color me rad...a 5k is 3.1 miles

Several months ago when Kyran asked a group of bloggers if any of us would be interested in doing the Color Me Rad 5K I could have never imagined how fun that might be. I said yes because, though I have never run any race and don't consider myself sporty, I knew that I would be crazy to miss any opportunity to be with this group of ladies. It was a group that consisted of some of my most favorite people, ones I actually know and ones I mostly just internet know. It also helped when walking was mentioned and the draw of colorful swag and being bombed with bright bags full of cornstarch threw me over the edge. I am a sucker for color. 

We had a cocktail meet up a couple nights before the race, another affirmation that this was the perfect group for me. Trucker hats and knee socks all around and we were officially race ready. 

On the morning of the race we arrived at the Arkansas state fair grounds to a sea of people with bright sunglasses and crisp white shirts begging to be doused in color. Again I am not a racer, but I loved the vibe of this run. Everyone seemed super laid back and ready for a good time. I never felt like I was going to be run over or pushed out of the way. My regally walking routine, a ziplock bag for my phone, and the several times I had googled How Many Miles is a 5K (it's 3.1) proved enough prep. 

Here are the ladies! Elizabeth, the lady that photo bombed us, me, Kerri, Jacklyn, MP & Alison, Sarah, Amy, Kyran, and SB

I can't say enough how much fun we had. I think Color Me Rad or some version of a color run is a must do. I can't wait to do another! 

It must be said that though the color is washable-ish it did take two serious showers after the race to get the color mostly off. Even still I had pink under my arms, in my hair and between my fingers for a couple of days. All totally worth it as it made me smile every time I noticed.

food friday..red, white & blue dessert

We try our hardest to make it to our local farmers market as much as possible during the summer. It is a family errand that, for the most part, we love doing together. My boys have farmers they like to visit and have a love for summer fruits and veggies and petting stranger's dogs. This Tuesday the boys and I hit the market at the very end of the Arkansas strawberry season. Arkansas has beautifully sweet strawberries that I spend the whole spring waiting for. This is that happy time of year where local blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are all available...and we bought them all.
With friends over for dinner that night I decided to make a summer time dessert that would make a great addition to any upcoming 4th of July party. The recipe is adapted from a strawberry icebox crumble i found on pinterest and memories of my grandmother's lemon icebox pie.
A perfect mix of sweet and tart and the perfect temperature for a hot summer day.

red, white and blue freezer crumble:

ingredients:
12-16 crunchy granola bars (like natures valley...6-8 two packs)

1/3 c light brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1 stick butter melted

1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c whipping cream

juice from 1 lemon
4 oz cream cheese

2 cups sliced berries (i used 1 1/2 c strawberries and 1/2 c blueberries)

directions:
place granola bars in a food processor until they are fairly ground
mix with brown sugar, flour and butter and place in 350 degree over for 15 minutes
let mix cool while whipping cream and sugar until peaks begin to form
add lemon juice and cream cheese until well mixed
fold in berries
spread half the granola mix in the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish
next layer granola mixture with all the berry mix
top with remaining granola mixture
place in freezer for 2-4 hours and serve cold with berries on top

food friday...pesto

When summer rolls around there are several food things that we really look forward to. The first Saturday there are strawberries at the market, eating a warm tomato straight from a vegetable stand, and a full pesto plant in our front yard. We are by no means gardeners, though my ideal self gardens, but we do plant basil every year. It is beyond easy to keep alive and a fun thing to plant and grow with the kids. Daily my boys pick and eat basil out of the pot in our front yard. Even better is that having basil gives us the opportunity to make lots of summer pesto, an easy recipe that the kids can help with.

Basil Pesto:
2 cups basil
3/4 cup parmesan
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup nuts (i usually use walnuts, but i think originally it calls for pine nuts)
3/4 tsp salt
some ground pepper
3 cloves garlic (i like garlic so sometimes more)

Put all ingredients in food processor until well mixed.
I usually double or triple the recipe and freeze the extra for a fall or winter day when i need to think of summer.

A single recipe mixes well with one pound of pasta. Good additions are tomatoes, shrimp or chicken, roasted squash, spinach or kale... top with a little parmesan and you have the perfect patio meal.

seniors 2014 (nlr, ar senior photographer)

It is that time of year. As the 2013 seniors prepare to enjoy their summer and head off to school the class of 2014 should begin thinking about senior pictures. Your senior year will fly by crazy fast and so even though it might seem early, it really isn't. The end of the summer and this fall are a great time to do photos if you want to remember your summer tan, have some flexibility in what you wear and some time to pick the perfect shot for announcements and adds.

Senior photos are a great time to bring in some personality and I love to do a shoot that really shows who you are and the things you love. 

Email or text me if you want to go ahead and get on the calendar for Fall senior photos. 

second and fourth

On Friday the boys completed second and fourth grades. I am excited for our summer, but so sad that this year is over. We have had unbelievably amazing teachers all of our years in school, but I am already missing the sweet women who have poured so generously into my boys lives this year. It was the year of the red heads, we had two spunky red headed teachers who hugged my boys every day and helped them to become more confident young men.
These photos are from the first and last day and from them I can certainly tell that one big difference is the 10 feet they have each grown this year. what is that? They also have endlessly growing feet, I think Wilson will be able to share shoes with Peter by the end of next year. This year also brought a lot of growing up. Both boys are packing their lunch every day and taking more responsibility at home. If your kids are close in age you know that often times things like this happen for both of them together, maybe a little late for Wilson as he waited for Campbell to catch up. In school they both love reading and math and are the kind of kids that were sad to see the school year come to an end.
I am excited for a fun filled summer with all three of my guys! Happy Summer to you!

I really do smile for pictures. I think I was so concentrated on tickling Campbell and saying silly things to make Wilson smile that I forgot to smile myself :) Smiling now.

it's your anniversary! (arkansas wedding photographer)

Today I wanted to wish this beautiful couple a happy one year anniversary. After being in touch with the bride over the last week I realized that I never blogged their big day.

It was a gorgeous early June day and the wedding and reception were full of personal touches and the warmest people. I love the sweet relationship between the bride and her bridesmaids and the awesome touch of having a Little Rock trolley car pick the girls up and take them to the church. It was such a relaxing way to get the the wedding site and we took full advantage of the time to grab some fun photos.

We snuck in the church before the arrival of the groom and were put away in the cutest (and maybe warmest) of bridal rooms.

It is my favorite to spend a little time alone with the bride and groom before they hit the reception. Such sweet moments where the couple has time to let it soak in that they are husband and wife.

Happy Anniversary Rebecca and Pat! Hope you are having a lovely weekend full of memories from your big day.