My Talented & Sneaky Daughter

The above photo is an entry in Capture Minnesota's photo contest by my daughter, Keisha. For a better view, go to The Moon.

For well over a year now, I was under the impression that Keisha took this photo in the dark. I had been trying unsuccessfully to take photos of the moon several times late in the evening to get something similar.

Recently the two of us had a conversation about this photo and she admitted that she actually took the photo in daylight (see the photo below for the original view). She then opened it in Photoshop Elements, and manipulated it for the look of a night-time moon.

Here is her Capture Minnesota comments:

The Moon

When I had first taken this picture, I had no idea it would turn out this great ~ I never even expected I would want to put this on here! This image took about an hour to do. I know it doesn't exactly look like it, but I'm not entirely familiar with Photoshop yet, and there were so many possibilities with the placement of the larger moon alone. So many options, but finally I decided that this was the best.

The original photo:

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Tootsie Toes

It's been a wonderful weekend with family. Yesterday we attended a niece's wedding, and today we witnessed the baptism of our youngest granddaughter.

Here's the little angel who captured our hearts today: little Aubrey Lynn.

My husband asked me to take photos of his hands holding little Aubrey's tiny little tootsies and here are the results. I am always amazed when he comes up with something unusual for a photo and it turns out absolutely amazing!

  

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

The Calamity of Busyness

For many years I have known the effect of society's busyness on the well being of a family. For instance, since the majority of women have begun working outside the home, taking their children to day cares, family life has become chaotic. Always busy going; always busy doing. Eventually, you become "too busy".

I've always felt busyness was a major plan of Satan. And oh! what a great job he is doing.

Hear me out. What happens when you have more to do in one day than is humanly possible to do? At first, you believe you're superman or superwoman. You can do it all! You'll just put in more time, stay up later, work your weekends even. Your children are growing, you become busier, running more than ever before.

When you are over tired and rushed, you become anxious, nervous and stressed. You may even be irritated, angry or hostile. Who do you take things out on? You can't do it at work or you may lose your job. Usually, you take it out on people who are the closest to you; your loved ones. Why? You don't want to and you don't try to, but you need to vent or release your frustrations. Sometimes you just get to the breaking point and "lose it". And loved ones will always be there, so it's safe. Or is it?

Why is the divorce rate at an all-time high? Many couples don't even bother to marry; they just move in together.  If they've changed their minds about the other person when they haven't committed themselves to each other in marriage, it's easier to move out and move on with their lives. But what happens when there's a child involved?

Most days when you're overwhelmed, you either give up taking care of your household duties, or you try to do more in less time to "get it all done". Maybe you start eliminating things that no longer seem as important, or things that can wait until tomorrow. The dishes start to fall behind, the cleaning never gets done. Couples start to argue because they're exhausted and want the spouse to do more because they themselves are unable to.

Basically, you lose your peace. Peace is from God. Which brings me to my next point.

Recently I questioned why there are so many more atheists with each new generation; more so than ever before. And I believe it is a result of the breakdown of the family, another ploy of the devil's.

Remember when I said you start eliminating things from your daily schedule that no longer seem important, or that can wait? I believe one of those "things" is teaching the Christian faith to our children. How many times do parents drop their children off at church, but don't attend themselves? Or religion is taught at church, but not in the home or not at all? Ever pray with your family? Or have a Bible study?

This has been weighing on my heart for too long. You can raise great children, but if they have no belief in God and His Divine Son what good does it do their souls?

The Bible says, "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, 'Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.'" Deuteronomy 4:9-10. And in Deuteronomy 11:19, "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Have we done what God has instructed us to do with our young ones? I always wish I would have done more with my children. The good news is that we can pray for our children as often as we'd like so that they turn their hearts to God.

Maybe you've already raised your children in the Christian faith and are still praying for them. I commend you for this; a wonderful blessing for you and for them! But what about all the people that have never learned of Christ or have no one to pray for them? Will you please join me in prayer for those people.

"Dear Lord, I bind and tear off every veil used to hunt souls and I command the souls that are hunted by the enemy to be let go. Lord, please rule and reign over Your children. Let the fire of Your presence be released into their lives so that they may come to know, love and serve You. Baptize each and every one of them with the Holy Spirit. Let their Christian faith grow exceedingly. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen."


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Mushroomed!

This mushroom seems to have mushroomed in size! It is one of two large mushrooms that we found growing in and around our grove. Have never seen any of this magnitude, but we did have a pretty wet year. Apparently these mushrooms become darker with aging, as testified with the mushroom in the photo below taken a few weeks earlier than the darker mushroom from above. Our dog, Vinny, is sitting alongside the mushroom for an idea of its actual size. I do not believe these mushrooms are edible and would not even consider risking a sample! I will stick to the purchased mushrooms from the supermarkets.

