Friday, March 19, 2010
Exciting News!!!
Yesterday I launched my website. I love how it came out and I hope that it will bring me some photography business. Number 64 on my list is to create a website! If you haven't seen it yet, the link is www.sarahhawkinsphotography.com . I also set up a Facebook Fanpage and as of right now I already have 165 fans! Yay! Please be my fan on Facebook if you haven't already. I can't wait to start taking pictures!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Yay Henry!
Last May, as some of you may remember I tried the 3 day potty training method and after 9 days I gave up because it was either that or lose my sanity. I was so tired of praising Henry for "trying" when he would sit on the toilet for 2 seconds and demand to get down. (if you want to read my blog posts about it you can look here, remember to start from the bottom and work your way up to go in order)
Well, I decided last week to try potty training again. I thought maybe he was finally ready. It was his half birthday (3 1/2) and I really didn't want him to be 4 and still wearing diapers. This time it was so much easier! I used a lot of the methods from the 3 day potty training system but I kind of adapted them to fit Henry a little better. He is what I like to call a strong willed child and he is not easily tricked into doing something that he doesn't want to do.
I could tell by the first day that it was going much easier than it did the first time I tried. He was at least willing to sit on the toilet this time! Each day seemed to be easier than the last, I am happy to report that yesterday, 2 weeks after we started he is going into the bathroom by himself and going to the bathroom, this includes pee and poo, he is also waking up dry in the mornings. He did have one accident yesterday but I'm not too worried about it. I am so glad that I listened to my mommy intuition last year and decided to wait til he was ready. I didn't get frustrated with him one time this time around. I am so proud of him and I know he is proud of himself too!
Well, I decided last week to try potty training again. I thought maybe he was finally ready. It was his half birthday (3 1/2) and I really didn't want him to be 4 and still wearing diapers. This time it was so much easier! I used a lot of the methods from the 3 day potty training system but I kind of adapted them to fit Henry a little better. He is what I like to call a strong willed child and he is not easily tricked into doing something that he doesn't want to do.
I could tell by the first day that it was going much easier than it did the first time I tried. He was at least willing to sit on the toilet this time! Each day seemed to be easier than the last, I am happy to report that yesterday, 2 weeks after we started he is going into the bathroom by himself and going to the bathroom, this includes pee and poo, he is also waking up dry in the mornings. He did have one accident yesterday but I'm not too worried about it. I am so glad that I listened to my mommy intuition last year and decided to wait til he was ready. I didn't get frustrated with him one time this time around. I am so proud of him and I know he is proud of himself too!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Vlog??
So, I have been considering the idea of doing a vlog (for those of you not hip on the lingo, that stands for video - blog) I want to but it looks kind of hard. Knowing me, I'll want to edit it and everything instead of just doing a straight video. I think I'm going to try it. I might do my first one this weekend. what topic should I do? Should I just talk off the top of my head? I'm wondering if anyone would even watch it and / or comment on it. Then I wonder if I would even want people to watch it, especially strangers. Wonder if I do something really dorky that people decide should be the next viral video of youtube and they show it on the 6:00 news and it gets a million views? Hey, that might be cool, maybe I could be a guest on Ellen or Rachel Ray :) I don't know which scares me more; no one watching or a million people watching! and then wonder if I get some mean comments like, "dude, this is stupid and boring and you're ugly" that will make me want to cry! So what do you think??? any ideas of what I should do for my first Vlog?
Friday, March 5, 2010
New Pictures up!
Check out my Newest pictures up on my photo blog! I think they are so cute! I've been itching to do a photo shoot all year and I finally got the chance! I'm so glad the weather is starting to warm up! I have so many people wanting me to do pictures this Spring and I can't wait!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Jupiter Wind, Rockin' the house.
