Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Sunday

Howdy!  I'm here tonight but I'm not sure I'll be here next Sunday.  We're headed to Lincoln for the game next weekend and I'm not sure I'll be able to stay awake past 8:30pm next Sunday.  

1.  We have a major problem here in our household.  #2 pierced her ears back when she was 5 years old.  Once she started rotating earrings, her ears got infected and she let them grow shut.  This past summer she got them re-pierced.  I had vowed not to take her again, but I did it.  Fast forward to now...

Her ears keep getting infected.  Ugh.  At first we thought she just couldn't wear those cheap earrings from Claire's.  So we only bought her sterling silver earrings.  However, that didn't help at all.  They are still getting infected and we are cleaning them religiously.  I did a little internet research and now I'm wondering if she can only wear gold earrings?  I went out yesterday and bought her 14k gold earrings.  Do you think it'll help?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  We're dying here...she is my DRAMATIC daughter and I get mad at her when she flinches before I even tough her ears.  It's not good.  Not good at all.  If you have any recommendations I'd love to hear them!!

2.  #1 and I made Apple Pie Cookies last weekend.  They were delectable.  Seriously.  If you have two hours to spare (not really much of an exaggeration), you should make them.  With Honeycrisp apples.  Only double the recipe.  Here is our finished product.  They do not look nearly as good as they tasted!

3.  I went for a long run today - 8 miles.  I haven't done an official long run (past 6 miles) in awhile.  It was hard.  And I am sore!  Thankfully I went with my friend, Carmen.  She ran the Chicago marathon three weeks ago and has taken time off since then.  So she was slow and I was slow - a happy occurrence.  And there is no way I would have gotten my bum out of bed if she hadn't been waiting for me at 7am!  But all in all, it was a beautiful morning and a GREAT way to start my day.  Loved it!

4.  #1 had a going-away sleepover party for one of her really good friends.  Her friend, Ashley, is moving across the country.  Ashley's a doll and her family is awesome so it's quite sad.  However, I was able to do a mini-shoot with the five party girls for a few minutes last week.  This is what I was able to capture.  (Getting five 10 year olds to listen is HARD.  They giggle.  A lot!)

5.  Last night our family headed over to my sister's house to carve pumpkins.  My parents were in town, too.  It was great!  My mom cooked dinner and we messed up my sister's house with pumpkin guts.  The girls had a blast carving pumpkins.  Except that by the time #2 got the pattern marked on her pumpkin, she was done.  Enter my dad.  He finished it up in no time.  I'll have to get a picture of them tomorrow night.  They're great!  Here are the in-progress scenes:

Since #4 is a little too young to do much, she made her own fun.

6.  It was a busy weekend for me.  I had three photoshoots.  Here's a sneak peek from each one!

That's it.  That's all I've got tonight.  Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thrifty Thursday...My Halloween Decorations

I'm sorry I haven't been able to debut any fun projects lately.  But I'm just too busy!  My weekends are spent shuttling kids to events and shooting kids and families.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.

So tonight I thought I'd show you my Halloween decorations.  Most of these are all recycled from past years so in that vein, it's a thrifty decoration trick.  Sneaky, huh?  

Here is my mantle.  I made the sign years ago.  It's hard to read, but I still love it.  It says All Hallows Eve.  It's just Halloween cardstock mounted on top of black cardstock.  I downloaded a few spooky fonts (this is a great resource for free fonts), enlarged them, and traced them onto black cardstock.  I then glittered the letters and just adhered them to the cardstock.  Lastly, I used eyelits to create the holes in the cardstock and strung orange ribbon through the holes.  Honestly, it was a little time-consuming but the kids helped and we had a blast!  They remember it so I use it every year.

Oh, and the black rectangles?  They're just construction paper.  There was too much white which didn't look spooky, so I thought adding the black would help.  And I have to say, I think it's really cool!

Here is another shot, a little more of a close-up.  I bought the orange vase down at one of the shops in the West Bottoms during First Fridays earlier this month.  They had branches sticking out of it and I loved it.  So I just cut me some branches and painted glitter onto them.  They now have a subtle sheen to them.  So cool.  And the black bird?  I bought two of them at the Dollar Store.  Love that place!

See all the candles?  You like them?  Good.  I went to FIVE stores to find them.  No joke.  I tried the Dollar Store, Target, Hallmark, Michael's (they were out), and finally Hobby Lobby.  They better last awhile!

Here's one last close-up.  I use 3M hooks for these things.  I am able to reuse them for stockings, too.  And they come right off.  Easy peasy.

