Winter, winter go away

I am abnormally happy and optimistic today. Not that I am usually a grumpy pessimist, but I keep laughing out loud at nothing at all and it feels real good. Remind me of summer...oh how I miss summer. I love those moments when you just want to take a step back and freeze time. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from last summer when I did just that. These are my favorite because they encompass some of my favorite things...family, friends, and photography. Hopefully they make you feel a little warmer just like they did me.

This shoot was such a fun afternoon. I sat the timer on camera and ran back and forth in the sand probably 50 times and we laughed the entire time. I love my family to pieces!

I may not be related to everyone is this one but they sure do feel like family. This is the camping crew...at our finest!

Happy Thursday!

Starting the morning off right

I'm not a huge fan. I mean, add a splash of champagne and I'll rarely say no. But, ordinarily orange juice is not my morning beverage of choice. I'm more of a coffee and milk kind of gal. But this morning this was in the kitchen. Odwalla. Ingredients: Orange Juice. That's it! This stuff is pure and oh boy is it good. Just the right amount of pulp and sweetness. Mmm...I highly recommend trying it. Your morning will thank you.

It's a work of art...and it's all yours

You love it...every part of it. The sleek lines, the smooth paint, the shiny chrome and the aromatic leather. It's your pride and joy. It's where you spend your weekends...and weekdays. It takes time away from your work and eats a hole in your pocketbook. But still, you wouldn't trade it for anything. It's your car and if you look close you can see yourself not only in the paint, but in the wheels, grill, and steering wheel. You are everywhere in this vehicle and somewhere along the way it surpassed being 'just a car'...and it is now, a masterpiece.

I did this collage for my good friend David. I really love documenting the things people are passionate about. Taking their art and making art of my own. If you have any suggestions or something you adore that you'd like documented let me know...I'd be happy to.

Colby, Colby, Colby...

So I woke up this morning and Colby was looking at me with his sad eyes. He brings out the sad eyes when he wants something. Dinner, a treat, his belly scratched, a hug, me to stay home from work and play...lots of stuff. He knows that his sad eyes will get him almost anything. But today it was something new. He wanted me to post a few pics from his recent photo shoot on my blog. I was all, "Heck yes I will! " So, without further ado...Mr. Colby Bichsel.

Colby is a very contemplative dog...he spends a lot of time in deep thought.

Oh yes, the sad face again. Don't worry, shortly after our photo session we went for a walk.

BIG STRETCH!

My personal favorite.

Lemonade?

Is there a copyright on blogs? Does anyone know? I would like to blog about another blog. Is that legal in this cyber world? Seriously, I'm new here so I don't know the rules. What do you do when you don't know the rules? You do it now and ask questions later I guess.

I wanted to share this little clip...Lemonade the Movie. It's wonderful...watch it and feel the inspiration boil up inside you.

Love to you all this Monday morning!

She's gonna have a baby!!!

It was last Sunday that it hit me, like a ton of bricks, right upside the head. I've photographed her, thrown her a shower, painted her nursery, and felt Baby D kick, but it still didn't register until now. "My big sister is gonna have a baby!" I proclaimed to Mom on the phone. "Can you believe it?!" Mom laughed and agreed how quickly time flies. Not only the past 9 months but life in general. Baby D could arrive any day now...Devin's gonna have a baby! I keep saying the phrase over and over to myself. Devin has always been the brave one. I like to think she got a little bit of it from me since I was always the one that had to check and make sure Santa wasn't still in our living room on Christmas morning. (the risk of being seen and all your presents taken back to the north pole. Oh yeah, I was a brave little girl...ha!) But Devin, she's superwoman compared to me. I guess some of it comes with being the oldest but she's totally held her own. First to try out for the cheerleading squad, first to go off to college, first to get married, and now first to have a baby. I'm inspired and amazed by her every day of my life and although I kid about me instigating bravery in her, I know that she is the source of all my bravery. I feel so blessed to have had her to look up to all these years. Her beauty, grace, love, laugh, and spirit exemplify who she is and soon she'll be sharing all that will a lucky little babe. Any day now...she's gonna have a baby!

Here are just a few of my favorite shots of Devin and Baby D...

Deep down she a country girl and she's got her blue jeans on...

Don't you just adore her round belly? I look at it and I giggle.

This one was Devin's idea and it's wonderful.

Hello Miss Sass...are you sure you've never modeled?

Gotta love that smile.

Devin, you are gorgeous...end of statement.

...and because it wouldn't be complete without a little bit of pop culture. This is definitely one of my favorites.

Happy Friday!

Bad Blogger

Oh internet...I am a bad blogger. It's true, I am. But I am trying to be better. Promise. Until then, here is a thought from Seth Godin...

My definition of art contains three elements:

1. Art is made by a human being.
2. Art is created to have an impact, to change someone else.
3. Art is a gift. You can sell the souvenir, the canvas, the recording... but the idea itself is free, and the generosity is a critical part of making art.

By my definition, most art has nothing to do with oil paint or marble. Art is what we're doing when we do our best work.

I love this small passage from one of his recent blog posts. "Art is what we're doing when we do our best work." Think about it...