So long, Farewell...

Hey there my peeps!

After long consideration(like 10 min) and deep thought(over a Half and half Ice tea), I have decided to end my blogging career for now.  I have a lot on my plate and no time to really give this blog the attention it needs.

ArtHouse is in the process of having a website, with opportunities for me to blog from that page.
I will still be following you and reading all your interesting posts...but for me...its Farewell....

My last offiicial post will be the announcement of my new website...Im so giddy about it, I cant wait to share!

Until Later Gators!
Happy Blogging!

Blessings,
Missy

Miscellany Musings Monday...by Missy

In trying to do more with my blog, I am linking up with Carissa at Lowercase Letters on her Miscellany Mondays Link Up.  Thanks Carissa..This helps us "clueless and less dedicated bloggers" some direction on things to do with their blogs!!




FIXING: I am so excited some of the changes that are going on with my house.  My husband use to paint full time while he was going to school, and is a perfectionist when it comes to his walls...with that said, we have color in our once "Sterile-looking" home.  We are not finished yet, as we keep thinking of more changes..that include..New floors, moving W/D upstairs..yay..no more underwear and Bras hanging around when unexpected company show up! New Pantry...HUGE!!  New coffee nook...or water, or lemonade nook. Somewhere where I can drink and relax and look out my window to seee......

DEER!!

That I caught on my new 300mm lens.  LOVE IT!  I see these guys probably every day in my back yard, and My lens...Oh la la..I love her, but shes like my other kids...prime and kit.  They all have a special place in my heart.  They all stay in my new .....

RED BAG!!

Isnt she Purty??  Went to my good friends at Goodwill and they set me up with this sah-WEET bag...OK, not really, i just walked in and it was beckoning me from across the store.  OK that wasn't true either, but saying I just ran into it and almost missed the darn thing, doesn't sound as exciting as the other statements...so just roll with me here...

My GW friends also found me these tealight candle holders.

Susie Homemaker, I am not...but I would have to think these are just adorable!!

The tealish color on the leaves and stem may have to disappear, but who knows what color Ill go with!

 

This was a good day at Goodwill, and if there was a fan club, I would be charter member and President, because of this beauty!

I ♥ old antique suitcases, and have been searching for them high and low...but the problem...the price is way to High, and nobody wants to go low!!!!  Goodwill though,  came through for me.  For $2.99!!!  So the search is on for the suitcases...Don't worry little guys..Ill make room for you in my home!!

You wanna see something else Ive been collecting???

I also ♥♥♥LOVE♥♥♥ Enamel Pins...the flower metal ones in particular...

 

 wanna see?

 

 I have 5 of them that I scored at an antique store near Greencastle, for $5 each!! The picture is not mine, I borrowed it at Flower Power Lots(thank you), but the yellow I have in Pink and the Green in Red.  These baby's run any where between $25-30. The more detail they have, the more their worth...Hot Dog!!

Wow! This is longer than I had intended, but I promise its coming to an end...

I went to see my Radio Rockstar Sister, Marci and her new Hubs last weekend and had such a great time..If you're in the Chicago area..Check her out on 103.9!!!!

...I got to hang out with my nephew Rowdy...

This is him fishing with his daddy...yes that is a life jacket..you know..safety first.

My kid lost her first tooth while we were there!  She made bank with the Tooth Fairy(she has aunts that like to spoil).

Played a rousing game of Chinese Checkers, and Euchre(which I rock at)...

and had an amazing meal by my brother in law...

sigh...I love my family.

I also wanted to share this sweet gift my sister made for my other sister and I(shes super crafty!).

They are record bowls...I KNOW...HOW COOL ARE THEY. sorry..it still has crumbs from my chex mix!

She is always making things for us and this is probably my favorite.

They are super easy to make.

I'm sure if you Google it, you can find directions on how to make it.

Props to Marci..I love it.




And lastly, July was the month for storms...
The last one we had was UGLY...
These pictures are without one single edit...Look at those clouds...YIKES!
I love a good storm.

Blessings!

Missy

AUGUST IS HERE YA'LL!

Did you hear me?

AUGUST...

The 8th month of the year, 

is HERE!!!!!!

It is wild how quickly August got here,  

And here's the scary news... 

Its only 4.5 months away from Christmas(give or take)!!!

But, I dont get stressed out about Christmas.

