This beautiful lady is Violet and yesterday I had the honor (and I do mean honor) to photograph Violet in celebration of her 90th birthday. Can I just tell you, I had NO IDEA how much I would enjoy this shoot. To be honest, I almost didn't do it. I had planned to take this week off, to just be with my kiddos and get Christmas stuff done but when Arlene (Violet's daughter) emailed me I took a couple of days to think and pray about what I should do. In the end, I decided that the kids would probably enjoy a playdate and I would hopefully be able to serve as a blessing to Arlene and Violet by taking the time to do this shoot for them. HA!! I was the one that got blessed! In fact, if I would have been wearing socks, I do believe they would have been blessed right off! (By the way, this a side note... in case you haven't heard, I am making the "flip flops" my signature! I'm gonna be known world wide as "you know that photographer that ALWAYS wears flip flops.")
Now, I am not a "keeper". I purge on a regular basis, always simplifying and getting rid of things we don't use or need anymore. I take pictures of things I want to remember, favorite stuff animals from when I was kid, my kid's school work etc, but for the most part, I am a "get rid of it" kinda girl. Arlene, is not. Wow!! She took me on a tour of her home pointing out furniture, dishes, figurines, linens and much much more that belonged to her mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and so on. In the picture above, the figurine in the background was a gift to Violet from her husband.
In this picture, Violet is sitting at her old dressing table. Arlene shared stories with me about how she used to sit at this table as a child and try on her mom's jewelry, oh my goodness, what a precious memory.
What touched me the most, was when Violet agreed to climb the stairs to the 2nd floor of Arlene's home so that we could take some photos with "her things". This was Violet's first trip upstairs and I was so moved to see her reaction to the things Arlene has so carefully preserved. It was positively precious. (In fact, I was so excited to share this picture with you, I couldn't sleep last night!!)
This was Violet's chair when they lived on the farm.
I am so thankful that I took the time to pray about this shoot, the Lord lovingly used my time with Arlene and Violet to remind me to cherish the people and the memories that make up the tapestry of the life He is weaving out for me.
Happy Birthday, Violet!!
First up... Sweet Pies. Our traditional Christmas breakfast. I remember one year we brought these to a Christmas Party and no one even tried one (granted they can look a little dry to the naked eye), Rod just keep whispering in my ear with great excitement "we're gonna get to take the whole plate home with us!!"
Cutting in the shortening is a mommy job but...
Spreading the cinnamon sugar is just right for a wee one.
Next comes the cutting, the uneven ends make for a yummy cook's treat!
The hard part is waiting until Christmas morning to drive into these yummy little treats!
Next, it was time for Spritz Cookies. I threw my cookie press away last year, it was completely useless. Last year we just smooched balls of dough and called them "melted snowmen" this year we tried cookie cutters. Cookie press or no cookie press these buttery cookies are a must, just too stinkin' yummy to worry about havin' the proper tools.
Reindeer's! Now this one is all kids!! LOVE IT! Nutter butters, pretzels, M&M's and white frosting is all you need. (Thanks Angela!!)
The finished product! My friend, Talia suggested dipping these in chocolate first, which I am sure would be fabulous, but too much work for my taste. I am all for keepin' it simple when I'm bakin' with the kids.
Rudolf Droppings, part mommy part kiddos!
Mommy combines and boils, the girls drop and accent!
Rudolf should have a red nose, but... we ran out of red making our reindeers.
Last but not least our favorite... Reindeer noses. 
Top pretzels with Hugs, melt in a warm oven (200 degrees) and then top with an M&M. Your gonna wanna make a lot of these!
Well, our baking is done, now it's time to make a couple of lasagnas and get ready for lunch tomorrow, but soon the sun will set and our hearts will settle into pondering the wonder and precious gift of this Christmas season, our Lord Jesus Christ, born to die so that I might live! I love you JESUS!!!
Now, I am not a "keeper". I purge on a regular basis, always simplifying and getting rid of things we don't use or need anymore. I take pictures of things I want to remember, favorite stuff animals from when I was kid, my kid's school work etc, but for the most part, I am a "get rid of it" kinda girl. Arlene, is not. Wow!! She took me on a tour of her home pointing out furniture, dishes, figurines, linens and much much more that belonged to her mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and so on. In the picture above, the figurine in the background was a gift to Violet from her husband.
In this picture, Violet is sitting at her old dressing table. Arlene shared stories with me about how she used to sit at this table as a child and try on her mom's jewelry, oh my goodness, what a precious memory.
What touched me the most, was when Violet agreed to climb the stairs to the 2nd floor of Arlene's home so that we could take some photos with "her things". This was Violet's first trip upstairs and I was so moved to see her reaction to the things Arlene has so carefully preserved. It was positively precious. (In fact, I was so excited to share this picture with you, I couldn't sleep last night!!)
This was Violet's chair when they lived on the farm.
I am so thankful that I took the time to pray about this shoot, the Lord lovingly used my time with Arlene and Violet to remind me to cherish the people and the memories that make up the tapestry of the life He is weaving out for me.
