Keep that Momentum Going, Even on Friday

If you're anything like me, by the time Friday comes around you are starting to drag your feet. Well no more, I say! It may be the large latte talking, but I am not going to let Friday funk stall me out this week.

To help, here's a free (caffiene-fueled) gift for you, dear readers:



Just download the .pdf and print! (For personal use only, please.)

Let's conquer some mountains this week.

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

When you get an urge to go take photographs, make it happen.

Today I craved a moody ocean shot, feeling inspired by the music of Emily Barker and the gorgeous cinematography of Wallander. I nearly let excuses win, but in the end decided to head to a new coastal spot in Rhode Island. After working at my day job, I drove 50 minutes to the site and got there shortly before sunset. I stayed until after dark (and frankly would have stayed longer if there was enough light to focus the camera by). By then I was tired and hungry, and still had errands to run that I had put off in favor of going shooting.

It was worth every moment.

So go, carve out the time. Make room in your schedule, your life, your day. See what you can do with twilight on a cold, wet day.

Whisper Me Words

A Challenge: What Doors Will You Open Today?

We all have skills, talents, and gifts. One of mine happens to be photography, and I have chosen to use it to make a career for myself. Building this artistic business is a constant learning curve. Sometimes the efforts that I work so hard on seem to flop completely, sometimes they create new opportunities. Sifting out what works and what doesn't is a huge part of this journey.

There is one thing that definitely doesn't work - doing nothing. We are meant to share the talents we are given. I can create as many photographs as I choose, but if I don't put them out there in the world, they will go nowhere, they will inspire no one. They will collect virtual dust in the bowels of my hard drive, doing nothing positive in the world. And, without sharing this talent, I cannot create a life and a career that I love.

It's up to me to tell people about my work, to submit it to blogs or agencies or galleries. It is up to me to not just sit there and wait to be "discovered".

What doors will you open today to share your talents (whatever they might be) with the world?

Durdle Door

These are the kind of things that keep photographers up all night...

I have a dilemma. I really, really (really) want to have a huge, loose (i.e. not stretched over a wooden frame) canvas print made of one of my feather photographs. There are two problems with this.

1) I'd have to choose one image out of the several feather photos I've created
2) It's quite expensive to have a good quality, archival, enormous (40"x60") canvas printed - let's just say I'd sell these at retail for $750


(click on the image to view it larger)

This is one of those times when I really wish I had a crystal ball with which to glimpse the future. Will a huge canvas print appeal to buyers? Would it sell at that price point? Will my husband roll his eyes if I fall in love with it and want to keep it for myself?

I have to admit, I am secretly hoping that one of you reading this is in the market for a gorgeous statement piece... just so I can see it in real life and not just in my own head. (While I am very good at visualizing things, sometimes I just want to see and touch a final product.) Heck, I'd even sell the first one at half-price, just so I could do it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this kind of risk-taking. Is it worth going for something big and bold that's calling my name, despite the expense?

And which image would you choose?

August Break, Day 30: Blessings

I've meant to do images for each day of my August Break, but today some text is called for. I'm really counting my blessings right now. As you may know, Tropical Storm Irene hit Rhode Island fairly hard. Vermont perhaps has it worse.

I'm lucky. We had nothing but sticks and leaves in the yard. I have power. I'm able to get online and visit with you all. I can do my work, I can edit my photographs. I can cook my dinner with unspoiled ingredients from the fridge. Our lawn is already cleaned up, and even our vegetable garden fared well.

I hope the best for those who are still without power, who have trees through their roofs, who had sewers overflow into their homes, who are cut off from the world because of flooding. I'm thinking of and praying for them. And I'm counting my blessings.

August Break, Day 8: Local Summer Refreshment

August Break, Day 7: Nephew Aftermath

Squash Madness Season

It's that time of year, those few weeks where we desperately try to fit summer squash and zucchini into every meal. Where we beg random neighbors passing by to "Please take some home!" It's glorious, and by the end of July I will be thoroughly sick of squash.

This is squash harvest #2. On Friday we picked 6 or 8 squash. I picked 14 of them today, including that behemoth zucchini on the left there. There were at least 3 more in the garden that were ready to pick, but were small enough to leave on the vine for one more day.

Some of these will be going into work with the husband, in the hopes of pawning them off on his co-workers. Some of them will be dinner tonight, as Zucchini and Corn Tacos. (Which will go really well with icy cold Basil Gimlets.) As for the rest, I'm not sure yet. Any ideas?

