05.18.2012

linked: anger

I was completely at a loss as to this week’s theme “anger”, so much so that I actually asked my husband over dinner if he had any ideas. (Blank stare.) Because after writing this post, I’m just not in the brain space.

I guess I could have pulled out my camera in that moment after school when the kids are fighting over the computer and one of them is left stewing with a pouty pouty pouty face. Or I could have snapped a photo of my face when I discover empty cereal boxes in the pantry.

The picture below is a snapshot of what my week has looked like as I have sat at the table in my pj’s, with Pandora streaming endlessly, glue stuck to my fingers. It’s been a different kind of creative space and I have loved it.

Somewhere around 1pm Thursday afternoon while gluing scrap book paper to clothespins, I had the idea to paint “anger”. I’m not an awesome famous painter at this point in my life, but suddenly I had a vision.

I pulled out Bean’s red and black poster paints…

Behold, my 60 second masterpiece entitled, “Runaway Anger: Mr.Big Bully.”

Nice work, huh? Next week’s theme is “temptation”.  Hmmmm…… ??????

Head on over to see how everyone else interpreted the theme this week.

Stacey
Michelle
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Sara
Janet
Lesli
Amanda
Amanda
Naomi 
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heather A.
Veronica
Heidi
Amy
Andrea
Liza
Jean 
Kristi

 

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Michelle - I ADORE that painting! Totally perfect. And the empty cereal box thing used to make me angry. Except I started reading a heart wrenching book called The Gift of an Ordinary Day and now I only feel despair about the empty cereal boxes and how too soon they will be a part of the history of our household as the kids get older and leave. :(

Naomi - This week has me stumped too. Im still thinking about it in fact. But you did awesome! I love your masterpiece! So abstract. So perfect! You need to make a series of emotions and frame them! :)

Amanda - So creative! Such a fun post! I struggled too with this week’s theme, but you totally nailed anger in that painting!

05.17.2012

yourfiveseconds: one saturday afternoon….

 

Three years ago when I was just entering the blogging world, just learning to really understand my camera, I helped photograph their wedding. A few months ago they asked if I could come and photograph their family knowing that soon a newborn would be arriving and their first born son would be a freshly christened big brother. I thought I would keep with posting tradition and offer them a college of their day. I love the way a college can tell a story. :)

As a side note: Next week they are moving to a better, safer, more family-friendly abode. I am so happy I was able to capture this tiny sliver of their lives when they were a young family. Their children will never remember this home, but as parents it will be stored away in their memory albums as the place in which they started a family.  Even though it was a tri-level nightmare fit for a childless couple, it was only a block away from their job (they work in the same building and walk to work every morning together), and a Starbucks, and a Whole Foods, and park, and cool water fountains. I know they look forward to more bedrooms, a real yard, the lack of stairs, but one day they will look back upon these photographs and remember how precious this time in their lives was.

I am sixteen years into marriage, twelve into parenthood and sometimes I miss the sweetness of those first years. I was too tired and exhausted to realize the gift of our lives stretched out before us.

C and D, I hope these photos help you to stop and cherish this living moment. Time only stands still in a photograph. :)

 

P.S. I put some of the photos in a slideshow up in the “photo love” tab. The album is titled One Saturday Afternoon.

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Marvett Smith - Beautiful!

Jill Toler - Love :)

Jessica - Beautiful. I miss those years, too, at times. So wonderful that you were able to capture it for them.

stacey - Adore ADORE these, Tracey. Love your b&w conversions.

I miss those years, but as the kids age and I lament over each of their birthdays I’m trying to live more in the moment rather than wishing they were little again. Sometimes easier said than done. :)

Andrea - You said it so well. It all goes by in such a blur. With Max going off to Kindergarten next fall, I’m really starting to miss those years when he was little. I wish I had soaked them in more, but I was so tired all the time. And I always thought, I’ll have a second baby and enjoy it the second time around. Sometimes you don’t get a second chance. Lesson learned.
I really love this collage. My favorite photo is the one on the far left side, second to last row. So cute standing there in the hallway.

Michelle - Love the collage format and love what you wrote about the fleetingness of those early years. :) Lovely images, too!

amanda - “I miss the sweetness of those first years. I was too tired and exhausted to realize the gift of our lives stretched out before us.”

For whatever reason, I read this and looked at these beautiful photos and fell into a mess of tears. I know, I too, will miss these years once we are no longer “in the weeds.” My prayer is to realize the gift of this season in my life.

Thank you for sharing these – what a precious gift for this family.

05.15.2012

on being a passenger

In case you did not know, I am one of those people who internalizes and runs through miles of self-dialogue in my head per day. I am not that person who talks to herself out loud. No, I am the person who may not wave to you from my car or while walking down the street because my eyes are open because my mind is present elsewhere.

But after writing of my creative and all-round feelings of sluggishness the other day (that post: here) I erected a huge traffic light smack in the intersection of my brain.

Is it me, or do you sometimes just want to stop pushing at life and be the passenger? Because when I am the passenger I am able to take the opportunity to release my need to manage every bend in the road, look for a reason and deep meaning in every twist and turn, valley and mountain.

