transformation of a city

I am thoroughly in love with my city.

It's streets.

It's alleyways.

The rhythm of the coffee shops and bus stops.

How it endlessly transforms itself...

This holiday season, the weather has been dreary and I've found myself seeking out pops of red on every street corner. I've been yearning for the holiday spirit and I notice I seem to find it when I least expect it. Running errands on a rainy afternoon, to-do list in hand, my mind lost in thought... And from the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of red... a Santa hat hurrying along the sidewalk.

This city energizes me...breathes life into me...reminds me that we are constantly transforming. Sometimes we just have to slow down and look...

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Today's post and image by guest shutter sister, Laura Yurs.

What pops of red do you see?  Share one with us here today.

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A Wish for my Daughters

As my girls grow up right before my eyes, I often wonder what it is that they will remember from these days of our togetherness. Will they recall the silly moments, the laughter, the fun? Will they remember the chaotic moments, the impatience, the bickering?  Will it be big trips and special events or the daily routines that stand in their memory? Will they look back at the many wonderful experiences they’ve had or better their childhood disappointments? Will they roll their eyes and commiserate together about all the things I did and said that made them crazy? Likely, the memories will be a little of all of it.

I’m fairly certain that there will be plenty of things that I have said along the way that they will dismiss (both unknowingly and deliberately) as they move into adulthood but I can only hope that they embrace and internalize all the messages I have sent them, both in words and in actions, that are the most important to me; the ones that I hope that they carry with them guide them throughout their lives. About how amazing they are, about how beautiful, strong, capable they are. And that’s just the beginning. There are so many things I want them to grow up knowing.

Every once in a while I see, read or hear something that expresses exactly what I want to say to my girls. When you set a simple, sweet sentiment it to music, like in the case of this song by Lee Ann Womack, it really sings (pun intended). As cheesy as it may seem, I don't mind admitting, I cry every single time I hear this song.

“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance.”

What messages make you weepy? Tell me I'm not alone.

52 of you (and a giveaway!)

“Women are the primary resource of the planet.
They give birth, we come from them.
They are mothers, they are visionaries, they are the future.
If we can figure out how to make women feel safe and honor women,
it would be parallel or equal to honoring life itself.”
- Eve Ensler

Beginning the self portraiture journey helped us discover the empowerment we find through photography. Now we often find ourselves reaching for a camera as a form of self care. Seeing to be seen. Seeing to reflect the beauty we feel inside.  We are all women, mothers, sisters, daughters, sharing this human experience. We all struggle, grieve, fear, celebrate, love, dream, hope and mourn. We have great joy and also great pain. We embrace all of these pieces of self.

As mothers, women, and artists we are focused on documenting the everyday beauty of our lives, our homes, and our families. As photographers, we are good at seeing the beauty of the world around us. We discovered that women were missing from their family photos. We recognized this need for all women, and NOW YOU Workshops was born. Now is the time to honor ourselves by finding our place in it. What do we want to remember? What is our place in the chaos? What is our place in the joy?

Right now we are very excited about our newest eCourse. 52 of YOU is a year long gathering of creative women. This eCourse was born out of desire, companionship, global community, and shared inspiration. This project is our third in a series of self portraiture classes provided online. By having a year long project to gather around, we can keep the focus on you with a less intense yet day to day journey. Registration is now open!

Today we are happy to announce a giveaway! We are offering one spot in our 52 of YOU eCourse. Please leave a comment here by midnight (PST on 12/17) for your chance to join us all year long.

xo,

Kristin & Meredith

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Don't forget to join our mailing list! 

*****WINNER OF A SPOT IN 52 of YOU : Jeanne! *****

weekending

A typical weekend for my family is spent attempting to tire out a toddler by getting fresh air and exploring new things. It might be as simple as going to a different neighborhood playground or as exciting as a hike to the river.

How are you spending your weekends during the month of December?

Today's prompt: decorate

Tomorrow's prompt: candles

If you are interested in sumbiting a photo to appear on a Saturday for our weekending series, please send your shot(s) via email to us at click [at] shuttersisters [dot] com with the subject: weekending.

Also, don't forget to join our mailing list!

Finding Appreciation

 

I recently had a garage sale to get rid of some of the stuff I've accumulated over the years so that I don't have to carry it all with me when I move next month. I'm moving because I can no longer afford my rent. 

When I first realized I would have to move, I was despondent. Why didn't I get as many opportunities as my friends, I wondered? Why did I continue to struggle while others had it so easy?

But as I looked around the garage sale, I realized that almost everything I had was given to me (either by friends, family or the side-of-the-road gods). I had been given furniture, TVs, books, dishes, clothing, everything I really needed.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. I realized that there have been so many times that I've been the recipient of good fortune and generosity.

My focus shifted from depression and indignation to thankfulness and appreciation. Now, I am grateful that I have another home to go to and that it has turned out to be even better than the last.

Are there things in your life that need a second look? Can you find appreciation where and when you might need it most?

Image and words courtesy of Gennifer Carragher. You can find her on her blog or on Facebook, where she created a community for other Gratituders in The Year of Gratitude.

Update on Friday, December 14, 2012 by Kim Klassen

The winner of a spot in Kim's Lightroom class, Round Trip is, Becs! Congrats!