Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke - Capturing the Joy in Life

Fruit Smoothie Ice Cream Pie with Waffle Cone Crust

May 23, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 7 Comments

Summer is pretty much here in the Duke household. My kids have one more week left of school, then it’s time to par-tay! I love summer, and I love baking and playing with my kids. Not to mention–sleeping in! I’m very excited to share a new treat around here, with a fun WAFFLE CONE twist! Who doesn’t love a waffle cone? This Fruit Smoothie Ice Cream Pie with Waffle Cone Crust is the essence of summertime treats, and fun to make with the kids, too!

Perfect summer treat! fruit smoothie ice cream pie with waffle cone crust #icecream #smoothie #fruit www.KristenDuke.com

Though the process has a few steps that involve freezer shifts, it’s very easy to do on a movie marathon day or in between crafting activities with kids while home. Main ingredients are: vanilla ice cream, strawberries, blueberries, and waffle cones=easy!… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Recipes | Tagged with fruit, ice cream, pie, smoothie, waffle | 7 Comments

Almond White Chocolate Caramel Corn

May 22, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 8 Comments

caramel corn with white chocolate and almonds

If you love almonds and white chocolate as much as I do, you will love this Almond White Chocolate Caramel corn! Do you remember a month or so ago I shared the most delicious Gooey Vanilla Caramel Corn Recipe? Well, today I’m adding a little TWIST! Using the original recipe, I just substituted the vanilla extract for almond extract, then added some white chocolate to the gooey mixture that melted….and then threw in some white… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Recipes | Tagged with almonds, caramel corn, dessert, popcorn, white chocolate | 8 Comments

Find the Open Shade~Photo Tip

May 21, 2013 by Shari Hanson · 5 Comments

Welcome my awesome friend and fabulous photographer–Shari Hanson sharing a great photo tip today–Finding the Open Shade. Hello friends and followers of Kristen Duke! I have known Kristen since high school and feel so blessed to know her! When I was starting out in photography she was (and still is) an endless source of information and help to me! I am so pleased that she invited me to be with you today and excited to… Continue Reading

Filed under: photography tips | Tagged with camera, photo tip, photography | 5 Comments

Summer Favorite Things

May 19, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 1,608 Comments

It’s slowly beginning to look a lot like summer and I don’t know about you but I’m pretty excited! Time for flip flops, summer vacations, swimming pools, and daily adventures with the kids… bring it on! How about some fun ideas to add a little sunshine to your summer? I’ve teamed up with 20 Creative Bloggers to share some of our favorite things for summer under $50, and you have a chance to win one… Continue Reading

Filed under: giveaway, Kristen's ramblings | Tagged with accessories, command strips, favorite, gorilla glue, sonic, spatula, summer, sunglasses, things, world market | 1,608 Comments

Fudgy Vanilla Brownie

May 17, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 27 Comments

At first glance, this fudgy vanilla brownie doesn’t look so appetizing in the large pan it’s baked in. It’s actually called a white texas sheet cake, but I decided “cake” just doesn’t do this treat justice. Maybe it’s because I’m more of a brownie girl, but it tastes more like a brownie to me–a fudgy brownie. There are 3 reasons I would normally pass on this dessert at first site: I’m not a big fan… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Recipes | Tagged with brownie, cake, dessert, fudge, texas sheet cake, vanilla | 27 Comments

Embracing NEON~What I Wore

May 14, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 18 Comments

For those new to my site, every once in a while, I like to share my outfits, as I like to look at the pleated poppy’s site on Wednesdays to see what outfits others are sharing. I’m trying to “shop by closet” more and I get ideas there! To see my past fashion posts, head here. A few months ago I was not a fan of the NEON trend. I told myself I wasn’t going… Continue Reading

Filed under: clothing, Fashion, style, What I wore Wednesday | Tagged with fashion, neon, style, what I wore | 18 Comments

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

May 11, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 20 Comments

I can’t believe I haven’t yet shared our families favorite Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with all of you! They were introduced to me the night my husband proposed, and I’ve made them ever since. I generally have all the ingredients on hand (I do try to keep cream cheese in the fridge), so it’s easy. If you keep cream cheese and chocolate chips on hand (I generally do), you will likely have all of… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Recipes | Tagged with cheese, chip, chocolate, cream, cupcake | 20 Comments