  In January, I sit down with my calendar and write out all the bdays that I do gifts for, then I make my list of things I am going to buy and Wha-lah...Its done.  Now the hard part is wanting to buy more than originally planned...or even better, rewarding myself for such a good job on shopping for good deals!   So, Ive been picking things up here and there, that I noticed that have been on sale, to get a good start on Christmas.

SOoo,  I went MIA on ya for a while.  Its crazy how quickly the days go during the summer, but it has been so good to spend it  with friends and family.  I figured the blog would be here when I got back.  

One of the few favorite activities we got to do this summer,

was to go on a Bday shopping trip for my daughters BFF. 

It was so much fun, and of course, my shopping buddy and I got to do a little shopping in Goodwill and Archiver's.  

(***SIDENOTE)So...Going to Goodwill, is so much fun...if you need to waste a good couple of hours, go in!  I guarantee you will do just that, and will come out with ALL KINDS OF GOODIES!  Im sure I walked away with lots and lots of things I needed  HEHE! And don't get me started on Archivers.  I swear there's something in the air there that makes you want to pick up your scrap tools and start crafting..or it could be all the great things they sell!

 We started the Bday shopping adventures at the Mall and stopped at whatever stores she wanted to go in...

 

Then the girls made their way to Borders for their favorite drinks!

  

After all that shopping, we went to a super cute Cupcake Bakery store decked out in all things nostalgic.  It was a little difficult shelling out the cash for the cupcakes, when I know I could make them soo much cheaper(not as fabulous as Flying Cupcake. but they would still be edible, and full of yumminess), but it was all about the day and celebrating someone special!

my lil punk..the look I get when she's up to something...hmm

So that was one of many events we did this summer...

Ill be posting more soon, so don't go far!!

Blessings, Missy

FFF and needing your bright ideas...

Hey Friends...
Just to let you know, im on editing overload, and basically life overload.

The summer has really kept us on our feet(mind you, I did not say busy, there is actually a difference, to me at least).
So today, Friday, I decided to take a break from FAB FOTO FRIDAY. It was just going to be until next week, but I think I will give it until next month.  I have a lot of things to prepare for, and places to go, and really need to focus more on not being on the computer as much.    Ill check in from time to time, but for right now, FFF will be on hold.  FFF is a good thing and I think it will generate some great networking(thanks for those who have been on board).  So keep on the look out for FFF to start up again! 

On another note, I am really working towards branding myself and figuring out "what is Arthouse Photography".
Along those lines, Im thinking of graphics and such.

Soo with that said...

What comes to mind when you think of ARTHOUSE?

Pleasee...pretty please...Share your thoughts, your ideas, your opinions, your lunch, your chocolate...whatever comes to mind(seriously, I could use some chocolate)

Thankkkk youuuuuu,
You guys are awesome!

Oh! If I incorporate your idea/opinions/thoughts somehow...Ill send you a thank you gift from me...
Blessings,
 Missy♥

at the dunes last year..hope we can go back

FAB FOTO FRIDAY: ALL THINGS THRIFTY

ITS FRIDAY (doing the happy dance!!)

Which calls for 

FAB FOTOOOO FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My featured Fab Foto is from a site I found this week, that IM IN LOVE WITH!!!

Introducing...drum roll pleasssse....

This chica know her stuff and it shows...

This is from her FEATURE FRIDAY POST 

on July 2nd.

She featured Lisa Danielson on her idea for the high chair.

I am always on the lookout for props to liven up my foto ops..

Just in recent weeks, I have had calls for photographing some little ones...mostly girls...so when I saw this..I knew...The hunt was on!

I'm looking for one of these...

(photos from All Things Thrifty)

 

To turn into one of these...

I love what a little paint will do!!

I love it and I know you'll love the other great ideas she posts on the site. 

I have actually sat down with my hubby to decide which project we are going to tackle first!!

So whats your Fab Foto that you want to share with the world??

Link Up and SHARE!!!

Blessings,

 Missy

Bump

You may disagree, but this is gorgeous.
Nothing more beautiful than a bump.

Miscellany Monday...Weekend Fun

I decided to jump on the band wagon and join Carissa's 

Miscellany Monday.

A good friend of mine joined and I enjoy reading about the regular things in life that she seems to enjoy.  Plus...it seemed like fun and my personal favorite...SIMPLE, so why the heck not!!

So enjoy my Miscellany Monday...FUN WEEKEND REPORT!!

Friday

sleeping in till 9am

beautiful blue morning skies

making blueberry buckle

having lunch with my sister-friend Kathy at Camilles(love that place!)

