Feb
A ravenous display of Maine seafood and us devouring it. Sorry if you get jealous. I understand why.
Not me silly! The sweet couple that I photographed before Christmas! You thought it was me didn’t you? No no. But here is some cool information: they are due the same day that we are! But because they are having twinkles they are actually getting to meet their little surprises in late February! I’m so [...]
I promise to update more on my wonderful trip to Maine. But I have about one million thank you cards to write for all the fantastic gifts we got at the baby shower. So I just wanted you to know, that I haven’t forgotten about you. And I intend to show you some cute decoration [...]
A picture log of the awesome baby shower my sweet Mom and Sister put on for us. It was the most amazing time and the food and gifts were great! Not to mention all the girlie things we talked about and learned.
When did this happen? How did it already come to this where we are 11 weeks away from meeting our little girl? Do you realize how quickly this is going to go by? We have Christmas with Hubs family in the south, new years with my family in the north east and then we’re back [...]
My little girl still has a couple months to go until we get to meet face to face, but I already know so much about her. I can’t wait to know more but here is what I’m certain of so far: My little princess is 28 weeks old today! In my belly. Not in the [...]
My own personal rants about why people must have a vendetta against pregnant women riding the Chicago Transit
![grinch_santa[1]](http://www.naphandlys.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/grinch_santa1-70x70.jpg "grinch_santa[1]")
Well my husband has been up to quite a bit of mischief lately! In fact, he’s been designing a website dedicated specifically to our sweet little girl! SO from now on when I write to her or about her, it’ll show up there. You can see how we plan on decorating her room, what names [...]
Member that time when I described how we found out we were expecting? Oh right. I never told you about that, I just started writing letters to this kid. How confused must you be?
So there are just a few things I really can’t handle when it comes to baby decor. I am allowing myself to really explore pink and how classy it can look but I have a really hard time with the typical, extra girly, cliche pink thinks. I’m also opinionated patterns and designs. I’m trying to [...]
Not everything went as planned on my day of preparation. I even dropped a cheesecake. A whole entire cheesecake.
So now that we are having a girl, I’m looking at girlie cute things on Etsy. It was not the best idea I’ve ever had because now all I can think of are tutu’s and flower headbands. Check out my style:
Oh, oh you wanted to know what we were having? Read on good friend, read on.
The adventures of showing up for a volunteer project and finding out that it’s really rugged and manly and dusty and dirty. Luckily I was just taking pictures. Even though I almost died!
Hey ‘member that time when I planned a thing, and then that thing didn’t work out, so I had an alternative plan which also didn’t actually happen so then I was wondering why I was so mad about the plans not working? Yeah…Your Momma is psycho kiddo.
Baby didn’t let me sleep. I guess baby wanted to hear me talking, and writing a little letter.
So Hubs and I have been determining how to feed my passion for photography while not breaking the bank on a completely new camera. So after some deep conversation (read: argument/fight/discussion) we both agreed that I really needed to start doing something that I love, that makes me come alive. The next day, while at [...]
How we got an oversized mirror in to a car that wouldn’t fit it and then transported across town. Memories, Marshall style.
Have you ever had crepes? Have you ever had the best crepes in the world? Because I have.
My thoughts on South Sudan, Harry Potter and Work. Three most exciting things you’ll read about today! Oh and a recipe. That’s worth checking out right?
summer memories, future plans and photographic attempts. Oh and a wedding anniversary coupled with a one year anniversary of living in Chicago. Wowza.
Just a basic update. Nothing to write home about. Mainly because they could just read it here so it would be a waste of paper.
I went to San Diego! A successfully surprised sister received me graciously and I met my nephew for the first time in person. Best. Trip. Ever.
My thoughts on Doom’s Day. April 15th that is.
Job changes, roommate news, seizures and picture stories. What you’ve all been waiting for.
