All My Happy Endings, Guest Blogger!!

Well, if you've been following along you would know that I was a guest blogger over at All My Happy Endings, hosted by Mandi.  Today she is happily returning the favor for me!!

On the post I did for her I gushed all about her.  She also gushed all about me.  Well, she kind of does that again (thank you) with this post.  I'll save you all the other sappy things I could say about her and just tell you that she is a very sweet person and you should get to know her.  I'd like to know her more myself.

Without further ado, here she is, the one and only, unmistakable, MANDI!!!!!!

"APPLAUSE"

My name is Mandi and I blog over on All My Happy Endings.  Natalia invited me (yes ME!) to guest blog on Natalia’s Cake Creations and my heart fluttered. Goosebumps. All. Over. My. Body. You see, she’s someone I greatly respect in so many ways. Natalia is a phenom baker (we all know that), but she is also a stay-at-home-mom (and we all know this too). But that, right there, in itself, is a much more demanding job than the rest of us attempt outside the home. All the while, exuding a loving spirit, something I call the Christian walk…’put life before money, people before things, and actions before reactions.’ This is Natalia. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by countless amazing people who aren’t necessarily my closest chums, but their examples really have an impact on my life!
With that, thank you for having me as a guest. I have no interesting business or skill to advertise, so I’m not going to try and sell you on anything. I’m simply a blogger who writes because it’s something I enjoy doing. I’m not a poetic author. I don’t hypnotize anyone with my prose. I’m pretty much bare bones. There's not much here on my blog that constitutes artistry.  No flowing of words trance you with their splendor.

Nope.
I tell stories. About me. About my life. About being a mother. A wife. A friend. A working woman. A voter. A product consumer. A wannabe photographer.
Ah ha… [I wasn’t quite sure where I was going to go with this post]…speaking of photography, Instagram is my new found obsession. I've always loved photography but I've never been patient enough to learn how to use Lightroom or PhotoShop, so only lately have I become proud of my photos. 

  

You don't need to know anything about shutter speed or apertures or whatever other fancy camera terms you can come up with because so much can be edited after the fact. You can crop your photos and edit them with different tints and hues. You can turn a relatively simple and plain photo into something beautiful and interesting. Photo editing is my new favorite waiting-in-line activity. Basically, it’s replaced Angry Birds.

   

Actually, I’ve been using Instagram for quite a while now, but it was a private account and it was mostly for personal use, personal memories. Once in a while I manually share an Instagram picture here on my blog or Facebook + twitter. But finally (FINALLY!) I’ve set up an account for the purpose of social media.

I would love for you to follow me on Instagram. Anyone is invited. My username is mandi411.

 

 
If you’ve only heard about Instagram but you’re not really familiar with what it’s about, I love this snippet from their website: Instagram is a fun and quirky way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. Snap a photo with your mobile phone, then choose a filter to transform the image into a memory to keep around forever. We’re building Instagram to allow you to experience moments in your friends’ lives through pictures as they happen. We imagine a world more connected through photos.

Indeed. I, too, imagine a world more connected through photos.  

 

Did you know that you can Instagram (yes, I’m using it as a verb) photos that aren’t necessarily taken on your iPhone? True story. I figured this out accidentally a few months ago and it’s just one of those things you iPhoneographers must know! You can get any image from your computer to your phone with syncing … or you can email the image to yourself then save the image to your photo library and there it is! All ready to be instagrammed.  : )

PS: The baby is actually NOT my most favored child, but he is the one who doesn’t have much opinion about whether or not he is photographed and uploaded to social networking sites with startling regularity.

All My Happy Endings - Guest Post

I'd like to tell you of a lovely friend that asked me to guest post for her on her blog.  Her name is Mandi and she's a Woodlands mom like me.  She posted it today and here's the link...

All My Happy Endings - Guest Blogger

I hope you pop on over and take a look at her great blog and enjoy the post that I shared there!  

