Photo Expressions

Importance of your photos

I was just talking with one of our customers (Bob J) as he picked up an 8x10 enlargement of his father from the 1940's when his dad was in the war. As his dad is getting older, he mentioned how much he appreciates having these old photos and that he is realizing how important they are to have.

At the store, we see it again and again, how people wait too long to take the photos they want to take of their loved ones, or do something with the photos they have taken.  Don't wait as you never know when you won't have the opportunity again.

TAKE the photos of your loved ones!

Do SOMETHING with the photos of your loved ones!

Don't get so overwhelmed that you do nothing.  Even one photo can mean the world.

If you have old photos that you need help with, come in and see us, we can help.

Graduation Invitations and Announcements

Personalize your Graduation invitations and Graduation Announcements with your photos! (They get posted on the fridge and then saved into albums!) Whether you are graduating from High School, College, University or Graduate school, we have templates that will fit your style.

Order in store or online here. Lots of styles to choose from, just some of them are shown below. Don't forget to order Graduation Thank You cards while you are at it to quickly and easily send thanks for your gifts!

You can have your order shipped anywhere in Canada for a flat rate of $5 by entering Grad2013 in the comments section.

If you are looking for ideas for your Graduation Party, visit this post.

Graduation Party Ideas

Graduation is coming quickly! Here are a few Graduation Party ideas  to help you have a fabulous grad party. Whether you are graduating from High School or College, pick and choose some of these ideas and you will celebrate in style! If it is something we can help you with at Photo Express, I've highlighted it in red.

Graduation Invitations and Announcements

Photo Express has lots and lots of graduation announcement and invitations to choose from and starting at $.49, they are very affordable ways to annouce your graduate. You can order in store or online here . 

Graduation Gift Ideas

Collection of memorabilia for a graduation gift (framing and photos) (from graduation party pinterest)

Get an inexpensive umbrella from the dollar store and dangle bills from the inside so that when opened up – tada! "A little something for a rainy day…" (from happyhomefairy.com)

College Survival Kit - great graduation gift! from artsymaqnolias.blogspot.com

Personalize a gift with your graduate's photo. Lots of gift items to choose from at Photo Express. Order in store or online.

Graduation Party Decorations:

My sister in law took pictures from Kindergarten thru Senior and put them on 24"x24" sign board. We decorated the driveway to the house for my son's graduation party. It was not only a great decoration but very emotional. from graduationparty.com. Photo Express can print posters for you.

Order up a Photo Collage of your Grad and print it as a poster, large format print and have it framed, as a banner, or as a canvas. Use it for party decor and then it is a great keepsake after. Order online or in store at Photo Express.

 

Night time graduation party? Fill balloon with water, drop a light stick in it, put it all in a white stocking and hang from tree branches, ceilings. from yankodesign.com

Congratulate your graduate with a "Good Luck" banner in his or her school colors. from marthastewart.com

Photo Wall: choose photos that showed all of the kids that were invited to the party. (Hint: Black and White looks much better). from blog.kandrac-kole.com

Plastic tablecloths draped to make and awesome (and cheap) party ceiling! Use school colors for a graduation party. from designdazzle.blogspot.com

photo display for a graduation party - double sided so they can spin a little. from 3.bp.blogspot.com

Photo Collages and albums or scrapbooks of your grad from www.graduationpartyplanner.com

 

Graduation games and activities:

Photo Booth Props are so popular right now (Buy a Silhouette Cameo at Photo Express and cut your own!) (from aprilfosterevents.com)

Memory Jar: Have all of your graduation party guests write a fun memory of you, put it in the jar, then read on your first night in the dorm. (from inchmark.squarespace.com)

How fun would it be to play twister outside! (from graduationparty.com)

Glow Stick Rings Fun Night Games for an late night graduation party. From rugged-life.com

Even big kids like bubbles! (from la-lashomedaycare.blogspot.com)

DIY bean bag toss for a graduation party activity! Just shapes cut in a tarp and wrap duct tape around the edges. (from familyfun.go.com)

 

 

Gai Ding Almond Chicken

Got this recipe from those Kraft Magazines that come to the door.  Yummy! The whole family loved it and it was pretty quick and easy to make also, ready in just under 30 minutes.  We have added it to our need a quick healthy dinner repitoire.  It is also great for lunch the next day.

