simple as that

valentine's ginger crinkles

2012-02-03T02:13:00.001-04:00

Valentine's Ginger Crinkles

2 ¼ cups butter

2 ¼ cups sugar

3 eggs

1 cup molasses

¾ tsp salt

5 ½ tsp baking soda

2 ½ tsp cloves

2 ½ tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

6 cups flour

Mix together all ingredients. Chill dough. Roll into balls and dip top half in sugar. For a flatter cookie, use the bottom of a cup to slightly tap down each cookie before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Don't overcook, you want them moist and chewy. Allow to cool. To add the hearts on top simply melt red + pink chocolate in the microwave. Using a ziplok baggie with a tiny hole cut out of one corner as a piping bag, draw a heart on the top of each cookie.

This delicious recipe is from my sister-in-law and its always a favourite around Christmas time, only the cookies are typically dipped in white chocolate. I'd been craving a batch of these yummies and had to think up some excuse to make them after the holidays, so valentine's cookies it was. :)

This recipe makes a huge batch, but they freeze really well so are perfect for making ahead. We've got our cookies all made and will be giving them out to the kids teachers for Valentine's day. Yippee for getting one thing crossed off the old to-do list. :)

sources: caribbean bakers twine from the twinery

I created these little gift tags to package up our valentine's cookies and thought I'd share them with ya quick! You'll find the download link below. Print size is 8.5 X 11 and there are 3 of each tag per sheet.

download valentine's gift tags here

Please remember that all free downloads are for Simple as That followers only. Follow via Google Friend Connect on the left sidebar or sign up to receive updates via email or through your favourite RSS reader. Thank you.

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Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend everyone!
If you have a chance to stop by and visit any of our fabulous sponsors throughout the weekend please do! There's so much fun stuff to discover.

:stylish beach bum:
:bella babies:
:pearenthetical press:
:changing lanes:
:the rusted chain:
:bird + tree:
:penelope lane:
:special moments:
:seven cherubs:
:laura taylor photography:

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Don't forget about the Life 'n Reflection Boutique giveaway
ending this Sunday!

Enter to win a darling set of photo valentine's!
THREE lucky winners will be chosen.

:)

I'm linking up with these blogs:

our trip home + embrace the camera

2012-02-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

Documenting our trip home from the island has been on my to do list for the longest time and yay for me....I finally finished sorting and editing all our photos from the trip and am super excited to share them with you! Just in case you've been waiting. ;) Get ready because there are A LOT of photos....

take a peek at this photo taken the evening we arrived on Statia in august 2010

Leaving Statia was hard. Despite the fact that we knew the time was right for us to leave, there was still a certain amount of sadness at saying goodbye to the friends and the places that had been such a part of our lives for the past 18 months. Saying goodbye to our sweet landlady was particularly hard. She was like a surrogate grandma to the kids during our time on Statia and we knew we were going to miss her a lot.

After we'd said our goodbyes and were waiting in the tiny Statia airport for our plane to arrive, sadness began to turn into excitement. The kids were really looking forward to riding on the tiny plane and we were spending 3 days on the St. Maarten and they couldn't wait to explore a new island.

The plane finally arrived, and we walked out the airport doors, onto the runway to board. I couldn't believe the kids weren't nervous about the plane trip at all...those tiny planes make me so uneasy, but it didn't faze them at all. As we took off we looked out the window one last time to see Statia fade out of view and in just 15 minutes we were arriving on St. Maarten.

They shuttled us from the airplane to the airport doors and once inside we collected all our bags + grabbed some lunch. Airport food never tasted so good! :)

We're just going to skip the part of the story where we had to figure out a way to transport the 6 of us + 10 suitcases + 1 stroller + a collection of carryon bags to our hotel and move right along to the part where we arrived at the hotel, changed into our swimsuits and headed straight to the beach. :)

We explored around front street in Phillipsburg, saw the cruise ships + had some fun on the jet skis. The kids fell in love with the white sand and when the sun started to go down we ended the night with ice cream. What could be more perfect?

The next morning we grabbed breakfast and explored around our hotel a little bit. It was like a zoo around that place, with talking parrots, monkeys, rabbits, turtles and all kinds of beautiful birds.

Fifi the parrot was Emily's favourite. ;)

After visiting with the animals we all packed into the rental car to do some exploring. We found some great views and were even able to catch a glimpse of Statia from one of the lookouts.

This was one of our favourite beaches and I'm sad I can't remember the name of it now. It was a beach that the locals frequent, so it was quiet, there weren't any big waves, which was perfect for the kids and it was absolutely beautiful! We stayed there for a good part of our second day and played in the sand and water, ate french fries and I of course took a few pictures...

A trip to St. Maarten wouldn't be complete without visiting Maho beach and watching the planes land and take off. It's amazing to see! This was the kids favourite spot. The waves were absolutely huge and Emily and Carson had a blast playing in them. The little girls were content to play in the sand and watch the airplanes go in and out.

We stopped of at one other private beach on the French side that day but didn't stay long after we discovered it was the sort of place that clothing was optional....ooops. We had a quick picnic on the beach and then headed back to the hotel for the night to get ready to leave the next day.

We attended church in the morning at the small LDS chapel on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, then headed back to the hotel to pack up and begin the task of transporting all our luggage back to the airport. When we finally boarded our plane to Toronto we breathed a huge sigh of relief. Me and the Mr. were getting pretty tired by this point and getting home was all we could think about. We spent one more night in Toronto and then we were on our way to Calgary early the next morning.

The kids were all such good little travellers. Alivia had her moments, but she's two and we forgive her. ;) When the kids finally caught their first glimpse of snow out the plane windows as we arrived in Calgary there were squeals of delight!

And speaking of squeals of delight...as we came down the escalator and all the super special people who were waiting there to greet us came into view...there were a few more! And there were tears and there were hugs and it was awesome and it made every exhausting moment of the trip home worth it!

We are so thankful to be back home. Sure, there are days that we find ourselves missing our little island and the sunshine and the beaches....but we're getting used to this new life {or is it our old life?} and are looking forward to figuring out where we go from here. The future is exciting and scary and unknown all at the same time, but I have faith that its all going to work out exactly the way it's supposed to.

I'm linking up here:

If you haven't yet, you really should take a quick peek at our brand new 2012 sponsors!
Just over there on the right side at the very top. See them?
------------------------------------------>
You'll find cute blogs, adorable baby products, unique hair accessories, custom jewellery, photography services, personalized paper products, comfy camera straps and more! I can't wait to introduce you to some of our fun sponsors in the coming weeks so stay tuned. In the meantime, click over and show them some love. Simple as that wouldn't be the place it is today without their support.
Thank you!

a month in photos: january 2012

2012-02-01T10:23:00.003-04:00

JANUARY 2012

The big kids started back to school here in Canada.
We celebrated a special little two year olds birthday.
We sent Daddy off to far away Atlanta, Georgia to study.
We spent many hours on Skype talking to Daddy.
We went grocery shopping.
We got reacquainted with our sweet dog Buddy.
We celebrated our 13th anniversary. Our first one ever spent apart.
We got a head start on some valentine's baking.
Carson discovered a love of hockey.
We went ice fishing + sledding.
We stayed inside where it was warm and watched the snow fall.
We did crafts, we vacuumed and we drank hot chocolate.

