beach love

A couple weekends ago we went to OC, MD.  One of our favorite things to do is get up and watch the sunrise.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the whole time we were there.

Jamaica

Today in Maryland we have a lot of ice, downed trees, and it's just downright icky.  I know that other areas of the U.S. have had much worse winter weather than we have here, but I can tell you that I am ready for Spring.  Cold weather?  I'm OVER IT.  

This morning I've just been waiting to go to work so things outside could melt a bit.  I thought it'd be a good time to share some photos from Jamaica.  We went there this past December for the wedding of friends and it was the most beautiful place!  I would go back to the same spot in a heart beat.  If you are in the midst of the winter blues, then I hope these photos will help you feel less blue!  Maybe it will be inspiration to take that beach vacation that you've been putting off.  Either way, I hope you enjoy them!  I would highly recommend the place we went to.  We stayed at the Couples Swept Away resort and had a Garden Verandah Suite.  It was fabulous.  A lot of foliage outside our balcony that really made you feel like you have a lot of privacy.  Great food, great drinks, and great people walking around with the motto - "no problem".  Awesome.

I give you.....paradise:

Our room.  The first thing I did when we got there was open my camera backpack which is what is there along with the lens cap.  I waste no time. 

View from the balcony

Out in the water 

Resort grounds.  They comb the sand with a rake.

Representing Trey in Jamaica

Clearest water I've ever seen 

This was taken around 6am.  We were woken up around 5:30am one morning by a steel drum band.  I sat up in bed like, why is there live steel drum music this early?  There was a marathon going on and they were set up to cheer on the runners.  It was SO EARLY but we couldn't do anything but laugh.  I mean, if the biggest problem of the day is that we got woken up by steel drums in Jamaica then I'd say that's the best kind of problem to have.  So we went for a peaceful early morning walk.  It was amazing.

Wedding setup

Our friends Keith and Amber getting married

Married!

Bridal party flip flops

Groomsmen

At the pool bar at sunset

Bob Marley shot

Can I live here?

Perfection 

Fish pond on the resort grounds

These little guys were everywhere

Went for a walk along the beach to shop for souvenirs, turned around, and saw this storm brewing. Beautiful.

Aboard the catamaran

Rainbow

Taken on the catamaran.  Saw so many stormy skies but never got caught in rain.

My sand art on our last day.  So sad.  Desperately wanted to stay!

Love.

Maine

Last August my family and I went to Maine.  It was the first time we have all taken a vacation together.  It's tough when you get older and everyone has families of their own.  But this was a special trip.  In honor of my late Uncle "Shorty".

The last time I was in Maine was when I was probably less than 2 years old.  So I was excited not only to spend this time with my family, but to use my camera there.

I took a ton of photos but chose just a handful to share.  Sometimes less is more. 

my dad used to go clamming right around this spot when he was a kid.  it's a pretty neat thing to see when you yourself are in your mid thirties and you're in the same spot that your parent was when they were little.

My favorite find in Freeport---Mexicali Blues!  It was like the mothership of hippie stores.  Clothing, jewelry, home goods...check out their site here- I wish they had a retail store in Baltimore.  

The texture within these rocks was amazing

me and my old man 

Maine is beautiful.  Go there!

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.

 

 



 

 

 



 









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.

summertime and the living is easy

Today I am thinking a lot about summer and the good times it brings along with it.  I'm really looking forward to going to the beach a few times this year.  Even just a few long weekends will be ok with me.  To be able to relax on the beach and listen to the ocean with a nice breeze rolling over me...it's heaven.

With that being said, it made me want to post this photo.  This was the last time I was on the beach in Ocean City, MD.  It was SUPER windy and the sand blew all over my blanket and covered everything on it. 

I didn't realize it at the time I was taking it, but this image represents me as a person very well.

2012 beach time is on the horizon!