Krafty Kash

Today, I would like to introduce you to Krafty Kash. I myself just found out about her and I can't tell you how excited I am!

I received a thank-you and this little gift from a client, and totally fell in love!

Find Krafty Kash on ETSY

 It is a charming necklace, with my initial, a pearl and a super cute camera! What more does a girl need! I was super excited and kicked out these couple of product images to be able to share with all of you!

Visit Kraft Kash's AMAZING BLOG

I really love the simple, casual look of this necklace! I am not super big into the "statement" pieces and I find that this adds interest and some discreet advertising without being all "in your face" about it.

When you visit her store, be sure to check out the custom items she can make for you!

Life Lately

Life Lately, here are just some of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of spending time with and experiences we have had latley. 

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Comfort

When I think of comfort... the first thing that I think about is food... warm, rich flavors that take you in and wrap you like a blanket on a snowy winter day.

One of my most favorite comfort meals is a spin on chicken soup

Curry Chick Chick - While the name doesn't mean anything to you, it also has a special place in my heart, that warms me.

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While I make this quick in one pot, at the end of the day... it is easily adapted for the crockpot.

Dice and add to the the bottom of your large pot:
small amount of butter or EVOO
1 onion
3-4 carrots
1 celery (save the tops to add to the serving bowl)
add a small amount of salt and pepper to help them wilt down.
1-2 cloves garlic diced (roasted garlic is awesome if you would rather it be sweeter)

When these begin to wilt and soften
Add diced chicken, brown meat to seal flavor.
 (You can speed up the cooking time by using precooked chicken, leftovers or even browning the meat while your veggies are starting.)

Once meat is brown slowly add 1 cup chicken stock and scrap bottom of pot to combine all the flavor on the bottom.

Add 1 can cream of chicken soup (condensed)
Add stock (or water) to loosen more if needed.

Reduce heat and let simmer. Just before you drop in your dumplings add a very generous amount of Curry Powder... its sweet not spicy and I do a big palm full
Ginger Powder- just a 1/2 teaspoon or so, it adds just a bit of "mmm what is that?"

Make your dumplings.
1 can Cream of Celery
1 cup flour (I use whole wheat flour, if you use regular you might need an extra 1/2 cup)
Mix - it should be  thick and a little sticky, use 2 spoons to drop into your soup.

Allow to cook at a simmer till dumplings are done (typically 15-20 mins)


Chop up some of the inner green leaves from your celery and use to garnish in the bowl.

It just warms your belly and soul!



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My Home.

All images are copyright ©Vertephotography  
If you would like to order a print of any of these images, please contact me. 

Shop Love

This is a long list!

I work with so many shops that I love and I would buy them all out of stock if I could!
First, if you want some great shops to check out - look at the Streeter A-list - I am a member and everyone who I have used, contacted and connected with from this list is AWESOME!

Next I have some AWESOME sponsors, that are listed on the sidebar... you should totally check them out as well!!!

Additional shops that I LOVE....

Oh, How Sweet!  Cupcakery & Cookie Bakery

Order a sweet treat for you - or set up a 3 month club membership for a teacher, or friend for a thank-you or other gift... you can't go wrong with Oh, How Sweet!

The Tiny Diva

The Tiny Diva makes custom and semi-custom bows for kids and adults alike. Her wedding and maternity bands are amazing!

Zeeuh

Zeeuh makes awesome designer mug hugs, wallets, aprons, and purses. I get complements on mine all the time!

A Bow For Mama

ABFM creates everything from mini pin bows, great for holding notes around the office, or for your pin board... to chair decor for weddings, and door decorations for the holidays.

Crafty Gal Creations

Crafty Gal Creations creates mostly natural stone jewelry, but she adds some really special items such as this dragonfly necklace occasionally as well. She crafts each one with love, and the quality really shows.

I could go ON and ON... I can't even list all my clients, there are simply so many amazing shops! I hope you take some time and visit a few, and find some new ones to love!

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When Life Turns

Go Left.

Not my Personality...

So, as part of this blogging challenge I was asked to take this "short" personality test.

