It’s a rainy day here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring, for sunshine, for warmth! I’ve been meaning to share some of my recent Floridian images with you, and today is the day!  If you’re already a fan on Facebook, then some of these may look familiar to you.  And if you have a favorite image, please leave a comment letting me know which one and why you love it.  One lucky winner will be chosen to receive an 8×10 print of their favorite image!  Good luck!

***Edited to announce Susan as the Winner of the Presidents’ Day Giveaway!  Congratulations, Susan!  Please send me a message with your contact info, and I’ll get your photo in the mail ASAP!  Thank you for entering!***

Sunset

 

 Palm Sunset

Distant Pier

On the Runway

Upward

 On the Water

Little Treasures

Florida Oranges

Green and Yellow

Sunshine

 Pretty Day

 

Feathered Friends

Great Egret

Pier at Night

Radiance

 Seashell

 Good Morning!

Sunset Silhouette

The Meeting

Neon Sky

Sunset Walk

Thatch

At the Beach

Don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorite image to be entered in the Giveaway!  Deadline is Monday, February 28th, and the winner will be announced on Friday, March 4th. 
Happy Presidents’ Day!

It was cold, snowy, icy.  A snow day off from work.  The alarm was set to go off a little later than usual.  When it finally sounded, I went to look outside. He asked me what I wanted to do.  “Sledding! I want to go sledding!” was my immediate answer.  I hadn’t been sledding in years, and it just sounded like tons of fun.  After all, what better way to spend a snow day, right?  We got bundled up, and hopped in the car.  Wait, we needed something…a sled!  So despite the snowy roads, we went shopping for a sled.  I don’t recall if we found it at the third or fourth place we visited, but that doesn’t really matter in this story.  We did, however, find two matching lime green sleds, and we were off to a popular hill nearby.  Several others had the same idea!  The steep hill was dotted with bright winter coats, spaceship-like saucers and sleds, and laughs and shrieks echoed across the landscape.  We took several trips up and down the hillside, our hands tingling from the cold and snow sneaked in when we tumbled off at the foot of the hill. 

After we’d had our fill of sledding, we grabbed some lunch and headed home for a nap.  Ok, maybe I just took a nap. When I woke up, Reggie was busy in the kitchen.  He’s a great cook, so I knew I would be in for something delicious soon. 

I decided to get ready for dinner, and when I came out, Lola, our cat, was sitting at the candle-lit table.  It was too cute!  Reggie announced that dinner was ready.  It was such a good meal!  Salad, bread, baked chicken wrapped in bacon coats.  And for dessert, we would be having my favorite, which Reggie had made himself…tiramisu!  Yum! 

As we finished dinner, I mentioned I had a little gift for him.  He said he had a little something for me too, and would be just a minute out in the garage to finish it up.  I heard some pounding, some hammering, more pounding and hammering.  What in the world was he making?!  He came back inside and told me to come in the laundry room.  The lights were off, and I fumbled in the dark to find him and whatever he had built in the garage.  Then suddenly a little light shined down on something sparkly.  Then and there, in the laundry room, in the dark, he asked me to marry him.  We popped some champagne to celebrate, which he had set outside to chill in a snowdrift.  Best Valentine’s Day ever. 

Three years ago today, Reggie asked for my heart, and I couldn’t be happier. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Do you have a Valentine’s Day story?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Big, fluffy flakes fell like sweet sugary sprinkles, so I grabbed my gloves and hat to head out for a little walk.  The only sound that could be heard was silence.  Serenity.  Peace.  Stillness. 

And then a cheery bark, bark, bark startled me from behind!  This cute little dog, Gigi, was out for a run with her owner, and she just loved the snow. She frolicked and darted and danced around me, twisting her leash under my feet.  Her owner quickly apologized, after all Gigi was just a puppy and loved meeting new people.  No apology necessary!  How could I possibly be upset when such a cute puppy lets me take her photo in the snow?

Once Gigi and her owner were on there way, I was again enveloped by the quiet beauty that comes only in winter.  Yes, yes, it’s cold, and a bit dreary.  But somehow I find solace in this time of the year.  A quiet happiness.  For I know that in due time, underneath all the snow and ice, slender blades of green grass and fragrant, delicately petaled flowers are just waiting to make their appearance.

Happy Monday!

I recently found some photos of Lola, our beloved little kitty, and thought it would be fun to share just a few. It’s been awhile since she made an appearance on the blog. I must admit, she doesn’t really like to have her picture taken, perhaps she’s modest.  However, she is quite photogenic, and I’m determined to prove it to her! 

Earlier this week, I posted this photo of her on Facebook.  She loves getting cozy in just about any place, especially in this vintage suitcase.  I think she’ll like this one! 🙂

One moment she’s just a normal cat, enjoying normal cat activities, like napping or thinking about napping…

…and in an instant, Lola yawns.  Such a big yawn!  I know, I know, it looks like she’s hissing or laughing even.  However, I can assure you that this was indeed a yawn.
 

After our little impromptu photo shoot, she found a nice spot by her favorite window and curled up for a nap.  Just another day in the life of Lola!

Happy Thursday!

One of my goals for 2010 was to work on a personal project.  While I love, love, LOVE photographing weddings, engagements, families, seniors, and kiddos, I wanted to take on something a little different.  What was my inspiration for this project?  Summer in Provence, a beautiful region in the south of France.  I studied French for 4 years in high school, and hosted an exchange student, who is still one of my great friends.  Hi Karine!  The following year, I was fortunate enough to travel to France to visit Paris and then to stay with Karine’s family.  They took me on adventures to many places along France’s southern coast.  It was such an amazing experience!  I majored in French in college, continuing my love for and study of the language, history, and art.  Although I haven’t been back to France…yet!…I continue to be inspired by all that I’ve learned about the French culture, their language, their people, and the wonderful family who opened their doors and hearts to me.  I pulled together some things I’ve collected to incorporate into my concept: an old typewriter, some fabric from my trip, some vintage cameras, some French poems from my college text books, and some items from some new friends who helped make this project come alive, Union Street Flowers & Gifts and Beauchamp Antiques. 

A huge thank you to Union Street Flowers & Gifts and Beauchamp Antiques for their generosity in making my vision for this project come to fruition!  It was so much fun!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!