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Can you even believe that here we are already, into the second month of 2012!?

I wasn't quite ready for January to be over, but that didn't stop me from having fun going through this past month's photos and putting together my very first month-in-photos collage of 2012! I'm so excited about this project and I'm just as excited to hear of all the people who will be joining in the fun with me this year!

If you've created a collage of your month in photos for January, I'd love for you to share it with us! Simply post your collage somewhere online {can be your blog, flickr, etc.} Copy and paste the html code for the month-in-photos button below and include it in your post, then come back here and leave a link to your collage so everyone else can see your fun photos!

For more info about the month in photos project go here to read all about it. You can download any of my free collage templates or use your own collage and join in the fun with us each month! Just think of the incredible collection of photos we'll have put together at the end of 2012

I can't wait to see your month in photos!

:)

our valentine's tree

2012-01-31T11:44:00.009-04:00

Last year at the beginning of February we started a little valentine's tradition.

It wasn't anything grand and it wasn't anything that took a lot of time, but the feelings it created in our home were so special that I knew without a doubt we'd continue on with this tradition year after year.

I took a little bit different approach this year, but my hopes for this project were still the same...

-to create a spot where we can leave each other special notes as we countdown to Valentine's Day
-to cultivate greater feelings of love in our home
-to encourage expressions of love and kindness
-replace a little bit of the sibling rivalry around here with feelings of love ;)

The only difference this year, is that instead of a wall filled with love notes, we're going to fill up our little valentine's tree. I made our tree using some branches found in my Grannie's yard and a ceramic milk jar I picked up at the thrift store.

The kids didn't have school yesterday, so my 9 year old and I sat down and made these fun hearts for the tree using the left over paper from last weeks valentine's banner. We made ourselves a template, then got cutting....I'm pretty sure I have a cute heart die cut and a fun machine that would have cut them out nicely, but it's packed away somewhere in storage and do you think I can find it? :)

So we got the hearts cut out and then we cut out some strips of kraft card stock. We trimmed them to fit across each heart and cut a little triangle out of one end to be all cute. We attached them to the front of each heart for a place to write who our love notes are for, then we added some buttons or staples here and there and that was it. To attach the hearts to our tree I punched two holes at the top of one side of each heart then simply tied them to a branch with bakers twine.

I'm embarrassed to even tell you the supplies I used because they're so old {I haven't even unpacked any scrapbook supplies beyond one rubbermaid tote filled with random supplies} but here's the list:

supplies: american crafts + anna griffin + my minds eye patterned paper | buttons | staples | kraft card stock

Last night we watched this sweet video and I introduced the idea behind our little valentine's tree to the kids. They're all so excited about it and so am I. I just love valentine's day and I'm thankful for the reminder this time of year to take an extra moment to let the people that mean the most to me know how much I love them.The feelings that were felt last year as we wrote our special notes to each other and the smiles on my children's faces as they read messages left by mom and dad or their brother/sisters, are still fresh in my memory and I can't wait to share this experience with the kids again. :)

What Valentine's traditions do you enjoy with your family?
I'd love to hear about them. :)

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If you're joining in the month-in-photos project with me this year, the fun is going to start on Wednesday! I'll be sharing my photo collage for the month of January and hosting a link party where you can share all of your collages too!

If you haven't heard of the month-in-photos project go here and here to read more.

You can download my free template or use whatever collage format you'd like!
Can't wait to see YOUR month in photos!

:)

simple things roundup + weekly photo tip

2012-01-30T16:39:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who's linked up for {Simple things Sunday} so far!

The linky stays open until Wednesday night so feel free to keep sharing those beautiful photos!

Here's a just of the few of the many gorgeous photos linked up this week:

a moment | wendy

happiness | it works for bobbi

sunshine | henrietta

fog | bridget

upgrading | just leesha

books | chelsea

water | simply nel

the boys | kerry

the spatula | tanya beth

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If you've had a photo featured on the blog or on my facebook page this week

be sure to grab a featured button below! :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/featuredbutton_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

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This week's quick photo tip:

For those of you who are just starting to get to know your way around your camera and having fun experimenting with the creative modes, here's a quick link for you:

the oreo dilemma

image via: the daily digi

This is such a great post from the daily digi comparing oreo cookies to photography. It is such a simple, understandable way to grasp the relationship between shutter speed/iso/aperture!

Enjoy!

:)

the simple things + life 'n reflection boutique giveaway!

2012-01-29T12:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Simple things Sunday everyone!

Along with our fabulous simple things par-TEE this week {scroll down to the bottom of this post to find the linky} I also want to introduce you to Kristy of Life 'n Reflection....just in case you don't know her yet. You may recognize her work, she's been a long time sponsor of Simple as That and I've so enjoyed featuring her designs in the past. Today is no exception. Kristy recently added some darling Valentine's photo cards to her shop and she wants to share them with you!

Aren't they so sweet!? I had a quick play with one of the sets of valentine's and added some photos of my kids. In no time at all and I had some beautiful Valentine's cards to give out to the kids friends or mail off to the grandparents!

If you'd like to try out some of Kristy's cute valentine's, lucky you because she's giving three lucky winners a valentine's set of their choice!

How to enter:

1. Stop by Kristy's shop, then come back here and leave a comment on today's

post telling me one item that caught your eye.

2. Follow Life 'n Reflection on Facebook.

3. Subscribe to the Life 'n Reflection newsletter.

4. Follow the Life 'n Reflection blog.

5. Share a photo in the Simple things Sunday link party.

* be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them all to count.

Good luck everyone!

Giveaway closes Sunday 02/04/12.

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This weeks simple thing: watching bubs take to the ice for his very first game of shinny hockey. I had no doubt he'd love it eventually, but since he'd only just learned to skate the winter before we left for the island, I wasn't sure how he'd do on the ice. I'm happy to report he did great and I just love how excited he is to play a little hockey this winter!

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Welcome to{simple things sunday}this week folks!

This party is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

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I can't wait to see your photos this week everyone! I'll be featuring some of my favs on the blog + Facebook throughout the week so stay tuned! If you were featured last week be sure to grab yourself a featured button!

Also, please remember to stop by as many of the other links as you can each week and leave lots of comments! Comments are the funnest. Everybody likes 'em, so be as generous as you can with the comment love. Thanks a bunch!

:)

ella publishing giveaway winners!

2012-01-28T03:28:00.001-04:00

According to random.org the winners of my eBooks from Ella Publishing are...

Nicolette comment no. 51

and

Megan Berky comment no. 11

Congratulations ladies!

Shoot me an email letting me know which book you'd like to download {Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids or 40 Top Tips for Better Photos} and I'll get you all the info!

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to enter!

Stay tuned tomorrow for another fun giveaway that will coincide with {Simple things Sunday} featuring some super cute Valentine's goodies from Life 'n Reflection.

See you back here tomorrow!

:)

friday craft day: simple valentine's banner

2012-01-27T03:42:00.002-04:00

Ok. So right about now you might be thinking to yourself, "huh, this project looks a little familiar"and if you are, you'd be right. Using this same design, I've created a St. Patrick's Day and a Halloween banner and I just couldn't resist doing one for Valentine's day too!

