Wedding Photo Book with Mixbook

Putting together a photo book of our Barn Wedding was so fun and easy with Mixbook.

I spent 20 years teaching people how to preserve their photos.  In the predigital era, it was a lot easier to get people to print their photos because that was the only way they could see their photos. But with the onset of the digital photo age, my job to get people to print their photos got harder and harder.  They figured that since they could see them on their computer, they didn’t need to print them.  This makes me sad and it scares me.   The idea of losing my photos due to a computer crash, a corrupted disc or various other reasons makes me shake!  Printing your photos is so important.

Digital photo books are the perfect way to print those photos and enjoy them.  Since the invention of digital photo books I have made well over 100 of them.  I love putting them together, having them printed and being able to physically hold the book in my hands and look at it and share it with others.  Looking at my photos on a computer screen is just not the same, sorry!

If  you’ve ever had a child get married you know that a lot of photos come with a wedding and I couldn’t wait to take the photos from our Barn Wedding here in Portland and put them all together in a photo book.  Earlier this year I attended a blog conference in Utah and I visited with the Mixbook people.  I fell in love with their gorgeous books and I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to use for my PDX wedding party photos.

Mixbook is very easy to use.  Your photos are uploaded to their program and then you just drag and drop and click away.  They have a great variety of ready made templates you can use. There are templates specific to wedding, baby, travel and lots more.  I used the Classic Simplicity template.  You can easily eliminate any of the design elements you don’t like and change up the page layout with a few clicks.

I chose the 12 x 12 size which I loved and the double full page bleeds are gorgeous!
It was so fun to relive our party while putting the book together. And now that it is printed I can relive it over and over again!

You have several different options for book size and I love the option for the premium lay flat.  I love the weight of the pages and that they lay perfectly flat open.  You can see the entire photo.
I chose not to use a lot of text but you can add in as much text as you like with various page layouts they offer.

You also have the option to personalize the spine of the book.

And the back of the book.

I ordered a copy for myself and one for the bride and groom but shh….don’t tell them!

I love my Mixbook photo album.  The quality is excellent and the program is so easy to use.  I can’t wait to make another one.  I may have a few more wedding photos somewhere…..

Visit the Mixbook website and check out all they have to offer.

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4th of July Lemon Berry Shortcake

Add a little sparkle to your summer and the 4th of July with these patriotic lemon berry shortcakes with lemon cream.

Berry Shortcake with Lemon Cream Recipe

Patriotic shortcake made with berries and lemon curd

CourseDessert

CuisineAmerican

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

0 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Servings10 servings

Calories319kcal

AuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 3/4 cup chilled butter cut into pieces
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp sugar for sprinkling

Lemon Cream

• 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp lemon peel
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 4-5 cups of fresh berries – strawberries raspberries and blueberries

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/3 cup sugar and salt into a food processor or bowl.
• If using a bowl cut in butter with a pastry blender. If using a food processor, pulse several times to cut butter into flour mixture.
• Add in buttermilk, vanilla, lemon zest and enough heavy cream and mix until flour mixture is moistened
• Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut using a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter.
• Bake on lined baking sheet for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through and cool.

Lemon Cream

• Combine cream, sugar, peel and juice and beat until soft peaks form. Chill until ready to serve
• Slice shortcakes in half, add lemon cream and fresh berries

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Chicken Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach and Bacon

Ingredients

• 5 strips bacon fried and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 3-4 green onions chopped
• 1 lb tube pasta I used Rotini, cooked, drained and cooled to room temperature
• 1 lb chicken cooked and shredded (I used ½ of a rotisserie chicken)
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (I used oil-packed, if using dry, plump them in hot water before using)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinega

Instructions

• Place the mayonnaise and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk well. In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, green onions, shredded chicken, spinach leaves and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss lightly.
• Add about ½ to ¾ of the mayonnaise and vinegar mixture. Toss to combine. Add more dressing if the salad seems dry.