1/4 cup Kraft Calorie-Wise Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, divided

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb. (450 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

1 Tbsp. lite soy sauce

2 cups chopped fresh broccoli

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 carrot, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Back to Nature Sea Salt Roasted Almonds, chopped

2-2/3 cups hot cooked long-grain brown rice

 HEAT 2 Tbsp. dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions; cook 1 min. Stir in chicken; cook 2 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.

ADD remaining dressing, soy sauce and vegetables to skillet; stir. Cook 4 to 5 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring frequently.

RETURN chicken to skillet; cook 2 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Stir in nuts. Serve with rice.

Kids Favourite Banana Bread (Adults too!)

I made Banana bread again last night (my family loves this recipe so much that I have to double it to make 4, and it only lasts 2 days tops!). I have this recipe from a Clean Eating Cookbook (love these!!!) so it is even a healthy version.  Thought I'd share it with you.

Kids’ Favorite Banana Bread

From The Eat-Clean Diet for Family & Kids

 This recipe makes 2 loafs and they will be gone instantly!  Very very yummy. (It also has tons of nutrition in it, but you don’t have to tell your family that lol!)

 Ingredients

4 ripe bananas

1 1/4 c whole wheat flour (or unbleached all purpose)

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp baking powder

½ tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch each cardamom and nutmeg

1 tsp best quality vanilla

2 large egg whites

¼ cup agave nectar (avail at Costco now!)

¼ cup safflower oil (I use whatever I have)

½ cup sweet carrot puree (I add 1 grated carrot)

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

 Preparation

1. preheat oven to 350. Prepare 2 loaf pans with a light coating of oil or parchment paper (I use parchment paper as then there is no clean up!)
2. In medium-sized bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Set aside
3. in another bowl mash bananas until soft.  Combine all wet ingredients with the bananas. Add to dry ingredients and stir until mixture is lumpy but barely blended.
4. pour batter into loaf pans (the loafs aren’t super high, but are very dense).
5. Bake for 50-55 min or until cracked and golden brown on top. Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool.

 

 

Raising Small Souls

 A friend of mine sent me this video and told me to grab my tissue box.  I suggest you do the same!  A great reminder how everyone one of us is created unique and have our own special talents.

     

 

Rootbeer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Kerry served this at her birthday and it was delicious!! This would be a great meal for your next potluck or picnic.

 

Rootbeer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 

4-5lb pork shoulder roast (I used 6 - approx. 1 1/2lb each pieces of pork tenderloin - about 10 lbs.)
3 cloves of minced garlic
Salt & pepper
1 large onion, chopped
12oz can Root Beer (I used 1/2 a 2-ltr bottle of A&W regular root beer, enough to cover the meat)
1 1/2 cups bbq sauce ( I used 3 bottles of Bull's Eye Original)

Place pork roast in a large Crock Pot.

Rub minced garlic over roast and season with salt and pepper.

Top with chopped onion.

Pour Root Beer over roast; Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. (can do this the day before, if pressed for time)

Remove meat from liquid.  Dispose of liquid and onions.

Use two forks to shred meat.  Return meat to crock pot.

Mix in enough bbq sauce so that meat is moistened, but not sloppy.  (I made it a day ahead and put it in the fridge, with the sauce on it)

Cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes - 1 hour, or until heated through.

Serve on sesame buns, with coleslaw on the side.  Freeze any leftovers to enjoy a quick meal at a later date.

NOTE:  I'm guessing, but I would say that the amount I used would serve 20+ people easily.

Your Vote Can Make a Difference

Just a Reminder that it's time to vote! If you missed the original post, please read below for an incredible opportunity to make a difference, simply by having an opinion and voting!!

 

One of our loyal customers Pat Sly, and her husband Gerry Sly, of Boyd Auto Body & Glass Coquitlam (Circuit Frame & Suspension) are involved in trying to end homelessness in the Tri cities area. They have entered the Aviva Community Fund Project and hope to win up to $500,000 to support their container village project. And they could really use your help! One thing that we have learned about you, our customers, is that you are a generous and caring crowd! I know you will take a moment to read this and respond as you feel led. Thank you :-)

Please view the video and read their submission to the Aviva Community Fund contest, then register and VOTE! If you like what they are doing, please forward this info to all of your email contacts and if you are on Facebook, add it to your facebook page. Multiplication of voting is the key to winning.

