Knits for The Girls

Knitting for girls is so much fun, especially for little ones! There's just so much you can knit for them ... little pocket books, hats, totes, sweaters, sun dresses, etc...

I just finished a sweet little kimono and a beanie hat for Adalei and a darling little hat with a flower for Layla.

It's fun to take a basic hat pattern and add your own design. With Adalei's hat, I added a picot edging to match the edging on the kimono and then added a large flower.

With Layla's hat, I added a little lace look to the edging with the picot border. The purple and pink flower really made it pop! Layla was very specific with her request for a hat with a purple and pink flower.

We have another little blessing on the way in October and we're so excited! I can't wait to knit something special for our newest addition.

God is so good and we continue to thank Him for His many blessings in our lives.

Happy Knitting!

May every stitch you knit bring you a little closer

to that calm, clear space in the center of your soul.

Wedding Shoes ~ 2010 Top Picks

Every young lady has dreamed of the perfect wedding attire for her wedding day. From head to toe, she has imagined herself to be a work of exquisite beauty. Yes, beauty and dreams have to be within our budgets. You may want to be in a Vera Wang gown and Channel shoes but all may not be possible. But it is true, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event and should be as grand as possible.
Do you notice a bride's shoes? I do, they tell me a lot about the bride and her personal style. Finding THE perfect pair of shoes is just as important as finding THE perfect dress.

Here are some of my top picks for 2010 wedding shoes.

1. Pierre Dumas - Excelent $49


2. Badgley Mischka - Tai $200

3. Nina - Elijah $89


4. Badgley Mischka - Randall $200


5. Badgley Mischka - Randee $215

6.Nina - Paladin $89



7. Badgley Mischka - Randee (Pink) $215

8. Badgley Mischka - Randee (White) $215



9. Paris Hilton - Senorita $120

10. Paris Hilton - Destiny $120

11. Diane Hassall - Pompom De Paris $339.01


12. Diane Hassall - Cressida $321.97


13. Diane Hassall - Sweat Briar $323.68


14. Kate Spade - Lover $295




What style is your style?

• Feminine, elegant, ankle straps and dangling rhinestones taking you off to a Cinderella world

• Pink bridal shoes with exquisite pink stone work that refracts a beautiful color of rainbow every time that light reflects from

• Sleek, shiny, thin and tall heels - they are not for the weak-hearted

• Crystal trim, satin work, ivory color or pure white - the elegance of simplicity, the touch of design and exquisite craftsmanship

• Are you more into sandals and pumps - more traditional but with elegance and style without the heels that shows you don't have to wear stilettos to say you know fashion

To view these shoes and more visit www.rainbowclub.co.uk, www.piperline.com and www.myglassslipper.com

Have A Cozy Weekend!

Old Covered Bridge

So what are you up to this weekend? We're expecting to be snowed in with possibly 12 inches of snow! I'm ready for a cozy weekend with Rodney, accompanied by some books from my book list, movies, knitting AND some hearty recipes to cook.

Want to know some books on my reading list?
The Elegance of a Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life Ann Krouse Rosenthal
Tao of Photography by Philippe L. Gross and S. I. Shapiro
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Fearless by Max Lucado
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
The Art Of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein

Recent books I've read and recommend are:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers *****
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak *****
A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller *****
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen ****
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister ***
Her Fearful Symmetery by Audrey Niffenegger ***

In reading, a lonely quiet concert is given to our minds; all our mental faculties will be present in this symphonic exaltation.
~Stéphane Mallarmé

Rodney and I may venture out on Sunday for some snowy landscape photography. I will definitely pack a thermos of coffee to help warm us!

I hope your weekend is full of coziness and fairy tales.

Frozen Falls at Hanging Rock


"Once in awhile, Right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairy tale."
~Anonymous~

Photography by Rod Slate at www.autumnsongphotography.com

A Cup Of Java Anyone?

Taking a break from too much time in front of the computer today and enjoying a cup of java. I found myself daydreaming and watching the birds outside my window. What a pleasant break in the day.

The "new" antique cup & saucer in the photograph was a gift from my son and his wife. Isn't it lovely? A very nice, and much loved, addition to my collection.

Just thought I would share the recipe for the afternoon java.

Fireside Coffee
2 cups coffee creamer
1 1/2 cups hot cocoa mix
1 1/2 cups instant coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar (I add less)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix 2-3 tablespoons with one cup of hot water and enjoy.

I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee.
~Carly Simon

Joy To The World!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

We welcomed sweet Adalei into the world on December 9th and of course, she is beautiful. It has been two weeks since her arrival and all is well. Adalei is so very cuddly and content ... Layla is adjusting well to the new addition and to being a big sister.

We are so very thankful for God's continued blessings in our lives.

I knitted a few things recently as gifts. Still have some projects in the works ... just didn't seem to have enough time to finish them. You know how that is ... never enough hours in a day!

