LADDventure

Thankful Thursday - Mom 2.0 Edition

You guys! It's been crazy around here. Kelsey and I led a podcast workshop at the Mom 2.0 Summit Thursday. The conference happened to be in our neck of the woods this year, and the opportunity to speak fell in our laps, so even though it felt like a stressful time of life to be doing that, we jumped at the chance! We met some amazing people, and the workshop went awesome! The Girl Next Door Podcast has really taken off for us, and a new episode just came out last week discussing how we're finding some parenthood/work/creativity balance. Check it out! I am super thankful for this fun project with my dear friend and neighbor and we are grateful for all the support, reviews, and encouragement from our listeners. I'm personally thankful for a few other things right now...

 Puddle jumping sisters, in matching outfits, who hold hands of their own accord.

Kids who sleep. I may have said this a few times, but I cannot forget to mention how grateful I am for kids who sleep well, allowing me to sleep well. It can't be overstated.

J's verbal cuteness lately: "Hi Mommy!" (every single time I enter the room as if I've been gone for a week), "itabit (little bit)", and a very pronounced "Yesss"

V's verbal cuteness lately: "Daddy, can you draw a kangaroof?", "Look at all those fumbrellas!", and always listing off all of us and then ending with "The WHOLE family!" and a huge grin.

A new babysitter who is building pillow forts with my girls as I type this. She will take the girls for a few hours a week, so I can dedicate more time to work, and it feels both necessary and incredibly luxurious to have this time.

The Photo Challenge Next Door - July

Camera settings: aperture f5.6, shutter speed 1/60, ISO 800, focal length 55 mm

This photogenic guy! Buddy is one of my favorite subjects. Took this on a warm, poolside evening when the sun was almost down. I love how his ears stand out in this picture, and that I now know generally how to take photos in lower light that aren't completely blurry or black.

My next door neighbor, Kelsey, and I are determined to conquer DSLR photography once and for all, so we've created a monthly photo challenge for ourselves.  We’re dusting off our trusty DSLR’s, switching them to manual mode, and not looking back. The only rules are to shoot only in manual mode, and to share the results no matter what. You can check out all my photos so far here, and Kelsey's here.

Also check out our latest episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast. Kelsey makes a big announcement and we talk about all the ways life is about to change for the better.

What is a Podcast Anyway?

You may already know this, but one of my very favorite side projects is The Girl Next Door Podcast. I had never even listened to a podcast until we started to create our own, and thought some others might be unfamiliar with them as well, so I'll give you a quick rundown.

Who?

My next door neighbor and good friend, Kelsey from Rising*Shining and I created, produce and star in the podcast every other week. It really is just a good excuse for us to get together, try a new cocktail recipe, and talk about things we would anyway, but others seem to like it.

What is it?

Think funny radio talk show on iTunes. Podcasts follow all different formats. But ours is just me, Kelsey,  a cocktail, and a mic, talking about creativity, productivity, life, family and then our neighborhood news and current obsessions.

When?

New episodes air every other Wednesday at this point.

Where?

The cool part is, if you subscribe via iTunes and download the podcast app on your mobile device, it will automatically let you know when a new episode is ready. Just search for 'podcast' in the app store, install it, search for our podcast, and subscribe to ours and any others you'd like. If you have an android device, you can use Stitcher or OneCast to follow podcasts. You can also check in on our website where you can listen to episodes directly and view the show notes. Follow us on twitter and you'll always know when we have a new episode ready for you.

Why listen to podcasts?

There are times when you need something different than just music. I've found podcasts to be great for commutes or chores, and they're different than a live talk show. They're an entire digital file, so you can easily pause it and pick up where you left off or download whole episodes to your phone or computer and listen to while you travel.

How do you even record a podcast?

Luckily my partner in crime did a great blog series on the details of how we record our podcast. Check it out if you're curious how we do this thing.

P.S. Today a new episode is live where we talk all things pregnancy, adoption, and expectant mamahood. I share more details about how we decided to adopt, where we are in the process, how we're preparing, and what we're most excited and nervous about. I promise we're fun and a fairly entertaining way to pass the time while folding laundry. Download the app and go listen!

The Photo Challenge Next Door - June

Camera settings: aperture f8, shutter speed 1/40, ISO 400, focal length 55 mm

You guys! How hot is Mr. Ladd? I mean, seriously. I generally take a whole lot of pictures of landscapes, and nature (beast pets included) and not many of people, so I'm wanting to work on my portrait skills. Since Mr. Ladd is the only other human in the house at the moment, he is my reluctant model more often than not. I think in this very picture he's saying,"What?" cause I just called his name and snapped. I have to catch him off guard otherwise I get a lot of this...

Probably a good rule in general for photos of people. Nobody wants forced weird smiles, or awkward poses. I'm finding if I try to catch people in candid moments, I'm much more likely to capture their best features in a natural way.

