your face has faded but lingers on.

"I read once that the ancient Egyptians have fifty words for sand and the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep and there are no words for that."

how does it feel to be you this time? will they wear you down?

This song reminds me of an afternoon forever ago. A glowing memory in my mind.



"I may get lost in your eyes forever... and I wouldn't care."

I remember you sweet-talking to me beneath the strung up lights.

This mutt has been jumping the fence. The six-foot fence. She learned how over the summer at doggie camp. It is a good story I should share but the highlight is her hopping the fence and stopping to pick up her bag of food before heading down the road towards home. {I just see her as the kid with a bag on a stick running away} Now she just does it for sport or to show us she can. Thankfully all she does is run around to the front to sit on the porch. Love this dog.

I have super slacked on learning how to use Photoshop.  Now I have no excuses after my Barnes & Noble day.  I should be dedicating Christmas break to reading through these during the day.  I can't be legit until I really know how to use Photoshop.

And, I also got this journal to start keeping photography ideas in.  It has tab dividers and pockets throughout to keep me better organized.

last one...


what I love today:

• the snow on Christmas day
• my hair is now chocolate brown/red
• acoustic guitars
• Christmas break

"I didn't say my girl, I said my woman."

is that Christmas morning creaks?

~just a small preview~

 What I love today:

• the bell ringers in front of all the stores
• Christmas lights
• bundling up for a cold run

"I think my heart may have suffered actual physical damage.  It doesn't beat the same anymore."

well versed in tears {and laughter}.

For the last couple of years I have had a non-traditional Christmas dinner.  This year will be no different.  We just had a big Thanksgiving dinner so why do it all over again only a month later?  But, instead of burritos, I am making Roast Chili for Christmas.  It might not look like much but it is pure deliciousness.  Thank you, Konga.  Plain, on shredded lettuce or dressed up in a tortilla.

I will also be making all the favorite Christmas treats.  Requests are already in for Chex Mix, Magic Bars, Fat Man's Folly, Gooey Butter Cake, Pumpkin Bread, No Bake Cookies and Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins.  Maybe some peppermint bark too.  I love baking during the holidays for everyone.

What I love today:
*the way the old hardwood feels on my bare feet
*my new, almost black hair
*Christmas shopping at Bass Pro
*the smell of evergreen in the house

"I have known you long.  Do you know me?"

{another.}

"I'll never know the man who loved me."

let's dialog.

Yesterday I spent half the day at Barnes and Noble. I had my annual Starbucks hot chocolate {thanks Michael} and looked at books for hours and hours. I can't imagine a world without books, especially hardbacks.

The line for Nooks was insane. I am not a fan. I put a couple of books on my iPad and didn't see the appeal except maybe it would be good for trips.  I can't see replacing actual books with online copies. I would miss the feel, weight and smell of the real thing.

Books + Christmas Music + Books + Hot Chocolate + Books = Utopia

So, the other day I shared my favorite classic Christmas song. Well, this is my favorite non-traditional Christmas song. This song drips magic to me.



"How was I so lucky to have found you?"

can you say what you want, can you say what you want...

The other day I posted this quote:  "When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things, not the great occasions, that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness."

I believe it to be very true and love it.  Some on my favorite memories, the ones that really stick out, are ones that maybe no one else on this earth remembers.  Little things like a late night drive, holding hands for the first time, shared moments of comfortable silence...

I overheard this today regarding a broken heart -
"It never completely heals but the cracks left behind allow that much more love in with the next."  
I liked it.

birds pass by to tell me I'm not alone.

Tonight the house is filled with Christmas music, hot chocolate, candle light, and warmth. If shopping bags and freshly baked cookies were involved then I would feel like part of a Macy's commercial. If only it would snow.

As twenty-ten is coming to an end I have been reflecting on the year and deciding what is important for twenty-eleven. Tonight I am trying to decide what mission work I would like to be a part of this coming year. Ministry, medical, construction, education? Africa, Mexico, Romania, Haiti? I am sure which ever I choose will be a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

This is my absolute favorite Christmas song. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes the first time I hear it every season. Enjoy!


"I am not sure how or if I can fully recover from this but I know the genuine smile he has brought to my face is the first step."

in a better time you could be my friend.

This is my new favorite post-run snack.  I don't know where fresh pears have been all my life.  Tasty! 

"When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things not the great occasions that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness."

and there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last...

"I don't like old tomatoes."

it's beginning to look a lot like...

Favorite line: "You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant."

"Beneath the air of autumn, she took him by his hand.
And warm within the ardor, she took his heart instead."

I know five others agree with me.

Hiphop Nation is going to be the end of my good driving record. Officer Bad-ass already let me off a $400 ticket and I doubt I will be that lucky again. ;)

"Disappointment to a noble soul is what cold water is to burning metal; it strengthens, tempers, intensifies, but never destroys it."

{bedlam}

bedlam: a place, scene or state of uproar and confusion

pictured: OSU gooey butter cake for tonight's Bedlam party

"hmmm...must be a sign"

giving thanks today

1. the support and love of my wonderful family
2. my incredible friends
3. OSU's winning football season
4. Callie and Ophelia
5. spending time with my brother
6. nights out with friends {even when it includes Monday Night Football} :)
7. laughter
8. a job I love
9. that smile
10. forgiveness
11. a warm house
12. love for photography and cooking
13. Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown, The Grinch and Harry Potter on this cold day

{today I will breathe}.

And this is why I love Sirius.




