Friday, November 14, 2014

Amy || portraits, chicago illinois portrait photographer


There is this wonderfully sweet girl I know. Her name is Amy. 
I so loved taking pictures of her beautiful self. 






















Amy was in Africa this summer working with Amani ya Juu, an organization that employs women in Africa who earn money to live and raise their families. Amani ya Juu means "peace from above". Amani's mission is so beautiful. To see some of Amani's clothes, accessories, and kitchen products you can 
visit the Amani ya Juu blog or the Amani ya Juu website

Bringing God's love and hope to the women in Africa is the beautiful mission of Amani ya Juu. I'm sure Amy had a wonderful experience while being with Amani. I can't wait to see her and hear all about her adventures! Maybe she will bring me some of their wonderful coffee... :)


Love,
Stephanie

Saturday, May 10, 2014

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer



Birthday fun. My cousin is 12. I can't believe how fast he has grown up! My little buddy is practically a teenager. :-O Happy Birthday, Henry! :)








































Love,
Stephanie

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer


Selfie!!

We had lots of fun meeting with this bride, her man, and her mom tonight! You know, just talking wedding details, pictures, and things... :) <3 Can't wait for her wedding in June!!! 










Love,
Stephanie

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer



So, what do you get when your onion is from last summer? 
A baby sprouting onion!! Isn't it cute?! (but not edible....) 



I figure if I grow plants in my fridge it will keep the air nice and fresh. ;)



Love,
Stephanie

Monday, May 5, 2014

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer


Two beautiful things: Coffee and sunsets.






Love,
Stephanie

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer



Nighttime stroll with my love. 




Love,
Stephanie

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer


My Dad, Mr. Fix-It, working on repairing the family van. He is a wonderfully hardworking man (and quite handsome). I love him dearly. :)




Love,
Stephanie

Friday, May 2, 2014

pic of the day || chicago, il photographer


Momma's hands.

My Momma knits all of the time. Making wool socks, colorful washcloths, and countless knitted gifts for friends and family. My Momma's hands are always so soft to sooth away the tears and so strong to hold my hand through the toughest storms. I love my Momma's hands. <3

























Love,
Stephanie

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

quick dinner || pasta with garlic, mushrooms, and goat cheese



If you didn't know, it's tax season. Everybody needs to file their taxes before April 15 or else. You know what I'm talking about. ;) Then for some who choose, there is this pretty thing called an extension (which most people who are married to accountants do) which gives you six more months to figure out what you made last year! But for those who keep to the spring deadlines, it makes four months of life very busy. 

Anyways, my point is that it's tax season and for my husband, who is an accountant, that means being super busy for a super long time (or so it feels). There are client visits, deadlines, late work nights, etc. that keep my Michael's schedule very full. That said I am SUPER proud of my awesome accountant husband! He is wonderful and really sweet and really hard working (bought me flowers and chocolate yesterday just cuz). I'm definitely not complaining about his job and support of our family, I just miss him, that's all. :)

Tonight was an all by myself night, so I decided not to be sad and lonely and instead make myself a yummy dinner. :)  Won't my Michael be jealous when he finds out what he missed. :) 



I found a recipe here that sounded super good. Since I didn't have pine nuts and I didn't want to use up the rest of my sheep Parmesan cheese without my hubby... I tweaked it a little bit. :) I made only enough for 2 servings, but you can tweak the amounts to make more or less. 





The ingredients:

Spaghetti Noodles (would have preferred linguine)
Mushrooms
Garlic Cloves minced
Creamy Goats Cheese
Butter
Salt and Pepper


I cooked the noodles as directed. In a saucepan, I put in a spoonful of butter with 2 garlic cloves and mushrooms. I use Earth Balance, an oil based butter substitute because I have a dairy allergy. This is my favorite butter alternative; it actually tastes like butter (which makes me a happy girl)!  
After the mushrooms cooked a bit, I put them aside until after the sauce was made. 
Once the mushrooms were removed, I added a big chunk of butter, about 5 tablespoons, let that boil for a few minutes, and then I added 1/4 cup chicken broth and let that cook for 5 minutes. I added some salt and pepper to taste, and then added a chunk, maybe a tablespoon or two, of plain goat cheese (the creamy kind). If you notice, I use "chunk" often...I don't usually measure when I cook...I just add a chunk or dash here and there. :) 
Once the goats cheese was melted down and mixed in, I added the mushrooms into the sauce. I stirred and let that cook for a few minutes so the flavors could say hello to one another. :) Then I tossed everything together, and voilĂ ! Yummy, creamy, mushroom pasta! It was fast and super easy!







Dinner without my hubby is definitely not as fun, but it did taste yummy and inspire this blog post. :) 






Love,
Stephanie (aka a sometimes lonely wife deciding to blog more)


Thursday, March 6, 2014

It's been a long time... || personal, chicago il photographer


I know, I'm terrible at blogging. It's been over a year since I've written a post and so much has happened that I don't think I could possibly get my blog up to date! Instead of catching up on everything, here are a few highlights. :)

First of all, last December 15, 2013 a sweet man asked me to be his wife. It was the best Christmas season of my life. <3  There was so much excitement in the air...it was blissful. :)




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On May 25th, 2013 I married the most wonderful, handsome, sweet, kind, practical, gentle, organized, thoughtful, adorable, and compassionate man I have ever met. It was the most beautiful day of my life.










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Since then, married life has been wonderful and full of adventures. We have had much laughter and occasional tears. Sweet tears that come with joy and love, and learning tears that come with a lessons and trials. Through it all, God has been faithful and has show us a love so deep and much greater than we could have ever imagined. Marriage is a gift, imperfect and beautiful. :)



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This blog has been sorely neglected, and it is my goal to change that this year. :)
I hope to fill it with thoughts, dreams, ideas, and things that inspire me. Here goes a productive 2014!


wedding photos credit ~ Stoffer Photography
all other photos ~ Sweet Pea & Lace


with love,
Stephanie