wasted words, lost chances

I was driving home from the Post Office today and passed an antique store. Beckoning me in it's pink girlie splendor was an antique settee from the mid 1800s. I'm searching for a perfect photo chair like miss Jenn has so I had to investigate. While I was waiting for the owner an older gentleman engaged me in conversation. He asked what would I be wanting with an old pink settee and I told him I'd like to use it in photography. He mentioned that he has recently acquired photo fever as well. As the conversation went on, he mentioned that he would like to have his portrait taken. He said he doesn't know how long he has left on earth due to something with his vertebrae, his high blood pressure and his carpal tunnel. He wants to celebrate his 6 years free of Jack Daniels (which he referred to as his plasma) and leave a photo of him for people to remember. Finally, he mentioned his terminal disease: terminal depression. So you might wonder why an odd conversation like this has been ringing in my mind all afternoon. Do you know what I *wish* I had done instead of wishing him good luck and to have a nice weekend?! I wish I had said we are ALL terminal. We all suffer from a terminal disease called sin. There is but one Hope, one cure; Jesus. I thought what must it be like to want to leave something for someone to remember, and the fear of looking ahead without that Hope? Now I'm left instead with guilt about my silence. I will be praying that God will go beyond my weakness and somehow speak to his heart. To honor the gentleman, and maybe ask you to pray for him as well, I found his prize-winning photo online.

be blessed

Ann

ooh tiny baby feet

I may be past the baby time of my life, but I can still ooh and aww over tiny baby feet. This necklace features two tiny pendants, one with sweet little baby feet and a second with a name. They are tiny and delicate, perfect for every day. This would be a treasured gift for any new mom. It will be available on the website later today.

la la la la lola

This is Lola.

Lola joined our family on Christmas Eve.

Lola likes to play with our friends.

Lola is almost as tall as I am when she stands on her hind legs. Sometimes I worry she is going to come alive and gnaw off my limbs in the night. This image was not helped much by meeting this Lola at the Omaha Zoo.

Needless to say this was one of Katie's favorite stops.

Oh Baby!

I had the privilege of shooting my first maternity shoot over the weekend. This is my gorgeous cousin who is expecting her first children. Yes, that's right, I said children. Plural. She is 30 weeks pregnant with twin boys. She is absolutely radiant. These are just a preview of her shoot. We set out at the golden hour and found a few quiet, romantic spots for photos. We also grabbed her husband (fresh from lawn mowing and painting the nursery) after we changed tops for a few family shots.

Shoe Love

I admit I was not a "shoe" person. I was the gal who would buy one pair of clunky black shoes a season and wear them with every outfit. Special occasions would send me into a shoe tizzy and result in a frantic trip to Payless. Maybe now I watch too much fashion related TV, or maybe I'm disheartened by the casual-ifying of America, but I can't get enough shoes. Pointy toed, peep-toe, I'm weak in the knees! These gorgeous patent brown shoes are the shoes I alluded to in a prior post, they will be great for fall and neutral enough to go with several outfits. But this patterned pair, oh my. I wanted something to wear to a baby shower I'm attending this weekend, but I wanted something better than the sparkly flip flops I've been wearing. I will be wearing the dress in my photo on the side-bar. It's a simple turquoise knit, but with these shoes va-va voom! The strange thing is, with the casual way America is now, the rest of the guests could all be in jeans. I may end up feeling like I'm dressed for the Oscars, not a baby shower. But I will suffer on in my paisley pretties.

at least I don't have to share

What to do when a trip to the mail box feels like a journey to the center of the sun? Pretend it’s January and make cookies of course! One problem though, I seem to have dropped ½ an eggshell in the batter…whoops…I guess we don’t have to share with the neighbors! (I did spend at least 30 minutes picking out eggshell. I had no idea how many bits and pieces could be created by 1/2 of an eggshell...)

Baking for my family can be a bit of a challenge between Rebekah's peanut allergy and Kristian's celiac disease(or intolerance to gluten). With this cookie recipe there is no worry of living without. I use a standard recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies and substitute a gluten-free flour and soy-nut butter for the peanut butter. OMG they are the most amazing cookies on the planet.

On another note, my website got a much needed face-lift this weekend courtesy of Amy of http://www.simplycreative.com/. She designed my original website and she did a wonderful job of updating it to match my current style. It is a little organic and a little whimsical. Thanks Amy!