Where we left off: ” That’s a good point. Stop messing with my shoes. That doesn’t answer my question. What do you think about being in a relationship with me? Do you like me?” Crap. Seriously with the direct questions dude? Seriously?! ” Well, I…I um…well I’ve liked you for quite a while.” He smiled [...]
We left off here: Then a white Suburban pulled up. The window rolled down. And a part of my distorted past called out my name surrounded by a haze of cigarette smoke. My stomach dropped and I knew these past 10 minutes would be all that I’d get to enjoy with this handsome man I [...]
So I wanted to show you some pictures from this past summer. It was our first in Chicago as actual residents. We had the pleasure of living up in the north side of the city, close to the water.
I had big ideas of how to start this blog, but as I was preparing my space, gettin gmy tea, I turned on the TV and saw that Egypt has their freedom! I couldn’t help but start crying. My passion for freedom is due in part to our love story.
So much has happened in the past couple weeks and I’ve written this blog a million times in my head.
I have a whole “about page” on here that hasn’t been updated recently and you don’t even know who this elusive”Hubs” is who (or is it whom?) I refer to all the time.
Well it has been 10 days since I last wrote…what…the…heck! I’m terrible. I apologize. BUT to make up for it I have pictures! See, we’re ok right? So I did my first wedding shoot of my life and got paid for it! It was a swell time! I learned lots and had tons of fun. [...]
Today, because I don’t have any pictures uploaded, and I really am thinking about my delicious pellow (yes, I mean pillow but my sweet little brother used to always say pellow so that is how I call it now) I am just going to be wordy.
So the Hubs and I decided to start a new tradition that we can keep through the ages.
It is something that oozes, and emanates Christmas cheer and ambiance.
The Nutcracker.
*warning: I’m about to talk about testicles. Nan, I’m sorry but it’s a good story.*
My mom started this Christmas tradition long ago, of collecting ornaments that represented something significant that had happened in our lives that year. We moved so much that it wasn’t ever easy to collect much, but these were super easy to store and make for good stories.
Well despite the fact that we have had to change our Christmas budget around so that I can get a phone again, I’m still aloud to look right?
So remember that time, less than 3 months ago, that I got the new Iphone 4? My first ever smart phone? The reason I haven’t gotten lost in the city for that whole time? The device that has been keeping me occupied and awake on my early mornings to work, and not to mention getting me up and out the door to the bus on time?
Well the second reason that I hadn’t been around was that I just procrastinated. But I finally have the time since I finished the book series to tell you about the The Bird and everything to do with that bird.
I’ve been gone, I’m back. But let me just tell you all the reasons/excuses. They are worth it.
First off let me say that I took a bagazillion pics of these ingredients and I still failed to get a good one so you’ll just have to imagine the ingredients with me mmk? Or if you must, go to this page to get the full recipe.
First things first…I’ve been away…not traveling, just from this blog world. I’m every so sorry but I have two good reasons, no three…well really four. They are my two siblings-in-law who were here for almost a week, my sweet hubby, the Thanksgiving Baking Extravaganza, and the actual Thanksgiving Dinner. They basically took my life over!
Well I just finished editing pics from a real quick shoot I did last week. I didn’t mean for it to take me so long to get 8 pictures done, but alas..what’s done is done.
In exchange for your patience with me and this blog I have decided to reward you with a recipe. IT really is a reward you see because not only is it delicious and tropical but it’s also South Beach Diet, Phase 2, approved. It’s also in their orange cook book but I modified it a little because I’m cheap…as you’ll soon see…
I met Jenny & Joel when we first moved to Chicago. I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent with them…which sadly hasn’t been enough. But we are definitely going to make that change!
Getting up at 2:45am to get to work on time is probably one of the only things I really dislike about working at Starbucks.
But that too comes with it’s rewards.
If you ever come to Chicago, and you like shopping, and you like Ma & Pa shops, and you want to feel like you’re in a small town in New England then you should go check out Sheffield Ave right off the Brown line. AAAH MAY ZING.
