Favorite. . .

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A terra cotta pot (cleaned with a damp cloth and dried)

2. Chalkboard paint and chalk

3. A paintbrush )I used a sponge brush)

4. Any favorite herb plant (I used basil, thyme, and oregano)

Paint your pot all over with a generous coat of your chalkboard paint. I’m impatient and don’t like waiting to apply a second coat so I used a thick coat and stuck it in the sun to dry quickly.(note: if you use the impatient method, careful of paint drips on your pot, they aren’t cute).

Allow the pot to completely dry and then apply touch ups as needed.

You can decorate your pot however you want with chalk. I’m a terrible artist and so I just wrote the name of the herb.

Once everything is completely dry, plant your herbs! Most plants you buy will include directions about light exposure and watering.
This is incredibly easy, affordable, and would make a great gift for a beginner gardner!

My favorite of the day*

*Side note: While we were in Chinatown I swore I saw Jessica Claire. I got all giddy and fangirly and I even tweeted about it. She tweeted me back saying she had been home all day. Fail! I’m like the backbrace girl that waved at the cheerleader because she was waving back, and then realized the quarterback was standing behind her. Yeah, I think like that

Do you see the very clear problem in my feelings in the first paragraph? “Me, me, me!” I become so wrapped up in myself, who I am, and how I can impress someone with what I identify myself with. It would have been a far better use of my time to hear the Lord and what He says about me. Identity is defined as “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I am in Christ, and therefore should be looking at Christ as the source of my identity—for who He wants me to be in Him. What sets me apart and distinguishes me from the world is simply Jesus.

Sometimes the world gets so wrapped up in labels and categories. I remember the quad in my high school during lunch period. Everyone sat with their group: the athletes clung together discussing game scores and new plays; the band kids sat together in the music room; the theatre group (admittedly, I was one of them!) would gather together telling jokes and quoting movies. There wasn’t much wiggle room for those that didn’t solely identify with just one thing. You made your decision, typically at the beginning of your high school “career”—and that’s where you usually stayed. Whether or not you were an athlete and a musician, and even sometimes a dancer—you were usually seen as one. And let’s be honest, some labels were more desirable than others. I know for me that age really began the temptation to impress others with who I was, and what separated me from the rest.

As most teens grow into adults, labels take a backseat to the internal struggle of finding yourself. Where do I place my identity? If it’s in my career, I will forever be climbing the totem pole of “corporate success”—but then what happens when it’s time to retire? If I’m a mother and raise my children til they’re grown—well, then who am I once they leave? If I place who I am in what I see in the mirror everyday, eventually the wrinkles and grey hair will change that picture too. Everything in this world can try and place my identity in will eventually change or go away. If where I place my identity disappears, what happens to who I am?

You see, the only safe place to stow (and keep!) our identity is in Christ Himself. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Christ is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.”  We should always remember that our Savior is an ever-loving, never-changing God. He knows us better than we know ourselves. It’s Christ alone that defines our identity and distinguishes us from the rest of the world.

So, who are we as new creations in Christ? We are beloved, treasured, and most desired by God Himself. We are on this earth for a number of days to know God, love and worship Him, and to make Him known to others. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)—we still sin and fall short, but in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s refining work, He redeems us. He loved us even in our darkness—and through the veil of crimson blood, we were able to walk into the light. Next time someone asks “what do you do?”, remember who you are in Christ instead. And use every opportunity to share your true identity with others. I am more than a wife, photographer, or babysitter: I am the child of God, in Whose perfect identity I can rest secure for all of eternity—and that is far, far better.

The most recent brood to enter into my fosterdom is Cassidy and her puppies. We got them when they were a day old. We have no photos of them at this age because Cassidy would go all shades of Kujo on us if we got within 5 feet of her. It took a good week before we could pet her or the puppies without risk of death or dismemberment. Fast forward 3 weeks and Cassidy thinks this is her permanent home (I haven’t the heart to tell her otherwise yet) and we have 2 thriving puppies. We originally had three but the runt, Clarence, passed away last Thursday. It was devastating and sad for Justin and I. My mother in law wrote an amazing eulogy of sorts on her blog, you can read it here. We miss Clarence terribly, but are still overjoyed to have Cassidy, Charlie, and Casper with us to love on.

And now for enough boring type, on to the pictures:

This is Cassidy (or Mama Cass if you’re me)

Charlie

Casper

I put them in my shoes. I’m a good foster parent.

I woke them up. They’re not happy with me.

How can you not love them? Even if they are chihuahua mutts.

These are the three brothers. The only photos I have of Clarence are on my phone. Casper and Clarence look almost identical, we called them “the twins.” Here they are hugging, which Charlie providing butt support.

***Blooper Reel***

This picture did not come out in focus, and the little stinker wouldn’t yawn again. I can’t not post it because it is seeping with adorableness. So here’s the best blooper of your life. In history. Ever.

So in case you haven’t seen the movie Julie and Julia please stop reading and go rent buy it, watch it, and then return back here.

You’re done? Ok good. So after watching that movie I researched some of Julia Child’s recipes on the interwebs. I wanted to make her french bread, but I still haven’t found a day that I can carve 9 hours out of to make her recipe by hand.

