by Amy | Mar 15, 2013 | Blog
Total transparency…I’ve had this photo for a while. I just keep neglecting to post it. However today seemed very appropriate. You see, yesterday temps here in PraCan reached nearly 50 degrees. My heart knew it was too good to be true. Today we received 7 inches of snow…and it is still falling.
Speaking of falling, I just shoveled the driveway and I feel like my arms might fall off. Luckily Derek pulled in and I tagged him into the ring. Thank you Lord for tag-teams.
Back to the point.
You may remember my first “Just Two Bros” post back in the fall. You see, I’m fascinated by boys and their friendships. They are so very different from girls. So when I see a random “Bro-Moment” I like to snap a photo. Plus, it’s always more fun to add the words, “Just two bros…” to the start of an awkward bromantic scene. If you didn’t read the first post, you should. It’s good. You’ll laugh.
Today’s photo is a bonus, because there are more than two bros, there are THREE! The key to a JTB photo is that it happens organically. It’s something you see unfolding without coaching.
On this particular day Minot had gotten its first big snowfall of the season. {I told you I’d had this for a while.} At the time snow was new and exciting {not so much now…} so after having dinner with friends we went on a walk. And, well, this happened.
“Hey bros, nothing is better on wet jeans then a metal seat in 20 degree weather.”
“Yeah, bro I totally agree.”
“This is awesome, but I wish we had a fourth bro to balance things out.”
If you spot a bro moment that you’d like to show off to the world, please, by all means, send it to me. I’d love to make an awesome caption for it and feature it right here.
Have a great weekend!
Amy
by Amy | Mar 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
Did you like critical thinking problems as a kid? I did. I loved them…like isn’t even a good word for how I felt about creative, critical thinking. I still love them. Maybe that’s why I like home improvement so much.
When all is said and done, home improvement is just one big critical thinking problem. Whether the improvement you are looking at is major {a complete over-haul} or minor {improving the look of that blank wall with a little gallery}, it’s all about problems and solutions.
As with any CT puzzle, the first step is identifying the problem. I’ve identified many a problem in this house {the stairs, the floors, the built ins}. A problem I saw very early on was in the bathroom. But, in the big puzzle it really wasn’t that important. I tackled the first floor, first…since that’s what is most visible. Now I’m getting into the other parts of the house.
So here is the problem. There is a gaping shelf/cabinet thing in the wall. Perfect for storing towels. But my towel collection isn’t really worthy of being showed off {neither are my folding skills.} The solution? Well…it has to do with these painted fence posts. For now, I’ll keep you guessing. I’ll tell you this, though: I’m excited about this one. I’m looking forward to a morning when towels and medicine cabinet junk isn’t the first thing {beside Panda Cat, of course} to greet me in the a.m.
On a side note, please let me tell you how crazy I looked buying only six fence posts, in PraCan, in 20 degree temps, with more than a foot of snow on the ground. The kid processing my order gave me a look…but he didn’t ask. So I didn’t tell. My weird hardware store purchases are my business. {And yours too. There are no secrets between us. Especially when it comes to my awkwardness.}
by Amy | Mar 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Last weekend I had the great pleasure of photographing the one and only…totally awesome…Hanrion family.
On a side note, do you remember a while back when I posted Robin & Danica’s “sister’s session”? I titled the post “Sugar & Spice.” And it was. All frills and tutus, princess smiles and sleepy baby girls. It was really sweet.
Well, the Hanrion clan has two boys. There was no sugar or spice…although these handsome boys are pretty sweet. Talk was more about airplanes and something called a “meat dinosaur” than butterflies and My Little Ponies. I had a blast getting smiles out of these guys and I know you’ll have a blast checking out this sneak peek. Look for their full session on the Facebook Page later in the week.
If you ever take photos, on a professional or personal level, you probably know that not every image turns out perfectly. It’s not always adorable grins and dimples. To me, sometimes these moments are the funniest, most memorable part of the shoot. So I couldn’t possibly leave you without showing off a classic blooper from this family shoot.
I call it, “Just two bros getting their portrait made.” {Yes, that’s a hint for an upcoming post!!}
See you tomorrow. Glad to be back!
XOXO…Amy
by Amy | Mar 8, 2013 | Blog
You may have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet lately.
There is a reason for that…but I don’t know if it’s a good reason or a bad one. The thing is, I’ve had kind of a lot on my plate lately. You know me, I get pretty emotional about things…so at the end of the day I’m simply too drained to write. I adore writing to you, so I hate that lately sitting down to type has been the one thing that has been falling to the wayside.
Side note: What is a wayside? I remember the books Wayside School is Falling Down from my elementary school library. But surely the phrase has other roots.
Okay, where was I? Yes, distractions. In the coming days I’ll tell you more about what has been on my mind and heart {no, no more stripper-ish things…but that ministry is moving full steam ahead}. The things that have been weighing on me will affect the website, the business and the blog. Don’t freak out. The effects will be good. Even great. I’m in for a unique/exciting/interesting spring and summer and I’m thrilled to have you along.
