Piglet is Pink.

Original title, eh?

Sometimes the hardest part of writing this blog for me is coming up with a title. It's ridiculous.

I don't know about you, but this has been a strange sort of week for us. We haven't really had much going on, but it has felt so busy and rushed. To top things off, I am officially out of room on the laptop. That either means I need to start deleted some things off, or fork over some bucks and invest in an external hard drive. Or both. Oy.

Not helping my space issue is my addiction to fonts. I recently found Dafont and I.am.hooked! It has a ton of free fonts for you to download. If you are into fonts, check it out, but be warned...it's hard to leave the site!

Without further ado, here is this week's edit:

I honestly can't remember all I did, but I do know I duplicated my layer, set it to multiply, created a layer mask and filled it black and then painted back on with a 25% white brush (thanks, Ashley!). I also adjusted the levels to make the colors pop.

Then, just because I can (well, at least I think I can), I created some water drops, just for fun!

I just wanted to have some fun with it, but still keep it simple. Incidentally, I also gave Piglet a tattoo, but then I removed it. Poor little Piglet just doesn't seem like the tattoo type.

Here is the before and after. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome. I really do appreciate them!

As usual, I'm linking up here:

  

Joyful.

For the Lord your God is living among you. 
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. 
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

                                                                                                         -Zephaniah 3:17

Linking up here:

  

A Man Named Fred

We read books. A lot. Usually when we read, B-Man will finish the sentences for me if I give a pause. It's cute and it makes my heart happy.

Today we were reading about Noah. There was a line in the book that read "God asked one man to build the ark. That man's name was...." I thought it was an appropriate place for a pause and Brady, quickly recognizing his queue, finished the sentence with "Fred". Awesome.

Linking up with I Heart Faces and Phonography.

  

Ten on Tuesday

1. Happy belated President's Day. Did you celebrate by learning all our past presidents? If not, you can get your education on here. 
2. I wished Brady a happy Presidents Day, to which he immediately replied "I want to open it!". Poor kid, he thought I said presents day. 
3. I actually did scroll through #1's link and came to a picture of our 11th president. Is it just me, or does he have a slight resemblance to Mel Gibson?

   

   Photo Credit / Photo Credit

4. I've come to the realization that every family with small children has a special name for passing gas, as if somehow calling it by a nicer name makes it less icky. The "f" word wasn't allowed in our house, so growing up, my brother and I had to call it a "puff". Here in the Butler household we call it a toot. What words do you use? I know you've got some good ones!
5. I may have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. Brady has a particular ball he plays with and every time he does, he always says "I do not care for so much reason". Where does he come up with this stuff?!
6. Thanks to some cool new apps on the iPhone, the little guy now knows a rhombus, ellipse, parallelogram, equilateral triangle, right triangle, scalene triangle, pentagon, heptagon, hexagon, as well as star, semicircle, rectangle, square, and circle. Technology is a beautiful thing.
7. Our city had an indoor garage sale this past weekend. I scored some good deals, but my favorite was a huge black frame. It is kind of distressed looking and I love it and it only cost $1. I got it to fame a family picture (assuming we ever take one), but it came with a framed Twilight poster. I'm not going to lie: I was embarrassed carrying it around. 
8. You know who wasn't? The hubster. Yet another reason I love that man.
9. I know I've mentioned this before, but my friend is raising money for adopting. I'm having an online party for Tastefully Simple and all the proceeds go towards her adoption. I am selling products through March 1 and so far have $0 sales. That's right. That number is zero. I feel like the biggest loser of a friend ever. Please buy something, for my friend and for my ego (but more for my friend). The food really is super yummy and you will be helping a great cause.
   
10. I am also linking up with Forever n Always Shoot and Edit. I missed last week's theme of romance. I was uninspired (photographically), so I'm jumping back in with this weeks' theme of pink. Not an easy color to find in our household, but I did what I could. Be sure to check back later in the week for the edit!