What can I say...when I find something I like I tend to stick with it. :) My earlier banners turned out to be so fun and easy to make...why reinvent the wheel, right!?

for detailed instructions on how to create your own

simple book page banner visit this post

photos edited using addy lane's etta action from the storytellers set | toddler bed made by my cute sister in law

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I hope you all have a fun weekend planned!

Enjoy! And if you haven't yet, be sure to click over and enter to win one of my photography eBooks from Ella Publishing! The giveaway closes tonight at 8pm MST.

See you back here soon for Simple things Sunday!

I'm linking up with these fabulous blogs:

embrace the camera

2012-01-26T10:22:00.000-04:00

I have so many photos and projects I want to share with you guys but the time I have to actually sit down and blog them is a little scarce right now. With Dad away studying, life's been a little extra crazy around here. We've been missing him a lot this week....family prayer and goodnight kisses just aren't quite the same via Skype...but we're hanging in there and keeping ourselves busy while we countdown the weeks until he gets back.

I can't wait to share a few more photos from our ice fishing adventure last week, oh and our trip home from the island and all kinds of other stuff...but for now I'm just gonna leave you with this quick photo of Alivia and I standing in the middle of a frozen lake.

I've missed out on a few weeks of Embracing the Camera since the new year started but am hoping to get back in the habit ASAP! I love this weekly challenge so much and am thankful for the extra little push it gives me to get behind the camera and be in more photos with my kids.

simple as that 2012 advertising

2012-01-25T17:37:00.005-04:00

I'm excited to announce that I'm now accepting advertisers for 2012!

I have formed many great relationships with advertisers in the past and welcome the opportunity to get to know you and spread the word about your blog, handmade shop or small business! :)

For a limited time, feel free to take advantage of our current special:

Here is a brief rundown of current blog stats:

monthly pageviews november 2011 {1,441,338}

unique visitors on average per month {940,000}

google friend connect followers {3,144}

facebook fans {4,052}

twitter followers {1,396}

Two different sidebar ad sizes are currently available:

For more information regarding ad rates, give-away sponsorship details or to find out more about

Simple as That and our readership please contact me here:

cooper{dot}rr{at}gmail.com

I also welcome your inquiries regarding product photography or if you have a product you'd like to see featured in a project here on Simple as That I'd love to chat!

I look forward to hearing from you!

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One of my favourite jewellery companies, Chantelle Nicole Designs, is currently running a fabulous promotion just in time for Valentine's Day.

Now through Sunday, January 29th receive 50% OFF this beautiful {capture my heart} necklace!

Read more about this beautiful necklace and the current promotion here.

facebook | twitter | shop

simple things roundup + a photo tips giveaway!

2012-01-24T12:01:00.004-04:00

Loving ALL the beautiful photos linked up this week you guys!
Here are just a few that caught my eye!

secret to a happy life | chic homeschool mama

rain | rocking my 365 project

sleep | melissa

cello | april

And if you didnt see it you HAVE to check out this adorable video shared by Shelby! :)

Thanks so much to everyone
who linked up this week!

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If you've had a photo featured on the blog or on my facebook page this week

be sure to grab a featured button below! :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/featuredbutton_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

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This weeks quick photo tip and
a surprise giveaway:

Did you know that Ella Publishing Co. {one of my favourite publishers of digital scrapbooking + photography idea books} has a FREE eBook available for all to download!?

Their Free Super Sampler is filled with scrapbooking idea samples from many of their top selling eBooks including a snippet from my first eBook from Ella Publishing, 40 Top Tips for Better Photos. Download your free copy {click image below to be taken to download page} and read a few of my quick tips for shooting in direct sunlight. :)

To read up on more of my top photography tips, enter today to win a copy of one of my eBooks:

Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids
and
40 Top Tips for Better Photos

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you like to take pictures of.

2. Sign up to receive Simple as That updates via email or your favourite RSS reader

or via GFC on the left sidebar.

3. Share the Simple as That Facebook page with a friend or two.

4. Invite a friend to join in the {Simple things Sunday} fun with us!

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Good luck everyone!

Two winners will be chosen, one for each eBook!

Giveaway closes Friday, January 27th at 8pm MST.

the simple things

2012-01-22T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm beginning to think that moving back home from a tropical island to Canada, in the middle of winter, may not have been the greatest timing on our part. ;) Ha!

I tried not to cry when temperatures here dipped down to -30 degrees Celsius {-46 with the wind chill} this past week and instead broke out the fuzzy socks, pulled on the long underwear and of course consumed mass amounts of hot chocolate! :)

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Welcome to{simple things sunday}this week folks!

This party is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

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friday craft day: pretty patterned hearts

2012-01-20T04:05:00.002-04:00

It was feeling like forever since the kids and I had done something crafty and as luck would have it, on my last trip to our storage unit, I stumbled upon some of our old art supplies! I brought them home with the intent to create something pink and valentines-y with the kids ASAP and when the weather got just a little to cold for us to handle this last week, we seized the opportunity to work on a simple little valentines project inside where its warm. :)

Nothing fancy happening here. Just some paper, a few water-colour paints and a pair of scissors are needed. The kids set to work filling sheets of paper with patterns in reds and pinks for valentines day. I loved seeing all the fun patterns they came up with. After their papers had dried we cut hearts out of the patterned paper and this is what we were left with...

I love the way they look hanging in the window with the light shining through them, but there are so many ways you could display these cute hearts around the house. Just a super simple project {that's how we like to do things around here} but the kids had fun with this for over an hour and I can totally see us doing it again sometime with different holiday shapes and colors!

{photos edited with iced strawberry action by addy lane}

Have a great weekend ya'll!

I'll be back on Sunday for the simple things!

We'll see you then!

I'm linking up with these fabulous blogs:

simple things roundup + weekly photo tip

2012-01-18T02:03:00.002-04:00

So many beautiful photos this week everyone!

100 of them to be exact!! It's so exciting to see so many of you joining us each Sunday! Thank you so much for sharing the simple things that bring you joy, your talents and your thoughts with all of us. :)

a little winter | aj kreations

first haircut | life with three boys

childhood | serendipity is sweet

snow | cyndie

red high heels | kirsten

If you've had a photo featured on the blog or on my facebook page this week

be sure to grab a featured button below! :)

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THIS WEEKS QUICK PHOTO TIP

When it comes to photo editing I like to keep things pretty simple. One thing that helps me in this area is using photoshop actions. They're quick, they're easy and they can be a lot of fun!

a quick before + after using addy lane's vintage tea tones

Here are a few of my current favourites:

addy lane vintage tea tones
addy lane storyteller actions
pamela topping ienhance actions
nicole v photo fix actions

For more information about using photoshop actions and a quick tutorial on how to create your own, stop by Ella Publishing where you can find an eZine article I did a while ago called:

3-minute Makeovers
easy ways to enhance your photos

:)

{free} printable valentines quote

2012-01-17T13:43:00.003-04:00

I mentioned I was excited about Valentines Day right!?
Well, the weather here has been SOOO cold {-25 degrees Celsius today = craziness!!} that we've been staying inside, keeping ourselves busy with a few little Valentines projects. The kids worked on a simple craft and I had some fun playing around in photoshop...while wearing my long underwear + jogging pants + hoodie + slippers. I've still got a loooong way to go before I'll be used to this cold again. ;)

I stumbled across this quote on pinterest a while ago and just had to create a fun printable using it. I love it so much and I hope you do to. :)

Please remember that all free downloads are for Simple as That followers only.

