Hot! This just in!

I just received and assembled my very first (and did I say hot?) sample album from Finao. I have been waiting for about a month for it to arrive (all their albums are hand-made to order with genuine leathers and silk fabrics!), and I couldn't be more pleased with it. The style is for a wedding guestbook album--but this one will turn your idea of that humble book on its head.

You've seen the ubiquitous wedding guest book sitting on a table at the reception--everyone signs it, but what are you supposed to do with it after all the guests go home? More than likely, it ends up in some box labeled "wedding stuff" (where I'm sure mine is right now). So, instead of another useless (but thoughtful) item from your wedding (wrapping paper anyone?), why not have a book that can keep all your guests' signatures and hold your favorite engagement photos? Everyone will be talking about how unique your book is. Bye, bye boring guestbook, hello hottie!

You see, one side of the album holds your photos, while the other is blank to be filled with signatures and notes. Your guests get to see your cute photos, and you'll get an awesome book with notes and the names of your guests, not to mention a cool album for your engagement photos.

Did I mention that I include an engagement photo session with every wedding?

And, since I am so excited about this album, I will offer the first 3 brides that contact me (either already booked or interested in booking) 15% off a Guestbook Album of their size and color choice (many colors to choose from). Prices start at $100 for a 5x7 10 side album. Just call or email me--contact info is on my website! Now for some photos:

Happy Valentine's Day

Let me start by saying that I've never been a huge fan of Valentine's Day...maybe it was the cheesy cards I had to exchange with my classmates in elementary school that turned me off. I'd rather just have a note or card on any random day--that seems more special to me.

That being said, I know that I'm blessed to be married to the best husband in the world--one who gives me cards on random days and gifts on Valentine's day. But, it's really not the gifts he gives me that make me realize how wonderful he is--it's the way he puts my needs and wants above his own and loves me when I'm very "unloveable." He truly exhibits a heart that desires to follow and obey God. I could not have asked for a better husband than Jay.

Here's a photo of us last year when we took an "adventure" with some friends to Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, PA. It's home to the world's largest burger. Check out their website to see photos. This was a six-pound burger.

Prague Spring

After the exciting last weekend (Sixburgh anyone?), along with very cold weather this week, we had a "Prague Spring" of sorts on Saturday. (Maybe the Steelers brought some Tampa weather back with them?) Of course, when it's been in the teens and twenties, anything above freezing feels balmy.

Not wanting to miss out on the nice weather, Jay and I (and Astin) took an excursion to Beaver, PA, home to, among other things, Geneva College. We decided to go to a nearby park, Brady's Run Park, where we discovered the warm weather had not quite succeeded in turning the landscape into spring.




Jay, of course, bravely stepped out onto the icy pond and vainly trying to convince Astin (a.k.a. wimp dog) that it was safe to join him.















Eventually, though, Astin braved the ice and found he liked it very much indeed.

















Of course, if you think we were irresponsibly putting our dog in danger, rest assured that Jay tested the ice first (and in case you think he was being foolish, there was an ice fisherman already out in the middle of the pond).





















Can you spot the fisherman?

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday we had a bit of a "thaw" in the weather and decided to take advantage of it. So, after church, Jay and I headed to Frick Park for a w-a-l-k (so spelled so Astin doesn't get too excited before we leave). I took along my "compact" camera--a Nikon Coolpix s710. While it doesn't take photos like my professional cameras, it is convenient to put it in my pocket or purse.


Astin anticipates...




Looking smart


Icy




Melting




Winter Landscape








The coat is actually not so much for warmth as it is for visibility. Astin tends to blend into the winter landscape without it.


Sphynx




Poised


Interesting plant thing