A Session built for a Little Man

After a good break from blogging, I'm happy to get back into the "sphere" and introduce to you this super adorable baby boy I got to spend some time with a couple of weeks ago.

Little Man Jake was born over Memorial Day weekend so I got to meet him when he was just over a month old.  He has the most precious expressions and he even came up with his own poses for the pictures.  I let him run the show since he clearly has a knack for modeling.

Mom, Jessica, was super sweet and looks stunning for just having a baby.

She's an A&M alumn so of course we had to incorporate some Aggie paraphernalia into the shots.  I'm big into lifestyle so I don't carry too many props since I like to add more personal touches to my photos.  This cushy pillow pet and of course the ring were perfect additions.

Dad, Erik, could seriously pass for a Val Kilmer double (pre weight gaining days of course) and was very attentive to his families' needs.  While prepping for another shot, Dad was soothing Little Man and I came back into his nursery to capture this

So sweet!

The red door is from an old barn on a family property and Erik and his friend re-purposed it to create a beautiful rustic pallet wall and closet doors.  Charlotte's Web was a favorite of Jessica's growing up so there is even a spider web with the phrase, Little Man, written in it.

Both Mom & Dad are from the country so while they settled on living in the 'burbs to be closer to work, they back up to a gorgeous park so Jake certainly won't be lacking in space to run around and burn off that little boy energy.

Thanks for letting me spend time with you and your beautiful family Erik and Jessica.  Let me know if Jake ever needs head shots for his future modeling career, I would be happy to help ;)

Tending to My Nest III

Little Miss will have been in our lives for 7 months tomorrow.  While it was a tough transition with this precious little stranger, she brings a balance to our family that completes us.  She is by far, the most mellow and inquisitive baby.  She can entertain herself while we go out to eat by studying her surroundings or being mesmerized by whatever item I've given her. When she's bored of that, she's perfectly content just sitting on your lap. She reminds me of Jude when he was a year old and had such a stoic personality, the photographer that inspired me to get back in the game, took note of his disposition on her blog.  It will be fun to see how she evolves over the years.

I took a quick snapshot with my IPhone but I thought this was such a great representation of Little Miss.

Her room seems to compliment her personality.  It's soft, delicate, and cheery.  There are also subtle touches that encourage you to take in your surroundings while not overwhelming you.    

I've added a couple of touches to her nursery, one for practical reasons, the other for aesthetics.  I am currently looking for a jewelry box that I can store her flower head bands that I swore I would never have her wear.  I'll continue to add more elements as she grows and take away some as her hands and feet catch up with her inquisitive mind.

I found these Pottery Barn black out curtains above on a buy/sell/trade site on FB.  While I got them for a quarter of the price, you can find similar ones at Pottery Barn Kids

 

I believe this element was the missing piece to her nursery decor.  I originally envisioned the branches alone framing the crib but adding this custom made mobile from TinyGoldenArrows brought it all together.

For more angles and details about Little Miss' room, read about it here.

If you want more up to date information about Simply E3 Photography & Design, "like" my FB page.

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Pregnancy and having an infant has been a major damper on any culinary creativity in the Ellenbecker household.  Our foodie mentality has been subjected to eat to live vs. our normal live to eat.  I have also reverted to Beau being the primary cook after years of finally finding my place in the kitchen.  

Last night, however, I had a creative breakthrough.  A dear friend gave me a Tagine for my birthday back in September which has been sitting cozy in our Costco closet (yes, we have a closet dedicated to the big bulk warehouse).  I had made Moroccan in the past which she remembered.  In fact, Moroccan Chicken was my first signature dish that I doctored up from a Betty Crocker cookbook I received from my wedding.  The majority of the time, it was delicious and I proudly served it to my in-laws at one point, but unfortunately on that particular occasion it fell into the dry but edible category that sometimes occurred.  Did I mention this was my first time cooking for them?

Problem solved with this odd looking vessel.  In all honestly, the Tagine looked intimidating and time consuming.  I felt that I needed a special occasion to break it out.  With chicken thawed in the fridge and minimal ingredients at hand, I decided that an ordinary Tuesday was the perfect time to experiment.  

I was given a cookbook along with my gift that had a few recipes but none were quite what I was looking for.  Internet land gave some inspiration but in the end I created my own version.  The fusion of flavors was a symphony in my mouth.  Spicy, bright, savory, and sweet all worked in harmony.  The chicken was flavorful and so moist it fell off the bone.   My husband upgraded my title from cook to chef.  The best compliment I could ever receive.  

