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Trying to appreciate the small. The everyday. The normal. The world is full of “Do This,” and “Try That.”

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder – Volume One: On Wisdom and Virtues

 

forget-me-nots shared from a neighbors garden.  Forget-me-not that I am blessed to have a house full of boys to dirty the dishes in the sink. Forget-me-not that I have a home and food on my table and love to share. Forget-me-not that I am enough,  they are enough and all the calls from the world to do more and be more can be ignored.

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Happiness has a different meaning to each of us. We each have a special happiness in our lives and aren’t we so lucky that this is true. Searching for my happiness in my photographs of everyday life around here.

To me, happiness is…..

seeing my kiddos smile

clean sheets

someone to love and to love you for all times

sleeping in late

the smell of a little one’s hair after a bath

the noise of little boys playing all day

 

the quiet after they all go to bed

the warmth of sunshine on your skin

a joke to make you forget why you are sad

a brand new box of crayons

the smell of chocolate chip cookies in the oven

the magic, joy, curiosity and wonder of childhood

dusk

 

baby giggles

 

Hope you find your kind of happiness today and always…..

 

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I have been living and sometimes living for me means letting a few things go.

Learning to let go of guilt.

Learning to let go of what others expect.

Learning that living is more important than thinking about how I should properly live.

A hiatus from blogging. A hiatus from words for other people. Trying to ease out of the hiatus.

 

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It is that time of year again. The time where mothers start stressing out about getting a presentable photo of their clan so they  can send out holiday greetings. I am so glad to have helped lots of moms accomplish it this year. I am still hoping to eek out one of my own family but am convinced that in order to get a photo of all three of my boys looking into the lens it will have to be someone else’s. I took my little ones out last week and still have yet to look through the edit. I have been working to take care of all of you first.

Here are a few christmas card designs I offer. If you are interested in Christmas cards from a session we shot this year you could go to the proofing galleries above and enter the password ….cards and you will see most of the designs for cards I offer. Keep in mind we can customize the designs to your taste with color and text tweeks. Final orders for cards must be sent to me by November 16th. Holiday cards are one of my favorite products. I am a sucker for beautiful stationary.

 

 

 

 

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Took a break from editing photos to make dinner at home. I love making food for my family but I have needed a break from it lately. Fall always help me feel in the mood to cook again.

This biscuit recipe called for me to bake. It is the perfect side for most dinners, a cross between a yeast roll and a biscuit. If you bake nothing else for your family in the kitchen this month, make these angel biscuits. If you’re the type who loves ham sandwiches like me,  roast a ham first and bake these the next day for sandwiches. yum.

 

 

 

 

Angel Biscuits

The recipe is from The Hamery in Tennessee a specialty retailer who cures and smokes the old-fashioned way. The recipe was featured in Relish magazine.

1 cup buttermilk

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup warm water (100-110F)

3 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup shortening

1.  Mix buttermilk and baking soda together.

2. Mix yeast, sugar, salt and water together. Let stand until foamy.

3. Combine flour and shortening, stirring with a fork until mixed well. Mix in buttermilk mixture. Mix in yeast. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

4. Pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness on a heavily floured board. Cut biscuits. I used a floured drinking glass, you can use anything circular which suits the size for your needs. Place on a baking sheet and let rise for 20 minutes. (THIS IS CRUCIAL! sorry for the caps it is just that… I was impatient with the first batch which went in to the oven so I could get dinner served. They hadn’t been given enough time to rise and they were very good. Until, I tasted the batch that came out of the oven second. Letting them rise fully  the second time is when they turn heavenly. I swear!)

5. Preheat oven to 400F.

6. Bake biscuits 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

7. Share with loved ones… if you can keep your hands away from them long enough.

8. Let me know if you liked them as much as I did.

 

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Jeff and Jen were friends for quite some time before they started dating. The only hitch in the equation of j+j was that Jen was leaving with her daughter for a 6 month trip abroad. Jeff always supported the decision but kept wondering how he could stay connected to Jen while she was away. He wished the timing were different because he didn’t want to grow apart from someone he cared for this much.

Jeff couldn’t wait 6 months to see Jen again. He flew across the ocean to see her and it was in that gesture that Jeff took a huge leap of faith in their future, together. Jen will be forever grateful that Jeff stood by her dream and never made her feel guilty for leaving on an adventure. Jeff is grateful Jen said yes to a future with him and that they started planning a wedding as soon as she returned from her marvelous trip.

Jeff has been a friend to my husband and me since college. His friendship goes beyond quick hitting chats over an occasional drink and looks more like slow afternoon playtime with the kids or hours of easy conversation and laughter once they are in bed. He has become family to us and that means our family grew when Jeff married Jen. A german philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said ”The best friend is likely to acquire the best wife, because a good marriage is based on the talent for friendship.” I think this is an accurate hypothesis and I look forward to forging a relationship with Jen every bit as strong as ours is with Jeff.

The day started with a Oregon State game on tv for the boys. A fitting start to a wedding day for Jeff who has season tickets and whose bride-to-be honored his love of orange in their wedding colors. The mood was laid back and comfortable even though the Beavers were losing. The day was so much bigger than a win for our favorite football team.

 

Jen and daughter Mikayla started the day as girls do… at the beauty salon.

 

 

The happy and good looking couple.

 

Bride and groom were troopers through the family portraits but it was hot. Over 100 degrees hot. Jen stepped into the air conditioning for a minute before we continued the shoot. It didn’t matter where she was, she was gorgeous.