Here's a few shots of the kitchen.  #1 decorated the "room divider".  I've gotta give that kid props - she's got an eye.  

The girls (before we had four of them) got these witches from their grandma for Halloween a few years ago.  The tummies are actually zip up compartments for candy.  I thought they were so adorable I saved them and I put them out every year.  

This plate just makes me happy.  I especially like the pumpkin next to it.  What can I say?  The asymmetry speaks to me.

The gallery wrap is actually meant for the top of my mantle but I moved it to make room for the decorations.  But I still keep it out.  I still love those wooden pumpkins.  I've had them since the year we were married.  That's a long time!  

This adorable little glass tray sits on the mid-century dresser we have behind the couch.  I love the three little pumpkins on it.  They're so darn cute!

And lastly, these little displays sit on the table in our foyer.

This display of hedge apples was #3's idea.  I stuck a pin through the spiders to attach them to the hedge apples.  If I catch this display just right at night, I do a double-take.  It freaks me out. 

This picture?  Yeah, it's old.  There are only 5 cousins in this picture.  And #4 (the sixth cousin) is two and a half years old.  I guess I ought to update the picture next year!

I hope you enjoyed this little virtual tour.  And I hope you have a fantastic Halloween!

Family Portrait Session at Unity Village

Sisters.  My sister informed me I was shooting her and the kids this fall.  But of course I obliged.  The way I figure, I owe her free photo sessions from here to the moon given all the babysitting/helping out she has provided us in the last 10 years!  And I love her kids like my own.

HOWEVER, shooting her kids is just as hard - if not harder - than shooting my own kids!  They know all my tricks.  And, they were promised dinner with their cousins after the shoot so they were ready to be done before we even started!  That said, I think we still got some great images.  There are definite keepers in here.  

The best part about this session?  I got to try out a new location.  I "found" this location by accident, actually.  #1 had a swim party at Unity Village this past summer.  I never even knew it existed before the party.  It is FULL of great little niches in which to shoot.  In fact, I could probably shoot there all day - awesome!  But enough of my rambling...I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Usually 4 year old boys are HARD.  But Grant actually gave me some great shots.  Total personality.

My niece is going to ask Santa for her two front teeth for Christmas.

I wanted to steal her boots and take them home with me.  But then I remembered she is only six and they wouldn't fit me.  Bummer.

This one is my favorite.  I can see it as a BIG gallery-wrapped canvas.  The colors - oh my!

 

 

 

Six on Sunday

It's Sunday and I've got a little energy.  Score!  This post will still be in random fashion.  But I'm sure you're used to that by now.

1.  I tried a new recipe this week.  My success rate with new recipes is about 50/50 and I'm happy to report this one was a winner.  WooHoo!  It was delicious.  I made cioppino.  I found the recipes on allrecipes.com but tweaked it a bit.  Of course my girls wouldn't even try it.  I can't believe I have kids who are not seafood lovers.  I'm wondering if all four of them were switched at birth?  

Serves 6

2 T butter

2 T olive oil (I winged it - maybe more?)

2 garlic cloves, minced  (I use a sweet garlic press)

1/2 a bunch or fresh parsley, chopped

1 can tomato sauce (you're supposed to use chunks - but I hate chunks)

1 bottle clam juice

1 cup chicken broth

2 bay leaves

1/4 tsp each of thyme and oregano

1 cup water (I may leave this out next time_

3/4 cup white wine - dry, not sweet

3/4 lb. shrimp

3/4 lb. sea scallops

1 can chunk crab meat

(You are supposed to use 9 mussels and 9 clams, but I omitted these)

3/4 lb. cod fillets

To Prepare:

Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the garlic and stir around for about 30 seconds.  Add in everything but the seafood.  Let it simmer for 30 minutes so the flavors meld together.  Stir in the seafood and cook through for about 5 to 7 minutes.  Be careful not to overcook the seafood or it becomes rubbery and gross.  Ladle into a bowl and serve with warm, crusty bread.  Enjoy! 

2.  My parents were here this weekend.  It was nice to see them because it has been quite awhile since they've been down here.  They were lucky enough to be able to see #1 play volleyball yesterday and watch her play soccer today!  Unfortunately, #2 is done with soccer so she wasn't able to show off.  While #3 and #4 don't play any sports yet, they were able to show off in plenty of other ways!

3.  Last night we went to Night of the Living Farm at Deanna Rose.  Of course my parents joined us (even though my mom had a broken ankle!) and my sister and her kids joined us, too.  I decided not to take my big camera for two reasons.  One, it was from 6 - 9pm so it was mostly dark.  Second, I wanted to be in the moment enjoying it as opposed to simply documenting it.  

