Loch-Smith and Co.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Candid Shots - 12/21/08

Candid pictures taken at a Campbell family party. I won't bore you with all the pictures of presents or family or food - just the precious highlights.

Sweet Pea - I think she's going to grow up to be a model. She loves posing for the camera.

Loch Monster - Tender, quiet, brilliant and quick as a whip.

Jellybean - VERY independent and headstrong, hilarious!

Grandpa Campbell singing carols. He had encephalitis of the brain 11 years ago when I was pregnant with Loch Monster. I was terrified that my Grandpa would send me my firstborn child instead of meet him here in this life. He's since been around for many more great-grandchildren coming into the family despite not ever being the same man that he used to be before getting sick and we cherish every moment we get to still have him with us.

My Grandma plays this STUPID $5 gift exchange game every year. We hate it and the spirit of the holiday is completely lost but none of us dare tell that to Grandma. She'd have a fit. This year she finally did size-down the game to only include children under the age of 18 instead of every single person. I was trying to forget that I needed to take three $5 gifts for my kids to put into the pot but sadly remembered that day, a Sunday, that I was suppose to be a dutiful granddaughter and participate. So I scrambled through the house looking for new, child-appropriate white elephant gifts valued around $5. I found a Kid's Apron and Chef Hat set from Pampered Chef that I still had lying around, in the package, unopened. It costs more than $5 but it was one of the three gifts I needed. It would have to do. Of all the gifts on the floor to choose from, having no idea which gifts I prepared and brought, Jellybean picked the apron and hat. She's a wonder!! And she thinks she's the coolest kid ever and is always asking to help with dinner or treats so that she can wear her new duds.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Julie Got Artsy Fartsy!

For my Team Open House on Dec. 17th, I was looking for easy and cheap recipes to make for treats. Imagine that - Pampered Chef has just the thing I was looking for! Christmas Stocking Cake is a no-bake recipe using cinnamon graham crackers, a white chocolate pudding filling, whipped topping frosting and decorator's icing. Garnish with a few whipped topping stars from "the gun" and sprinkle candy like it's spilling out the top of the stocking. I'm not artsy fartsy very often and I, 99.9% of the time, never prepare recipes that look like the Test Kitchen so when those moments happen - I always take a picture. :-)

Christmas Angels - 12/06

Somebody was very generous to our family this year. We had secret elves visit us late that Saturday night and share with us these goodies. Eric answered the door and when he told me what it was, I hastily told him to yell "thank you" into the cold night air in hopes that our elves were still nearby.

I just sat on the couch and bawled. It's so different being on the receiving end and I was having a hard time accepting it. I didn't feel we were hurting bad enough to receive such service. I was reminded by a very special friend that I know what it feels like to give like this and that I couldn't deny or take away the opportunity for somebody else to feel those same feelings.

I was scared to count the money in the Christmas Jar. I was scared to know the total and know how much somebody really sacrificed for us. Tonight, Jan. 24th, we counted all those coins and the surprise $50 bill hiding in the middle of all of them. Somebody sacrificed a lot for us!! If you know who did this for us, PLEASE tell them thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whomever did this knows our family because they chose gifts perfect for my kids. You forever blessed me and my family with your generosity. I'll never forget this Christmas! THANK YOU!