Family Photo Shoot: West Bountiful, UT [Morley Family]

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Krista

I love where I live. I love my cozy home. I love that people ride horses down the street and that sometimes I have to watch out for chickens crossing the road (seriously). I love the way the sun comes up over the mountains and goes down over the lake. I love the kids who ride bikes all over the neighborhood and zoom their scooters down our driveway. And I love my really nice neighbors.

When we moved to the “west side” four years ago, I don’t think Frit or I had any idea how much we would fall in love with the people here. They’re just. good. people.

They drop warm muffins off when they find out you’re sick. They send their husband over to shovel the “single girls’” driveway after a snowfall. They take you to run errands when your car breaks down. They invite you and a slew of other darling gals over to watch the Bachelor (once the children and menfolk are in bed of course). They drop you off at the airport. They wave when you drive by.

Yeah. They’re just. good. people.

So when Laura, from around the corner, called to hire me to take her family pictures, I was thrilled to do something for one of those good persons Frit and I adore so much. Thanks Laura for asking. Your family is so beautiful. Just. So. Beautiful.

To see more of the Morley family’s photo session, visit the Facebook album here. And if you’d like to have me take professional pictures of your family too, please email me. I’d really love to do so.

Since Thursday

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Krista

This is what I looked like after Thanksgiving dinner:

But I’m too vain to post a picture like that of myself, so Izzy graciously modeled.

Thursday was delicious in every way–full of good food (my mashed potatoes and pecan pie rocked the house this year), good friends, thankfulness, and costumes. Yes. Costumes. Last Tuesday Frit sent out a text to her family that everyone had to come to Thanksgiving dinner “in costume … this is NOT a drill.” We were just expecting pilgrims and Indians, but we should have known better …

Frit’s nephew Cooper, came as mashed potatoes (his “favorite”) and his twin brother Cameron, came as a turkey.

(Thanksgiving turkey, pilgrim, and mashed potatoes with 2 pats of butter there on top)

We had a slew of pilgrims and Indians ’round the table, and even an Indian from New Delhi (I think she got confused). It was fantastic!

Frit went as an Indian, complete with a paper grocery bag vest, and I, as a pilgrim, with a construction paper bonnet. The table was filled with everyone’s favorite dishes, new recipes and old, friends and family. We ate, talked, napped, and then ate some more. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

The next morning Frit had to go back to work so I traipsed up the mountain-side looking for our Christmas tree (it’s tradition). It wasn’t the same without her, and it was 1000 times more snowy than it has been in years past–I almost slid down the entire mountain I’d just climbed up when I lost my footing on a slick patch and my feet were numb by the time I climbed back in the car–but success was mine, when I found the perfect tree.

(crappy cell phone picture of our undecorated tree)

That night, we ate leftover turkey, potatoes (mashed and sweet), and cranberries, all rolled up inside lefse (Frit’s family is from Norway and they make this every Thanksgiving and Christmas). Then we popped in Elf and got to decorating (another tradition). After three times through Buddy’s adventures in the “magical land called New York City,” we were done and the house was sparkling Christmas. I have yet to take a picture of the tree lit and decorated, but I’m on it.

On Saturday, we went to the Nutcracker (yet another tradition for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving) and have decided that the pas de deux gets longer and longer every year. But the Waltz of the Snowflakes is always my favorite with Arabian coming in at a close second. And, just for kicks and giggles, I thought I’d share a picture of me when I danced in he Nutcracker as a child. I can’t remember which dance I was in this particular year–Russian maybe? Yes, I think that’s right. Little sister Karly (on the right) was one of the party girls.

Saturday night it began to snow and didn’t stop all day Sunday. We’ve got about 6 inches and our yard looks like a winter wonderland.

And all I can say is … I love this time of year.

Pecan Pie: A Maurer Family Recipe and My Personal Fave

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Krista

My great-grandmother, we called her Mama Maude, passed away this past weekend. She was 99, a mere three weeks away from turning 100.

She’s been plagued with Alzheimer’s for the last 10 years or so, so while it’s always sad to lose a family member, I’m also grateful that she’s no longer a prisoner to her darkened mind.

