Butterfly Observatory

Getting to see a butterfly emerge from it's cocoon it one of the most amazing experiences! 

   

We could have easily spent all day at the butterfly observatory... just sitting there, watching in awe!

Black and White Memory

An artsy moment during an early morning tromp through the frozen woods!

(click on picture for better clarity)

The quaint splendor of tea time

 "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony of afternoon tea."

In the past few years I have learned to truly love and enjoy the quaint splendor of tea time. Whether it is a cup of Earl Grey while I read or grabbing chai with a friend, going out to a formal British tea room or making new friends over traditional African tea

  ... tea is always a good idea. 

Meg and Bailey's Senior Pictures - Theme: Adventure

 

 "Life is either a grand adventure or it is nothing." 

-Helen Keller

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain 

For Meg and Bailey's senior pictures I really wanted to capture their friendship; their shared sense of adventure, love of music and constant state of laughter! I think we did just that. We had such a fun afternoon of making   and catching memories! 

A Secret Face, A Secret Place

A beautiful flower by the gates sits for hours
And for days, she has a dream of being plucked to travel, far away

But little does she know, it's almost time for her to go
Her dream will soon come true, she's about to belong to you

Flower, flower, don't you worry
Flower, flower, there's no hurry
Flower, flower don't you cry
Your day will come before you die

The sun was shining bright that day
Leaves were falling where she lay
She saw him coming and her heart stopped
She began to pray

He took his time and did it right,
One last flower caught his sight
He placed her in the center 
oh the bouquet was so bright

She didn't think she had a chance
Good thing he took one last glance
And the flower got her wish
It was all for just one kiss

Flower, Flower By The Vespers 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvcRWJih-HY

Bailey's Senior Pictures

It was 100 degrees outside and we knew the wild flowers would wither away soon, so we braved the heat and got some lovely, spontaneous senior pictures out of the trip!       
 The whole thing was very... well... Bailey! 

We took all the pictures in a record 7 minutes because it was so hot, so there will probably be more senior photos to come when the weather gets cooler, but we just couldn't give up the wild flower opportunity! 

Spinning Through Memories

"The Carousel"

Brightly painted horses prance

On poles made out of brass

The jumpers and the standers

With their eyes made out of glass

A blur of colored horses
As the carousel gains speed
As little girls and boys sit tall
Upon their wooden steed

 Author: Johnny Wheeler

There is something so bittersweet about carousel rides. The joys of living in that moment, all the smells and lights and smiles, mix with flashbacks. You seems to spin back through your childhood as you bob up and down... up and down, up and down, on the horse that you eyed and picked out as yours while you were still in line. You can remember the time your grandma treated you to a ride on the carousel in the middle of the mall when you were 6 and when the same grandma pulled you into the carousel line at Disney World over a decade later. Or the time when you and your friends were the only teenagers in line for the carousel ride, because you were all getting ready to graduate high school and you were feeling especially sentimental. And you try to live solely in the moment and soak in the now, but it just seems notably more difficult while spinning, carefree yet contemplative, on a carousel. 

Balloons can brighten any day... both physically and metaphorically!

"No one can be uncheered with a balloon!"  ~Winnie the Pooh

Summer, we're almost there!

If your life feels the same day in and out, take 10 minutes each day this summer to appreciate something small. You'll find that everyday holds something beautiful! Don't miss out on the grandeur of simplicity.

If you are really at a loss of where to begin, try looking at...
an ant climbing a blade of grass 
someone playing an instrument
a little kid at the playground
a dandelion being blown

a map of the world

rays of sunshine

running water

a bumble bee

the clouds 
bubbles
sunsets

birds

rain 
I am in awe of God every time I lay still and just watch life unfold around me; when I am quiet enough to hear His heartbeat in creation.

1 Kings 19:11-12

"The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."         

Tenth Avenue North Concert

"You can either look at this stage and be distracted or you can be redirected to the beauty that all of these songs are written about!"      ~Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North 

Most bands come seeking some sort of self-glorification, but Mike Donehey the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North made it very clear that the glory was not intended for them. The whole band's attitude of humility was just as evident as their passion. Their energy filled the room as soon as they began to play and Mike Donehey was so transparent with the crowd as he shared his heart between songs. 
Corporate worship  with such an incredible band and group of people was an amazing blessing. 

Bringing Spring Inside

We had a bit of a cold spell after we all thought spring had sprung, so I felt it necessary to bring a little spring inside to combat the cold weather! 

My friend's mom invited me over to pick flowers a few mornings ago and showed me how to create this simple and beautiful spring display. It made for a beautiful Easter dinner centerpiece and I couldn't stop taking pictures of it!

Spring Has Sprung!

The air smells of new beginnings 

as the birds dance once again.

Cool grass beckons,

and barefoot memories send you out to pick flowers. 

Springtime is finally here!

Abandoned Barn Adventure

"Don't tell me your youth is running out. It's only just begun!" ~ Youth by Foxes 

An afternoon spent on a photo adventure is an afternoon well spent!

A few months ago my friend and I spent an afternoon exploring this abandoned barn and fell in love with it. I can only imagine what it must have been like in it's hay day... So, when a couple of friends came back with me for spring break this week, this was the first place I took them for an afternoon adventure! Who wants to go to the mall or watch movies when there are abandoned barns to be explored?!  

                   

I Keep Three Wishes Ready

After reading the poem "I Keep Three Wishes Ready" by Annett Wynne, my friends and I were inspired to spend a carefree afternoon of wishing ourselves! All it took was a little glitter!!!

I keep three wishes ready,

Lest I should chance to meet,

Any day a fairy

Coming down the street.

I'd hate to have stammer,

Or have to think them out,

For it's very hard to think things up

When a fairy is about.

And I'd hate to lose my wishes,

For fairies fly away,

And perhaps I'd never chance

On any other day.

So I keeep three wishes ready,

Lest I should chance to meet,

Any day a fairy

Coming down the street.

- Anette Wynne