Here's the info that they sent me.....

1. Remember you need to register at Aviva: To register with the Aviva Community Fund, visit here, and click on the 'register' link at the top of the page. You will be asked to provide your name and a valid email address and to create a password so you can sign in. As of Monday, Oct. 18th we have 22 people registered. This is the beginning of our communication so I will watch for you to sign up. You can always click reply and let me know that you signed up.

2. Remember that voting for Phase 2 begins on October 25th. You can vote once a day for 10 days.

3. Please sign up at our Face Book Page. This is where you can get your updates.

4. Check out the “My Place” video (already 650+ views on You Tube in just 1 week!). Pass it on to all your friends. 

 

Thank you in advance for your support,

Gerry Sly

Boyd Auto body & Glass Coquitlam

Happy Father's Day

Big Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there who make their children's life complete!  Happy Father's day Dad!

If you haven't come in for the toonie project this week, make sure to take some photos of Dad today and then come in to create the layout.  Simple, easy, done!

Yummy Dip from the Crop

many of you at the crop were asking what that delicious dip was. It was from Lisa V and she used an Epicure spice (I love their spices!) It looks easy peasy and was soooo yummy! Thanks Lisa for sharing!

The recipe for that dip from the Photo Express Crop is as follows:

3 Tbsp. Victorian Epicure Seasoning for Nacho Cheese Dip
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Blend ingredients and spoon into heat proof dish.  Heat until bubbling and serve with Tortilla chips.

His Home for Children Orphanage

And one last post. One of my brother Ron's best friends (since kindergarten), Travis and his wife Jennifer have adopted 2 boys from Haiti and have been in the process of waiting for them to come home for 3 years.  The boys are still in Haiti and thank goodness they are safe, though the orphanage they live in has been damaged. Travis has some other good organizations that you can donate to, so this is one last email I am sharing with you. (and please take a moment to sign the petition in the previous post to allow the children who are adopted to be joined with their parents.  Actually, here is the link again, to make it easy for you.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/visasforadoptedhaitianchildren/.
Michele

Hi,

 I want to thank you all for the outpouring of prayer, support, and concern for us and our boys in Haiti.  It has been very encouraging to us in our prayer and hope. Below I have some updates as well as some answers to your questions.

 

Praise Items - Latest Information specific to the orphanage and our boys, Steevenson & Sterlin:

• There has been contact with Junior, the directors right-hand-man – we don’t have more information than that.  
• There are cracked walls in both orphanage houses, and the girls' house's (which also houses the babies and Hal & Chris and their family) back security wall came down. But thankfully both houses are still standing and everyone is fine.

 

Prayer Requests:

• Continued safety and security for the orphanage and those in Haiti
• Health issues that are common with such natural disasters: sewage, dirty water, injury complications, food, communication and transportation difficulties, etc…
• Availability of aid to the orphanage and surrounding areas:  food, water, etc… 
• Other/Newly displaced/orphaned children
• Wisdom for Haitian governmental officials as they accept help from outside sources
• Patience, hope and peace for adoptive families waiting to be united some day – the adoption process, we can assume at this point is at a stand still.  It might be weeks or months till we know how this will impact the adoption process.

 

Ways you can help:

• Prayer
• Financial assistance to the following and other NGO’s that are already located within Haiti:
• HIS Home For Children Orphanage (http://www.hishomeforchildren.com/ )
• Red Cross (http://www.redcross.ca )
• World Vision (http://www.worldvision.ca )
• Samaritan’s Purse (http://www.samaritanspurse.ca )
• Power to Change (http://powertochange.com/organization/ )xx

 

Other sources of information:

• HIS Home For Children website with some information (http://www.hishomeforchildren.com/ )
• Facebook feed.  Search “HIS Home For Children” (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=88561638823&ref=ts )
• An article about a teacher at the Morning Star Christian Academy, a place we have stayed on our last two trips, as well as it talks a little about the His Home For Children Orphanage director (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1989128,JCA-grad-Haiti-earthquake-JO011310.article )

 

God Bless you!

