A Favorite Post - The Power of a Picture - A Photography Display Wall

Hi.  I missed you.  Excuses, excuses, blah, blah, blah...  Moving on.

In our absence from one another, I received one of the sweetest packages in the mail.  The kind of package that makes you run and greet the UPS driver with bedhead and in your jammies.

I apologize now, for missing one picture in the "reveal."  Imagine a sweet brown box, tied with an unassuming cream, twill tape bow.  Now, untie that bow {in your head} and lift off that lid and LOOK!

Okay, so you may not have the same reaction because it isn't your family portrayed through the BEAUTIFUL eyes of Jeanne Hansen Photography, but it was MY family...and believe me, it was a gasp heard round the world! 

Let me tell you a bit about my love of professional photography...this professional photographer in particular.

I have FOREVER taken my children to get their "ages and stages" photographs at various locations along the way.  3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, etc... you could find me (and my less than cooperative) child at the local, point and shoot, print them while you run and grab a snack in the food court, photography studio.  Now, granted, I have loved those shots because they were of MY children.  They gave me a tangible reminder of my child's size and maybe a sweet expression...maybe.

Then my dear friend decided to start a little business and my photographic life changed FOREVER!  Her sessions are relaxed.  She's an awesome mommy and approaches my kiddos in a...well...mommy-ish way that puts them...okay, all of us...at ease.  I can't say that I've had that same experience at other places...at all.  She also looks at my kids with a "mommy lens."  Perhaps, you haven't experienced this lens before, but its the one that captures emotion...not just a "shot."  These photos remind me of great, big love and pride in my life's work.  The smiles make you smile back...and even giggle.  Check out her photos and I can only imagine that you will see...no feel...the same thing.

Anyway...back to my little project.  Remember that sweet box of memories...they needed to be somewhere where the world could see them.  ALL OF THEM!  Well, I don't know how many art galleries that you have been to, but I am pretty sure that one of the reasons that they are so sparsely decorated is due to the price of frames...ugh.  But my GORGEOUS photos needed something worthy of their importance and beauty....but on the cheap.  Here's what I came up with...

Yes, the bottom right side needs some straightening...the toddler seems to be magnetically drawn to that frame in particular.  He broke one in the "hanging" process and has knocked its replacement off once already. 

I purchased my frames from Michael's and Wal-Mart.  My priciest frames are the 3 photo frames which I got on sale for ~$22 each at Michael's.  The least expensive frames would be the frames that house my 5x7" photos and I got them for less than $10 at Wal-Mart.  They are all a mix of brown and black, wood tones, mat colors, and black and white and color photography.  I am pretty sure that combo breaks every rule in the home decorating handbook.  But I think the thing that works here is the unity of the photo session within the pictures.  Same clothes, similar backdrops, etc.  What do you think?

I purchased the frames before I ordered pictures so that I knew what photos I wanted where.  Believe me...that was a challenge (to narrow down my choices, that is!), but produced a result that now makes me sit and look at my wall with such a happy heart that I can't imagine replacing it ever.  A moment in time...wrinkles, cowlicks, crooked smiles that have already disappeared in my everyday life but are forever remembered on paper.  I challenge you to find a collection of pictures...better yet...call my friend and have her create a collection for you...and place them somewhere where you can see them everyday for the rest of your life.  The reward will be sooo worth it.  I promise you.

 

A Favorite Post - Stuffed Pasta Shells

I have learned that one of the most generous gifts is the gift of a meal.  I have been blessed with meals as I have had my kiddos, when my kiddo was hospitalized, when I started the school year and a group of parents wanted to show their appreciation of my efforts as a working (out of the home) mom, and once when I spent a few months living in a little apartment with my two boys while transitioning from one town to another.  Each time, I was so touched by the gesture that I now find it my go to method of showing someone I care when the situation presents itself.  I hope that my friends and family will find it as helpful as I have in the past. 

Tonight was one of those times when I wanted someone to know that I cared and this was the recipe for it...I made two batches...quality control, right?

  Stuffed Pasta Shells

1 box jumbo pasta shells

1 jar pasta sauce

1 sm. container ricotta cheese

1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

2 eggs

salt and pepper to taste

Cook your shells in boiling, salted water for 9 minutes.  (As per directions on the box :-))  This will make them cooked enough to fill...they will finish cooking in the oven after they have been stuffed.

 

Here's what they look like while they are cooling...

 

{I don't ever end up using the entire box, but I like to have extras so I don't have to try and stuff broken and torn shells.}

Pour your sauce into a 9x13 baking pan until the bottom of the pan is covered with a shallow layer of sauce.

 

Mix together ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, 3/4 c. of the mozzarella cheese and salt and pepper to taste until well incorporated.  It doesn't look delicious at this point, but trust me...it will be!

Stuff shells...I use a tablespoon and try to put the mixture under the tight curl of the shell.  It tends to hold it in better than the loose end.

I am pulling the tight curl open with my thumb in this picture (thanks to the hubs for the photo)

{wow...my hands have started to look so old to me...sadly it is a reminder that I am slowly becoming a real grown-up, but is also a sweet reminder of my grandma...I have her hands...but that is completely off topic, now isn't it.}

Place your shells in the baking pan with the seam up. (I could fit three rows plus some extra squished in here and there.)  Cover with remaining sauce and remaining cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Voila!

Served with a green salad and some garlic bread we had a meal that even the toddler devoured!

The best part about this recipe as a gifted meal...it can be frozen.  So, just in case that family or friend has been gifted with multiple meals, this one can slide into the freezer and be taken out when needed.  Perfect...flexibility...delicious flexibility!