Planting Towpers

A person will harvest what they plant.-Galatians 6:7

I've heard it said before that if you want to know what is important to you, then you should look at how you spend your time. It's so true, isn't it? Our time really is our most valuable gift. It's fleeting and in high demand. There is a reason we are told to "stop and smell the roses", it's because some day we'll be too old to bend over and we'll have lost our sense of smell. Or, maybe it's because time passes so quickly that if you don't take time to appreciate the simple joys of life, they will simply pass you by. Could be either one, right?

There are days when I'm in the kitchen and I have to send my son out so I can get something done (it is nearly impossible to accomplish any task with a two year old playing drums on your bum, afterall). He'll hang is head down and slowly (sloooowly) inch his way out of the kitchen, until he's just barely in the living room. He will put his toe on the invisible line that divides the two rooms and ask to "pleeease" come back in the kitchen. Because I'm in there. I can never resist and, between you and me, I don't want to. I know there will be a day when he won't want to be in the kitchen, hanging out with me. I know there will be a day, coming sooner than I care to admit, when he won't want to be my special helper.

But that day's not today.

It may look like we're planting strawberry seeds and lovely forget-me-nots, but if you look closer, you will see we're planting memories. Memories I will always treasure. 

There used to be a time, not so long ago, when he used to ask to pick "towpers". Today we're planting them, only now they're "flowers".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a completely unrelated note, my friend is raising money to adopt a baby. Because I love babies, and adoption, and my friend, I am hosting an online party to help her raise some funds. If you live in the continental United Staes, please check it out, order something yummy, and help my friend adopt. I can personally attest the almond pound cake is to.die.for. I would love for this to be her biggest selling party ever, so I need your help (especially since right now I have zero sales).

 

Also, don't forget to check out the other camera embracers at Emily's blog.



My Husband

We don't celebrate Valentine's Day in the traditional sense. Well, we don't celebrate it in any sense, really. There are a number of reasons (I'll spare you), but in all our years of dating and being married, we have never bought each other one Valentine's Day gift. I joke and tell my husband he gets it easy, but that's truly how I want it. I don't believe in celebrating Valentine's Day. 

I have always loved and appreciated my husband for reasons too long to list. But, when he became a father that love took on a whole new level. There is something so extraordinary about watching the two men in my life: the big man and the little man. I am so grateful for them, for the way they are with me, and for the way they are with each other, and for a God who gave them to me.  

So, while I do not believe in celebrating Valentine's Day; I do, however, believe in celebrating love. I *love* love. 

And, I love these two.

Out of the Box: Apricot

ap·ri·cot

[ap-ri-kot, ey-pri-]

I joined this project a little late (started on gray), so I have a little list of colors I need to capture. I knew all week that apricot was coming up and I had no idea what I was going to do! Then, I found it. It's my glasses case. I only wear these bad boys when I work on the computer (I would just like to point out that I need them for eye strain--not because my eyes are 30 years old). The inside of the glasses is a dark shade of apricot, and the case itself is a light shade. I almost missed it and I seriously use these every.single.day!

I'm loving this project. It's forcing me to take pictures of things I normally would overlook and I've been shooting on manual (it's helpful the objects don't move). 

Little Feet

Tell me, what is half so sweet

As a baby's tiny feet,

Pink and dainty as can be,

Like a coral from the sea?

Talk of jewels strung in rows,

Gaze upon those little toes,

Fairer than a diadem,

With the mother kissing them!

As I bend and proudly blow

Laughter out of every toe,

This pray, that God above

Shall protect you with His love,

And shall guide those little feet,

Safely down life's broader street.

-Edgar Guest, 1924 (Excerpt) 

I wanted to keep this weeks' edit simple. I adjusted the white balance using levels, sharpened, and added a rose color gradient. I then adjusted the opacity, duplicated my background layer, set to multiply (to try to tone down the brightness of the blanket) and tweaked a little from there. Then I did a minor crop.

It's hard to remember the time when these feet were so small. They smelled so sweet and I could not kiss them enough. Now they're a bit bigger, though still small. They don't smell as sweet, and sometimes they even are a little stinky. I still kiss them anyway. I know there will be a day, coming sooner than I'm ready, when I won't be able to hold them in my hands, or have the desire to hold them to my cheeks. For now, I'll cuddle them and tickle them...along with the little boy they belong to.