The only voice in my head right now is the one saying…

It’s okay. Sit back and put your feet up on the dash. Roll down the window. Feel the wind blow through your hair. Enjoy the countryside.

Let the Light fall on your face perfectly.

You miss too much when you are gripping the wheel. 

The next couple of weeks here will be light on words. Just going to lean into being a passenger for the moment and share when the inspiration and Spirit move me to do so–rather than “pushing the cart”.

Yes, I’ve pulled out my glue gun. :) And my sewing machine. And even some Mod Podge.

I’m rereading this post and practicing it. (I knew there were be opportunities to live it out.)

And I am smiling as I edit some photos of this adorable grocery-cart-kid. More of him to come.

Blessings,

t

 

 

 

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Heather Moll - I can totally relate. Enjoy the ride, sweet friend! Looking forward to whenever you have something to share. :)

janet - Yes, yes. I talk to myself, makes plans, redecorate so much that I sometimes think I’ve already done the stuff.
I do feel more like a passenger now that my kids are on their own, so you have a few years left in the driver’s seat.
Here’s hoping you find some mellow,relaxing time.
:-)

Jill Toler - I am so glad you got out your glue gun!

Andrea - Oh my…the miles of inner dialogue…I hear ya sister. A friend and I used to joke about the hamster in our mind that was just going round and round on that little spinning toy. That’s me. All day. Everyday. And often into the night in bed. I don’t know how to turn it off.
It’s funny because I was just thinking today that I’m going to lay-low on the blogging and reading blogs for awhile. Plus, while I have lots of lovely things I’d like to say, I don’t have the energy right now. So, more images without words coming your way on my space.
Enjoy the passenger seat friend. Roll down that window and enjoy the breeze.

Susan Keller - it’s funny and amazing how differently God molds each of us. I’m pretty much a professional passenger, both literally and metaphorically (good thing my husband likes to drive – ha!). Enjoy your gluing, sewing and modge-podging :-).

Michelle - Beautifully said. :)

stacey - I could just eat the adorable grocery cart kid.

Enjoy being the passenger. Much of the same going on here. ((hugs))

05.14.2012

the magic formula

“Clyde believes the essence of good photography is two-fold: seeing the image with the heart and knowing enough about the mechanics of photography to get a good shot. We talk with many people who believe if they could learn ALL the technical information about photography, they would possess the magical formula assuring great photographic results.These folks get wrapped up in the technical side of photography and forget to look at their surroundings with their heart. Yes, it is necessary to understand the technical aspects, but it does not guarantee a photograph which will inspire emotion in the viewer. The only magic formula is inside you. You are the only one who can express it.”

Nicki Butcher
wife of Clyde Butcher

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stacey - These images…love.

And I so appreciate this quote.

And I wish I could be standing there underneath that tree with you.

Heather Moll - wow, these shots are stunning, tracey. so gorgeous. i’m curious about how you shot them too.

they capture exactly what that quote is talking about: an emotional response in the viewer. they literally took my breath away.

thanks for sharing those words. so very true, i believe.

Michelle - The heart is so important. Thank you for sharing that quote. Lots to think about. And lovely images. :)

Andrea - Lensbaby? Or free-lensing?…. Beautiful photos. What an amazing tree! Love this quote. So true. So very true.

Naomi - Awesome. ’nuff said. :)

Jenn - So true. Beautiful shot.

Jessica - So… did you do “free lensing” here? Or a new lens perhaps? Just curious. The first shot is incredibly beautiful. I haven;t picked up my camera in weeks. I want to, I keep thinking about it, but I feel like I want more out of it than what I’ve been doing for the past months. I want to capture something more authentic, magical, and inspiring… and right now I’m not seeing how to do it. I know it’s all about me and my mind and has nothing to do with photography. Just not sure how to get at what the block is about.

05.11.2012

linked: up (do not be fooled)

 

Wednesday morning my right eye felt like there was an eyelash in it. I searched in vain to find what was bugging it but came up empty. (If that is not on my top ten list of irritating things on the planet, then it is now–along with people who don’t use their car blinkers, or men who think they can multitask by talking on their cell phone and driving in the fast lane.)  So I just walked around with a watery right eye, looking as if I was having horrible-no-good-very-bad-day. By afternoon both of my eyes felt cloudy and sore, as if someone had asked me if I wanted some pebbles in my eye and I said, “Why yes! I’d love to walk around with pebbles in my eyes!!

I have never had spring allergies so it took a friend yesterday to nonchalantly say, “Maybe it’s allergies?”

By golly! I’ve got allergies. Well, my eyes do.

When we moved to our new place last fall, I was so enraptured with the huge trees and their fall foliage to ever consider what they would bring in the Spring. Now my constant stream of tears make perfect senes: those trees are now all budding and blooming and sprouting and spewing and pooping all sorts of killer, eye-aggravating stuff–just so they can laugh at me. For the last few days my son has been complaining of his allergies and I have been feeding him little pink pills for breakfast. I would have never thought that I would be the one to beat him to the bottle.

