The Sloan Wedding

So it started with my friend Susan Williams (now Olsen) asking me to shoot her wedding June 2011. She was marrying a guy from Talkeetna, AK - and the wedding was to be held at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge. I'd never even been to this small town that was only 2.5 hours away but what a quaint, beautiful place!! - well via word of mouth and bridesmaids and groomsmen getting hitched, the following wedding is #3 that we've shot in Talkeetna. I have 'Susie' to thank for it...you can see her photos in a prior post.
Anyways. Let me present Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sloan! Both Talkeetna natives. I always enjoy seeing true love that began at a young age and continues to blossom into something even more special as time goes on. Maybe I'm partial?? :)
On September 8, 2012 I had to leave my six week old with his grandma for 12 whole hours to shoot this wedding...I only cried twice! :) It turned out to be a beautiful sunshiny day and what a fun bunch this was. Can you say cool bride?!
My sister Tasha Boin, of Candid Clicks Photography, and I tried to capture the fun, adventurous, cool spirit this couple and their wedding party portrayed.

The Finley Wedding

I always enjoy going to home #2 (Ninilchik.) When the reasoning behind going is because friends are getting married - it's even better. And more-so when I'm going down to shoot said wedding - it's even BETTER! I was 8 months pregnant shooting this one, so that was a challenge. But as always, I had my partner in crime alongside me shooting - Tasha Boin of Candid Clicks Photography! 

Anywhos ~ The following is the wedding of Mr. Nick Finley and Ms. Natalee Vanderford. Nick and I went to college together at Eastern Oregon University and when I graduated and decided to get a "real" job instead of commercial fishing for my dad for the 10th season, Nick decided it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up (I put "real" in quotes there because commercial fishing is absolutely a real job - but I figured for me...I should try to use my college degree for something!). 

That being said, Nick met the love of his life in my small home town and I'm taking a little credit for it! :) They are a gorgeous pair, and I wish them the very best. Did I mention that their wedding day (June 23rd) may have been the most beautiful day in the AK that I've ever seen?! The wedding gods were definitely on their side that day. Bright bright sun makes shooting a challenge sometimes, with shadows and sun flare and whatnot...but the scenery - WOW. They got hitched at the same venue that my husband and I did - The Bluffhouse B&B in Ninlchik. It sits on the bluff overlooking the Cook Inlet and mountains. If you haven't been to Alaska yet, maybe this will convince you. :)

Again, a lot of local talent and help involved in this production...it always impresses me what we can make happen when we work together**

Let me know what you think!

The Good Wedding

Once in awhile,  Right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairy tale. 
-Anonymous 

Let's see, how do I start this post. First of all, I love weddings!!
And....I haven't been on here in months. My excuse...I don't really have one. Well, I do, but I don't. I actually started this post when I was three days past my baby's due date of July 18. Well, he actually decided to come into this world on July 25! And I've been doing the mom thing 24/7. That's my excuse - take it or leave it. I suppose I've had the chance(s) to update, and one of my friends has repeatedly reminded me that I haven't updated my blog in ages. Well, now I finally have a true reason to do so. Weddings! Three to be exact. Here is thefirst...

And so it goes...

First off, I whipped up a batch of probably the best salsa I've ever made. You know when you think you do something well and you don't need to mess with it (if it's not broken, don't fix it I guess the saying goes.) Well, I've always thought my salsa was pretty stellar. I've found recipes that sounded delicious and that I wanted to try, sure...but never had the ingredients handy and didn't really think 'those other' ingredients would make a difference. I believe I was wrong.
Some of you may be thinking I'm getting a little excited over chip dip. Maybe that's true. But growing up in my family, salsa was basically it's own food group (whose with me?!)

With the closing of the Chili's Restaurant last month here in Anchorage, I had to take a moment of silence as my favorite chips and salsa provider would no longer be there for me. A sad sad day for a pregnant woman. My lovely co-worker, knowing just how pregnant and how obsessed I was...immediately looked up an imitation 'Chili's Salsa' recipe. We both attempted making it at home - I followed the recipe below. It was AMAZING - although not exactly like Chili's...AMAZING none the less (excuse me while I toot my own horn.)
My co-worker, the unselfish one of the two of us, brought his in to work to share. It tasted very much like Chili's salsa! I was so impressed!

The only downside to this wonderfulness = bad breath. But that's a sacrifice we all have to make sometimes, isn't it?
And well, here goes...since I love you:

(This is from 'Six Sisters' Stuff' blog)
Chili's Copycat Salsa Recipe:

(Recipe from Deals to Meals)

2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes, drained
1 small (4 oz) can diced or whole jalapenos (not pickled)--about 4-5 jalapenos (or less if you don't like a lot of spice)
1/4 c. yellow onion, cut into quarters (you can also use dried minced onion)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 to 1 tsp. salt (depending on how much you prefer)
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lime juice

Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.

