friday favorites: picasa

I love collages. always have.

Some of you have asked about the collages I've been posting. I've used some different programs to create them, but then emily told me about picasa. and now I'm hooked. thank you emily.

Picasa is great. You can edit, download, share and create fun things with your photos. and it's FREE. which is one of my favorite parts! To be completely honest, I haven't played around with it much... other than making collages.

Two qualities I look for in programs I enjoy using:

*easy to use

*FREE

To make your own collage once you have Picasa on your computer, make a new folder and add each picture you would like to be included in the collage. Click on the folder you want, above the pictures there is a toolbar of options. The first icon is a green arrow and if you put your cursor over it, it says "Play Fullscreen Slideshow". The second icon is the one you want, it should say "Create Photo Collage". Once you click the icon, it will take you to a window that looks like this:

On the left of your pictures there will be a "Settings" tab and underneath that is a pull down menu:

From here you choose the type of collage you would like to make.

Picture Pile:

Picasa basically throws your pictures down on the table. You can change the layout of the picture by clicking and dragging the pictures to the desired location. You can change the size and angle by clicking on the picture and rotating or enlarging the circle:

The next option is "Mosaic":

I usually like to add a border around my photos. To do that you go to "Grid Spacing" and slide the bar until the spacing is how you like it.

Then you have the "Frame Mosaic" option:

To set the sunset picture to "be framed" by the others I clicked on it first and then clicked on the button that says "Set as frame center". Picasa will automatically put that photo in the middle and fill the others around it.

The next option is "Grid":

Picasa will automatically fit the photos to a grid. To change the set up of the collage above to portrait instead of landscape I clicked on the "head" icon. When you want landscape, you click the "mountain" icon.

Then you have the option of "Contact Sheet":

The "Contact Sheet" creates thumbnail versions of your photos. In the collage above I edited the background color and added a border to each photo. You can add a border to all the photos or click on an individual photo and then click on the "Picture Border" option you would like. To change the background color to black I simply clicked on "solid color" and then chose black from the color square. You could also set an image to be the background.

If you're not happy with the layout of your pictures, simply click "Shuffle Pictures" and Picasa will rearrange them for you.

And then, when you are done playing and creating your masterpiece click "Create Collage" and you are all set!

(...because I can't get enough of nicaragua)

Do you have a program you love using??

Nicaragua: what i fell in love with

The few pictures and words I've shared could never do justice to this country and the experiences we had while visiting. The people, the sights, the smells... the way of life, it amazed me.

While we stayed at the beach house we were blessed to meet Julia. She was so sweet and loving. She'd sweep and mop the floors every morning and she made delicious guacamole. She is full of kindness and humility.

The streets and hills were scattered with animals. Skinny dogs, horses so lean you could see their ribs, cows, chickens, pigs.... they roam the streets and pueblos. There were also some little pinchy friends at the beach house. We had seen these in Costa Rica, everywhere, so we weren't really surprised when we saw them. Kirra wanted to take one home. Every night at the house there was a gecko party outside, and some stragglers would inevitably make it inside to join the family. These animals just make themselves at home wherever they can. It's almost like they're trying to become one with the humans.

I was in awe at some of the houses these people call home. I loved seeing the clothes out in the sun, drying on the line. The front yards were usually filled with families playing and chatting, and working. My heart was overflowing with gratitude and humility.

So many faces I wish to always remember. You can look at these faces and see a story. One look and you know the wrinkles and sun are marks of continuous labor. And then, with a smile, the face becomes pure joy and kindness. These people work, so hard. And they love and cherish their relationships with family and friends. The children play in the yards with a baseball and glove, they exercise and fill their lungs with fresh air. Once again, the simplicity was shocking. They have so little, and they are happy.

Their simple happiness made me reflect on the things in my life that bring me happiness and stress. It made me take inventory of my life... and strengthen my desire to simplify. To find true happiness in the elements that really make a difference. To take more time to truly enjoy the little things in life. To waste less, donate more. To show more gratitude. To search for genuine happiness in every moment of life.

nicaragua, i love you.

thank you for reminding me what really matters.

and, for pointing out the need to

simplify.