"I'll do anything for you. I did everything for you."

just a moment ago

"Good things come to those who wait, right?"
"So they say. ;)"

push the dirt off your jersey

"I love this flirty side..."

sweet november

Watching Karate Kid and editing photos from this weekend.

 Two funny quotes that have had me laughing...

"You came out of your mom looking like shit.  She thought you were beautiful.  Don't know what scared me most, your looks or her judgment."
 

"Now these are my eyes and if you don't like them you can pluck them out and give me two more.  How 'bout that?"

loving a setting sun...

"yeah, I just smiled."

you are always good to me, October.

I am grateful for many things today:

1.  My AMAZING family and friends.
2.  The butterflies.
3.  3 shoots this weekend and many more referrals.
4.  All the new opportunities in front of me.
5.  The start of the holiday season, cooler weather and the changing colors of the world.
6.  Skinny-leg pants and knee-high boots.
7.  Lowe's and a $10/hour painter. (floor to ceiling wood paneling = fail)


"Glad I could make you smile..."

you soothe my soul, Sufjan.

1. Four shoots in the next two weekends.
2. Class starts Monday.
3. The smell of sweet pea has my head swimming.

"If you know what I am saying then you are a dork and we need to be friends."

can't get enough

"Whatever could it be that has brought me to this loss"

if you said it had only been 5 minutes I would believe you.

"You are so beautiful, truly beautiful. But your inner beauty, who you are to the very core, it takes the air out of me."

where was I to get the training?

Lots of good information here... you always need a cape option.  ;)


"I'd swim across lake Michigan..."

i hear you call me, branches break in the wind.

This is Holley and Hayden.  I met this family for the first time last Sunday morning.  Their parents were slightly concerned that they might be a little shy and the shoot would be difficult but let me tell you, these kids were not shy!  The goal of this shoot was to just capture these children playing and being themselves.  We blew bubbles, broke out the sidewalk chalk, washed a muddy dog, picked flowers and herbs at the grandparents' house and ended the hot morning running through the sprinkler.  I just finished burning their cd with about 85 images and I think they will be happy. 

"I still know you.  And, I still like you."

2006 must have been an incredible year.

Well, it is official, I am a college student again.  I think I am going to realize my dream of being a professional student/professional learner. This gives me great joy.  I just wanted to share.  :)

Oh, and hello, my old friend.  I am happy to welcome you back into my life.  Please feel free to stay longer this time.  I have missed you so. 

I will leave you with Callie.  She has been a little bit neglected on here.

"I heard about the settling.  Almost nothing could break my heart more."

i can still hear the trains at night from here.

This dog loves the country and running through tall grasses but when we are home this is her favorite place to be (closely followed by laying by my feet).  This is now her chair and her blanket.  Good thing I love her.

"You were wrong.  There is good stuff here.  Good stuff."

little bit closer please.

So, I am getting ready for my photo shoot and watching Halloweentown. Too soon? No way, it is never too early in the season for Marnie's fine acting. I just hope I don't get teased for eternity for this. Here is a little preview. Enjoy.



These were also waiting for me. Too soon?

"So he climbed up high into a tree and made the choice to turn into a leaf."

i like the person i see through your eyes.

I am missing this baby.  This sweet, cuddly, kissable baby that made the best baby cooing.

Dylan 8 months old

"I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time."

why do I have to fly over every town up and down the line?

Breads.
I have been making breads.  Yummy, homemade breads in the oven.  This week it was pumpkin bread that tastes like Christmas.  Last week was zucchini bread and the week before was cinnamon sans the raisins.

p.s.  I am loving this rainy day/night.
p.s.s.  Photoshop is being installed on the new lappy as I type this.

"I imagine the man you choose to marry will be the luckiest man on this earth.  I hope it is me."

no you won't be the first to love me.

I photographed the Cheyenne and Arapaho Powwow in Colony, Oklahoma this weekend for a couple. Thankfully the main purpose for me being there was to photograph them getting ready because the opening ceremony started 3.5 hours late. Once things really got started it was 10:30 and I had no light to get any good shots of the dancing. Plus, we still had a hour and a half drive back home and couldn't hang around too much longer. Hopefully next month's powwow will go a little better and will maybe stick to their planned schedule. :)

"I still wish you'd fought me 'til your dying day."

something in the cool breeze reminds me of you.

"Have I told you you're beautiful yet today?"
"Yes, twice."
"You're beautiful."

your eyes no longer smile in photos.

1. Powwow #1 this weekend!
2. Photoshop and Lightroom still have not been installed. *sigh*
3. The bruising and swelling of my wrist looks much worse than it feels.
4. The last 2 mornings I have had trouble distinguishing my dreams from RL.
5. My dad's PSA has FINALLY dropped!!

"read books to each other.  read the mind of the other."

practice of patience

These lovely boxes arrived yesterday.  Unfortunately  I won't be able to use them until later in the week.  *sad face*  For now I will just admire them sitting on my desk and look forward to becoming great friends.

"It felt so secluded and intimate with the sun starting to set."

my chunkash

"I love when you laugh."
"Oh yeah? It still takes me by surprise."

upcoming photo shoots.

• family sessions
•  powwow and native american culture photography {anyone who knows me knows how excited I am about this}
•  newborn and infant shoots
•  band and concert photography
• family tree sessions
•  pumpkin patch & autumn festival shoots

"and I am a writer, writer of fictions.  i am the heart that you call home."

recents {black & whites}

i think our eyelashes froze. we didn't care.

"Then the snow started falling.  We were stuck out in your car.  You were rubbing both my hands."

adventures in snakes and ticks

 




























"i have this planet of regret sitting on my shoulders"