Ryan, over at Pacing The Panic Room, posted a really great photo set (as always) from his backyard today.

He made a very nice tweet suggesting I should make a similar backyard series and I think I will do just that this week before Matthew and I move out of this apartment at the end of September (uh, did I mention we were leaving?).

For now though, I thought I’d put together a quick list of “top 10 shots” that I took in the backyard while living with my parents before getting married (and several shots from other places…sorry, I didn’t have 10 from just the yard).

These were all taken with my beloved 7.1 MP point & shoot – the Canon Powershot A620. It has an amazing built in macro function that made these shots possible. (although I would still love to get the Canon 60mm macro lens for my DSLR :)

In the front yard, an elephant ear after the rain

In the backyard chilling on the Bird of Paradise

One of my all time favorite macro shots. I know it’s nothing original, but I loved the tones in the leaf and crispness to the droplets.

“Leonard the observant”. He was just a baby and only 3in from tip of the nose to end of his tail. He had a bit of an attitude and really wasn’t in the mood for modeling, but he finally succumbed to my nagging and allowed me to pose him on my knee (no, my legs aren’t gray and fuzzy, only my pj pants are)

Squash, the pet iguana in my in-law’s backyard

These two were actually taken while vising my sister while she was working at a camp in Leesburg, FL

Dylan the majestic

Sylvia the diligent

and these were at an outdoor park by the river in Madison, IN

And a new backyard set coming soon! Hopefully I’ll be able to find more than just roaches…

P.S. Totally off subject, but I just photographed/created a new banner for my mother’s uber cool craft blog, Oh So Crafty today. Check out her tutorials and make something funky!

Alright, here’s your chance to be interactive, and yet anonymous. Something people seem to love (myself included).

My next free giveaway in September will be for 4 bottles of the Saucy Mama Lime Chipotle Marinade.

After that, I’m going to leave it up to YOU to tell me what you’d like a chance to win next.

So, voice your opinion, oh you masses!

What do you want to win?
	an 8×10 print of a Meg.Kat photograph
	a fancy shmancy little kitchen tool
	a mini-box of goodies from the asian market
	home baked treats from my doorstep to yours
pollcode.com free polls

Last weekend I received an unexpected and very awesome belated birthday gift from my sister, Jessica.

She makes adorable handmade aprons, headbands, barrettes, purses and plush baby blocks that she sells in her etsy shop, Style me, baby™, and last Saturday she gave me this pretty little thing!

Bloomin Pinks Half Apron – $20.00

and while I have no complaints about it whatsoever (in fact, I absolutely love it), I have to say, I really REALLY want this one, too:

Tweet Tweet Half Apron – $20.00

If you’re looking for something cute for yourself or a friend (the plush blocks make awesome shower gifts), check out her shop – Style me, baby™ :)

P.S. I’ll have a big HUGE blog post of pictures from Wild Woman Chocolate tomorrow or Tuesday and also soon “unveil” my new Facebook fan page you can be a part of. I know you’re anxiously awaiting…

I didn’t plan on cooking for the Saucy Mama recipe contest yesterday and totally didn’t expect to throw this together last night. I came home from being gone all day, was tired, starving, and wanted something to fix itself for me. This pretty much did just that and it was (yes, you guessed it) DELICIOUS.

Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)

2 zucchinni, sliced in half and cut into 3/4 in wide pieces
1 red onion, sliced in half and cut into 3/4 in wide pieces
8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
1/3 C Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade
sprinkle of salt & fresh cracked black pepper

6 slices Oscar Meyer thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (or 1/2 C bacon bits)
12 oz rotini pasta (3/4 of a 1lb box), cooked al dente
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese
2 TBS Saucy Mama Parmesan Garlic Marinade
6-8 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl toss together the vegetables with the marinade, salt, and pepper, making sure to coat evenly. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. If using fresh bacon instead of bacon bits, line another baking sheet with foil, spread out 6 slices of bacon, and bake until crisp at the same time as the vegetables (about 25-30 minutes).

Cook the pasta, drain, and throw into a large bowl. When the vegetables are done and the bacon is cooked, drained on paper towels and crumbled, add it all to the pasta along with the parmesan cheese, marinade, and fresh basil.

Toss everything together and serve warm. Excellent :)

I would like my blogger friend (who wishes to remain anonymous) to know how much your gift means to me. I am in my happy place right now, having coffee and a late breakfast (of cupcakes and almond bars!!) with my sweetheart at Seven Sisters all because of your generosity. Thank you!! :)

(still a little sleepy-eyed, but very happy)

The story: Last Saturday night I received an email from someone who reads my blog but that I don’t really know (I have found out we met once before but it’s fuzzy for me :).

She lives out of the country and had been playing phone tag with Alisha at Seven Sisters for awhile trying to set up something very special for me. I stopped by the coffee shop Sunday morning and there behind the counter was a $30 gift certificate just for me.

This has been such a shining little light it a very stressful week. Money is still very tight, we decided to not move downstairs and instead move out when our lease is up next month, and also, last weekend happened to mark exactly one year since my miscarriage (something I doubt anyone really knows/remembered and I don’t mind).

Side note: The amazing thing is, I didn’t remember it either because I was so caught up in this gift from a near-stranger that was totally unexpected. I even came across my pregnancy test, hospital bracelet (yes, I kept them), and note Matthew wrote me the morning after the hospital which was DATED with the same day I read it (only a year back of course) and it still didn’t click. Isn’t it great how God works things out? (Matthew finally reminded me right before midnight because he had been thinking about it for weeks but didn’t want to upset me)

So, thanks to this gift, I’ve been able to have coffee and tea visits all week, treat Matthew and Shirlee to some drinks, and just have a great place to escape to for a few hours when I didn’t want to be at home sans internet.

I also want to thank some other friends and family that have helped us out recently. So a big giant hug and thank you to:

Greg & Melissa for the Publix gift card
Renee for tea and a snack at Seven Sisters (before I got the gift card :)
Vicki who ALSO treated me to coffee, a little cash, and a big bag of groceries
Gram for the money to stock up our pantry (and I even had enough to buy an inexpensive tennis skirt, sports bra, and nike shorts!)
and all of you that have been praying and sending good thoughts our way :)

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