While it was fun, I think next year we will go back to the normal pumpkin patch.  The scary hay ride was the hit of evening, but of course I didn't get a chance to ride it.  My sister and I took the three little kids to the playground while everyone else got scared.  I heard it was good, though!  But in the end, I didn't think there was as much to enjoy as a pumpkin patch.  I'm glad we tried, it, though.  

4.  Friday night the hubby and I were able to go on a double date!  My sister volunteered to bring her kids to our house for a sleepover (the grandparents didn't get here in time to watch the girls) and my kids were so excited for a cousin sleep over!  It was a win-win for all of us.

Our friends invited us to the pops concert down at the Kauffman Center.  I could have cared less who was playing - I just wanted to see inside the Kauffman Center!  (It was worth it.)  We started out at Gordon Biersch in Leawood for a quick dinner.  Then, we headed downtown for a little culture.  While the four of us were enjoying intermission, we counted people who were younger than us.  I think we counted about 10.  Everyone else?  They had us beat in age by about 40 years!  It was pretty funny, actually.  The pops concert focused on Frank Sinatra, etc.  I think the majority of the folks in the room had probably heard him in person at some point.  Out of a 1600-seat theater, we were probably in the 1% of the population in terms of age.  I will admit we got quite a kick out that little fact.  But it was still a great evening.  We had a lot of fun!  

5.  I just finished watching The Good Wife.  Does anyone else watch it?  It's a great show!     

6.  I had a great session tonight down at Loose Park.  It was such a gorgeous evening and this family was awesome.  With three girls, I felt right at home!  Here's just one..

That's all I've got.  Have a great week!

Thrifty Thursday...a Tale of Two Green Rugs

Hi, folks.  I will admit, I feel like I am starting to run out of ideas.  But then this one popped into my head!  Score.  I'm not done yet.  

Here is the before:

Besides some artwork, what is sorely missing?

Do you have it yet?

Do you know?

Yep!  An area rug.  The floors are cold and the room really needed a pop of color.  I have been waiting to get Flor tiles, but then I was at Target (buying the quilt for my new bedroom!) when I saw these rugs.  I simply LOVE the color!  And there were two of them and they were totally on CLEARANCE.  Score.  I got each rug for $20.  I laid them side by side a ta-da.

They look like one big rug.  I still need to buy some special tape so I can tape them together, but the sticky bottom really helps them stay put.  I love the impact and for $40?  I couldn't go wrong.

And one last final shot.

So, what do you think?  Do you like the green rug?  Do you think it gives it a great pop of color?  Do you have any rug tricks I should know?  Please share!

Family Portrait Session at the Plaza

I showed one picture - in black and white and in color - a little over a week ago.  These guys were a ton of fun and I really liked shooting down at the Plaza.  I loved their wardrobe choices, too.  Clothes really do have the ability to make or break a photo session.  These clothes did the trick!  My favorite?  The Converse!

This pose was all her idea!

And last but not least...I really wish the hubby and I had a picture of us looking this cool!

 

 

Six on Sunday - Except it's actually Seven on Monday

Howdy!  Sorry for missing my Sunday post.  But I have to tell you...I was T-I-R-E-D last night.  Like, I went to bed at 9pm and slept for 9 hours!  Yeah, I haven't done that in I-don't-know-how-long.  So let's dive right in, shall we?

1.  Why was I so tired?  Well, let's see...there were the FIVE soccer games we had (I made it to four).  There was the volleyball game (the hubby made it to that one).  There was the grocery store run, the Target run (two, actually), and the Costco run.  There was an hour or more standing in the kitchen cutting up fruits and vegetables for the week - no exaggeration, I promise.  There was a Photoshoot out at Lake Lenexa.  There was a chili cook-off.  (I didn't enter - I am plain Jane, remember?)  There were two swim practices (we drove to one), there was a 6 mile run, and there was a family playdate with #3's friends.  And that, my friends, pretty much sums up our weekend!  Hence, the 9pm bedtime.

2.  Are you wondering why we had FIVE soccer games?  Well, #2 had her first soccer tournament.  And it was a great experience.  Her team actually went undeafeated through their first three games - although the third game ended in a zero-zero tie.  Then, they played that same team in the final game.  Another zero-zero tie.  They ended in a shoot-out.  And #3's team won!  She was so excited.  She even scored a goal during the shoot-out!  I was sad I missed the final game, but I was watching #1 during her soccer game. 