Nicaragua: beach fun

There's no question whether or not my family loves the beach, it was a big part of this adventure- a main portion of why we choose Nicaragua in the first place. We were all in our element during our trip, enjoying the sound and the sight of the crashing waves... and especially our two surfer boys. (who even took Cameron out for a couple of surf lessons! He did great!) The kids loved to dig in the sand and splash in the water. I was content sitting on the sand taking pictures of the surfers, reading, or napping... it was bliss!

The waves were great for the guys. I, unfortunately, was sleeping during their biggest rides... but what I saw was big and beautiful. Here's the surfer boys hard at work doing what they do best:

Watching the sunset is one of my all time favorite things. The view from the restaurant we loved, "La Giota", was a gorgeous sunset, so we took a moment for a few photos.

I'm happy to have these pictures as a reminder of the beautiful place we stayed, and luckily I have a few little seashells displayed in my house for a happy memento as well. (not to mention the sand I keep finding... ?)

Nicaragua: actividades divertidas

Although we absolutely loved sitting at the pool, laying in the hammock, or just walking along the beach- we managed to pull ourselves away from the house for a few other things.

The majority of the trip I looked something like this:

the camera was practically glued to my eye. and i loved every second of it.

The bulk of photos I took were from me sitting in the back of a moving car with the window rolled down... and I'm pleasantly surprised with how many pictures were actually keepers using that technique! Here's Chrissy and I, proof that my camera was attached to my hip:

Cameron and Dad decided to hit up the golf course. Chrissy went along to drive a cart and snap some pics. They had a beautiful green course all to themselves. And even though Cameron beat Dad, they had a good game.

We hit the road and journeyed to Gigante a few times. The name implies the city might be rather large... not quite the case. It took us maybe 2 minutes to drive from one end to the other, and back. It sits right on the coast and the view is beautiful. It's known as a fishing village and there are lots and lots of boats. The boats are nothing fancy- actually quite the opposite. Jeff helped some of the locals push a boat up to safety. As you can see below there are quite a few men shoving with all their might. They take the boat from the water all the way up the beach using two round logs and then lug the motor back to a safe spot. Don't let the size of those people deceive you either- see the picture below of the guy carrying the motor? The locals seem quite small but the way they toss those motors around made me think twice. The little piggies below are just a couple of the many animals that make home wherever they please. It was really cute to see the tiny piglet.

We dined at two restaurants while staying at "Hacienda Iguana". Dinner became an entire evening event in Nicaragua. I'm not sure if it was because of the size of our group, or if it's just the way they work there... but both times we waited at least 1 1/2 hours!

One of the restaurants was located in Gigante called "La Gaviota", it was our favorite. It was right on the beach and we got there at the perfect time- we were able to sit and chat and enjoy the beautiful sunset. We were entertained with the kids in the back watching Michael Jackson and mirroring his dance movess, and the food was delicious. They came out and told us they had 'brocheta'... and that was our only option so we gladly accepted! And we were very happy that we did. The brocheta is sort of like a shish kabob with chicken, lobster and shrimp. The plate was loaded with food- the brocheta, rice and beans, veggies, a tomato salad, mashed potatoes and tostones.....oh yum, I'm craving it now. And, all that delicious food for $7.00/plate- can you say bargain?!

We also ate at "Yolanda's", it too was yummy- but not as delicious as "La Gaviota". Mom, Dad, Tiff and I took a drive during the day to make sure we could find the restaurant come night time. The roads in Nicaragua are holes and dirt, no lights, and people and animals walk freely-even in the night. So, we wanted to be safe. When we found it during the day I went to ask what time they closed. Yolanda came out greeting me with "Hola, mi amor" and a big happy smile, a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I knew then that I wanted to return. And we did, for dinner... and when we arrived it was a party of smiles, hugs and kisses. She was so sweet.