So as you may know…my Hubs and I went to Mexico. I’ve talked about it in passing a bit and you’ve seen how I’ve been wanting to update you on it but still haven’t. I apologize for that profusely…but life is crazy as you well know!
A few things you should know about me.
I live by Grace.
I will never be perfect.
I will always be learning.
We found out that we needed a new transmission so we took it to the mechanic of a guy we know from church. Today the Hubs went to get the money for the car. Basically the mechanic said it’d be $950 for a whole new transmission (it was a manual. Yeah, I know how to drive a manual!)
So I was asked to do a wedding. I am slightly nervous. I have said yes, with the promise of double checking with my hubby since some sweet friends of ours are getting married 1-1-11 and we’d love to go. Plus I want to see my family. But I should be back in time. And [...]
I’m getting a hair cut. It’s going to be dramatic. It’s going to be new. It’s going to be worthy of a band wife who works at a coffee shop and wants something upbeat but edgy at the same time. It’s going to look like this: I think it’s going to be HAWT. We have [...]
Well I’ve had some interesting news lately. Several people have told me they miss-understood the little tagline that we have up:
“Blog by Two Lefties: Our kids are doomed…”
I know I know, you’re all wondering where the heck I am. And there are a lot of you. I mean, let’s face it, I’m kind of a big deal (name that movie).
We arrived safe and sound last night to our little home…we were only 2 days late! The trip was awesome, the resort was amazing and the three days back and forth to the airport were nerve racking! But we made memories, I’m definitely changed by this trip in many good but hard ways. I have [...]
Yeah, you read that right! In 7 hours I’ll be getting up to put the finishing touches on my cosmetic bags before packing them up for a trip to the coast of Mexico with my hubby.
So I had the privilege of taking some engagement pics of this super cute couple. I met Erin long long ago during my first year of college in Chicago. I transferred the next year out but we kept in touch every once and a while.
I know I know this is the second post for today but the news is just too good to wait until tomorrow and by then we won’t be featured anymore. So go check out cssiphone.com right now! The friend fella who helped Naph out with building this site submitted the Iphone version of it and [...]
Well we had a swell friend who helped us move all our crap (yeah Mom, I said it. CRAP) out of the Budget truck, up four floors, and into our house. He also gave us our new awesome bed frame for FREE!
So there is a company that I’ve read about through this awesome photographer, Jodie. I’ve know about Jodie and her awesome photography through this blogger, Katie, who I consider a swell and close friend. Katie and her band man hubby Russ (Fundamental Elements) adopted the cutest little fella you ever did see and Jodie has taken the coolest pictures of them.
This can go two ways: Oh Snap, I’m back (and I rhyme cuz it ain’t no crime…blah…corny) or Oh Snap I’ve taken a ton of pictures lately an am so excited to show everything to you that has been monumental and important in my life these days.
I care about you.
I care about my feet and giving them a rest.
I care about being able to breath…all this dust is not letting that happen.
I care about cooking because food is delicious and my belly appreciates it…sometimes my bowels disagree..
Time goes by too fast! I have so many things to tell you about, show you, share with you but then I look at the clock (which by the way says 2.27am right now) and I am just ready for bed! But I wanted to show you that I have been up to productive things, [...]
Let me tell you, the day everyone started finding out it was like a 180 from how things had been going. To show the type of “expectations of grandparenthood” my padres had this was a typical conversation that happened about 1 month before I got engaged:
Well I’m minutes (perhaps hours, perhaps a few more days but I think my sister’s screams and the IV currently in her arm would say other wise) away from being an ant, aunt, tia, cool close mentorish type female to the newest member of the Fowler/Rollins clan. Wyatt, welcome.
Once upon a time there was a girl (woman, lady, young female, ok me) who was on her way home from a long week of work. She was every so excited to be going home and begin what would lead to two days off of work.
I obviously haven’t written in a while but I wanted to give you a few pictures that I’ve finished so you can see what I’ve been up to…well partly.
