Happy Halloweenie!

An appropriate photo for today.

I took this at my Mom's in September. I thought it made for a great Howl-o-ween photo.

Enjoy and be safe!

Boo!

Sorry to disappoint kiddies, but I have no photos of myself from this year, as of yet. Maybe someone will send me some.

I spent the morning baking more of my Halloween pumpkin spice cookies, and then, Jason and I headed to our friends' Joe and Nat's house for pumpkin carving and dinner, before going to our church and participating in Trunk or Treat. This is an event where people come, decorate their cars and pass out candy in front of their trunks or from their trunks, so it is a safe and fun environment for everyone. After Trunk or Treat, we went and hung out at some of our other friends' Halloween Bash, had some yummy foods and lots of laughs.

I have no photos, because the weather was not cooperating, and I try not to use my camera in the rain. :) So, sorry folks.

Here is a little photo flashback of Halloweens past. Enjoy!




Halloween 2008 in Texas


Madonna, Saucy Witch, & Sassy Cowgirl. Halloween in Texas, 2008.



Halloween 2006 in Ruston, Louisiana.


Halloween 2006 in Ruston.


Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera, Halloween 2005 in Ruston.

Cute boy

This picture makes me smile! :)

So, I am editing photos and came across this one and it just makes me smile! My little boy is so cute! :) Enjoy!

Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookies

My mixer, creaming the butter and sugar.



So, I decided when I was still in bed this morning and thinking about getting up, that I wanted to bake today. When I finally crawled out of bed, I went to Martha Stewart's website (what? she has some great stuff on there.. :) ) and picked out this delicious sounding recipe.

Before I could begin baking, I realized we had no sugar. Now, there aren't many cookie recipes that do not call for sugar, so off to the store I went.

I came back with soy milk and Fleischmann's unsalted margarine, as well, because our good friends' kiddos have Galactosemia, so I always alter ingredients, so that whatever I bake, they can have too. I also bought some Celestial Seasonings Blueberry Breeze tea, because it is delicious with whipped cream. It tastes like blueberry pie, but it is much more healthy. :) So, along with my other purchases, I got 2, not 1, but 2, count 'em kids, bags of sugar. I am not running out of a household staple like SUGAR, again! And, I also bought more flour, in case I get carried away in my baking.

Back to baking, so I prepped this recipe's dough today, put it in the fridge, so that tomorrow I can roll it out and use my fall cookie cutters. :) Yay!

Martha's recipe calls for royal icing. I will be making my own icing and coloring it, myself. I usually make a simple icing with powdered sugar. Such as this one.

Just to let you know, the dough is amazing! I can't wait to taste these babies after they are baked! Yum!


Halloween Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Ingredients

Makes about 6 1/2 dozen cookies

• 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature (Like I said, I used Fleischmann's unsalted margarine, which is lactose free)
  
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup molasses
• Royal Icing
• Paste or gel food coloring

Directions

1. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl; sift, and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar. Beat, starting on low speed and increasing to high, until mixture is fluffy, about 2 minutes; scrape the sides of the bowl down once with a rubber spatula. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla; beat on medium speed until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
3. Turn off mixer. Add molasses, and mix on medium speed until just combined. Scrape sides of the bowl, and add dry ingredients. Mix, starting on low speed and increasing to medium high, until ingredients are just combined, about 30 seconds.
4. Transfer dough to a clean work surface. Roll the dough into four 1 1/2-inch-diameter logs. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
5. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap, and slice each log into 3/8-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies crack slightly on the surface, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
6. When completely cool, decorate with royal icing mixed with desired food coloring.

{Halloween Pumpkin Spice Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart}
{Icing recipe courtesy of Cooks.com}
{Photo courtesy of the author}

Things I Love

A Few Things I Love

my husband
our baby, Dublin
my family
friends
the Air Force
photography
photographs
our church
TEXAS
taking walks with my little boy
wine
wine & chocolate
dublin dr pepper
downtown DC
the metro
museums
monuments
memorials
things that inspire me
great blogs
sparklers
fireworks
love that red lipstick from Revlon
cherries in the snow lipstick from Revlon
painted nails
Sally Hansen's black diamond nail polish
Texas Country music
sparkles
Double Tree chocolate chip cookies
Target's designer collections
kate spade
baking
winter holiday season
NYC
traveling
Broadway musicals
spicy food
homemade salsa
sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and little round multicolored sprinkles
Blue Bell ice cream
fashion
Coach purses
hot tea
festivals
shopping
foods made with pumpkin
chocolate
Pilates
going to Eastern Market on the weekend
Cherry Blossoms in DC
faeries
Renaissance festivals
scouting
camping
PINK
Wii fit
ETSY
fleur de lis
square knots
puzzles
art
Murphy's Pub in Alexandria, Virginia
cooking
laughter
InStyle magazine
books
reading
movies
Twilight series
Vampire Diaries
CSI
Grey's Anatomy
Serendipity
The Goonies
One Tree Hill
egg creams
Gingerbread Fizzes
art festivals
vintage clothing
vintage & antiques
vintage aprons
collecting teapots
finding awesome books at thrift stories or library sidewalk sales
nanette lepore for keds
the shopaholic series
s'mores on a camping trip or in the backyard
waking up in a tent to the sounds of nature. amazing.
diana cameras
dining outdoors
drinking hot tea out of cool mugs
a great deal while out shopping
the ocean
brie with cranberries and walnuts
grilled brie
rainboots and jumping in puddles