Master Bedroom Makeover

May 11, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 59 Comments

My Master Bedroom Makeover has been dragging along, and I’m so happy that the day has arrived to share and I can consider it DONE! My husband built our homemade bed almost 2 years ago, drapes hung a year ago, walls/ceiling painted 8 months ago, it was simply the finishing touches that I just couldn’t seem to hammer down. I dedicated the month of April to finish, and I did!If you didn’t realize, my goal… Continue Reading

Filed under: home decor, Home Projects {diy} | Tagged with bedroom, diy, furniture, home decor, makeover, master, painted | 59 Comments

Citrus Photography Art Prints

May 10, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 12 Comments

I’m so excited to share both my Citrus Photography Art Prints along with a fun monthly collaboration starting today with 10 creative blogs. Each month on the 10th, the same 10 blogs will share a project around the same theme, and you can hop to their blogs to see and save their projects after viewing mine. Pin this collage below, and make sure you come back on the 10th each month! In May, the theme… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Printables | Tagged with art, citrus, lemon, lime, orange, photography, print, printable | 12 Comments

How to make Fingerprint Art

May 9, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 17 Comments

I’d seen a few examples online of fingerprint art, but I wanted to go on a grander scale for my project with the pallet in our Master Bedroom Makeover. I had a bunch of leftover planked boards (that resemble pallet pieces) from my Girls Fancy Bedroom Makeover project in my garage, so I slapped the pieces together, then cut them in half to make a piece for each side of the headboard. I love how… Continue Reading

Filed under: home decor, Home Projects {diy} | Tagged with art, fingerprint, home decor, pallet, silhouette, vinyl | 17 Comments

3 ways to use Wilton Mint Drops

May 9, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 4 Comments

Have you heard of mint non pareils or Wilton mint drops? They have turned into one of my favorite little snacking treats! You may have seen them in a candy dish at weddings. In fact, I’ve had a hard time finding them, but have found success in the wedding aisle at Michael’s craft store. I first became enamored with this sweet delicacy a year ago at a conference. There was a candy dish filled with… Continue Reading

Filed under: dessert, Recipes | Tagged with bars, brownie, cake, chocolate, cookies, popcorn, white | 4 Comments

10 Tips for better photos of your kids

May 9, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 8 Comments

I’ve got another photography contributor today, Jessica on the East Coast. I met her a few years ago at a mentoring session, and I photographed her kids in Philadelphia, and we’ve become friends ever since. She has done amazing things with her photography, and I thought it’d be great for my readers to hear from someone who has just begun on her photography journey. Here she is! Hi. My name is Jessica and I am… Continue Reading

Filed under: photography tips | Tagged with better photos, photo tips, photography | 8 Comments

How to fix a Picture taken in Auto

May 7, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 10 Comments

For those that know me and my blog know that I’m all about Saying NO to Auto. Goodness sake, I wrote a book about it! Today I’m sharing how to fix a picture taken in auto. Firstly, I’m a photographer with a desire to teach moms to use their fancy cameras the RIGHT way. BUT, I also think it is necessary to emphasize that it is more important to capture the moment, than to be… Continue Reading

Filed under: photography tips, photoshop | Tagged with camera, manual, photo tips, photography, say no to auto | 10 Comments

Fresh Squeezed Limeade

May 6, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 11 Comments

About 7 years ago, our friends Gabe & Becca introduced us to the idea of Fresh Squeezed Limeade. I was never a big fan of lemonade, it was too tart for me. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to squeeze a lime instead of a lemon. I fell in love, instantly. Gabe’s mom is from Mexico, and she grew up drinking it daily. Limes, sugar, water– that’s all it is! I’ve shared… Continue Reading

Filed under: misc. recipes, Recipes | Tagged with drink, lemonde, lime, limeade, recipe, squeezed, sugar | 11 Comments

How to Photograph Your Child’s Birthday Party

May 6, 2013 by Kristen Duke · 3 Comments

I’m so excited to announce that I’ve asked a handful of fabulous photographers to help me share photo tips on my blog! I have been slacking in that area, and it’s not that I don’t want to, but my efforts are into eating and decorating these days, and my mind is occupied with those thoughts. Please welcome my friend Jennifer! I am Jennifer…full time mom, wife, photographer, professional errand runner, and wanna be dance superstar!… Continue Reading

Filed under: photography tips | Tagged with birthday, camera, party, photo tips, photography | 3 Comments