My Blog

As I am counting down the days until Emily and I leave for WPPI 2012 in Las Vegas, I look back on my experience in 2011 with mixed emotions.  The highlight for me was that my best friend, Jennifer, who is also a photographer, was able to fly in from London, Ontario. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, she was delayed a day and by the time she arrived I was coming down with the flu. But, I still had a great time despite feeling miserable! :)  Jen and I managed to still have lots of laughs, eat awesome food, explored the trade show, sat in classes, babysat (don’t ask!  :) ), met new friends and even had time to explore the Strip with my sweet hubby! Oh–I forgot–I also won an ipad from Pinhole Press. . .I honestly can’t remember ever winning anything in my entire life, so when I saw the e-mail that I had won, I thought it was spam! What a huge unexpected blessing! :)

Having gotten to know Karen Stott (via e-mail), founder of Pursuit 31, and having her mentor and help me with my branding was a huge blessing in my life. So, getting to actually meet in person, hang out and go over branding ideas was one of the best parts of WPPI 2011.  I now have a fun logo with colors I had never originally anticipated because Karen was able to truly help me figure out what I’m drawn to. One of the nights, there was a dinner for P31 ladies and we had about 15-20 ladies there. . .this year, I can’t even imagine how we’d  manage to find a room large enough for all the P31 ladies. Watching P31 grow from a very small number last February to well over 1500 this year is mind boggling. So, I am counting down the days to meet my P31 ladies who I’ve grown to love and know this past year online. . .

WPPI with my dear friend, Jen!! :)

Awesome platform of speakers

Thank you, Pinhole Press, for drawing my name for a brand new ipad! :)

Karen Stott and me at the trade show

I started off the year determined to do 30 posts of reflecting upon 2011.  Well, life is busy. . .I honestly can’t believe that it is the middle of February already!  So, in order to follow through on my resolution to be better about blogging, I’m going to spend less time writing and just share a few pictures! :)  Here are just a few more random pictures of our spring vacation to Georgia and Tennessee.  Of course, one of my highlights of the trip was drinking sweet tea! :)

**Famous Blue Ridge Mountain Railroad**

 ”Emily’s Awesome Greek Salad”

SWEET TEA!! :)

Wildflowers

Our House in the middle nowhere

Confederate Cemetery

Chattanooga Aquarium. . .probably our favorite aquarium ever!!

The final day of our trip back to Georgia and Tennessee, we visited Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage. I would love for one day to be transported back in time to feel what life must have been like during this time period. If there is one time in US History that I have loved studying with my kids, it is the Civil War era. The property here at the Hermitage is absolutely beautiful. . .the animals, the house and the gardens were very impressive. Isaac (my bird-watcher) was more interested in following the cardinal around than going into the house! :)  More than likely this was our last family vacation with the six of us as Luke is in college now. . .we made some great memories and are thankful to have seen a different part of our country.

As I mentioned on Day 6, we travelled to Georgia. We stayed in Blue Ridge for the majority of the time at a cabin that was literally out in the middle of nowhere. I oftentimes tell people that we live out in the middle of nowhere, but this was truly out in the middle of nowhere! :)  The directions were literally. . .go down a dirt road until you see a the road veer slightly to the left, take the left, go up the hill, go down the hill, go another couple miles, then go up a hill until you come to sharp corner, go across the wooden bridge (scary), around a sharp corner to the left and up a steep hill. . .it seriously went on like this for what seemed to be an eternity. The first time we drove it, it probably took us 25 minutes. By the end of the week, the poor rental mini-van was quite used to getting us there in less than 15 minutes. Thank heavens no one got car sick!  Our house was beautiful and the solitude was just what we needed. The boys loved fishing down below the house, going for walks, playing games and starting fires on the porch. I loved the quietness, but I now know I’d never truly want to live in the middle of nowhere! :)