Finally!

After months of being deprived, I couldn't take it another day. And of course, what made it more difficult is the fact that when you can't have something, you want it all the more. On so many occasion, I could almost taste the crust of perfection, the sumptuous blend of cheese and sauce, and of course the spicy pepperoni's to top it off. Most of you from Williamsport should know by now what I am referring to- none other than Park Pizza. This weekend I ordered 2 pizzas- one with pepperoni and one with green peppers, onion, and half bacon/half pepperoni. They were amazing- to put it in the words of my 7 year old son "Mommy, Park Pizza makes the best pizza!"
And we're not alone in our opinion- there's a reason people are willing to wait hours for a pizza; it's just that good.
(For those of you not from the area, Park Pizza is a local pizza restaurant that burned down months ago and recently re-opened)

THE BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies- EVER

I love chocolate. I love cookies. So of course, I looooove chocolate chip cookies. I've always enjoyed the good ol' Nestle Tolle House Cookies from the chocolate chip package, but the following recipe changed my life! Ok, so maybe a slight exaggeration, but let me tell you these cookies are simply a-m-a-z-i-n-g. In fact, if I had any desire to open a bakery I do believe these would make me rich. But instead, I'm going to share the recipe with you :o)

2 1/4 C. bread flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 sticks of butter, melted
1/4 C. white sugar
1 1/4 C. packed dark brown sugar (light brown is ok too)
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (use the good stuff)
1 whole egg. 1 egg yolk, 2 Tbs. whole milk
2 C. (1 pkg) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Beat melted butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until creamy. Add whole egg, egg yolk, and milk into mix, one at a time beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Chill (very important!). Drop by rounded teaspoon (or use an icecream scoop like I do) onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown- usually closer to 9 minutes. They will look slightly undercooked in the middle, but this is when they're just perfect. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Always start your cookies on a cool pan.





It's impossible to keep little hands away from cookies!


Pure satisfaction. How do you like the chocolate smile?

25 Things About Me

So you know all of those notes that go around facebook? Well I never bother to fill them out, but I thought it would be fun to post one here so you can get to know me a little better. So here it goes.....

1. My name is Shannon

2. I have two sons ages 2 and 7

3. I love latte's from Julie's Coffee (super sweet, of course)

4. Piano is my "other" love, besides photography. My camera does sometime get jealous....

5. I taught High School Sunday School for 2 years (those who knew me in hs never saw that        coming....lol)

6. Being a photographer is a dream come true.... It's what I always wanted to do.

7. I love country music- yee haw!

8. Steve Carell is my favorite actor

9. I love quiet afternoons with a book and coffee (oh yea- that's only in my dreams)

10. I love hiking

11. If I had to choose another career, it would probably be graphic design

12. Express is my favorite place to shop

13. I've always wanted to learn how to play tennis

14. I have 2 younger sisters

15. I've been married for 6.5 years (wow- time flies!)

16. The last concert I went to was Barlow Girl- I never heard them before the concert but they were amazing! And their opening act rocked as well- Joey Monteleone

17. I love chocolate!! Specifically Godiva and Patchi

18. The last book I read was "My sister's Keeper"- I finished it in less than 2 days.(It was just that good)

19. I can not wash dishes without gloves

20. The two chores I despise the most- laundry and dishes! They're never-ending.

21. I am not a math genius

22. I want to learn how to paint

23. I loved reading the Chronicles of Narnia with my son recently- well really any book by CS Lewis is a great read

24. I'm organizationally challenged-whew that one's hard to admit. I think my problem is that if I'm not super organized, like a place for everything and everything in it's place, then everything falls apart! 

25. I'm a perfectionist, not alway a good thing, but can be a great thing. 

Well there you have it. When I started this post I had no idea what I was going to write. I thought "25 things? That's easy!" - wrong! I had a hard time coming up with 25 things about myself, Weird huh? Did I miss anything? Feel free to ask in the comments. It's kind of fun to have something other than a 1 way conversation on here...lol

On Motherhood

Warning: The following post is sappy and completely off topic. Please forgive, I'm having a mommy moment :o)

Motherhood- is there any greater gift in the world, than being a mother? I sit here tonight slightly depressed because my baby is starting 2nd grade tomorrow- 2ND GRADE! I think the hardest part of being a parent is learning to let go. He informed me a few months ago that he can't call me "mommy" anymore, I am now referred to simply as "mom". (And heaven forbid I slip and refer to myself as mommy). The day will come when he no longer wants to cuddle in bed at night, or kiss me in front of his friends. But those special times will be replaced with new traditions, new meangful moments that we will share. As I reminisce about the past 7 years, I find myself trying to recount his "lasts". When was the last time he said "chicken" for "kitchen", when was the last time he was small enough to fit on my hip, when was the last time I felt his tiny body kick inside my belly? My little guy is also growing up- he's 2 years old now and potty training. I swear he was just a tiny infant laying in my arms! Mothers- remember to take time to enjoy each moment, each stage of your child's life. I know I can get so caught up in the day to day events of life, that I completely forget to just sit back and enjoy what God has blessed me with. Being a mother.

Alright if you're still there you rock. Thanks for listening to my random ramblings. If you post a comment I'll have a random drawing for a $5 Starbucks Gift Card.

Quote for the day {Williamsport, PA Professional Photographer}

I came across this quote today and wanted to share it with my loyal readers (if I have any...lol). I liked it not only because of it's reference to photography, but because it served as a great reminder. My family has yet again hit a hard time in our lives, and it would be sooo easy to be down about it...BUT I realize that everything truly does happen for a reason- we are so not in control. Looking back, I've had many rough times in my life (as most people have), but I'm able to be thankful for those times now because they've allowed me to become the woman I am today, (hopefully that's a good thing). I know our most recent setback is a blessing in disguise, and coming across this quote today was a perfect reminder. I hope it can brighten your day as well!

Tornado in Williamsport! {Williamsport, PA Photographer}

As many of you know, we had a wicked line of storms pass through the Williamsport area yesterday. My mother in law actually saw a tornado touch down in her yard! I think I would have freaked out a little if I saw that. Confession- tornado's have always been my biggest fear, although in the past few years the fear has subsided and turned into fascination. Here's a few pics of the damage.





The person in this car was thankfully uninjured. They were driving when this tree fell on the car.



My mother-in-law saw this tree lifted by the roots and tossed over. Makes me kind of sad- it was a beautiful old tree!




The calm after the storm, with some nice lens flare :o)

"We finally did something with our lives"

My hubby and I went to Philadelphia overnight for our 6th anniversary. When I stopped to take this picture, I told him I wanted to post it here. He said I had to give the above title......haha
This was taken with my new Canon G9 that he got me for Christmas. It is nice not having to carry my big camera around with me for everyday shots (even though I loooove it!) For a point and shoot camera, it is really great quality!