I'll leave you with a picture of what we (my boys and me) did today.  Can you guess what/who it is?

As always...be blessed, thanks for stopping by and leave some love!

Guest Posts and Birthdays

Hey friends!  I have been asked to do a guest post over on All My Happy Endings blog by a sweet friend Mandi.  I'm not sure when it'll be up so I'll keep you posted.  Until then I'd love to share with you all that it is my eldest's 10th birthday today!

Happy Birthday Love!!

You captured mommy's heart the day you were born and have held it captive ever since!  I am amazed at your intellect, understanding, ability to draw, to make me laugh, your loving spirit, kind heart and giving soul.  You are filled with emotions and not afraid to express them.  Don't ever let that change.  I love you my son and I am so proud of the young man you are becoming! 

Love, Mommy

Here's an old video I made several years back.  I think it's time to add to it. :-)

With music by none other than MuteMath

Back to School

It's that time again!  Summer's over, though the weather says otherwise and all the frantic running about to get school clothes and supplies commences.  Sigh.  I'm not really sad summer's over because I'm actually glad to get my boys out of the house and back to a more structured schedule.  What I am sad about is having to get up.  Early.  Every day.  I've been enjoying my late mornings although I don't really think I've gotten any more sleep because I've been staying up all hours of the night working on these babies to take to school!!

I have found the wee hours of the night to be the most peaceful lately.  I know you can relate.  During the day it can get so hectic, noisy and frustrating...yes, frustrating, when you just finished cleaning up from making lunch for them and sit down to try to start something and not 30 seconds later you get a, "maaaahhhhhmmm!!!" You know, in that sing songy voice.  You get up to go see what else they need only to be asked if they can have some apple sauce. "NO!  You just had lunch!  Kitchen is closed.  Go play outside for a bit."  "But it's haaahhht! and that's boring!" "Well, if you're bored you can go clean the bathrooms." "Nooo!!!" "Then please find something else to do for a little while." "Like what?"  See what I mean?  This conversation can go on forEVER!

So.  I've resigned myself to the nights to get my stuff done.  They're in bed, all is quite and I can actually sit down for more than a few minutes and complete something!  That is a good feeling.  (Except when your hubby is in the room trying to get your attention dancing to some great new music he's found!  Just kidding sweetheart. :-))  I'm sure I'll hear about this one.

I'll leave you with one of the songs that my love has been listening too lately.  Needless to say my boys love it too!  They like to do their robot/dubstep/breakdance moves to it.  "What is dubstep?" you ask?  That's for another post. :-)  Enjoy!

White and Black Lace Lingerie Shower

Here are a few pictures from my sister-in-law's lingerie party this weekend. 

 I created the desserts which included a vanilla cake with swiss meringue buttercream, chocolate cupcakes with smbc, almond and peppermint marshmallows and "lingerie" sugar cookies.  All were dairy-free except for the cupcakes.  I added the cupcake toppers that I embellished with glitter.  My other sister-in-law created the "R" with coffee filters and we used sheets for the backdrop.

We were so glad with how everything came together and we had such a great time doing it!

Another hostess with the mostess and an incredible smile!

The food table had 3 salads, grilled chicken breast strips, hummus with pita chips, fruit with caramel, rolls and a veggie tray which was provided by the other hostesses.  Thank you ladies!  We had more than enough and it was ALL delicious!!  I cut out the "R", painted it and added a lace flower.

Now all we have left to plan is a wedding shower, a bachelorette party and the wedding!  So exciting!

As always...be blessed, thanks for stopping by and leave some love!

Currently...

This is what's

CURRENTLY

going on in my life...right about now.

Loving: my family.  I am continually proud of the choices and accomplishments of my sweet love.  He is an incredible husband, father and friend!  My boys are the most precious gifts I have been given.  They fill my life with joy, love and laughter!  The rest of my family is always giving, loving and willing to help however they can!

Reading: my bible.  Every morning before I get out of bed even if it's just one verse.  Bread of life.

