We partied hard last weekend. And by “partied hard,” I mean that we stayed home and Brandon studied and I don’t even remember what I did. This is why I should blog more – so that I remember stuff. Actually, did you know that your brain is conditioned to forget things that you take iphone pics of? Yup, it’s true! That’s why your...
My fingers feel like ice cubes. And you might be thinking that I should turn the heat up in my house, but at the time of this writing, I’m actually at Starbucks. Maybe it’s a conspiracy propagated by business giants to subliminally convince people to BUY MORE COFFEE, but it might be simpler than that. Central Pennsylvania is going through a bit of...
I am surrounded by a crowd of ridiculously creative people. One friend spends hours making the most amazing felt children’s toys. One friend sends me text messages of her latest Christmas table decoration for our church Christmas party. One friend turned her passion for a Scripture verse in photographic art wall pieces. Then there’s my sister who crafts flower clips for my hair (I'm...
This is going to turn into a bit of a narrative. I have already determined that I’m just gonna go with that. I have confessed my love for topical blog posts, but we’re goin against the flow. I’m currently on my lunch break, munching on the most delicious Italian Meatball Spaghetti Squash casserole. It’s a loose version of this Skinnytaste recipe + my...
So ya know how sometimes you just feel “off?” A little cranky, a little upset, a little down, but you’re not even exactly sure why. You are upset. You feel like complaining. You are having a bad day, except the bad day just started a few minutes ago. Today, I’m talking about how to UN-crankify yourself. Because there’s no reason to be...
A few weekends ago --- or it may be more like a month ago (my, how quickly time passes!), Brandon and I headed up to the cabin for a tiny little getaway. The cabin is also known as Hammersley Heaven. It’s a place that I was introduced to many years ago thanks to my sister marrying a mountain man. It’s a place that...
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” 1 Peter 4:12 The wind blows. Why are we surprised when it comes? The wind blows hardest and fastest and roughest on the mountaintops. It rushes in your ears and smashes your hair into the eyes...
Maybe it's the time-change or maybe it's going to sleep earlier each night. Maybe it's the end of wedding season, and finally getting caught up on household chores. Maybe it's resolving to enjoy every single thing I do, and to be kind when people are not, and to not sweat the small stuff. Maybe it's the increasing awareness of God's presence in my...
It's been a blazing autumn weekend. The kind of weekend where I have stopped countless times in awe of the fall colors around me. The kind of weekend that is making me (the passionate summer supporter) into the I-dream-of-fall person. This autumn is breathtaking. Even with the rain and the wind and the drastic temperature changes. I'm officially a fan. Friday. The day...
In chatting with a friend recently about mutual difficult times, she said something that ministered to my heart. It was simple and not-too-interesting to anyone else but me. "In that time, there is grace." Grace. The thing that people like to say but nobody exactly know what it means. Grace. It's real, powerful, overwhelming, abundant. It's God giving all that I need in...
It's the end of wedding season 2013 and I couldn't be more thrilled. I likened this weekend to a sugar crash. You eat the sugar, feel great for awhile and then feel more tired than ever! Weddings are awesome. Photographing weddings is hard. Super-hard. At the end of a wedding, my feet hurt and my whole body wants to melt into a puddle...
It was an abnormal Saturday already. Because my husband has been ill for the past week and a half with a case of shingles, I was photographing a wedding without him. My younger brother came along to play assistant. We were having fun, working hard and laughing hard as we shared the jokes that siblings share--the raised eyebrows and silly comments mixed with...
Minding my own business makes life easier. Life gets complex when I'm worrying about you. You see, I have this problem. I'm a fixer. I'm a problem-solver and an "it-can't-be-that-hard" kinda person. I want to have the conversation, offer the solution and see resolution. I want to help you make a lifestyle change. I want the "shock & awe" if that is required....
Remember me talking about not stressing out? That being good enough is good? This is me sharing with you about a baby shower that I hosted for a friend. I LIKED hosting this baby shower alot. It was hard work (as is all hospitality), and time and effort, and alot of planning towards the end of a very busy month for me. But...
