Fairy elves and flowers

These past few days have been a bit brighter, made so in part by the blooming of one of my violets inside and my amaryllis out!  Flowers always make me smile, so for the sake of smiling, some flowers and a poem for your Thursday.

Fairy Elves, Those Minute Things

Fairy elves, those minute things

That sleep and dream in flowers,

That come on summer's golden wings

To dance in moonlight bowers;

That on a mushroom table sups

By glow-worm's trembling light,

And drink their dews from acorn cups

Through summer's pleasant night.

- John Clare

Even when it's not.

I woke up in a bad mood this morning. No, not in a bad mood, in a down mood. One where that little voice in my head is saying you’re not good enough, you won’t make it, you don’t think like that, so-and-so is so much better at this than you will ever be, you’re just screwing things up. She sits in my head and says these things, prodding my thoughts along in a negative direction. You’re not going to do well, so why even try? And I try to push her out, but she snivels her way back in. And I know that it’s just going to be one of those days. One of those long, mentally and physically exhausting days.


But I also know that I have a lot to be thankful for; that God has and will continue to provide. He has blessed me richly with family and friends, a career, and talents that only I can make the best of. So it is with that knowledge that, even though I know today is going to be long and hard, because she will still be sitting on my shoulder all day, I can still look forward to tomorrow and know that it will be better. The sun will shine, there will be a hug from my husband, my dogs will wiggle when I get home from work, and Aja will nicker for a carrot when I walk into the barn. And life will be (is!) good. Even when it’s not.

And because no post is complete without a photo, here's a shot that always makes me smile. My neice, Emma, during our Christmas photoshoot, giving me one of her silly faces. :)

Just for Fun -- Megan

Megan has been living in Gainesville for a few years now and was just accepted into UF's Early Childhood Education program.  We met up in Haile Plantation for a just for fun shoot for, well, just for fun!  Megan brought a lot of outfit choices (let me tell you, this girl has clothes!) so we changed outfits a few times, found a few different places for photos, and generally had a lot of fun! Megan is such a beauty, inside and out -- I had a great time capturing her amazing smile!

Such a great smile!

Check out those shoes! And those tights!!!

Fierce!

Rawr. That's all I have to say....

Megan rocked the fedora!!

Who else could make a bench look this good?

A bit of inspiration

for Bunny's shoot this weekend...

 

Photo by Neil Hanson Photography

Photo by Miko Photography

yuminess...

I gave up caffeine a few months ago, because I was drinking a lot of it and was having some headaches, and well, it's just not that necessary.  So away went my normal soda, my normal tea, and my coffee. I don't drink coffee that much, but I do love the way it smells. And every now and again, there's just not anything I'd rather have than a good cup of coffee. I don't have to have a $5 coffee, although I will admit that I'm a pretty big fan of a mocha or white chocolate mocha. Coffee AND chocolate... ummm, whoever came up with that? Genius.  So while I'm prepping for my upcoming shoot this weekend, here are a few "pretty" coffees....

Photo by Graham Gelding

Photo by K Robison (Flickr)

And now I'm ready for a coffee....

Giggling girls

There were giggles. Lots and lots of giggles. There were cute dresses, cowboy hats, big sunglasses, and did I mention giggles? Katelynn and Bailey are two girls full of life, and full of beauty, inside and out. We did a Best Friends photoshoot at the Rembert Ranch yesterday and had a great time.  There were "guns", cowgirl poses, monkeys and some Charlie's Angels. And lots of smiles and giggling. So much so, that the "serious" shots were the hardest ones!  I had a great time hanging out with these girls, capturing their friendship and their spirit. Here are a few shots while I finish editing the rest of their photos.

Who?

I'm like my mom. I get emotional (yes, I occasionally cry at commercials, sometimes at tv shows and always at sad movies). I overreact sometimes. Oh, and I plan. My mom can plan like nobody's business. She had my high school graduation party planned when I was a junior. She plans get-togethers, parties, trips, everyday events. Lists? We make them. Grocery lists, to-do lists, lists of our lists...


But I'm also like my dad. I can stand up and talk to a room of people. I'm not afraid to get dirty (When I wasn't in a barn growing up, I was in his garage -- usually organizing!). We share a sense of humor -- we can quote every line of Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein ("What knockers!" "Why thank you!"). And it was my dad that taught me to use a camera. Mama gave me my sense of emotion. Dad taught me to see it through a lens.

And it's because of this unique combination of traits that I can give you my prospective of the world. One different from anyone else's. Colored by my experiences, by my life.

So here's to the two people without whom, I wouldn't be here. Thanks Mom and Dad. :)

Who do YOU want to be today?

A cowgirl?

A chic diva going window shopping with her little dog?

A beach bum?

Just for Fun sessions are meant to be just that -- fun. These short sessions are for you to be whom ever YOU want to be today. You can get dressed up in your favorite (new?) outfit, pretty up your hair and put on your hot mama shoes. We'll go to a spot that fits your style -- downtown, out in the country, wherever works(!) and shoot some photos. And these don't have to be one person photo shoots -- best friends make great photo shoots!

Need a reason? How about your birthday? or because you got a new job? accomplished something awesome? or just need a pick-me-up? I guarantee you'll come away from your session feeling beautiful!

So.... who do YOU want to be today? I want to hear your ideas!

Food for the soul

I love my friends. Really. I know, they probably wouldn't be my friends if I didn't love them, but still, I really do love them.  Take Saturday for instance. I was feeling a little down, but after a quick trip to Maude's for lunch and some shopping with Sara and Jared, life was good once again.  I hadn't been to Maude's before -- it's a great little cafe in downtown G'ville that has great food. There's nothing like some good conversation, good food and good productive shopping to make a girl feel better.

My fabulous salad.

My fabulous friend (photo courtesy of Jared)

Thankfullness...

Yes, thankFULLness. As in *completely* full of thanks.

Today was busy. I had a good day at work, came home and relaxed a bit with Jared before going to get a bite to eat.  Then, while he went to a rehersal, I picked up the girls and headed to the barn to catch up on some chores.  It's relaxing for me to do barn chores. Just to be at the farm, working around the horses, listening to them as they finish their evening hay, I feel peace.  I pulled Aja out of her stall and took her outside to graze for a few minutes and as I was sitting there, all I could think was how lucky I am, which prompted this list of things I love and am thankful for (in no particular order):

Of course, Aja. She's my girl and despite her red-headed diva-ness, she is one of my best friends (and yes, a horse can be a best friend. Ask any horseperson.)

Strawberry deliciousness. yummmm....

Little girls on little ponies. How cute is this? (By the way, Sunny, if I ever have a little girl, I want her to be like you.)

And of course, Jared. Who else would put up with my craziness???

There are lots of other things I'm thankful for (like Sara going shopping with me tomorrow for our trip to SPAIN!!), but I'll keep from boring you tonight.... ;)