I did add cilantro to mine, as well as substituted one can of whole tomatoes for a can of Rotel diced tomatoes with gree chilies, but it's up to you and yours. OH! and only put probably a tablespoon (max) of jalapenos in because I am a wuss. Also, if you're feeling festive, Santitas white corn toritilla chips seem to blend wonderfullly with this (not something I'd bought, but my coworker did and they were thin and crisp!)...however, if you're like my husband, the kind of chip or cracker really doesn't matter - it's just a vessel for the dip (most of the time you cannot even see that there is a chip or cracker underneath all the dip with him!) Compliments to the chef I suppose!

I'd love to hear your favorite salsa recipes, how this one turns out if you decide to tackle it, and hey - with Cinco De Mayo around the corner, the timing is right!
Annnnnndddddd no, I didn't get a photo of it. Pssht.

Also, due to the "springy" weather recently, I decided to make myself a Shirley Temple the other day. Refreshing! What are your favorite spring time foods that give you a jump start on this transitional time of year?
Here in AK spring is a little different. It's actually "break up." So it's either still snowing, the snow is melting, it's slushy, dirty, and wet outside, still freezing (or below) in the mornings, but the sun is out so it's spring time baby! It's not like we can garden yet or anything like that. I feel like a lot of Alaskans kind of bypass the "spring" season all together, and just go from winter to 'almost summer'! :) That's how we do it here.

Shirley Temple in all her glory.

Although it's snowed 2 inches today already, Easter, to me, does mark the arrival spring time. This year we will be going to my older sister's to decorate eggs, make and decorate sugar cookies, and have a delicious ham dinner! My niece is 18 months old now and fun as ever...will post pictures of that next, as it's sure to be a great time.

With that, Happy Easter to you ~ Happy Spring Time ~ Happy Thoughts....**~*~**

Ps - Here are some shots that are months old, of my niece painting...too cute!

Pregs

Omg I haven't gotten on here in months. That is a darn shame. At least I think I have somewhat of an excuse...maybe sorta.
Today, I have reached week 21 of pregnancy! And let me tell you, it's not been an easy go at it so far. This is my first and some days I swear my last! (okay, maybe that's going too far)
I was sick for four solid months, I've never experienced anything like it...which I guess is probably accurate for most - there's probably nothing quite like having a fetus growing inside of you (my midwife actually referred to it as a parasite sucking the life out of me)! I honestly thought it was never going to end, but alas! I seem to be over "the hump."

So, here I am - back thinking I can write and maybe post some photos about my world. It's probably safe to say that from here on out - for a while - it will consist of what it's like being pregnant, then all about my baby...just guessing. I will try to keep it spicy though, because that could get boring! (or do babies not get boring?)

To sum up the happenings since I've last blogged, some major events have taken place - most notably, my grandma passing away. I will dedicate a separate post just for her once I've gathered my thoughts. But it happened fast, and she is missed very very much. **Please don't take your friends and family for granted - and please don't go on with your life like you've got forever to live...because you never know when it's going to be taken away from you. PS - Cancer can go to hell.

Another notable note was my little baby sister getting engaged on Christmas day! Does anybody have advice for when this happens? She is too young! isn't she?! Okay, no, she's not...but she's still my little baby sister and I can't hardly believe it. I guess we are all getting older and older... what's the saying again..."we aren't getting any younger." haha! She's happy, she's loved, and she's going to experience such a great thing...I can't wait until December 1 this year to celebrate such a wonderful life event!

Sooo..the new year came - and I honestly don't even remember what I did because I'm guessing my face was in the toilet or something..? Oh, actually, I think hubs and I spent a romantic evening at our house (watching TV), I fell asleep, and he woke me up just before midnight...then I went back to sleep. :) Exactly how I imagined New Year's! I hope you all had a steamin' good time and brought 2012 in with gusto! Bring it on 2012!

In February, what I like to call mine and hubs' "fake anniversary" happened... 10 years ago we started dating. Yes, he was almost 16 (that sounds better than saying he was 15...) I still wake up every day thankful for him and for our life together. Now he's going to be my baby daddy! can't wait!

So, here we are - into March already. Which means my favorite time of the year...MARCH MADNESS. If you dont' know what that is, then please google it or ask anybody else in the universe.

In other news, our TV recently broke. It was a beautiful 50" Plasma Insigna from Best Buy (my wedding gift three years ago) - it shut itself off and said 'peace out!' forever. It lived a good life, worked hard for many hours, but in my opinion puttered out a little soon. Oh well, it has been replaced (just in time for MARCH MADNESS!) Oh, by the way, I am name dropping that brand (Insignia) because I don't recommend them. Hello brand spankin' new 55' LED Samsung...I heart you.

Taxes are done, thanks to hubs. I slept through most of it. But again, I have an excuse (right?!)

We gave my dog a hair cut, I've notified my boss that I will be a stay at home mommy once my little BOY arrives, and all in all my life is in order.

me @ 19 weeks

How are you and what's new?