I think that most of you know that my husband is the bass player for a band called Jupiter Wind. Tonight they are performing for a chance to be artist of the year with their record label. If they win it could be really big for them. The label will put a lot of money into pushing their single and album. The competition is in Oklahoma City so unfortunately I won't be able to be there to cheer them on. The good news is that the concert will be on the label's website. http://www.tatemusicgroup.com/I can't wait to watch it tonight.
They have been getting the VIP treatment since Wednesday. Last night they were treated to dinner at a place that requires a suit. Yes, we had to buy Matt a suit for one meal! LOL.
Their album came out a couple weeks ago and if you are interested you can purchase one for $10 on their website: http://www.jupiterwind.com/ I was the photographer for the CD cover and booklet which was exciting for me.
I'll let you all know who wins the competition!
They have been getting the VIP treatment since Wednesday. Last night they were treated to dinner at a place that requires a suit. Yes, we had to buy Matt a suit for one meal! LOL.
Their album came out a couple weeks ago and if you are interested you can purchase one for $10 on their website: http://www.jupiterwind.com/ I was the photographer for the CD cover and booklet which was exciting for me.
I'll let you all know who wins the competition!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Number 69, Done!
I got to cross number 69 off my list and it has been one of my favorite's so far! I got a new couch and recliner. I know that most of my readers are also my friends on Facebook so this may be old news! But, I have to blog about each item, (it's on my list!)
Here are pictures:
we got leather because we figured it would be easier to clean, the kids hands tend to be constantly covered in peanut butter and jelly or some other substance you don't want to get on upholstery.
and just for fun, a pic of me lounging on my new couch. :)
this was our old furniture, just so you have some perspective on how badly I needed new furniture!
what you can't see from here are the holes in the cushions of the couch and that the middle back cushion was ripped at the seam. You can really tell from that glider how old it is. I put the loveseat in my bedroom. It wasn't used as much as the couch and was in better condition. I liked the idea of a sitting area in my bedroom and I like having it in there so far. The couch got picked up by a bulldozer this morning. I watched them drop it in the back of a dump truck and beat it into submission with the claw of the bulldozer. I am contemplating what to do with the glider. I think it will probably end up on the road for trash pickup next week. (unless somebody wants it)
Here are pictures:
New recliner:
we opted to get a recliner instead of a loveseat, more comfy!
and new couch:
and new couch:
we got leather because we figured it would be easier to clean, the kids hands tend to be constantly covered in peanut butter and jelly or some other substance you don't want to get on upholstery.
and just for fun, a pic of me lounging on my new couch. :)
this was our old furniture, just so you have some perspective on how badly I needed new furniture!
what you can't see from here are the holes in the cushions of the couch and that the middle back cushion was ripped at the seam. You can really tell from that glider how old it is. I put the loveseat in my bedroom. It wasn't used as much as the couch and was in better condition. I liked the idea of a sitting area in my bedroom and I like having it in there so far. The couch got picked up by a bulldozer this morning. I watched them drop it in the back of a dump truck and beat it into submission with the claw of the bulldozer. I am contemplating what to do with the glider. I think it will probably end up on the road for trash pickup next week. (unless somebody wants it)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I get to keep a cookbook! Linguine with Shrimp, Garlic, and Lemon
I absolutely adore America's Test Kitchen. If you've never been introduced to them, let me tell you about them. They take a food, let's for this example say brownies and they try every possible recipe they can find and they test it and tweak it until they come up with the absolute best possible brownie recipe you can imagine. They do all the hard work for you! They also test different products and find the best tomato sauce, paring knife, barbecue sauce, etc.
I have several cookbooks from them and I have never tried a recipe from them that didn't come out as delicious as I wanted it to be. You know how sometimes you'll take a gamble and try and recipe and it just doesn't taste good at all? I hate that because, one, you just wasted a bunch of money to buy all the ingredients for something that you aren't even going to bother saving the leftovers of because they're nasty. and two, because you feel jipped, why did someone even bother to write down this recipe and lead you to believe it would be a good idea to cook it? It's disgusting!