Waiting for: my cake business to "take off".  I'm working on it...one flour dusted day at a time.

Excited about: my sister-in-law having her second girl!!!!  If their second is as precious as their first we are all done for!!  Why wouldn't she be? ;-)  How cute is this sweetpea!

I know!

Missing: my fruit and veggie smoothies.  The blender we have just isn't doing it's job well anymore.  They were starting to come out clumpy no matter how long I blended it.  The chunky texture turned me off so I've stopped making them.  If you'd like to put towards my Vitamix fund I'll happily take donations! :-)

Trying to: get back to the gym and lose a few more pounds.  But who wants to hear about that! :-)

Working on: a plan to raise funds to be able to do about 5 "dessert table-scape" photo shoots in the next 3 months.  You know how you see all these dessert table-scapes with a gorgeous background, beautiful desserts and incredible decorations to pull it all together?  That's my goal!  These will be added to my portfolio so I can more quickly accomplish my "Waiting for" entry above.  A few ideas...

{via}

{via}

Gorgeous right!!

Enjoying: Trader Joe's in my area!  They recently opened and my love and I can't seem to get enough of their "basketful of items" for $50!  Rock on!

Using: my MacBook Pro and loving it!  A gift from my love earlier this year.  I feel I can do anything with it.  Except maybe eat it.  That would be extremely odd and would probably be very hard on my digestive system. ??

Wearing: Vince Camuto perfume.  I love it's fresh sweet scent!  I actually got it this past Christmas and am almost out.  So I think it's time for some more but I'd like to try something different.  Any suggestions?

Planning: a Lingerie Shower for my other SIL.  It's SO exciting!!!!  Eeeeeekk!  The theme is Old Hollywood Glamour!

Singing: whatever my 9 and 6 yr old are listening to and for my 9 yr old, right now, that's P.O.D.'s Alive.  This is what my love and I listened to when we were dating!  We even saw them in concert!

Needing: a mani-pedi, haircut and massage...DESPERATELY!!  I'm up for bartering.

Learning: to use AutoCAD again after 10yrs.  I seem to always be figuring these kinds of things out on my own...PhotoShop, Blogger, iWeb, DreamWeaver, etc...I enjoy learning that way!

Listening: to Pandora...a lot!  FM Radio?  What's that?

Wishing: I could go on vacation.  This summer has not been a vacation for anyone in the Frank household this year.  Adventure, yes.  Vacation, hardly.  Too transparent?  Sorry.

The beach in Cozumel on my girlfriend cruise last February (sigh).

Doing: my best to keep up with house work.  I'd rather be learning AutoCAD, swimming with my boys, planning a shower and baking!  I know I'm not alone in this.

Praying for: continued provision, firm direction and wisdom.  Too vague?  Well, I can't tell you everything!

Dreaming of: one day opening my own bakery!

Natalia Frank...CURRENTLY

I'd love to know what you're up to as well!

{I saw this idea posted by Emily at Jones Design Company but this idea was originally taken from Sasha at Lemonade Makin' Mama.}

As always...be blessed, thanks for stopping by and leave some love!

My Niece's Dedication

So, the weekend we get back from our little summer vacation I have a cake due for my sweet cupcake, Kylee.  She's my niece and she is as cute as a button!

Don't you think?!

These incredibly adorable pictures were taken by, the very talented, Melissa Pickens Photography

My favorite!  The Owl Cap

My other favorite...Flowers & Pearls

...AND my other favorite, Diva Peacock Hiney!

See...I told you Melissa was good.  Actually I think she is having a sale this week so if you need pics taken this is the time to do them!

Back to my niece.  She is something else!  I absolutely love her guts!  So, anyhoo, she was being dedicated and of course I had to make her a cake.  We decided to go with a design that mimicked her handmade dedication gown that was made by her, Nonna, my MIL.  Nonna is pretty awesome too!  I can honestly say I love my in-laws!  I could not have prayed for better.