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

Mailbox Renovation

Recently I noticed our mailbox was rusting away and in need of a good painting. I found some leftover black spray paint in one of our outbuildings and went to work. Actually I have to admit that it wasn't much work at all since it was way too easy!! I don't think it took more than 15 minutes from the time I walked out the door until I returned the paint can back on the shelf where I had found it. But oh! what a difference it made to the appearance of our mailbox! Just take a look at the before picture.

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

Hershey's Nuggets Novelty Candy Wrappers

Today I wanted to share the newest size wrappers that I designed ~ the nugget size! These novelty candy wrapper designs fit the Hershey's® Nuggets Milk Chocolate, Hershey's® Nuggets Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Hershey's® Nuggets Special Dark® Dark Chocolate with Almonds, and Hershey's® Nuggets Milk Chocolate with Toffee and Almonds nugget-size candy bars.

I love the elegant finished look of the Royal Fiber birch colored paper I use for the printed wrapper over the foil lined candy bar.

For more designs, along with pricing and ordering, visit my webpage at Landi Raemi.

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

Novelty Candy Wrappers

I haven't blogged in awhile as I've been spending much needed time designing new candy wrappers and giving my Landi Raemi website a new look, coordinating the design with my blog and Facebook webpages. I'm in the process of adding a new candy wrapper size, as well. I'm so excited about the new look and all the new designs for weddings, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and other special events!

Below are some of the new snack-size candy wrapper designs I've created and listed on my website. For more designs, including other candy wrapper sizes offered, visit www.LandiRaemi.com.

White on Black Love:

Black on White Love:

Game Over:

Mustache and Lips: 

Color Block:

Reverse Banner:

Polka Dots:

Zebra & Silk:

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful day at my sister and brother-in-law's house up north. They graciously hosted a family reunion for my mom, my siblings and my siblings' families. The reunion lasted the entire weekend, but my husband and I were only able to attend yesterday.

Saturday activities included visiting, camping, fishing, a bean bag tournament, and a photo scavenger hunt.

If you're looking for a fun activity for a family get-together, consider a photo scavenger hunt. Just about everyone has a camera built right into their cell phones. And you can choose just about anything you want for a unique photo scavenger hunt. Have fun with it!

Today's blog is my entry in the Photo Scavenger Hunt. One of my nieces was the judge; however, she never got around to judging mine. Join me and my grandson, Max, as we share our final entry.

Stephanie, please judge our Photo Scavenger Hunt!

 Looking for the prize photos ...

Fire Pit = 1 point.

Lake = 1 point.

Something round = 1 point.

Sunglasses = 1 point.

Close-up of flower (take your pick) = 1 point.

Someone playing = 1 point.

Child smiling = 2 points.

Someone sleeping = 2 points.

Something orange = 2 points. Technically I also have sunglasses and something round in this photo. Maybe an extra 2 points?

Artistic shot of food = 2 points.

First attempt at the blowing bubbles. Nancy should have been penalized for keeping me from our two points!

Blowing bubbles = 2 points.Thanks Rachel and Owen for being so very accommodating!

Hugging Grandma = 2 points.

People clinking glasses = 3 points. Uh-oh, dad's not liking this!

Animal = 3 points.

3+ generations = 2 points.

Your best dance move (bonus point, find a dance partner) = 3 points + 1 bonus point. Nancy trying to steal the shot again! Grrr!

Something you love about summer = 3 points. This! Family, fun, food & drink = good times!

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

I've been meaning to try a cauliflower pizza crust for some time and found a single-serve recipe on page 58 in the December 2013 Muscle & Fitness magazine called, "Cauliflower Mexican Pizza". However, it seemed like the recipe called for so much cheese that I decided, once again, to revise the recipe.

After enlisting my daughter's help, we began by measuring out the cauliflower which had already been cleaned and cut into florets.

We used 4-1/2 cups of cauliflower and decided to use one cup of any shredded cheese that we had on hand. We added about four teaspoons of italian seasoning to this and placed it in the food processor.

Next we spread the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper placed on top of a rectangular stone. Because we used a lot less cheese than the original recipe called for, the mixture was rather crumbly.

We pre-baked the crust in a 450 degree oven for 12 minutes.

After removing the crust from the oven, we added pizza sauce, more shredded cheese and other toppings of choice. We then placed it back into the oven for an additional baking time of 15 to 20 minutes.

Here's our version of the cauliflower crust pizza:

You'll want to use a fork or spoon to eat this one.

Comments: Well, what can I say? I finally tried it and really didn't mind it too much. However, the husband and daughter were not impressed at all. And after all is said and done, sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a warm piece of bread rather than a make-shift wannabe vegetable crust. That said, I plan to delete all the pins of cauliflower crust on my Pinterest board.

Disclosure: The Excalibur Dehydrator link under "Other Sites" is an affiliated link. If you make a purchase using this link ~ you will receive free shipping, along with other specials. I also earn a small percentage to help support my blog. Thank you, your support is appreciated!!