miscellany monday

Monday.  Bleh.  But at least God has allowed me another day here with my delicious family.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  And have at least one terribly exciting random to share today.  Well.... it's exciting for me at least but I hope you'll share in the excitement with me.  So off we go with another edition of miscellany monday...

{ONE}  One Mom's Perfect Imperfections as well as my family blog, The World of Noffs, are moving to Wordpress!  And I couldn't be more thrilled!  Blogger and I have been growing apart for quite a while now.  The hiccups and lack of creative freedom have put me in a blogging funk, so to speak, and I just believe it's time to say goodbye.  Two Moms Designs made me an offer I couldn't refuse to move my blogs  and Ashley has already gotten started with the transition.  As far as I know, followers/subscribers shouldn't have to do a thing.  Everything will be redirected and it will be business as usual - just on a different platform.  Ashley has been a joy to work with and I highly recommend Two Moms Designs if you are contemplating a move yourself.  EXCITING!!!!

{TWO}  My daughter has decided that when we go to a store, she no longer wants to sit peacefully in the cart.  She also does not want to walk.  She wants to be carried.  I have had no previous experience with this behavior.  Keegan, her older brother, preferred to walk if he decided he didn't want in the cart.  He wasn't much on being held.  And because Presley is vastly approaching the age of two, temper tantrums ensue if I do not oblige her.  So I can A)  pick her up letting her win and continue to carry a 27 pound child while trying to herd her older brother AND pull the cart while I "shop".  Or B)  let her scream, causing all those nosey people that think I'm beating my child to run straight for us with cell phone in hand ready to call social services.  Hmmm.... Decisions....

{THREE}  This heat is killing me.  I'm so ready for cooler weather.  With triple digit temps and humidity I feel like I'm melting.  God, send cooler weather - or at least a strong breeze.  Or maybe just drop a swimming pool in my backyard filled with ice.  

{FOUR}  A group of ladies in BlogFrog got a discussion going about the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels - the brutal personal trainer from The Biggest Loser.  We've all decided to start the 30 day shred today (doing it only 3 days a week).  By the time some of you read this post, I will have weighed myself, taken a few measurements (then gotten sick a few times), eaten some rabbit food and possibly have been completely beaten up by Jillian.  Prayers welcome.

{FIVE}  To prepare for the previous random, I spent Sunday eating and sitting on my tail quilting while the kids played and watched movies.  

To read more random thoughts or to link up some of your own, head over to Carrisa's blog, lowercase letters now by clicking the logo above.  

Have a great week!

A Touch of Spirituality

I have been using the same picture for this Sunday post for a while now - the hands of a family praying together. It deeply touched me and I believe it touched many of you as well. It got so much attention that I decided to use it every Sunday. However, I think I've decided to post a new picture I've taken each Sunday.  I have many shots that kinda fall to the wayside and I think I'd like to use them for this weekly post.  Some may be edited, some SOOC.  Either way, hope you enjoy & hope it brings you a little inspiration.  

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.  John 4:24

SOOC Saturday

I took this picture at Birdsong Marina on the TN River last weekend. We docked our boat and hopped out to see the only freshwater pearls in North America. It was less than we hoped for. We didn't go on the tour or anything so that might have been interesting but outside the gift shop/museum there was an old boat with these hanging off of them...

Now, don't ask me what they are actually used for because I have no idea.  Obviously, something to do with harvesting mussels but that's as much as I can tell you.  The pearls themselves were magnificent.  Wish I could have snagged a pic of a few of those.  Anyhow, I thought this made for an interesting SOOC shot today.  

To see more SOOC shots or to link up one of your own, head over to Melody's blog, Slurping Life now by clicking the following logo:

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Macro Friday

Hello Friday! Another weekend is upon us and I couldn't be happier.  Not sure what the weekend has in store for the family and me but can't wait to find out.  So I tried to NOT post a picture of a flower or a plant.  This is one of my vintage cameras.  Thought it made for a cool shot.  Different than what I've been posting, if nothing else.  

To see more macro shots or to link up one of your own, head over to Laura's blog, Blogging from Bolivia now by clicking the logo above.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Before & After

Before & after photos with Pixel Perfect today!  So, I tried to be original this week and try something I've never done before where my editing abilities are concerned and it was a big fat FAIL.  So I fell back on old faithful - layers.  I love layers and blending and they hardly ever steer me wrong.  Gonna have to do some practicing in PSE to be original next time.

Here is my SOOC shot, using my Canon Rebel T1i, 18-55mm lens:

I just love seeing the layers of the rose petals, but the color is a little bright and heavy on the eyes.  So I wanted to do something about that.

My edited shot:

So I really didn't do too much - added a black/white layer, added a another layer and played with the blending mode (can't remember which I used just now) and then a heavy vignette and rounded corners.  Subtle, but I think it softened the shot and makes it a little dreamier.  I used Photoshop Elements 8 for my edits.  

To see more before & after pics or to link up one of your own, head over to Pixel Perfect now by clicking the following logo:

Review - Ecostore USA

Today, I think going green is as common as going to a movie.  Maybe more.  As moms, we all want what is best for our kids and I think that includes the kinds of products we bring into our home.  Ecostore USA is an extension of a 20 year old New Zealand company www.ecostore.co.nz that makes plant based, non-toxic household cleaning, baby and personal care products that contain no nasty chemicals™.  I've recently had the pleasure of using a few of their products.  When they arrived, this was the first thing I was greeted with:

How refreshing is that?  To know that even the packaging is environmentally friendly was refreshing to me.  

The products I received were the Naturally Antibacterial Spray Cleaner, the Goat's Milk Baby Soap with Lavender & Wheatgerm oil, and the Manuka Honey & Kelp Soap.  Again, none of these products contain any kind of chemical.  They are all completely natural.  

I've had a couple of weeks with these products and I am very pleased.  The spray cleaner is perfect for wiping down kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, etc.  It's a general everyday type of cleaner.  It has a very mild, citrus scent and leaves no residue behind.

The baby soap smelled wonderful as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  The lavender scent is present but not overpowering.  It lathers up immediately and my kids' skin is soft and clean after use - even Presley's delicate skin handled the soap very well.  She has a nasty case of eczema.  

The Manuka Honey & Kelp soap I am still using and love it.  It has a very mild, clean scent as well and also lathers up instantly.  My skin feels clean after using it.  

I will definitely purchase these products as well as others in the future and I highly recommend them to other moms.  They're affordable, chemical free and environmentally friendly.  What more could you want in a product?  And if you head over to their website now, you'll see Ecostore USA is celebrating a grand opening for a new location and are having a BOGO sale through the month of July.  So if you hurry, they'll double your order!  Also, free shipping for orders $25 or more.  

So what are you waiting for?  Head over to Ecostore USA now and take advantage of going green!

Disclosure: I was provided with these products at no cost by Ecostore USA in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free products provided.

Black & White Wednesday

As most of you might know, I usually reserve pics of my kiddos for my family blog, but I just shot these and they warmed my heart so much I had to share.  I was sitting at my desk and happened to look over & see this...

They are so sweet with one another - most of the time.  The love the feel is apparent to anyone that's ever been around them.  My cup runneth over.  

To see more black & white photos or to link up one of your own, head over to The Long Road to China now by clicking the logo above.