October's Happy List.

Click to enlarge and see what makes me happy in October. :)

100 Things

1. My name is Heather Danielle, it was almost Natalie Renea.
   
2. I got married at 21.
   
3. Our wedding date was May 26, 2007.
   
4. My Dad passed away 3 years ago. It is still the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I still haven't completely dealt with it. And, it never stops hurting.
   
5. My husband and I don't have children yet. But, our dog is seriously our baby, and is so spoiled and loved.
   
6. My husband is in the Air Force. We love it.
   
7. We live in Washington, DC. We have gotten to do some awesome things since getting stationed here, a little over two years ago.
   
8. I am finishing photography school right now.
   
9. As soon as I finish with school, I am learning Spanish. I took 3 years in high school and so, it's more just learning the conversational stuff.
   
10. I can't wait to move overseas. And, just a few months ago, it terrified me.
    
11. I used to hate flying. Now, it's kind of exciting.
    
12. Pink is my favorite color. If it's pink, I will probably buy it. I just bought a mini-Gerber tool that hangs on my keyring, and it's pink.
    
13. I love sparkles. They always make me smile.
    
14. I met my husband at Boy Scout Camp. We were both staff members.
    
15. I never imagined I would have gotten to do all the amazing stuff I have done, and I am only 23!
16. I love CSI.
    
17. I used to work in retail. Honestly, I miss it.
    
18. I worked at Victoria's Secret for 2 years. I loved it. I made some of the most amazing friends there. They probably don't know, but if it weren't for them, I don't know how I could have gone back to work after my Dad passed away.
    
19. I love reading people's blogs. I think it is so inspiring to read about how everyday things can make people so happy.
    
20. I am a Texan. And, I miss Mexican food and Blue Bell, since I can't get either, here.
    
21. I rock red lipstick. And, I love it.
    
22. I love Broadway musicals. We have seen Chicago and Wicked, so far.
    
23. I adore New York City!
    
24. I had never been to the hospital for me, until last year.
    
25. I had never been to the dentist, until almost 2 years ago.
    
26. I love the Twilight series. And, I saw Twilight at the midnight showing last year, and plan on doing the same with New Moon, this year.
    
27. I think the fact that Edward sparkles is sooo cool. I wish I sparkled, too.
    
28. My Dad lived an amazing life, and his life inspires me to live my life and help others, as he did.
    
29. I used to be in love with Enrique Iglesias. I still love his music.
30. I love the beach, and I hope we live aside the beach someday, preferably, soon. Maybe in Espana. :)
    
31. I love babies, but I wonder if I will ever have one of my own.
    
32. I am Spanish. Only about 1/4.
    
33. I want to attend the winter olympics this year, and the summer olympics, eventually.
    
34. I love quotes that inspire me.
    
35. I am horrible at math. And, haven't used any of that algebra crap since high school.
    
36. I graduated with around 70 people.
    
37. I stay up way too late piddling on the internet. Mostly, blogging or editing photos.
    
38. I love browsing on ETSY.
    
39. I love James Avery jewelry.
    
40. I love that I am Irish. And, am enchanted with anything Irish.
    
41. One of my favorite movies as a child was 'Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.'
    
42. Christmas isn't Christmas for me without: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, N*Sync's 'Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,' and wassail.
    
