{Book Giveaway} The Unforgettable Photograph

Since starting my blog I have become fascinated with photography.  And as my little blog has progressed I find myself trying to take better and better pictures.  Taking good pictures can sometimes be tricky especially when the only camera you are using is your iPhone!  

Yes, eventually I will be investing in one of those beautiful DSLR cameras, but until then I make do with what I have.  But lets get back on topic!  I find that taking good pictures take a lot of practice, editing and patiences and sometimes learning a few new techniques!  That is why I was thrilled when Cooking Light Editor Scott Mowbray put together a book giveaway for the Cooking Light Bloggers, to promote the book The Unforgettable Photograph, 228 Ideas, Tips and Secrets for Taking the Best Pictures of Your Life, that he published!

Scott referenced the book as "An almost completely non-technical book that shows easy ways to take better pictures of anything." - Scott Mowbray 

"The book walks the reader through ideas, techniques and projects, all laid out in an instructive, beautiful way that will make better pictures inevitable for every reader." Workman Press Release 

The techniques in the book will work with a simple point and shoot camera, fancy high end camera or even your smartphone!  

So who is ready to win a copy of The Unforgettable Photograph?  Ready to learn how you can enter to win your very own copy?   Heres how to enter the giveaway.  You have 3 ways to enter!  

1- Leave a comment below telling me about the best picture you have ever taken. 

2- Bonus Entry - Follow Brunch and Cupcakes through Google and leave a comment below that you follow the blog

3- Bonus Entry - Follow Brunch and Cupcakes on Facebook and leave a comment below that you are a Facebook follower! 

The giveaway will end Next Monday 12/16.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday 12/17! 

Best of Luck! 

{Holiday Baking}

The holiday season is full of many wonderful things.  Quality time with family and friends,  hot chocolate, cookie baking, warm cozy blankets, and fireplaces to snuggle up by!  Those are just a few things I love about the holidays!  

And while I am not a baker at heart ( I don't have the patience for it) I find my desire to bake intensifies around this time of year!  It is as if my impatience with baking dwindles and I am able to sit back and enjoy the long drawn out process that baking can turn into.    

Maybe I enjoy baking so much this time of year because baking turns into a social affair during the holiday season.  I genuinely enjoy spending an afternoon with friends/family piled into a kitchen with sweet aromas filling the air.  Socializing with friends and loved ones while baking takes the chore feeling out of it!  

So today I figured I would share with you a few of my most favorite holiday treats!  You know, those treats that you just can't live without during the holiday season! A few oldies, some goodies and a few new found favorites! 

Enjoy! 

Must have Sweets! 

Peanut Butter Blossoms - Best when eaten warm straight from the oven! 

Peanut Butter Reeses Treats - Reese cup in the center of a peanut butter cookie! 

 Spritz

Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes - Cooking Light 

Frosted Sugar Cookies 

Happy Baking! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

(Source)

May your day be filled with family and friends!

Enjoy this time Giving Thanks for all the wonderful things in your life! 

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I want to say a big "Thank You" to my family and friends supported and donated to the St Jude Give.Thanks Walk!  It was wonderful to see so many people out there Saturday morning (even in 18 degree weather), supporting such a wonderful organization like St Jude Children's Research Hospital.  This children's hospital is doing amazing things and I am so glad that I get to participate in fundraisers like the Give. Thanks walk to show my support! 

Thank you again! 

{Give Thanks}

Ever since I joined my sorority ( Delta Delta Delta) in 2006 I have been passionate about fundraising for St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital in Memphis Tennessee.  Not just because St Jude and my sorority have a national partnership but because St Jude is truly a wonderful organization, that I believe in!  

Since joining my sorority I have been fascinated and amazed at all the amazing things that St Jude Children's Research Hospital does for their patients and patients families.  St Jude's is a place where passionate people work together to find cures for some of the most catastrophic childhood diseases.   St Jude Children's Research Hospital is a place filled with hope, love and compassion for the children and families that are served there.   No child will ever be turned away for treatment and no family will ever receive a medical bill from St Jude Children's Research Hospital, to me that is simply amazing.  Fundraising and supporting this wonderful mission and organization is a no brainer to me, and that is why this upcoming Saturday I will be taking part in the St Jude Give Thanks Walk. 

