366 Photo Project - Photo 44: Chalkie

This lil cute fella is my parents' pup, Chalkie. He is the sweetest little pug around. Every week we visit our parents along with my brother and we both bring our dogs along. Chalkie has figured out that on the days where my mom stays home from work, it means his friends are coming over to play so he will sit at the top of stairs and wait. And wait. And wait. He'll sit there and not even go to my parents when they try to lure him with food. He survives on fresh yams, broccoli stems, whatever my parents eat and a little bit of kibble. The human food isn't good for him but we can't control what my parents feed him. Doesn't help that Chalkie sits there and whines for food all the time. You'd think that all three dogs get along but Khuno actually can't stand Chalkie. Perhaps it's because Chalkie constantly jumps up on Khuno and it annoys him like a fly would annoy us. There's a lot of low growls that happen throughout dinner. Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather. I'll be back tomorrow to post photo 45. 

366 Photo Project - Photo 43: Lashes

Remember baby Ella that I ported over from my other blog? Well, she isn't so baby anymore! She's growing into this adorable little toddler. Growing along with everything are her stinkin' eyelashes! Are they not amazing?!? It wasn't easy capturing this photo but I'm sure glad I did. 

Baby Ella

I originally started a separate photography blog called Live Love Capture Photography (original, I know), but after the one post, I discovered myfotojournal and have since stopped using the blogger version. You can see my other blog here. I know what you're thinking, enough with all these blogs already! I totally agree! I'd like to keep my card making posts kept strictly on my StampNStuff blog, personal posts on here and photography only related posts on myfotojournal. In trying to pull away from the blogger version of my photography blog, I've pulled the one and only post over to here. I will try and find time to post it under myfotojournal as well. Here's what I posted back in November 2011: 


I wanted to start this blog as a little photography journal. I enjoy taking photos and I'd love to have a special little place to share it with everyone. My very first post is going to be sharing an afternoon spent with lil Ella. She was a trooper and by the end of the hour all she wanted to do was eat her lunch! Here's a few of my favorites from the day. Hope you enjoy them mama Amber! 

366 Photo Project - Photo 42: Rebecca

Remember when I posted the little twinsies blankies I made for my friend and her girls? I went to visit her a few weeks ago and decided to bring my camera along to sneak a few pictures in. I'm not sure if they have been officially declared identical or not, but I was able to remember that this little cutie is Rebecca! So bright-eyed and perfect. Congrats Mandy. 

366 Photo Project - Photo 41: Double Chocolate Muffins

A few weeks ago I decided to try a recipe I found on allrecipes.com since I was going to visit a friend who recently had twin girls. It's always nice to show up with some food for the new parents so I thought some healthy muffins would do just fine. The recipe I found is called Irresistible Double Chocolate Muffins. I know what you're thinking... double chocolate=mega calorie. What I didn't mention is that these muffins are surprisingly healthy! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup ground flax seed (I used 1/2 cup of this)
• 1/2 cup wheat germ (I used 3/4 cup instead)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (pretty sure I used 1 cup)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Then mix all wet ingredients together in a separate bowl. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be very light and airy (which scared me a lot at first). Bake in a 400 degree oven until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs on it. I think it took about 22 minutes for me. I originally wanted to grease my tins but Jamie wasn't in the mood to help so we decided to just throw down some liners. I know, The batter looks like poop. I actually doubled the recipe and made some loaves as well. Those took way longer to bake, as one would expect. I topped some of the muffins with some raw sugar and they turned out great. I threw in a picture of my ridiculously small counter top. I can't wait till we tear up this old kitchen and start on the new. Can you believe Jamie rolls out dough on that little corner all the time? I know... it's sick. 

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Please don't judge the dirtiness of my muffin tin. It's just well loved. =) 

Relay For Life 2012 - Team Dawn

Dear friends and family, This will be my third year (and Jamie's 4th) participating in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Cancer has unfortunately touched all of our lives and we hope to do everything we can to fight cancer and prevent it from taking any more loved ones from us. Join me in the fight against cancer by pledging me for my participation in the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life! The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight non-competitive relay that celebrates cancer survivors and pays tribute to the lives of loved ones. It involves teams of 10 people who take turns walking, running or strolling around a track to raise money to support the work of the Canadian Cancer Society. It's a night of fun, friendship and fundraising to beat cancer. Every step you take in Relay raises money to help the Canadian Cancer Society save lives. Funds raised through Relay For Life make a difference. They help the Canadian Cancer Society fund the most promising research projects in the country, provide information services and support programs in the community and advocate for public policies that prevent cancer and help those living with it. Join the Fight by pledging my participation in Relay For Life – just click the link at the bottom of this message to view my personal page and look for the blue button to support me in this event. Online pledging is secure and it saves the Society money by reducing administrative costs. No amount is too small, or too big. And with a donation of $10 or more, you will receive a tax receipt immediately by e-mail. Thanks, Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?px=3536522&pg=personal&fr_id=10753&fl=en_CA&et=hdoQq4K3oj0XOmJsaKjBnQ&s_tafId=192764 Click here to view the team page for Team Dawn If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?team_id=258122&pg=team&fr_id=10753&fl=en_CA&et=K0jGZVFNdDvEbKpMeyQ1Og&s_tafId=192764 If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=46f4c0e9cbd63152f6a31b7578122d649110a3fc73043c69

Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/N.W.T. Division200, 325 Manning Road NE  Calgary, AB   T2E 2P5 Toll-free:1 800 661-2262 | Phone: (403) 205-3966   E-mail: alberta.relayforlife@cancer.ab.ca

366 Photo Project - Photo 40: Ameya Studio

Last Thursday I managed to make a stop at Sabrina Butterfly during their Late Night on the Ave in Highlands. Sabrina was featuring a local soap company, Ameya Studio. I love supporting local and instantly snapped up 2 bars of this Gardener's Scrub Bar. Now I know what you're all thinking, "Sandy doesn't garden." You are absolutely right, I don't. I picked these up as little gifts for my neighbors because everyone around us have mega green thumbs. In fact, their hands are probably green. I can see my one neighbor starting seedlings in her window. One day I'll take advantage of the sun we get in our kitchen window and try to get a herb pot going.