Unfortunately, #1's soccer game did not have the same ending.  They lost.  However, they played really well all things considered.  For example, several of her team members had just come off another game and they were tired.  Plus, #1 had just come off a 3-hour swim practice so she was tired.  Tired girls make for a difficult soccer game.

3.  I don't have any photos to share, but I do have a "recipe" of sorts.  Let me preface this recipe by saying I have been eating the same breakfast since after #2 was born.  For those not skilled in math, that's 8 and a half YEARS!!!  Back then I was trying to shed the pregnancy pounds so the hubby and I adopted a somewhat lower-carb diet.  The only low-carb breakfast I really liked was two scrambled eggs, two slices of turkey bacon, and a glass of vegetable juice.  Well, I am somewhat sick of that breakfast - as in totally sick of it!

We tried something new last week and I really liked it.  Here's how we did it:

Last Sunday I made a double batch of steel-cut oats.  (You can find them in the organic section of Hy-Vee.)  They are super easy to make; just add water and simmer.  They store easily in the fridge for about 4 or 5 days.  Then, each morning we each took a 3/4 cup scoop of the oats and added our little gourmet touch.  I added 2 Tbls. of canned pumpkin (the hubby omitted this step but I couldn't even taste the pumpkin), a handful of walnuts for crunch, lots of cinnamon (apparently it's really good for you!), and some honey.  Then we just warmed up our bowl in the microwave for about 45 seconds.  Ta-da!  Yummy.  Go on, try it.  I double dog dare you!   

4.  I took a noon spin class today.  Actually, I try to take it every Monday.  I love how it starts my week off on the right pedal.  Ha ha - get it?!  I actually sweated so much today I had it dripping off my eyelashes.  Who knew that was even possible?  Well, I'm here to tell you it is.  Gross, huh?  Sorry for that visual...moving on...

5.  Remember up in #1 when I listed all the things we did this weekend?  Did you hear me list off laundry?  Nope.  You sure didn't.  That's because it's all done and I didn't do it!  You heard that right.  The hubby didn't do it, either.  My sister did my laundry.  All of it.  She stayed with us this weekend and while she was working on her computer, she'd throw in a load here and there.  It seriously felt like my fairy godmother visited us!  I loved it.  Thanks, Aimee!

6.  I have been writing this blog for nearly two years now.  (Can you believe that?!)  I can't always remember what I've posted vs. what I've thought about posting.  I tell you, my brain is a jumbled up mess these days.  So, I thought I'd give an update on our dog, Chloe.  If I have recently posted this, sorry! 

Anyway, she is great!  She has beat her death sentence - for which we are overjoyed.  Back on Father's Day weekend, the vets gave her 4 - 8 weeks to live.  It has been four MONTHS!  Of course she sleeps a ton - she's 14 and a half!  But she still lives for her walks and gets excited and barks when she sees her leash.  She also licks uncontrollably and steals as much food from #4 as she can manage.  What I'm getting at is that she drives us batty but we still love her.

7.  I promised a sneak peek last night but couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to actually post.  So here it is.  Although first I have to preface this post and introduce you to the Lancasters.

Kristen and I have known each other for nearly 20 years.  We met our freshmen year of college back when we pledged Pi Beta Phi.  It makes me chuckle to write about being in a sorority - but I met some of my favorite people back then.  We're all have very different personalities but love each other the same.  I remember when Kristen started dating Brian and then I remember their wedding!  Our kids are all close in age and thankfully we live in KC together.  We don't see each other as often as we'd like, but with 7 kids between us, is that any surprise? 

Without further adieu...here you go Kristen.  I hope you like it!

Come back tomorrow.  I should have another sneak peek coming.  Have a great week!

Thrifty Thursday...a Mid-Century Mirror

I'm back.  I was so busy running around the house tonight I almost forgot it was Thursday.  But then, it dawned on me...it's Thrifty Thursday tonight!

Do you remember my glamorous, sparkly mid-century dresser?  Well, it has a mirror.  The mirror actually attaches to the dresser and I didn't think I'd use it.  But as it sat idle in the living room, I decided I liked it.  Only painted white.  And that's just what I did!

Here is the before version:

Before I show you the after, I have to explain where this is going.  It's going in my bedroom.  However, my room is getting ready for a major overhaul!  I'm talking new paint, painted bed, new nightstands, new bedding, new window treatments - the works!  Therefore, I'm just showing you glimpses of the mirror.  It will make more sense once the room is complete which won't be until this winter, I'm sure.  With my weekends full of photography sessions, soccer games, and the holiday season fast approaching I'm sure I won't have a ton of time to devote to re-doing this room.  And that's OK.  It will come.

