[redhanded photography: Brad & Katherine]

Every wedding is special.  Every wedding is unique.  But this one, this one had the fingerprints of Brad and Katherine all over it ... from the pale blue gown she wore, to the fun-loving photo shoot in between the simple ceremony and the rockin' reception.

Wanna see?  Click this link:  Redhanded Photography blog.

Have a great one!

[redhanded photography: Casey & Christa and the Baby God Promised]

Today is the last day of kindergarten for Mattias.   *sob*.  Well - maybe not a *sob* - as I have 2 more little ones that will venture through kindergarten yet ... But Mattias in grade one - wow.  And he's ready for it, so I'm happy for the little guy ... love him so much.

I'm off and running today, but wanted to share a post from my Redhanded Photography blog ... Casey and Christa were so sweet, so in love, and so ready to meet their new little girl.

Stop by - would love to have you!

Have a great one!

[make: Spelt Flour Biscotti]

First off ... I've been running.  Not just in life, but on an actual ROUTE.  For those of you who know me, and my little stumpy legs, just getting out there is a feat in itself.  I've never thought of myself as a runner, but I have been pleasantly surprised at my endurance ... again, considering I'm not made to be a runner.

So, it's been two weeks that I've been diligent.  I've run every-other-day, and am now running just shy of 3km in under 25min.  No walking.  No cramping.  Could go longer, but I'm set on a 30min workout for now ... My brain has to catch up with my lungs.

And here's the gut wrenching clincher.  I've gained almost 3 pounds.

SERIOUSLY.

Put a fork in me, 'cause I'm done ... I'm now considering torching my scale and starting a "Ban the Numbers" movement across the world.  I hate the scale.  And I think it's fair to say, that it hates me back.

Soooo - it's Monday and that was the day that I used to  post my weight - as positive peer pressure, a kind of weight "watchers" without the fees, a way for me to be accountable.  But let's just go with this:  add 3 pounds to whatever the last weigh in was.

UGH.

SERIOUSLY.

Whatever.  Enough of that.  Now on to the REAL post.  This one's for you, RR.  Told ya I'd get to it *grin* (she's been, like, "... post some recipes.")  So here's one you might just fall in love with ...

I used to make biscotti all the time, after I married my Italian stallion (oh, I'm on a ROLL today ...).  But, I hadn't made it in a looong time, and when I returned to the recipe a couple of weeks ago - I changed it a wee bit to make it a little bit more healthy.  A little.  Bit.  

SPELT FLOUR BISCOTTI

3 free range eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil ( I know, I know ... )

1 cup organic granulated cane sugar (like the way that sounds more healthy?  I do ...)

2 tsp almond extract

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (or slivers ...)

2 1/2 cups spelt flour

2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 350F, lightly grease and flour a large cookie sheet

- Beat eggs and oil; add sugar and extract - continue beating for 5 minutes until thick and pale.

- Fold in almonds

- sift flour & baking powder (spelt is hard to sift - I skipped this step, and just mixed well).  Stir into egg mixture using a wooden spoon.

- Shape doug into 2 logs (3" by 10").  With a WET spatula, flatten & shape.

- Bake 25 minutes until golden.  Remove from oven and LOWER oven temp to 300F.

- Cool logs for 10 min.  With a serrated knife cut into 1/2 inch slices.

- Lay slices flat, and bake an additional 25-35 min (until crisp, crisp, crisp and dry, dry, dry)

- Store in an airtight container.

These are SUPER yummy ... I assure you.

Let me know if you liked 'em.  (that means you too, Miss. RR *grin*)

Have a great one!

[talk: Outta My Way, Mr. Big Hill]

I'm turning into a runner ... and I'm loving it.

Every other morning, I get up and run before I have my breakfast.  I made a little "inspirational" playlist on my iphone, and spend some much needed time preparing my head and my heart for the day.  Honestly, I have found that my whole mood has changed by the time I get back.  My head is clear, my soul is rejuvenated and I'm ready for the day.

Now.  My body is still in the midst of adjusting ... that's why I'm only doing it every OTHER day.  But I'm already finding that I have to run further, longer, faster to get a good sweat on.  I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks I'll be able to see a difference in the numbers on the scale.  Although - this time, it's not about the numbers (which, of course, I'd still like to see come down).  This time, it's about being healthy and seeing the importance in having a good workout.

Life has been busy - as I'm sure it has been for you too.  June is CRAZY, no??  I have a wedding this Saturday, and am busy finishing up two of last week's shoots.  I am not taking any more bookings until October now ... which kills me.  I hate saying "no", but am really realizing that I simply cannot do it all.  

I have a lot of posts to put up ... the "Take Me Back" concert, "Friends Reunion", "Beach Day" with Tias' class ...

We'll see when I'm able to do that ... 

OH!  And do you like the new look of my blog??  I've been trying to figure out how to widen it so I can put up enlarged landscape (horizontal) pics ... and finally figured it out, now that blogger lets you completely create your own design.

Ok - so much more to say and do,  but for now - have a great one *smile*.  

[talk: The Recovery Service]

I grew up in church.  In fact, I was probably hours old when I first heard the choir sing *wink* and marched with my mom to the offering plate.  We went to a "street church" in Vancouver, and it was home away from home.  It felt huge and small all at the same time.  We knew everyone, it felt like, and the church family was a beautiful thing.  Even with so many years passing, the people I knew then, I know now.  When I see them, it's like time never passed at all.