Rodney looks quite dapper in his rustic sweater doesn't he?

There is something quite comforting in the making of homemade bread. It speaks of home and warmth and comfort … and in this case, the holidays. I make a sweet bread, which is more like a pastry, just before Christmas every year. It has become a tradition in my kitchen.The bread is given to friends, neighbors and family (and of course, we keep a few in the freezer for later on) The recipe was shared with me many years ago by my twin sister, Sharon. Just thought I'd share the recipe for any who might want to try it. It is delicious!

Cream Cheese Bread

1cup commercial sour cream

½ cup sugar

1 tsp. salt

½ cup melted butter

2 pkg. dry yeast

½ cup warm water (105-115 degrees)

2 eggs, beaten

4 cups all purpose flour

Heat sour cream over low heat; stir in sugar, salt, butter; cool to lukewarm.

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large mixing bowl, stirring until yeast dissolves. Add sour cream mixture, eggs and flour; mix well. Cover tightly, refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours.

The next day, divide dough into 4 equal parts; roll out each part on a well-floured board into 12x18 rectangles.

Spread ¼ of cream cheese filling on each rectangle and roll up jellyroll fashion, beginning at long sides.

Pinch edges together and fold ends under slightly, place rolls seam side down on greased baking sheets.

Slit each roll at 2 inch intervals about 2/3 of the way through to resemble a braid. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Spread with glaze while warm. Yield: 4 loaves

Cream Cheese filling

2 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

¾ cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

Combine cream cheese and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add egg, salt and vanilla; mix well.

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

4 tbsp. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine and mix well. Drizzle over warm loafs

Hope you all have a very, merry Christmas and remember to take time out in the midst of the hussle and bussle to celebrate the reason for the season. Do you know the greatest gift of all?

Any Day Now!

Our family is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Adalei Grace, due to join us any day now! She is our third grand child and we are just as excited about her arrival as we were the first two. I can hardly wait to hold her and tell her I love her; to bond with her as I did with Bradyn and Layla and to watch her grow. Don't little ones grow so fast!
I knitted a blanket to bundle Adalei in and a cap and socks to keep her warm. It gives me great joy to knit for my grands and already have a sweet little sweater pattern picked out to knit for Adalei ... looking forward to getting started on it as soon as I finish some Christmas projects in the works.
If you would like to have a sneak peak of Adalei, please visit Lindsey's blog at www.lindseybroere.blogspot.com. There you will see some recent ultra sound pics of Adalei. It is amazing at the details you can see! She has the sweetest little mouth and the shape of her eyes are so pretty.
We also have maternity pics of Lindsey on our blog at www.autumnsongphotography.com so check them out. Rodney wrote the sweetest article too. Make sure you have a tissue handy, you will need it!

A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
~ Eda J Leshan ~

A Week in a Different World ... or So It Seemed!

Last week was the bi-annual High Point Market, an international furniture market that has been going on for ages in High Point, N.C.. We,( Autumn Song Photography) had the pleasure of photographing the HOUSE BEAUTIFUL magazine party. House Beautiful really knows how to throw a beautiful party and what a great staff! It was an honor for Lindsey and I to be there and so much fun to see all the people that attended.
Stephen and Kate with HOUSE BEAUTIFUL, Barclay Butera, Marietta Gomez, Barry Dixon, Raymond Waites, Annie Selk, Thomas Jayne ... just a few of who was there!

location of the HOUSE BEAUTIFUL party in High Point, N.C.

Dominck Rotundi, Steven (HB editor), Marietta Gomez

Michael, Ann Lambeth, Barry Dixon

Barclay Butera and Christine Phillips

Frouwkje Pagani, Kate (HB), Stephen Pagani

Raymond Waites and friend

Cynthia O'Malley and Thomas Payne

I also had the pleasure of working for Randall Tysinger of Randall Tysinger Antiques during the week of market.
I worked for Randall years ago before opening an art gallery and was delighted when he called to ask if I would help out ... not only to be surrounded by the beautiful antiques but also the opportunity to meet people. (If you know me at all you know I love people, all kinds of people!)
Randall has the most amazing eye for European antiques. Designers and homeowners, both nationally and internationally, visit Randall to purchase antiques. Barry Dixon, Marrietta Gomez and Raymond Waites, internationally renowned designers, are clients of Randall Tysinger Antiques.
Here are a few photos of some of the antiques. It was a little difficult to shoot in the showroom because of spot lights and track lighting but at least you can get the gist of my surroundings.

This is an English pine cupboard, Circa 1880. I am really, really wanting this cupboard for my breakfast room! I will add this to my wish list ... Santa?

Now back to the real world ... of which I love too! Good times with my family and our photography business ... and, oh yes, knitting ... I have so many projects going for Christmas! I will share those on another post. Thanks for visiting and have a blessed week.

"Remember that the most valuable antiques are dear old friends."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.