Here's the first glimpse.

Next...

And finally...

I actually have a stripe running through the wall behind the mirror but I (badly and quickly) Photoshopped it out to give you an idea of what it'll look like.  I think I'm gonna like it!  I've never had a long, wall mirror in my room.  Ever.  I like it.  I can finally check out my whole outfit instead of just the top.  So basically, I'm saying I've had excuses for the last oh...30-some-odd years!  From now on, I will need to coordinate:)

The best part about this project?  It cost me ZERO!  The mirror just came with the dresser and I already had the paint.  Sweet, huh?  Are any of you going to paint his weekend? 

 

The Seitz Family...{Overland Park Family Photographer}

This session was a blast!  I was a little nervous because I hadn't been down to the City Market (River Market?) in years.  But these guys were so fun to work with and photograph.  They were all game for anything.  And the kids?  Awesome.  They get along so well they remind me of my four.  I had a hard time narrowing these down for a sneak peek.  

Without further adieu...the Seitz family...

 

 

 

 

 

Six on Sunday...and a Couple Sneak Peeks

Hi.  I missed last Thrifty Thursday but I'm still here.  

1.  We had a typical weekend:  two swim practices, a soccer game, a volleyball game, two photoshoots, and the usual errands and projects.  All in all, it wasn't bad.  We weren't extremely rushed and we were able to lay low a bit, too.  The kids had lots of friends over and life was good.  Why can't the weekend be three or four days long?

2.  Did you know I am playing Fantasy Football this year?  I bet you didn't.  Well, it's not going so well.  First of all, I have no idea who is who in pros.  (Oh heck, I don't know college, either!)  But I figured that didn't really matter, I'd just look at names I liked and see how popular the player was.  That was a great idea.  BUT...I forget to look at my line-up every single week.  Therefore, I lose every single week.  I "play" guys that are out on the injured list.  I forget to trade.  You get the idea.  Not good.  Thank goodness it was only worth $20!

But, on to better football news.  My Huskers won last night!  I have to admit, I lost faith right at half time.  I went out into the garage to paint.  I couldn't hack another loss like the week before.  When I came back inside, there were about 10 minutes left in the third quarter.  And miracle of miracles...the Huskers started to turn it around!  I actually put down my magazine and started watching.  It was fantastic.  I don't remember a turn-around like that, oh...EVER!  It was such an exciting game and my faith is restored.  (I am ashamed it was ever lacking.)

3.  I had two photo shoots this weekend.  I have a couple sneak peeks.

This first one is my sister and her kids.  Those kids are little pills!  I can say that because they are my niece and nephew:)  But they sure are adorable, huh?

Their family photo shoot took place at Unity Village.  I'm not lying when I say I could shoot there all. day. long.  Gorgeous!

 

OK.  These next two images deserve a little introduction.  This family is the auction winner from my older girls' school.  (And their oldest happens to be great friends with #2.  I think they took pity on me and bid on the shoot - but I'll take it!)  They wanted to shoot down at the Plaza.  They REALLY wanted to start with the fountain.  I was game!  However, there was one little issue that none of us saw coming.  The fountain was tinted PINK!  Oy.  

Now, in black in white...

Be honest - which one do you prefer?  Does the pink annoy you?  Do you like it?

4.  I read this quote last week and it really resonated with me.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.  And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle.  As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

 - Steve Jobs

I loved this quote.  I am at the point where I have found what I love doing.  I am working towards my goal of being a full-time photographer.  Maybe someday.

5.  We worked on a couple things around the house this weekend.  The hubby put up the trim around the living room window.  He also managed to get drywall up in the laundry room from way back when we replaced the window.  I finished my cool mid-century mirror and even hung it up!  I am nearly done painting the secretary and it looks fabulous.  I can't wait to show it to you.  

6.  I'm going to do it.  I'm going to put myself out there - 100%.  I have to admit I feel kind of stupid doing this, but I am going to ask for your support.  While I absolutely love crafts, painting, and decoration, my passion is photography.  Therefore, I have started another facebook page.  (I lost the password and log-in to my other one.)  I am promising to keep up with this one.  If you would be so kind as to "like" my page, I'd be forever grateful:)  If you don't want more feeds coming through, I completely understand.  Thanks!  

That's it, kids.  I hope you have a great week!  I'll be back later with a full post of sneak peeks and I promise I'll be here for Thrifty Thursday.