I always enjoy having my trusty sidekick with me when I am working on a photo session. Jon calls it "recon" when we first scout the area and check for best lighting.

That's his military lingo. Yesterday we found some pillars that would make for a great backdrop so I took a few test shots. While he was staring at the camera, I told him he didn't have to be so serious, he could give some "pow pow" I always say. So then he went into Zoolander mode and started doing all of these hilarious poses.

And then he became a cougar. I laughed so hard I almost fell off of the step.

Most people don't know how funny he is because he stays fairly reserved never knowing if his humor will offend. And he usually doesn't drink much caffeine and then falls off the wagon and drinks nearly half a litre of Dr. Pepper...he's still embarrassed about that...

Good reasons

Hypothetically speaking, there are a few reasons why I should stop drinking soda pop. Besides all of the health problems associated with it for one, my two-year old might get in the car and get the bottle I left behind and then act all crazy because he is on a caffeine high.

Two - that same two year-old could accidentally pop the car out of gear, while you are in the house cooking dinner. And then he could take a joy ride down the hill backwards and mow down the neighbors flowers and rip off your passenger side mirror.

Those are some pretty good reasons I think, you know, if this were ever to happen. Just thinking out loud, hypothetically, of course.

So, how was everyone else's day?

The pumpkin stand

Last weekend we set up a pumpkin stand for the kids. I didn't know that Blair would enjoy being an entrepreneur so much. We set it up at 10 am and she was determined to sit there all day until we made her come inside. She even took her lunch outside to her table so she would not miss customers. We don't get much traffic in front of our house so when she would see a car at the corner, she would hold up gourds and jump up and down and say, "Get your gourds here!" I watched a few cars make a u-turn and come back to her. Each of them said they should hire her to do their sales.

Reese loading up the wagon

A few customers

The left over gourds.

I added to them by making another trip to the produce auction with a friend. We scored some great deals on peanut pumpkins, turbin pumpkins and cinderella pumpkins.

The black gourd in the middle takes center stage because she looks like a black swan.

More gourds on a shelf.

You could say I've "gourd" crazy.

Ha ha, couldn't resist...

Happy beginning of Fall!

Fun family of four - photo session

Until I post my photo sessions on the official website, I will have to make you suffer through another one here. Although it won't be suffering when you look at this gorgeous family.

It wasn't hard to photograph them for obvious reasons but also because they are our friends and are simply one of the nicest families that you could meet. They both jump at the chance to help anyone and never ask for anything in return. Being a close knit family who enjoys being together makes it fun to be around them. Those personality types just draw you in and make you feel comfortable and I love that about them.

**Until the editing software is installed, all photos will remain unedited.

While mom is asleep

While not normally a complainer, let me tell you that yesterday threw me the worst migraine I have had in recent memory. It was the kind that kept me in bed all day with a bag of frozen edamame strategically placed right over my eyes and on top of my head.
I kept the kids in my room and turned on the t.v. so I could somewhat keep my eye on them, even if my eyes were shut.

I must have dozed off because I awoke to a little boy who looked like he had been dipped in a bin of flour. I wanted to take a picture of him but I could barely open my eyes. I wasn't worried, I knew Trae would give me more opportunities to document his messes. So I followed the perfectly white, powdery footprints which led me to a HUGE mound of powdered sugar in the middle of the kitchen floor. The girls cleaned it up for me when they got home from school and I went back to bed.

Then Jon got home and came in to the bedroom wearing hilarious glasses which caused me to laugh and made my head hurt worse. He was asked at work if he had to mug a 90 year-old person to get those things. After walking out in to the kitchen, he promptly returned to the room, grabbed my camera and came back with this photo.

I knew there would be other moments and Trae didn't disappoint.

Luckily the headache is gone and I even got in a brisk walk this morning, so I am ready for this 2 year-old.

A family in love - photo session

When this family first talked about photos, they warned that they were not the "posing" types. The kids weren't anyway. That's OK I said, we'd go completely candid and see what we get. I think that it's great to capture images when kids are, well, just being kids.

And when you factor in parents who enjoy seeing them run free
and are happy and play right along with them,
you get to witness a beautiful family in love.

** Until the photo editing software is installed and working, all images remain unedited.

Laughing fits

Have you ever laughed at the most inappropriate moment?

I have and it can be so hard to stop.

I've tried to bite the inside of my cheek or bottom lip. I've pinched myself or closed my eyes to try to think of something depressing. I've counted backwards from 1000 so I could concentrate on something else or pretended that I was having a coughing fit.

One of the worst times was during our wedding ceremony when Jon said, "I do." His voice cracked and went a little high and I began to lose it. I tried all of the above and was yelling to myself that this was serious so pull it together! Every time I thought I was under control, I'd start again so I pretended I was crying. It didn't help that my sister made a funny face at me. Finally, I composed myself, thank goodness.

