the lovely Tara of TaraCooks.com

You’ll want to kidnap Tara and let her be your cook forever. Here’s how Tara describes her blog: “I hope these recipes will call to your heart (or better yet, your tummy) and inspire you to slow down and renew your love of real food. Most recipes here at TARACOOKS.COM are prepared “from scratch.”  …It is my heart’s desire that many of my recipes will be simple enough for everyday living.  May serving real, home cooked food be the norm, not the exception at your dinner table. Drop in anytime and see what’s for dinner.”

So here’s what I get to do to accept this award from Tara:

Make a post & link back to the person who awarded you this award.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Award your favorite recently discovered great bloggers.
Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!

Seven things about me… hmmmm….

• I am me. And God loves me anyway. Praise Him! I’m blessed beyond measure, and so thankful to have all God has given me. I’m truly humbled by the things He does for me.
• Other than the Lord, my husband Mike is my hero… I am so blessed. Shoot, I’m totally spoiled rotten by having a husband who is as good as he is. And I know it. And my family – my kids, my parents, brother & sis-in-love, grandparents,  etc.) is the best ever. Just so you know.
• I’ve been to New Zealand for a 3.5 week mission trip. It’s the farthest away from home I had ever gone, and the first time I ever flew on an airplane! Gorgeous place – God is amazing. Did you know New Zealand has black sand? Very cool! My friend Christi, who used to be in Mike’s youth group years ago, is living in NZ with her Kiwi husband, Shane, whom I taught in Bible class when on this mission trip.  Crazy how small this world is when you love the Lord, isn’t it?! (Mike performed their wedding ceremony, and I cried like a baby. ha!)
• I love old movies. Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, etc. LOVE old movies. Have I ever told you that I love old movies? I’ll stop at that so I won’t bore you with my favorites – ooh, maybe I’ll create a whole blog post on my favorites someday…
• I do not have a favorite color. Never have, really. There are so many colors that God made – how can I choose just one?! But, I’ve always told my momma that should I die, I want it to be a prerequisite to wear something yellow to my funeral… even if just a small ribbon or flower – because if I leave this earth, it’s a happy, happy thing! God is good, and heaven is great! So, you’ve been warned: no black clothes (unless you just feel fabulous in black) or sadness (unless you’re sad about something else).  Sorry. I know that you think I’m crazy now…
• I love to put my toes in the sand… I could sit on a beach forever, if it weren’t for my pale skin & low tolerance for sun exposure. But give me SPF 60+,  an umbrella, and a big ol’ hat, and I’m goooood.
• I love old things & their stories.  I collect old aprons.  I think I may have been born in the wrong decade. I love 1940’s fashion style.  I love architecture. Did you know that I used to dream of making a career of historical preservation and restoration?
• I realize that’s more than 7 simple things. Oh well.

Here are the blogging friends on whom I’m bestowing the Stylish Blogger Award!
(I can’t say they’re recently discovered, but maybe that’s ok?)

Kristen’s Blog: Pretty Sweet – It tickles me that I think Kristen and I are kindred spirits in some ways! We love Bing Crosby,   vintage-inspired goodness, and she knows how to set a table!Love to you, sweet Kristen! I think you’re “pretty sweet”.

Mandy’s Blog: Crafty Southern Mama – Mandy is just precious! I met her several years ago at an expo. She signed up for a Christmas Card portrait session, and has become a friend! I love that my photography business blessed me with that! Anyway, you’ll love Mandy’s style & gumption: give the girl a Craig’s List find & some spray paint, and watch out! I’m so glad to know you, Mandy!

Melissa’s Blog: A Little Loveliness - Melissa is an entertaining genious. You’ll LOVE her blog! It always makes me want to invite people over. Once I get started on a theme, I’m lost in it, and have so much fun. You’ll enjoy how Melissa makes everything just amazingly beautiful!  Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your life on your blog!

**I’m interrupting this list because mentioning Melissa Lester’s blog & thinking of entertaining with a theme reminds me:  Let me tell you to come on over to Maple Hill’s Family Fun Night tomorrow night at 6:30 at MH. It’s Italian night, and I’m bringing Italian restaurant music, red-checked tablecloths, and candles.  “Lady & the Tramp” style! Everyone bring your family, an Italian dish, dessert, and a 2-liter.) I’ll now return to listing my Stylish Bloggers. thank you.

Andrea’s Blog: Babe of My Heart – I met Andrea through a mutual photography friend several years ago. Now, I am blessed by Andrea’s heart for God. Go to her blog. Read & be blessed by the story of her family’s faith & Ethiopian adoption! I simply don’t have words for how special Andrea is. You’ll just have to go see for yourself! Such good stuff!! Hugs, Andrea! I’m so blessed to know you!!