I remember memorizing my memory verse on the back of my bedroom door, moments before being seat-belted into the car.  I remember going to Sunday school and singing songs that I still hum to this day.  I remember going to the service AFTER Sunday school - and learning about worship, Bible reading and being mesmerized by the choir.  I remember our family moving, and leaving that church at the age of 10, and starting a new life at a new church.  I remember that it was a tricky transition - but that the foundation of the importance of church was so deep, I quickly immersed myself in our new church family.  

My husband grew up similarly, and we have recently found ourselves wondering if we have been giving our children the same solid foundation that our parents gave us.  We would go to church Sunday mornings and night - and on Wednesday evenings as well.  Now - our children simply go to Sunday school while we sit through our own service.  We've been wondering if they are learning the importance of the Body of Christ.  Or if they see Sunday School as a convenient "day care" while us grown ups try and have our own moments with God.

One problem for us, is that our church's evening service is at 7:30pm.  That's our kids bedtime ... and we've used that as our excuse for the last five years.  But something beautiful has been happening, and we have found our little family beginning to make room for a very special evening service in our church's gym:  the Recovery Service at 6-7pm sharp.  

It is exactly what it sounds like ... it's a church service for new believers, for those who are in recovery programs, for those who are passionate about people.  It's relaxed and has relevant teaching and testimonies.  There's even pizza served (oh how our boys LOVE that!).  I've lead worship there a couple of times, and will be leading there again this Sunday night ... and I find myself giddy about it.

It might seem like an unusual place for a young family to go.  But I assure you, it isn't.  It's a beautiful place to be - and has sparked some really special conversations with our children.  Conversations about choices, about taking care of our bodies, about living life without God.

And when I'm there,  I find myself thinking: "I could've been them."  Really - any of could have.  It takes one tragedy and no support to make one bad choice and spiral down.  I know that I know that I know, that had I not had the Lord, my family, my friends during the loss of Shalom - I very well could've been just like Crystal.

Crystal is a lady I met on Sunday - who immediately after the service literally RAN to me.  I was holding Katia, and she began drilling me with questions and cooed over Katia like she was an angel.  Through our few moments together, I found out that Crystal lost a son at 16 months of age due to an outbreak of meningitis in the hospital.  She later found out she was pregnant, and had a stillborn birth at 6 months.  "And that," she said, "was when I lost myself."

I was her.  She was me.  And my heart leapt inside of me.  I love the Recovery Service.

I know many people who have different views on church.  Many, many people have been hurt and disappointed by the "church".  Some feel that all churches are corrupt or greedy.  Some feel that small churches are better or bigger churches are better ... and some even are prepared to gamble with eternity based on the failures of man - not based on the redemptive truth that's in the cross.

Fo us, we are trying to make choices for our family that we believe will be a solid foundation.  We are trying to instil important relationships in their lives so that they have Godly places to turn, if they choose to not turn to us.  We are trying to teach our kids about compassion, about the broken, about poor choices.  We are trying to teach them about the Word and worship.  

These are things that are important to us - and for us, that means making time for church.

[talk: STUFF]

SO much going on around here ... as I'm sure with all of you.  It's June, and that means chaos before summer break and we are so looking forward to that!!  And the sun's out today - so it actually FEELS like summer just might show up ... wouldn't that be nice!

A few things ... 

One.   I posted up pics of Todd and Jenna's wedding on my Redhanded Photography blog ... if you're interested, click here.

Two.  The book.  I believe I have contacted everyone who contacted me *smile*.  I am awaiting several confirmations before we get started on this together.  If you haven't been contacted, and are interested in being a part of this project, email me at tawnsblog@hotmail.com .

Three.  Simplifying my life.  There are so many things that I've got my fingers in ... and I'm finding that I need to put some serious structure around it.  The first thing I'm going to have to do, is say "no" to photography bookings and keep with my "3 bookings" a month.  It's hard, because summer IS the busy season, and I hate to pass up opportunities ... but there is SO much work and time that is put into  editing, album and slideshow making and meetings.  I have to start staying no.

Four.  I started running.  Well - I ran yesterday, and will run tomorrow.  I don't want to overdo it and wreck myself.  I have a goal.  I want to run first thing in the morning - clear my head - spend some time with the Lord - get a good cardio workout in.  But I have a couple of goals (big surprise).  One, is that I want to sign up for some 5k runs ... then 10k.  I can do it.  I know I can.

Five.  Well - there's really six, seven, eight and a few more, I'm sure.  I have posts on scrapbooking, pics I've done with my kids, weekends away, recipes and thoughts I have about the importance of our kids being in church.  But for now - I gotta get going.  I'll do those things, um ... later?

Busy busy busy!!

Have a GREAT one!!

[shalom: Step One. ]

Today, I'm meeting with someone.  They will be helping me with the first steps of the book I'm hoping to create with many moms who have lost a child - a very exciting first step.

If you had contacted me about being involved, I will be contacting you shortly with directions on how we need to proceed.  If you haven't contacted me, and you are willing to share your story of loss and how you survived - then please contact me at tawnsblog@hotmail.com .  

For more info on this project, please click here.

I am terribly excited about this ... and as this has been brewing in my heart for more than three years - I cannot wait to get started!

Have a great one!

[redhanded photography: Larry & Wendy]

... sometimes it's good to be reminded that life goes by too quickly, and that it's important to stop and enjoy the "now" as apposed to the "coming up".  My photo shoot with Larry & Wendy was just that.  It was full of beauty - although it was a difficult shoot as it marked some difficult upcoming decisions.

Come stop by my Redhanded Photography blog to see what a special couple this is ...