All things are pined on my "Yum" board on my Pinterest.

Tonight, Sunday Apri. 29th:

American Chili Pie

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

** I have since tried both and approve. The Frito casserole is super easy and kid approved. The Cinnabon cake is devine!

Monday, April 30th:

Bacon Cheese Potaoes (Crockpot) and Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Breast

Tuesday, May 1st

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Wednesday, May 2nd

Leftovers...

We have too many things going on tonight...cooking is out of the question.

Thursday, May 3rd

Chicken Marsala  and PW Creamy Mashed Potatoes

This is by far my daughters favorite home-cooked-meal. She asks for it weekly.

Friday, May 4th:

Leftovers

Saturday, May 5th:

Breakfast Rolls

Sunday, May 6th

Galic Mushroom Pasta

Have a super great week!

Everything changed when I answered my own question, "How do you change the color of patent leather?" It seems I wasn't the only one wondering.

Kate wrote, "Great post! I want to do the same thing with a cheap pair of white Tory Burch flats I got at a thrift store. Has the color held up? Thanks!"

Thanks for the comment and for the question Kate. . . you have made my day! I have worn the shoes for several full work days. The majority of the black has stayed black. There are now a few spots of change on the bottom edge near the heel and towards the toe. It seems that driving my car is where the most rubbing happens. These spots are a dark purple-blue and hardly noticeable to the unknowing eye. I just popped off the top of my black permanent marker and did a little touch up. . . they are again a uniform graphite-black.

In other news, I think I am going to start dipping my toes ever so slightly into professional photography. After reading nearly every article on the internet about becoming a professional photographer I have been very hesitant. My first goal is to build a portfolio over the next six months. I have offered my services to a few friends so far and each taker wants something very different. I love the idea of being a natural light lifestyle photographer or a "day in the life of" photographer but for now I need to try everything.

I had a fantastic time meeting the newest addition to my friend Caitlyns family, spending time with two of the most beautiful young mommies I know, chatting it up with a handsome new big brother, and holding the sippy cup of a gorgeous pensive toddler. . . 

I love the moments that I captured but I am not happy with the clarity and focus of some of the photos. I think my perspective needs expanding and my ability to find the light needs fine tuning. I am also looking forward to the interaction and planning with clients. . . this is where the portfolio building with "friend" part comes in handy. . . how angry or disappointed can they be when it is for free?! I am looking forward to taking a step out of my comfort zone. . .

I paid $12 for my new, white, hardly worn Ugg driving shoes. Yes, you read that right...Uggs for $12! I did some research on my iPhone in the thrift store parking lot incase there was some remedy I could pick up on my way home...nothing. Not a single suggestion. I lost hope and decided white shoes might look good with something. I was nearly home when I stopped at CVS to pick up some hair elastics. My feet were tired of my high heels so I slipped on the fur lined, white driving shoes. I am not exaggerating when I say every singe CVS patron noticed my white shoes and not in a good way.

And then it came to me...why not a black Sharpie?!

So, the answer to "How to change the color of patent leather?" is permanent marker. Here are a few important hints before you start coloring:

1.) I only tried Black so I can't say any other color will work.

2.) I was lucky that these shoes were also patent leather on the soles which meant I could test it out before I committed. 

3.) Buy some brand new Sharpies. I found that old Sharpies tended to look like a blue-purple.

4.) I did two layers just to be sure there was not a blue-purple sheen.

5.) The seams were the biggest challenge since they had thread and normal leather (not patent). Be sure you get in all the crevises around the thread which can also look a little blue if you don't adequately saturate.

6.) Don't be suprised when you have to do a little touch-up after you wear them.

I am really happy with the way they turned out. The color is a graphite-black which goes with nearly everything.

From right to left: A jumbo pack of Smarties, a handmade camera stamp, the Love List book, and pink and white Cashmerino infinity scarf that I knit. The wrapping was the hardest pat for sure. 

Here is what I got from my new friend Angela:

A hand decorated gift box:

All the goodies within...I love them all:

Thanks Sherry for the swap.

Let me know if you find more swaps....I am addicted!

In my case, I have no control over the monster. I think not having control has been the hardest part of getting over the abuse. I can do all I can to make me better and our life better but at the end of the day its not just about me. 

We try to live in the moment and be thankful for the calm. 

I am loving this one...

PS You need to visit the link on that photo...she makes super cute stuff!

I was playing around with it the night my daughter was decorating the tree and noticed "Macro" near the focus ring. I was curious but not so much to get the directions out. So I did a few of my favorites.....aperture @ f2.0 and f10 to get Bokeh and then some sparkle...

I was packing my camera away and realized my lens cap was not fitting properly. Come to find I had only twisted part of the lens off. I looked through the viewfinder.....oh my! I got a wide angle lens and a MACRO lens for $150! I am sure the quality is nothing like stand alone lenses but I still get to play!

I decided to photograph a few of our most treasured ornaments just incase they break.

I am so glad I sopped by the camera store in Burlington :)

.....a super delicious overnight french toast caserole.....yummy! I am making another one for Christmas day but I am conemplating making it once a month from now on. 

There was a lot of this:

Lounging, knitting, watching movies, drinking wine (adults only of course)

Having matching table settings was not a priority.

Clockwise from top: 

Stanley Thermos (thrift store find) filled with Mulled Cider

Christmas Crackers.....a have-to tradition

I don't know what the bowl of chopped nuts was for?!

A Raspberry Crisp (soooo good!)

A $2 plastic plate from Target. The other plates are from IKEA. After breaking two of the IKEA plates I splurged on the cute plastic plates at Target since Target is closer than IKEA.....thats how I roll.

PW Green Bean Caserole (it was spicy...and I had to feed 3 girls who love spicy food)

If you are wondering, no I did not iron my table cloths.....whatever.

After dinner but before dessert, we poped our Christmas Crackers. You MUST:

Read your jokes aloud.....

....and wear your crown the rest of the night.

Oh, did I mention I dropped the Turkey on the floor...fresh out of the oven? We enjoyed it regardless.....who eats the back of the Turkey anyway?!

On to the next task...I completed a knitting project!

I would show you a completed shot but my model is unavailable. Stay tuned for the rediculousness that is this BIG hat. It was a pattern out of the Debbie Bliss magazine which always has gorgeous patterns. However, I regret having started this crazy hat. It was made with super bulky yarn and done in the Daisy stich. For knitters out there, don't ever attempt the Daisy stitch...it is quite challenging especially with super bulky yearn.

I have also been practicing with my flash. Halloween was a perfect oportunity considering it was night (duh) and I had a few kids in the house getting ready together.

...and a dog who loves costumes and Halloween (because people say "treat" every 2 minutes)

...and a cat who could care less about Halloween but loved taking main stage when I was trying to catch a super cute moment with kids and dog

Santa and his Elves were a huge hit. Every little kid we passed exclaimed, "Mommy, it's SANTA!"

Next on the to-do list is #8, Create a super fun Christmas card like none other. 

and did some antiquing. I was trying to find 20+ cheapish vintage postcards for a Christmas gift. I did not have much luck but the girls were ok with a few more stores. We ended up hitting two thrift stores. They had zero postcards but I did find two fantastic items.

I paid $15 for the first find...I have been wanting one for ages...

A beautiful, hardly used Marcato Atlas Pasta Maker with the Spaghetti and Fettuccini attachment. 

I can not wait to make and consume some fresh pasta!

My second find was a pair of chocolate brown suede kitten heels from J.Crew...$5.00!

Now back to the postcards :)