So instead, I opted to be somewhat healthier and make artichokes with lemon butter. Ha, healthy and butter in the same sentence. They turned out to be yumtown. One thing I need to stress though is the lemon butter is really lemony, and really buttery.

No duh, right?

I like both lemons and butters, but together I felt like my eyebrows balded a bit. So just beware of it’s lemony-buttery goodness before dunking your entire artichoke leaf into the bowl. Ahem, I speak from experience on this one, trust me.

These are fairly easy to make, and you can impress a guy or girl with your soopa-doopa cooking skillz. Plus artichokes kind of look like a flower, and they have hearts and all.

Oh, and this might not be a good first date food. There is a huge probability you’ll end up with some artichoke meat on your teeth. Not hot.

adapted from Julia Child’s recipe. You’ll need:

• 2 Globe Artichokes (those are the big mama ones)
• 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice (divided)
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 cups cool water (not the sicknast perfume, real water)
• 1 stick of butter cut into 8 pieces, chilled (leave in the fridge until you’re ready for it. I mean it)
• A dash of salt and pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (there’s your dash o’ salt, but leave the salt out for the butter)

Trim the artichokes for boiling: lay each on its side and cut off about an inch or so off the top, break off the small leaves near the base, and cut off all but an inch or so of the stem. Snip the ends of the leaves off all around the artichoke with scissors to rid it of any sharp points. Rinse the ‘chokes under cool water.

To prevent rapid browning mix the water, white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice into a bowl. Soak the artichokes in the water until they’re ready to be moved to the pot. Your artichokes will brown up, that’s just what they do, but you can prevent a lot of brownage by soaking them for a few minutes.

Boil the artichokes, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when you can pierce the bottom with a knife. They’re going to be nice and tender.

While your artichokes are boiling you can start on the lemon butter. Your butter is still chilling in the fridge, right? Reduce the lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan until about one tablespoon. Remember to keep stirring, and don’t be afraid to lift your pan off the heat for a few seconds if it’s starting to boil too much. Over low heat, whisk in the chilled butter pieces, one at a time, until creamy. Remove from heat, and, when ready to serve, whisk in 2-3 tablespoons hot water to warm.

When you serve, make sure to add an extra plate or bowl for the used leaves. Confession time: I didn’t know how to eat an artichoke properly til about 3 years ago. And to save you the embarassment of popping the entire leaf into your mouth, watch this video to see how to get it done.

Ok, I haven’t moved on yet. Cliche or not, things are changing on this blog whether you like it or not! But I really hope you do, or love it. I’ll be happy with either. Let’s make a long term commitment to each other, ok? You come back and read the crazy stuff I write, see the pictures I post, and tell me you drool over the recipes I try, and I promise to keep posting them. No longer will I treat you like a red-haired stepchild, and I mean no offense to the actual real life red-headed stepchildren of the world. There is a place for you here. I even have red hair, sure it came from a bottle, but tomato to-maw-to. Wow, I’ve never had to spell that phrase out, it’s difficult. But I digress.

So the changes I started talking about before gingers entered my mind are as follows; this will no longer be JUST a photography blog. I’ve spent the last few months creating tumblrs, flickrs, twitters, etc. to try to incorporate all of Jen (and believe me, there’s a lot of Jen) on the interwebs. All the while neglecting this blog. It turns out I love photographing everything. But I also like cooking stuff, thrift store shopping, making cupcakes, road trips, and eating said cupcakes. I’ve decided to make jenbeasley.com about Jen Beasley. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I am drafting my nobel speech as we speak. So from here on out I plan to use this blog to showcase my whole life.

When I shoot photograph kids, fly to Seattle, make beignets, and hear something rocking at church, it will be posted. I’ll share my opinions on things, yeah. . . I have those. I’ll review recipes, maybe give you some tips on babysitting four kids. . . yeah I do that too, booyah! So this is just to prepare you. And to show that I am accountable for rocking your world. Prepare your world peeps.

Jen

Ok so my lurvely friend (his Mama) helps me by sitting him on top of their picnic bench. Immediately the little man strikes a pose. Well ok, I’ll take that I guess. . .

Oooh man, I thought I nailed it when he looked up and smiled. Until I saw his robo hand of doom in the bottom left.

Now he’s just toying with me. At this point I’m greatful he’s a cheery little fella, and not screaming or crying.

Now he’s seemingly done taking photos.

Mom trying to coax him back up. Notice my friend’s fierce nails. Fierce.

Ummm, he might cry. I’m not sure. Still snapping away though.

Yes! Jackpot! Slightly out of focus, but I’ll take what I can get.

*hallelujah chorus*

Silly, goofy, and out of focus boy. But still cute.

Houston, we’re losing him.

Maybe not?

Yup, completely gone.

These photos were all shot within about 90 seconds. There were many more in between as well. I just continually snapped my camera in hopes of getting one good image. And in the process captured the heart and personality of this sweet little boy! Don’t fear the blurry shots, they’re what make memories too!

And because posts are soooo boring without photos:

It poured down rain for almost our entire shoot, but we had fun and made the best of it!

Towards the end of our shoot we got about 10 minutes of sprinkles instead of cats and dogs, and we took full advantage of it.

My favorite of the day!