The Inspired Nest

BOOKS!

I have not been on here for a while due to end of year madness at school, health issues, busy photo work, and just plain busy life... not complaining, just saying, life has been full and interesting!~

FINALLY, today I got a day off. It's a beautiful thing.

So, I actually got out by myself to enjoy a stroll at the book store. Wonder of wonders I stumbled upon an awesome book sale at Borders.

There were all kinds of books in bins inside and outside ranging from 1 dollar to 6 dollars (and only a few more over this price) 

There were also some music CDs on sale, some DVDs, and also books on CD.

I got 10 books including children's books, a historical documentary, a few classics, a health and exercise book, and a huge photographic coffee table book. wow!

In these bins I also found and purchased: 2 kids music CDs, one book on CD (a 5 cd set), and a child's activity book.

ALL of this for UNDER 40 DOLLARS including tax.

Get over there!!!!!!

~~~~CARDS!~~~~

Use the following link to go to the awesome stationery site and start your card shopping! Have Fun!

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They offer high quality cards and stationery for announcements, birthdays, holidays and more!!!!

Knitalong adventure...the story of a box, a book, and a blanket.

Pouring rain greeted me as I pulled into the driveway of my warm and beckoning home today. I sleepily approached the mail box, keeper of all things junk mail. Amidst the coupons, bills, and generic mail shown a gleaming wisp of paper (could it be the Golden Ticket, Charlie?) A closer inspection revealed the legitimate use of this now moist post office form stating that I could pick up a box at the post office tomorrow. As I stood in the bitter wet rain, this peach colored form laughed at me as if to say, "tough luck lady". Perusing the type, Larissa Brown's name spelled out clearly, leading me to the sneaking suspicion that a possible handmade Fitz blanket was around somewhere riding in the back of a small red, white, and blue truck. Armed with this knowledge, I spied just such a truck rounding the corner at the far end of the block. Could it be the truck for which I search? Sizing up the drive ahead and taking charge of the immediacy of the situation at hand, I thrust my motivated yet wet body into the car and set off for the horizon. The truck, now lost from site, beckoned me in a way that no mortal man or woman should have to face...at this point, I know that I must act fast. As I turned the corner I called out in victory "Eureka!" for the truck was in site/ could not let it get away now, oh no. I speedily (at 25 mph, it is a residential zone after all, I am no monster) as I was saying , I speedily approached the tin rocket which held my box. The seemingly innocent "D" (name shortened to an initial to protect the innocent) smiled at me.
Smiling? This man who stands between I and my box, HA!, don't you smile at me you envelope wielding man, you!
Slowly, I approached the man and his small yet efficient delivery vessel.
With appropriate pomp and circumstance, I skillfully handed over my peach colored postal service form, (somewhere in the world, trumpets sounded, of this fact I am sure!) The aforementioned "D" pronounced "Oh, hi, I have your box...I'm driving around with it in here" (likely story, I think as I size him up... I could take him if I had to....)
Once the exchange of the ghastly slip for the box had been completed, I bid Doug (oops, I meant "D") good day. Carefully turning back to my car, I kept my eyes trained on "D", sure to make no sudden moves. A quick glance at the package nearly confirmed my suspicion of the contents as the words www.knitalong.net danced on the label.  
A short but harrowing ride back to the confines of the homestead brought a celebratory opening of the mystery box. The treasures within: A Knitalong book and a beautiful hand knit blanket. Ah, the spoils of a dangerous yet gratifying game of cat and mouse with "D". My reward?: A warm and cozy afternoon treat of reading Knitlaong while wrapped in our wedding-gifted-blanket.
;) thank you, oh sender of such a glorious parcel!
Love,
Lynette (and Kevin, too- he LOVES it!)

(photo of the blanket while in Portland, before it was Jersey-bound!- photo from www.larissmix.typepad.com a.k.a. blog by my sister, Larissa Brown, Knitalong co-author with my brother in law, Martin John Brown)

It's here

It's spring...

and..

It's my new lap top!

I'm doing the happy "New Lap Top" Dance~~**~~**~~**~~**

Jeff walked me through all the ordering details, as always, going above and beyond the call of duty.

So, here she is all pretty in her lovely shade of green.

 

And her he is, Jeff,  to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

 

I'm looking forward to working on photography on my new shiny piece of equipment!

Goody-Goody

My dear sweet friend Noelle is turning 10.

I have goody-bag duty assigned by her mom (who has been my friend for many, many years now since before their was a Noelle, or her brother, or even her dad for that matter).

Miss Ten-Year-Old-Noelle was a junior bridesmaid at my wedding.  Well, we were not sure what to call the girls... Flower Girls seemed young but fun, and then junior bridesmaid seemed so "old" sounding. At any rate, she was a special young lady attendant.

I am so happy that Noelle shared our day in such a special way   :)  Also, her mom was a lovely bridesmaid. 

This is the info on Noelle: fave  colors are red and blue. Favorite theme thing is horses (as in Black Beauty, and a personal favorite of mine when I was her age, Misty).

Noelle is a mature, intelligent, level headed child with a modest upbringing. She appreciates goodness, and the simple, kind, biblical niceties.