I didn’t know Mama Maude very well–she lived in Pennsylvania and I grew up far away down South–but we exchanged letters for a period of time when I was in grade school and I remember visiting her for her 80th birthday party. She made us sticky buns for breakfast one morning and we loved taking evening baths in her claw-footed tub upstairs. That was the first time I remember playing in the snow and I can still see the sea-foamy green paint on the walls in her living room.

Thinking about Mama Maude got me to thinking about my Grandma Sally, Maude’s daughter, my dad’s mom (or “mum” as she says it). She and Granddad lived only minutes away when I was a child. We ate Sunday dinner at their house every week growing up. All birthday parties were held in their living room and each Thanksgiving, my sister and I would arrive early to help make the pies. Karly did the pumpkin and I was all over the pecan. The recipe we used belonged to Mama Vic, my other great-grandmother (Granddad’s “mum”). It was also the “official” pecan pie recipe on board the “Lazybones”, my grandparents first boat. This was the dessert they fed the tourists who came for a ride up and down the Orange River in Florida.

I’d love to share it with you.

Mama Vic’s Pecan Pie

(my sisters and I say it pee-can, although Maude and Vic probably pronounced it pe-cahn seeing as they were Yankees from PA [grin])

1 9″ pie crust (this is a great one)
1 cup dark Karo syrup
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
3 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Combine syrup, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla and mix with mixer till smooth.
Stir in pecans and pour into crust.
Line edge with foil strip to avoid burning the crust.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Remove foil strip and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes or until center doesn’t jiggle.
Let cool completely.

*Variation for High Altitude: Reduce heat to 325

Tutorial: Custom Placemats

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Krista

To finish off the custom tablescape I designed for Thanksgiving, I made a matching placemat to go with the napkins and table runner. It’s a simple design, and I love what it adds to the finished look. Like I always say … It’s all about presentation, presentation, presentation.

Supplies

2 pieces of fabric measuring 14 1/4″ x 18 1/4″ (although you can certainly increase this depending on the size of your plates and table) . 1 piece of contrasting/coordinating fabric measuring 14 1/4″ x 4″ . lightweight fusible interfacing (14 1/4″ x 18 1/4″) . sewing machine . thread . pins

Steps

Iron long sides of contrasting fabric strip under 1/4″.
Pin strip to placemat top 4″ from left edge.
Stitch in place along long sides 1/4″ from edge.
Iron fusible side of interfacing to wrong side of placemat top.
With wrong sides together, pin placemat top to placemat bottom.
Sew 1/4″ from edge, leaving about 3″ open for turning.
Trim corners, being careful not to cut seams.
Turn right-side-out and iron flat, making sure to iron under your opening for turning.
Topstitch 1/8″ from edge along all 4 sides.

Tutorial: Cloth Napkins & Napkin Rings

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Krista

I love cloth napkins. Love them. And I plan to use them for all my family meals. You know … as soon as I have a family to cook meals for. But that’s beside the point. The point, is cloth napkins. In my opinion, they make table settings look extra lovely. Which should always be the goal. Lovely meals. Lovely presentations. Lovely time spent together around the table.

Plus, using them means less paper waste in the landfills. And it’s so easy to just toss them in with the loads of laundry you already have to do. It really takes no extra effort to use cloth napkins.

OK. I’m off my soap box now. Here’s how to make your own so that you can customize your tablescape to the desired look you want. They’re SO easy!

Cloth Napkins

(makes 4 napkins)

Supplies

1 1/4 yards of fabric (44/45″ wide) . scissors or rotary cutter . sewing machine . thread . iron

Steps

Wash, dry, & iron your fabric.
Cut four 21″ squares.
Fold raw edges of each square over 1/4″ on wrong side of fabric and iron in place.
Fold again 1/4″ and iron.
Sew 1/8 of inch from edge along all four sides of square.