First of all.. I don't think more then 20 questions is "short"

Second of all... I have strong feelings about the answer.
It said:

Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test™

Your Type

ISFJ

Introvert(11%)  Sensing(12%)  Feeling(12%)  Judging(89%)

• You have slight preference of Introversion over Extraversion (11%)
• You have slight preference of Sensing over Intuition (12%)
• You have slight preference of Feeling over Thinking (12%)
• You have strong preference of Judging over Perceiving (89%)

 I really disagree with most of that... but perhaps I am being "judgmental" - just for the record those who know me - know I am the LEAST judgmental person ever.


When I looked it up further it said..

ISFJs are traditional, loyal, quiet and kind. They are very sensitive to other people's needs because they are very observant. They have rich inner thoughts and emotions. They value stability and cultural norms. They are very adept at giving attention to detail. They do not seek positions of authority. 

Well fair enough I have been known to be more quiet and observant, I am reserved on what feelings and personal information I share, and with who.  However, considering I have spent the bulk of my professional life in management positions of one kind or another... or owning my own business, I don't shy away from conflict and I certainly do seek and enjoy authority.

I think the lesson here is - personality tests are crap. You are who you are, love me or hate me. I am who I am, and I am more then happy with the person I am.

Don't be THAT girl

Long long ago, in what seemed like a never ending blur of parties, fun and chaos I had a dear friend tell me this words of wisdom.

DON'T BE THAT GIRL

It seems like so long ago, so simple, and a conversation I would be shocked to learn he still remembered. I never told him how much those words changed me. 

They stuck with me in a time when I was forced to make tough choices. I had to choose a path, become the woman I am today, or continue the road I was on. It was not easy. I gave up a lot, lost a lot, and gained a lot. Life is like that.

Those words were a wake up call, and for many reasons.

There are many situations when I hear his voice in my head and smile.

Don't be that girl "at the party"

Don't be that girl "at the office" 

Don't be that girl "in business"

Don't be that girl "who is...________"

I hope one day I can pass along those words to my daughter, and she will understand them, live by them and be a better person for them. Like me.

3 Months of Bliss

If I could do anything for 3 months, I would travel. I would eat crazy good food, I would laugh, love and boy would I travel!

From the Philippines

 

South of France

 To the end of the rainbow and back again. I would visit panda's in China, and see the outback of Australia...

Have Camera, Will Travel.

Happy Blogtember!

I don't jump on the "blog" wagon very often for challenges and such... but I am sure you noticed a sever drop in my posts this summer! While I am prepping some great holiday tips and more photography "how to's" and my technical posts that take up some time, I thought you would enjoy a month of "getting to know me"

While I don't promise to hit each day, or topic, or that I wont put my own "spin" on it... I was told my blog was "lonely". I think the word my friend was looking for was "neglected" so to satisfy my friend, and all of you... this seems like a great opportunity!



Today's Challenge: Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

I am a Colorado Native, my family is from Germany, Ireland, and Czechoslovakia.
I grew up in Alaska
I was told often that challenges in our life "build character".
You had to be tough to survive in our family, even going to the grocery store was an adventure.
It was not uncommon for a moose to block your path, or be sleeping at your bus stop... we had an "excused" absence when that happened. 

I started in the photography industry getting a job as a telemarketer.
I am still friends with people I worked with there, some 20 years later.
I have been held up at gun point and my retail store robbed.
I have ducked under a jacket from "flying puke" after a night of dancing and drinking with friends.
I have dodged projectile baby vomit. No one ever told me how those skills from crazy drinking nights would prepare you for motherhood.

I have never been the mom (thankfully) with the out of control or screaming baby on an airplane.
I have however had my child puke on another passenger, when she got motion sickness.
So fun.

My version of the song "I have been everywhere".... I have been to....
Colorado, Alaska, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, California, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia,  South and North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi.... I've been everywhere... I've been to... Virgina, West Virgina, D.C., Maryland, British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Cabo, Puerto Vellerta, Mazatlan, Cancun... and oh yea... Miami, Florida and Key West.

It might have been faster to say where I haven't been.

My Favorite "southern" saying "Don't let the door hit ya, where the good lord split ya"

I have loved, lost, played, and drank with the best of them.. now while many of my friends are sending their kids to college.. I am sending mine to first grade.

My friends, are my family.

One more thing, I don't know where it was so ingrained into my sister and I, but in our family you could not talk to a relative for years and years... yet help them with anything if they called you out of the blue. That's just how we are.