Follow via Google Friend Connect on the left sidebar or sign up to receive updates via email or through your favourite RSS reader. Thank you. :)

click here to download your favourite colour

Enjoy!

Stay tuned later tonight for my{Simple things Sunday} roundup and a quick photo tip for the week! If you haven't linked up your photo yet there's still time! The linky stays open until tomorrow night.

:)

I'm linking up with these fabulous blogs:

the simple things

2012-01-15T03:32:00.001-04:00

A certain little four year old has been dying to play in the snow since we arrived home but there hasn't been any of the white stuff around here until this week! It started snowing a little bit the other morning and as soon as Addie could get her coat and boots on she was out the front door squealing and giggling as she experienced snow again for the first time in almost 2 years. She was so excited and it was the funnest thing to watch and photograph...even though I was FREEZING! Canada is a c-c-c-old place. I don't know how I forgot this! Brrrr! Alivia's reaction to the snow wasn't nearly as joyful as Addie's. Ha!

When we moved to the island Alivia was only 8 months old so this was her very first experience with snow and as it turns out, she's not such a big fan. ;) It took some convincing to get her to come outside to begin with and then when she actually touched the snow she quickly realized it wasn't her thing. She could not get back inside the warm house fast enough. There are so many things that this little beach babe has had to get used to since our return back to the cold north {ie. having to wear socks, keeping a blanket on at night, bundling up in all the winter gear} but she's slowly adjusting and I'm sure by the end of winter she'll be outside running and playing in the snow with her brother and sisters. :)

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Welcome to{simple things sunday}this week folks!

This party is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

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I can't wait to see your photos this week everyone! I'll be featuring some of my favs on the blog + Facebook throughout the week so stay tuned! If you were featured last week be sure to grab yourself a featured button!

Also, please remember to stop by as many of the other links as you can this week and leave lots of comments! Comments are the funnest. Everybody likes 'em, so be as generous as you can with the comment love. Thanks a bunch!

:)

Valentines Day Flashback

2012-01-12T22:08:00.000-04:00

I'm getting super excited about Valentines Day coming up, are you!? It's one of my most favourite holidays and I have a few Valentines ideas in the works for this year that but wanted to share some of the fun we've had around here in years past just in case you missed out! Enjoy! :)

simple things roundup + NEW weekly photo tip

2012-01-11T16:24:00.002-04:00

I'm loving all the photos linked up this week for {Simple things Sunday} you guys!!

I'm leaving the linky open until tomorrow night so feel free to add your photos if you have one to share.

In the meantime, check out these gorgeous photos that caught my eye this week...

little helper | kim @ life happens

sisters | the captain his wife and their crew

snowing | every snapshot

Thanks for linking up everyone! I really enjoyed stopping by each one of your blogs and celebrating the simple things with you this week!

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I'm hoping to share a few gorgeous photos from the weekly linkup on Facebook + the blog this year so watch for your photos to be featured! So if you've been featured this week on the blog or on my facebook page grab a featured button below! :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/featuredbutton_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

Along with my weekly Simple Things roundup I'll also be sharing a quick and simple photo tip or idea. It might just be a link to a great how-to I came across online, an easy photoshop trick or some other little tidbit. I really want to share a few more photo tips on the blog throughout 2012 and I thought this would be a fun way to do it!

THIS WEEKS QUICK PHOTO TIP:

When it comes to capturing everyday photos it can be tricky to capture moments as they happen if you aren't ready for them. At our house the kids aren't always getting along perfectly and my toddler is rarely in one place for longer than 30 seconds, so when there is a moment of sibling bliss or baby girl is engrossed in an activity, I want to be able to access my camera as quickly as I can to capture these moments before they're gone.

Consider where in your home the most activity takes place - for me its the kitchen - and find a spot close by where you can store your camera safely and you can grab it fast. I used to keep mine in a cupboard in the kitchen where little hands couldn't reach it. When your camera is easily accessible you'll find you bring it out more often to take photos and are able to capture more of those everyday moments simply because you're ready for them. :)

If you've started on Project 365 this year or are joining in the Month-in-Photos project with me be sure and check out my downloadable Everyday Photos Checklist. It's jam packed with 50 photo ideas and photography prompts to help you capture those simple, everyday moments!

2012 Month-in-Photos questions answered

2012-01-11T02:28:00.000-04:00

I've had a few questions about the Month-in-Photos project and thought I'd address them quickly. January already seems to be flying by and at this rate it'll be time to create the very first photo collage of 2012 at the end of this month!! Yikes! :)

If you haven't read about the Month-in-Photos project yet, visit this post for details. If you have any other questions besides the ones answered here, feel free to leave a comment on this post and I'll answer them as soon as I can. :)

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The first thing I've had a few people wondering is, if you have to use the collage template I created to participate in the monthly link up for the Month-in-Photos project.

The answer is "Heck no!" I know a lot of you may not have access to Photoshop or Photoshop Elements which you do need to use my templates. Please feel free to use any collage format you'd like! I know some people enjoy using Piknik and I've used the Bighugelabs mosaic maker and really love it too! There are definitely other options available to you and I'd encourage you to use whatever format works best for you to document your photos! :)

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I've had a few people wondering how I'd be incorporating journaling when its time to put my yearly album together. I won't be including the journaling within the collage itself. When I create my printed albums {whether they're photo books or handmade albums} I'm planning to make each month a two page spread and include brief journaling highlighting the months events on the page opposite the photo collage from that month. Here's just a quick image to give you an idea of what I mean:

Each month as I blog my photo collage I include the journaling to go along with the photos within the blog post. When it's time to put my album together at the end of the year it will be pretty easy since all the photos already be organized and I can easily access all the journaling that I've recorded on my blog.

I actually just ordered prints of my 2011 photo collages {from Costco} and am excited to put together my little album from the year. I'm hoping to post images and how-to's on that in the coming week so you can see how I do it. The collage template from 2011 isn't a standard size so I'll share with you my solution for printing the photos, along with the finished album.

If you have yet to put your 2011 photos together in their monthly collages and dont want to use the 11" X 6" non-standard size, I did create a 12" X 12" version of the template which can easily be incorporated into a photo book or printed on its own through a photo lab like Persnickety Prints that offers 12" X 12" prints. You can download the 12X12 version of the 2011 template here.

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For those of you wondering when the Month-in-Photos fun will start, I'll be posting the linky the first of each month unless the first happens to fall on a holiday or on a Sunday. The linky for January will go live Wednesday, February 1st and I'll leave it up for a week to give ya'll a chance to put your photo collages together and get them posted online. To participate in the linky all you have to do is post your collage somewhere online {can be your blog, flickr, etc.} then pop over to Simple as That and leave your link in the Month-in-Photos post so everyone else can see your fun photos!

Copy and paste the html code for the Month-in-Photos button below and include it in your post online so people can pop by Simple as That where the'll find everyone else's links and maybe even decide to join in the fun themselves!