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Matching Yo-Yo Napkin Rings

(makes about 7 rings)

Supplies

1 foot of coordinating fabric (44/45″ wide) . scissors or rotary cutter . sewing machine . needle . thread . matching button or bead . fabric glue

Steps

Cut one 12″ x 3″ strip of fabric and one 7″ x 3 1/2″ strip of fabric.
Fold the short ends of the 12″ strip under 1/4″ (on wrong side) and iron in place.
Now fold the same strip in half, lengthwise, with wrong sides together.
Hand stitch (over, under, over, under) along raw edge, close to edge, pulling and gathering to create the round yo-yo.
Close yo-yo by stitching ends together. Set aside.
Take the 7″ strip and fold in half, lengthwise, with right sides together.
Machine stitch 1/4″ from raw edge to create a tube.
Turn tube right-side out and iron flat.
Overlap raw ends of tube 1/4″ and sew together to create ring.
Turn seam to inside of ring and iron to one side.
Using fabric glue, attach the yo-yo to the ring at the seam.
Glue button or bead to center of yo-yo.
Allow to dry before using.

Just In Case

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Krista

Does this look like the horizon of a blizzard?

I didn’t think so either, but within 15 minutes, this is what it looked like from the very same spot on my back patio.

We’ve been getting ready for this storm all day. When the weather service issued a warning for the entire state and we went into “emergency preparedness mode” ’round these parts. We’re freshly stocked on new batteries for the flashlights, matches and candles were located and numbered, and jugs of water filled. The rocking chairs from the front porch have been stowed. Trash cans secured. Errands run. Ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner purchased.

Our little house is all buttoned up tight.

We’re warm and cozy, freshly showered, under fresh from the dryer blankets.

Ready and watching as the wind howls and the snow piles.

As I ran here and there, making lists and battening the hatches, I couldn’t help but think about the people without a home on a night like tonight. And I know this is random and highly unlikely, but because it was on my mind, I left the lock on the shed open. For the stranger. The wander. The cold and lonely person who just might need a place to weather the storm.

I know that’s silly.

But, you know.

Just in case.

Stay warm and safe out there, ok?

Love,

Krista

Portrait Photo Shoot: Salt Lake City [Trolley Square]

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Krista

I’ve recently been doing a lot of portrait photo shoots in the Salt Lake City area. It’s been so fun to meet new people and learn how to find their true essence and personality … and then capturing that essence in the pictures.

I’m falling in love with photography more and more each day.

Here are a few of my favorites from my session with Kim at Trolley Square. She has such a beautiful smile and comfortable confidence–a natural ease that made taking her pictures an absolute pleasure.

Her husband tagged along to watch, so at the end of Kim’s session, I took a few of the two of them together.

Such a pretty couple, aren’t they? To see more of Kim’s photos, visit the Facebook album here.

And to hire me to take your portraits, family or individual, please call (801.360.1235) or email. I’d really love to be your photographer.

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Listen, This Will Make You Happy

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Krista

(image by Liz Lemon Swindle, found here)

Yesterday Frit asked if I would help her with the children’s class at church (it’s called Primary and she’s the music leader). One of our Primary children, Skyler, is currently at the children’s hospital in Salt Lake City battling lukemia. Skyler is four. And the reason she needed my help was so that she could record Skyler’s Primary friends singing some of his favorite songs to put on a CD to send to him.

One of the other teachers shared pictures of Skyler and tried to explain what he was going through at the hospital. The children watched wide-eyed, not totally understanding, but comprehending enough to know that their friend Skyler was hurting.

I hooked up my recording equipment and explained how they needed to stand still and quiet–how they needed to sing loudly, but sweetly. (Not a small feat for 100 children ages 3 to 11 to accomplish.) And then they sang. So beautifully. So reverently. With all the love their little hearts could muster. And when it was all said and done, I was crying. Frit was crying. The other teachers were crying. Even a couple of the children had tears brimming at their eyes.

Frit took a moment to talk about what we were all feeling. She talked about truth and love and joy. She talked about the Spirit. She talked about Jesus.

And the children listened.

I’ve been having a difficult time the last couple months. I’m trying to work through it and get back to being me. And I’m getting there, I am. I’m just at a loss for what to say. About anything.

But I do know that listening to this is helping.

I hope you enjoy.

