Getting close on this section to completion. We are awaiting the delivery of a few structures to finish this section of our railroad. This area is replicating the Eastern Sierra’s-California-Nevada border. It is exciting to see the trains running on cool scenery
This is a cupcake/muffin pan from my Grandmother’s house when she was a child. It is apparently over 100 years old and survived a fire in the 1920’s. I started out making cupcakes today and turned out as really good muffins! Definitely need to work on the recipe for cupcakes… but I’ll enjoy the muffins while I have them.
Spent some time at a Farmer’s Market today and they had a Facepainting booth and of course my daughter wanted to get one… I think she likes it!
Walked by this vase of Sunflowers and liked the way the light was hitting these petals…
I’ve been thinking about Referrals lately. Which reminded me that I have had the book Referral Engine by John Jantsch, the Duct Tape Marketing guy, on my Kindle for around a year and barely made it past the forward. I’ve always appreciated Referrals for my business but I’ve always felt funny about asking for them. So I finally decided to read it. I have no idea what I was waiting for as it’s full of referral ideas. More importantly it’s a guide to create a referral system for your business. This passage from the book helped me view referrals in a different way and has helped me develop my referral system.
“…the key to any marketing message is to frame it as a benefit. When you are talking to an existing client, the benefit of a referral is the opportunity to help that person help a friend or raise the perceived value with a colleague. Ask yourself: How could referring your business make life better? You are not asking your clients for help—you are offering to help them get more of what they want. “
I recommend Referral Engine for any small business looking to maximize their referral system.
Flowers are always a great way to say thank you for a referral, so I share a beautiful sunflower for today’s photo.
Alright who’s mastered the art of asking for referrals? I’d love to hear some success stories in the comments below.
So in an earlier post I mentioned that I’m currently building a new website for my office and have been waiting for a few new designs from my designer. I got a few comps today which are a complete departure from our current logo and branding. I was a initially worried(ok internal turmoil) as to whether this was good or not, so I started polling a few people in the office and one by one everyone was ready for a change, an overhaul! The idea of creating something new from something old is crazy, were not dealing with antiques here. It’s scary how the mind can set up barriers, I’m grateful for the nudge in the right direction, and excited for the change. The key is surrounding yourself with people that help you break through those barriers.
Today’s photo was found on my lawn keeping watch:
Just returned from a quick trip to check out the Grand Re-opening of Disney’s California Adventure. I’ve been going to DCA since it opened in 2001 and I’ve watched the recent ~4year overhaul, or Disneyfication of DCA. When it opened in 2001, the park was a Celebration of the State of California. I always liked the elements of California, but I also felt that DCA was lacking. Over the past few years Disney has decided to move DCA into a Celebration of Disney, primarily Disney’s movies. I was a sad to hear that the Golden Gate Bridge at the front was coming down, but the new entrance is stunning and a vast improvement over the old one. It feels like DCA has grown up. The new main street replicating a 1920’s Buena Vista Blvd is very nice. It something to stroll and enjoy. At the end of Buena Vista Blvd is Carthay Circle a new restaurant that ads a nice element to the end of the street. Right across the circle from Carthay Circle is the first Starbucks ever in a Disney park, this is a welcome addition. Yay for Starbucks at Disneyland.
A view of the new DCA main street, with the Golden Gate bridge gone
Here’s a view from 2009 of the old DCA
Further down the street looking at Carthay Circle
Looking down Hollywood Blvd.
Pacific Electric Trolley Car that runs from Hollywood Blvd to Buena Vista Blvd.
Carthay Circle at night
Fountain at the end of Buena Vista St.
A view at the new entrance to DCA at night
Cars Land is the other new section of DCA. Its stunning! It feels like you step into the movie! Every detail is there. There are three rides, Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Flying Tires and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Radiator Springs Racer’s is the gem here and where the crowds are at. It’s based on the GM Test Track from Epcot, but different. It’s fun and fast! Luigi’s Flying tires is surprisingly fun!. I didn’t try out Mater’s ride.
Entrance to Cars Land
Flo’s V8 Cafe
Radiator Springs
More Radiator Springs
The finish line of the Radiator Springs Racers
Main Street of Cars Land
Stanley
Luigi’s Flying Tires
The Racers
Radiator Springs
More photos can be seen here: http://www.sandquistphotography.com/Family/Trips/Disneyland-June2012-Carsland
I have always enjoyed DCA, but would always want to duck over to Disneyland for a few hours, never wanting to spend a whole day there, but now I think that’s possible. DCA has grown up.
My wife found a bag of Vegan Chocolate chips in the pantry this afternoon so I decided to try some cookies! These are magically delicious.
For inspiration I quickly google’d a few recipes and found this one from the Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom blog. it was a good start, in which I made a few modifications to meet my needs.
Here’s my version:
1 cup Sorghum flour
1/2 Potato starch(tapioca starch would work here too!)
3/4 Coconut flour
2tsp Xanthum Gum
1tsp baking soda
1tsp sal
1 Cup Specturm Vegetable shortening
3/4 Cup Organic cane sugar
3/4 Cup Light Brown sugar-packed
1tsp vanilla extract
2 Eggs-I’m pretty sure these would work well utilizing an egg replacer as well.
1 Package of Vegan Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 350F
Combine the sugars, vanilla and shortening in a mixer and mix til combined, and then add eggs and combine
In a separate bowl whisk all the dry ingredients together and then slowly add to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
Now add the bag of chips and mix by hand.
Place on a cookie sheet and place in the oven, I checked my first batch at the 8 min mark and decided that 10min was about right. I then took them out of the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool. Let set for a few minutes and then enjoy!.