today's meal

today's lunch was frozen edemame with a GF deli sandwich and tortilla chips with dip.  YUM!!

Dinner was a mexican dish that I helped prepare (i took beans) for a ministry that we have a church for single moms.  

Creative Meals~day 1

Tonight is the first night of my Creative challenge from the Lord.  I made chicken tenders with sweet mashed potatoes and black beans and a small side salad.  SO GOOD!!!

A God Sized Creative Challenge

This adventure has nothing to do with photography except for the face that I am taking pictures along the journey... Due to my knee surgery, I am lost my job, so I am currently unemployed.  That being said, I have been asking the Lord obviously for provision (which HE HAS COMPLETELY PROVIDED AND CONTINUES TO- that is for another blog though), and also for strategy in how to be smart with the limited finances I do have.  Here's one of the things I feel He gave me.  He gave me a game because I like games, and in my mind, game=challenge.  He gave me a game to see how long I can go with eating out of my pantry/freezer only.  What a creative challenge!  He showed me that I have so much in my cupboards already, it's just being creatie in using them!  So, the guidelines are simple: with the exception of fresh fruit & veggies, milk, eggs, yogurt (basically the basics), I see how long I can go without buying groceries.  I'm so excited for this creative challenge!

I went through and listed out everything I have in my cupboard and freezer.  Now that i have a list, I can get to creating amazing meals!  I will be posting every meal I make on here! Here's what I have:

6 Jars of spaghetti sauce
4 cans of diced tomatoes
1 box of quinoa elbows
1 bag corn rotelli
3 boxes of cereal
6 cans of green beans
3 cans of corn
2 cans of sloppy joe
1 can of black beans
2 cans of refried beans
1 can beef stew
1 can chicken and rice soup
2 cans of pear halves
6 cans of canned chicken
corn tortillas
dried edemame
soy sauce
spaghetti noodles
lasagna noodles
mashed potatoe packets
sea salt pretzels
multi=grain crackers
dried black beans
dried red beans
popcorn
quinoa
rice
almonds
flax seed
gronola
oats
pancake mix

Freezer
chicken tenders
chicken tenders
frozen veggies
quinoa

Pretty sure i have everything listed (except what is in my fridge because that is mostly milk, eggs, fresh veggies)... If you have any meal ideas, LET ME KNOW!! However, please remember I am gluten free.

My next post will be what I had for dinner!
~Stacee~

Oh my, what's this... a post?!?!

As you may know, I had knee surgery 2 months ago.  The recovery process has looked much different than I thought it was going to.  I have had such a constant wave of emotions over the past 2 months.  As I am starting to gain mobility and freedom again, I am quickly reminded that I am still recovering and cannot do as much as I thought I would be able to...again, this is frustrating, BUT I know that the Lord has a perfect plan for this season.  I was talking to a dear friend of mine on the phone tonight and she read me today's devotion from the book Jesus Calling.  After I hung up, I saw that another friend posted the same devotion on her Facebook account.  I thought I would share with you, it is such a great reminder of how great the Lord our God is.

"THANK ME for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness."

“Be still before the LORD,all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” -ZECHARIAH 2:13

This is what the Sovereign LORD,the Holy One of Israel,says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your strength,but you would have none of it.” -ISAIAH 30:15

But He said to me,My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully];for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities,that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes,may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! -2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 AMP

Surgery

I had surgery a week ago, because of this surgery (which was extremely needed), I am not working for 6 weeks.  While this is hurting me financially, this is going to be a great time for me to seek the Lord on a strategy for my business and I am excited for a few new ventures I am looking forward to.  6 weeks is a long time to be out of work, but it is a long time for exciting plans to be birthed.  Keep an eye out for these new and exciting things to come out of Stacee Strickland Photography!

Sloat {Preview}

I just realized that I have not posted a preview from the Sloat photo shoot!!  I had a blast photographing this family again!

{Sneak Peek}

This past weekend I had the joy of photographing 2 amazing families.  Here is just a sneak peek from this weekend.  More pictures to come soon.

Alethia Grace {4 Days}

Ok, I know that I have been HORRIBLE with blogging, but to make it up to you, I want to introduce you to Alethia Grace.  This little girl captured the hearts of her parents, aunts and uncles way before we ever met her in person.  We have been praying for this little girl, and her arrival was very much anticipated!  She was born on October 30th and she is beautiful.  I am so blessed to walk life with her parents, Ben and Bethany, and to be allowed into their lives as an "auntie" in their kids lives... but enough blabbing, it is my joy to introduce to you Alethia Grace Nicholson!!