I Know That My Savior Loves Me

I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus

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Tutorial: Fall Harvest Table Runner

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Krista

Good Morning all! :) And welcome to any new friends who found me through Good Things Utah. Feel free to stay a while and browse around.

The following tutorial is for the table runner featured on today’s segment. On Friday I will be sending a free mini-book download of all the items from the tablescape (napkins, placemats, napkin rings, & runner) as well as a few other Thanksgiving tutorials, ideas, and recipes to everyone on my email list. So be sure your name is on the list! You can sign up over there on the right.

Have a wonderful day!

Harvest Table Runner
(final measurement: 20″ x 28″)

Supplies:
3 types of fabric in Fall colors (hereafter referred to as fabric a, b, and c), scissors or rotary cutter, sewing machine, interfacing (if needed)

Steps:
1. Cut fabric a into three 5″ x 5″ squares.
2. Cut fabric b into four 5″ x 10″ strips (hereafter referred to as b1) and six 9″ x 5″ strips (hereafter referred to as b2) .
3. Cut fabric c into eight 9″ x 10″ strips.
4. Back flimsier fabrics with lightweight interfacing (if needed).
5. Layout cut fabrics on a flat surface in the following pattern …
Top row: c, b2, c, b2, c, b2, c
Middle row: b1, a, b1, a, b1, a, b1
Bottom row: c, b2, c, b2, c, b2, c

6. Begin sewing top row together at matching sides.
7. Repeat for middle and bottom rows.
8. Sew finished top row to finished middle row, making sure to match up corners and seams.
9. Sew finished bottom row to the now-joined top and middle.
10. Fold raw perimeter edges under 1/4″ and iron flat.
11. Fold under again 1/4″ and sew.

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Family Photo Shoot: Provo, Utah [The Ladies of Green Gables]

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Krista

And so it begins…

This is what I woke up to this morning.

And as with all first snows, I’m a little excited. A little cold, but excited none-the-less. Come February, I’ll be aching for blue skies, but for now I’m enjoying the freshness of this new season.

It reminds me of the first time I experienced a “first snow fall.” I was a freshman at BYU, living in Deseret Towers (T-Hall), and we dorm-dwelling ladies were on our way home from the Varsity Theater on campus. We had just watched Air Force One, I believe, back before the Varsity got in trouble for editing rated-R movies for the Mormon crowd. For some reason I think we were dressed up. Not fancy like, but in costumes, you see. It wasn’t Halloween, but that means nothing. We dressed up for everything we could … class registration, reading days before finals, birthdays, Wednesdays … you name it, we could find a costume. You couldn’t name it and we’d still find a costume.

Anyhow, we were walking back up the hill to DT and it started to snow. Little tiny flakes falling, for only a few minutes. It was so exciting and beautiful. I was thrilled.

Thinking back, BYU was a source of many a thrilling memory for me. I loved my time there and still adore Provo. I hate it when people bag on “the bubble” (so nicknamed due to its “Pleasantville” qualities–happy & neighborly Mormons abounding [although I'm sure there are some crotchety ones too], and 30,000 college kids who are never at a loss in their ability to make their own fun sans alcohol, drugs, & sex despite living in a city where everything closes at 10) I mean really … what’s so bad about that?

But whatever. Back to the memories … most of my dearest friends and fondest times happened there. Amazing classes, a beautiful school, majestic mountains, football games, teaching at the Missionary Training Center, dances, parties, dinners, new Church wards and new apartments full of new girls every year.

This weekend the ladies of the Green Gables house in Provo hired me to take their “roommate pictures” and I haven’t been this excited about a photo shoot in a long time. I loved spending the morning with these gorgeous girls, taking pictures, and remembering what it was like to be 23 and at the tail end of my college experience. And I know I’m biased, but I think the pictures turned out pretty great too. :) But really, how much hotter can a group of BYU co-eds get?!

Here are just a few of my favorites from the day, but you can see more in the Facebook album here.

And if you have a group (family, roommate, or otherwise) or event you’d like photographed, please email me. I would really love to take your pictures.

Thanks for looking! Have a lovely Tuesday. And if it’s snowing where you are … stay warm! xo