Here is, Kylee, in her gown.

No.  She's not that tall.  In case you were wondering but how about that gown!  Isn't it gorgeous!

With her favorite Auntie and Uncle...

Auntie getting sugars!

Here is her cake.

I think it turned out quite nice since I have little experience in piping.  This gave me good practice and helped me to see where I need to improve and that I need practice!  The family had a great time hanging out afterwards since we met for lunch and had the cake then.  God bless our little cupcake.

Did you celebrate a special occasion recently?  I'd love to hear about it!

As always...God bless, leave some love and thanks for stopping by.

Our Crazy Summer...

I realize I haven't posted in a while.  But I'm not apologizing because I told you this would happen.  So here I am again to catch you up on what's been going on in my neck of the woods.

First let's start with the kiddo's summer.  To put it plainly, this has been a LONG summer!!!!!!!!!!!  I am ecstatic (and that hardly expresses my inner emotions) that they are back in school...WOOOHOOO!!!!!!

I mean, I love my boys, you know I do, but for some reason this summer has been unexpectedly overwhelming.  I think it might have a bit to do with the drought situation.  It just worsens the extreme temps and if you are not IN the pool it's not very enjoyable and, really, there are just so many days you can spend at the pool!  The other days are spent trying to occupy the boys at home with new books or movies on Netflix,  playing outside with friends when it's bearable, drawing, playing video games (that I insist on limiting), and pretty much trying to keep each other from killing one another and me from pulling all of my hair out!  Whew!  Like I said, It's been one tough summer!

So what else have we done during these long, hot days?  Pretty much nothing until a couple weeks ago when we got to borrow a friends condo in Galveston to hang out at for a few days.  It was a MUCH needed change of scenery and pace!

Ahhh!  That's more like it!

This too!  I could get used to this!

We went to the beach...everyday!

For 3 days!

We ate out.

We ate in. Keeping it easy of course!

We got dessert!

We rode the ferry.  Which the boys loved and we even saw a few porpoises.

We visited the Train Museum.  Corban's and my favorite!

We had a great time and made some memories!  We will definitely be doing this again...soon.

So now "we're" back in school and all is right with the world again.  My youngest is going full-time this year as well so that means I have the majority of the days to myself now.  I wish I could say that I now have "free" time but I'm far from it!  I have a house to try and clean and organize from the summer chaos, cakes to make, I'm PTO Secretary this year, assisting with school/class activities, helping hubby with The Woodlands Marathon, training for a couple of races AND organizing events for my church's women's group!  So amidst these responsibilities I hope to occasionally grab lunch with a friend, get a pedicure, do a bit of window shopping and maybe real shopping, catch a movie with my free tickets that I won and just have some chill time!

How about you?  What did you do to keep your sanity, make memories or pass time?  Are glad school is starting or does it throw a kink in schedule?  I'd love to hear from you guys!

As always...God Bless, leave some love and thanks for stopping by!

Months Past

I trust everyone had a Merry Christmas!  We did although we had a wave of sickness move through.

So after my hiatus of two months I, like most, am setting a New Year's resolution to...wait for it...wait for it...blog more!  Bet you weren't expecting that one.

"So, Natalia, what HAVE you been up to the past couple of months?" you ask.  Well, I'll tell you.  The end of October, as you may have heard, was Halloween and I decided to make my costume!

Yep!  I was a CupCake!

Sorry for the bad quality.  My laptop recently crashed and I've not retrieved my photos from it so I'm having to use my FaceBook photos for some of these.

Then in November, I had a birthday cake to do for a young girl, turning nine, who likes to ride horses.  Her mom gave me the color scheme and this is what I created especially for her!

Everything was handmade from gumpaste and fondant.  I was pretty proud of my first horse and learned a lot from it too!

Then a couple days later I had a birthday cake to make for a great guy, Jason Womack.  He and his lovely wife, Lindsay, have been our close friends for over 12 yrs but I've known them since middle and high school!  They have both been involved with music pretty much their entire lives and he plays guitar (mostly) so I made this for him.