So, are we ready to do this! You're totally gonna love it! Especially at the end of the year when you're looking at your cute collection of photos and admiring all the memories you created in 2012! I just love seeing our year at a glance like this and I'm pretty sure you will too!

If you have any other questions for me feel free to ask away!

:)

the simple things

2012-01-09T02:03:00.000-04:00

Seeing the sweet smile on this little two year olds face as we sang her happy birthday was just what I needed today. After dropping the hubby off at the airport this morning at 6:30am and bawling on and off the whole way back to my parents house, {where they were watching the kids for us} seeing Alivia's excitement for her little "birfday" party put a smile back on my face. We sure love this sweet girl of ours and canNOT believe she is two already!

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Welcome to{simple things sunday}this week folks! Finally! ;)

Simple things Sunday is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

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I can't wait to see your photos this week!

:)

Simple things Sunday post coming soon!

2012-01-08T23:48:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness you guys, I'm so sorry about being MIA today for Simple things Sunday. It's been crazyNESS around here this week and I was headed out of town for the weekend before I realized I hadn't put my post together!

We just got over the sickies in time to say goodbye to Daddy today as he heads to the US to finish off the last of his premed classes and study for the USMLE. I bawled nearly the whole way home from the airport after dropping him off. :(

It was just a crazy/emotional week full of laundry, packing, back to school shopping {the kids start school here on Monday and we're all a little nervous} AND celebrating Alivia's birthday. Phew. You better believe I'll be catching a nap sometime tomorrow to recover! ;)

So, I just need to get these kiddos to bed and then I'll get my photo and the linky up and running ASAP. See you soon. Thanks for being so patient with me as we settle back into life here!

Month-in-Photos 2012

2012-01-04T19:53:00.001-04:00

A couple of years ago I started this little month-in-photos project. I'd just had my fourth baby and wasn't feeling like I could tackle project 365 that year, but I still wanted to do something to record our monthly happenings. This simplified approach has been so perfect for me! I love sitting down at the end of each month to go through our photos and create a photo collage highlighting the significant events of that month. I've let go of the idea that I need to record EVERY detail with these collages. I include some point form journaling telling what the photos are about and leave it at that.

Each year I create a new collage template to freshen things up a bit and here's this years version. It's size 12X12 but can easily be resized to 8X8 or 6X6. I'm excited about using this collage format this year and can't wait to get started the end of January. :)

Here's a little peek at the collage template at work. If you need any tips on using any of the templates let me know, or visit this site where you can find some great instructions on using clipping masks. You will need Photoshop or Photoshop Elements to be able to use the templates.

{download the 2012 month-in-photos collage here}

Please remember that all free downloads are available for Simple as That followers. You can follow via GFC on the left sidebar or via facebook/twitter! Thank you. :)

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There's nothing quite like looking back at all the months collages that I've created throughout the year. 2011 was such an eventful year filled with so many amazing memories. I'm looking forward to putting these images together in some sort of book which will be a simple little project considering the collages are already created and the journaling has been recorded. Yay for quick and easy! :)

So, who else wants to join me in this month-in-photos

project for 2012!?

At the end of each month I'll host a linky where you can share your collage with the rest of us and we can help keep each other motivated throughout the year!

the simple things

2012-01-01T11:54:00.001-04:00

There were plenty of presents under the tree to open, but the greatest gift for us this year, was being home to celebrate Christmas with our families. :)

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Welcome to the very first {simple things sunday}of 2012!!

Simple things Sunday is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

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I can't wait to see all your photos this week and to celebrate the simple things with you throughout 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!

:)

happy (almost) new year!

2011-12-31T01:33:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! I had such high hopes of catching up on some blogging this week but it just wasn't meant to be I guess. Alivia and I got hit with the nastiest cold bugs this week and we've been out of commission. We hit the ground running as soon as we got off that plane in Calgary and its been a whirlwind since we got home. I think all the holiday buzz, the late nights and the colder temperatures finally caught up with us.

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There's just a couple things I wanted to let you know about ASAP then I'm off to bed. I'm hoping to have my month-in-photos review and the brand new 2012 template posted in the next couple of days. Have you heard about the month-in-photos project I started back in 2010?

You can read all about it here.

You can download the templates from past years or I'll be debuting a new collage {available for free download} soon! Then you'll be all set to join us for 2012! You should totally do it! It's so much fun and did I mention easy! The templates are already created for you, simply pop in your photos, add some point form journaling highlighting a few of the months events like I did and boom - you can have a year in photos album put together easy as pie. :)

I'd love to have you join me in this little project. I found it a simple, streamlined way to document some of the little details that fill up our days and I just love looking at the collection of collages I have at the end of the year! I have plans of turning them into some sort of scrapbook/photo book someday and I'll be sure to share that when I do!

One more thing to mention...

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{Simple things Sunday 2012}

starts THIS Sunday and I cannot wait! To read all about this little photo challenge I host each week you can view past posts here. We'd sure love to have you join in the fun as we celebrate the simple things in life! Capturing my weekly photo is the perfect reminder I need {more often than not} to slow down and take notice of the littlest moments and helps me not take them for granted. Simple things Sunday is near and dear to my heart and the photos I've captured along this journey are some of my most favourites.

If you've been participating this year I can't wait to see you back in 2012 and be sure to tell all your friends, the more the merrier!!

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That's it for now. I'm off to bed and am crossing my fingers baby girl and I will be feeling better soon

We'll see ya then!

our traditional Christmas breakfast

2011-12-27T00:53:00.013-04:00

These yogurt pancakes aren't anything fancy, but what they lack in fancy they sure make up for in taste! We love to eat these little pancakes Christmas morning served with homemade buttermilk syrup.
Yogurt Pancakes

1 cup plain yogurt

2 egg yolks

1 square of melted butter

¾ cups flour

1 Tbsp sugar

½ tsp salt

2 egg whites

Mix all ingredients and lastly, fold in egg whites. Prepare pancakes on grill, before flipping put 3-4 thin slices of banana on the top of each pancake, then flip and cook other side.

Buttermilk Syrup

½ cup buttermilk

½ cup margarine

½ tsp baking soda

1 cup white sugar

1 tbsp white corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla

Boil all except vanilla for five minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Serve over yogurt pancakes.

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I hope you all enjoyed a beautiful Christmas!

We're off to celebrate with my family tomorrow and we're so excited!

from my family to yours

2011-12-24T19:12:00.003-04:00

Enjoy your Christmas everyone!

the simple things

2011-12-23T11:24:00.002-04:00

{this weeks simple thing}

Seeing this view out the front window of the van as we drove home!

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It's that time again! Time to link up your beautiful photos for

{simple things sunday}

Simple things Sunday is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

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Can you believe this will be the last Simple things Sunday in 2011!
I'm SO looking forward to seeing all your beautiful photos, especially after the little break last week.

For those of you who've been thinking about participating in {Simple things Sunday} fun around here, I can't think of a better time to join us than the new year, can you? I'd be so thrilled to have you along on this journey as we celebrate the simple things in 2012!
Who's in!?