Kristen’s Study Blog: Heaven-Minded – Ok, so I already gave Kristen the award for her Pretty Sweet blog above. But I think her Study Blog, Pretty Sweet: Heaven Minded deserves one, too. I’ve always “written out” the Word during my Bible studies – I injest the Word better that way! – but this is a study that’s sure to bless you. I promise.

Child Advocacy Center: Chocolate Affair – I will shamelessly plug the CAC whenever I can!! Our Chocolate Affair is February 11, 7:30-9:30 at Cumberland’s Labry Hall. I hope to see you there!! *Yes, to those of you who noticed, I did build the Chocolate Affair website. And NO, I’m not awarding myself. I just want you ALL to come to the Chocolate Affair!! You can buy your tickets online, from me, or just show up that night. Either way, I hope you’ll come!

HopeEthan

Micah Tara- can I just pause for a sec to say, you’re one of my heroes?
You just do it all: homeschool, cook, run, you are just so sweet! Hugs, friend!
Want to know what all Tara cooks up? Visit her website, Tara Cooks! Richard
Need website services? Check out what Richard does for a living!
Richard owns Integrity Focus Technologies.

Many thanks, Beard family! I have no doubt that your best is yet to be!
Love, Heather

We’re doing something a little crazy! If you had a full session in 2010, you can take advantage of this awesome deal! How does buy one get one free sound? Only for a short time, we’re bring you a sale you can’t afford to miss. Buy One, Get One free! Whoo-hoo!

Buy One Get One FREE on 8×10 and smaller prints

Buy One Get One 50% off on all Canvas prints
Save between $87-$475!

Purchase a Full Session at regular price, receive up to $100 print credit to use toward your prints!!
Book your session a January session, receive a $125 print credit
February session, receive a $100 print credit
March session, receive a $50 print credit
April session, receive a $25 print credit

Double Dollar Gift Certificates!
Spend $100, get a $200 certificate for a new Full Session and prints!

Sale Event is 12am November 19^th until midnight Saturday 27^th.
See? You don’t even have to get up early Black Friday! Target opens at 4am, by the way. Yikes!

Here’s the fine print:

• With the BOGO free on 8×10 and smaller prints, the free image is of ordered image (not a different image).
• BOGO 50% off on all Canvas Prints must be same image (not a different image).
• Gift Certificates purchased must be used toward a new session, and cannot be combined with the “buy full session, receive print credit” deal.
• No exceptions to fine print. All sales are final.

Hopefully, these looks will inspire you to have fun being creative & help you find stuff already in your family’s closets. You don’t have to go shopping to find great outfits for your family’s session! YOU are the most important part of the portrait! But, if you must… happy shopping!
love,
heather

i love these red & brown combinations

this is a great look, too…

for the record, I’ve loved blue & chocolate colors together even before they were popular

got green eyed or red-haired kiddos? this would look awesome!

i threw this in here to show you what you could do if you have always wanted to have those clean, crisp white shirt & khaki portraits, but you just can’t conform to the-same-thing-everyone-else-does. i love the classics, but trust me, you’ll be glad you did something different. =)

while looking for great outfit suggestions online, I headed to www.gymboree.com and found some great looks for portraits! these red/brown boys looks would be great for fall portraits.
Can’t you just see your kiddos wearing these clothes in your Christmas Cards pictures?

loved, loved, loved these looks for little girls!

and these for bigger girls…

and can I please find the “homecoming girl” jacket  in my size?

if I could, I’d get my boys in the yummy “into the woods” sweater.
But alas, Son 1 is too grown-up to fit in gymboree outfits. <sigh>

and would someone please bring me your little guy in the “with the band” outfit or something similar?
I’ve got the image in my head of shooting it with a fake microphone in a deserted alley. Cute, huh?

You can always visit our “about the experience” page for other recommended places for clothes for your session. Old Navy & Gap usually have coordinating colors & pattern thruout their mens, womens, & kids lines that will coordinate so great for your family ensemble. Just make sure what you choose to wear to your session is “you” and that you’re comfortable. We’ll take care of the rest!

We had 147 people enter to win the $200 gift certificate! This prize is for a session and prints, and I’m excited to announce that the winner is… (drum roll here)…. Grace Wood! Congratulations, Grace! =)

Here’s a quick slideshow of pics from those who stopped by our booth for a pic. If you had your profile pic made for Facebook, you’ll find it in the album labeled “Oktoberfest” on the Yet To Be Photography page on Facebook. Go tag yourself in those photos!