Christmas + New Year's Day : Scenes

January 01, 2018

These past couple of weeks have been so amazing, so full of love and light, and celebratory!!! The girls winter break has flown by much too quickly for my liking. Can't we have at least 2 full weeks?! Who's with me?! We've relaxed, and recharged our batteries all while having a bundle of fun together! We've watched holiday movies, played games, ate delicious treats and had wonderful visits with friends and family. The hubby and I revisited an all-time favorite, The Lord of the Rings movie marathon which includes at least 3 late nights together, where we compete to see who can quote more accurately from the movie (I think he won - this time!). We found time to lounge and read and read some more. I love breaks like this, don't you?!

We made our traditional hike at Nolde Forest State Park today, New Year's Day -- all 20 minutes of it until our faces, fingers and toes froze in 16°F weather! Crazy bitter cold!! But we did it! Now 2018 can begin!

I've compiled some scenes from these past few weeks to share with you. I hope you've enjoyed your holidays as much as we have!!

Cheers to the New Year upon us!! 2018 here we come! Much love to all!!!

xo,

Bedroom Makeover for Alanna

December 29, 2017

We had a birthday this month!! Try as we may to keep it low-key, 'uncelebratory' since the birthday girl had her big summer party to celebrate 11 3/4, we ended up having a snowy slumber party with six of her best friends ! Although, gifts were discouraged from the party-goers, after all the party itself was gift enough and most all had already extended generous presents to our Alanna in the summer, Kurt and I did concede to her requests for a birthday gift room makeover. It was time. Her pretty pink walls just don't quite fit her twelve-year-old tastes any longer. I had painted the room for her when she was a toddler! This time around it would be up to Alanna to help make the choices as far as color, design and artwork and all the tiny necessary details. So... we set out on our quest to makeover Alanna's room. Mission accomplished!

The pink walls in the Before panoramic photo:

And ... drum roll please ... After:

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Alanna picked most everything out. One of the exceptions is the 2018 Strong is the New Pretty wall calendar by Kate T. Parker, a photographer whose vision and work I fiercely admire. I picked that up at Barnes & Noble during our recent book browsing afternoon adventure. Score!

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The space in Alanna's cozy room is at a premium. Her dresser and clothes are housed inside her closet. A little trick for those with small spaces to remember. I'd probably take the doors off completely and put up some sheer curtains in place of the doors if it hadn't been for the fresh coat of paint and new door handles that the hubby recently invested. We'll keep them... for now.

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The jewelry hanger, round (foldable) chair, and plush snowy owl were all gifts. So was the antique style desk from Alanna's great-grandmother, Anna. It was my grandmother's desk as a girl and had been restored, refinished by my grandfather in the early 90s. It is a treasure and fits so well in Alanna's room. She loves it, too, especially since it has a key to lock entry and keep little sisters out.

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Alanna loves her bedroom makeover - as you can probably tell. I can't even believe she's 12 already. Alanna has started a blog (It's still in its rough form and I'm sure will undergo many changes). If you'd like to check it out, click on this link: Glory's World . It would give her a terrific thrill if you would leave her a comment and help encourage her along in her writing.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek inside Alanna's bedroom and the makeover we've been working on for these past many weeks. It took us longer than anticipated to complete, but I think it was worth every effort involved.

Merry, Happiest of Holidays to You and Yours

December 22, 2017

I want to wish you a magical holiday season filled with all things merry and bright! I apologize that I haven't been blogging more these past couple of months since prepping for and then opening my portrait studio, but you all surprised me so incredibly much by keeping me on my tippy toes, my camera strapped to my neck and shutter-bugging like there's no mañana!!! Whew... what an AMAZING fall photography season it was for me! I simply cannot tell you all enough how much I appreciate your business, your kind support, your words of encouragement, your hugs and your smiles. I feel incredibly blessed to have you all in my life and to do the work I do - showing you how beautiful you truly are!

Our Christmas/Holiday greeting card:

Read from top left to right- Kurt, me, Alanna & Emilia at Universal Studios Orlando (March 2017); the girls swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, Boca Grande beach (March 2017); the girls dancing in Disney's Magic Kingdom (March 2017); my models in the new studio (Oct 2017); Kurt and the girls as they entered Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Orlando (March 2017); and Chelsea (27), Alanna (11 in the photos, now 12) & Emilia (8) on Mother's Day in our backyard (May 2017).

I was so busy photographing my local families this fall that I didn't get a family photo for our holiday cards! So, I fell back on our Mother's Day portraits together while Chelsea was with us visiting from Colorado. A few months old, but, hey, it still works. It's us. And I love us. :)

From my family to yours: May light and love surround you this season; may the New Year ahead bring you a wealth of opportunities and good health, enough creative juices to inspire your soul and more love to overflow your heart with like never before! With heaping amounts of gratitude, Thank YOU so wonderfully much! Here's to all of us!!! Cheers!!!

Merry Christmas and a beautiful New Year!