First 48: Babies K and B

I thought I'd try my hand at some birth story type photography, so when a friend of mine's sister was expecting twins, I offered my services.  Last Friday I got the call and headed to the hospital.  Here are a few select photos taken within the first 48 hours of arrival.  I thought about whether I'd like photos of me in labor posted on someone's blog--and decided I wouldn't.  So even though I have permission, I'm being really discrete here and only posting ones that I wouldn't mind having posted, if it were me. 

Aren't I the luckiest photographer EVER??

The babies ended up being delivered via c-section, and hospital policy understandably keeps cameras out of the OR, but the nurse was great and as soon as the babies were wrapped up, she wheeled them into the room for a couple of quick photos before they were whisked away to be weighed and measured.  Someday maybe I'll live in a place where I can take photos immediately after birth, but for now, I'll take what I can get and be happy!

"So YOU'RE the guy who kept sticking a foot in my eye.  I oughtta..."

Big sister wasn't so sure about the idea.  This is as close as she would get while I was there!

All cozy in beautiful handmade blankets by Auntie.

I would LOVE to do more of this type of work!  I felt so honored to be able to document these moments, and being able to snuggle with such new, fresh little souls made this a weekend that I'll remember for a long time.  I'll be going to their home soon to take newborn portraits--and I can hardly wait!

The Scheme

Found this piece of paper under the table the other day:

We're in trouble.

In other news:

Our Thanksgiving table was groaning.

Good food, good friends, good reasons to be grateful.

I wet brined the turkey with  water, salt, apple cider vinegar, and herbs , then minced some garlic, mixed with olive oil, and rubbed/smeared it under the skin.  Then inserted sage leaves and thyme sprigs under there too.  It felt weird to be up to my forearm between the meat and skin, I must say, but it really wasn't difficult.  Filled cavity with onion wedges, parsnip and carrot pieces, and more sage leaves.  This is going to be my go-to turkey recipe for the rest of my life.

No idea why these are watermarked--but OK!!  On the left, pumpkin thyme rolls.  Salad was pear and candied pecans with a balsamic vinaigrette.  I have decided never to use a potato masher again after using a ricer this time.  I was sick of mashing and mashing and still getting lumps.  BUT, stick the cooked spuds through the ricer, stir in the butter and milk and...NO LUMPS!  I'm converted. 

And yes, that IS my ironing board still set up against the wall.  *sticks jaw out*  So?? 

But I digress.

How to set a Thanksgiving table on a budget:  Cool tan plates from Goodwill.  Napkins on sale at Boscov's for $3.99/4.  Embroidered with turkeys.  Loved.  Place cards by Martha Stewart online templates.  Wheat.  Candle in vases filled half way with corn.  Table linens on sale for 90% off everywhere after Halloween (paid $2 for the dark brown cloth and about the same for the runner), leaves from Dollar Tree and lo, a harvest table!  There's something to be said for procrastinating, as long as you don't have rigid expectations.  HA!

And in other news:

Was blessed to be able to take birth story photos this past weekend of a family expecting twins.  Felt so privileged to be able to document such a special moment.  I'll post a few discrete photos in the next day or so.  Those twins are the sweetest!

Apples for breakfast...yes?

 

 
More photos taken an age ago which I meant to post but didn't and I hope you forgive me.
 
These cookies are yummy, and with both apple and oatmeal, they are most suitable for breakfast, don't you think?
 
Apple Oatmeal Cookies

2 1/4 cups (340g) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 sticks (336g) unsalted room temperature butter
1 1/2 cups (300g) brown sugar
1 cup (190g) granulated sugar
3 eggs
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups (360g) quick oats
3 small apples, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch chunks.

1. Preheat oven to 350 (180 degrees celsius). In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt , and spices. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy, about 2 minutes on medium speed. Add in eggs, one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Add in vanilla.

3. Slowly add in dry ingredients, and mix until just incorporated. Remove mixer from the stand and stir in oatmeal, and apple chunks. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

4. Use a small ice cream scoop (if you have one—mine’s in storage right now) or a tablespoon to drop golf ball sized dough onto the cookie sheet, keeping at least an inch and a half between each cookie.


5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just turning golden brown.

And they were delicious.

Amen.

Farm fresh

A friend gave us some beautiful fresh from the chicken eggs last week.  I took a photo. Forgot to post.

So now, for your viewing and drooling pleasure...

Aren't they lovely? 

And they tasted wonderful, too.

Thanks, Steph!!

Halloweeeeen....bwahahaha....

A couple of photos of the kids from Friday.  I was a bad mommy and didn't take any last night.  Too much going on!  But the Halloween parade at school was adorable.

Here are my kiddos:

After the parade, it was off to partay.

Erm...let's try that again. 

PARTAY!!

That's more like it.  :o)

Each year the kids draw on the pumpkins and I cut them out.

They both chose to do their interpretation of Belle.

Can't you see the resemblance?

October snow

This is what we beheld on Saturday morning:

 The kids had a ball, of course.  Spent the whole afternoon out there, came in for a late lunch--and wouldn't stop eating!

Belle had an OK time as well.  :o)

Supposed to melt this week, but I think it's going to be cooooold trick-or-treating tonight!

Julia's baptism

I'm sure most of you who have been around here much have figured out that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I don't really go into my faith on this blog much, since it's not only a personal blog but also somewhat of a professional one.  But every once in awhile it's worth mentioning, simply because it's integral to who I am.  Anyway, last Saturday was my daughter's baptism, and it was lovely.  She was so excited to be baptised!  When she wrote in her journal that night, part of her entry read, "Outside I felt like a soggy wet sponge, but inside I felt all warm and fuzzy."  Isn't that sweet?

Here's the one and only photo that was taken, which I did quickly in the hall between making sure everything was ready and also making sure there was at least one photo.  Since we didn't have any other family there other than my husband's 86-year-old mother (it has been a lovely visit--she's still here perusing cookbooks as I type!), there wasn't anyone to see that photos were taken of the family and such, but at least there's one of Julia and her daddy.

As a side note:  Every once in awhile I do a double take with Julia, because she looks soooo much like her cousin, Trina.   This is one of those photos where I really see the resemblance.  When the nurse first put Julia in my arms, I looked down and thought, "Trina twin!"  Truly the Rutz genes win out with this girl, while Adam looks just like me.  OK not really.  He's a lot shorter and is all boy.  But there's no mistaking that he's my son!

We were blessed to have many friends--both members of the church and non-members alike--attend, and Julia was amazed at all the people coming out to support her.  Thank you all so much--you made the day complete.  When I think of the wonderful people in our lives I feel so lucky to be here and know so many first rate folks.  I don't know how I hit the jackpot, but I'm grateful.

Also thanks to those who participated in the service, speaking, playing the piano, directing the music, jumping in to help with the refreshments, and the other miriad of things that made everything go smoothly.  The day was extra special because of you!  Thanks!