Family

 I had to share the above shot of my daughter and her keen fashion sense.  She put the whole outfit together, I can't take credit for any of it.  Not one bit.

I also wanted to share the pic below.  It was from the same night (hence the wings).  

Families are hard, sometimes I think mine might be the hardest.  Ever.  Really.

Amid the hardship(S) there are moments of utter joy. 

 Watching my Dad play with my little girl was one of those moments.  

Maternity Shoot

First I want to say thanks for finding me!  If you've linked over from Tempest Photography - you're in the right place!  I have been keeping my photography blog separate from this blog but I think it's time to combine.  I just don't have enough time/energy/brainpower to run separate blogs.  Perhaps it's a sign that right now blogger is giving me troubles with just my photography blog.  I need to simplify so I can keep everything in my life that's important to me (more on that later).   

So, here's the pictures [some of] you've been waiting for!  I have to say that Brynn is going to be a lucky little girl, her parents are awesome.  We can't wait to meet you baby girl!

 So Californian :D

LLLLLLLLLLOove this one:

Linked:

Caroline Dresser

This is the first time I've named a dresser, but I like it.  "Caroline."  OK, not original at all because the dresser actually came from my friend, Caroline.  Anyways, on to the makeover!

My friend knew this sweet dresser had potential she just never got around to revealing it.  Before they moved (sniff) it was given to me.  The sanding had already been done for me!

Before:

After:

Thanks Caroline!

Prayers for Japan

PB Knockoff & The Easter Duck

Easter is right around the corner, can you believe it?

  "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana," they say. Actually, that's a Groucho Marx quote.  


*Side note:* I looooooooove the Marx Bros.  


Anyways, since Easter is around the corner I decided I ought to start decorating, but it's kinda hard to decorate when you lack decorations.  Up until somewhat recently, we lived in apartments and I just never did invest in things that would eventually take up closet space.  Therefore, I am often short on decor.


Enter inspiration:

(source)

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I love me some Pottery Barn.  I've received this magazine for years and years and what may or may not be surprising is that I don't own one single item from PB.  Not a one.  

I have to improvise on a tighter budget than what PB usually requires.

(same source as above)

  I knew when I saw these hanging bobbles that I could make them.  So I did.  

Here's what I used:

(sweat tarts not required, but are encouraged)

I also used some MS stickers for the letters mostly cuz I got lazy and thought they'd be easier.

Here's the results:

Not too shabby right?  Or, rather, just shabby enough.

Now, on to the Easter Duck.  No, that wasn't a typo.  Growing up, our family had an Easter Duck in lieu of an Easter Bunny.  Why?  Funny you should ask, I was just about to tell you.

For a brief time, we owned some bunnies and a few ducks.  One fine Spring day whilst playing in our backyard, our bunny got a little 'frisky' with one of our ducks.  Obviously, he's a rabbit and while confused, he was only doing what rabbits do best, right?  Well, my little sister was THOROUGHLY appalled and forthwith stripped him of his title, thus leaving us Easter-Mascot-less.  She quickly realized this and instead dubbed our duck the bringing of fair eggs and the Easter Duck was born. 

True story.  

(In case you're curious, this little sister is the littlest one pictured in the post about our Papa Bear here).

Adorable.

Trip Shoot

Please take a minute to hop over to my photography blog and check out this amazing shoot!

Papa Bear...

I need to take a minute to share what's always on my mind at this time of year.  February comes and it's not flowers and hearts I first think of, it's my Grandpa.  Our Papa Bear.  What can I say about this man who taught us so much?  Certainly nothing that fully grasps the profound impact he had.  Words don't come when I try to explain just how much we loved him then and now.  

I simply know no words.

 

Five years after his passing and I still cry myself to sleep some nights over how much I miss him. 

 In quiet moments, I can almost smell his skin and when I think hard enough, I remember the way his hugs felt.  

I know I will see him again but selfishly, I want him now.  

The only thing I can think to say, and I hope that I said it at our final goodbye:

Thank You.

In loving memory.  

R.W.B. 

born February 29th, 1920 returned February 22nd, 2006