Feminine Friday 07/30/10

It’s time once again for Feminine Friday over at Buildeth Her House.  This is what I wore today.

This is another one of my garage sale outfits…well, most of my outfits are garage sale finds because that’s where I do most of my shopping   The top, I got for $2, it’s originally from Walmart.  The skirt is a really nice linen one that I got for $2, but it’s Old Navy brand.  I have to wear an undershirt with this top because it’s a little loose in the front so for modesty sake, I wear an undershirt so I don’t show everything when I bend over.  To the outfit, I added a simple brown leather belt and my white leather walking shoes (since it’s errand day).  I just love the color combo of this outfit and I think it looks really nice!

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Fix-It Friday #64

It’s time once again for another Fix-It Friday over at i heart faces!  Today we’ll be using a photo of Michelle Johnson’s beautiful little girl dressed in purple… to go along with our weekly theme of course!

She’s such a beautiful little girl!  I felt that the photo needed brightening and really needed to bring out her eyes more, as I felt they were the real focus of the photo.  This week I have 2 fixes, 1 color and 1 Black & White This is how I edited the photo in Photoshop Elements 7:

Color Fix:

1. Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” (flattened).
2. Paint the Moon’s “Simple Lighten” (flattened).
3. Paint the Moon’s “Sunny Day” (flattened).
4. Coffee Shop’s “Baby Powder Room” to smooth skin and help correct dark under eye circles (flattened).
5. Pioneer Woman’s “Bring Out the Eyes” set to 20% opacity(flattened).
6. I selected the irises of both eyes with the quick selection tool and put them on their own layer by clicking Ctrl-J.
7. I then ran an unsharp mask (enhance—>unsharp mask) and set the amount to 1, the radius to 2, and the threshold to 2. 
8. I then, still on the eye layer, played with the color variations (enhance—>adjust color—>color variations).  I lightened the eyes 1 time and increased the blue 1 time.
9. I then set the eye layer to 30% opacity.  (flattened).
10. Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” again  (flattened).
11. resized and prepared for the web.

I think my color edit did just what I planned.  I brightened it up and really added some “pow” to the eyes.  I love how the edit turned out!  Here’s my color edit:

Black & White Edit:

1. Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” (flattened).
2. Paint the Moon’s “Simple Lighten” (flattened).
3. Paint the Moon’s “Sunny Day” (flattened).
4. Coffee Shop’s “Baby Powder Room” to smooth skin and help correct dark under eye circles (flattened).
5. Pioneer Woman’s “Bring Out the Eyes” set to 20% opacity(flattened).
6. I selected the irises of both eyes with the quick selection tool and put them on their own layer by clicking Ctrl-J.
7. I then ran an unsharp mask (enhance—>unsharp mask) and set the amount to 1, the radius to 2, and the threshold to 2. 
8. I then, still on the eye layer, played with the color variations (enhance—>adjust color—>color variations).  I lightened the eyes 1 time and increased the blue 1 time.
9. I then set the eye layer to 30% opacity.  (flattened).
10. Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” again  (flattened).
11. Pioneer Woman’s “BW Beauty” (flattened).
12. Amy McMasters “Apricot Cream” (flattened).
13. Pioneer Woman’s “Slight Sharp” (flattened).
14. resized and prepared for the web.

Here’s my B&W edit:

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

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Photography Challenges

Next time, I’ll remember to do this and post all the photography challenges that I’m participating in into a single post.  Meanwhile, this post will include a couple I forgot to include with the Sweet Shot Tuesday post

This week’s In a Yellow House challenge is being hosted by Ashley at Ramblings & Photos.  The theme is “Urban”.  Below is my Urban photo, taken at the abandoned school in Mosheim Texas.

 

Sweet Shot Tuesday – 07/27/10

It’s time once again for Sweet Shot Tuesdays over at My 3 Boybarians.  I haven’t been participating recently because it’s been so busy around here, but today I thought I’d particiapate.  Today’s theme is, Whatever summer means to you, go take a picture of it.  Here is my “Sweet Shot”.

This is a picture of Marty and Riley that I took on our vacation at South Llano River State Park.  This is at the low water crossing, which formed a small pool where the fellas enjoyed swimming and tubing. 

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Stuffing Meatballs

This has to be the easiest recipe for meatballs ever and boy are they yummy!  I made about 2 inch sized meatballs and my 6 year old ate 6 of them!  That’s how yummy they are.  This would be so easy to double or triple and make a big batch for the freezer to use to make a quick lunch or dinner.  So if you’re looking for something quick, inexpensive and easy then this recipe is for you!

Stuffing Meatballs

2 lbs. ground beef or turkey
1 box stuffing mix (the flavor of your choice)

Preheat oven to 400°.  Crush the stuffing into crumbs.  Mix thoroughly with the ground meat.  Roll into 2 inch balls and bake for 25-20 minutes.

I served these with broccoli with garlic butter sauce and mashed potatoes.  Yummy!  But these would be great covered in spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce or even barbecue sauce!

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Modesty Monday #5 – Modest Swimwear on the Cheap

t’s time once again for Modesty Monday here at Homestead Momma!  Please join us by posting something on your blog about Modesty.  It can be an article or simply photos of modest dress…it’s your choice!

