Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone!! I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable time today/tonight! Are you dressing up as anything?

image found via interest

This post officially marks one thing off of my list of 26 Things To Do While I'm 26!!

I've posted once a day for the entire month. Check out October's posts, which are mostly from the 30 Day Photography Challenge hosted by Our Wired Lives.

Day 30 - Self Portrait

I spent most of the weekend organizing my new craft room, so I figured that was the best place for today's picture.






This is my last picture for the 30 day Photography Challenge being hosted by Our Wired Lives. You can go here to see all of my pictures. It's been a fun 30 days!


-Bethany

Day 29 - Black and White

Who would have thought the DC area would have this much snow before Halloween?

Day 28 - Flowers

-Bethany

Day 27 - From a Distance

Day 26 - Close-up

-Bethany

Favorite Recipe

Inspiration Idea of the Week: Favorite Recipe

I'm linking up again to Gussy Sew's Inspiration Workshop. One of my favorite and go to recipes is Martha Stewart's Sugar Cookie recipe. With Christmas right around the corner (p.s. where did this year go?!!?) I thought I'd share it with you.

Martha Stewart's Ideal Sugar Cookies
       recipe found here

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons brandy, or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing, optional

Directions

1. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; mix until light and fluffy. With mixer running, add egg, brandy, and vanilla; mix until well combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add reserved flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
2. Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minutes; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
5. Decorate with Royal Icing, optional.

    Yields 2 dozen

Here are just some of the cookies I've made using this recipe.

Birthday cookies for Mike's cousin

Snowflakes for Christmas

Camo cookies that were sent to the troops in Iraq and Afganistan

Footballs for a Super Bowl party

So tell me, what's your favorite recipe??

Words To Live By Wednesday



image found via designeriphone.tumblr

Day 25 - Something Pink

A great pink sky always makes me smile and reminds me of a very special someone looking over me.

-Bethany

Day 24 - Animal

One of my favorite animals - my labradoodle, Libby!






-Bethany

Day 23 - Sunflare

Day 22 - Hands

 

Here was buried Thomas Jefferson,

author of the Declaration of American Independence,

of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom,

and father of the University of Virginia

-Bethany

Happy Friday

I've been anxiously awaiting this Friday for a few weeks now. I get to spend the weekend with my best friend!

I'm sure there will be plenty of stories to tell on Sunday. :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Day 20 - Bokeh

This one almost pushed me  to the edge. I've been taking pictures for quite a while and I feel really good about taking the typical bokeh effect. I wanted to do something different and I couldn't believe how difficult it is to get the effect using a cut out shape in front of the lens. Lets just say this is something I will definitely have to practice some more!

Day 19 - Something Orange

I had this picture planned out in my mind for a whole now. I wanted to capture the mums in the front of our house but the weather had other plans. So I searched inside and saw this display I have in the kitchen. The scarecrow makes me smile whenever I look at him.




Happy Wednesday!

-Bethany

Words To Live By Wednesday

 

image found via meggielynne.tumblr

Day 18 - Your Shoes

For today's picture I had to figure out the self timer on the camera. I've never used it before but I can see a lot of use for it in the future. I can't believe it's taken me this long to figure out that little feature!!

P.S. I love these shoes!!

Day 17 - Technology

I absolutely love my iPhone, iPad and Kindle! I would not know what to do with myself if I didn't have these three gadgets.

I'd love to hear from you - What technology could you not live without??

Day 16 - Long Exposure

I took these pictures while on a hike with Michael in Vermont. I was playing with the camera settings and was really happy with the results. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! 

Day 15 - Silhouette

Day 14 - Eyes

Our yellow lab, Rubi, has the most soulful eyes.

She's looking a little pathetic in this picture, but she was hoping to get a bite of what ever Michael was eating. 

Day 13 - Me with 13 Things

Me and a few of my favorite nail polish colors!

Day 12 - Sunset

One of my favorite things about our house is right across the road is a pasture that has the best sunsets.

Here are a few other sunsets we've caught over the last year.

Words to Live By Wednesday



image found via: Motherland Design