Year in Review | 2013

2014 is almost here, full of new adventures and discoveries!  And as excited as I am for the new year, this last one has been so very wonderful.  Thank you to all who have let me photograph you, entrusted special days & memories to my fingers, and pushed me to want to grow in all ways in the coming year.

May you all have a wonderfully happy Christmas & new year!

love always,

Amelia Renee:)

First Friday Favorites | December

Ok, let's face it. I haven't been the most faithful blogger this fall! That's not something I'm proud of...but it does give me something to work on in the coming year! ;) This is obviously NOT a "true" first friday post because it's the 21st..3 weeks into December!...and a Saturday (details, details!) but December is my favorite month and by molly & golly, I'm going to post this anyways. 

1. The Nutcracker Ballet. Any year the troupe puts this beloved ballet on in town, our family is so there! I never did have my chance to become a real ballerina...but at least I can appreciate them in my favorite classic! 2. The Tree. Hunting for the perfect tree says "december and all it's cheer has arrived!" I was unable to go along with my family this year...but they did a great job, regardless;) 3. The Cookies: the baking, decorating aaaaand eating! Our neighbors are fantastic creatures and always bring us a plate or two...they're typically long gone by Christmas day. 4. The Music. I may or may not listen to it more months than just #12... Curious as to what my favorite christmas tunes are? Find me on Spotify! 5. The Movies: all the classics like White Christmas, Home Alone, Elf, It's a Wonderful Life...and any cheesy disney/abc-fam/hallmark one you can find! 

and just because I can't help it....here's a fun little peek at some cute lovebirds in the snow!

love always,

amelia renee:)

Christmastime Adventures | Part One | Personal

one of the "rules" of blogging is connecting with those who read your blog in such a way that they feel you are a friend of theirs, someone they know well. I don't think I've done a very good job of doing that...especially lately. ;) so, as I take a break from the social networking death trap (joooking!) and learn to live life more fully, I'll most likely be doing a little more "Personal" blogging. if you enjoy it & getting to see a bit more into my life, i'd really love to hear feedback from you! comments at the end of the post are like presents from you to me—and it doesn't' cost a thing! :) yesterday (sunday) was a grand day. a real good start to the next month of loveliness:) here is what went down: Gingerbread House Decorating! (Suttonquist family style. Boom.) thing one: find all the candy sitting in cupboards and grocery store bags & dump it on the kitchen table.
thing two: have a plan, and get to work. don't be afraid to cut up candies as needed.


thing three: you can't enter a doorless house! make sure the christmas elves have a beautiful doorway to get inside through.
thing four: start decorating! Christmas lights on the edges are a nice touch.
thing five: take time to give lots of encouragement, laughter, & hugs to those around you!
thing six: ok, time for more detail work! take random scraps of gingerbread and find a use for them. [here, we made trees out the odd pieces!]


thing seven: hand over the camera to the younger sister;) this is one of the decorations i had planned from the start...gumdrops on the roof apex!

thing eight: the roof cannot stay plain! use extra frosting to make scalloped shingles for a cutesy touch.
thing nine: dust sprinkles over the scalloped frosting...like snow!

thing ten: play with the "merry christmas" blocks and re-arrange into silly words&phrases.

thing eleven: done! take photos of the finished creation! display it somewhere where the cat won't eat it, but it (and you!) will receive the recognition deserved. ;)





do you make gingerbread houses at christmastime...or something else? i'd love to hear! 
love always, amelia renee:)