family photos

here are the photos of us on christmas eve. one is all the grandkids on jan's mom's side of the family, and the other includes all the aunts, uncles and grandparents. if you click on the pics, they'll get bigger so you can see better. this year I met Fred, jan's uncle who lives in alaska and has the really cute little kids below, Isaac and Avery.

new project

I saw these hooks online once and fell in love (1/2 w/the product, 1/2 w/the great product photography). I knew w/the right amount of patience and work we could produce our own so that was what Jan & I worked on the afternoon before I left to come back to work. We went into their woods and cut down 3 carefully selected small maples and cut out about 35 or so potential hooks. We'll let them dry out until mid summer, where we'll sand them down, cut the backs off to lie flush against a wall, and drill holes in them to mount. We'll sell them online at etsy and at a craft show, and if they do well, we'll do some more! They are really beautiful, each unique, and some that we found are even double hooks, perfect for jackets or towels or craft supplies. We'll report back in 6 months!

christmas

We had a nice, relaxing Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we went early to g&g lashers, and I helped coordinate a family photo of all the grandkids (i'll have to post that this weekend), we all went to Christmas mass, caroling to some family friend's houses in sombreros and bells (one of the songs was feliz navidad) and then spent time eating and laughing w/all the aunts, uncles and cousins. Christmas day we ate a delish breakfast and opened presents, where Santa was so good to us! I got Jan these headphones (they went up this week!) for him when he shoots, to block out sound and help his hearing from getting worse. He got me (w/help from grandma) an ipod nano!! It's my work out incentive now that I can strap this super light thing to my arm. Nano is also perfect for showing people some of my photography, or Jan's videos when he interviews for internships. Eric got me the new Feist cd, as well as the Martha Food cookbook . Awesome photos, easy recipes, and perfect for our busy lives. Rick & Alicia suprised us w/a super light rice cooker, perfect for our small place and needs for now. It's similar to this. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

the season is here

here are some things we've been working on...a scarf jan's sister's birthday just after christmas, cranberry jam's for little neighbor/friend gifts (so good!), and a lot of wrapping!

holiday cards

I've been in the works of starting a small stationary line and it still has yet to debut for millions of reasons, but it will come in the new year! This is a sampling of some custom cards I did for a friend back in SF that I thought I'd share - they're posted on my modele press blog too, where I post crafts, cards and other things not related to Jan & I specifically. So check it out and keep me in mind if you ever want anything custom designed!

baking

i've baked a few things lately for the holidays. pumpkin pies in rammekins and apple tarts. the mini pies were so good - i didn't even miss crust, and apple tarts are always a very easy impressive dessert. and semi-healthy! sorry the pie photo is sideways.

{pre-baked tart - afterwords i brush on warm apricot jam}

a goodwill christmas

Holly & I went to Goodwill and decided to try to see if we could make shift a whole nativity. It was great fun, but the best part was noticing the funny man smiling down over the manger from the back wall. I think more people should set up scenes with all the random stuff at thrift stores.

the thermals are on

Today was our first real snow! As usual, people were super slowed up on the freeways, but now, at 4:05pm it's bright, sunny and half melted. Jan was great and got my car all ready to go for work this morning. We're going to take our holiday photos this weekend, i hope they'll be as good as i think.

thanksgiving

this is a picture of us at thanksgiving. my eyes look like i'm squinting, but it shows my new haircut, and baby P!

indians

Kai is getting bigger and learning how to be an Indian out there in Hong Kong.

idea

Caroline & I keep complaining about the distance between us. It's hard being separated from your longest running roommate, especially when she's baking up a storm. And Nozomi is now taking occasional trips to Utah to go snowboarding, and my family goes there....I could go on and on. Using my 5 second skills in photoshop, I put this proposition together. What do you think?

a new take on jam

i'm going to try this this weekend - i'll post pics if it's a keeper.

D.I.Y. Cranberry Jam - about 1 cup of jam
12 ounces of cranberries (1 bag)
1 1/4 cups sugar
Peel of 1 orange
1 cinnamon stick
3/4 cup water

Run the cranberries through a food processor until they are finely shredded. If you like a chunky jam, leave them whole or process them less. Put the cranberries and the rest of the ingredients in a 2-quart pan. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Turn the heat to low and let the jam simmer for about 25 minutes, or until it hits a temperature of 220ºF. Remove from the heat and let cool, then put in the refrigerator.

{courtesy of Apartment Therapy}

Happy Thanksgiving!! We are heading up to Detroit to spend it with Eunnie & Paul & PJ, and her family and will return Sunday evening. We're in charge of the pumpkin pie and are packed and ready!

