Another crock pot fave.

Another tried and true (and EASY) recipe.

Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Chicken

Throw 4 chicken breasts in the crock pot.

In a small(ish) bowl mix the following:
     ~1 bottle sweet baby rays sauce
     ~1/4 cup vinegar
     ~1 tsp red pepper flakes
     ~1/4 cup brown sugar
     ~1 tsp garlic powder

Pour sauce over the chicken and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

I personally loved it with the red pepper flakes but it does give it a little 'kick'.  Ethan wasn't as thrilled with the 'kick' as the rest of us, so the next time I made it I didn't put the crushed red pepper in the actual sauce.  It still tasted quite yummy..just not spicy.

You do what you like:)

We had some mashed potatoes and veggies to go along with it.

Seriously delicious doughnuts.

My super awesome friend Beth introduced me to these seriously ridiculously super yummy homemade doughnuts.  I think we shall call them "SRSYHD's" from now on:)  Although, after I share this recipe, you might hate me.  Let's just get it out there.  

They're not exactly good for you:)  ....but what doughnuts are?  

Jessalyn saw Beth make them and just HAD to come home and make them for us.  Everyone is glad that she did.  I photographed the process.  It's easy.  Jessalyn did it all by herself.  

All you need is some oil, a tube of biscuits dough (you know, the kind like Pillsbury, that when you pop them open it gives you a heart attack), some butter (ok..LOTS  of butter), and cinnamon/sugar.  

Heat up some oil, crack open the biscuit dough, use a soda cap to cut out holes in the dough, put the dough in the hot oil, let it turn nice and golden brown, take them out, dunk them in some butter, then in some cinnamon/sugar....and put them on a plate to cool.  If you are like our family, the doughnut holes didn't last long as they taste extra yummy while they are still warm!  

Serious goodness.  A nice treat and fun project.  

Then run twice as far tomorrow or do twice the p90x or Insanity.  Whatever it takes.  

Waiting patiently...

Approval all around:)

Finding focus.

Well, I had a small amount of time today to play with  my camera....in decent light on a beautiful day.  Let's just say that I'm feeling much better about things already.  I think I'm figuring out which focus settings I like the best.

In the D7000 there are 39 focus points.  You can choose to use only 1 or you can choose to use them in chunks.  I finally figured out that using them in chunks for portrait type things is best...using about 9 focus points at a time.  And obviously for bigger landscape type pics I would use all 39.  I am enjoying how quickly and easily I can move from one setting to the other and didn't have a problem switching between people and landscape.

I still don't have the focus spot on...at least not enough of the time...but I'm closer!  I'm happy to be getting more focused pics than not at this point.

Here are a few from today.

I found a flower with a fall leaf on it...and then this little bee flew into the picture just in time:)


















I think after I get this focus issue figured out I'll move right into white balance...

Happy Birthday to me!

Ahhhh...October.  The best month of the year.  Not only is it my birthday month...but it is also the birth month of my firstborn and third born.  October also brings with it the best weather and prettiest landscape.  

What better way to celebrate October (and my birthday) but with a new camera!!  I've had my D40 for four years and I can't even begin to guess how many pictures I've taken with it during that time.  The D40 was a GREAT investment and has proven its worth time and time again.  It was time though, for me to upgrade as I have been beginning to do more photography for more people (outside of my own family).  

After researching, I came to the conclusion that the D7000 was the right upgrade for me (and my price range!).  It has many cool features that are not available on the D40 and most of all it has even more customization options and most of the usual functions (f-stop, ISO, white balance etc) are just one click of a button away (rather than a process of scrolling through menu's like with the D40).  It has 16 megapixels compared to the D40's six!  It has 39 focus points as compared to the D40's three.  It has two SD card slots, a bigger review screen, the option of live view, it shoots video and is just an overall faster camera.  

With all that said, I wish I could run the thing!  

