So I made sure to pour on the 'thank you's' for being such a good munchkin and for spending all afternoon hanging out with Mommy while we were walking back to the car....

"I had such a great time with you today Jack!

Thanks so much for our date!"

"Mom....this wasn't a DATE!"

"Sure it was...its just you and me...and we got to hang out and chat...."

"...but Mom...its not a DATE!

'Cause...y'know

WE LIVE TOGETHER!!!"

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Conversation Hearts!

It's nice to know some things never change.

It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without these little hearts.

I read somewhere that the flavors changed a few years ago,

but I can't tell the difference...

Actually, I don't remember eating them at all.

I do remember holdng the little boxes and asking a question, 

then shaking out a heart to read the answer...

A magic 8 ball would have been much more accurate, I'm sure.

We made little stories out of the hearts if more than one came out...

"I will be your true love forever, I love you!"

(I knew he liked me!!!)

"If you ask me for a hug and kiss I will say yes!"

(here he comes!  Run!)

"I will smile for you if you'll be all mine!"

(eh...no thanks)

"I'm crazy for you!  Be mine and I'll give you a hug!"

(hmmmm)

"It's just you and me cutie pie, give me a kiss!"

(oh no, this is getting serious)

"Hey sweet pea, this is real love *wink-wink*"

(what the heck is a 'wink-wink'?  Lets just eat that one and make it go away..)

Valentine's Day is coming...

Have you bought your hearts yet?

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

The Super Bowl is coming!

The Super Bowl is coming!!!

The Super Bowl is coming!!!

Commercials and half-time shows and snacks, oh my!!!

(it is coming right, maybe I should check on that...)

Me:  Ethan, honey, the Super Bowl is soon, right?  Like this weekend?

Ethan:  uh...not yet Mom.  We're still in the playoffs.  There's a few games....

(insert lots of footbally technical terms and team names and statistics and stuff)

.....and then the Super Bowl.  We're still a couple of weeks away.

Me:  Oh....huh.

Ethan:  Why?

Me:  Well, I made these Super Bowl cookies thinking we'd be eating them soon, 

like in a couple of days.

Ethan:....yeah, I was wondering why you were doing those already but I didn't want to say anything....

Me:......(staring at cookies)

Ethan:  They look great though!  You got the yardage right and everything!
The little people in the stands are awesome!

Me:...(staring at Ethan)

Ethan:  You can just make them again in a couple weeks, right?

Me:....(staring at Ethan....eyebrows raised)

Ethan:...what?

Ethan:....so....can I eat one now?

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B

Nurses heal....

Welcome back everyone!!!

I've enjoyed the past few weeks of 'cookie vacation'.  

No powdered sugar snow covering the mixer.

No bowl of decorating tips soaking on the counters.

No yelling 'stop running around the cookies'!!!!

But....two weeks of a cookie-less existence is about all I could handle.

As I write this, there are Superbowl cookies drying and Valentine's Day cookies begging for some color.

Until they are ready for their photo shoots, here are some cookies I made during the holidays that just didn't fit in with the Holiday theme.

Bridget graduated from Nursing School!!!

Congratulations!

Okay, so I've been trying to come up with some funny stories involving nursing,

or nurses, or emergencies....

...and...I've got nothing.

Nothing.

Not one thing...

I do know some great nurses though....

I know Karen.

She's a labor and delivery nurse.

She gets to deliver babies!!!

Raise your hand if you wanted to pack up the nurses that were with you 

when your children were born and bring them home with you in your diaper bag....

 Mm-hm, see!  Everyone loves labor and delivery nurses!

Plus she's lovely and has a fabulous english accent.

She could pretty much tell you the house was on fire 

and still sound completely calm and collected.

(She's also John's mom!)

My cousin Janie is a nurse!

Also one of my favorite people.

A hug and a smile from her would make any day better.

She works for a plastic surgeon.

Who's not happy after an appointment like that?!

My friend Stefanie is studying to become a nurse!

Woo-hoo!

She's awesome and wicked smart and will be a wonderful nurse.

She also happens to be one of the world's most photogenic people....

I know that has nothing to do with this, but seriously...

couldn't take a bad picture if she tried...

These cookies were made for Bridget who...

well I actually don't know Bridget.

I do know Bridget's mother-in-law!

She is one of my son's favorite teachers,

which makes her one of my favorite teachers.

She brought these to Bridget's graduation party!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday break!

(I know I did!)

Thanks for stopping by,

Lizy B