:)

from there to here

2011-12-22T22:28:00.002-04:00

It`s so hard to believe it...but we`re home!!! We made it to Calgary Monday morning and after visiting with family, a little bit of last minute Christmas shopping and several attempts to catch up on sleep, I finally found a few minutes to get the computer set up and upload a few photos.
(Hope to share more soon!)

Our stay on St. Maarten was a lot of fun, the kids loved it! The trip home was in a word: exhausting, but we`re so happy to be here. :) We`ll slowly adjust to the colder temperatures I`m sure, but for now we`re just excited to be home and to be spending Christmas with our families. :)

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I`ll be back again tomorrow with the Simple things Sunday linky. I can`t wait to see all your photos this week after our little break! I`ve missed ya`ll! :)

In the meantime, if you`re looking for something to read you should totally check out my latest eZine article for Ella Publishing! Just a few photography tips and ideas for you just in time for Christmas!

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12 Photo Tips for Christmas

countdown to the holidays with a dozen festive photo techniques

we'll see you again soon!

2011-12-13T21:31:00.007-04:00

It's almost time to go!! AHHH! I can't even believe it!

We still have a little bit of packing and cleaning to do before we fly out Thursday morning but for the most part, I think we're ready.

Ready to move on to the next stage in this adventure.

Ready to see our families.

Ready to be home for Christmas.

Ready to eat a big, juicy steak. ;)

We've embraced this little island life of ours the best we knew how for the past 16 months. Embraced the beauty, the challenges and the adventure of it all and I have no regrets as we get ready to say goodbye. Goodbye to the wonderful friends we've made, goodbye to the warm Caribbean sun and goodbye to this unique stage in our life. Of course we'll miss it {a lot}, we have so many special memories tied to this place, but we're prepared to move forward. We've had an amazing experience here on Statia and I have no doubt there's still plenty of adventure ahead! :)

We plan to spend as much time at the beach tomorrow as we can, just taking it all in as a family for the last time. We fly to St. Maarten Thursday, where we're excited to spend 3 days with the kids exploring the white sand beaches and eating some MacDonald's fries, then Monday we arrive back home in Canada.

I debated whether or not to host {Simple things Sunday} this weekend and have decided to just take the week off. I'm not sure if we'll have internet access on St. Maarten which would make it a bit tricky. Since the next {Simple things Sunday} linky would be Christmas dayI'll put it up a bit early, so the next linky will go up Friday, December 23rd. I can't wait to see all of your beautiful Christmas photos!!

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone!

We'll see you again soon!

PS. If you haven't yet, you should totally take a second to enter this weeks giveaway, it'll be the last giveaway around here for 2011. :) Stop by and enter to win one of 6 copies of my eBooks 40 Top Tips for Better Photos and Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids from Ella Publishing. They're jam packed with helpful photography tips perfect for the Holiday season and all year round. :)

capturing family connections + a giveaway

2011-12-12T08:24:00.003-04:00

With family gathering for the holidays our thoughts turn towards enjoying time with our loved ones, and celebrating the connections we have with eachother. What better time could there be to grab your camera and set out capturing these special relationships between loved ones. Today I'm going to share a few ideas on how to capture these meaningful photos this Christmas season.

Don't miss the giveaway at the end of this post!

5 Tips for Capturing Meaningful Connections:

1. Allow your subjects enough space. It's definately harder to relax and be yourself when there is a camera in your face. Why not try taking a few steps back and allow your subjects to interact with eachother rather than with you (the photographer) and see what happens. Consider using a zoom lens for this very purpose, allowing you to give your subject(s) some space but still giving you the feeling of being right there.

2. Your subjects are going need to get close. Now a little bit closer. Without the luxury of words, the connection you set out to record with a photograph needs to be visible. A hug, an arm around a shoulder, or simply a loving look. When I photograph my children I like to encourage them to 'snuggle up' or even sit facing eachother nose to nose for a moment. This almost always guaruntees a few giggles and a precious photo is never too far behind.

3. Have your camera readily available. Special moments of connection do not usually happen on demand so keep your camera handy. I keep mine in a kitchen cupboard where its safe from little hands but easy to grab in a hurry. You never know when that sibling rivalry will take a backseat to laughter and snuggles so don't miss that moment because your camera is unaccessible.

4. Learn to observe. Catching a moment of connection on camera is sometimes a practise in patience. Be ready to watch and wait for the moment to come to you instead of chasing after it and you'll be so pleased with the results. An unposed, genuine moment of love expressed between two (or more) individuals priceless.

5. Know your camera. Boring, I know, but pull out that camera manual and get to know your camera inside and out so you won't miss capturing that special moment while you adjust settings, etc. Practise, practise, practise and soon enough you'll find that you can switch settings as needed without having to look at a dial.

I hope you'll find these tips useful and have some fun this Christmas season as you set out capturing those family connections through your lens. Enjoy the time with your loved ones and Happy Holidays everyone!

*these tips were originally shared as part of a guest post on Ali Edwards blog last December.

For more quick and easy to follow photography tips check out my eBooks 40 Top Tips for Better Photos and Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids from Ella Publishing.

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For the chance to win a copy of one of my eBooks:

Leave a comment on this post telling me one photo you're hoping to capture this Christmas.

Bonus Entries:

1. Blog/tweet/share a link to today's giveaway on Facebook.

2. Follow Simple as That on twitter.

3. Follow Simple as That on Facebook.

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Giveaway will close next Wednesday 12/21/11 at 8pm MST.

SIX winners will be chosen, three for each book!

Good luck everyone!

This giveaway is linked here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

the simple things

2011-12-10T22:11:00.003-04:00

So many photos to love from last weeks Simple things Sunday party!
Thanks as always for linking up! Here's just a few of the sweet photos that caught my eye. :)

Christmas tree glow | Amy

Chocolate peppermint cookies | Malia

Little buddy | Talia

{Simple things Sunday}

Our time here is winding down so quickly...I'm starting to feel a little rushed, trying to squeeze in all the last things we want to do before we leave. One thing I wanted to do SO badly before we left Statia was get one last family picture on the beach. Our sweet friends Eric and Cara were so kind to come with us out to Zeelandia beach on Thursday to snap some photos {thanks again you guys!} and I'm so happy we were able to get a few cute shots! Will share more soon I'm sure. :)

I'm so thankful for this little family of mine! Right now I'm especially thankful for this adventure we've been on together and all the wonderful memories we've created during our time here on Statia. :)

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It's that time again! Time to link up your beautiful photos for

{simple things sunday}

Simple things Sunday is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button3_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button4_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

Look forward to seeing all your
beautiful photos this week!

:)

thank you to Simple as That's wonderful sponsors!

2011-12-07T17:07:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to say a HUGE, heartfelt thank you for all of the wonderful blogs and businesses that chose to advertise with Simple as That throughout 2011. Your support has meant so much!

I appreciate each and every one of you wonderful ladies and feel so blessed
to have been able to work with you and to call many of you my friends!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For sweet smelling holiday products, personalized paper goods, gorgeous photoshop actions, lovely jewelery, vintage inspired hair pieces, digital scrapbooking + photography goodies, unique camera strap covers, organizing inspiration and classes, good blog reads, beautiful picture frames, party products, adorable handmade hats and so much more, please take the chance to stop by and visit some of my past sponsors. :)

Simply click on the image below to be taken to these lovely blogs/shops.