I also notice that getting in closer than I might think necessary at first, and shooting from above the subject, are both so important for good people pictures.

For this photo I was very focused on those mischievous eyes, so I thought it might be a good chance to play around with making them pop a bit in Photoshop Elements. I used this simple tutorial to enhance the eyes very naturally and just make the individual colors stand out a bit. It was surprisingly easy, and I'm starting to feel so much better about my dysfunctional relationship with PSE. Things actually work the first time I try them. It's a miracle!

 

Don't forget to check out Kelsey's post today from our monthly Photo Challenge Next Door where we are switching our cameras to manual mode and forcing ourselves to learn how it all works

Also, our new episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast is live today! We're talking about fitness routines and goals, what motivates us, and admitting to some personal quirks. As usual, we're also sharing a tasty cocktail recipe, our current obsessions, and some pretty hilarious Neighborhood News. If you haven't checked out the podcast yet, I'd love for you to give it a listen, and if you're already a loyal listener, consider heading over to iTunes to subscribe and leave a quick review. It really helps us get the word out, and we'd so appreciate it!

The Photo Challenge Next Door-May

Camera settings: aperture-f5.6, shutter speed 1/60, ISO 800, focal length 55 mm

This photo was taken during an evening happy hour in the backyard with my boys. This is Mico. I was intentionally trying to take more pictures of him, as Buddy tends to be the more photogenic of the two. It turned out a little dark, but I love that it captures his intense stare and perfect little spade-shaped ears. I'm starting to understand more about using available light. The sun had pretty much set at this point, and I was still able to capture this, (something I never could have done a few months ago). I also love how colors are so much more vivid and true to life when shooting in manual mode.

My next door neighbor, Kelsey, and I are determined to conquer DSLR photography once and for all, so we've created a monthly photo challenge for ourselves.  We’re dusting off our trusty DSLR’s, switching them to manual mode, and not looking back. The only rules are to shoot only in manual mode, and to share the results no matter what. You can check out all my photos so far here, and Kelsey's here.

Also check out our latest episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast. We're sipping on the tasty rhubarb margaritas I wrote about yesterday, while lamenting the early onset of swimsuit season and discussing social media! You can also find us on iTunes. We're fun commute companions, I promise!

Dessert and a Drink Rhubarb Recipe

Desserts and drinks are two of my very favorite things. So, when I find a two-for-one recipe that yields not only a cocktail, but also tasty treat, I just have to share. When it involves rhubarb (my pumpkin of the summer) I have to share immediately.

This recipe involves making a rhubarb thyme simple syrup and then turning the leftover cooked down rhubarb into a crisp. It's perfection on two levels, and very easy. I stumbled upon a new blog recently, called Cider & Rye. Michele shares beautiful cocktails and recipes made with fresh, simple ingredients, and takes lovely pictures of them. What's not to love? Her instagram feed is so pretty and inspiring, and I just knew this rhubarb deliciousness needed to happen when she posted a picture of it.

I made it for an upcoming episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast and shared some crisp with Kelsey, but then immediately made more for Memorial Day weekend. It's that good.

The margarita recipe involves first making a rhubarb thyme simple syrup (which would also be tasty in iced tea or lemonade), but leaves you with tasty reduced rhubarb compote, which makes the perfect base for a summer crisp. So, I'm sharing both. Cook once, enjoy twice.

Rhubarb Thyme Margarita

(adapted from Cider & Rye)

Simple Syrup

• 6 C chopped rhubarb
• 2 C of sugar
• 2 C of water
• one bunch of fresh thyme

Combine all in large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is fork tender.

Pour mixture through a strainer lined with cheese cloth (I found cheese cloth at Target. Sounds fancy, but it's not.) Let gravity do the work of separating the liquid from the compote. Save and set aside the compote.

Pour cooled simple syrup into bottle with a fresh thyme sprig and store in fridge for up to two weeks

Margaritas (makes 2)

• 3 oz tequila (I used Hornitos)
• 2 oz orange liqueur (I used Cointreau)
• 4 oz rhubarb thyme syrup (see recipe above)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• a small bunch of fresh thyme to muddle and some for garnish

Rhubarb Crisp

(adapted from Bread & Wine, by Shauna Niequist)

• Cooked down rhubarb compote from making simple syrup
• 1 1/2 C Old Fashioned Oats
• 3/4 C almond meal
• 3/4 C unsalted, raw sliced almonds (pecans are also great)
• 1/3 C Olive Oil
• 1/3 C Maple Syrup
• 1/2 t salt

 Add compote to a 8x8 or 9x9 pan.

