This is my photo entry for this week’s I Heart Faces, photo challenge.  The theme:  ”Oh So Silly!“

It was a very overcast fall day, but take a boy to the park and of course their will be “FUN!”  I love how they can be so carefree and just enjoy each moment.

I LOVE I Heart Faces, it is a wonderful resource for photography!  And they have some great Valentine’s Day ideas, including personalized cards, etc…to make the Valentine’s Day Exchange a little more special for your little one.

Check out I Heart Faces for this Free Download!

I tried this great crock pot recipe from the Recipe Shoebox today for Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and it was delicious!  I love meals that I can throw in the crock pot and still go about our day, and not have to stress out at dinner time.

This recipe is so simple and it is fun since you get to cook with Root Beer!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 to 3 -pound pork sirloin roast
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges
• 4 cups root beer, divided  (DON’T use diet root beer)
• 2 Tbs. minced garlic
• 1 bottle  (12-ounces)  chili sauce
• Several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce, to taste (optional)
• 8-10 hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:  Trim fat  from pork if necessary.  Add salt and pepper to meat, in a large skillet brown meat on all sides in hot oil.  Drain off fat.  Transfer meat to slow cooker.  Add onions, only ONE CUP of the root beer, and garlic.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

For Sauce: in medium saucepan combine the remaining root beer (3 cups) and the jar of chili sauce.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Boil gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally , about 30 minutes or until mixture has reduced to 2 cups.  If desired, add hot pepper sauce to taste.

Discard cooking juices from crock pot, remove onions with an open ladle.

Add sauce to the meat to desired taste, add onions and EAT!

I even topped my sandwich with cole slaw!

Check out Recipe Shoebox for other great recipes!

I decided for 2012 I wanted to make sure to continue to capture the family.  I did a picture a day for most of 2011, but got sidetracked towards the end of the year–difficult to remember to always take a picture!  So this year I have entered a few weekly picture contests.

The first over at My 4 Hens Photography she is an amazing and inspiring photographer.  These weeks theme was LIFE!

And since my life resolves around my children, I felt this was the theme for the photo.

But more importantly, I tried to capture the wonder and amazement of childhood.  I love how a child can look at something in AWE!

The second image was for Photographer’s Connection a photography forum on facebook.  The theme of week 2:  CLOUDS

This was a little tougher being that it is Illinois in the winter, but I did catch a glimpse of sun and clouds–prior to our snow!

Check out Treasuring Life’s Moments Photography on Facebook.

]]> http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/capture-a-picture-a-week-project-52-week-2/feed/ 0 http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/photography-adventure/ http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/photography-adventure/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:04:13 +0000 Debbie http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/?p=1983 More >]]>

Since having my children I have really started on a journey!  I am so enjoying being a mother, and really LOVE to capture our life’s moments.  I took up the hobby of photography to try and capture the “everydays!”  And in doing so my passion for photography has grown.  I just can’t get enough.  I am having so much fun learning the art, and playing with the camera.  I have started to work on my own photography business:  Treasuring Life’s Moments.

I joined a project: 52 Captures Challenge on Facebook through Photographer’s Connection to challenge my photography.

Week 1:  Self Potrait

Check out this amazing giveaway for the photographer in your life, whether it be you or a loved one this present would make ANYONE Happy!

Click on over to Crave Photography for this awesome giveaway for hitting 25,000 FANS!  There are several prizes, but the grand prize is a 85mm 1.2 LENS!

(Photo credit:  From Crave Photography)

Giveaway Ends Jan. 8th

Happy New Year Everyone!

I came across this great idea over on 24-7-365 for creative personalized Valentine’s Cards for your kids.  I will definitely have to try this out this year.

Looks fairly easy, have your child hold out his/her arm and take a picture.  Personalize the photo with a Happy Valentine’s Day, and attach a sucker, or pencil, or some other fun toy/treat!

Your kids will love handing out their personalized treat!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*Great templates from Wild Hearts Photography!

Happy Holidays!

(Image from Elf on the Shelf)

I recently learned about Elf on the Shelf, with a preschooler in the house, Christmas has become “an event!”  And what a better way to make it an event than to add a little holiday magic.  Elf on the Shelf is a  “magical” elf that appears (or is unpacked) with all of the Christmas goodies. He comes with a book that explains his story: This magical elf uses his magical powers to fly back and forth to the North Pole each night while your child sleeps to tell Santa all about your families “behavior”–– to make your children are “being GOOD!”

The real fun for your children is finding your “Elf” in the morning and discovering where he had returned to in the house after his night at the North Pole.

This is a fun holiday tradition that can be started and continued for years to come!  We have just started with our little elf, and so far my preschooler is enjoying finding him each morning!  Get your Elf on the Shelf  today!