THANK YOU

Thank you to my followers and subscribers who haven't dropped me. It's been a very long time since I posted to this blog.

I started this blog as a way to play along with Her Space My Space His Space. Once that blog stopped, I didn't really have the impetus to post photos anywhere other than my personal blog.

Since then I've started uploading more and more photos to flickr. I've found other photo challenge blogs but haven't participated. I've continued on my photographic journey, taking photos for my own pleasure as well as to gift to others.

I've finally come to the decision to brave the world of business. I have started a new blog over here and hope you'll come check it out. I promise to post to it at least once a week whether I have a scheduled session or not. I will continue to post photos to flickr and to update my personal blog. I feel that this blog has outlived it's usefulness though, and so I say adieu.

There will be no new posts here.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Boom!

I was away yesterday, having a photo shoot and running errands, so didn't get to blog. I just can't stand to look at that gross decay photo any longer though, so let's all look at something much better.

Isn't he adorable? His name is Boomer and he's not only incredibly photogenic (photo SOOC), he's also very (VERY) well-mannered and loving. Ok, and a little bit sneaky. Guess who polished off all the prop croissants yesterday? Oh yeah. (I would have too Boomer, they smelled yum-o!) He was hanging out with his girls yesterday and ended up being the star of our photoshoot.

And so much nicer to look at than rotting potatoes! ;)

(Kidding! Anything's better to look at than rotting potatoes! He's a truly handsome boy though and we had so much fun with him. I'm enjoying seeing him as I do my edits.)

Sprout and shadow later today when the sun comes out. It's cold and rainy now but the weatherman promised sun this afternoon and I'm holding him to it!

New Toys

Santa Mom came through with a couple of new toys for my bag. I am now the proud owner of a Remote Controller AND a gorillapod. I'm hoping both will help me get even better night and nature photos, as well as getting MYSELF into the photo more often. One of my greatest regrets in life is that there are NO photos of myself with my babies. I think that's tragic and it must stop now--and now I have the tools to make it happen.

Thanks Santa Mom!

What great gadgets did you get from your special santa?

Gifted

Yesterday's HSMSHS prompt was gift, and I am feeling quite gifted right now. First off, Hubby has "too much" vacation time saved up, so he's been taking off every Friday for the last few weeks. Having him home an extra day a week is wonderful. Even if we don't do anything special, it's special just knowing he's there.

It also frees me up considerably. I've been able to take the car and run errands, do our Christmas shopping, and, yesterday, help out at the school. Yesterday I took a bunch of gingerbread men into Sweetpea's Kindergarten class. I got to read them the story of "The Gingerbread Girl" and decorate the gingerbread PEOPLE with them. So much fun. Later, helping the teacher with some prep work, we got to talking. I started thinking how fun it would be to photograph her daughters and made a tenative inquiry about their schedule. Right away she invited me that evening to photograph her mother's home, which is all decked out for the "Christmas Tour of Homes". Not only did I get to see some incredible decorations, but I got to practice my low light photography skills and visit with a bunch of really fun women. I'm still editing like mad, but here are a few of my favourite shots from last night:



I am insanely in love with these snowmen, and their kin, found throughout the house. INSANELY! Here are a couple of their friends:




Insanely in love I tell you! I wish those cuties would come and live at my house!

Another thing I'm in love with is the children's room upstairs. Just look at this yummy tree, all decked out in beautiful CANDY! How awesome is that? Along with the candy, there's the train running around the tree, a plate and mug with treats for Santa, advent calanders, a lovely nativity scene, letters to Santa (Kindergarten teachers have access to such things), and some of the most beautiful children's Christmas books I've ever seen.

There has been no detail overlooked in the entire house. EVERY room has been decorated beautifully. I'll admit I thought that only a couple of rooms would be open to the public, but everything has been made gorgeous and seasonal. I had to keep reminding myself that it took a team of people a few weeks to get it to this point.

I am so thankful that I got to see it, that I was invited in before the official tour to get some beautiful photos.

AND...I've been invited along on the actual tour tonight. More homes, more decorations, and another chance at the photos I missed the first time. Better than that, more laughter, more friendship, more Christmas spirit and holiday fun.

My life is full of gifts.