Senior minis went off without a hitch. Most people were doubtful of the weather but the sun shined it’s beautiful rays.

These girls, best friends, put serious thought and effort into their style.

And with that thought I leave you a sneak peek!

I look at these and remember eaves dropping on their conversation while I was composing shots, or pulling greenery or lugging ugly out of my shots.

Him: “You’re so cute when you make that face.”

Her: “What face?”

Him: “That one. (sigh) You’re so cute.”

I almost felt obtrusive while they talked to each other.

Ashlyn & Jordan both have their future ahead of them. They met a few years ago. Where? In a dance studio of all places.

Jordan comes from a creative family and spent a few years perfecting his pas de chats and développés in the local dance studio. That’s when he first met Ashlyn. The cutest ballerina in the studio. The two struck up a conversation, and then…here we are. Here they are.

Ashlyn is pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, Jordan is pursuing a degree in computer animation. And he likes to dabble in landscape photography. I’m sure the two of them will live a beautiful life together, dancing in each other’s arms when no one is looking. And probably when people are looking because you wanna know what? They’re in love.

Thank you Ashlyn & Jordan, for reminding me about those sweet simple moments.

A coupla days late. But here are some more random things from around the house…

Remember the lovely tomatoes featured from the San Rafael Farmer’s Market? I blogged it last weekend. But anyhow, sometimes we’d end up with so many tomatoes that we never ate that I started freezing them. Voila…out of the freezer and ready for a fresh(ish) batch of pasta sauce…

I may have shown you this Buddha head that is sitting on my mantel. I’m not sure when and where we got it but I like it. IT makes me feel like I may have left the country to collect it. One of these days I will leave this country and visit far off places.

I love this rubber band ball. It has absolutely no purpose in the house but the colors are vibrant. I love a little bit o’ color in my life. So there it sits at my desk.

I went to write in my journal and flipped to the next fresh page. Found this note in my journal. I love it.

To all my family, friends and lovely readers.

So it’s been raining on and off all week. So not happy about that. I need me some sunshine to make me HAPPY, lift my mood and brighten my spirits!
Since we aint got any of that, here’s some shots from this summer. My mom worked in San Rafael for a few months and we’d pack up the kids, grab our reusable bags and head over to the San Rafael Farmer’s Market at the Civic Center Plaza to do stock up on fruits and veggies.
ENJOY!

I mentioned last month that I was able to second shoot with Caitlin Cahthey, fabulous wedding photographer based in Los Gatos, CA. It was seriously the most fun.

When Caitlin and I arrived to the Testarossa Vineyards, Shestin was already inside the bride’s room getting ready. I met her and immediately was drawn to her bright blue eyes. Her hair was styled with a classic wave. Her headpiece was attached to the back in a funky way that I would never consider doing myself. I saw her beautiful golden wedding dress and thought, “This girl has style and she OWNS it.” And her shoes, gold with some bling. She was a serious stylista. See for yourself!

Alan: I’m sure you get this a lot, but is this really Ceasar’s Palace?
Hotel Clerk: What do you mean?
Alan: Did Ceasar really live here?
Hotel Clerk: No.
Alan: Didn’t think so.

Some people don’t know this about me. But I love…no I LOVE hanging out with friends especially now that I’m older. And I can get up to no good and no one will look at me twice. Well, almost no one looks at me twice.

Magic Mountain with Lou.

Faces in Lou’s Living Room.

Multnomah Falls.

Posing at a hotel in LA. Lou was my camera guy.

Me and TOBES! She’s my Canadian friend. Everyone needs one.

Gotcha! (And thanks for my beautiful skin, Amy!)

The above photos are all random shots from some of thee most awesome get togethers I have had with some of thee most eclectic group of girls. In 30 days, I will be headed out to make more awesome memories and I gaurantee they will be documented with photos. The 30th anniversary WPPI 2010 Convention is headed to Vegas and you bet your sweet bottom that I will be there! [Side note, the last time I went to Vegas I stayed out til 4 AM, walked back to my hotel barefoot and fell asleep next to my bed, not in it.] Am I looking forward to the learning that will be learn-ed from some super successful photographers in the industry? Am I looking forward to meeting some of the most talented and inspiring photographers in the industry; my peers and others I want to model my business after? Hot diggity dog I am.  BUT I am looking forward to staying up past midnight every night with Christine; giggling about old memories of flying on the I-5 between Oregon and Washington states with Amy; finally having a face to face conversation with Kellie? Psssh, do you even have to ask…HECK YEAH. My flight on Virgin America has been booked. My room at the New York, New York is reserved. All the classes I am interested in attending are added to my Google Calendar. I have RSVPed to this party for Sunday, and this party for Tuesday. I’ve been Google Waving it with Mr. Rob Ninja and the Photog Shootout community gathering ideas for super secret fun that will be announced later. I have been passing e-mails back and forth with other Central Valley photographers that are also Vegas bound. It will be crazy to put faces to Twitter accounts! I will be meeting up with Ati after she’s done with her workshop so I can see the sparks bouncing off of her after Making Things Happen Intensive. I can only imagine the WPPI trade show floor with hundreds of vendors! I am hyperventilating. AHHHH! Is it March 7 yet? Oh, and yes. I will be bringing some pepper with me. Since “tigers love pepper…they hate cinnamon.” HA!

new series of entries from me, where I won’t care if I use proper caps, spelling or punctuation (but I’ll try). I won’t care if my images are processed for that “oooh, ahh” effect.

These are just for me. When I take the time to slow down on the weekend. Our lazy Saturdays.

Enjoy.

Noting the colors in my kitchen.

And the kids create with colors, too.

Favorite dish towel from an old co-worker.

Short trip to the library.

Paused to read some books.

On the porch.

Faces out the window.

Playing dress-up.

Helping sissy get her dress on.

Secrets!

And giggles.

Hope you enjoyed.

Woo hoo! We have a winner for the Spread the Love Tour!

It’s Tammie Gilchrist!

Tammie, thanks for posting a comment to enter the contest!

See you February 8, 2010!

Thank you everyone for all the sweet, sweet blog love! It’s fun reading comments and then following up to see who left me the love!
(Tammie, I’ll e-mail you details later! Looking forward to meeting you!)