{photo from Martha Stewart}

paint-a-licious

Holly & I are throwing a party in a few weeks. A chance to re-work some thrift store art, eat, drink and mingle. These are some selected parts of her invitation. I wish some of you were closer to join us! I think the final results are going to be hilarous. (they will of course be posted)

add this to your christmas list

Rick & Alicia (brother & sis-in-law) started a non-profit called Help One Future a few years ago to help underprivelaged children in the Philippines have the supplies needed to receive an education. I went down w/them a few years ago to take some pictures, hand out supplies, and help with the cause. It's a wonderful thing to see the intensity in kids that want to learn - the eagerness in them, regardless of their location. Most of the school rooms had no electricity, no air conditioning, and many of the desks were made by their parents.

This year, if you are looking for a way to help those in need, please donate to this cause. 100% of all proceeds go to help try to end this cycle of poverty. Rick & Alicia are spending their Christmas handing out the supplies that your donations provide.

Here is part of their objective: We request only that recipients of aid from Help One Future, upon achieving success in their life, consequently reach out a hand to help others in similar situations in order to perpetuate a cycle of helping each other.

Please visit them at : Help One Future

up on the wall

Now that this is up, I can't decide if I like that they're blue, (a nice soft color that's not too much contrast on our white walls) or if I'd rather go to the original choice of black. My decision against black was only based on me not being able to find one sheet of black card stock at home or at the store - walmart only had a pack of 250, and we do NOT need that many silhouettes of us. Anyways, here's the final product.

yowzas

When someone invented the word 'finally', they were talking about me.

I finally have wedding pics to share. FINALLY!! So go ahead, watch the slideshow, bask in my beauty, and cry when your photo is not in there because it's temporarily lost. We're going to hunt through this place again this weekend.

THE GREATEST WEDDING ever

(password: marin)

Thanks to everyone who made this day happen. We're almost to month #4.

guess who

i made silouettes of jan and i last week. then i printed them on blue paper, cut them out and framed them. i'll post a pic of the finale this weekend. this is the illustrator version. i like the simplicity of this too.

happy (almost) halloween!

Halloween is supposed to scare people, but this is quite the opposite. Next year, my little nephew will be running around looking for candy. For now he is content just looking adorable.

mini cups

These are pics of cupcakes I made for work last month. The botttom ones look like swirls of poop in color, so I figured b&w would be a little more pleasing to the eye. They kinda grossed me out, so I switched to small swirls, and liked them a lot better. At Surfas, I got a really big tip so they should look better the next go around. I'm up for the birthday dessert for work this month. I think I'll do those lime cupcakes. Yum.

lemon cake debut

I made that lemon cake a few weeks back that I posted on earlier. It was really good even though it didn't come out right. The egg whites weren't whipping up to peak like they should, so the next time, I hope the cake won't be as dense. Also, I think the topping was supposed to be more white than clear, so I would lay off the lemon juice and add a lot more powdered sugar. I got rave reviews from the potluck we went to, so someone else should definitely give it a try.

dress up

We went out last month to celebrate our 2 month anniversary at a fancy restaurant in town. Just thought I'd share a pic of us, and me pretending to jam on the piano once the majority of guests left. The restaurant has two claims to fame besides the great food: Jim Davis, author of Garfield (from here!) and Dave Letterman frequent here often.

someday

at some point when we have a little girl, can somebody knit me these leggings? they are so ridiculously adorable.

baby paul

Here are a few pics I took of Eunnie's little baby. It's so fun to take photos of kids at this age. He's so mellow and loves to laugh.

sick bed

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been pretty sick the last few days. Will start up again tomorrow hopefully.

Other than that, all is well on the homefront! I made that lemon cake I posted about earlier and will post a pic of it tomorrow as well.

din din

I made one of Jan's mom's recipes last night - Apricot Ham Patties. I had it before at their house and they are really good and easy. My oven is gas and heats fast, so the next time I'm going to put them in for 30 min's instead of 40. We went for a run, so we couldn't keep an eye on them. This is a really easy recipe if you use a food processor, and makes enough for 2 dinners for 4 - I made 8 patties and the mix for another 8 are in the freezer. My favorite part is the brown sugar glaze that ends up in the bottom of the pan. Here is a close recipe I found online:

(I would still do it in the oven - 350 deg., for 30-40 min's. the difference in mine was adding 1lb of lean pork, more milk, double the bread crumbs, diced apricots, 2 eggs, and fresh parsley) Oh, and I put 1/2 c. brown sugar mixed with 1 tsp flour on the bottom so it melts and sticks to the bottom of the patties).