43. My tennis partner and I won district twice, in high school. And, silver, once.
    
44. I am very blessed.
    
45. I am amazed at how things fall into place. God is amazing.
    
46. I wanted to be a psychologist. I think I still do..
    
47. I led a pretty sheltered life as a kid. I think I'm glad.
    
48. I read books like they are going out of style.
    
49. I can't wait until Christmas.
    
50. I miss working retail at Christmas.
    
51. I love learning.
    
52. The Holocaust is something that I read a lot about.
    
53. I love Limited jeans, and have never, ever paid full-price for a pair.
    
54. I love faeries.
    
55. I gained thirty pounds since moving to DC. The food is sooo good. I am losing it, though.
    
56. I love baseball.
    
57. I hate when people compare themselves to others. Everyone is different, embrace it.
    
58. My birthday is the day before St. Patrick's Day. How fitting.
    
59. One of my first words was 'powers,' which meant 'flowers,' which is also what my name means.
    
60. I love Tiffany's silver jewelry.
    
61. I love fall!
62. I don't care if people 'get' my photography. It's mine, and no one has to understand it. It's art. Some of the greats were never 'understood' in their time.
63. I love puzzles. You can hardly pull me away from one, until I am done.
64. I am painfully shy when I first meet people. I think, because of this people think that I am rude. It upsets me.
65. I am going to miss DC when I move. I have made some great friends in the last year.
66. I loved BOSTON!
67. I went to the second to last game at the old Yankees stadium. It was sad.
68. I am drawn to things that are colorful, glittery, bright and/or artsy.
69. I like buying random things for props in my photos.
70. I love shopping at Ross and Marshall's and therefore, have a very hard time paying department store prices, ever. I cringe when I pay more than 10 dollars for a shirt or 20 dollars for jeans. But, I will buy designer bags.
71. I love Coach and kate spade.
72. I can't believe this is my life sometimes. I know I am blessed and so thankful.
73. I wish people didn't waste their lives waiting for something better, one day they will be sorry they didn't enjoy what they had and live in the moment.
74. I truly believe that some people will never appreciate or be happy with their lives and what they have, no matter where they live or how blessed they are.
75. I miss being a part of the Youth group I was in as a teen. Those were some good days.
76. I think it's sad that people will throw away their lives for money. Like people who betray their country, just for money. Have you no pride?
77. I love movies.
78. I enjoy sitting in my hammock, reading a book, with Dublin on my lap.
79. I love baking.
    
80. Double Tree cookies are so GOOD! I got the recipe and they taste almost exactly alike.
81. I love spicy foods. Seriously. Almost everything I eat, has to be spicy.
82. I am making my own drinking chocolate and hot chocolate soon.
83. I have found how-to's for soap and want to do that soon, as well.
84. I hand tint my photos. It is so fun!
85. I love browsing people's photography sites. The talent people have is amazing to me.
86. I get giddy thinking of photography. That's good, since it's what I want to do for the rest of my life.
87. I crave pizza and hot dogs, but rarely eat them.
88. I eat healthy. But, apparently, not healthy enough.
89. My husband and I do not own a fryer, nor fry foods.
90. We rarely eat fried foods.
91. I would have gained even more weight since moving here, if we did.
92. I lost 30 pounds in the year and a half before we got married.
93. I gained it all back since moving to DC.
    
94. I dream of being pre-wedding size again, and to think, I thought I was fat then.
95. I can't believe I am still awake.
96. I am going to bed, soon.
97. I love camping.
98. I want to go hiking.
99. I slept all day, so I am just not tired.
100. I had the original Boston Cream Pie, where it was invented.

The Story of Jason and I.

The story of Jason and I.

Jason and I met as staff members at a Boy Scout ranch in my hometown. I was (and still am) best friends with the ranger's daughter, and spent most of my senior year in high school, at the camp, with her family. So, when the time came for people to interview to be on staff for the summer, I was already in love with this place and wanted nothing more than to live there for the summer.

The first time we ever saw each other, was when, Jason was leading a get-to-know you game with all the staffers on the day we all arrived. He likes to tell me about how there was no way he couldn't have noticed me, because I kept talking and distracting him as he was trying to keep everyone focused on the game. What can I say? I am a talker. :)

As staff members, you become close with the people you work with, because you all live on camp property for the duration of the camp season. So, it was normal that you interacted with everyone.

After a couple of failed attempts to keep us from dating, by a staff member who will remain unnamed, we ended up going on our first date, to the 4 screen movie theater in my hometown, where we watched Shrek 2 and dined at what used to be the very best Mexican food restaurant in town (that is now a steak and burger joint.)

We spent the rest of our time at camp, trying to spend as much time as possible together. Before camp ended, Jason invited me to come to New Orleans with him a few weeks after camp ended, to attend a wedding with him. To be honest, I really didn't expect to see the guy again. He lived 4 hours away, was starting his Sophomore year in college, and I was just a small-town girl who had graduated from high school two days before we met. Nevertheless, when I kept receiving phone calls from him after camp, I gathered there might be a bit more to us than I had originally thought. :)

We dated for 2 more years, before getting engaged, but that is another story for another time. :)

I'm Back!

So, the blog is back, with a new look. I thought I would use my PhotoBlog account for photos and this account for blogging. We'll see how it all works out. :)

Jason and I are getting ready to go on a camping trip tomorrow, in Virginia. Hopefully, it will be a relaxing and fun weekend! Updates when I get back.