essential / fundamental

L - Nikon / T - iphone

I had a lot of work to do in the studio but what was most essential today was to get outside, exercise and soak in some sun. So I went to my favorite place - Big Trees Forest. / my dog and chick-fil-a - just about all i need.

from where i stand / from where i sit

L - iphone / T - iphone

no words today. a break in the busy busy day

rouse / awaken - oh spring

L - Nikon / T - Canon

"The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within."

- William C. Bryant

p.s. flower overlay is added to photo - not wall.

happy / sunshine

L- scannography / T - phone

"The purpose of this life is to enjoy every moment."

I like the quote that was on my Yogi tea tag last night. I opened the tea bag while I was in the process of making some scannography images with the little bunch of daffodils Taylor and I picked up from Trader Joe's. For a mere $1.29 you can pick up 10 stems of budding daffodils and in a matter of hours they will open up in a vase of water - pure sunshine. And for me they bring a lot of pleasure on this cloudy cool day. It's not quite Spring here but I guess officially we have a few more days. I looked at the forecast for the first day of Spring - it looks perfect - sunny and 66. With a few days of sun I bet the trees will be blossoming by the weekend. / spring break went by way too fast and i was upset that mom had an extra long week at work (she had to work one night til 1 am) but we had a fun weekend together. before heading back to athens she took me to trader joe's (how can i get them to open a store in athens?) and bought me some of my favorites and a bunch of daffodils to brighten my room. but i went off and left it all. makes me sad. i'm coming home again this weekend so it's ok.

just a day

solo post - L, iphone

"What a beautiful, sunny morning. It makes you happy to be alive, doesn't it? We can't let the sun outshine us! We have to beam, too!" - Takayuki Ikkaku

I'm loving the weather these last few days – there's been the most pleasant breeze mixed with the heat of the sun. I try to enjoy every moment possible outdoors, even if just a moment with my morning coffee before going inside to work, or for an afternoon break walking outside beside the waterfalls (man-made but still) and flowers.

intoxicating / delicious

L - iphone / T - phone

Ah it was glorious to wake up to the sun (it's been awhile since the sun shone so brilliantly). I so enjoyed my day today - sunshine at the breakfast table, strolling through a nursery stocked full of colors and scents, some hard labor, reading in the hammock, and dinner and dessert with T.
There's something intoxicating about browsing through a nursery - I literally get a light-headed, wonderful feeling there. Today I bought some lavender plants, some basil and some red geraniums, plus some bales of pinestraw. That's where the labor part comes in. I wanted the yard to look fresh and pretty for Easter. It feels good to work hard - to get hot and tired and thirsty and then be able to relax in the hammock with a good book. While I was relaxing I got a call from T - she was in town for a short time and was coming to have dinner with me. First thing she said when she sat down at dinner, "oh I have stories to tell... boy stories." There's nothing that makes me happier than for her to tell me stories. It was a short visit, but nice nonetheless / yesterday my phone stopped working. it's my life-line. i tried to get it fixed in athens but had no luck (they were plain rude and would not even give me a temporary replacement), so i decided to drive home today, feeling a little anxious not having a phone, to see if dad could help me. they were more helpful here or it's just better sometimes to have a parent around. i lost most of my contacts which didn't make me happy, but i was happy to get my phone back in working order. with that taken care of i went to have dinner with mom at mellow mushroom. we shared a tasty piece of 'death by chocolate' cheesecake. i came home real quick to take a shower because the hot water has been out at the dorm. it was late but i had to head back... i have 2 portraits to complete.

look to the light / warm rays

Shutter Sisters posted a blog about using available light in your home. Tracey gave great tips for shooting indoors. First she said "get to know the light in your home" and "rearrange your routines" in order to use the great light for your photos. Not only does the natural light allow for great photos, it lifts my mood. I have always done my ironing in the basement, but since she moved out I now do my ironing upstairs – in her room – enjoying the morning light

 / finished up classes at 2 pm today and headed to a friends pool for some rays of sunshine – a last chance for some semblance of a tan.
Well the photos don't go so well together, but I guess we were both "looking to the light"

memories / treasures

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir Still savoring the memories of the weekend where I found much relaxation. It was so nice to be in the midst of nature, falling asleep to the bubbling creek, waking to the cool fresh air... / Finding someone else’s treasures and making them your own is better than searching for something new any day.