While 10 year olds are oh, so mature, I felt that since these are goodybags, it is ok to go it simple and sweet. No over the top ridiculousness here, just a nice little surprise for the guests to enjoy at the end of the day.

Besides, this can seemingly get pricey. There is no reason to take a second mortgage out in order to facilitate the goody bag tradition, not at all. These darling little red-blue-horse bags should do just the trick! ;)

Instead of candy, I am going natural and healthy with sweet crisp RED apples...I may tie a blue ribbon around each? still deciding...

Also, mini bubble bottles with red and blue ribbons...

miniature plastic horses...

horse stickers...

(mmmmaybe one or two small items more, but then again maybe not)

all in a brown bag tied with w-i-d-e funky retro-looking red and blue floral ribbon...(I am loving this ribbon, by the way.)

Here are some pictures of the process along the way. I'm hoping these simple, darling, healthy little goody bags will add a nice touch to her special day.

Happy Birthday, Noelle! I cannot even believe you are 10 years old already!!!!

     

xxx ooo

 

Valentine's day at the home of the newlyweds...Kev lavished me with luxurious GODIVA chocolates in a DOUBLE layer big gold box, no less. Breathtaking!Then he whisked me away for a hush hush drive up north to one of our favorite restaurants. I knew he was planning to take me to dinner, but the location was kept a surprise until we got on the road. Very romantic. Then, for him, my rustic guy, I made homemade Trail Bars chock full of peanut butter, honey, nuts, dried berries, and more. They were topped with sunflower seeds... many of his favorite things went into these, and he loves having a bar to grab on the go for work or for biking, so these were a hit! He also received beer with a cute pair of bears (with antlers? ha ha) on the packaging. Bears are a love of ours... And finally, I gifted us a couples pair of valentine-red collapsible chairs for our many road warrior and park adventures.

Oh, and the evening was finished with an impromptu stop at an ice cream parlor. That was the sweetest ending for Valentine's Day.

Everyone, hope you enjoyed your hearts day.

As friend, Janet, would say, LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

  

KNIT and CLICK

Beginning my new exciting knitting project, I'm excited to share some of the very first words and images of some knitted items over at my smugmug site. Click over to the gallery then scroll down to look for the "KNITphoto essay" gallery, inspired  by Knitalong authors Larissa and Martin Brown.

Thanks for popping by!  www.fitzphoto.smugmug.com

 

Projects-Palooza

(there is so much wanting to burst out of my thoughts onto this blog post, so please over look the occasional typo I am sure to miss. You are so very kind)

Snowing outside my window again... ah, yes, I do adore a good snow! Sitting here watching the flakes lazily wander down from above, I let my mind wander to the thoughts of all of my upcoming projects. Whether personal or professional they each teeter with excitement on the edge of the horizon, teasing me gleefully with a smattering of organized chaos.

Of anything I approach, I prefer to savor the PROCESS and have a QUALITY outcome, rather that race to the finish and compete...no, competition is not for me...and never has been. A job well done IS for me. This is what those working with me, and whom I am working for can expect... a careful, patient approach with a high quality outcome as my number one goal.

Projects are on my immediate horizon:

My regular preschool teaching activities as a part time preschool teacher are definitely a priority, including the latest curricular enhancements as learned form Jeff Williamson. The children are loving our near-daily sentences in which they interact and identify letters and some simple words. The children in class are bright, adorable, and high energy. ;) They are responding so very well to our new lessons in class!

- Next, photographay

A) Children's portraiture... I have a special portrait-theme in the works which is a work-of-heart- OH GOODY! This exists in addition to regular private client work. News to come on this as it unfolds....

A-1) Children's birthday parties...

How adore children's' birthday parties (Let's be honest, I love just about ALL celebrations) Therefore, I am available to photograph children parties for parents who are busy playing host or hostess. (AND I don'tmind getting myself on the ground flat on my silly belly to "get the shot", something you may not be able to do in the middle of party-hosting. Keep this in mind)    ;)

Next project in the photo-realm:

B) In conjunction with the authors of Knitalong, I will be working on a very special multigenerational Photo Essay. Larissa (a co-author of the aforementioned book; and my sister) and I are very excited about this project. This will be a professional and a personal journey as I share this with my big sister, an accomplished and creative woman in her own right. My goal and my "job" is to capture the essence of the book in photos. I have chosen to do this as a labor of love, photo-essay style; personally I hope as to go beyond the scope of the "contracted" theme, and to delve more into the multigenerational heart of the matter. This latter notation brings me back to college where I studied photography as part of my visual arts major, and also studied gerontology (and multigenerational approaches) as part of my psychology major. It will be awesome to share more about this as it comes to fruition.

C) Engagement portraits-