There was no Modesty Monday post last week, because we were on vacation!  So, for today’s Modesty Monday post, I thought I’d show you what I wore swimming.  I didn’t want to spend a lot on swimwear for a couple of reasons (1.) I simply don’t use swimwear often and (2.) I just couldn’t justify spending $100 or more on a “modest” swim suit.  So I improvised!  I bought a pair of capri length yoga pants and an sleeveless exercise top with a shelf bra at Walmart.   I specifically looked for a top that wasn’t too low cut or had too big arm openings.  All together, I spent less than $20.  Not only was this option inexpensive, but it worked really well as a swimsuit.  I was able to swim and play in the water without worrying about over exposing myself.  The only thing I would do different, is I would like to make a light-weight skirt or sarong to help cover the tightness of the pants.   So, if you can’t afford one of those modest swimsuits, this would probably be a good option for you as well.  It worked well for me!  Here are some pictures:

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Our Vacation – !!Warning!! Lots of Pictures :)

We had an absolutely great time on vacation!  We stayed at South Llano River State Park, just outside of Junction Texas.  It was one of the most beautiful and well kept state parks I have ever been to!  We went with my parents and stayed in their popup trailer.  We all had a great time.  The guys did a lot of fishing and some canoeing, while Mom and I did a lot of reading.  We all had fun playing in the river and spending time together.  Mom, the boys and I made a trip to Fredericksburg to see the National Museum of the Pacific War, George H.W. Bush Gallery and the Admiral Nimitz Museum.  It was a fantastic museum, perfect for the homeschooling family.  We’re planning a trip back there so Marty can go.  We left on Friday and stopped by to have lunch with my G-Ma before heading back to Mom’s house.  We came home late Saturday afternoon so we could get some things done on Sunday before Marty had to go back to work.  That’s about it!  So, without further ado…here are the pictures!

An old school outside of Mosheim Texas

Our home away from home for the week

Marty goofing off

a deer right across from our camping spot

My oldest fellas had a hard time leaving the modern world at home.  Both catching up on internet time

The park had several of these fenced in bird sanctuaries with viewing blinds where you could take pictures.

Water fountain in the bird sanctuary

A Painted Bunting (isn’t it beautiful!)  Thanks Donna

Morning doves (I think!)

More birds

Birds taking a bath

Last bird picture

Riley & Colt goofing off

A deer and her fawn

The catfish Marty caught

Look at that beautiful sky!

Riley & Colt about to take a dip in the river

The Llano river is so beautiful!

Colt in the river

Riley and  taking a dip

water fight!

Another view of the Llano River

yet another view

Riley posing beside the Deer Horn Tree in Junction Texas

A view from off the road leading to Junction Texas

Marty’s first ever Rio Grand Perch

Dad caught a fish too

Colt & Riley outside of the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg Texas

In the Garden of Peace, a gift from the Japanese government, Fredericksburg Texas

Garden of Peace

Garden of Peace

Garden of Peace

Garden of Peace

Outside the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg Texas

Riley wasn’t sure if she was real or not…lol!  Outside of a store in Fredericksburg Texas

A Bed & Breakfast office in Fredericksburg

Admiral Nimitz Museum at the historic Nimitz Hotel in Fredericksburg

Plaza of Presidents is a tribute to the ten American presidents who served in the armed forces during WWII.

Colt, Riley and I inside the National Museum of the Pacific War.

Fredericksburg Texas

Marty & Riley playing in the water

A beautiful sunset on our way home.  The sky was glowing…the picture doesn’t do the actual thing justice.

Well that’s it!  Hope you enjoyed seeing some slices of our vacation!

Vacation

I will be gone for the next week as our family takes our summer vacation.  I will be back to posting the following Monday.  Have a blessed week everyone!

Feminine Friday – 07/16/10

It’s time once again for Feminine Friday over at Buildeth Her House.  This is what I wore today.

This is a dress I bought a few years ago at a garage sale for $2.  It’s a cute khaki colored linen jumper with flowers embroidered on the hem.  I just love this dress because it’s so cool and comfortable!  The t-shirt is one I bought at Walmart this year, I think it was $5 new.  You can’t really tell from the picture, but the neckline is gathered and it looks so nice with this jumper.  I’m wearing my white leather walking shoes because it’s errand day.

I won’t be participating in Feminine Friday next week because we’ll be gone on vacation.  But the following week, I’m going to try to make my Feminine Friday post about dressing feminine even while on a camping vacation

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Fix-It Friday #62

It’s time once again for another Fix-It Friday over at i heart faces!  Today we’ll be working with a photo of Amy’s cute little girl that was taken while they were visiting Grandma last week.

I thought this was such a sweet photo of this cute little girl.  The colors are so nice together.  I decided that the photo needed just a bit of a pop and a little muting, just to give it that “summery” feeling.   This week I have 2 fixes, 1 color and 1 Black & White This is how I edited the photo in Photoshop Elements 7:

Color Fix:

1. Ran Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” action (flattened)
2. Pioneer Woman’s “Boost” action (flattened)
3. Pioneer Woman’s “Lovely” action (flattened)
4. Pioneer Woman’s “Slight Light” action (flattened)
5. Paint the Moon’s “Sugar Cookies” action (flattened)
6. Cropped using the Rule of Thirds
7. Coffee Shop “Vignette” action (flattened)
8. Re-sized and prepared for the web

I think my edits did just what I planned on.  The photo is still colorful, but the muting gives it a summery feel.  Here’s my color edit:

Black & White Edit:

1. Amy McMasters “Squeaky Clean” action (flattened)
2. Pioneer Woman’s “Boost” action (flattened)
3. Pioneer Woman’s “Lovely” action (flattened)
4. Pioneer Woman’s “Slight Light” action (flattened)
5. PIoneer Woman’s “BW Beauty” action (flattened)
6. Paint the Moon’s “Sunny Days” action (flattened)
7. Cropped using the rule of thirds
8. Resized and prepared for the web

Here’s my B&W edit:

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

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