So, I understand how this news anchor was feeling. In her defense, it was the picture of the criminal that popped on screen and those behind the camera who were losing it that made it worse for her.

Luckily for me, only 6 people witnessed my giggles.

Have a great Friday!
I'll be busy this weekend but hope to squeeze in photos of the Pumpkin stand!

Hugs,
Laura

P.S. I was reading the new Country Living last night and what did I see? but light fixtures like the vintage trouble light strung across a room. See, I'm not so crazy...



linking to My wee view

I thought it was time for another strange situation story

A while ago someone asked why I was updating my house since I "didn't live in the right neighborhood" for that. This was a nice person but one who never thinks before they speak.

I had to do some knee-slapping laughter because it reminded me of the time when I had a church visitor over to my house once. We had just moved from Texas to another state. We decided to sock away our money so we moved into a small apartment in order to save money to buy another house. Sounds reasonable, right? My mom had been living with us for a few years by then (long story) but that is what family does and we never thought anything of it.

It never dawned on me that people would find all that odd until this visitor came by. She was trying to give a friendly, spiritual message on being thankful since it was around the Thanksgiving holiday. She was telling me what she was thankful for and I kid you not, these were her words verbatim,

"...and I'm so thankful for my family and for having a house, I mean a real house, you know, and not having to rent...you know...like yooouu." "And for being able to stay home with my kids, and for my husband who has a job that supports us, and not having to work outside of the home, like yooouu..."

I'm not sure why she held out the word but it only emphasized the fact that she was glad she wasn't me. I don't know, maybe it was a nervous thing.

I began to tune her out but heard her also say something about my mom living with me and she was thankful it wasn't her, but "like yooouu..." of course.

By this time I could tell that she realized her whole foot was in her mouth (hello!) and was trying to pull it out but doing a horrible job. She began to squirm a bit and I wondered what. in. the. world. she could possibly say next.

Then she nervously asked what I was thankful for, and swallowed hard. I literally heard her gulp. I said, "Hmmmm..." and then I heard another gulp.

A smile crept on my face.

I wondered if she could see the wheels spinning in my head or the angel and devil on each of my shoulders? Mwaahahaa...Probably.

There were all kinds of things I chuckled to myself about saying to her and they whirled around in my head and begged to bust out of my mouth.
Do I? Don't I? Ah, the moment was perfect and frankly, probably warranted, heck yeah - After all, I am only human.

But in reality, I didn't want her to worry about it because it didn't bother me that much, even though that was thee most suckiest spiritual message I have ever gotten.

So, I'm sure there was another thing she was thankful for but didn't realize: that in these situations, I ultimately decide that most people are generally good. We're just dumb sometimes so I was ok with her assessment. I knew all of the back stories, did I really care that she didn't?

After all, it was a funny evening for us. All night my mom, Jon and I kept laughing and saying things we were thankful for, like, "I'm so glad I don't suck at sports like yoouuu.." when we were out throwing the football and one of us would miss a catch. Or, "I'm so thankful I'm not a bonehead like yoouu..." when we would watch "Jeopardy" and answer incorrectly.
Or one of them would say, "I'm so thankful the baby likes me better than yoouuu.." but then when I realized she had a messy diaper, I took her to Jon and told him he was right, she does like him better and that she "only wants to be changed by yoouuu...suckah." hee hee hee...

Hugs,
Laura

A question, an answer, a photo

In response to a few questions over the weekend,

these are just some of the things I like in a photograph.

Naturally textured backgrounds

"Out takes" that to me are my "in takes."

Genuine moments

Architectural features.

And of course the subject matter!

A moment

to reflect

on a day that changed everything.

Auctioning produce

I'm back from the produce auction and what a fun experience this was. After passing an Amish schoolhouse, farms, rows of corn being harvested and horses and buggies, we came upon a large building. On the inside I found rows of flat beds which held all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

The largest pumpkin was 140 lbs. I didn't hear what it sold for.



The auctioneers went to every flat bed and started the fast bidding. Everyone gathers around the one in which they are interested and the game begins. I am always up for an auction and the excitement that builds when you are bidding on something you really want. This is the first produce auction I have been to and the excitement was still there, friendly farm style.

There were many ornamental gourds to choose from as well. They were short on flowers and plants being the end of season and all so I'll remember to try next year.

And what did I bring home?


14 orange pumpkins, 8 small white pumpkins,
a box of gourds, a box of tomatoes, 4 acorn squash and 4 zucchini.
All for 21 dollars and some change.

Why so many?

Reese has been brain storming business ideas and is always thinking of something to do. When I saw all of the pumpkins I knew a stand would be perfect for him. I'm excited that he wants to do something new so we'll see how it goes.

And if it doesn't work, well then, I'll have a great display!
Either way, there will be photos of his business venture.

Fall is in the air and I love it.
Don't you?