One evening after eating at "La Giota" the men ventured out for a night time fishing expedition. After hugs and kisses goodbye, we watched them push the boat down to the water, heave the motor down and load their bodies in the boat. The motor roared as the drove off into the black ocean sky... and then we saw them hit a wave and scattered bodies were soon a big clump. And then a humongous wave came up, we could hear the motor kick into high gear and when they hit the wave I think my heart momentarily stopped. The boat went straight up and down in the air, how all of the guys stayed in the boat is still a miracle to me. We stood on the beach, in shock, worrying about the fact that it was dark, they had no life jackets.... was the boat still going to work after that impact? Did the light still work? Did they have enough energy to swim back to shore? Of course my mind is starting to flood with any and all possible circumstances... and when I turned around and saw the locals standing in awe, wide eyed and hands clasped over mouths... I felt my stomach drop even further knowing they see these fishing boats go out all the time, if even they looked scared... I wanted to cry. I looked at Tiff and she looked how I felt. I told her, "I know your nervous, but please don't say anything to mom". After a prayer and a couple hours of frantically awaiting the headlights to shine in the house, the boys were back safe and sound. and fishless. They all had an amazing time and loved the experience. Tiff told me my mom said "I know your nervous, but don't say anything to Chrissy and Amy"- us girls, worrying for nothing.

We were beginning to run low on some groceries so one day Mom, Dad, Jeff and I drove into a town called Rivas (pictures below). We went to the 'Pali' to buy a few things and then bought some beans from a street vendor. I was entranced by these streets.... I could've spent an entire day here wandering and capturing expressions, lifestyles and moments.

When we left the beach house to head back to Managua we wanted to make a stop in Granada and then Masaya. Granada was beautiful. We arrived in the town center and began looking at a few of the vendors items and about seven minutes later it began to pour. So, unfortunately we weren't able to walk around to as many places as we might've liked, but enjoyed the time we had and the beauty we saw.

Kirra made a friend in the few minutes we had before the rain began to fell.

Kirra and Mekena were thrilled when a boy came to visit us at lunch to try to sell us bird whistles. The girls loved them! While we were eating lunch quite a few kids came up to our table, questioning looks on their faces and arms outstretched, palms up. I was amazed at how young some of these little children were, roaming the streets alone. It made me so sad, and so grateful for all we have. I was happy to have some leftovers to give away to a few of the kids as we left.

After lunch (yet, another 2 hour experience) we were off in a rush to Masaya to make it before closing time. We were happy to make it and have time to enjoy all there was to offer. Two little boys were in front of the family making flowers from leaves before we even got through the gates of the market. They ended up following us around for the majority of the trip... we became buddies. Jeff found some knives, he was very excited to bring those home for a special prize from our trip! I bought a beautiful wood cutting board and a little ceramic vase. I love having things in my house that remind me of these unvelievable adventures we've taken. Cameron bought a hammock... we are all very jealous. We all enjoyed a fresh mango smoothie from a little stand. Let me rephrase that, we enjoyed drinking the smoothie... what happened the following days from the smoothie was anything but enjoyable. I was very happy we made it to Masaya, it was a very pleasant treat.

So many fun activities to entertain us and remind us of how incredibly blessed we are. I will forever be grateful for these memories.

i love nicaragua.

Nicaragua: la casa

We were so lucky to have such a beautiful place to stay! And, it truly was the perfect spot for our family. We could hang out in the house and still see the pool and beach. We could lounge in the pool and still feel like we're right next to the ocean. And the boys only had a brief jaunt to the prime surf spots, which made it especially nice for our viewing pleasure.

We determined seashells were starting to take over and that the decor is still trying to decide who it wants to be. But- we could care less if there were butterflies or lizards painted on the walls with feathers or scales... we had an amazing place to be.

One of the most loved belongings of the house was most definitely the hammock. It was occupied about 93% of the time we were at the house. It was perfect for naps, reading, cuddling and relaxing.

The rocking chairs were also delightful! The entire patio was a getaway all in it's own.

And then, of course, there's the pool. Mekena and Kirra transformed into fish, they loved it!

We all loved it, how could you not? Wonderful water hanging out in the sun right on the ocean... it was a form of heaven.

We loved the house, it was a place we could all relax and be together.

Reef mastered the stairs and the girls spent lots of time coloring. (one of my personal favorite activities.)

We read, napped, cuddled.... just relaxed and loved being in la casa!