food-ish friday...the happy camper

Last weekend I went on a weekend getaway with five other blogging friends. I was pumped to be with these women for a relaxing weekend away and even more excited that it would be my first glamping trip! Glamour camping seems right up my alley so I was more than happy to come along for the fun. And what kind of quest would I be if I should up without a special drink for the weekend. We named it the happy camper in honor or our surroundings, but it is essentially a raspberry lemonade cocktail. Refreshing and simple, a perfect summer drink. 

I made each drink separately and love the use of a mason jar for both style and function. Because the jars are marked there is no need to use anything else to measure.

The Happy Camper:

2 oz raspberries, i used semi thawed frozen berries, but fresh would be wonderful
2 oz whipped cream vodka
fill glass with ice and top with lemonade, approximately 8 oz
I used fresh made lemonade and I think this really made a difference, you can pick it up at a local store or restaurant or make it yourself.

We sipped these cocktails while taking some photos and sharing lots of laughs. What cocktails will you be sipping this summer?

I'll be back next week to show you more of our beautiful glamping site at Petit Jean State Park.

Check out post from the other glamping gals too.

Jerusalem, Jeannette, Heather, Fawn & Stephanie

Happy Friday!

Austin c/o 2014...seniors 2015 time to book!

As the class of 2014 gets in full swing of summer and college preparation I am excited for a whole new group of high school seniors. The class of 2015 are official seniors and can get excited about all fun that role holds. It is a year for lots of memory making and so many first and last. Now is the time to start thinking about all the fun ahead and preparing to soak all of it in.

It is also a great time to start checking some things off the list and I would love to be a part of that. I adore taking senior photos and being a part of this season in your life. Now is a great time to book senior sessions for early fall, while you still have a tan. If you love summer weather and clothes September and early October are a great option for photos that bring in summer without so much heat.

Today I am posting from a college campus and am so pumped for those of you that will be here next year. Happy Summer!

Travel Thursday...Crested Butte, CO in March

I fell in love with these mountains when I first laid eyes on them around 20 years ago. Falling to sleep in the car driving across flat Kansas roads it is such a wonderful surprise waking up to the Rockies in the distance. This trip would be like many others we have taken to Colorado and still the joy of the mountains does not escape me. Plus this time there was the added bonus of seeing people I love wake up to this surprise for the first time. 

And then my little people seeing it for the first time in several years and pulling into precious Crested Butte, which we fell in love with a couple of summers ago on a week long campout with the Chinos. Colorado ski towns are like nothing else and I adore getting to take them in winter or summer. 

This time there was a small bump in the road as I tore my ACL on the first day out, but with a little work I was able to put a positive-ish spin on things and just enjoy the lovely scenery, plenty of downtime and even manage a sitting snow ball fight.

And then there was the unbridled joy of these two little skiers that made the whole thing worth it and ended each day with a wonderful story of adventure and things they did with their daddy that I'm sure my presence would have complicated. 

It has been a very long and trying last 12 weeks. I have found new levels of patience and been ridiculously humbled. I have been incredibly cared for and loved. I have been frustrated and encouraged and so very challenged, but I know that it is all in the name of some kind of growth. Today I am crutch free and walk almost normally and as I look back at this wonderful week I am thankful for these memories and maybe some growth....to be continued...

Things you should do in Crested Butte:

-eat pizza, it is highly debated where so I say just eat pizza. Multiple good options. 

-ski in the winter or bike in the summer

-stare at those mountains, nothing like the Rockies

-get outside

-take the free bus, Simon Chino says it's the best thing in town

-read a book in the adorable Townie books, a MP Chino favorite

-walk down Elk Avenue, adorable shops inside and out

Summer or winter it is such a beautiful place. Can't wait to go back! 

Linking up with #igtravelthursday, check out all the amazing travel instagramming that is going on.

Tony c/o 2014 (NLRHS senior 2014)

Same. Love this young man, his family and his heart. So excited for him! 

Morgan c/o 2014 (NLRHS senior 2014)

Today is graduation day here in NLR! An exciting day that really represents an end to one season and the beginning of another. It has me feeling nostalgic, my own graduation here in NLR was almost exactly 16 years ago. I am also empathizing with my sweet friends who have children graduating today as I am sure they are filled with pride and maybe a little bit of sadness. I can imagine how quickly this moment will be here for us, only 7 years away, and the feelings I feel now with a 5th grade graduate multiplied times 100. 

I am also excited to post these photos today as these young men are each special to me and my family. They are framily. They are men of God. They are guys that my sons look up to. Men that I knew as boys. They are choosing their paths. And I am proud. Congrats class of 2014!

graduation is coming! (north little rock senior photographer)

 In spring as the air fills with floral smells and the people in my house amp up the benadryl intake I am always reminded of newness and new life. Both of my boys were born in the spring and I love watching as the trees wake up from winter. I love nothing more than sitting on a patio taking in the fresh spring air. And I love the season of seniors. What an exciting time.

sharpie eggs

I must confess that Easter is truly one of my most favorite holidays. It started as a child with a deep love for color, egg hunts, new dresses and as a southern girl even the occasional easter hat. In my adulthood I maintain the love of all those things and also the triumphs and traditions of Easter. I am preparing my heart for the next week. To wave palm branches, finish reading through the book of John, decorate eggs, make treats, to mourn and celebrate, break bread, and anticipate what is to come. I love Easter. 

Eggs are tied to Easter as a symbol of rebirth. Dying eggs has long been one of my most favorite things.  As the smell of vinegar fills the air I am immediately taken back to a little girl dressed in her easter best with fingers and nails that were dyed every color of the rainbow. I look forward each year to doing the same thing with my boys, enjoying the many colors of their little hands. 

As much as I enjoy the memories of that smell and those colors we decided to try something different last year. We used sharpies to color our eggs. It was a great option for less mess and offered more details. This year I might try a combination, but for quick and easy I say give sharpie easter eggs a try. 

What are your favorite Easter traditions?