All the hats were hand knitted by a few girls in our church.  Aren't they cute!?!

Bryce Harvey ~2 weeks~

Photographing babies, especially newborns is quite the adventure.  If you have any sort of time-table, you can throw it out the window because you are on baby's schedule, not your own.  Once Bryce got all warm and cuddly with him mom and dad, then we were able to start shooting.  I had so much fun with this one!  Bryce is the first newborn I have photographed, and although I missed the "10 day window" (this is for flexibility etc.), we still were able to get some GREAT shots today. I learned a lot from today's session, and cannot wait to photograph more newborns!  Good thing for me, I know a lot of expecting mom's! Thanks again Jennifer and Andrew for letting me photograph your precious son!

Bottom line is this: Bryce is a precious.  He was born 2 weeks ago, and i'm just going to let the photos prove it to you... 

My 3rd "Nashversary"

I cannot believe that it has been 3 years since I moved to Spring Hill.  It feels like just yesterday I graduate college and moved out here, and then I blinked and boom... here I am.  This year has been no different than any other in the fact that it has been a kinda crazy year, and I have had to completely trust the Lord.  It has really been a roller coaster of a year, but all the while, the Lord has been there for every step.  Here are some events from this year!

- My dear friend Caleb graduate college and I was able to go out to California and surprise him.  He had NO CLUE I was coming out.

-I was able to take my friend Jessica to her first baseball game ever.

-My life-long friend (literally-we've known each other since birth), Kathy, got married and I was able to celebrate with her.

-I went to Ohio to visit my aunt and uncle for a vacation, where I got to go to amish county and get lots of goods,

I got to go to the Ohio State Fair and see my first pig race, then my aunt and I got to go inside "the shoe" at Ohio State University!  That was pretty cool.

And then the 3 of us went to a military site that was honoring all the fallen soliders from Ohio.

-I competed in my first triathlon ever!  I didn't achieve my goal of sub 2 hours, but I finished in 2:15!

-I had pretty much the best birthday to date.  Olivia and Winter arranged to surprise me and took me to see THE GOONIES in the theater!  If you don't know, The Goonies is one of my favorite movies, so it was extremely neat to see that film on the "silver screen".  And the fact that I was surrounded by friends made it so much better!

-My parents came to visit for Thanksgiving!  It was so much fun to be able to celebrate with them and to show them my life.. in person.. here in Tennessee!

-Precious Iris Belle Pearson was born

-Christmas.  Christmas this year is extra special to me for a couple of reasons.  One is because Jessica came home with me, and we had a blast.  My family embraced her so much and we had a blast!  It was also sweet because it was the last Christmas I spent with my Grampie.

Here he is reading the Christmas story.

It was also Jessica's first time ever seeing the Pacific Ocean... she didn't think it would be cold, but it was!

-Now this next thing is NOT a highlight, but it a huge part of my year.  My grandfather, Eric B. Adney Jr., changed his address to Heaven.  He was 88 years old when he went home to be with Jesus, and it has been difficult to deal with.  However, through it all, the Lord has been my strength.  I've posted the video I made for his celebration service

-I finished the student intern program at New Song, and I started a new job!  I am now working full-time at The Arbors and Willow Springs (assisted living facilities) as the assistant activities director.  I am LOVING my job.  It is tough at times, but soo rewarding!
So there are some videos and picture from my third year in Tennessee!  I'm excited to see what this year holds for me!

5.17.11

I'm grateful for: my city
The Lord has placed me in a strategic place in this city, and I am grateful for it.

Gratefulness...

So I know this was supposed to be posted everyday, and I was supposed to have a picture for each thing, but life has been very busy, with starting a new job and all, that I have been so tired to post.. Even though I have been so tired, as I laid my head down each night, I took time to thank the Lord for my day.  So I thought I would just do an "update" post of one thing I was thankful for each of the past 5 days I haven't posted.  Hopefully this week will be better with pictures!