MICROWAVE HONEYED HAM PATTIES

1 lb. ground, cooked ham1 egg, slightly beaten1/4 c. dry bread crumbs2 tbsp. finely chopped onion2 tbsp. milk2 tsp. parsley flakes1 tsp. prepared mustard2 tbsp. brown sugar2 tbsp. honey1 tsp. vinegarDash of ground cloves2 tbsp. orange juice

Combine ham, egg, bread crumbs, onion, milk, parsley flakes and mustard. Mix well. Shape into 4 large patties. Place in square glass baking dish; set aside.

Combine brown sugar, honey, vinegar and cloves; mix well. Spread half the brown sugar mixture over patties. Stir orange juice into remaining brown sugar mixture; set aside. Cover patties loosely. Microwave on high for 4 minutes; rotate dish. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes or until patties are firm in center. Cover with reserved brown sugar glaze. Yield: 4 servings.

art vs art

Last Friday was a good time. Holly's painting made it up to the final 30 or so, and then was bought and didn't get a chance to make it anywhere near the wheel of death. Next time, I going to try my hand at this and see how far mine can go. It's a fun night, lots of yelling and using the noise makers they pass around. I was hoping for the acid bath this year, but they replaced it with another one where they tear the canvas off with their teeth. If anyone is in the Indy area next fall, you must join us.

what a find

Holly suggested we check out this place called Midland Arts & Antiques Market and oh what a place. I found so many great finds, but unfortunately don't have the space for all of them yet. When I have an office/craft room, I am definitely going to come her for some chairs and shelving. I'll post some pics later this week of my finds, but if any of you are in the area, this is a must. It's a huge warehouse - 2 stories and most of the prices are very reasonable and much cheaper than your typical small town antique store that prices off ebay. I got kitchen canisters very similar to these, but in a blue-ish color, and some great lidded scallped tins for my workspace area.

more work!

I just got hired to shoot this building in Indianapolis. 2 over from mine and a high profile one. Jan & I had been talking about taking out a small buisness loan to get more equipment (lighting kit, etc.) so I can head towards full time photography & my card business. Blessings like this mean we won't have to. The best thing about buildings, is that they don't stress me out, they pay reasonably well, and many of them have pretty cool interiors to check out - modern spaces and what not. Plus Jan & I get to wander together taking cool night shots into the wee hours, and I can buy him nice dinners and write it off for helping me.

(for those inquiring, i am putting all the wedding pics on a link this sun - for real!)

sing it

I know, you wish you were here. Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson & Hinder are going to be performing at a free concert this evening to rock the NFL kickoff show on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, and my office happens to be ON the circle. (ie. I will be able to see it crowd free from the deck of my office) If anyone wants to hurry and fly over, you can join me, and my co-workers.

hap-day

it's my birthday!! jan woke me up w/some great suprises - i'll post pics tonight.

labor day

We spent labor day down south - Jan's best friend Scotty was having a party since he has returned from Japan for good, and then Sunday & Mon we went to the river w/Jan's family. On Monday, I learned to waterski. Now, if you look real close... j/k. Maybe next year we can do this trick. What really happened was that I ate a lot of water, and tweaked up my back really good, and managed to only get up to the squat position twice. Maybe next time I'll actually get to stand up. Jan on the other hand did great, and his mom makes it look like the easiest thing ever. I definitely need some practice...and a lot of ice today..

wedding pics!

everyone has been asking...so here are a few taken by my cousin Jenny, a very talented girl. i'm still organizing a link to all the pics from all contributing photographers - i've just been super busy!

(click to view larger)

just a hint

after we renewed our vows, we were suprised with this contraption. i later learned it was a manure spreader!! they strapped a couch on there, and put some hay bales in it, and the bridal party and us slowly clanked away around the block. there were balloons, signs, and streamers. the front sign says 'jan and julia's big morotholic wedding'. they are too much fun!!

yee haw

I'm getting ready for this weekend - picking up my knee length white dress tomorrow, adding wedding photos to the slide show, and I'm still on the hunt for boots that I may be able to find w/2 days left. Jan's already down south helping set up. I'm excited to see it all and dance the night away. Char's coming over, and I'm picking mom up on Fri. night! Hurray for 2 receptions!

i'm married!

It all happened so fast, but we're officially married and loving life after spending a relaxing week in hawaii. I'll post some pics this week, and a link to all the photos soon after. Thanks everyone who came, helped, supported, and encouraged us along the way.

Due to popular demand, the blog will go on! Here's a preview (jan has seen it now) of the back of my dress at my final fitting..

back in the day

i saw this pic of us abelmann kids and had never seen it before - i love it. i didn't want to just focus on me, so i am also posting a pic of jan about the same age that i like. even w/his missing tooth, he had to have been every 3rd grade girl's crush.

never seen this

but it's so cute!

how fun!

i found this online, and thought it would be a good reminder for all of you who are coming! (ps we're not getting married at a baptist church)