Haven’t posted in the blessings category for a while now, despite the fact that I am surrounded by them every day. This image was shot a couple of weeks ago on a *cold* and blustery winter evening. It’s no secret that I despise winter, but even in the midst of this blah season, there are still sights to behold. Vision is such a blessing that we so often take for granted. I’m reminded of this every time I think about my grandma; aka Granny Goodbuns, aka Mrs. Boliver Shagnasty, aka GG Mary – as she is referred to by my kidlets. Her vision has been failing for quite some time and it just pains me to the core to think of her not being able to enjoy these magnificent visual pleasures of life. Lord, she needs Your touch….

More lovely music to come and a photo exchange with Bellarose Photography. Stay tuned.

This fall has started off as a bit of a whirlwind. I thought things would slow down for our busy crazy life when Aiden started school. Quite the contrary. Juliet remains on the warpath, terrorizing the house on a daily basis. I may finally have a couple of months of respite from trying to simultaneously be super mom and a work from home photographer. Looks like there might be some daycare in our future. Once there are some kidless hours in the day, I can get back on track with editing and getting some projects going that have been on hold for quite a while. Plus, this fall’s schedule is packed full of sessions…. those gorgeous fall colors get people thinking photos every time.

There have been so many crazy random things going on around here lately, here’s just a few:

• Finally lost 1/2 of my big toenail after smashing it earlier this summer. Then…

• Got stabbed in the *other* toe last night after walking past the open dishwasher, banging my knee into the utensils container, dislodging a large cooking knife (the size you see in horror movies when someone is about to be slaughtered) and walking straight into the tip of the blade as I stumbled past the dishwasher. It went directly under the toenail, pretty dang far. The unmitigated pain made me sick to my stomach. Can’t imagine ever being stabbed in an actual organ.

• We’re dealing with a bully at school…. already. This is *kindergarten* people!

• Barely sleeping, incredibly sleep deprived and not feeling myself lately.

• A certain 2-year-old has mastered all her wooden puzzles and is begging to be challenged further.

• A certain 6-year-old is finding himself smitten with little girlies left and right and tortured over how to tell the 5th grade girl down the street that he thinks she’s pretty. Endearing and scary at the same time!

• Had another credit card number stolen. Apparently boutique clothing and $600 handbags are the items of choice to buy with fraudulent credit cards. This happened again earlier this summer with a different credit card.

• Encountering all sorts of bugs and setbacks to my computer after updating to Snow Leopard OS. Quickbooks is just one of the programs tweaking out. But on the sunny side, at least now I have a legitimate excuse for putting off the bookkeeping for our two businesses. Unfortunately estimated taxes are due next Tuesday. Urgh.

• I was threatened to be arrested by a police officer while taking the above photo. Apparently it’s illegal to shoot on the VA Hospital grounds. Good to know.

• Feeling incredibly grateful for my awesome photographer friends and clients that have been a great support and network for me. I appreciate you guys more than you know.

Still working on editing a few sessions. Can’t wait to share those. FYI: Bookings are getting really full for the the remainder of the year, so if you’re considering a session, best schedule now, as there are only a handful of spaces available.

And I wanted to share a site that I recently discovered that I’m really digging… Davina’s Blog. She’s running a series of interviews called Women and Business. I’ve really enjoyed the interviews. Check it out for some insight and inspiration from some of the best women in the business.

Color and light are my constant source of inspiration. There’s something about the simplicity of monochromatic tones and beautiful light that soothe me. Here are just a couple images from a while back that recently “re-caught” my attention.

Here are some recent photos from last weekend when Jason and I got a day away, just the two of us. It was perfection. We hiked into a set of lakes in the Big Horn Mountains that I had never been to. The hike was pretty easy and beautiful. I was able to just SHOOT for hours on end. I’m normally not a big flower photographer, but the wildflowers this season are sensational. The deep, rich colors against the chartreuse greens was simply amazing. Oh, how I long for a macro lens to do some interesting close-ups. I was happy with the bokeh of the flower shots with just my 24-70 and 70-200. Here are my favorites from our getaway.

The Indian Paintbrush this year is incredible. The colors vary from bright orange, to salmon to shades of red. Gorgeous.

Pinch me, is this real?

Did this amazing day really happen?

Did we escape the doldrums that is our daily life of endless chores and work to frolic in the majestic mountains?

Did we breathe in the sweet aroma of fresh pine or hear the crackling beneath our feet from the tenuous mountain floor springing to life?

Did our eyes behold the unfathomable beauty of nature’s wild flowers that grow and thrive under the toil of no man?

Did the swift surging waters whisper sweet nothings in our ears?

Did, for just this one perfect day, time stand still long enough for our cluttered minds to clear; for us to deeply inhale the splendor of it all?

Indeed! To my creator, with a grateful heart, for this tranquil respite which replenishes my weary soul.

… be back with more images unearthed on this perfect day…