When Life Gives You Lemons…

…You make lemonade.

OR, you rummage around your pantry for the ingredients to make a delicious bundt cake. Totally agreeable alternative, if you ask me.

Yes, last night I actually baked something. Stifle the gasps, please. And don’t get too excited. It’s probably not permanent. But yesterday I got the urge to be all domestic.

After church was over and Jake had left for work, I indulged in a little nap. Like most, I don’t have time to nap very often. But because Jake had been gone last week, I was semi caught up on things, and decided I deserved a little down time. So I napped. IT WAS INCREDIBLE. (I might need to schedule them into my week.) I woke up feeling rejuvenated, and I even did a little laundry. Craziness. Then I went on a run, and when I got back, it just hit me. The Urge. I’d heard about The Urge before, but I’d never felt it. Until yesterday, that is. I needed to BAKE something. Stat.

Something warm and gooey. Something decadent and chocolatey. Something that requires a tall glass of milk. You know where I’m going with this, don’t you? Chocolate Bundt Cake. No, make that Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake. Yeah, I drool just thinking about it too. No really, go ahead and wipe the drool off. I’ll wait.

Good? Ok. Now, wishing you could have some of your own? I’m about to tell you how… (Not that you should feel confident in taking cooking/baking advice from me, but I found this recipe online and it was super easy, so you should be safe.)

The Cake:

-3/4 cup water
-3/4 cup oil
-4 eggs
-1 package of small instant chocolate pudding
-12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
-1 package of Devil’s Food Cake mix
-8 oz. of sour cream

(The sour cream threw me off a little, but I guess it makes the cake moist. Or something. Anyhow.) Get a big bowl and stir all of the ingredients together. (I stirred everything together and then added the chocolate chips. It seemed like that would be easier.) The directions online were very specific that it needs to be done by hand, not with a mixer, so I did. (I’m not sure why that would make a huge difference. But again, don’t listen to me.) Then spray a bundt pan with cooking spray, pour the mix into the pan, and bake it at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. (For those in high altitude like me, I didn’t change anything in the ingredients, but I baked it at 375 degrees and it was done after 40 minutes. Don’t be too impressed, though. The only reason I remembered to do anything for the high altitude was because my mom reminded me…) When it’s done, let it cool for an hour before dumping it out.

The Frosting:

-1 cup granulated sugar
-1/4 cup cocoa
-1/4 cup butter
-1/4 cup milk
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-some powdered sugar (optional)

Put all of the ingredients, minus the powdered sugar and vanilla, into a pot and melt together. When everything is mixed, bring it to a boil for one minute, stirring frequently. After one minute, take it off the heat and mix in the vanilla. Let it cool, stirring every couple minutes. I think I let mine cool for about 10 or 15 minutes, then I drizzled it over the bundt cake. After that you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on it if desired. You know, for effect.

And voila! You’ve got yourself a Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake.

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As you can see, this hasn’t actually been eaten yet. So I take no responsibility if it tastes horrible. But I’ll find out tonight at Family Dinner. And if it’s awful, maybe I’ll delete this post. Haha.

Happy Monday!

One of the Many Reasons I Love Dark Chocolate

You’d think that being long distance for all 4 years of college would somehow make me immune. That it would give me some sort of resistance, that I wouldn’t be very affected by it. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Jake has been out of town this week, visiting family in Texas. And it’s not only been hard, it’s been a lot harder than I expected. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to having him around. You know, the whole being married thing. After so many years of being apart and taking it day by day, I’ve been spoiled waking up next to him every morning. Now when I get in bed my feet stay cold.

This isn’t actually the first time we’ve been apart since we got married. I’ve been gone several times, for a few out of state weddings, for WPPI, etc. I think that’s the difference, too. I was the one that was gone. I was the one who had all the distractions and the fun while Jake was stuck at home. Being on the other side? Not so fun. I’ll be a lot more reluctant to leave next time, knowing this is how it feels at home.

A few good things, though. He comes home tomorrow. (Big sigh of relief.) And this isn’t something that happens regularly. He doesn’t have to travel for his job every other week, or worse, be sent over seas for an unknown amount of time. I have so much respect for women who have to deal with that. SO much.

No, Jake will be back home tomorrow night and everything will go back to normal. That right there is enough to make me feel blessed beyond what I deserve. And I never want to forget it.