I've been loving your comments (and I'm learning from them!). Please let me know what you think about the edits. 

Out of the Box: Gray

The ostrich is a silly bird,

With scarcely any mind.

He often runs so very fast,

He leaves himself behind.

And when he gets there, he has to stand

And hang about all night,

Without a blessed thing to do

Until he comes in sight.

-Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

Ten on Tuesday

1. Wow. You know how they say time flies when you're busy? So true. Problem is, I don't have anything to actually show for being busy. I literally have just been piddling, but apparently time flies when you piddle too.
2. There is still (a lot) of snow on the ground here. I don't like driving in snow. Basically, that means that unless my hubby (great guy that he is) drives me, I don't go anywhere.
3. As if we don't have enough snow, the weather people are guessing forecasting we are going to be getting more tonight AND tomorrow. Say it with me: ugh. How many more days till spring?
4. My husband went to a Bible study at church early this morning. I love that he has a heart for God.
5. My son has been saying some of the weirdest and funniest things. Case in point, this morning, out of nowhere, he said "I do not care for so much reason." Say what? I just chuckled to myself. He's two and a half, people.
6. I am up to 17 "followers" on my blog. That is just the coolest thing ever to me. When I first started, I swore no one read it. Now, people "follow" and leave comments. Thank you, friends!
7. I know I'm not the only one that gets sick of winter and longs for spring. My son (still two and a half) taught me a lesson yesterday. We were talking about the weather and playing outside and I said "Don't you like springtime when it's warm and sunny?" to which he replied, "I like the snow too! It's lovely." It just reminded me to be thankful for the seasons in life, no matter what they are (or how many days I'm cooped up inside). Hmmm. Maybe I should go back and rewrite #3?
8. I'm going to make a quiche tonight for the first time. I'm hoping it turns out yummy because, man, I love me some quiche! (Thanks, mom, for the recipe!)
9. We went to a Superbowl part on Sunday and I'm not ashamed to tell you I did not watch any of the game. Yet, it was the best superbowl party ever. Love you, friends!
10. I'm a day late, but I'm linking up to Forever n Always Shoot and Edit anyway. The theme this week is hearts. I know this picture is a stretch, but I lost track of time (all that piddling!) and a friend gave me this picture she had taken of Brady when he was a wee babe and I loved it and had to use it. If you look at his big toe and second toe, tilt your head to the side, squint, and stand on one foot you can see the heart.  You'll forgive me, won't you?

Color of Love, Revisited

I don't know about how you feel, but this has been the longest.week.ever. for us Butlers. Please don't misunderstand, it hasn't been bad, just never ending.

Chuck it up to a week holed up in the house. With a two year old. 'Nuff said.

We are heading out to the bookstore for some R&R. It's one of our favorite places. It has a fun little train table for Mr. Energy and coffee for Mr. & Mrs. I-Need-Energy. Plus, it provides a quiet, calming atmosphere and (bonus!) makes me feel uber smart. Hello? It's a bookstore. You can't not feel smart when you're in a bookstore. I think it has to do with osmosis. (See? I'm not even there and I'm getting smarter just thinking about it.)

Of course I couldn't leave without showing you this week's edit. I did something out of my comfort zone and played with this image, a lot. I added layers, and masks, messed with levels and balances, and added textures.

What do you think? Be honest! I know the 'red' is kind of punchy. I can't make my mind up as to whether I like it that way or not. 

Just for a better comparison, here are the before and after pictures side by side.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think, then check out the other edits here.

I'm also linking up here:

If You Were a Kiss, I'd be a Hug.

We have been snowed in all week. I guess we could technically get out if we needed to, but why take unnecessary chances?

We are normally a family that likes to go, so staying cooped up inside has presented it's challenges. But you know what? We're doing pretty good, all things considered. I dare say (did I seriously just say 'dare say'?!) we have even been having fun while we're under house arrest under lock and key being hermits playing it safe.