Spending the afternoon shopping with my youngest daughter

going on a bike ride with my family

steaks on the grill

watching DVR episodes Burn Notice with my stud

Saturday

Sleeping late...again

Taking lunch to the crew who moved in my mom's new home(her's burned down a year ago)

Taking the girls to Greencastle to meet up with their cousin and spend the night with

Noticing a sign that said 25% off everything in the antique store

Purchased 4 metal flower hat pins for a whale of a deal(will show off later)

Buying a gorgeous dress and thrilled that I can tell I've lost some weight

Spending a quiet evening at home with the hubby

Sunday

Go to church

Practice with Praise Team

Headed to Indy after church

Met the family at BD's Mongolian Grill

Went to Frankfort for a picnic and Fireworks

Caught up with sweet friends

enjoyed the fireworks

Attempted to light myself on fire with the citranella candle

THAT DID NOT KEEP THE MOSQUITOS AT BAY...

Mosquitoes declared war on me

Headed home scratching from head to toe

Got pulled over for going to slow

 

Watched School of Rock before going to bed.

Love my life...

Blessings,

Missy

Cabbage Crunch Salad: Tempt Us Tuesday...err...on Friday!

YEA YEA I know...I'm late, but those who know me, know that's no big surprise!

So Because I'm running late for a late lunch(shocker!), I'm going to do a quick recipe throw down...

This comes from my good friend, Sue Gray.  AWESOME COOK!


I'm not a fan of cabbage, but I could eat a whole bowl of this!  Great for the 4th of July Cookouts!

Photo credit: google free images

Cabbage Crunch Salad

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

½ cup slivered almonds

1 bag shredded cabbage (small)

2 green onions chopped

1 package Chicken Sesame flavored Top Raman Noodles

Bake sesame seeds and almonds at 350˚ until golden brown (watch closely).  This can be done ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Combine cabbage, onion, noodles (raw and broken up), and almond/sesame mixture.  Just before serving mix in desired amount of dressing.

2 Tbsp sugar

½ cup salad  oil

3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Both packets from the Raman Noodles

 Mix all dressing ingredients in a jar, shake to mix.

*I sometimes make a meal with this by adding more veggies and chopped chicken... Its also good in a pita! 

Enjoy!!

FAB FOTO FRIDAY: Feet

So this weeks FFF is from yours truly. While they girls were enjoying playing outside, I grabbed my camera and started shooting.  We have an old Bronco that has been sitting for years and will be our project when we have nothing else to work on(so translation: it will never get fixed!) but what an awesome prop for pictures..and many agreed!

My FFF is simply of feet.  I love taking pictures of feet, or shoes..I have no idea why, but I like it...a lot.  There's something earthy and pure about feet..it shows a lot about a person. Where they are going, what they are doing.   The bible even speaks about feet...

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  
Ps 119:105

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; 
he enables me to stand on the heights. 
2Sam 22:34

and my personal favorite

 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" 
Is 52:7

What are your feet up to these days?? 

Link up, and show off your FFF, and give me a holler!

Celebrate your Freedom!

Happy Independence Day

my friends...

Blessings,

Missy

FAB FOTO FRIDAY

This weeks F. F. F. is from the blog:

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Ethiopia

The stories of my life.

I would like you to meet Jennifer Harris and introduce you to her stories and adventures with her family and how their Faith has been tested and rewarded.

She and her husband are also known as a Safe Family which means that

they take in children on a temporary basis while the family is struggling for whatever reason. 

I thoroughly love reading how God has blessed her and husband

with their beautiful children.  You will cry with her and you will rejoice with her. 

I guarantee you will fall in love with her writing.  I enjoy reading blogs where the writer really engages you and makes you feel what they are feeling.  

Jennifer does just that.

  I chose this Foto simply because it represents her life.

  I encourage you to read and become a follower of her blog.

If you go here, you can read how their adventures began as their home of 3 children, became 5!

photo courtesy of Harris Family

Oh! By the way...Jen and I are Former Frankfort Hot Dogs..If you were were wondering the connection!!

Thank you to those who linked up with me last week..I've gotten a couple of comments from others who love the idea.  Its kind of a pay it forward type of Linkup...I follow so many great blogs that I just want to get the word out to you!!!  Remember, feature a picture that you took or from a friends blog and why you liked it, or talk about your friend's blog..They appreciate it..I promise you!!!  Here's last weeks F.F.F, just in case you missed it.  

Okkkk...LINK UP!!

