Oliver + S Backpack

The temperatures here have been over 100 degrees and the heat sucks the energy right out of me.  This may be the reason I haven't been up to sewing much lately.   I did recently take the time to make the backpack out of the book, Oliver + S Little Thinks to Sew.   I like the book but the only complaint I have with it is you have to trace the patterns because the ones in the book are double sided.  If you cut a pattern out of the book you will mess the pattern on the other side up.  Below are some pictures of my E's backpack.   It took me two days working a few hours each day to complete it.  The most time consuming part was tracing the patterns. The lining of the bag was made out of one of my husband's old shirts.

SnapShots Photography

A few months ago, I attended Ashley Ann's SnapShots Photography class.  Let me just tell you it was awesome.  She simplifies the techniques for using a dslr camera.  Ashley puts it in people terms and not professional photography terms and the class is hands on.  I have attended other photography classes that were mainly classroom teaching with very little hands on learning.  I'm a hands on learner and you can tell me something a hundred times but until I do it myself I will not learn.

I went to the class thinking we would learn about aperature, shutter speed and ISO's, but we learned so much more.  The best lesson was the very first thing she taught, rules of composition.  I knew a few of the composition rules but never had thought about the rest.  I think those rules can be more important to great photography than aperature, shutter speed, etc.

Our first hands on photography session was of Ashley's adorable children.

Thank you Ashley for a great class.

Yummy Recipes!

I want to share a few recipes from my Pinterest page that my family has tried and approved.

Smashed White Bean & Avocado Sandwich - Delicious!!!  I used fresh added fresh tomatoes from my garden, toasted the bread and left out the cucumbers.

Source: realsimple.com via Julie on Pinterest

Chicken Flauntas with Jalapeno Jelly

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas -
Made a few with just cream cheese and cheese and they were delicious.

Source: bunsinmyoven.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cilantro Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas -
These were very good but next time I will leave out the jalapeno.  I used homemade salsa verde and it already had some heat to it so I suggest testing the salsa verde and adjusting accordingly.

Source: themotherhuddle.com via Julie on Pinterest

Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, & Chocolate Chip Cookies - All I can say is Yummy!

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Julie on Pinterest

 These are just a few recipes I have discovered on Pinterest.  I see so many yummy recipes and I don't know if my waist can handle trying them all.