I knew that a new camera would have a learning curve.  I was expecting some work to learn where how to change the functions and how to navigate the new menus etc.  I was NOT expecting this camera to react completely differently!  It's hard to explain...but lets just say, I'm having issues:)

In my own defense...I've only had the camera for a little over 24 hours and every single hour of this has been raining or super dark.  The lighting has been horrific for any kind of photography so that has forced me to really try to 'work it' and mess with all the possible options.  I know how to get the most light in the camera by changing settings and things like that...but this camera is just different than I'm used to!

I knew my D40.  I could walk in a room and assess the light and immediately know what fstop I would need coupled with the proper ISO and shutter speed.  I am also quite familiar with the different auto white balance settings and could usually tell right away if I could use one of those options or if I would have to reset the white balance manually.  When I clicked the shutter button I could HEAR whether or not it was going to be a good shot.  If all of those functions are set correctly, you can just HEAR it!  

The problem I am having with the D7000 is that it has SO many options.  I had ISO options of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 on my D40.  The D7000 has a gazillion more...and I have no idea how 'noisy' any of them are.  The D40 had 3 focus points...and limited autofocus options.  The D7000 has 39 focus points and probably 10 different options as to how to use them.  

I do feel like I've started over a bit and because I wasn't completely expecting that, I will admit, I am a little frustrated.  But...I know I'll get it.  I will.  

I am eagerly waiting for tomorrow as it is supposed to be a beautiful sunny day and I'm hoping to have a bit of my confidence renewed.  We'll see.  

I will share the "best of the best" that I've gotten out of my camera.  It's sad..really, it is.  I get one somewhat in focus picture out of probably 8 at this point.  That's just not good enough...especially when you are doing photoshoots like the one I did last week (with my D40 fortunately) of 8 preschool kids (and some siblings).  There is a VERY short attention span there....and in order to do that right you need to get that focus and exposure/metering right on way more than 1 out of 8 times!  

Here are a few "sotc" (straight out of the camera) pictures...taken in horrible light, inside...of my kids in their jammas with bedhead:)

Rest assured...if you were to book a photoshoot with me in the near future,  I will come with my D40 in hand (after I borrow it back from my mom who is its proud owner now!).  I will not photograph any paying customer with my new camera until I am confident!  No worries:)  

Trying to work out the white balance here...

Oh wait...this one is not in jammas...and does not have bed head...and is not one of my kids (technically:).  

Crock Pot Recipes...tried and true!

Gone are the days when I had the time to dice a gazillion veggies, chop a bunch of fresh herbs and spices...and spend hours in the kitchen making an amazing Pioneer Woman recipe.  Really, looking back, I'm not sure how I ever really had time for that....but I suppose I thought the meals were so yummy that it was worth it.

If we don't plan efficiently our 'dining' will consist of shoving down a bowl of cereal or yogurt in between our crazy evening schedule that looks something like this:

This week in the life the Brown Family.

Monday:  Josh meeting, Jessalyn One Voice practice

Tuesday:  Ethan soccer practice 3:15-4:30,  Jessalyn game 5:30...meaning pick Ethan up at 4:30 come home, bring Jessalyn at 5, come home, bring the rest of the family to the field at 5:30 to watch the game.  Then Josh had a meeting at 7:30.  

Wednesday:  Jessalyn piano lesson,  Ethan at a friends house after school,  Jessalyn game at 5:30, Pick up Ethan and friend at 5:15, bring Ethan (and friend), Luke and Owen to youth group with Josh from 5:30-6:30, then Josh has youth group from 6:30 - 8:30 and in between that Tru and I will be watching Jessalyn's game.  

Thursday:  A slow night....Ethan has a game at 5:00.

Friday:  Worship team practice at 5:30 for Josh and I.  

Add in there homework for Jessalyn, Ethan and Luke and dragging around a one year old... the time between 3pm and bedtime (hopefully around 9 or so) is quite intense.

And notice, dinner wasn't really in the schedule!