Thank you again ladies!

XOXO Rebecca

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I will not be accepting any more advertisers through the rest of 2011 but hope to make ad space available again the beginning of the New Year. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me for info regarding rates, etc.

Thank you!

:)

free printable + a roundup of Christmas ideas

2011-12-05T20:58:00.000-04:00

Just popping in to share a little bit of Christmas cheer this fine Monday!

First up is a simple little Merry Christmas printable bunting.

{You can find the halloween + thanksgiving versions here and here}

It comes in two colors. Simply click this link to download.

Please remember that all freebie downloads are available for Simple as That followers only, so head on over to the left sidebar there to follow via GFC and then download away! :)

I also wanted to share a few links to some Christmas fun that we've had here at

Simple as That over the years. You'll find below a collection of Christmas crafts, gift ideas, recipes, free downloads and more!

Enjoy and have a great week everyone!

simple handmade gift ideas

turtle bar recipe + printable gift tags

advent countdown with books

printable Christmas memory match game

simple christmas countdown

simple christmas craft ideas

simple friend gifts + printable tags

holiday photo checklist

reindeer handprint ornaments

free Christmas card templates

quick + easy gift idea: hot chocolate packets

Christmas journaling tips with Angie Lucas

chocolate mousse towers

indoor holiday photo tips

pretty poinsettias

simple paper christmas ornaments

TP roll Christmas trees

Healthy holiday snack ideas

free printable Christmas tags + word art

simple kids craft: snowy snowman

the rusted chain giveaway winner!

2011-12-04T23:11:00.001-04:00

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter last weeks giveaway from

{the rusted chain}

The winner of the $50.00 gift certificate is:

Sarah Cool

Congratulations Sarah! An email has been sent out. You have 48 hours to claim your prize.

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If you didn't win, but still want to do some shopping at the rusted chain, be sure and keep your eye on their blog, facebook page and sign up for their newsletter to be the first to find out about the latest discount codes being offered!

the simple things

2011-12-04T08:44:00.001-04:00

I loved all the beautiful photos linked up last week everyone!!

Thank you so much for sharing your talents and your simple joys with us each week!

I haven't been able to stop by and visit as many of your blogs I'd like to lately and I feel so bad about that! The good news, is I'll be in the land of speedy internet soon {Yay!} and can catch up with the comment love then! :)

For now, here are just a few beautiful photos that caught my eye in this past weeks

{Simple things Sunday} link party...

chocolate milk | AJ creations

nose kisses | Tiffany

thanksgiving | Michele

playing in the snow | sarah

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{Simple things Sunday}

Friday was Emily and Carson's last day of school and it was a fun day despite having to say goodbye to all their classmates and teachers. The kids will have so many fun memories of their time spent at school here and they're sure going to miss everyone. I made some simple autograph books for the kids to take to school and their friends and teachers all signed them and left them sweet little notes. We took lots of pictures and when we get home plan to print them and add them to their books. I hope the books will be a special keepsake for them and help them to remember the people they've met and the experiences they've had here. :)

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It's that time again! Time to link up your beautiful photos for

{simple things sunday}

Simple things Sunday is all about celebrating the simple moments and simple joys that make you smile each week. So grab that camera, snap a photo or two and come share with us each Sunday!

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button3_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button4_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

Look forward to seeing all your
beautiful photos this week!

:)

my escape

2011-12-02T00:00:00.005-04:00

I've been reflecting a lot lately on the experiences we've had on this little island over the last 16 months. With only 14 days left until we leave I'm such a mix of emotions about going home. On the one hand I'm beyond excited! Excited to see our families, excited to walk into a grocery store where I can buy all the bananas I want and yogurt cups for less than $1.50 each! How cool will that be!?

I'm also a bit sad to leave this pretty place where we've created so many special family memories. Sure, there are things I'm not going to miss for a second - the ants currently invading my kitchen come to mind - but our time here has been such an incredible experience, one that we're going to treasure for years and I guess it's only natural to feel some sadness at seeing this adventure come to an end.

I'm also feeling a touch of nervousness about going home, which I didn't really anticipate. I'm nervous for the kids and how they're going to transition back into school in Canada. I'm nervous that we're going to freeze {it dipped down to 26 degrees Celsius last night and I was putting on a sweater!? What is that?} I'm nervous about the plane trip with a two year old and I'm just feeling nervous about heading back to reality in general.

Living here has been a bit of an escape for me and I'm reluctant to dive right back into the life I was living before we came to Statia. Leaving behind thoughts of the medical issues I'd been dealing with, taking a break from all the doctors appointments and putting aside my fears of the unknown, has done so much for my health and I feel like I'm in a much better place now to deal with whatever might come way in the future.

Leaving my photography business and taking a break to explore my own style has been so freeing and I've fallen in love with photography all over again during our time here. Without the stress of client deadlines and the expectation of perfect photos, I've felt my creativity behind the lens come back to me and taking pictures feels fun again!

Having four kids still keeps me busy, but I'm not functioning at the same crazy pace I was back home before we left and I'm determined to do all I can to maintain the simpler way of life that we've embraced here. I'm not too sure how I'm going to do that. It's probably going to require a few "no's" on my part and a whole lot of discipline when it comes to collecting "stuff" again. I haven't done any REAL shopping in 16 months and I've already been fighting the urge to make up for lost time. ;)

So many blessings have come into my life as a result of our time here and the changes we've experienced over the past 16 months. Even though I'm nervous for what's to come, I'm also excited to be moving on to the next step in this journey and to take the lessons we've learned here home with us.

I'm putting together a post summing up our experiences in the Dutch Caribbean and wondered if you have any questions you've been dying to ask me re: life here. If you do, feel free to email me or leave a your question in the comments and I'd be happy to answer what I can.

P.S.

If you haven't entered The Rusted Chain giveaway yet you NEED to! ASAP!

I'm in love with Beki's gorgeous jewelry and I'm pretty sure you will be too.

Take a peek at just a few of her designs:

See! Your in love aren't you!? Now quick, go enter!

The giveaway closes Saturday.

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Have a great weekend all. I'm out until Sunday.

The kids last day of school is tomorrow {shhh...don't tell anyone, but we're finishing early so we can soak up the sun while we still can} and Randal's studying like a mad man for exams next week. After that it'll be beach, beach and more beach...oh and a little bit of packing. Then we're off. Blogging will be a little hit or miss for the time being, but I'll pop in when I can.

the rusted chain giveaway

2011-11-29T22:32:00.004-04:00

**giveaway now closed

Today's giveaway is sponsored by The Rusted Chain!

Keep reading for details on how you can enter to win a $50.00 gift certificate to spend on this gorgeous, hand stamped jewellery!!

Beki Hastings of The Rusted Chain has been making beautiful, custom jewelry since 2003 and her designs feature the best of rustic elegance and trendy looks. Each piece is custom made using sterling silver, stainless steel, natural stones, and the finest components.

Beki is also a photographer and blogger. She lives in an old farmhouse in Kansas with her husband, and her three children, a daughter, aged 11, and two sons ages 9 and 4. Beki's jewellery designs have been featured in various magazines, Pediped shoe advertisements, Law and Order Criminal Intent, and are sold in local upscale boutiques and internationally.

