Jord Watch Giveaway

stylish womens watches by JORD watch

JORD WATCH GIVEAWAY

I can’t believe it’s almost February! This is going to be another lightening speed year. Now that the I’ve finally got a grip on 2018, I’m ready for a GIVEAWAY! One lucky lady or gent is getting a wood Jord Watch! If you’re anything like me, you are in a constant state of running behind. I know, I’m not super proud of it. I also never seem to know what day it is?? But one things I’ve always got going for me, is knowing what time it is. (Annnnd that’s also how I know I’m always running behind.) Read more

Ash Canyon Ranch Family Kitchen

Taking back the table 102

The kitchen is so much more than a place to prepare food. It’s a place we gather to laugh, to gossip, to learn, to share, and to pass on traditions.

I am so grateful to get to share one of those traditions from the Ash Canyon Ranch Family Kitchen.

Meet Logan and Witney, a couple who is just 23 days away from tying the big knot! When we sat down to choose a location to capture their love story through engagement photos, there was only one place they had in mind. Ash Canyon Ranch. Logan’s side of the family has a beautiful ranch tucked away in the desert plains of Southern Arizona. The endless meadow trails take you out into some of Arizona’s most gorgeous landscapes. But no matter how far those trails have taken Logan and Witney, they have led them right back to the Ash Canyon Ranch family kitchen. Where a simple homemade grilled green chili, cheese, and ham sandwich making tradition, has played an extra special role in their love story.

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Rumbi Island Grill

Date night with the kids

Rumbi Island Grill Chandler AZ

It’s not often I get out for dinner with the kids in tow. I know, I know I really should. They deserve a little spoiling here and there. But not too much. Last month, there was a blogger invite to taste test some of the new pork dishes at Rumbi Island Grill in Chandler, AZ. I was a little reluctant to go at first because I do not eat pork and my daughter is also a vegetarian. But once I mentioned it to the boys, there was really no way outta this. And I am so glad we went. As you can see by my children’s awkward faces, we don’t go out much. Or maybe it’s just their affinity for mom taking pictures of them every where we go. (Insert kid eye roll of mothers sarcasm there.) Read more

Wandell Family Kitchen

Taking back the table 101

It’s such an honor to be able to spend time with families that have a strong passion for teaching their kids to cook. (Or in this case, bake!) I had the pleasure of spending one Saturday morning with Katherine Wandell of Katherine Wandell Home Making by Design. She is a wife, mother of three adorable little boys, and author of her own uniquely designed motherhood.

This is my first official “Taking back the table” post. In this series I will introduce you to kitchens around the globe, and the families that fill them with magic. I’ve said it before in previous posts, the kitchen is where my heart is. I believe every kitchen has a story, and every story has an author.

Katherine’s Kitchen Tales

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Tina in the kitchen

Tina in the kitchen

I believe everyone needs to be photographed in the place they live at least once. This is my dear friend Tina from Time Out With Tina. We have been friends since we were 15 years old. We’ve only lived in the same state one year of our lengthy friendship. I’d say that’s pretty darn impressive. But the most impressive part of this beautiful human being is her giant heart. Tina was born with a heart to serve others. She is just an all around amazing person. So when I approached her about a new blog project I am starting, she was on board before I even got through my second sentence. It was pretty easy to get Tina in the kitchen for me to photograph. Read more

Sharesix – Earth

Sharesix – Earth, this months theme was a little harder than I thought it would be. Not because I didn’t know where to go with the idea, just that I am naturally drawn to share my views on gardening and taking care of our dear mother nature. To those, I feel I have plenty of posts, and many posts still to come. So I decided to change the pace. A photoshoot full of Earth tones, a beautiful sunrise in the desert, and a great model who was willing to join us at the crack of dawn. (Thanks Krystin!) Hope you enjoy. Read more

Sharesix – Green

Here is a greenhouse update from our Earth Day Post.

This months theme, Sharesix – Green, was chosen by me. I chose the theme Green for a number of reasons. Firstly, my favorite color is green, all shades of green. Secondly, I love growing things. One of my favorite Instagram hashtags is #growsomethinggreen. I haven’t always had a green thumb, its taken many years of patience and many plant cemeteries. Lastly, I try and live a green life through reusing, recycling, and being resourceful. I try to make as many of my own household and personal products that I can, I wouldn’t say its a real money saver, but I would say its much better for our bodies, and our environment. Read more

Fresh 48 – Welcome Mia

If there’s anything I can tell you about having kids, having had five myself, it is that nothing seems to go as planned. And as far as plans are concerned, this may never end, no matter how old they get. I’d like to introduce to you some of my awesome clients. This is Jen and Junior. (Cute right?!? Even saying their names has a sweet little jingle to it.) I met Jen quite some years back when she was having her first son, who is now almost 11. I reached out to Jen and Junior and their sweet little family of 5 right when they found out they were expecting again. I was looking for a family to photograph for some marketing materials. Later down the road, when I hosted my first photography workshop, I immediately thought of them as my model family. Her styled maternity session was perfect. (You can see those photos HERE). I was so excited when they asked me to be a part of their birth story and also take their newborn photos. Remember when I said nothing goes as planned when you have kids?? Well this is a story to confirm just that. Read more

Share Six – Water

Share Six - Water

Can you believe a month has already passed and our new theme is out?! This month flew by, and has been very exhausting for me. I am so pleased to announce the new Share Six theme is Water! We had a lot of fun with this one. As a mother of five, we are always looking for inexpensive ways to keep our littles entertained. We don’t dine out often or even take the whole brood to the movies. As you can imagine, it adds up fast. After moving from an acre to a small neighborhood lot, my kids crave open spaces even more. When thinking of how to share this months theme, the idea became clear with our rising temperatures. (We are already hitting 90+ degrees!) Lets go “live in a van… down by the river” Ok, maybe not live. We did however pack the van pretty tight with 3 inflated tubes, one inflated row boat, an ice chest, chairs, and 5 little boys. It was a tad cramped to say the least. Read more

Share Six – Narrow depth of field

I was recently approached about joining a blog circle for photographers. I have participated in this group before, just not as a blog contributor. Just for fun, and for the love of photography. Share Six is a spin off from Sharetographers. We will be sharing six images on the 6th of each month. Those photos will be our own creative interpretation of a monthly theme. This is a great opportunity for me to be held accountable to blogging more. And moreover, I get to be creative and take pretty pictures. Here is my take on this months theme, and I apologize for its lateness. I am currently out of town and have been having issues with super slow internet. Read more