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One Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna is the perfect family meal. All of the flavors of your favorite dish, with only one pan to clean, and ready to eat in 30 minutes!CourseMain DishCuisineItalianPrep Time10 minutesCook Time20 minutes0 minutesTotal Time30 minutesServings6 servingsCalories536kcalAuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

• 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 14 oz. jar spaghetti sauce your favorite
• 1/2 cup onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 lb. hamburger
• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage mild
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
• 5-6 slices Mozzarella cheese
• 8 sheets lasagna noodles
• fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

• In a large oven proof skillet brown the hamburger and sausage with the onion and garlic. Cook until meat is cooked through. Drain fat if needed
• Add in crushed tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. Heat through and bring to a low boil.
• Add in broken noodles. Cover with sauce.
• Bring to a low boil and cover.
• Reduce to a simmer and cook covered for about 20-25 mintues or until noodles are the desired doneness.
• Stir occassionally. Make sure noodles stay covered with sauce.
• When noodles are done, stir in Parmesan cheese and top with mozzarella cheese.
• Place in oven on broil and let cheese melt and get a bit brown on top.
• Sprinkle with basil and serve

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Ruby – Dreams Do Come True

Dreams do come true!

I am a dreamer.  I have always been a dreamer.  I think I got it from my father.

I have kept a list of goals and dreams since high school. One of my dreams for many years was to own a beach house.  I shared how that dream came true with you several years ago.

In my early 20’s one of my dreams was to some day own my dream car – a red 450 SL Mercedes Convertible.  Pictures of this car appeared on every dream board and list I have put together for the last 30 plus years. (If you want to see how to put together a dream board tutorial go here.)  Today I want to share with you the story of this dream. Not to brag or boast but to helpfully inspire all of you to keep dreaming.  Even when you think the dream will never become a reality.   I posted a photo about this dream on Instagram the other day and one of you mentioned how when you read my post about my beach house dream several years ago, it inspired you and you set a goal to pay off your house in a year, you shared that dream with others and you did it!  I hope this story inspires one of you too.

When you get as old as me (ha!) you may decide that some dreams just aren’t going to come true and that’s o.k.  Half the fun of a dream is just having it and thinking about it.

But as CS Lewis so wisely said, “You are never to old to set another goal or dream another dream.”  One of the most important parts of having a dream is writing it down and verbalizing it, letting others know you have a dream.  Because you see,  sometimes we don’t make our own dreams come true, but when we talk about them and share with them others, others help make our dreams come true.  That is what happened to me.  You never know who is out there that can help you.

Well, I had pretty much given up on the dream of owning my Mercedes convertible but then this happened…..

Several months ago my husband decided to save a little money and hand deliver my son’s wedding invitations to the neighbors.  When he walked by one of the neighbor’s house he noticed an old Mercedes convertible in the garage.  He stopped and talked to the neighbor and found out he was selling it for an elderly friend of his mothers.  Jim told him about my dream and said he should drive it down to our house so I could see it.

Jim and I took it for a little ride and seriously thought about buying it.  It was an amazing price, way below Kelly Blue Book and was in pristine shape.  The car looked brand new and the engine was so clean you could eat off of it.  It was a 1985 and had only had one owner who took immaculate care of it and had never taken the top off of it!!  Who owns a convertible and never takes the top off!?!?!?

After some discussion we just decided that right now wasn’t a good time, we had a wedding to pay for and other expenses right now so we passed on the opportunity and I pretty  much decided it was time to forget about that dream.

We took a few photos, texted the kids that we had bought a new car but them told them we were just kidding!

Several weeks later, I went to Utah to help my daughter and see her show. The day I came home a friend picked me up from the airport because Jim was on his way to the airport to fly out to Utah to see the show – we would be passing on the freeway.

When I arrived home I opened the carriage and this is what happened.

Yes, my crazy, sweet husband had bought the car for me.  He made my dream come true.

Don’t you love the cute sign he made?!   Please excuse the messy garage.

Every pretty car needs a name so I named her Ruby.  Ruby Red.  Ruby was born in 1985 and is a 380 SL – not the exact car on my dream board, but close enough!  She’s mine and I love her!  Dreams Do Come True!

Ruby and I are going to have some fun adventures.  Anyone want to go for a ride?!

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