New Items...

I'm really excited about some new things that I have to offer, so I thought I'd talk about them here.  

For my maternity sessions, I'm offering a new "Mommy Keepsake Album" with all the sittings.  This album is AWESOME!!!  It feels like suede and will be a great keepsake heirloom for you and your children!  The album is high quality and will hold up for a long, long time!  So, after a maternity sitting, you'll get to pick out your 10 top images, and they'll get put in the 5x5 album for you to keep!  

So, if weddings are more what you're into right now...I've got a bunch of new items.  First, I've got a signature book that can serve as your guestbook.  So, you take images from your engagement session, and they'll be on one side and your guest can sign the other side.  Also, for a different approach than just "signing in", your guests will be able to flip through the book to different headings, like "I'll never forget...", "I knew they were in love when...", etc.  So, you'll not only get your guests to "sign in", but you'll also have a keepsake that you might actually WANT to keep out on the coffee table!  

Also, new for all weddings booking for 2009 or beyond, I'm offering a great Custom Keepsake Proof Box.  It will have a wedding photo, your name, date, etc. on the cover of the box.  When you get it, your proofs will be inside.  However, after you put your proofs into an album of your choice, you'll have this great box as another keepsake from your wedding.  

Lastly, I've got a new album size and style.  I've been offering a coffee table style for a year or two, but now I've got a 10x10 style that is BOOK BOUND!!!  This book bound album will hold up much better than the previous stitch bound albums. 

So, that's what I'm excited about these days.  Check them out online or at the studio if you want!

The Upcoming Holidays...Ordering Photocards & a Recipe

This is just a reminder that if you are thinking about ordering holiday photocards, please place your order by November 17th to have them back by December 1st.  I cannot guarantee that any orders placed after December 1st will be done before the holidays.  So, just plan ahead and you'll be fine!  

Speaking of holidays, I can't wait to hear the holiday music and make holiday treats!  It is by far, my favorite time of the year.  And, I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year with Drew.  I think he'll have so much fun with the lights, trees, presents, etc.  Oh, and not to mention his first time playing in the snow.  But, from the sounds of it, we'll have plenty of that to go around this year.  Argh!   Wha'cha gonna do?!  Speaking of snow...I think I saw some flake this afternoon.

Sorry about my side track on the snow.  Getting back to my holiday cooking...here's a great bar recipe to try.  My family and friends LOVE it!!! 

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes

Crust:

1 (18.25 oz) box yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 tbl melted butter

Filling:

1 (8 oz) cream cheese

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

8 tbl melted butter

1 (16 oz) powdered sugar

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1 tsp nutmeg (optional)   

1) Combine crust ingredients and mix well.  Pat into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 pan.

2) In a large bowl, beat cream cheese & pumpkin until smooth.  Add eggs, vanilla, & butter.  Beat together.  Add powdered sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg.  Beat together.  Spread over crust.  Bake for 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees.  Make sure not to overbake, as the center should still be a little gooey and jiggle when you bring it out of the oven.

3) Serve with whipped cream.

Knee Surgery Update

Knee surgery was on Thursday, October 30th.  It went well.  I had my ACL reconstructed and my meniscus repaired.  

Many have inquired how this occurred.  No, it wasn't while shooting photos.  I actually injured it in high school, my senior year, in track.  I never had it looked at until after I had Drew.  I re-injured it, while I was pregnant, practicing with the Marshall Varsity Girls Basketball team.  After the re-injury, it was never the same and was going out quite frequently.  I finally had an MRI and they confirmed that I completely tore my ACL in high school and the meniscus damage would only continue if I didn't get it fixed.  So, I scheduled the surgery after all the high seniors and weddings were done for this fall, and after my little guys birthday.  

There's the history on why.  Here's the update.  I'm home, doing PT on my own 3x per day, along with official PT once a week.  My husband has been great and is helping with Drew.  I'm already down to using only one crutch...maybe I'm "cheating" as my friend put it.   Other than the pain meds not sitting well with me, I'm feeling good and doing well.