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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Give Thanks To Those Who GROW IT

I have a short and sweet post for you today. Just a little reminder to Give Thanks to the people who grew the food you will be enjoying this Thanksgiving holiday!

Don't know a farmer to thank?? Just leave a comment and I'll gladly show it to my husband, dad, father-in-law, grandfather-in-law and brother-in-law!!

AgCountry, Thanksgiving, Farmer, Rancher, turkey
Photo c/o AgCountry
 
 
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving 



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Friday, November 21, 2014

Gratitude Friday | 2nd Edition

Tuning in today to bring you another Edition of gratefulness and thankfulness - Thanks to Ashten for reminding me to take time to give thanks!!

// My Health might always be something I am GRATEFUL for....Well, as long as I'm healthy I guess. {knock on wood} My facebook feed this week had some sad things dealing with other people's bad health so I pray for them and their families and I am reminded not to take mine for granted

// Red Velvet Donuts << I'm GRATEFUL for them and I don't think an explanation is needed

// I am GRATEFUL for technology, doctors, and my new sight. I am still in shock that I can wake up and see. I got Lasik on Tuesday and less than 24hrs after surgery I could see better than 20/20

// I am GRATEFUL for Blates and babies and meeting this sweet sweet Friend in real life


// GRATEFUL for our puppy who is pushing 80lbs and will be 8 months in 2weeks - oh how she makes me smile and brightens my day

// Two bloggers this week had posts that made me say YEESSS. So, I am GRATEFUL for them and my empty womb >> Read Melanie's Post >> Read Krista's Post

// My caring husband, for him I am GRATEFUL. He picked me up from eye surgery and it was so heartwarming to see him take care of me. Again {knock on wood} I've never been sick so this was kind of a first!!

// Crazy GRATEFUL for my Instagram followers - and if you are one of them Thank You. I felt very loved there this week *Heart Eye Emoji*



What made you Grateful this week?

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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Grand Forks Getaway

When I first started this blog it wasn't to gain new friends, it was a creative outlet for me to share what was going on with my newly started family. Now, I couldn't imagine life without some of the amazing relationships I've gained through this blog!!

Earlier this summer I was invited to Grand Forks, North Dakota for a bloggers weekend. When I first got the email I thought it was a scam or a joke because this is North Dakota we are talking about … and I still haven't met a lot of bloggers from here. Now don't get me wrong, I love my state and was even more excited to find out this was a real offer from real people who wanted to lavishly spoil us in their city!

The whole weekend was courtesy of Grand Forks Convention and Visitors Bureau and this is not a sponsored post and I {obviously} wasn't required to talk about it because it is a good two months later and I'm just now blogging about it - so yep, all opinions and rambling here is my own!!

As you may or may not know I have met one North Dakota blogger in person, Samantha, and she was also invited for the weekend so I was really excited to see her again but other than that I didn't know any of the other girls.

The weekend started out wonderfully from the get-go. We were put up in the Staybridge Suites, and let me tell you these rooms were AMAZING - next time I'm in GF I know where I'm staying!!

grand forks, staybridge, hotel, motel, north dakota

Sushi was on the menu for supper and I can't tell you how excited I was because I live 70 miles from a sushi restaurant and jump at the chance when I can enjoy it with other people {Steve doesn't like sushi}. Fuji was the restaurant we went to and it was delicious, also super fun with all the blogging ladies!! {Sorry, Sake shot photos not included}

Sushi, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Fuji restaurant

The next morning it was an early wakeup call and a visit to Choice Health & Fitness for our private spin class. Okay 1. I don't work out {ever} 2. I have never done a spin class 3. I was going to exercise in front of strangers who share their lives online {I hope the girl behind me wasn't snap-chatting} -- yep this should be good!!
It was actually awesome, reminded me how good it feels to workout and I have a feeling that wasn't my last spin class!!

north dakota, red river, grand forks


If you haven't figured out by now this was a jam packed weekend, Grand Forks CVB had things planned for us {almost} around the clock and it was such a blast. We were able to participate in one of their monthly wine walks and visit so many amazing restaurants and shops. To say the weekend exceeded my expectations would be an understatement.

Being able to talk blog 24-7 and not get weird looks, staying up til 2am finding new things in common with what seemed like life-long friends, trying new food:beer:wine and have it 'normal' to take 20+ photos of everything ... These ladies made our little getaway so amazing and I'm grateful for getting noticed in blogland, amazed that my tiny little part of the internet has helped me gain a new outlook and some amazing new friends!!

(photo dump below)

North Dakota, The Samantha Life, blate, Grand Forks
Sam & I

Bar, Grand Forks, Pizza, margherita pizza, foodie, North Dakota
from Brick & Barley

Lox, Grand Forks, Dakota Harvest, North Dakota, Salmon, French Press
from Dakota Harvest

Grand Forks, blog friends, blate
L-R || Shelley || Jess || Amanda || Sam || Alicia || Sammi || Sandy || Me || Julie 

canoe, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Red River
bloggers and crew from Ground Up Adventures


Thanks again to Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau 


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Friday, November 14, 2014

Gratitude Friday | 1st Edition

I am joining my beautiful blog friend Ashten this Friday to tell you some things I'm grateful for. As she mentioned last week November is the poster child for giving thanks and being grateful so this little series is perfect!!