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Oh yeah, this is how I coped with his absence…. Dark chocolate and chick flicks. I mean, what’s not to love about Mr. Darcy?

Moab Engagements: Shelly + Ryan

They met in the fall a few years ago, mountain biking with some mutual friends. And while Ryan isn’t the most forward person, he knew there was something different about Shelly. He knew he needed to see her again.  So he asked her to hang out. You know, as friends. Harmless enough, right? Yet during these “hang outs,” Shelly couldn’t help but notice how meticulously planned they were. And she knew they were a little more than just get togethers.

Fast forward a few months to December. As they were “hanging out” on Christmas Eve, doing a little night skiing, Ryan mentioned he had no plans for the holiday. Shelly wouldn’t have any of that, and invited him to spend it with her family. Ryan’s take on it: She’s asking me to spend Christmas with her family?! A little fast maybe, but that must mean I’m SO in!! Shelly’s take on it: No one should spend Christmas alone! I’d wouldn’t let that happen to any of my friends, so of course Ryan is welcome… Hahaha. But no matter the reason behind it, they spent the holiday together.

Naturally, they went on to ring in the new year together as well.  And that night? That was the night everything changed. Because what’s New Year’s Eve without a kiss at midnight? Oh yes, that kiss sealed the deal for them. That kiss turned their world upside down, and it’s been that way ever since. And if you ask me, I don’t think they’d have it any other way.

Shelly and Ryan, I don’t even know what to say. You guys are such genuine, caring, and giving people, and I feel so honored that I can now call you my friends! Thank you for trusting my vision and putting up with my random outbursts of squealing. I’m so glad you guys had fun in Moab, but I’m pretty sure I got the better end of the deal : ) And I can’t WAIT for your wedding next month!! I know it will be nothing short of fabulous.

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How adorable are they?! I love how Ryan is absolutely smitten with Shelly : )

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Shelly and Ryan love to mountain bike together, so it was only fitting that we shot their engagements in the red rocks of Moab, one of their favorite places.

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GQ much?

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The wind was a little chillier than we would have preferred (ok maybe a LOT), but it’s ok because that’s why we girls get married anyway, right? So our boy can keep us warm : )

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Lurrve this.

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Oh hi, my name is Shelly and I’m gorgeous.

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And this is my fiance Ryan. He’s not so bad himself.

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Workin’ it.

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You guys are just fabulous.

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This makes me sigh. Of happiness.

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How awesome is Shelly’s ring?! Ryan bought the stone while they were traveling abroad.

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Ok quick little preface to this next set. Shelly had seen pictures in Moab with bubbles, and she loved them. So they brought a bubble machine for some their pictures. Well remember that wind I mentioned? We could not for the LIFE of us find a spot that was windless enough for the machine to work! It was so frustrating. We had basically given up. Then, of course, when we weren’t looking, we happened upon this rock in the middle of nowhere, and it worked PERFECTLY. Murphy’s law lol. But I’m so glad we found it : )

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The bubbles reflecting on the red rock was lovely.

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And is anyone else loving how Shelly’s hair matches the rock? Because I do.

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Gooorgeous.

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And now for my favorites. When the sun starting setting, the light TURNED TO BUTTER. It was sooo yummy. Yes, yummy Ryan ; )

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No words.

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They are stunning, no?

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I’ll finish with this. 

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Thank you again, Shelly and Ryan, for such an incredible weekend!

Janey - April 13, 2011 - 10:00 am

Gorgeous!

Lindsay - April 13, 2011 - 10:57 am

YOU’RE AMAZING! LOVE IT!

Emily - April 13, 2011 - 12:23 pm

Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous photos!

Alicia - April 13, 2011 - 1:37 pm

The last set – yummy light indeed!!!
beautiful couple, beautiful pictures!

Matt - April 13, 2011 - 1:57 pm

Awesome pics, my sister looks gorgeous!!!

Adrienne - April 13, 2011 - 2:59 pm

These are beautiful pictures of even more beautiful people! wow!!!

Shelly - April 13, 2011 - 8:34 pm

Oh Carissa, I love these! You take beautiful pictures. Thanks again for driving down with us and for being so much FUN to work and travel with! Maybe another road trip down to the petting zoo is in order? ;) I hope the light on May 21st is “yummy”!