Because of this we have developed quite a relationship with our crock pot.  Finding something that ALL 7 of us like is a challenge as there are many different personalities and tastes in our family....but we are keeping track of the "keeper" crock pot recipes that make at least 6 out of 7 of us happy.  (The oddball gets cereal...or toast:)

(You were beginning to wonder if there were actually going to be recipes in this post, weren't you?)

This week's tried and true crock pot recipes:

Chicken and Wild Rice
Throw 4 chicken breasts in the crock (frozen is fine)
Cover it with one can of cream of mushroom soup.
You can also add a chopped onion in there too...if you don't have kids that will have a hissy fit about it.
crock on low for 7-8 hours

(I strongly suggest keeping an eye on any meal you cook for that long in your crock pot until you really get to know your own crock pot.  We have found that our crock cooks hot so we have to lessen the cooking time with almost everything.  I've learned that all crock pots are different)

Just before serving prepare a box uncle bens wild rice with seasoning package...this takes about 25 minutes (but it's easy!).  When the rice is finished, add it to the crock pot and your good to go.  I like to sort of shred the chicken in the pot...it's easier for my family, but you can definitely just serve each breast individiually.

(4 out of 5 of my kids LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe and it tastes even better for lunch the next day! ....we won't name the name of the crazy kid who won't eat this.)

Owen

Steak and Rice
Throw some steak tips in the crock (frozen is fine)
Cover with a can of beef gravy.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Easy as that.  Prepare some rice (not the flavored seasoning kind)...we use regular brown rice.  Serve steak tips over the rice.  Some bread and a veggie are a nice addition:)
(4 out of 5 of my kids love this one too!  Same crazy kid won't eat this either)

Mac and Cheese
I follow THIS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE and miraculously ALL 7 of us like this one!!!

Italian Chicken Spaghetti
Throw 4 chicken breasts in the crock (frozen is fine)
mix a package of dry Italian seasoning mix with 1/4 cup of water and pour over chicken.
Sprinkle with some garlic

After cooking on low for 4 hours

Mix a package of softened cream cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup in a bowl and pour over the chicken.  This is when you can add some chopped mushrooms...if you don't have crazy kids.

Cook for an additional hour and serve over spaghetti (prepared as the package suggests).

The recipe suggests some parsley on top...I didn't bother:)

(4 out of 5 of my kids loved this too).

This is super yummy...even without the chicken.  A great pasta sauce if you are sick of marinara.

Salsa Chicken
4 chicken breasts (frozen is fine)
Sprinkle a package of taco seasoning on top of the chicken
Combine one can of cream of chicken soup, one cup of salsa, 1/2 cup of sour cream and pour over the chicken.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours
Shred the chicken with two forks and serve on a tortilla shell.
(4 out of 5 of my kids enjoyed this one)

Meatball Subs
A bag of frozen meatballs combined with 2 jars of marinara sauce....plop it on some bread and sprinkle some cheese on it.

(I'm sure there is some way better way to do this...including making homemade meatballs and sauce...but this whole post is to avoid having to take ANY time preparing dinner...so I'll stick with SIMPLE during this phase of life!)

(4 out of 5 of my kids like this.  Are you seeing a pattern yet?)

Pulled Pork
A 3 - 4 lb "Pork butt"
Add a can of root beer.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours

When it's done, pull apart the pork with two forks (this can be easy...and can be difficult at times)

Add a jar of BBQ sauce and mix together.

Serve on some yummy bread!

Again, there are some super great YUMMY ways to make pulled pork amazing, but really...I don't have that kind of time:)  

(Yep..you guessed it....it's a NO GO for Owen.  I just keep reminding myself that Ethan was EXACTLY like this and has since grown out of this crazy food aversion stage of life!)

As I continue to find EASY crock pot recipes that a majority of our family enjoys, I will post them here to share.  I can't even begin to tell you how much easier it is for us to cook this way!  We still have the issue of finding the time to eat it, but even if we are all eating at 8pm, at least it's ready, I don't have to think about it, most of the mess is already cleaned up and we can just sit down and enjoy some yummy food after a crazy busy day for everyone!

