Black and White Wednesday - Something I Love

It's another Black and White Wednesday at The Long Road to China. The title of this post is Something I Love, and well Fleur de Lis are something that I love. They are all over our house...meaning they are in every room, on the coasters, on a set of glasses, and around my neck. Everyone associates them with New Orleans, and well I am half Cajun, my mom was born and raised there, then my dad moved there from Cuba and that is where they met - in college. One of the Fleur de Lis I love the most is from my dear friend Tammy. We lived and worked together at Walt Disney World, and after Katrina hit she lost everything she owned. Thankfully our family did not lose much. I went to visit Tammy the April after Katrina hit, and even though she had lost everything she had a gift for me - a ever so simple sterling silver fleur de li necklace. I have cherished that necklace since the day she gave it to me, and have only taken it off a handful of times. I do not have a quality photo of the necklace but now you know some of the back story on why I love them so much. Here is one of the many that are in our house. Enjoy!

Click to see more fabulous black and white images

Just a Girl and Her Dog...

So I have started becoming addicted to these photo challenge thingies. I decided to enter another photo over at Skinned Knees, the theme for the week is friendship. This is one of my best friends with her best friend Ranger. We were all a little exhausted after watching the US tie England a couple weeks ago so they were getting a power nap.

Check out more friends here:

Shutter Love Tuesday - Summer

This weeks theme at Trendy Treehouse is "Summer." What better way to spend a Summer day than to catch a good old baseball game? This was taken a couple weeks ago when my husband and I headed to a game. Something about going to a game, and having a hot dog screams summer to me. Not matter how bad my team is doing (trust me they are not doing well) I always enjoy catching a game. Enjoy!

 

I {Heart} Faces

This weeks challenge at I Heart Faces is all about pets. While I have a ton of cute photos of our cat Bentley, this one provides me and my husband with laughter almost daily. A few months ago my husband decided he wanted to give our cat a bath, so I told him that if he wanted to do this then he had to get in the tub with him. Now if you have ever given a cat a bath, you probly know that getting them INTO the tub proves to be pretty difficult. After that battle was over, Bentley just sat there, with this angry look on his face wondering why on earth we were doing this to him, and I of course had to grab the camera to catch this hilarious moment.



Disclaimer: No cat was harmed during this bathing process, he continued being the spoiled little cat that he always has been, and always will be.  =)

Check out more great submissions here

Marketing Mondays

It is Marketing Monday again over at Trendy Treehouse, and after getting some great feedback on the diaper cakes I have recently done I decided to list them in my etsy shop - Carried Away by Paper. So check them out, and if you or someone you know needs one send them my way!

 

 

Soon to be the Bride

Last weekend my friend Barbie had her Bridal Shower at the gorgeous Carlton Woods. I was super excited to attend and help celebrate her upcoming wedding! Her sister originally had someone that was going to come and take photos but they had to back out at the last minute. Being such a great friend that Barbie is, she mentioned to her sister that I was getting back in to photography, and said that I might be able to do it. So the day before the shower she asked if I could step in a shoot her shower, of course I said yes! Her shower turned out beautiful, the food and company were great. They also had a comedian to come perform - she was hysterical, and had the whole room cracking up - she also offered some great marriage advice as well! Here are a few photos: 

 

Congratulations to the bride, and I can't wait until her big day, it will be fabulous! Also, since it is Friday find a new friend to follow as well!

Have a great weekend!

Recipe - Fruit Pizza

In May I attended one of my many baby showers this year and I was asked to make the famed fruit pizza and black bean and corn salsa. I was just going through my pictures and saw that I had a photo of said fruit pizza, so I thought I would share the recipe with you. My coworker made this once before, then I made it, and it has been a hit with my friends and at parties. Here is a version I found online Fruit Pizza, but mine is a little different. So here is how I make mine...

Ingredients:
1 roll of sugar cookie dough
2-3 cups of powdered sugar
2 blocks of cream cheese (8 oz)
Rounds pizza stone/cooking sheet

These are the fruits I use:
Pineapple
Kiwi (I usually only need 2)
Strawberries
Blackberries or Raspberries
Blueberries

1. Flatten out the cookie dough, I just use my CLEAN hands =) into a circle, about an inch or so away from the edge of pan
2. Cook the cookie - I usually put it in for 10 minutes and just check it, I like the cookie to be a little softer so it is up to you
3. Soften the cream cheese and start stiring in powdered sugar. I use about 2-2.5 cups of powdered sugar, just start off with a cup and mix it to taste. I don't measure anymore
4. Dice up strawberries, kiwi, wash fruit
5. Once cookie is done, let cool. I have put it in the fridge overnight a few times, but I usually make this in 1 day so 30 minutes or so is fine. Just don't want the "sauce" to melt
6. Layer cookie with the "sauce"
7. Place fruit on as you wish - I always put different fruit on each circle
8. Slice and enjoy!

Here is the finished product (I didn't use kiwis on this one because someone was allergic)

This one is not the best photo, but you get the idea...

Black and White Wednesday - Take Me Out to the Ballpark

It's Black and White Wednesday again! I took this photo when me, my husband, and our two friends went to the Astros vs Cubs game a couple weeks ago. Even though the 'stros are not doing so hot I still love going to the games, especially since our reception was there. I love that we can go to games and remember our wonderful wedding day all at the same time - and let's face it the hot dogs always tastes better at a ballpark!

Check out more photos here!

Shutter Love Tuesday

This week at Trendy Treehouse, the photo challenge this week is "A Father's Love." A feww weeks ago I went to Dallas to celebrate my best friend's daughters first birthday and brought the camera along. I only managed to get 1 photo of Turner and her dad, but I did get her and her Grandpa, so I totally think that falls into the category. Here is Miss Turner Renee, her Grandpa, and her tutu! Enjoy!

Check out some more great submissions

Diapers, Diapers, and more Diapers

This past weekend I had a baby shower  to attend for my great friend Jo and I ended up making a diaper cake for the mother to be. I have really enjoyed making these, although rolling 82 diapers takes longer than you may think. My husband would also like to know when my friends will stop having babies, or getting married. Here are a few photos of the finished product

Once Jo found out there was a bottle of wine in the middle she was ready to tear it apart, maybe I should have just told her it was empty...or is that too cruel? I can't wait to meet baby Vicknair within the next few weeks, now if they would just pick out a name!

Marketing Monday

It's Marketing Monday at Trendy Treehouse so check out my etsy shop - Carried Away by Paper!  Here are a few things listed:

Have a great Monday!