The best part is, this is one of the easiest dishes to put together but will impress your guests.   You can also let it just sit while you socialize which is important for me because I am a nervous cook and hate an audience. I was able to put it together and let it sit while I strapped Little Miss in my ring sling, grabbed a glass of wine, and met my husband and son outside and chatted with the neighbors for a bit.  The perfect way to cook in my book.

Make it for your next dinner or party or when you are in a cooking rut.  It's simply amazing!

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Olive Oil

Butter

2 lbs Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks (6-8 pieces)

salt and pepper

1 yellow onion diced

Tbsp minced garlic

1 1/2 inch ginger peeled and diced

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp tumeric

1 tsp cayanne

2 2 inch cinamon sticks

14oz can of diced tomatoes with juices

1 cup chicken stock

2 tbsp honey

juice from 1/2 lemon

3/4 cup dried apricots

Small bunch of cilantro

Couscous

Heat oil and butter in bottom of Tagine or Dutch Oven, season chicken with salt and pepper and brown chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding for about 5-8 minutes turning once.  Transfer to clean plate.

Heat tsp of olive oil, saute onions, garlic and ginger until onions soften.  Add in spices, cinnamon sticks, and cook until aromatic.  Add in tomatoes, chicken stock, honey, lemon and apricots.  Nestle in chicken. Bring liquid to a boil then reduce heat.  Cover and cook for 50-60 minutes.  Serve over couscous and garnish with cilantro.  Enjoy!

Tending to My Nest II

I'm officially 38 weeks pregnant with my second child.  My little girl can arrive any moment and my OCD tendencies in addition to my "nesting" has been in full swing for the last year (my nesting began before I actually conceived).  My bags are packed (with a list of things to be added), newborn clothing and necessities are cleaned and sanitized (I hope), the house is tidy (for the most part), laundry is being kept up with (unless you count that basket that needs to be folded), and my physical and emotional state is ready to welcome my daughter in the world (bringing her home into our lives is a different story).

How prepared can you really be?  I remember this point of my pregnancy with Jude.  The normal new parental anxieties were settling in although slightly enhanced by the mere fact that I was less than a month settled into a new country. Thousands of miles and a great big ocean separated me from the familiar comforts of friends and family and a 24 hour Target down the street.  While I had my bags packed, food prepped in the freezer, every gadget I thought I needed, I went into labor with more knowledge of the stages of pregnancy than newborn care and just my husband to rely on through the first few months of life with a tiny human.  I survived, barely, but I survived.

It took time but I learned a few tricks of the trade to care for a child.  I made life time friends with some women and families on our base, started my walk with God, and learned to navigate the German economy while also realizing the simplicity of life (aka, not needing every infant accessory on the market).

Today I have a healthy and thriving almost 4 year old little boy who despite my inexperience of parental knowledge is managing okay with life (unless he doesn't get his way of course).  I've been settled in Texas for almost a year, have abundance of friends and family in the area (and a short plane ride away), a great spiritual family, and more big box stores in a 10mi radius than one knows what to do with.   Despite those conveniences, I've learned the anxieties of motherhood don't go away, they just transform.

It will take time, a few stumbles, many tears, an abundance of prayers, and constant reminders but I will learn to balance a life between two children, a husband, friends, and myself.   I will learn to cope with sleepless nights and having to be alert for an active preschooler.  I will understand that I don't have all of the answers, just the best intentions of raising my children.  I will accept that my house doesn't need to be perfect, just functional.  I will have better excuses for being at least 10 minutes late to everything despite my best effort.  I will realize yet again the important things in life, how to be content in the present, and to live more simply.

Just like everything else in this season of my life, I have Emma's room "mostly" prepared.  I'm still waiting on a beautiful hand crafted bird mobile from Etsy my friend ordered for me and a few family photos that will give life to this space.  More importantly though, I'm waiting on the little girl that will transform our family of 3 into a family of 4 and all of the blessings and challenges to go with it.