To dress up or not dress up? The Halloween question.

That is the question.

Growing up, one of the favorite "holidays" in our household was Halloween.  What better time of year for my mom to use her most clever creativity to display for all the town to see and for her children and nieces and nephews to win ribbon after ribbon at costume competitions.  I remember many freezing cold nights waddling around in some crazy costume.  I loved it and hated it at the same time!  Most often the costumes were extremely uncomfortable and yet SUPER cute.  I was a Christmas tree, a snail, a crayon...etc.  My mom's costumes were the best.

Josh's family, however, was the complete opposite.  Josh has never dressed up for Halloween or gone trick or treating.  His family would celebrate "harvest" either on another night, or on Halloween night and play lots of fun silly games as a family.  They would usually do something special during that time, but just not trick or treating.

When Josh and I got married and started our own family, we both agreed to stay away from Halloween as we felt that it had too much history with the dark and demonic.  Our kids have never been trick or treating or dressed up on Halloween for a parade.  We typically have kept them out of school for the day of the Halloween parade as they don't have costumes.  Like Josh's family, we try to make them not feel like they are completely missing out on tons of fun and would spend the day at Funspot and/or watch a movie.

Our kids have had many awkward conversations with strangers (usually at stores) when asked "are you excited for Halloween?" or "what are you dressing up as?".  They usually just smile and say "I don't know".  It definitely had them asking "Why?" to us.  Our answer was plain and simple as we tried to explain the history of Halloween to them, and really, they seemed to understand and not really argue the issue too much.    It was a topic of discussion for a few weeks out of the year and then forgotten quickly.

Over the years though, October has brought the discussion between Josh and I.  We both really felt that it was important to really understand the history of Halloween, especially as our answers weren't really enough for the kids as they were getting older.

We started really questioning why we avoid this time of year...as if to be afraid of it.

In doing research on the origin of Halloween we have found nothing but conflicting history.  The story is different depending on region and religion.  A similar story, but yet one that that is not completely conclusive.

Regardless of the history though, on thing that God has been laying on both of our hearts is the fact that we want to be a "light" in our community and really try to be this on a daily basis.  We are active in our community in many area's.  With that in mind, we found it quite silly to be shutting off our lights and "hiding" on the one night of the year when they entire community comes knocking at our door!

In addition to this, people consider Halloween a demonic holiday.  And yes, this is true for many, but why should we as Christians hide from this and allow this to continue to be a demonic day?  As Christians, we do not need to be afraid of this.

Coming to this conclusion has been a process over a few years.  Last year was the first year that we kept our lights on and actually had candy to give to any trick or treaters that might show up.  We had one...and the kids were super excited to hand out some candy.  (and I was excited to have left overs:)  But, we felt better about things already and felt like we weren't shutting ourselves off, even if nobody came here.

This year, we decided to go ahead and let the kids dress up for the parade at school.  We will definitely have some great candy to share at our house and plan to join much of our community and attend Meredith's "Trick or Eat"..which is an awesome community fundraiser to raise money for the "Got Lunch" program.  This will be another opportunity for our kids to wear their costumes.  Will our hearts be thinking about death and demons during this time?  No.  Will we be actively involved and opening our doors to the community?  Yes.

Of course, this all is a matter and decision that we have made as a family over time.  We are not judging other families who continue to choose not to participate in the activities of this season.

Ultimately, we know many friends and family (and teachers) who have known our family for years and who know that we have not participated in Halloween.  I hope that this explains our "change of heart" in a way that makes it clear that we aren't just 'getting lax' or giving in to the desires of our kids, etc.

...and with this change, comes a VERY excited NANA who now get's to bust out her mad costume designing skills for her grandkids.  As much as she respected our family's decision over the years, a big part of her wanted to secretly dress my kids up and take them trick or treating.  She didn't do this.  I don't think:)

...and for fun, here's a little of my mom's handy work:)


 

Ok! Ok!

