Thank you for visiting my site! If you'd like to discuss a custom project, please don't hesistate to reach out.
holidays
holidays, photography
By

Last year, I started attending the Vintage Marketplace. An craft fair held several times a year in Rainbow, California. Every year, the December fair is themed to Christmas and has a plethora of handmade and vintage goodies that are all about this wonderful holiday! This year, I asked my mom and her fabulous and fun friends to join me. We each walked away with a handful of goodies and gifts, and even a plant! Here's a few (okay, many) photos of this past weekend's adventures to the treasure trove at the Vintage Marketplace. Junk Art Gypsy This booth is new to me as I missed the summer market. Junk Art Gypsy has a very unique and different vibe than all the other vendors here, with more of a 50s feel and style. The large lit up letters would be so cool to have in any home, even though I ended up not purchasing one, I am hoping to find a home for one somewhere—anywhere—and pick one up at the next fair in March. The Beehive Cottage I had a small list of certain items I was looking for, ranging from Christmas gifts to decor for my house, but one item on the list was an ornament

 
 0
 
holidays, photography, vacation
By

Our last day up in the PNW (Pacific Northwest for those not in the know), was spent with my husband's wonderful cousin and her growing family. They were just the best hosts and found a beyond amazing corn maze to get lost in. Let me tell you, no corn maze in Southern California can ever ever compete with this gigantic field. The photo to the left shows just how massive this truly can be (from 2011). Not only do they have the corn maze but you can also get your Halloween pumpkin (30 cents a pound) or choose from dozens of various squashes and other pumpkins. But our first event of the day  was getting in on the pumpkin throwing contest. If you hit the target you win a prize! Jason came close but no gong. I just adore Ethan's face in this next photo, mischief was about to ensue I am sure! On to the corn maze we go, if you're scared of clowns, not sure you would make it passed the entrance. Everyone was given a map which was actually quite accurate to the maze itself. One "cheater map" was given that showed various landmarks throughout to orientate you. Randomly placed

 
 0
 
disney, holidays
By

Think of Christmas, Think of snow. Think of sleigh bells. Here we go! Like a reindeer in the sky. You can fly! Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas!   “Too many people grow up. That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. They don’t remember what it’s like to be 12 years old. They patronise, they treat children as inferiors. Well I won’t do that.” - Walt Disney Photo from Walt Disney Productions, holiday card, 1953. Via D23.

 
 0
 
design, faith, holidays
By

If you and your family are looking for a church to attend tonight for Christmas Eve or tomorrow for Christmas morning, you are more than welcome at our church: Calvary Chapel Canyon Hills, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior! Our Christmas Eve service tonight is at 7 p.m. and there will be desserts and fellowship after. Tomorrow, Christmas morning, there will be one large service for families and their kiddos at 10:30. We'll be at both! Hope to see you there! Services held at Canyon Lake Middle School. 33005 Canyon Hills Road Lake Elsinore, California

 
 0
 
holidays, photography
By

On Christmas Eve, three years ago, Andy and I were driving home from my parents. I was dressed in my Christmas jammies, as my sister and I had just taken our annual sister photo. As we are getting close to our neighborhood, my husband tells me, let's stop by this house in Menifee Lakes. It has the coolest decorations. Obviously, I am paraphrasing as this did happen quite some time ago. He had gone with the church's youth group to Menifee Lakes, a neighborhood that has a giant contest for Christmas decorations. On Christmas Eve, there are even horse drawn carriage rides! This family, on Calle Pompeii, sets up a Christmas village in their garage

 
 0
 
disney, holidays, home
By

Earlier last week, the hubby and I brought in our few Christmas tubs from the garage. We didn't have the time the last two years to even decorate so we were pretty excited to put up what we had! We don't have much in Christmas decorations so it didn't take longer than 15 minutes to have everything up. We're not getting our tree until this weekend so be looking for a part 2! The Mantel Kirkland's Nativity For our wedding, my best friend's mother gave us this nativity from Kirkland Home. It is my favorite part of our decorations, from the style to the subject. I just love it. Jim Shore Christmas Donald Another favorite decoration, our Christmas Donald made by Jim Shore. We also have a pumpkin with Minnie Mouse for Halloween/Fall; she kept her appearance on top of our tv for the last two years actually. We hope to have a Jim Shore to put out for each holiday and season. Entry Way Coming Up Next! When Andy and I got married, some of our compromises included what to do with my plethora of Disney merchandise. So I have a mini table top tree that's just for my Disney ornaments. You're excited to see that, right?

 
 0
 
design, holidays, photography, portfolio
By

A few weeks ago I announced that I was partnering with J. Rose Photography this Christmas by custom designing her several Christmas cards. Each card can be personalized with a color scheme specifically chosen to your photo and the wording be updated to your liking. As Christmas comes closer and closer, I wanted to post the card templates that you can choose from. But first, let me remind you of the deal J. Rose Photography is giving to my readers, 10% off her Christmas special which includes 1 8×10, 2 5×7, 8 wallets, and 25 Christmas cards with your portrait session. This is an amazing deal for $135! So please call her to schedule an appointment. However, if you have already taken your Christmas portraits, or have a photo in mind, you can still order Christmas cards through us for just $32.50, which includes 25 one-sided cards with envelopes. You can email me your photo and information at samhatesbirds@gmail.com to place this order. All payments will be processed through Paypal. Anyway, onto the pretty Christmas cards

 
 0
 
food, holidays, photography
By

Remember when I told you about my aunt-in-law's garden in Utah? Well, she sent us home with a giant banana squash! While we were staying at her house, she fed us so much food from her garden and one such item was her delicious squash. I didn't think I liked squash but I was willing to try it, plus she covers it in brown sugar and butter! So it turns out, I like squash! Or at least, I like brown sugar and butter with some squash on the side. I don't ever remember my mom making squash—sorry if you did Mom and I forgot!—so I never knew what to do with one even if I bought one at the grocery store. Anyway, this "recipe" is super simple! All you need is an hour's time to bake. Here's a step by step of what I did. I started with just half the giant banana squash and cut about a 6 inch wide ring off the end. And then cut the ring into four smaller pieces. Next, I used a spoon to scrape the seeds off. Then placed them with the rind facing up on a cookie sheet in the oven, setting the oven to 350º

 
 0