I walk because I care, because I want to give children who walk through the St Jude doors a fighting chance at life and because I believe in St. Jude Children Research Hospital as an organization.  

I give thanks for my faith, family friends, Derek, my health job and countless other things.  What do you Give Thanks for?  Walk with us Saturday, November 23rd @ 7 AM, Target Field.  Help give a child a fighting chance at life.  Click here to find a walk near you, sign up, or donate!  I want to say a personal 'Thank You' to all my friends and family who donated to this wonderful cause!  I truly appreciate the support! 

Lets make a difference together! 

Love {Pumpkin Season}

My obsession with pumpkin is crazy this time of year.  My mouth literally begins to water just thinking about pumpkin spice, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie or just about anything pumpkin related! 

It is during this time of year that I have at least one can of pumpkin in my cabinet at all times, and I obcess over finding the perfect pumpkin recipes!  I literally pour over Pinterest like a crazy person for hours looking for the most delicious pumpkin recipes out there!  And since I have already made pumpkin chili, pumpkin bread, and these delicious chai spiced pumpkin muffins I decided it was time, shall I say to branch out.  Queue crazy obsessive Pinterest searching. And after a solid  30 minutes (ok a solid hour) of crazy searching I landed on the following recipes as inspiration for the delicious soup that I made last night for dinner! 

Here was my recipe inspiration: 

Cooking Light - Pumpkin and Yellow Pepper Soup

Skinny Taste - By far my favorite butternut squash soup (figured pumpkin could be subbed in)!

Very Best Bakings - "Vegged Out" Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

The quinoa absorbs a ton of the broth so don't be alarmed if it looks a bit runny!  Serve with crusty bread or crackers and you have yourself a delicious meal! Also, if your looking for strong pumpkin flavor in this soup you will surely be disappointed!  But this soup is still amazing and flavorful, it got my sisters approval! 

Enjoy! 

Pumpkin Soup with Quinoa and Black Beans 

Inspired by the above

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 Can Black Beans Drained 

1 Can Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 

1 Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes 

1/2 Onion Diced

2 Cloves Garlic Minced 

1 Teaspoon Olive Oil 

1 Cup Quinoa

 5 Cups Vegetable Broth 

1-2 Teaspoons Chili Powder

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

1-2 Teaspoons Cumin 

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Directions:

1- In a soup pot heat olive oil.  Add diced onions and sauté until onions become translucent.  Add garlic in with onions and sauté until garlic becomes fragrant.  Now stir in your spices.

2- Add vegetable broth, pumpkin and fire roasted tomatoes in with your onions and garlic.  Bring to a boil. 

3- Once your soup is boiling add in 1 cup quinoa, cover your pot and bring to a simmer. 

4- Cook soup until quinoa is cooked (about 15 minutes).  Stir in black beans heat for 2 minutes and serve! 

Best enjoyed with crusty bread of choice! 

The 5K

I remember running my first big race. The anticipation the night before, the nervous yet excited feeling as you wait at the start line, and the energy you get from the crowd cheering you on. 

Running races simply put, is one of my favorite things.  And this past Saturday, as I watched my Girls on the Run team line up for their 5K, I was overjoyed with how much I love running, and so proud of the progress these 3rd-5h grade girls had made!  To see the girls I helped coach over a 10 week period so excited to be there and race just made my heart skip a beat!  You could feel the excitement and energy at the start line as the girls began to warm up, just itching to get out there and run! 

It was simply an amazing experience to be a coach for Girls on the Run this season.  I got to meet and work with some amazing women, share my passion for running and serve my immediate community! 

And as I watched each and every girl cross the 5K finish line with a huge smile on their face, I was so proud to be there supporting such a great organization!  And as I think back to the Girls on the Run season I realize just how important those few hours a week volunteering are/were.  

How are you impacting someones life?

"Every action we take impacts the lives of others around us.  The question is: Are you aware of your impact?" - Arthur Carmazzi