FAB FOTO FRIDAY

Here it is fellow bloggers...
If you need more info on what FFF is all about, Click here and be informed.
.  Here are some simple guidelines:

• It does not have to be your own foto, nor does it have to be a photography-type picture. 
• You can feature a new piece of jewelry, recipe or craft that you or some else did.
• It also does not need to be anything recent. The point is to bring attention to your blog or even someone else's that you follow.  Please make sure if you are featuring someone other than yourself, that you send a link to that persons blog.
• PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ASKED PERMISSION, BEFORE YOU POST SOMEONE ELSE"S FOTO!!
• Give Credit where Credit is due!!!! 

So here is my FFF for this week.

 This Fab Foto is from my dear friend, Havilah and her blog,

Handful of Quietness

 She shares stories of their family and raising 5 children.  It is the most beautifully written I have ever read.  I either leave tear-stained from being moved, my side hurting from laughing so hard, or encouraged because she is constantly reminding me of how Great is the God we serve.

Thank you Havilah dear for privileged of sharing your blog.  

Check her out, and tell her Missy sent ya!!

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!!

Missy

43 looks good on ya!

My darlin hubs turned the big 43 yesterday, and I didn't get a chance to post it!!

Our internet was down and then this massive storm tore through our town, so by the time I could get on the computer, it was time to sleepy-sleep...

Better late than never though!!

So here's my hubs, he hates his pictures taken, which i don't know why, he's such hunk(yes i really did say hunk..I was going to say hunka hunka burning love, but I figured that was probably TMI...so i left it at Hunk...you're welcome)!!

 Here's my hubby's life in pictures...OK, well not his full life, but a very brief look into his life...

Rob is sitting in between his 2 sisters, Im guessing he's about 3 or 4 here.

Another one with his sisters at Brown County..One of our fav places to relax and have fun!

Rob was known in HS for his running...This was his team picture his Senior Year...Ahh The 80's!

Rob is located top right corner with the mop top

Our happiest day ever!

Daddy for the first time!

 and again for the second time...

Taking the girls to their first Football game(Purdue, of course!)

His proudest accomplishement:

His Family

Happy Bday Babe...I LOVE YOU

YUM YUM TEMPT OUR TUMS TUESDAY!

Yep, Its Tuesday, and time for another recipe by yours truly...

Link up here at BruCrew Life to get your favorite recipe posted and get a few from other fellow linkers...

This weeks recipe is one of my favorites and the easiest.  I made this dish for a luncheon at my work and got rave reviews...I had people calling me for weeks later to ask for the recipe!  Little did they know how super simple this recipe really is!!

Chicken Bruschetta

recipe/picture compliments to Kraft foods

What you need!

• 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1-1/4 cups  shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 pkg.  (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken or Cornbread
• 8 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (2 lb.)
• 1/3 cup  KRAFT Roasted Red Pepper Italian with Parmesan Dressing(regular Italian is fine too)

Make It!
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

• MIX tomatoes, 1/2 cup cheese and basil in medium bowl. Add stuffing mix; stir just until moistened. 
• PLACE 2 chicken breasts in freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; pound to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove from bag; place, top-sides down, on cutting board. Repeat. Spread chicken with stuffing mixture. 

• ROLL chicken breasts up; place, seam-sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with dressing. Bake 40 min. or until chicken is done (165°F). Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.  
• Serve with Garlic Bread. Great with Pasta and/or Salad. 

Variation

For a south-of-the-border-style chicken dish, use diced tomatoes with bell or jalapeno peppers, KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Cheese instead of the mozzarella cheese and chopped cilantro instead of the basil. 

 

 

WHA-LAA!
Simple ingredients, Super results!



Blessings,
Missy

Marker 158 and Clutts Family

So here are 2 of the 4 sessions I had in May.

Marker 158 is sooo great!  Each of these guys have 20-30 years of music experience, and their sound really speaks for that experience.  What makes this very special to me, is that each of these guys have been involved in my life, one way or another.
Meet Mike Hall, Steve Anderson, and Jeff Chynoweth.  The guys were looking for photos for promotional use and for their CD.  Want to hear them?  Check them out at the Taste of Tippecanoe on June19th!

My other session I just finished is of a dear family  and friends from our church and small group.

Meet Craig, Alicia, CT and Bella Clutts.

They recently moved to Corpus Christi TX and I miss them soo much!  But I am so glad I was able to spend some time with them getting these fun and gorgeous pictures!   Don't you just love the colors and their so cute boots!!  Love it!!

Thank you Friends!

Blessings, 

Missy