For all you photogs, Beki's Capture life necklace might catch your eye like it did mine, along with a whole collection of photography related designs! I've been a long time fan of the rusted chain and love so many of Beki's simple, timeless designs!

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How would you like the chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to spend at

The Rusted Chain!?

All you have to do to enter is stop by The Rusted Chain shop, take a look around, then come back here and leave a comment telling me what item{s} caught your eye!

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow the rusted chain blog.

{leave a seperate comment}

2. Follow the rusted chain on facebook.

{leave a seperate comment}

3. Follow the rusted chain on twitter.

{leave a seperate comment}

4. Blog/Tweet/Share a link to today's giveaway on FB.

{leave a seperate comment}

5. Follow Simple as That via twitter.

{leave a seperate comment}

Good luck everyone!

You have until Saturday, December 3rd at 10pm MST to enter.

This giveaway is linked here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Simple Christmas Countdown

2011-11-29T08:01:00.001-04:00

December 1st is sneaking up on us and its time for the countdown to Christmas to begin!! Last year I shared this simple Christmas countdown over at eighteen25 and I thought I'd share it here for those of you who might have missed it. :)

This little advent is made up of 25 snowflakes, each one when turned over reveals a Christmas related activity to do each day from December 1st through Christmas day.

Not only was this countdown a huge hit with my kids but it also made a cute little addition to our holiday decor (two birds, one stone...what's not to love here?)

So today I'm going to share with you how to make your own snowflake Christmas countdown as well as give you a few ideas of activities that you can include in your own version. You ready...

To make your own countdown here's what you're going to need:

Some white & craft colored cardstock

A snowflake diecut (you could even cut out your own if you're feeling ambitious!) The diecut I used can be found here but there are a tonne of pretty snowflake dies out there, like this one, this one or this one. If you don't have a large snowflake die or a lot of space available you could even consider creating this project on a smaller scale using a smaller size diecut.

A list of 25 simple Christmas activities to do each day in your countdown. You can download my list here. The font I used is CK Chemistry and can be downloaded free here.

pop dots or adhesive foam squares.

A hole punch and some string.

Here's how to put your Christmas countdown together:

1.simply cut out all 25 of your snowflakes. I alternated between white and craft cardstock for mine

2. print out your list of countdown activities & cut each one out in small strips

3. attach the word strips to each snowflake using the popdots or foam squares.

4. punch a small hole at the top of each snowflake

5. thread string through the hole and display somewhere in your home. If you don't want to hang them how cute would it be to simply attach them all to the back of a door or fill a wall with snowflakes?

and that's it!

So simple to put together and such a fun way to countdown to Christmas!

Here is a list of some more Christmas activities that you might consider adding to your countdown.

Go caroling.

Write down your favorite Christmas memory in your journal.

Make Christmas ornaments.

Make Christmas cards for your friends.

Play with snow INDOORS (shaving cream)

Write a Christmas story.

Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights.

Have hot chocolate.

Make handmade gift tags for Christmas presents.

Do your chores while listeninplay musical chairs with Christmas music.

Pick out a toy to give to a child in need/a local charity.

Bake Christmas cookies.

Decorate gingerbread houses.

I'm linking up with these fabulous blogs:

a month in photos: october

2011-11-28T21:36:00.002-04:00

It's already November 28th and I thought I'd better get my October month-in-photos collage posted before another month rolls by on me!

October was filled with fun things like...

1. Swimming lessons.

2. Eating popsicles at the beach.

3. Doing laundry.

4. Celebrating a very special 4 year olds birthday.

5. Halloween!

If you'd like to create a collage of your month in photos for October too I'd love for you to share it with us! Just grab a button and link up below! We'll just pick up where we left off with September's party. :) I can't wait to see your month in photos!

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I've already started thinking about some new collage templates for 2012 and I can't wait to continue on with this project in the New Year, I just love it so much! If you have any questions/suggestions/ideas for next years templates I'd love to hear your thoughts.

If you haven't joined in the month-in-photos fun yet, you should totally give it a try in the New Year!! :)

For more info about the month in photos project go here to read all about it. You can download the free collage templates from 2010 and 2011 here and download your own customizable month in photos wordart here!! :)

the simple things

2011-11-26T23:48:00.001-04:00

We didn't venture too far from home this week {not like you can go too far on an 8 square mile island, but you know what I mean...Haha!} After a few crazy, busy weeks we've been enjoying just hanging out at home doing a whole bunch of nothing. Love weeks like these, when there isn't much on the schedule and there's plenty of time for hanging out in our PJ's, coloring Dora pictures and climbing trees in the backyard. :)

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If you're new here we'd sure love to have you join us for

{simple things sunday}

All you need to do is link up a photo of a simple thing or a simple moment that made you smile
during the week and share is with us here each Sunday.

Just a few quick rules to play:

please, please, please read the rules carefully

1. Grab one of the buttons below and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your simple things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please.

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can. :)

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button1_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button3_150px-1.jpg"/></a><br />

<br /> <a href="http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/rebeccaanncooper/simple_button4_150px.jpg"/></a><br />

Look forward to seeing all your
beautiful photos this week!

:)

black friday fun and savings

2011-11-25T14:33:00.001-04:00

So much black friday fun happening this weekend!

Here's a few sweet deals that caught my eye...

Remember my cute little flower necklace? I love it so much and it's from Chantelle Nicole Designs. Love, love, love Chantelle's pretty jewellery! :)

Stop by the Chantelle Nicole Designs facebook page where you'll find a coupon code to enjoy 20% off your ENTIRE next purchase. Expires tonight at midnight!! :)

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Sweet Water Frames is also offering 20% off your next purchase, today only!

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Stop by the Ella Publishig Co. facebook page where they're sharing a different coupon code everyday now through Monday! 30% off any one item today only! Great savings all weekend long. If you've been wanting to get your hands on...oh...maybe a couple of eBooks I've told you about once or twice, now would be a great time to buy!! ;) :)

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Check out the Rusted Chain's gorgeous jewellery and recieve 20% off your entire purchase.
{Visit their facebook page for details}

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Score 15% off all PS/PSE actions AND Camera Love necklaces at Pamela Topping Photography!! Enter to win some AMAZING prizes when you stop by her blog too!! :)

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Jo Totes if offering all facebook followers $15.00 off their next cuter than cute camera bag!
I just got myself the Betsy in mustard - Merry Christmas to meeeeee!! :)

Stop by the Jo Totes facebook page and give them a "like" to find your coupon code!

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Incredible Black Friday savings over at Rock the Shot!!

30% off membership and everything in their shop. Any purchase made enters you in a FAB giveaway too! Win win. :)

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Have a great weekend everyone!

See you back here for Simple Things Sunday!

{simple things sunday} roundup

2011-11-23T01:06:00.002-04:00

A heartfelt thank you to all of you that link up your beautiful photos each week for

{simple things sunday}

Your images + stories of the simple things that bring you joy continually uplift and inspire me.

Here's just a few of your images from the past two weeks that made me smile...

good mess | kelly harper

bike ride | diane from australia

feet | leesha

library | shay

naptime | jamie

i love you | desirae

brinner | elena

Thank you for sharing your photos with us ladies!