Combine all other ingredients in bowl and top the compote with it

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Serve alone or with vanilla yogurt (breakfast) or vanilla ice cream (dessert)

The Photo Challenge Next Door - April

Camera settings: aperture-f32, shutter speed 1/40, ISO 100, focal length 44 mm

I took this month's photo on a quick off-road ride in the Jeep. We were on the Montana Mountain Trail in the southeast part of the valley, and it was gorgeous. I just love this time of year in the desert, with the ocotillo and cacti blooming.

My goal with this one was to capture the whole mountain scene in focus, so I opted for a higher f-stop to give me a deeper depth of field. (Look at me, knowing I needed to do that. Progress!) I didn't do any color adjusting, and just love how the colors turned out.

My next door neighbor, Kelsey, and I have a photo challenge going. We're determined to improve our photography skills, so we've set our cameras to manual to see what we can capture and learn along the way. You can view the rest of my challenge photos here, and Kelsey's here. Also check out The Girl Next Door Podcast, where Kelsey and I mix up a cocktail and chat about creativity, marriage, and life in general. A new episode is live today!

The Photo Challenge Next Door - March

Camera settings:  shutter speed 1/40, aperture f/14, ISO 400

I know it's April, but we're still technically in the first week, so it's still acceptable to share March's photo challenge, yes? Truth be told, I haven't really used my camera since last month's challenge, mostly because I had misplaced my charger and extra battery, and the juice was running low until I found it finally.

I'm also just finding myself in a frustrated place with photography.  I'm still not capturing what I want to capture, and when I am, I don't know how I did it or why it worked.  I know if I keep doing it, it will get better, and I'll get better at it, but I don't want to.  I don't want to lug my big camera around and take crappy pictures because I'm forcing myself to learn it, when I could be taking pretty decent pictures with my iPhone 5S camera.  I also struggle between being in the moment with guests or special events and capturing that moment, so I end up only taking pictures of things that have nothing to do with a moment, and are just scenery or still life. 

Maybe that's ok.  Maybe as I get better at taking photos, I can simultaneously capture and be in the moment, because I won't be busy cursing while figuring out the settings on my camera.  When things become more automatic, I won't have to think so hard about it, and can just enjoy the experience and the memory making. 

In the meantime, this picture captures how I feel about two hobbies I am trying desperately to improve in; photography and gardening.  I am finally starting to figure out gardening in the desert, but it is very different than the fertile soil and plant variety of the Midwest.  It looks a lot more like containers and irrigation and heat tolerance.  I'm learning, slowly but surely, and it parallels my photography skills at the moment. 

I realized looking at this picture though, that sometimes things are no less beautiful because of their imperfection, and in fact they hold a special charm of their own sometimes as a result.  I was about to pluck this tattered petunia bloom off of the plant, when I noticed the perfect little bead of water poised on its delicate petal and decided to not only leave it, but to embrace it in a photo. 

You can view all my challenge photos here, and be sure to head over to check out Kelsey's progress next door at Rising*Shining.

The Photo Challenge Next Door - February

The goal of this photo was just to capture an ordinary sunset in our neighborhood.  I was playing around with the lighting and wanted to focus on the sky with the houses and trees silhouetted.  I did this just by adjusting the ISO, and basically achieved the effect I was going for, so that's something.

I was in San Diego for the Storyline Conference and forgot to schedule my post ahead of time, so my Februrary photo is a few days late.  Kelsey from Rising*Shining and I have been busy working on The Girl Next Door Podcast and are having a blast with it!  But, we also wanted to revive our monthly photo challenge where we're turning our cameras to manual mode and not looking back.  My camera has been rather neglected the last couple months, but I'm excited to get back to experimenting and learning with it.  Spring in the desert is just beautiful, so it's the perfect time to snap some pics.

Check out the rest of my monthly photos so far here, and Kelsey's photos right here.

Introducing The Girl Next Door Podcast

It's finally here!  The Girl Next Door Podcast is now live on the internet and on iTunes. My aforementioned lovely next door neighbor, Kelsey, and I have pulled off a major technological feat and somehow figured out how to actually create a podcast!  On the show we try a new cocktail recipe each time, and sit down to chat about anything and everything.  We will share what we're sipping on every week in the show notes, so if you mix it up ahead of time and sip on it while you're listening, it will be like we're all hanging out!

We are having so much fun with this new project, and we'd love for you to join us.  You can listen to the show by subscribing to our blog feed and listening via the media player on our website, or you can subscribe in iTunes and automatically download new episodes.  If you don't have the Podcast app on your iPhone or iPad yet, (which I didn't before I had a podcast) install it from the App Store, and add The Girl Next Door to get you started.  Podcasts are my new favorite thing.  They're especially great to listen to while you're commuting, folding laundry, etc.  I promise we're entertaining, and at least you'll get to hear just how much of a Wisconsin accent I have in real life. 

We have a new one ready for you each week for the next few weeks, and then every other week after that.  So come on in, have a drink, and stay awhile!