Knowing it would be over 100 degrees right before the wedding we took lots more photos of Jen and Jeff just after sunrise on the day before their wedding.

Loved the desert…. to visit at least.

 

A few at the house they will make a home together.

Jen is so gorgeous in this shot. I couldn’t help but name this photo moviestarpool.

 

 

Their custom wedding rings.

…. if the beautiful turquoise iron gate wasn’t enough there was this fabulous hand carved door inside I couldn’t resist.

Twinkle lights on the patio and plenty of happiness to go around.

 

Rich dark wood tables accented with paper table runners and vibrant pink flowers set the tone that a special family gathering was about to happen at Arcadia Room at LGO in Phoenix. A warmth enveloped the room from all the beautiful details Jen created.

Had to include this drink menu even though I am pretty sure you can’t read it. Beaveritas, Double J Lows, Spanish Proposal Sangria and Velvet Rose Martinis…. spot on drink tributes to the couple. Jen thought of everything.

What could be better than double happiness. Just what we wish for them, always.

Love you.

 

 

 

 

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Miss Stella turned two at the beginning of this month. No matter the kiddo, mine or anothers, I can’t seem to grasp how quickly a year passes. I have been trying to soak in a few “moments” a day with my boys in an effort to slow time and freeze memories of each day in my head. That is what photographs do. They are as close to magic as I will ever get. Freezing sacred truths of our everyday into a treasure again and again. I am so thankful for magic.

 

 

toes and pearls a great pairing.

Stella and her adorable family. Can’t wait to meet her new little brother Cruz soon!

 

 

 

 

Every little girl needs a photo of her hitching a ride on Daddy. Wish I had one like this…. I always preferred to walk and dance on his toes though.

 

 

It was a birthday shoot after all so Stella was rewarded with a cake pop. She was the cleanest toddler I have ever seen around cake but she enjoyed it just as much.

Love the look of wonder in her eyes…. or is that just the beginning of a sugar high.

 

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Fall came weeks ago when school started and all the busyness which it brings with it but fall weather came abruptly this week. I am working feverishly to get through mountains of photos of beautiful people with beautiful lives and amazing families. I am so happy to be busy now and I look forward to getting caught up so that I can slow down to soak in the fall with my own family.

The sunshine of last week is hiding somewhere behind those clouds outside and I am pining for a few more days of indian summer before I pull out the sweaters and boots. A grey morning calls for curling up in a blanket while holding one of my boys and nursing a hot cup of coffee with cocoa in it. Since I have to get moving this morning instead of having a lazy day, I’ll post some photos of a new family of four taking a slow day to soak in all the goodness a family brings.

 

 

Three grils as my Tommy would say. A treasure for them so see their Mama young and adoring them so.

Look at those cheeks! LOVE.

Sweet little pink bundle send straight from heaven.

 

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Ryan saw her across the room at high school party in her kitchen. He was drawn to her beautiful eyes. Watching her then he knew he wanted her beside him. Bethany soon learned how wonderful she felt when he made her laugh. They dated on and off until she realized that there was no one else in the world that compared to him.

Ryan, Bethany and her mother worked together to plan a beautiful wedding. Along the way Bethany entered and won many wedding contests. She entered her mother, Fay Blackburn, in a brides.com Mom of Honor contest. Bethany submitted an essay detailing what makes Fay so special as a mom. “When I was born, I was left on a door step in India. I was put on an adoption list and passed up 12 times. My mom was finally the person who said ‘yes.’” said Bethany. Fay walked Bethany down the isle in a designer gown brides.com honored her with for being the 2010 Mom of Honor. Bethany and Ryan won an all-inclusive trip to Cancun, Mexico for her winning entry too. Fay walking Bethany down the isle felt auspicious. Fay was the first person in Bethany’s life to say “yes”…. Fay gave Bethany’s hand to Ryan so he could continue to say “yes” to her for the rest of it.

 

Ryan and Bethany… may your walk through life be blessed with happiness and beautiful memories. Thank you for welcoming me in to document your beautiful wedding.

All my best-

k

 

 

Bethany, her mama and the bridesmaids started the day getting their hair and makeup done at Parkwest Studio in downtown Vancouver, Washington.

Completely jealous of those eyes, Bethany. Everyone can see what Ryan was talking about when he said he was drawn to your eyes.

Cute. Cute. Cute….. love the personalized hangers.

 

 

Once everyone was ready,  this stunning bride…….

 

went to meet this very handsome groom.

 

Look at him crushing on her. These two flashed super-charged smiles all. day. long.

These next photos….. show the absolutely perfect weather.

 

 

 

Mr and Mrs Isaacson!!

 

 

signed. sealed. delivered. I’m yours.

 

 

 

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Some things that are so easy to love about Easter.

vibrant colors. chocolate. pretty dresses. boys in their Sunday best. chocolate. feasts. egg hunts. jelly beans. smiles. knowing I am forgiven.

 

Can you stand how pretty this arrangement is? Wow!  I want one for each room in my house next year. I think I will make it happen in some of the small rooms with mason jars. My husband’s talented Uncle John put this together.

 

 

Sugar and spice and everything nice from this trio of girls. They reminded me of Easter in their beautiful dresses and black patent shoes. sigh.

 

 

I am in love with these vintage school desks too. It transported me to grade school and playing school and office for hours with any girlfriend who would tolerate me. These girls make me want to shoot dress-up time and tea parties. How do you think I could coax them into inviting me? They were reading Fancy Nancy so I might have to check it out at the library and do some brainstorming.

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