Frugalicious fashion

Yesterday seemed to be the perfect day to go to the thrift store since I hadn't been in a while. So I packed up the kids and we headed out. I first looked at some house ware type of items but nothing jumped out at me so I decided to go by the clothing aisles. It was super busy since it was the weekly family 50% off day. It can be hard to find things because everything is categorized by color within the depts. So I just gravitated toward the colors I liked and this is what I came home with - a cute skirt, shoes and...

two pairs of pants, (one still had Gap store tags) a shirt, another skirt and a pile of play clothes for Reese, Blair and Trae man. All without any problems and some with original sales tags even. For 36.00 bucks I'd say that was pretty good.

Saving there helps when I want to do a little splurging elsewhere. Like tomorrow for instance, my friend is taking me to a huge plant auction. She bought these big urn planters complete with beautiful flowers and some hanging baskets for 6 dollars a piece. She stuffed her car to the top with them. Can you believe that?? The urns flank her doorway and I hope some will do the same for mine, if I can be so lucky.

Cheerio,

Laura

Hardly laborious

Labor Day signals the end of summer and the ushering in of what I describe as one of the most breathtaking of all seasons. I loved the lazy days of summer but I look forward to seeing the leaves change colors, warming up the house with fall decorations, the smell of pumpkins and hearty soups on the stove.

Summer was great though but it's time for a change.

Growing up we always celebrated this changing of time on Labor Day with a family picnic. Two of my dad's sisters lived nearby so we always got together with them. There was always badminton, horseshoes, making hay mazes in the barn and my Aunt Janet's killer potato salad. As everyone got older, left home, got married and had kids, these mini-reunions just didn't happen like they used to.

And that's okay because new traditions are made.

So without our extended families around us, we just play together on Labor Day. After hamburgers, we went to the playground at Reese's elementary school because we love that it's tucked away from everything...and we played until the sun went down.

What did you do for Labor Day? I hope it was great!

Hugs,

Laura

Garage thrifting

Since it's not In the plan to get to any flea markets or thrift shops in the next little while, I thought I'd shop the garage. After all, it's free, sort of.

(Although, I am making plans to go a big flea with a friend so I'll document that journey later! Maybe I'll even shoot a video... You didn't think I'd stay away for too long, did you?)

Jon and I have made it a point to go through all of the boxes in the garage and either use what we have, sell or give-away what we don't need. I've already set out 5 boxes of items that were picked up by freecyclers. Love that. Two people came by from Craigslist today and a few other items are heading to Etsy.

It was a tough competition but something had to go. I'm the Paula Abdul of the garage storage and thinks everything has a chance. Jon is more like Randy. "Yo dog, you're cool and all but you're better suited for someone else."

But the following items are what made today's cut.

This vintage tool carrier was from my mom. I'm a sucker for these but they can be pricey. This was found at an antique mall and it was such a bargain, we couldn't pass it up. It held big jars of spices in her kitchen and I may do the same. Flowers would look so good in here too. Or herbs... any thoughts?


Although I don't buy linens as much as I used to, I still like them, especially vintage tablecloths. They are always just a little more fun to use.



I thought the price on these napkins was funny. $12.60 for a dozen of Damask Irish linen. I like it when the original price tags are left on items.

Even though I don't use doilies that much, I do think they are small pieces of artwork and I hate to part with any that were made by my family members. I've often wondered how I could modernize them a bit since I lean toward contemporary design with a vintage mix.

Then one day I was reading an old Country Living article and came across this and my question was answered. Stitch together the doilies and make a table runner. It would look great on a big table, like a large graphic design. I have plenty to work with so we'll see how that turns out.

Last but not least, the Jadeite. I bought 12 of these older cups in North Dakota for $12.00 at an antique shop. I thought I heard the store owner wrong when she told me. Without hesitation, other than being shocked for a brief moment, I took them and added to the collection.

It will make drinking hot chocolate with a {huge} dollop of whipped cream this winter so enjoyable. Can't wait.

** You know how there are "crossover" artists in music?

Well, I am going to be a crossover blogger.

In addition to Enjoying the Simple Things, I will soon be writing another blog called @Home Again. There I will post most of my thrifting and flea market adventures, Etsy sales, re-purposing, crafts and home remodeling projects that are still haunting me. I may have the same post at both if I am having a case of writer's block, though, so don't be surprised at that. Like maybe this one for example!

I hope you'll stop by there too.

Thanks friends!

linking to:

A little Knick Knack

Southern Hospitality

Coastal Charm

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Finding Fabulous

Leafy bugs

I think it's a Katydid, no?

She looks like she's wearing lipstick.

Even when she's going incognito and looks like a leaf,

she doesn't leave home without her lipstick.

My kind of bug.

I'm off to go thrifting in my mom's collection of things

that are boxed up in my garage.

I bet I can find something.

An adventure awaits.