I love using the recipes from their cookbooks because I know that whatever it is, it is going to come out great. I used to subscribe to their magazine, "Cooks Illustrated", which I need to do again. The subscription is a little pricey because they have absolutely no advertising in the magazine. They have a show on PBS too. (check your local listings :P)
Anyway the reason I'm mentioning this is because the first recipe I tried was from "The Best 30 Minute Recipe" It is Linguine with Shrimp, Garlic, and Lemon and it is divine! I made it for our special Valentines day dinner, I also had leftovers of it last night and it heats up great too. I wish I would have taken pictures for you but I didn't, sorry! I'll try to do better next time!
So, If you are interested, here's the recipe:
Linguine with Shrimp, Garlic, and Lemon
Serves 4 to 6
The key to moist, tender shrimp is to finish cooking them off the heat, so be sure to follow the visual cues in the recipe.
1 1/4 pounds (31/40) shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water
1 pound linguine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup minced parsley
1. boil water for pasta
2. Saute' Shrimp: pat shrimp dry with paper towels, then season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and sugar. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to brown. Add shrimp, spread into single layer, and cook without stirring for 1 minute. Stir shrimp and continue to cook until spotty brown and just pink at edges, about 30 seconds. Transfer shrimp to clean bowl, cover and set aside.
3. Make sauce: Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to skillet and melt over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth and dissolved cornstarch mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, cover, and set aside.
4. Cook and drain pasta: Add linguine and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain linguine and return linguine to pot.
5. Toss pasta with Shrimp and sauce: Stir remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, parsley, sauce and reserved shrimp, including any accumulated juices, into linguine. Season to taste with salt and pepper, adding reserved pasta cooking water as needed to loosen sauce. Serve immediately.
I have several cookbooks from them and I have never tried a recipe from them that didn't come out as delicious as I wanted it to be. You know how sometimes you'll take a gamble and try and recipe and it just doesn't taste good at all? I hate that because, one, you just wasted a bunch of money to buy all the ingredients for something that you aren't even going to bother saving the leftovers of because they're nasty. and two, because you feel jipped, why did someone even bother to write down this recipe and lead you to believe it would be a good idea to cook it? It's disgusting!
I love using the recipes from their cookbooks because I know that whatever it is, it is going to come out great. I used to subscribe to their magazine, "Cooks Illustrated", which I need to do again. The subscription is a little pricey because they have absolutely no advertising in the magazine. They have a show on PBS too. (check your local listings :P)
Anyway the reason I'm mentioning this is because the first recipe I tried was from "The Best 30 Minute Recipe" It is Linguine with Shrimp, Garlic, and Lemon and it is divine! I made it for our special Valentines day dinner, I also had leftovers of it last night and it heats up great too. I wish I would have taken pictures for you but I didn't, sorry! I'll try to do better next time!
So, If you are interested, here's the recipe:
Linguine with Shrimp, Garlic, and Lemon
Serves 4 to 6
The key to moist, tender shrimp is to finish cooking them off the heat, so be sure to follow the visual cues in the recipe.
1 1/4 pounds (31/40) shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon sugar
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water
1 pound linguine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup minced parsley
1. boil water for pasta
2. Saute' Shrimp: pat shrimp dry with paper towels, then season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and sugar. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to brown. Add shrimp, spread into single layer, and cook without stirring for 1 minute. Stir shrimp and continue to cook until spotty brown and just pink at edges, about 30 seconds. Transfer shrimp to clean bowl, cover and set aside.
3. Make sauce: Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to skillet and melt over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth and dissolved cornstarch mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat, cover, and set aside.
4. Cook and drain pasta: Add linguine and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain linguine and return linguine to pot.
5. Toss pasta with Shrimp and sauce: Stir remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, parsley, sauce and reserved shrimp, including any accumulated juices, into linguine. Season to taste with salt and pepper, adding reserved pasta cooking water as needed to loosen sauce. Serve immediately.
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