 

Travis & Jennifer Whims

 

PS:  Please feel free to forward to anyone you think might like to have the above information and join in prayer for the Haitian situation.

 

News from Haiti re the Orphanage Foyer de Sion and Holt Fontana

I received this email this morning from Natasha Hixon, founder of QuicKutz.  Many of you followed her story as she adopted 3 children from Haiti and the fundraising they did for these orphanages. I was so glad to hear that the children were okay, and thought I would pass along Natasha's email. They went through years trying to get their 3 children here, and there are many more families waiting to bring home the children they have adopted.

Michele

Dear Family and Friends,

As we continue to pray for our friends in Haiti I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your expressions of kindness and love to our family.  We have dear friends in Haiti that we are always concerned for - now more than ever.  

We have heard that ALL the children for both Foyer de Sion and Holt Fontana are alive.  Sadly, Foyer de Sion believes they have lost some of their caregivers because they are missing. Majorie has a broken leg and it is a miracle that all the children were protected. They are now staying at the church because the orphanage in Petionville was destroyed.  I believe the orphanage in Leogane was also destroyed and so the children are either at the church or the Fontamara orphanage.  Truly a miracle as the Fontamara house is in Carrafour - the heart of the earthquake.

If you can, please help by donating to Foyer de Sion. They have lost two of their orphanages and are located right in the center of all the chaos. Your donations to this organization will go directly to helping the children of Foyer de Sion. http://www.foyerdesion.org/

Holt International is also a way to get your donation dollars directly to the children in Haiti. Holt International has an amazing reputation and I personally have seen the good they are doing to help people in Haiti.
http://www.holtinternational.org/

Both Foyer and Holt do so much more than operate orphanages.  Holt has a family preservation program that is amazing and Foyer operates Sion Funds that help thousands of children attend school. I am simply amazed at the accomplishments of both of these organizations.

If nothing else, send $10 today to the American Red Cross by sending a text message to 90999 with the word "Haiti" in it.

I feel so selfishly blessed that Katiana, Marie and Roberto are home and did not have to experience this horrible event.  Katiana is concerned for her birth father and her siblings.  Unfortunately, until communication is re-established, we will have to wait for news about them along with Marie and Roberto's birth family.

Thank you again for your love and prayers.  Times like these sure have a way of bringing about perspective.

With love,
Natasha Hixon

p.s. please also take 30 seconds and sign this petition to allow the Haitian children in process of adoption, waiting on a passport and visa, to come home now. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/visasforadoptedhaitianchildren/

(Michele says PLEASE DO THIS TO HELP THE CHILDREN COME HOME!!!!!)

Haiti Earthquake

As you have probably seen and heard, on Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll -- already in the thousands -- is climbing fast.This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected. This is devastating for what is already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

 

 

It's in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that defines who we are. They are saying if every person could donate $10, it would make all the difference in the world.

To encourage you to donate, with a minimum $10 donation, PE will give you a fabulous cookbook with great recipes. This book was originally created to help fund an orphanage in Haiti.

We have chosen Red Cross to donate this money to as they are already there on the ground floor helping with basic necessities of life.  You can donate online directly to the Canadian Red Cross here, or bring your donation to the store and we will make sure they receive it. If you donate online, just let us know that you did (we trust you) and you can pick up your cookbook at the store. You can also call the Red Cross toll free at 1-800-418-1111, or drop it off at 9 Canadian banks that are participating.

And pray for all those in Haiti.

Henry

This picture is so cute, I had to share.  This is Henry, my newest "puppynephew". He is almost 10 weeks old and my sister Niki brought him in for his first visit to PE today. He is so soft, just like a stuffed animal.

Turkeys needed

I received this email from a friend, and thought I'd pass it along, in case some of you can help. And also remember to be thankful for the blessing of food on our tables at Christmas and all year round.

Unfortunately the call for turkeys for the Christmas Haven didn’t make it into the local papers and they need our help!  It’s a great way to give back for so little.  Purchase a turkey (it can be frozen) and drop it off at the Caring Place.  They hoped to have 30 turkeys by this Friday and they still need about 20.  If the turkey is fresh, you can take it in over the next few days…

If you aren’t able to help yourself, please feel free to pass it along to a few people. Word of mouth is amazing…  

Thanks everyone!