The challenge is on.  A challenge to post on the blog at least once a week.  I really don't have anything specific to blog about right now, but I suppose a little family update won't hurt!

Our family is back in full swing of the fall season..back to school and sports.  We are actually taking it 'easy' this season with only Jessalyn and Ethan playing soccer.  Luke and Owen are skipping out on a sport until basketball season.

The start of school has been a pretty seamless transition.  Jessalyn has been enjoying 6th grade very  much.  She loves her teachers (has one for math and science and another for reading and social studies).  Both of her teachers are energetic and fun which fits her personality well.

Ethan seems to really like his 4th grade class.  He had a great time during the "hawk watch" where they get to go out and watch and research the different types of hawks in our area.  He is enjoys having a few of his good buddies (including neighbor Owen for the first time ever) in his class.  He's loving soccer and has scored two goals so far (in 3 games).

Luke is not as much of a fan of school at all, but is doing very well in 2nd grade.  He really would rather stay home and be near less people and not have to be social, but somehow he manages to pull of being one of the sweetest and kindest kids in the class (according to his teachers).  In his class they get these cool, colorful, smooth stones for good behavior and he comes home with pockets full on some days.  We are using them to fill up a clear glass vase that sits on the piano.  I wonder how long it will take him to fill it up?!

Owen's first day of kindergarten was funny.  While many of the kids were attached to parents legs and scared and nervous, Owen was like "see ya" and ran on the playground like he owned the place.  It definitely helps that he has grown up in and out of this school with all his older siblings..and it helps that many people know him as well.  He is LOVING school and hates that he only gets to go for a half day.  He counts down the minutes every morning and eagerly heads out the door to get there.  I haven't heard any bad reports on behavior...and I was a little worried as he can be a very silly boy.  So far so good...I think!

Truett get's to be home with me by himself for the afternoons.  It's very quiet.  There are days when we get to get down on the floor and play and other days when we get to snuggle on the couch and nap together.  Other days he gets to do the napping and I get to do things like fold laundry, clean the bathroom and/or cook dinner in complete peace and quiet.  I can't handle the quiet for too long...but those few hours in the afternoon are quite enjoyable!

Josh has been working hard at the Church.  While his schedule is most definitely more flexible, and I can have him whenever I need him (mostly)...we still find that our schedule is equally as crazy.  I honestly can't remember the last time he took a full day off for just him.  Sure, he's not out busting his butt on trucks, but it seems like every single day of the week and most evenings, he is busy with something Church related.  It's a lifestyle job for sure and one that we are definitely called too and one that we are enjoying.  We feel like we are right where we are supposed to be and are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing.  It's funny because we have felt this same feeling since we've lived here in Meredith and also funny to see how that 'call' has changed and developed into where we are now.  We are looking forward to seeing how it will continue to develop!

I am just doing the usual..trying to keep up with my crazy family.  We have been doing well with a nice morning routine that allows us to all be ready for the day in time for school without (much) stress and hurry.  I get most of my household chores done before breakfast it seems!  It is still a challenge to fit everything that I want into a day though and it took me a while to figure out exactly why.  I realized that this is how I feel every other year, when I have a half day kindergartener.  That half day drop off really does split the day up just enough that it seems like time goes by SUPER fast.  It's hard to get into a project and feel like I have enough uninterrupted time to get it done.  I'll figure it out though, as I adjust to this specific schedule.  I'm grateful that Josh is able to do the morning drop off..and can do mid day and afternoon as well if I needed him too.  We are eating almost exclusively out of the crock pot these days..which we all LOVE.  I have taken on a few photo shoots for people but really have to keep that to a minimum as my time is quite limited. It seems that I only really have time for 3 or 4 photo shoots per season.

I think that's about it for an update on me and my immediate family:)  We truly are enjoying life with all of it's craziness!