Day 4- 5.11.11- Spiritual Family.  I LOVE the family the Lord put me in here in Tennessee.
Day 5- 5.12.11- My health.
Day 6- 5.13.11- My apartment.  This is a place that the Lord has given my roommate and me, and I am so grateful to be able to use it for Him and His glory.
Day 7- 5.14.11-  Godly women in my life.

Today- Day 8- 5.15.11- The green trees of Spring.  One of the first things I noticed when I moved here, was the fullness of the trees.  While it is neat and beautiful to see the bare trees during the winter, I LOVE when spring comes because the trees get their leaves back!

Tomorrow is a new day, with a ton to be grateful for!  Look for it!

Day 3: 5.10.11

Day 3: 5.10.11
I'm grateful for: Provision

By definition, provision is: the providing or supplying of something, arrangement or preparation beforehand, as for the doing of something, the meeting of needs, the supplying of means,etc.
I'm grateful for the provision of the Lord.  I'm grateful for the provision of His Word, I'm grateful for the provision of His Spirit, I'm grateful for the provision of a job that He has given me.
  

Day 2: 5.9.11

Day 2- 5.9.11


I'm grateful for: music.  Although I can't play it very well, or sing very well, I will worship the Lord with all I have within me.

30 Day Challenge intro/ Day 1

I'm always looking for ways to be creative, and in this season of transition that I'm in, I have to admit that it has been difficult.  I have wanted to pick up my camera so many times, but I honestly have not felt like I have had time, and that has been frustrating.  The way to counter frustration and pain is gratefulness.  I have so much to be grateful for, all I need to do is slow down and acknowledge it.  Check out this cool video about a lady who is making a documentary about Gratitude (here).  While she did a 365 day project, I feel like that is a little overwhelming for me, but I LOVE the idea... So I am going to do a 30-day project. For the next 30-days I am going to take a picture of something that I am grateful for, or something that represents the gratitude in my heart.  Check back daily and see what the Lord reveals to me over this next 30 days!

Day 1- 5.8.11
I'm grateful for: My Mom- without her, I would not be the woman I am today.  The words of my friend Jonathan represent only a fraction of what is in my heart: "my mother did more than just give me life. She showed me how to live."
Happy Mother's Day mom!

HDR Photography

Happy Thursday to you!  I've been doing some research on a new(ish) type of photography called HDR photography.  HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and basically is a composition of different exposure levels.  Here are a couple of my trial HDR images.

Happy Anniversary

I realized that it has been a while since I posted.  Sorry.  It's been a busy couple of weeks.  Well, I figured that on this 25th day of April, I would make this post a celebratory post.  Happy Anniversary to my dear friend Jamie and her husband Sean.  I had so much fun shooting this wedding 2 years ago, and I can't believe it's been 2 years already!  Thank you Jamie and Sean for letting me be a part of your day!

A New Artistic Venture

I know this is a "photography blog", but I want it to be an inspiration to you.  While I am focusing on photography, I also am going to post many different types of creative ventures... This is a new one for me!

I am not a painter by any means.. however, last October I got an idea to paint a family portrait for some friends as their Christmas gift... 5 months later, I gave it to them.  Now the reason it took me 5 months is because for starters, I had no clue what I was doing; and there were a lot of things that came up which caused me to have to take a break from painting.  But, after 5 long, pain-staking months, it is finished and delivered.  Here are some pictures of my process!

Start with a line drawing....

End up with a finished product...

Hope you like it... and I'm going to "borrow" a phrase from my friend Annie... 

Go do something creative today!

Peters Family

Let me introduce to you the Peters family.  I met the father of this family (Chuck) back in May of 2008 when we both started working for KIDMO.  A few months later, I met Cris (Chuck's wife) and their 2 girls.  Over time, a friendship developed.  

I LOVE adoption stories.  And their's is a great one!!

I remember one night sitting at a local coffee shop with Cris and talking about adoption.  She shared with me the journey that she and Chuck were about to embark on.  At that point in time, there were so many "unknowns" but she told me that night that she felt like they were going to get 2 little boys.  Fast forward a few months, and they are heading to Ethiopia to pick up their new sons!  You can check out their full story here.  So, fast forward another year, and we are doing their family portraits!  This is a beautiful family, and all 4 of their kids are precious!  I'll stop talking now and let the images do all the talking! 

Thank you Chuck and Cris for allowing me to be a part of this process.  I've enjoyed watching and walking with you through it!  You have a BEAUTIFUL family!