Well I may not have been online for the past couple weeks but I promise I’ve been rather active. For starters we just moved this week and it’s been awesome. This place is so fantastic and once we get it really put together it’ll be up here for your viewing pleasure.
We’re home! Well…in our new home. This is a reason why I haven’t updated in a long time…because we haven’t had internet until today! So now I’m back and I can fill you in on so many goodies.
This year Chicago had it’s first ever Cuban Festival and we decided to head on over and see if they could, in any way, compete with Naph’s mom’s black beans. My handsome hubby is 1/2 Cuban. His grandparents came to the United States in 1969 with three children and the fourth born 3 days after [...]
This happened this weekend: And this happened as well: So you should come tomorrow to hear about it…oh and this too:
So these are Osiris Shoes that I found online while looking for shoes to wear to work. These are not black and unfortunately, I’m getting old…for real. I’ll be a quarter of a century in less than a month. (Gifts of sympathy will be accepted)
I dub this post #1 because I know for sure there will be many more to follow.
Naph and I have had a chance to explore a bit around the neighborhood we’d been living in for the past couple months. First let me explain that part a little bit.
I have been known to say “love will find you its tentacles reach far and wide”…in fact I said it for the first time today to my good buddy Nate Cameron who you will meet in a little more than a week b/c we are doing a photo shoot together!
Remember that time when I said that we’d have a new blog before we moved to Chicago so that when we got here we’d be ready to release it to the world and nothing and no one would ever be the same? Well this is all still true….just a few months later than I thought.
So I have done lots of editing for my favorite newly engaged couple, but, first and foremost, I wanted to let you in on a new link of ours. Alas it is not the new website yet, but that is in the deep throws of development and hopefully will arise glorious and beautiful very soon!
Well I have a few more pics done. They are pretty darn awesome if I do say so myself. Photography is just so much easier when you have a super attractive couple to help! So here you go!
So this adorable awesome amazing couple got engaged yesterday…and I took pics of them today. AWESOME! It was totally not planned at all and just spontaneously worked out and I got over 1,000 pics for my first ever official shoot! I’m totally pumped and stoked and excited and nervous and encouraged and well…you get the [...]
(* Clarification from my wonderful Tia Lisi: Mom and I were just perusing your blog. just a couple of points of clarification. Cafe Bustelo is cuban coffee, not Italian. also we don’t usually use condensed milk…we use either regular or evaporated. The “experts” make a “pumita” by steaming the milk so its nice and foamy. [...]
I’ve been starting to take and edit pictures thanks to the help of my darling Husband who has been teaching me Photoshop. I’m really excited and I’m thinkin…I’m not to bad. We got a new pro pro camera. A Canon 20D. We’re definitely satisfied right now with it though we can tell we’ll definitely want [...]
Well we’ve been back over 24 hours now. Naphtali has just finished the show that we came back to the States for and we’re trying to keep our attitudes in check. We’ve had a hard time transitioning back. We…well mainly I was pretty nervous about seeing the house as we had a little bit of [...]
I’m dying here friends! I can’t believe we only have a week left! Hypothetically of course, because we still haven’t gotten our tickets! Hopefully that isn’t going to be a problem.Eric Larsen came down to visit for a couple days on his way back from some conferences he was having in Colombia. Eric and his [...]
Bueno, life just always throws curve balls eh? Naphtali and I have a hypothetical 2 1/2 more weeks here in Chile. I say hypothetical because now that I don’t have a job waiting for me back in Greenville and he only has one show forcing us to go back by the end of September, well [...]
I’ve had really great days, really great ones since we’ve been here in Chile. It’s been two weeks yesterday and we’ve gotten to see a lot of the City that my husband grew up in. But sadly, there have been events in the USA that have made me just ache to be back there to [...]
So on to new beginnings and new screen names! I’ve changed over to a different e-mail addy and therefore have changed over my blog as well. I figured licialene didn’t roll off the tongue so easily and wouldn’t be the greatest e-mail to give to an employer. As I hadn’t updated the other sight in [...]