A Chilly Mid-May

It's a bit sad that I turned on the heat in mid-May. There are good sides to this chilly weather though - the flowers are lasting longer than usual, and it's the perfect weather to cook up something warm and comforting with one of our farmer's market finds - Jacob's Cattle Beans. This dish is simmering on the stove as I type.

Crabapple


How's your weather lately?

All This Beauty

On some days, joy is a little harder to find. I hope some cheerful pinks and greens will help you find some bliss today.

Pink Azaleas


I can see your new awake
Let me assure you friend:
Every day is ice cream and chocolate cake
And what you make of it, let me say
You get what you take from it so be amazed
And never stop, never stop, never stop
You gotta be brave...

Mellow Mood Has Got Me

My husband and I returned last night from a 4-day trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We've plunged straight back into "it's snowing again", which I'm staving off as best I can with Bob Marley.





To be honest, it is good to be home. But this was definitely an amazing trip filled with bare feet, volleyball, and staying up waaaayyyy past our bedtimes.

Snow on Snow

Another 6-14 inches of snow today and tomorrow. Cut flowers may be the only thing keeping me sane.

Scent of Spring


Also, I wanted to give an update about post comments and responses (this applies to the blog only, not Facebook). If the account you use when commenting has an email associated with it, I will be able to respond via email. If not, I will respond within the comment thread. If you like, click "Email follow-up comments to..." when you leave a comment, and you'll be updated when I or others add to the thread.

Does that make sense?

And now, I'm tempted to dig through 2+ feet of snow and chisel out some lilies of the valley to force indoors. Talk me down folks, talk me down. :-)

Cabin Fever

With yet another winter storm heading to New England, I partook of a Rhode Island tradition - I went out to buy milk before it snows... again. I couldn't resist picking up some cut flowers while I was at the store. With all this dreary winter weather, I could use a little color! I popped several delicate spray roses in a little vase, and brought a sprig over to a neighbor who was out shoveling her driveway. I hope it brings a little springtime to her day!

Weekend Warrior

This weekend I made (and ate!) Pumpkin Gnocchi. Yum! We served it traditionally, baked in tomato sauce with a crust of cheese.

Feng Shui-ed

I spent some time yesterday afternoon rearranging and cleaning up my office. Sometimes creative space just needs a little pick-me-up, don't you think?


(layout designed using Plan Your Room)

Our new layout means there's now a big, blank wall next to my desk. I can't wait to fill it with pretty artwork. The Anne Julie and Melissa Moss prints will be joined by some pretty things by Geninne Zlatkis and The Wheatfield.



Has rearranging a room ever breathed life into your space?

A Quick Weekend Project

Oh, how good it was to spend our first Saturday morning back from vacation checking out local yard sales! We are still adjusting back from UK time, which means we've been waking up earlier than usual. This is a perfect for getting the best stuff at yard sales, of course. We had good success, found some deals, and had some fun. I'd been meaning to try my hand at dressing up some old furnishings, so when I spotted a pretty wicker-framed mirror for $2, I snatched it up. It was an easy and enjoyable weekend project...

Here's what I started with:


Saturday afternoon, I carefully cleaned the mirror and frame, masked the mirror, and applied a few coats of canary yellow spray paint:


By Sunday morning, the paint was dry and the mirror was ready to brighten up our guest room wall!


What do you think? Have you ever felt motivated to paint or update a yard sale find?

Ahh, Summertime.

After a wonderful evening at the beach...

Sandy Toes

Breathing the Ocean Air

Happy Monday, readers! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We finished ours up with the most delightful picnic on the beach. We were able to snag an isolated picnic table right by the water, and dressed things up with a tablecloth and flowers. Delicious homemade, garden fresh food was followed by splashing in the warm salty water and enjoying the time spent with family. Best dinner of the Summer!

In Between the Raindrops

With a thunderstorm drawing closer and the humidity thick in the air, I ran out to the mailbox before the skies opened up. And today... today was a good mail day. You know what I mean - those days you open that little door, expecting to find nothing but grocery store ads and unsolicited credit card applications, and lo and behold there is something wonderful there, just for you!

My something special today was a package full of prints from the very talented Katie Daisy. I couldn't wait, they went straight up on my inspiration board. (Click the image to see details about my inspiration sources).



Care to share a special moment in your day?

A Memorable Summer Weekend

I had the most lovely weekend with my husband, sister-in-law, and future brother-in-law. We spent Saturday showing them around Providence, and Sunday at the beach.

Farmer's Market


Browsing the Shops


Starry Starry Night at WaterFire


We were far too busy relaxing on the sand or jumping through waves to take any photos at the beach, but I assure you it was a very good time, followed up by dinner at Champlain's.

What memorable things did you do this weekend?