Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year

My last post was 9/30/12.  Shameful.  Sort of reminds me of what someone says when they walk into a confession booth. I'm not even Catholic.

Anyway, I remember when it was the year 2000.  It was so strange having to write 2000 after only ever writing 19** your whole life.  Yet here we are, already at 2013?  Time flies. 

I don't typically make resolutions and I'm not doing anything differently this time.  However, I will be striving for improvements with some things.  Some things that don't necessarily have to be listed out here, but otherwise, the usual.  Focus on health, my passions, be a good person......be present.  I often have a tendency to think too much, and sometimes get too wrapped up in "what if".  At least I recognize it.  Now to just refocus the energies.  I can do it.

Other than that, 2012 was pretty great to say the least.  The official ending of some chapters (thank you God!), and beginning of other pretty amazing chapters (again, thank you God!).  With a few hours left in the year, I thought it might be a fun idea to share a few photos of things that happened in the last 365 days:

Friends had babies.
Sammy
 
Mateo
 
I flew alone for the first time (to Germany!) and spent time there with my cousin Kate.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm most thankful to have done it.  I may never be in this spot again.....but then again.....who knows, right?
 
I finally got myself to the local sunflower fields after years of forgetting, bad timing, or whatever.  I'm glad I did it this year.
 
 
Unexpectedly met the most wonderful person who has made me feel like every love song was written by him for me.  The highlight of 2012 and really, my life.  Thank you, Breandan.  You are my person.
 
Even our dogs fell in love.
 
Took a trip to the beach with Breandan and got up to watch the sunrise.
 
 
Photographed for one last time, the corner where 34 years of memories reside for me.  Next time I go to Ocean City, it won't be my dad's place.  It'll be the beginning of someone else's adventure.  Bittersweet, but I'm thankful my dad can now enjoy the fruits of his labor and finally take time for himself.  Tears fell as I hugged my dad in the office that day. 
It was the very last time I would in fact, stand inside of Anderson's Exxon. 
  
Thanksgiving brought some reunions within my family that I am happy to have witnessed.
 
 
Thanks to God for these blessings and so many others.  Another year gone by but like a fine wine, we are just getting better with age.  Appreciate the blessings in your life and happy new year all year through!
 
Peace and love.
 
 

 
 
 

 





Sunday, September 30, 2012

fields of gold

not too long ago my mom called me to tell me i should go photograph this local field of sunflowers before the crop was dried up. for a handful of years, i've been meaning to get out to photograph the sunflower fields that are around here....but then i would always forget and miss my chance.  so the next morning, breandan agreed to go with me on the mission.  i grabbed my camera bag and we were on our way.  i was aware that many other people have this same idea to take photos there and since it was a weekend, it certainly was crowded.  i could understand though, why so many people wanted to pull over and capture this sea of yellow. 

i've always had a fondness for sunflowers so while standing in the middle of this field i sort of took a moment and took in what was surrounding me.  it was pretty magnificent.  taking the time to admire the beauty that God created.  even now, typing this, as i sit outside in the country surrounded by a corn field, trampled by turtles playing, my dog laying in the sunshine and the wind blowing in my hair.  how can you not be thankful?  i'm so blessed..thank you, God!

one of the things i struggle with when sharing my photos, is trying to narrow down which ones to share!  a lot of them can look similar at first glance but to me they all look different.  i am not going to post them all though, so here goes.  i hope you enjoy them!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beautiful! Now go out, look around you, and appreciate the beauty of nature!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

shower the people you love with love

Today I am sharing some photos from my dear friend Mandee's baby shower.  Mandee's sister Grace and I started planning 4 months or something ridiculous prior to the shower date.  We are both "plan way ahead" kind of people and wanted to have plenty of time to do things.

The theme? Woodland critters. 

Mandee's mom lives in Florida, so she couldn't be present for the shower but she sent a lot of handmade crafts and things up for us to use.  She also sent a box up of the most amazing handknitted items for Sammy that she made herself.  A photo of the cardigan sweater she made is below.  It's incredible.

Grace put a lot of time and thought into the decor also, making quite a lot of it herself including the table setups, polaroid station (thanks to Michelle for making the masks), and of course..the cake.  Grace always makes the cake since that's what she does for a living (and is freaking amazing at what she does).  You'll see for yourself from the photos.

The shower was in May and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  Thanks to Mandee and Grace's dad Bob and stepmom Daphne for allowing us to host the shower at their home. 

Here are some images:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
..................and then a few months later, came Sammy!  These are the only images I have of him as of yet.  I took them when I went to Mandee and Dale's house to meet him for the first time, just a week after he was born in early July.  He is the sweetest little thing.  Just like a baby doll.  I love him!
 
 
 
 
Congratulations to Mandee and Dale on their new little guy who will grow up knowing me as "Auntie Nicole - the lady who always has the camera in my face". 
 
xoxo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, August 17, 2012

Weekend at the beach? Yes, please.

I realize that the 2+ month hiatus of not blogging is out of hand. 
I haven't done nearly enough taking of photos in the last few months, so I will be getting back to it most definitely.  I still have wedding and baby photos to blog.  I will get there. 
It has most definitely been a summer of changes, and for the better! 

So with all the chaos that has ensued (in a good way), I decided to take a second and share a photo I took probably 7 or 8 years ago.  This photo wasn't edited at all and I believe I shot it with some type of Kodak point and shoot.  It was taken in Ocean City, MD at Fish Tales

I figured it was a nice image to share for a few reasons. 
One, I will be going back to OC for a long weekend soon - thank you God!, and two, it's such a peaceful scene. 

Who doesn't love a sunset?  Take time to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds us all every single day!

Stay tuned.  I'm getting back into my photo groove, so look out.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Suzana and Joe + 1 (almost)

I desperately need to be able to blog at home.  At this point I have a lot of material to share (which is good) but still no internet.  It's my own fault so I have no one to blame but myself.  Busy times recently and also ahead.  Sometimes I have to remember to stop and breathe.

Anyway.

I have a few pregnant friends at the moment, both of which are due at pretty much the same time.  For this entry we are talking about Suzana.  A lovely person who I have been lucky enough to call a friend for awhile now.  She has a wonderful way of calming a person and getting them centered if stress is upon you or whatever the case.  I have experienced it so I know this is true.

Suzana and Joe actually just got married this past weekend and I photographed the wedding so those images will be in a future entry.  I am in the midst of editing them and so far so good! 
For now, this is the handful of shots that I most enjoyed from when I went to their home a few weeks ago to do some maternity photos. 

The silhouette in particular is my favorite. 
I don't know what it is about silhouettes. 
They get me every time.








Best of luck to Suzana and Joe with their upcoming new addition. 
Can't wait to do the newborn session.