Karyn - April 18, 2011 - 11:51 am

These are beautiful pictures! What a great setting and a cute couple.

Sharon - April 29, 2011 - 6:38 am

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS ~ BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
LOVE SHELLY’S HAIR WITH THE RED ROCKS
STUNNING RING ~
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEDDING PHOTOS ~

Adri - June 8, 2011 - 2:18 pm

Oh my…love the red rock! It’s refreshing to see engagements that are so different!

Beth - January 13, 2012 - 1:57 pm

Sarah from Inconceivable Life directed me over here and I just wanted to say WOW! We’ve already picked a photographer for our Moab wedding but these GORGEOUS photos just blew me away. I just wanted to let you know that I thought they were amazing.

Interviewed by Janey of FindMimi

I got lost. Dang one way streets. And I was 20 minutes late. If I was her, I probably would have left. Or at least showed some signs of  irritation. But she didn’t. She smiled warmly when I walked in the door and gave me a huge hug, even though it was the first time we’d met face to face. That’s when I knew we were going to get along juuuust great.

Janey Jessen of FindMimi emailed me several months ago, asking if she could interview me about my business and my photography. I reread her email a second time, a little confused as to why anyone would want to interview me. But she had me when she mentioned meeting at a quaint little tea and coffee shop… Well, that, and also because I love making connections and meeting other photographers : ) So we met on a chilly afternoon for chai’s and conversation, and I’m so glad we did! I had a wonderful time getting to know her, not to mention blabbing my mouth off as she fired questions at me. I’ve never talked about myself for that long in one period of time. It was quite fun. Haha. I kid. But really, her questions made me think. They made me evaluate what I’m doing, where I’m at, and where I want to be. For that, I’m grateful.

When we had finished our chai’s and I was done talking her ear off, we stepped outside and she asked if she could snap a few photos of me. I tried to look all seductive, I tried to stare into the camera with my soul… I ended up laughing in basically every picture. Yeah, I’ve never been good at the whole seductive thing anyway. Janey, on the other hand, can rock it out like no one’s business! I wasn’t going to let her go without snapping a few photos of her as well, and I’ll be honest. My camera loved her.

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Isn’t she a beauty?? Janey, thank you so much for taking the initiative to contact me, for listening to me ramble, and for making me feel so at ease. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you, and WPPI wouldn’t have been the same without you : ) I can’t wait to see all that the future has in store you and your business! You’re a gem, don’t ever change.

If you’d like to read some my ramblings, you can do so HERE : )

The Thirty-Something Bride - April 12, 2011 - 8:48 am

Aw! Sweet…..

Janey - April 12, 2011 - 10:11 am

Carissa! You’re the bestest! Thank you! :) Totally made my day.

Shelly - April 12, 2011 - 4:35 pm

Oooo…that’s super flattering!

Music Monday

Have you ever had a song that takes you back? A song that, when the first few notes hit your ears, brings a flood of memories into your mind? Today’s song does that for me. Truthfully, there are hundreds of songs that do that for me. Ones that bring me to a place and time that would otherwise be lost if not for the music that can transport me there. And when I heard this song the other day, I was surprised how strongly the memory swept me away…

I was back in high school, sitting in Mrs. Galusha’s art class, painting away to my heart’s desire.

I relatively enjoyed high school. I excelled in most of my classes, and I liked the schedule, the time with friends, playing sports, and of course I despised homework. But I lurrved my art class. In art, I found a release. I could drown out any problems of the day in creativity and unleash my mind. It was so relaxing. Art and music have always done that for me. So naturally, when Mrs. Galusha turned on the Garden State soundtrack and I heard this song for the first time, I paused. I soaked it in. And then I went home and downloaded it. Because that’s what I do when a song inspires me. What I’ve always done. I download it and then I play it over and over and over again. It drives Jake nuts. Haha.

Anyway. Maybe this song doesn’t hold any memories for you, maybe it does. Either way, I hope it will inspire you like it inspired me. Enjoy “Blue Eyes” by Cary Brothers. (There was no official music video, and this is the best fan video I could find. But if you have a few minutes, you might want to check out a live rendition from just this past March. It’s gooood.)

What songs inspire you?? If you have any, I’d love to add them to my list : )