I am now fully empathetic to those of you who suffer from this every Spring. I don’t know how you live through this? Have you not just wanted to lie down and sleep until summer came? Last night I had to go to bed early, just so I could shut my eyes. And I was just beginning to read my new Real Simple. :(

I have never said this with the full intent of meaning it literally, but today I am:

These allergies are driving me nuts…they make me want to poke. my. eyes. out!

I will no longer be fooled. I know these trees look beautiful in all of their spring sprouting glory, but right now they are my enemies.

(All tips and tricks for conquering the enemy are welcome.)

And for a look “up” at what others are blogging about today, please follow the links…

Stacey
Michelle
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Sara
Janet
Lesli
Amanda
Amanda
Naomi 
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heather A.
Veronica
Heidi
Amy
Andrea
Liza
Jean 
Kristi

 

 

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Marvett Smith - Oh no! I don’t suffer from allergies myself, but my oldest girl does and man do they reek havoc with her eyes. They almost swell shut at times. So sorry to hear this, but so glad you found the cause of the problem. Beautiful images!

Kristin - I have been dealing with allergies my entire life!! Every other year or so I get a kenalog shot. do it, you will be ever so glad you did!!

rhonda steed - aw that SUCKS!!!!! None here and I am soooooo glad!!! Great shots though :)

Renee - SO sorry about your eye allergies. Last year my eye doctor diagnosed me with eye allergies. He recommended Pataday allergy eye drops. They REALLY helped. Also, over the counter allergy eye drops help. Oh…and I was one of the lucky ones to hear you speak at MOPS on Wednesday. You were wonderful. Thank you so much. I’ve bookmarked your website.

janet - OMG, I really needed that. You are so funny.
Benedryl makes me fall asleep. Claritin doesn’t work, so I take Zyrtec D.
I never had allergies when I was younger, they just sort of creep up on you.

Naomi - Boo for allergies. I discovered i had them in second grade when we were playing that dandelion game….(mama had a baby and her head popped off…ever heard of it? Lol). Anyways, my eyes were SO red and puffy my teacher called my mom. So, alas, i have suffered every spring since. Over the counter allergy eye drops help….ive tried many medications. Nothing seems to work great except a nasal spray called Flonase. Also, unfortunately, i have to keep the windows shut until stuff is done growing otherwise pollen gets in. I do cheat a little because i love fresh air too much. Also, try Rooibos tea. It is a red tea….supposed to help tame allergies. I did not drink it enough this spring to see if it worked! Oh and lovely shots! :)

Kristi - Oh how I empathize with you – I have had allergies for about 12 years… and I don’t know if you want to know my tips: Zyrtec, Singulair, Nasacort, and the pink pill as needed. Yep – it’s bad. Hopefully one antihistamine will do the trick for you. Your pictures are beautiful – I look forward to looking through your blog a little more. :)

tracy - i am a fellow allergy sufferer so i feel your pain! have you tried a netti pot? google it – i swear it helps so much! that and some nice strong allergy medicine. your photos are AMAZING!!! love the contrast in sky and blooms. hope you feel better soon. no open windows for now my friend…

Heather Moll - oh no. :( my hubby has seasonal allergies and they are horrible. he gets SO sick in the spring and is just miserable. he’s had some success with homeopathic remedies – have you ever tried any? anyway, i hope they don’t last too long and you are back to your normal self soon. and i don’t know how you managed to take such gorgeous photos with your eyes feeling like they are. so amazing.

Jean - i wake up w/ stuffy nose when the weather changes. sorry i don’t know what to do to help. i have troubles all the time, i don’t like taking the pink pill either. i dread dusting b/c i already have to plan to stay in the next day b/c i’ll have puffy eyes as if i were crying all night.

however, these are gorgeous photos! :) love the blue & green.

Jessica - Silly lady. :) Sorry I have no help for you, but your photos are gorgeous.

Heidi - I battled allergies really bad this past week too! I never had allergies until the last few years and Claritin seems to do the trick for me.

Regardless, they are beautiful pictures :)

stacey - I’m so sorry about your allergies. Thankfully I haven’t had to deal with them…yet. I have no advice for you. :(

I do love your pretty pictures, though! :)

Andrea - I was thinking this was leading to pink eye when I first started reading. Not that that would be any better, but at least there would be a remedy. :-( Spring allergies are a pain! Never had them until we moved from Seattle down here to Camas. Very farm-land like here. Not my friend. Hoping your eyes get some relief soon.

Michelle - Ohh that stinks. :( Trees that beautiful should not be allowed to cause any kind of havoc. Boo!!

Sorry, I have no trips. The over the counter medicated eye drops work well for me when I get cat dander in my eye but I’m not sure if you can use them “continually” for allergies. I would ask a pharmacist. I think it’s called Naphcon A or something like that.

Jenn - It’s so hard to think of them as your enemies, your photographs are beautiful. Praying this is a short allergy season for you and that the little pink pills do their job!

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