All that aside, I want to give you a glimpse into life in the North. Another look at life in Practically Canada. While the rest of the country is thinking spring is about to be sprung we in PraCan are settling in for another month {or two…I pray not three} of winter.
On Monday we were hit with a big snow storm. Big enough to put the city into a full blown snow day. Schools were closed, the AF base was pretty much closed, town was shut down. Since then we’ve dug out {but I did get stuck in a parallel parking space downtown on Tuesday.} Tonight, just for kicks I’ve compiled a collection of photos from around town to show off our Snow, Like Whoa!
This first photo comes from Minot Daily News. Lot of this happening this week.
But for those of us who can’t afford a snow blower, we have to do it the old fashioned way. Ask the husband to shovel.
Let me tell you it was deep. Over night we got 9″ then as the morning wore on we got 3″ more. This was Derek’s second shoveling.
I took to Facebook to gather these next three. We can all thank Christina Kroll for this next one. This is a photo of her back yard picnic table.
Photo credit here goes to Mallory Spitzer. Her sweet kitten Monroe is looking out on a snowy day. As you can see the drifts are covering the window.
Last photo credit goes to Jessi Gilman. This one blew me away. Look at those crazy drifts! Look how high the snow is next to the fence!!
This snow really blew me away. I haven’t seen snow like this for years. Word on the street is spring doesn’t start until May up here…no matter what we do with our clocks this weekend. Yikes.
Amy
by Amy | Mar 2, 2013 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Projects
I don’t Instagram. Really, I don’t even understand what that means. I thought it was just fancy filters you could add to your phone photos. Now it’s all…”Follow me on Instagram.” “Oh, Amy, you’d love it.”
Guys…I don’t need any more social media in my life right now. Pinterest was a pretty big step. Maybe someday I’ll get on board. It must be pretty awesome because loads of my awesome friends do it. For now, I’ll sit this one out.
However, when I’m out and about I do tend to snap photos on my phone. When I see something that strikes my fancy I take a photo. Especially if it’s something that I think is “over-priced” and I could “…easily whip that up at home,” or “find something like it at an estate sale.” So I looked back through my phone. I really do need to do some deleting. And I put together this little collage of things that have been inspiring me lately.
Enjoy.
#1. We were in South Dakota last weekend. While visiting we went to what I consider the cutest winery ever. Total transparency…I haven’t been to very many wineries. But I really do love Prairie Berry. And their free wine tasting doesn’t hurt. Anyway I was this precious wine caddy. We could make that, don’t you think?
#2. When I was in Dallas for the Strip Church conference I took my lunch break at the Galleria Mall. In the middle of the food court two kids had used their mom’s coats {and their coats} to build an elaborate fort. NBD. Except that is pretty, stinking awesome. What’s even better was how the parents just continued to chat like nothing weird was going on.
#3. In Shreveport, Rhino Coffee uses table paper to write their ever changing menu. I don’t know where, and I don’t know why…but I need this in my house. A very welcome alternative to chalkboards.
#4. At a grocery store in Dover, DE there was an aisle completely dedicated to colored sprinkles. WHAT?!!
#5. Again, at Rhino, the bathroom had this nifty TP holder made out of plumbing. Sturdy, practical, I could totally do that.
#6. My friends’ boxer, Clara Belle incognito. Who’s that cowboy in the living room?
#7. I love this line of quirky-folksy tea cups from Anthropologie. Too bad I can’t afford them. I’m banking these cute patterns for my next paint-your-own-pottery night at Margie’s in Minot.
by Amy | Mar 1, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Projects
I know. You’re thinking, “Who is this adorable girl eating meatloaf so gracefully?” Well, paws off. That’s my sister. She rocks. She rolls. She’s pretty much awesome in every way a person can be awesome. {And believe me, I know awesome.}
Here’s the thing with Sis. {I call her that, you can call her Erin.} She’s a lefty, a borderline ginger…and she was born on Leap Day. So, all in all she has really defied the odds. I doubt that happens very often. Since the 29th of February doesn’t come around every year, that means we celebrate her on the 28th. Which is…today.
Given that today is her birthday, I thought it appropriate to share something amazing that she has come up with. Now, this is classic Erin. Lists, organization…that’s her ball game. {She is a kindergarten teacher after all. No organization=no sanity in that arena.}
Recently she and her husband put their house on the market. {Sidenote…if you are in the Elkhart, IN area, or would like to move to the best town in America and would like a super cute, well kept, sweetly landscaped home–hit me up. I know a good one that just came up on the market.} Now they are hunting for their next place.
If you’ve ever bought a house you know the process can be stressful. One showing after another and another and another. Eventually they all blur together in your mind. You forget what you liked and what you didn’t. Even if you take photos, some of the details fall through the cracks.
Not to mention, the tension that can come up between spouses when house hunting. You’ve got your eye on an old, needy fixer upper with good bones. He’s got his eye on something from the last 20 years with a room big enough for his Call of Duty game nights. Uh-oh.
To take care of this issue Sis created a worksheet that they take with them on each showing.
Pretty genius…am I right? They go to each showing and fill out this score sheet as they tour the house. Then they add it up and keep it with any photos of the property. As time goes by they will have a clear record of every property and how it scored with them.