I hope to do more engagement photo shooting in the coming year. I've jumped straight into wedding photography without the extreme pleasure of enjoying the precious engagement period with the lovely blushing brides and their dashingly handsome grooms. For me, since it is  all about the unfolding of "your" story of love and romance, then it should begin with the engagement period...this lead us, naturally, to the wedding:

Hired for the day or evening of your wedding you receive the skilled eye of an artist to capture details and moments...My approach is quiet, careful, and my "signature style" is very artistic, including photographs that convey emotion and drama, such as a knowing glance. I have a creative eye that finds the beauty in the finest details, such as a hint of lace peeking out under a sweet hemline. The bride and groom may tell me a hand-full of very specific people or things they want photos of as part of our contract, then the rest of the event I capture creatively through the my lens...when all is said and done you have a lovely library of images conveying the look and feel of your special day... just waiting for you to discover all over again once you are Mr. and Mrs. (insert name here)  ;)

.........

moving along to baking (since weddings made me think of cake, which made me think of trendy-wedding- cupcakes, which made me think of the project Sara and I are working on...la la la la la....) 

D) Baking-

All wo read this blog know how much I do adore baking, and I have to say, I am pretty good at certain recipes. (YUM). My chief taster (Kevin) tends to agree. He may be my husband who loves me (almost) unconditionally... but he is honest and will rate my treats effectively and correctly. So, he is a good and fine taste tester. Julie is lined up to taste as well, and I think Jeff.

Sara and myself will be working on perfecting specific items, then we plan to go forth and sell. It will be a while before we get "there"...baby steps are the first in a strong foundation, after all... but we plan to enjoy the process (ah, yes, that PROCESS again) ;)

wedding cupcakes, birthday cupcakes, corporate meeting dessert, and more, more, more. Possibly, as well as invitations, favors and more. We are the go-to-gals for the creative, the fun-tatsic, the lovely, and everything in between. The yumminess never ends..............

Here is a photo of my most recent trial. "Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Cupcake with Fluffy Cream Filling" (ok, that was more of a taste-illustration than a title).

It is on the trial-floor for now,but it was quiet "Delish" and ABUNDANTLY decadent.

With this mouth watering pic, I bid you ado for tonight.

ice ice baby

(have I just COMPLETELY dated myself with that post title?)

Yesterday I bundled up for a brisk and wonderful walk at Thompson park over to Marlu lake. The air was cold and yummy. The icy snow cracked under my feet. People and doggies dotted the snow and the trails, and some brave souls were even jogging on the snowy vegetation and park trails.

Feeling cabin fever? Just bundle up and go forth- the parks are gorgeous this time of year, and the fresh air will do you some good. 

While I have not gotten out yet today, I am looking out the window at the lovely winter snow. This is one of my favorite times of year.

I am brought back to the ice storm here in NJ a couple of years back. It was breathtakingly beautiful, as well as dangerous...yes...but I did not venture out until the roads themselves were passable and I did havemy trusted chauffeur, Mr, Kevin.

 

Winter 08/09 has not been nearly as hazardous as the ice storm in 07... here are some photos to remember it, and also to enjoy if you are a winter lover like I am! :)

The grand scale of this storm was perhaps most effectively, and ironically, viewed in it's smallest details, such as the ice formed around berries, and fine branches.

So, put on your boots, gloves, and wrap up in your warmest scarf, then click over to www.fitzphoto.smugmug.com

look for the gallery called: Ice Storm

wooden wedding signs

wooden wedding signs make me happy.  :-D

When we were planning our DIY wedding, I put the call out to friends for their supplies. Good for me I have awesome pals like Jeff who not only offered up the necessary supplies, but also SAWED AND PUT TOGETHER the signs. It was fun to catch up, hang out, and make these signs with him, and they really added a whimsical touch to our "rustic-elegance wedding".

btw, ladies, Jeff is a wonderful, intelligent, funny Christian guy and he happens to be available- wink ;) wink

Not that I'm playing match maker- but....I'm just sayin'...

ok, so, Jeff even parted with some of his better scrap wood (yes, brides, apparently there is a difference between one scrap wood and another) for the sake of my little soire because he is just that kind of great guy ! I am thankful.

 

My brother, Ryan, added sayings on the signs with paint. Some sayings were clearly directional such as "cocktail hour...", while others had a flair of fun to them, such as "Lover's Lane", (and by the cocktail hour entrance "thirsty yet?", and of course "Lynette and Kevin's Wedding Party"- and party, we did!

Sister in law, Carryn, joined Ryan to tuck signs around the rustic camp ground building, adding the charm of pumpkins and gourds amongst the signs.

PERFECT.

Still, Kevin and I are enjoying the Lover's Lane sign by our side door to the house. Once home, I added a piece of gold-tulle and a pine cone a-top the sign (fyi,the tulle and pinecones were used as decor in others places during the wedding).

It is nice to come home after work and see our little sign from our wedding greeting us back to our happy little home. Here it is by our door, piled sweetly with snow. ...sigh