I was privileged to be able to share this cake with them since most of the cakes I make are for others and I never get to eat them.  BUT, I have to be honest and say that it wasn't my best tasting cake.  It was more like pound cake than the light cake I was hoping for.  For this I apologize, my friend, and hope for another chance to prove my baking skills. :-)

Now we get to Thanksgiving and it's such a magical time because for me it means the start of the holiday season and that's my favorite time of year!  We had Thanksgiving dinner at my In-law's home and my mom and dad were able to join us.  We always have so much food and such a great time!  But before we were able to enjoy dinner, Rachel, my sis-in-law and I ran in the "Run Through the Woods" race that takes place every year Thanksgiving day!  It was my first 5 mi race and I LOVED it!

Us at the starting line.

                                               Raych finished at 55 min. and I finished at 57.5 min 

After the race.

 Striking a pose for the paparazzi.

So AFTER the race we got to enjoy dinner with all the family!

Which I am not able to obtain pictures of at the moment but you didn't miss much there so don't worry.

I absolutely love decorating for Christmas and usually I start before Thanksgiving or shortly after.  This year I started after because of the timing of everything.  But I got it done and I was pretty pleased!

The fireplace...

The tree.

The weekend before Christmas we had a big announcement event in Market Street here in our community and that announcement I am glad to say is the return of The Woodlands Marathon, set for March of 2012!  This is under the arrangement of my sweetheart's new business, Launch MuntiSport!  He has had the support and participation from an amazing team of 3 other guys who have as much of a passion to see this happen as Rick does.  This is going to be a huge event and it has been a year in the making although the actual chain of events that led to the announcement only started a couple months prior!  Things have happened very quickly and we've had to go with the flow and bend with responsibilities.  This is a very exciting time in the Frank household and for The Woodlands Community!  To give you a better scope of what has happened here are a few links with articles.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/run/7344655.html

http://www.hcnonline.com/courier/sports/article_292f1f30-e28b-5cf0-b05e-6e81dacf6e10.html

http://www.texasrunnertriathlete.com/ME2/Default.asp

Now, we typically spend Christmas Eve at Papa and Nona's (in-laws) and let the boy's open one gift and then we have Christmas day at our house with all of my family, and this year, all of Rick's too!  So this year we had about 25 people in my home.  It was a bit crowded but still so much fun!  We took family pics and then I was only able to get pics of the aftermath.

 Christmas Eve at Nona and Papa's

 Casey and Corban

 The Three Stooges

Trying out their new chairs and checking out their stockings!

Christmas Morning!

There are a couple more videos but I can't get them to upload properly.  So I'll just provide more pics!

Corban got his "Bucket O Soldiers" from Toy Story 3 that he wanted!

Casey cleaned up with an Xbox 360 with 2 games and extra remote, Sonic Comics, a watch and a few other things!

Corban also got Woody!  Santa also brought him a rocket, Buzz costume and jet pack!

THIS is the Frank/Norrell Family

At the moment we have ALL boys BUT Rebecca, in the yellow sweater will be having the first girl in March! This is a very exciting time for all!  We are so thrilled to finally start evening up the odds.

This is The Resendez Family...

...and the Resendez/Frank Family...

Yes, there are a LOT of us!

Here's my little Buzz Lightyear

And when it's all over...

Even the dogs got to taste the delicious food that we had!  I actually cooked my first turkey this year with sides of dressing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole!

Rock

Demi

Shadow

The aftermath...

It took me 2 days to get everything cleaned because I was being so lazy!  The food was put away of course but the dishes lingered.

And that my friends brings me to today!  I made a Ham Asparagus Strata from a BHG mag recipe and some Lemon Creme for an order of Lemon Blueberry cupcakes (will post pics later).  Now, we are off to another friends bday party!  If I can just get Rick to put the xbox controller down!  Sorry Don!