1. Started experimenting with off camera flash this past week. I dream of someday doing some studio portraiture in addition to my on-location natural light work. It’s a ways off, but it’s great to set long-term goals!
2. Underwood Family Farms near our house is all set up for fall (with a pumpkin patch, mini corn maze, and autumn decor) so we took the kids there for a picnic lunch and to feed the animals last week. I see several more visits in our future during Halloween season
3. Looking forward to the husband’s upcoming 12-day vacation from work! Lots of family fun planned.
4. Just finished a great book- “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline. It was terrific. I’m looking forward to starting JoJo Moyes’ sequel to “Me Before You,” “After You.” Absolutely LOVED the former and hoping the sequel doesn’t disappoint!
5. Finally got around to starting Arrested Development on Netflix. It’s one of my husband’s faves and I’ve wanted to start it forever. Liking it so far- great characters.

1. What are you watching on TV lately? For me, it’s Bachelor In Paradise and the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (hilarious!)
2. Speaking of entertainment..current book: “the Husband’s Secret” by Liane Moriarty. Really enjoying it! I’m told she has several other good books too, so they’re now in my queue. I love when I hit on a new (to me, anyway) great author!
3. Family portrait sessions galore coming up! Set up your holiday sessions now to ensure a slot!
4. Busy busy week ahead- shoots, various appointments, Back to School Night, and activities- hoping for lots of energy and productivity!
5. Also looking forward to getting my husband for three (and a half) days. He’s been overworked lately (as have all of his hardworking co-workers) and I’m excited to have some family time- even if we’re running around like crazy!

Have a great week all!

1. We took the girls to Build A Bear last week. It was Shiloh’s first time. Both girls had a blast!
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- Adeline is so into them! I never would’ve guessed that I’d have to go through two rounds of obsession with the heroes in a half-shell (the first being my brother’s in the early ’90’s!).
3. Adeline has also been into taking pictures lately, which excites me to no end. She often asks if she can borrow my phone to snap a pic of something. I love it (except when she asks to take pics of me first thing in the morning)!
4. Two favorite easy snacks lately: Trader Joe’s ready-to-eat lentils (refrigerated section) mixed with their bruschetta sauce (also refrigerated section) and crumbled feta served with pita chips; OR the lentils mixed with their Goddess dressing, also served with pita chips- equally delicious!
5. My essential oil of choice this week: DoTerra’s DigestZen, as I’ve had two girls with a nasty stomach bug Here’s hoping Adeline (she’s the latest victim) is on the mend!

1. Had dinner with a great friend last night. Good friends are good for the soul! I needed the talk therapy
2. Took the girls to Build-A-Bear today. It was Shiloh’s first time (Adeline has been before). We had so much fun!
3. I finally read the book ‘Me Before You.’ I’ve been meaning to forever, but always put it off because I heard it was a tear-jerker. It totally is, but also so worth it! I can’t wait for the movie.
4. Enrolled Adeline in Pre-K a few weeks ago. I cannot believe I’m going to have a little Pre-K kid come fall!
5. Went to the Malibu Family Winery last weekend for one of my best friends’ birthdays. I love it there! On a warm sunny day with a blanket and picnic packed, it’s so perfect!

1. The hubby and I got to have a Happy Hour date last night at the little cafe around the corner. I love having my parents close so my mom can come watch the kids for little quickie outings! So nice.
2. We finished the series “How I Met Your Mother” a few nights ago. I don’t want to ruin anything for those who might Netflix it, but I will say that it left me SO emotional! I loved that show, I’m going to miss watching it!
3. In need of a new show, we started “Parenthood” last night. We just watched the pilot. I’ve heard great things about it.
4. Reading the newest Diane Chamberlain book, “the Silent Sister,” after finishing up “Necessary Lies” last week. Man, I love Diane!
5. Made cauliflower pizza crusts last week. They turned out great and were delicious!

1. The husband has had a few days off and we celebrated his birthday. We enjoyed a lovely date night at the Ranch House Ojai. It’s so beautiful there! I highly recommend it if a unique dining experience in a romantic garden setting sounds up your alley.
2. Butterscotch Peanut Butter Cake. This is the birthday cake I made hubby. Oh my goodness.
3. Shiloh wore her first pigtails yesterday! I could hardly stand the cuteness <3
4. My little wild bunnies are back! We have a couple of little bunnies that come through our backyard and eat the little fruits that fall from our palm trees, and I hadn’t seen them for a few months, but they’re back now. I just love all the wildlife in our yard- bunnies, squirrels, roadrunners, quail, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds…and yes, snakes in the summer (not my fave). One of the best things about living in our new city right up against a creek!
5. I’ve been photographing food a bit lately. I’ve always loved cooking and baking, but before recently I never mingled my photography and food passions. I like it, though! It’s a unique challenge for me. Follow my food Facebook page Bad Hunters, Good Cooks to see a few of my recent food shots and to get easy, *usually* healthy, family-friendly recipes and meal ideas. And while I’m at it, if you don’t already, follow my Facebook photography page as well, Sweet Adeline Photography, to see news and recent session sneaks!

1. Goldieblox. This is my four-year-old’s favorite activity and they are so cool! We have the original set (Goldieblox & the Spinning Machine) and just got the Builder’s Survival Kit which we also love! I think we might have a future engineer on our hands.
2. Date night coming up to celebrate hubby’s birthday. Can’t wait!
3. The Bachelor is back! I know, I know. #guiltypleasure
4. Just celebrated 2 years of being Camarillo residents! We love it here. Our home and the city have proven to be a perfect fit for our family.
5. Speaking of anniversaries, I also celebrated 6 years of being vegetarian on New Year’s Day! I’m never looking back! We’re raising our girls veggie too and I’m so happy with our choice.

1. Spiced Eggnog coffee pods for my Keurig. Yum!
2. We made salt dough handprint ornaments using this salt dough recipe. We just did Shiloh this year, to match the identical ones we made with Adeline 2 years ago. They both turned out great, but last year we did a whole family one using Model Magic and I love that one too!
3. Here comes the rain…I’ll take it. We need it and it calls for fireplace fires and coziness!
4. Took the kiddos to visit Santa this week. He was the nicest Santa ever- spent so much time with them, teaching Adeline a game and letting her take more than her fair share of candy canes. She loved him. Shiloh, on the other hand, only liked him from a safe distance and I have the funny/sad crying-baby-on-Santa’s-lap pic to prove it, poor kid!
5. Need a warm fuzzy video this week? A fellow photographer friend (check out her awesome work here) shared this gem with me. So sweet! <3
   

This is likely to be my last post before Christmas, so Happiest of Holidays to you and yours from Sweet Adeline Photography! See you all in 2015!

1. Christmas time is here! Looking forward to all of the holiday festivities coming up- Christmas light walks, parties, crafting, (more) decorating..it’s the most wonderful time of the year
2. Which means, among other things..Dono the Elf is back! Follow along with his misadventures: Dono ’14
3. Thankful for friends who are willing to help when you need it. Shiloh gets “nursemaid’s elbow” (a condition common in little ones wherein a ligament slips out of place near the elbow). It happened tonight, and a friend was able to talk us through how to relocate it over the phone to spare us from an ER visit. (Kids, don’t try this at home).
4. Tried Jamberry nails for the first time! Love the designs. Check them out here: http://www.jamberrynails.net
5. I don’t *think* I’ve shared this here before, but it’s worth the risk of a repeat in case I didn’t. Here’s my favorite, easy home made salad dressing that I’ve been putting on every salad lately: mix equal parts olive oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup. So delicious!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and is enjoying their holiday season so far!