Love this idea? You can download this template right here. Or make your own. You can do it in Word or Paint or just write things down on a sheet of paper and copy it, or if this really hits home for you…you can use this one.
Happy house hunting!
Amy
by Amy | Feb 27, 2013 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
Derek and I work with the youth group at church. I don’t feel especially qualified, but I do feel especially blessed to be around those teens every single week.
This year we’ve slowly been working our way through the Book of Acts. A few weeks back we discussed this passage: Acts 14:21-28. You can click over to Bible Gateway to read it…or just read my paraphrase.
Basically what is going on is this. Paul and Barnabas {a killer ministry duo} have just finished a multi-national evangelistic tour. They could circle around, cut a corner and go back a different way than what they came, or return along their same path. Cut a corner, get home sooner…or take the long road, revisiting towns that attempted to kill them.
Doesn’t seem like a tough choice.
But Paul and Barney decide to return the way they came. They wanted to go back and check on all the new believers that had heard the Gospel on their first pass through. They wanted to follow though.
And that’s the message we tried to convey to the teens: follow through. The importance of following up, especially when it comes to new believers. In my mind, I find it important to follow through in all of our relationships. Sometimes I’m not very good at it, especially if it means following up with someone I don’t know very well. You trackin’?
Tonight someone followed through with me. It was someone I didn’t think I’d hear from again, but she called me up and left an encouraging message.
A few weeks back when I was visiting Dallas for the Strip Church training conference I recieved some startling/unexpected/emotion-rolling/hard-to-handle news. If you know me, you know that sometimes I can go over the edge with emotions. I just need to cry it out. So I was in the car, driving 70 mph down the highway, crying my eyes out. I decided that wasn’t the safest choice, so I pulled off at the nearest exit to collect myself. When the tears had stopped, I went inside to buy a drink. {I had that thick post-cry slobber clogging my throat.}
An older lady {I put her at mid-60’s} was working the checkout. She {out of habit} asked me how I was doing. Now, mind you…my face was a wreck. We are talking smeared mascara, puffy red eyes, pink nose, swollen lips…the whole nine yards. I didn’t have the energy to lie, so I told her I’d had better days. At this point she took her hands off my Aquifina and looked at my face. Then she sincerely asked how I was and what had me so upset.
I told her. Then she held out her hands and took hold of mine. She closed her eyes and prayed over me. In the middle of the gas station, with a line behind me. She prayed the Holy Spirit would be on me and give me peace. That I would have joy in my heart, strength and patience to endure. Then she asked how she could follow up with me. I had a business card in my wallet, so I handed it over to her.
I was fine for the rest of my drive. And I have had a certain amount of peace ever since. Honestly, I never thought I’d hear from her again.
Until tonight.
She {DeDe from the gas station in Texas} followed through. I missed the call, but I’ll call her back. I’ve never had a small act of encouragement touch me in this way.
The point is following up matters. Interacting with one another is a good first step. But the joy, peace and love that we plant at that initial moment will wither if we don’t follow through. As humans we need support. When we reach out to one another we need to take the long road back…to check up on our people. Lucky for us, it doesn’t mean we need to face the threat of being stoned. Just a phone call, or a text, or a facebook message. Just to check in and let them know that our meeting was sincere; not just habit. You can even be more basic than that: actually pray for the needs a friend expresses to you. {How often do we say “Oh, I’d love to pray for you,” only to forget? I know it’s happened to the best of us.}
This week I challenge you to follow up with one person. Friend, family, stranger…whatever. Someone who you connected with. Follow through, see how they are doing. Allow God to bless them through your encouragement. If that’s not enough to convince you, just trust Gavin DeGraw:
“You have to follow through
You’re gonna have to follow
Oh, this is the start of something good
Don’t you agree?”
Amy
by Amy | Feb 26, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Fitness
Do you know what winter hands are? I thought I did. Then I moved to Practically Canada.
The chapped hands of my past pale in comparison to what is going on with my knuckles right now. And it’s not just the knuckles. My whole hand is rough like someone ran sand paper over alligator skin. I’m telling you, I’ve never experienced hands like this before. The cold weather makes them bad. Cold season hand washing makes it worse.
If you looked only at my hands and guessed my age, you’d probably put me in the ball park of 75 years old. So gross.
So I reached out to locals. How the heck to they deal with this every winter? Newsflash…winter still has several months left up here. My hands will be bloody, chapped stumps by then if I don’t take action now.
I got a few pieces of advice. Lotion followed by socks over the hands before bed. Mary Kay hand scrub. Body butter. But the most unique tip is the one I’ve found to work the best. Are you ready to heal your nasty, winter hands? Go to your kitchen and get out your Crisco.
Wait, what? Crisco?!
Yes, you heard right. The very sweet, very northern yoga instructor at my gym clued me in on this little home-miracle. Just open up your tub of solid shortening and smear it on your hands. Then cover your hands with a pair of soft socks or gloves. Wear them to bed, or for 30 minutes at a time. You’ll seriously be amazed. It’s time to defeat our winter hands once and for all.
Amy
