Raising Memories is Now Accepting Sponsors!

Leaves... we're watching them change, we're watching them fall, we're raking them, we're jumping in them... oh, and we're turning over a new one!

Raising Memories Blog is now accepting sponsors!


If you're interested just click here for more information.

For a limited time, I'll be offering sponsorships for HALF PRICE!
This is an introductory price & won't last forever, so get in on it while you can!

Now, back to our regular schedule of posts... ;)

Jack O'lantern Cookies

My mother-in-law bought us a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (which was awesome, because it made me feel like we had to make jack o'lantern cookies! ;)


We used this recipe & they really were soft!


The girls got to cut the shapes.


Bonus: This recipe doesn't have to sit in the fridge at all!


We made sure not to bake them too long.




Made some orange coloured frosting.


Got to work frosting all of those cookies (I did most of them while the girls napped, but saved enough frosting for them to each do a couple when they woke up).


Then it was time to decorate! (Katrina guided my hand because it was hard for her to squeeze)


We ended up with quite a few happy little jack o'lantern cookies!
What a fun time! :)

Shutterfly Giveaway

I've made a lot of photobooks and photo products in my day. And I've tried a lot of different websites & companies. Shutterfly is one I don't think I have used yet, but I have admired their holiday cards in years past. So, I was really excited when they wanted to send me some cards to try out & give some away to 3 of my readers!


So, I went to their website to see what my choices were, & I'm loving their Photo Christmas Cards for 2011!

There are SO MANY that I love! It was really hard to narrow it down to my favourite, but I've finally done it! :) I have already ordered them and I cannot wait to see what they're like. I've heard from blogger reviewers that they have been happy with the final product, so I'm really excited! I'm especially fond of how colourful so many of the cards are!



I haven't sent out a Christmas card in a couple of years, so I'm psyched to have one for this year. I'm really happy that I was able to find a design that fit several pictures and had room to write a little letter to our friends & family about what we've been up to this year. (I love it when others include those with their cards!)



So.. do you want a chance to Win 25 Free Cards???
3 of you will win!
I'm trying rafflecopter for this giveaway- I hope it makes things easier for you & not more complicated!

If you don't see the contest entry form, just click on "read more" below this, and it will show up. Let me know if you have problems!

Decorate Pumpkins with Markers

We went to the pumpkin patch earlier this month & had a great time gathering pumpkins- each of the girls chose one.



They were VERY happy when I said they could decorate their little pumpkins with markers. (Katrina doesn't usually get to use them & Talia usually only gets to use them when Katrina is asleep- so this was really cool that I was allowing them both to let loose with them! ;)



Our house is extra festive now, with the touch of our resident artists :)

Longing for Stillness

I wrote this a few days ago:

I need some stillness.

I have so so many things I want to do.

But time keeps racing past me.

I want still.
But I also want busy.
Not sure why.

I want my house clean.
I want to do a million different things with my blog.
I want time to edit photos, and print photos, and get out & photograph for enjoyment.
I want to play with my girls and be totally involved.
I want to do activities with them & plan things, & be present with them.
I want to plan & make meals.
I want to keep up on tidying my house, decluttering my house, cleaning my house.
I want to have friends over more.
I want to help others more often.
I want to get out on dates with Ken more.
I want to find fun things for Ken & I to enjoy together more.

Funny how you can want so much more & at the same time just want simplicity, and less.

Can you relate?

A Little Artist

Somebody is getting good at drawing....



So fun to watch this happen :)

(Sure the legs & body both connect to the head- so what? ;)