One word. Pandora. Have you heard of it? Do you use it? I am in love. I found the Toddler Music station and the little man and I (and occasionally the big man) have been dancing our little hearts out in the kitchen. It's the perfect mix for us. It even played the Hot Dog song from Mickey Mouse Club (Brady loved it) and it's been playing some super cool versions of some super cool songs. Take "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and mix it with "It's a Wonderful World". Two of my all time favorite songs mixed together in one song? Yes, please!

Incidentally, today's title came from "All I Want is You" by Barry Louis Polisar and was also played on the Toddler Music Station. Seriously, check it out. You will not be disappointed.

So, here we are. Embracing the Camera, and one another, while getting our groove on. It's a bee-you-ti-ful thing, dah'ling. (The dancing, not my no-makeup-hair-not-done-still-in-pajamas self portrait).

How do you like the B-Man's little scrape? Mr. Graceful (aka Mini-Me) collided with his train table while trying to hide a pillow underneath it. I could've Photoshopped it out, but I think it gives the picture some character. Right along with him sucking in his bottom lip. It's classy, really. What can I say? We're a good pair.

Check out all the other 'Embracers' at this blog.

Just Like a Box of Chocolates...

You never know what you're going to get.

This picture is an older one, but it still makes me smile. It also serves as a reminder that I just never know what to expect when I go to check in on the Munch-Man.

When Mike and I made our nightly rounds last night, we were greeted with a sleeping angel....stripped out of his pajamas.

Never a dull moment, even in sleep.

In other news, are you sick of winter yet? Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring!

Ever wonder where we got the Groundhog Day Tradition? It's rooted in a German superstition that says if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian holiday of Candlemas, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early (source).

See? This blog is educational too!

Ten on Tuesday

1. On an normal week I will jot down notes and tidbits I want to mention in the Ten on Tuesday post. Yes, I'm a list maker, in the worst possible way. I make lists of things I need to make lists for. Ri-donk-ulous.
2. This week, however, did not have the feel of a "normal" week and I did not make any notes to myself or jot anything down. It will be a miracle if I can get to ten. Good thing I believe in miracles, eh?
   
3. This past weekend the weather was gorgeous. As in, pushing 70 degrees gorgeous. We three Butlers spent a lot of time outside and at the park. I'm amazed at how much the B-Man has changed since we last went. The kid, always brave, has grown nearly fearless. If this continues, his momma may have a few extra gray hairs this summer. (Not that I have any now...You believe me, right?)
4. As lovely as the weekend was, we are now under a blizzard warning. I kid you not. I remember lots of times having snow and ice here, but never a blizzard warning. Things could get interesting.
5. In preparation for the blizzard, we went to the grocery store to pick up some things, just in case. What a madhouse. Our pastor later tweeted "News Flash: Walmart is out of milk, bread, & eggs which means all of southwest Missouri is having French Toast for breakfast tomorrow!"
6. We are not having French Toast (we got Rye bread because that's the only kind they had left. Honestly.), but we are having oatmeal. What is it about oatmeal that warms the soul?
7. I haven't mentioned it in awhile, so I feel like it's ok to talk about it. Potty training is going great! The only "downside" is he wakes up wanting to potty right away. I know, I know, that's not a bad thing. It's just that he's been waking up earlier, when before, he would stay in his bed and rest for a little while before getting up. Believe me, we are feeling the effects of early mornings.
8. I read a blog this morning that inspired me. Don't you love it when that happens? I hope someday this blog will inspire you, instead of just bore you and lull you into a sleep. (Please tell me that doesn't happen!) 
9. Brady is still on the Black Bear kick. Now, he's added a few other names to his list. When he's not being Black Bear, he is either Thomas (of the Train family) or Uncle Lance (for whatever reason, he's usually Uncle Lance when he's not wearing pants. Not sure where that correlation comes from, but we roll with it).
10. His imagination is really taking off. Yesterday he told us he was going to go to the park on a picnic to visit Piglet for a little while. Then he found an empty jug and proceeded to pour his friends lemonade. When I asked for some, holding out my pretend cup, I was surprised to find the jug pushed in my mouth. Guess mommy doesn't need a cup. Whatever. Drinking from the jug? I can dig it.