// I am ever so GRATEFUL for my health and the health of my loved ones. This year I have agreed to be the Cochair of our counties Relay for Life committee and I'm reminded how prominent cancer is and I'm GRATEFUL my dad has been a survivor for a number of years and the rest of us are cancer free

// I am GRATEFUL for my neighbors who double as my inlaws and they are ever so kind to take care of Brea this weekend

// I am GRATEFUL for online friends who have become so much more than 'random people on the internet'

// I am GRATEFUL for 'float holidays' because I thought I had no vacation days left after Norway and then that little 'float holiday' surprised me and gave me this beautiful day off

// I am GRATEFUL for my faith and a God who is amazing beyond words

comfy, coffee, lazy day, mukluks


Let me know what are you GRATEFUL for??

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

In Marriage...

As I mentioned some of our really close friends just got engaged and both Steve and I are so excited. As a Throwback Thursday post of our wedding photos and an ode to their upcoming nuptials I have a poem to share!





In Marriage by Julia Escobar

Cherish each other
in big ways and in small ways,
and never forget the magic
of those three little words: "I love you."
In marriage, remember that
it is the little things that make the difference…
Don't forget the birthdays and the anniversaries.
An occasional note means a lot.
Share each other's life - even the small details -
for too often we forget
that day-after-day becomes
year-after-year, and then it's gone.
Give each other room to grow…
We all need our time alone.
Keep strong your faith in each other;
time has a funny way of testing us,
and it's faith that gets us through.
Respect one another…
This world could always use more of that.
Speak your mind honestly, openly,
but with kindness,
for angry words are scars that may never heal.
Trust each other;
let your trust be your rock.
Most of all, each day…
be sure to hold each other
and fall in love all over again.





Congrats Tyler & Ashley - Can't wait for your special day!!

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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Editing Apps for Instagram

Instagram is my all time favorite social media app - bets are if you don't see me on the blog I will be posting daily on IG - and sometimes I am slightly guilty of overgramming!

Helene and Taylor had a prompt {waaayyyy back in October} asking our favorite IG editing app and I'm late on this post {whats new?!} but since it is my favorite app I wanted to weigh in!

mrs. laura beth, Instagram Filter, Instagram
When taking photos on my phone I ALWAYS use the phone camera and not the in-app camera because those don't have as good of quality.

Looking back on my Instagram account I noticed when I first started using IG {October 2011} I would use filters like crazy but now I am trying to get my photos to look awesome with little to no filter. However my favorite IG filter is Valencia and my other favorite is Captain in the Afterlight app.

Hands Down my FAVORITE app is Afterlight - This app can {almost} do it all! I use it for everything except adding text on photos.
Want to showcase your entire photo on IG (with the white border), get unique filters, change brightness/contrast/saturation/clarity … all that and more can be done with Afterlight and it is my goto editing app.

Now, if I add my IG username or any text to photos I do that with the Over app. This app has some great fonts and also some fun artwork to add to photos!

iconosquare, mrs. laura beth, instagram

Those are primarily the only two apps I use, on occasion I'll use VSCOcam but Afterlight just has a hold on me #addicted

Oh # lets talk about hashtags for a little bit. For those who still know {#} this is a number symbol #congrats! Okay but really I like hashtags as much as the next person but don't speak in hashtags on IG or anywhere for that matter, please. If this is you on IG I have probably already unfollowed you because, well, it is annoying. If you must use hashtags explain your photo first, use hashtags at the end or use hashtags in a comment. Fun Fact >> Your photo will still show up in that hashtag if you leave it in a comment!

photo apps photo apps

I am a photo fanatic most of you know this - I have over 3,000 photos on my phone and I have only had it for 7 months … I know that is a lot but in my defense I went on a once in a lifetime vacation and got a puppy!! Above are screen shots of all my photo apps - I would love to know your favorite photo apps, maybe I need more haha

photo apps, Instagram, hashtag

Find me on Instagram @mrslaurabeth I am always trying to grow my following and would love to have you following along

Today I will be taking over the Blog Baton IG account so come and check me out there << seriously this is such an awesome idea I'm glad to be part of it!


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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Currently // November

Dear Blog,
We have not been friends as of late. I have been working on a post for the past three nights and keep getting distracted and stuck and end up slamming my computer shut most nights - the whole dark by 5pm thing isn't helping. Lets be friends again and start with this easy Currently post!!

currently, sunset, lens flare, fall, north dakota


Reading // Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist plain and simple I love her. She is one of my favorite authors and her books are so easy and the words she writes are always just what I need to hear

Wishlisting // things I don't need - always - like the 5D Mark III that gives me heart eyes and the price gives me a heart attack

Loving // my 'brother' getting engaged!! Steve's cousin has always been more of a 'brother' since Steven has 3 sisters and his cousin and him are so close. He is my closest guy friend, was the Best Man in our wedding and was our roommate in college. He introduced me to Steve and I introduced him and his now fiancé and I. Can't. Wait. for their wedding next fall!

Appreciating // my close friends & family - I got a visit from by best friend last weekend and we did nothing more than catch up and chat and drink wine {those days are the best} - I am also really excited for the holidays to spend more time with the important people in my life

Creating // photo cds for clients. The editing is never ending but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have also been getting prints made of personal photos from Norway and of Brea and I'm in love with metallic finish photos!

...

Tell me what are you Wishlising this season???

linking up with Anne & Jenna


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