My New Addiction...

Photoshop actions.  This is way too much fun.  Here's a few pics I played with.

Ava on Christmas Eve.

My friend's daughter during a modeling session.


You can find great actions here, here, here, and here.
And this site is awesome for photography tips, tricks and hints.

Christmas 2007...

WHEW!  I am sad to see it over, but I am happy too, as I am ready for a new year, and a break from all the parties.  Christmas Eve we spent at my in-laws.  My mother-in-law made enough food to feed at least 20 people, and there were only 6 of us.  Lots of seafood...yum.

Emma, Omie, Ava

I am still waiting for the day my girls run out of their bedrooms, excited that Santa came.  Both of them need about a half hour to wake up, and have some chocolate milk.  I swear, it's like an adult who needs their coffee, they need their chocolate milk.  Then finally after they were done, they were excited and ready to open presents!  Wrapping paper was flying everywhere.

What took months to shop for and hours to wrap was open in about an hour.  They were really into it this year which was so fun for Chris and I.  And I have a gripe with these toy manufacturers, what do they think is going to happen to these toys during shipment that they are wired tied, rubber banded and taped into the package!  It took me longer to open these toys than anything else!  Unbelievable!  It's like Fort Knox.

This year I did Christmas at my house.  We had a lovely dinner of prime rib, mashed potato casserole, spinach supreme and baby carrots.  I always overbuy when it comes to meat.  I still have 2/3's of the rib left.  Oh well, I'll know better next time.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

And I just realized this is my 101st post!  Somehow I missed 100, lol!

A busy week...

Boy, this was a hectic week of Christmas pageants, last minute shopping, trips to the supermarket, birthday parties, and pre holiday get togethers.  I am exhausted and it isn't even Christmas yet!  

Emma had her Christmas show at pre-k on Thursday.  She got to play Mary!  That was a big surprise to us.  It is always so sweet to watch 50 some odd 4 year olds sing Christmas songs.  Here she is with her friend Ella before the show.



And as Mary...



Then last night we went to my in-laws for my brother-in-law's birthday.  Seven kids running around playing is enough to make your head spin, lol!  And we got great news, there will be a new addition to the family in August!  My sister-in-law and good friend is pregnant with her fourth!  Congrats guys!

And here is the birthday boy (he may be 28, but he is still a boy ;) )


Three generations of Trotta men...

left to right, Chris's Dad, Chris, his Grandfather

Even my mom's dog is pooped!


Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Pics...

No, I am not this good.  These were professionally taken by an amazing local photographer.

Cookie Share...

Every year at Christmas time, my Mom would bake these yummy M&M cookies.  My sister and I looked forward to them every year.  They are so good, and the kids will love making these with you.  This recipe has to be from the 80's.  I actually have the original copy my Mom clipped from a magazine.  It's funny, the things we treasure.  Enjoy!


M&M Super Cookies

1  15oz. package M&M plain candies ( I use the red & green holiday mix)
1 cup margarine
3/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 cup chopped nuts if desired

Coarsely chop 1 1/2 cups candies; reserve remaining for decoration.  Beat together margarine and sugars until light and fluffy; blend in eggs and vanilla.  In separate bowl combine flour and baking soda and salt. Add flour mix to creamed mix. Beat well. Stir in chopped candies. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets.Flatten slightly with back of spoon. Bake at 350~ for 9-11 minutes.  Remove from oven; immediately press 3 reserved candies into top of each cookie.  

Makes about 5 dozen.

Got a cookie recipe you want to share?  Leave me a comment! 

Baby It's Cold Outside...

Very appropriately, we had our first snowfall last weekend.  We decorated just in time!

All Is Right In The World...

Joy, Elation...

How I love my Lightroom program. I love the creative control you have with your photos. I had to share two photos I played with.

My Favorite Holiday Cookies

This has to be my all time favorite cookie to make around Christmas.  Always a hit!  Enjoy!

Venetian Layered Cookie Bars

Makes about 56

8 ounces almond paste
1-1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs (separated)
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 drops red and green food coloring
1 (12 ounce) jar of apricot or seedless raspberry jam
2 1/2 squares of semi sweet chocolate

Grease three 9 x 13-inch baking pans. Line with waxed paper. Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine almond paste, sugar, butter, egg yolks and almond extract. Beat for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in flour and salt. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. With a wooden spoon, fold into the almond
mixture. Divide dough into three 1-1/2-cup portions. Add red coloring to one of the portions, and green to another, stirring until mixture is evenly colored. Spread the batter in the three separate prepared pans (keeping the colors separate). Bake for 15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. (Each layer will be 1/4 inch thick). Remove cakes from pan immediately. Cool thoroughly. Stack layers in a 9 x 13 inch pan, spreading jam between layers (no jam on top layer). Place second 9 x 13 inch pan on top and weigh down with two 5 pound bags of sugar or flour. Refrigerate overnight. Melt chocolate over hot water and spread over cake. Allow to set. Trim edges and cut into 1-inch squares.

Yummy!