Try with all your might little ones, but you will smile before the session is up!

The twins were quite serious, but their big sister had them laughing with her before too long!

The girls were enamored with ladybugs, which seemed to have made their home in the long grass around the settee.

It’s the simple things…

-Kristin

It’s only fitting that I write about what my work with Sweet and Saucy this spring on the first day of SUMMER.  That gives you an idea of how behind I am in my blogging!  Better late than never!!

I love the treats, but the girl behind the treats (Melody) is super sweet as well. 🙂  We decided to collaborate on her window displays for spring and I was excited to try my hand at making poufs.  Laura had been telling me how easy they are and I read a few tutorials.  They look perfectly light and fluffy hanging above Melody’s delicate cakes and cookies.  A few of my vintage pieces, Melody’s cake stands (which she’s going to be selling soon, yeah!) and some lemons from my tree rounded out the display.

I also took a few pictures of Melody’s new logo tees.  Laura and her husband Bryan were the perfect models…thanks guys!

Oh and while we’re on the subject, I helped Laura with a little side-project wayyy back in early spring and never shared these pics.  I love love love them.

Blogging this far back feels like house-cleaning.  I feel much better to have it shared…chipping away at the pile of unshared photos!!

-Kristin

5 out of 7 dinners are served in a tortilla at my house.  I don’t really know how it ended up that way…I just like them!  Which brings me to tonight’s dinner…fish tacos.  I stumbled upon a recipe that I simplified a little and have used several times since finding it.  It’s quickly becoming one of our favorites!

Here’s the list of ingredients:

Marinate one pound of cod filets (cut up into small chunks) in the juice of a lemon a few teaspoons of vegetable oil and half a packet of taco seasoning.  After 15-20 minutes, pour the fish and marinade into a skillet and cook 5-7 minutes until done.

The ‘special sauce’ is what makes it.  Equal parts sour cream and mayo (I use light versions of both) with the rest of the packet of taco seasoning.  I mix it all with another squeeze of lemon.

The fixins’ are bagged cabbage, chopped avacado, tomato, black beans, limes and the special sauce.  Of course, you can serve the fish with whatever you like, but make to include THE sauce.

My Uncle Jeff taught me to lightly char corn tortillas on my gas stove top.  With a fork and a quick hand you have authentic tasting warm tortillas.  It’s the only way to eat tacos of any kind!

I quickly assembled my taco and took it back to the kitchen to photograph. 🙂  It has a healthy dose of Sriracha.  The hotter the better, right mom?

It’s that easy and it’s SO good.  And not too bad for you either!

-Kristin

I wish my camera was see-through.  I hate meeting a child then hiding behind a black box!  Especially if a little one is shy, it makes it even more intimidating!!

That was definitely the case with Evangeline….she wasn’t quite so sure about this photo session.  And she really wasn’t a fan of the black box!

I love long eyelashes, so I usually take advantage of the shy moments by capturing some eyelash shots.  Then, I read this tip somewhere and I use it a lot.  I rest the camera right on my cheek while I’m talking to the child.  Then, when I can get them to smile or laugh, I’ll quickly let my eye find the viewfinder and snap a few quick pictures, then back to talking with the camera resting on my cheek.  Sometimes, I’ll show them the LCD screen and show them how cute they look.  I’ve never met a toddler that didn’t like to look at themselves, so that always works well!

Before you know it, Evangeline trusts me and she will even go so far as to smile at me with the black box in front of my face!!

It’s always a dance, but the pay-off is HUGE.  🙂  I love seeing the parents’ faces when they ask, how did you get them to do that!?

-Kristin