Shopping List

Wall Color: Behr Valley Mist mixed with Celtic Gray

Mural: Veteran Creations

Crib Sheets: Babies R US Knit Crib Sheet - Pink

Framed Bird Art: Nature's Heavenly Art

Birdcage: Hobby Lobby (originally watermelon pink)

Silver bird figurines: ELLE Home Decor at Kohl's

Owl Piggy Bank: Target

Picture Frame: Homegoods

White bird figurines: Hobby Lobby

Mirror: Home Depot

Bookshelf: Ikea Expedite

Lamp: Pier 1 (similar)

Lamp Shade: Target (similar)

Glider: Dutailier (similar)

Changing Pad Cover: Carters Super Soft Dot in Pink

Vase with Flowers: Hobby Lobby

Tending To My Nest

Casa Ellenbecker has many of projects under way as home-ownership is never fully done.  The one and only room that has barely been touched since my husband carried me over the threshold of our new abode has been the baby's nursery.  It has made a nice storage room for baby paraphernalia and a perfect place for our friend's son to stay while they were getting settled into their new house.  As I'm approaching 30 weeks, nesting is starting to kick in and the back burner room is almost ready to be worked on.  After a few other touch ups first.

So that I don't have to redo this room per my current trend, I'm am going anally overboard with my color samples.  Amazing how such similar colors can have such subtle yet defining differences.


Here basis of the vision although the actual color will be more of a light aqua and I will replace the yellow for blush pink accents

Kerianne Brown Photography 

A tree mural similar to this decal will adorn her crib wall

Here is the first step of the process

10am lighting 3rd one wins.  Mix of Valley Mist and Celtic Gray.

Now to sit back, watch the paint dry and the lighting to change while I visualize rocking my baby girl in modern yet serene escape.

A Complimentary Fit

This is a quick post to mention that despite my crazy antics of second guessing and repainting, my husband is currently sitting in his office looking at paint swatches to repaint his office since he feels it doesn't flow with the rest of the house.  He is also looking at paintings for the upstairs orange wall because although he loves the orange wall, he knows how much it is irritating me.

Even though there are times where I wish he would just let me take the lead and do what I say when it comes to decorating, I really do love the fact that he is so invested in creating a beautiful home and shares a similar vision with me. It may make things a bit messy at times but it's our mess together.

On Tuesday we celebrate 7 years of marriage.  It's been an amazing journey and I'm looking forward to many more years of creating of beautiful life together.  Happy Anniversary Beau!

Photo by Jessica Ceason of Jessica Ceason Photography

That Damn Orange Wall

I have a love hate relationship with a certain wall in my house.  This wall was meant to be the accent point in our house, a wall to give life and color to a more neutral home.  With the 60/30/10 rule in design, this was going to be the pivotal 10 that brought things together.  Depending on the day, the light, or my hormones, my feelings change for this wall.  Currently I loathe it and my husband loves it.  He does loathe my ping pong effect of my feelings for this wall which is enough to get him on board with changing it.  Yes, 9 months here and I've painted and repainted more than most of my friends who have lived in their homes for 3+ years.

We have either orange or copper accents throughout the house which is why we chose this color.  I love the color orange but I can't get this particular wall to flow with the rest of the house which therefore makes me want to change it all together.  Unfortunately I have no idea what to change it to. 

Here is the infamous wall from the main view of the house.

Here are some other angles upstairs

And views of the rest of the downstairs living room/kitchen

The grey/blue, Sherwin William's Morning Fog (SW6255), we chose for upstairs is an in between color of the Lazy Gray (SW6254) in the kitchen and Gibraltar (SW6257) on the fireplace wall.  Same color pallet.  My husband's thought is to continue the Morning Fog on the the orange wall.  One idea I had was to use a similar gray from the couch which is also replicated in the kitchen counter/tiles and paint the entire upstairs this...if I can convince my husband of course.

Another thought I had was to use the color below, Black Swan (SW6279), as another accent but that might make it more conflicting with the fireplace wall.

We will be adding a gallery wall of brightly colored paintings from our travels

View of the sitting room looking into the dining room to the living room.  We used Martha Stewart Fig in the Dining Room. Beau's office to the right (which looks a little more yellow in this image) is SW6380 Humble Gold.

I need your insight as I am at a complete and utter loss over what to do with the upstairs.  We have already repainted the playroom portion from the same orange to Morning Fog, and then carried the Morning Fog to the two hallways as well.  I do love the color  but I'm concerned of adding too much blue.  My husbands concern is that we originally envisioned this brightly colorful house as I wrote about here but am slowly ending up with 18 variations of gray. 

Please post your thoughts below.  I'm looking for suggestions for the orange wall only or the upstairs as a whole.  I want to keep the rest of the rooms the same.  Any ideas on how to make my house flow?