Pssst!

Pssst! Maybe I was inspired by the game of telephone as a child. The game I could never get right and probably the source of confusion in a message being passed. The person that would never, ever be able to recite what she first heard. I blame it on my ears. I still do. For me, I need to see things in writing. Visible. In front of me. With links and information. Hence why I took to the blogging world so well.

I was first introduced to this world by a friend in November 2006. I thought it was funny...that word, blogging. But little did I know the impact words could make, how many friends I have in this world, now, due to blogging. It’s a pretty powerful thing and backs up the “hand is mightier than the sword” statement effortlessly.

So starting my newest venture, pass it on, was not so hard. I was moved by so many stories on other people’s blogs, especially this one, that I thought maybe it would be easier to put all these things on one screen. Maybe. So I am trying and if you go there and click on one of the many links, you too will feel fortunate, inspired, loved. And maybe moved to donate or contribute, in some special way. After all this is the season of giving. Even though the holidays are nearing to a close, what better way to start the New Year with a vow to help others. To give all year long.

 

So here it is, in two parts. The first is the giveaway here. A sweet gift certificate from the wonderful people at ziplens.com. A $75 gift certificate to be used to rent any little item your heart desires. I first learned about Ziplens through another blog and thought it would be wonderful to pass on the goodness to you along with Janice, the co-owner and “crazy momma.” I can’t say enough about the service and quality of items Ziplens has to offer. Leave your comment here today to be entered in the drawing. And even if you don’t win the big prize, you can still get in on the 15% discount they are offering for the next year to all sisters. Just type in the code: SISTERS and you’re good to go.

The second part is a “pay it forward.” Many of you may of heard of this in the blogging world. Someone sends you a goodie and you have to vow you will do the same for others. So it’s my turn to send out some goodies. But you will need to hike over to pass it on to enter. And you have to “sister promise” you will pass on the love to someone else. Because it’s always better to give than receive.

Words, image and giveaway all courtesy of today's gracious Guest Blogger / Honorary Sister Jen Way (aka Bee Bee Mod).

And last but not least, let us celebrate the winners of the past few giveaways-

Christine is the winner of the Click Necklace from Her Southern Charm

Megan is the winner of the $100 Blurb gift certificate

Sheri is the winner of the Blue Poppy Sisterhood necklace

Telling Their Story

On November 13^th I became a mom for the second time. It was one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences of my life and one of the most beautiful all into one. The first tender moment when I held my baby girl was captured on camera. My son’s birth five years prior was also photographed for posterity. Every major event of his life since has been recorded by the shutter’s eye. And as many of the in between moments as possible too.

More than anything, it is the in between everyday moments that I am most interested in photographing. Because it is my child’s daily day to day life that really tells his story. It is an ongoing visual documentation of whom he was and who he is becoming. I especially love to take pictures of him when he isn’t even looking into the camera, like in the picture above. When he isn’t forced to look at the camera is when he is his most authentic self. A professionally trained photographer would probably see many things technically wrong with that image, but to me it is perfection. He was playing in his room on an ordinary day andI was able to capture his gentle kind spirit.

Now I can’t wait to also take pictures, to document the big events and the small magical kid moments of my daughter’s story, the moments that will shape who she will grow up to be.

Words and picture courtesy of Honorary Sister/Guest Blogger Sandra (aka Pink Orchid Too) at artful life.

Sandra is also kindly offering a print from her Sweet Blue Photography Etsy shop for today’s giveaway. Be sure to pop over and see. Her work is gorgeous. But you probably already know that. Leave your comment here today for a chance to win.

Congratulations to Emily of Five Flowers for winning one of Alex’s lovely images.

Take a Seat

The holidays are such a hectic time! There is so much planning, buying, cooking, calling, mailing, traveling and visiting going on. We rush through our days trying to be efficient and looking to please everyone... We tend to focus on the energy we need to put forth, and we forget what is there to also be received.

So I wanted to share the photo above with you, as an invitation for you to slow down a bit. Please snuggle in that while little chair for a moment, and fully experience all the joy and generosity of the season!

When you're feeling pressure... Take a seat and lighten up. Don't be so hard on yourself. You've done enough. Too much seriousness about everything, only contributes for a killjoy attitude!

When you're feeling frustrated... Take a seat and breathe. You can give in to anger and resentment or you can hold your seat and be merry!

When you're feeling disconnected... Take a seat, close your eyes and put your hands over your heart. Let that beat humble you and make you feel grateful for all that you are and all that you have!

But of course you can take a seat any other time you'd like too. Just allow this little chair to be a friendly reminder, that you can always find your way back to your center and true intention.

Image and words courtesy of Honorary Sister / Guest Blogger Alex of Gypsy Girls Guide.

For today's giveaway Alex is offering an image of choice; an especially matted and packaged 8x10 photograph from her Etsy shop! You'll have a tough time choosing as each is as enchanting as the next but you only have to leave a comment for a chance to win! Good luck!

A happy congrats to camerashymomma for winning a copy of Kelly Rae Robert's book Taking Flight.

quiet celebration

Typically when I think of the holiday season I think of festive, boisterous, falalalaing. This year I have changed my tune a bit. I have learned to find the beauty in the quiet of the holidays. The peacefulness, the unspoken love between families, the loveliness of nature this time of year. Perhaps the key is to learn to appreciate both. Take the time to celebrate with loved ones, but also take time to enjoy the quiet- take it in.

This photo reminds me of my newfound appreciation for quiet. Walking through my neighborhood alone I happened upon this cluster of pink sticks, perfectly framed by an evening sunset. Escaping the joyous noises of December is just as important as partaking in them. Capturing them can be equally festive.

Today's giveaway consists of 2 8x10s from my etsy shop, you choose. Pink sticks is a recent addition. Comment to be entered to win and good luck!

Words, Photo and giveaway graciously offered by the blissful and beautfiul Traci French. Click over to be enraptured by her blog Bliss.

Yin and Yang

 Sometimes I feel like I have bipolar disorder when it comes to photography. I have two great loves, nature macros and people portraits. In many ways they seem so different, but when you really start to dissect it, maybe not so much.

Partially because, when I shoot people, I end up all up in their faces, in their eyes, trying to catch the intimacy of the moment. I don't go telephoto like many photogs do when they are shooting people, because they don't want to crowd their subject and make them feel uncomfortable. For better or worse, I use a shorter lens and crawl around, up, down, and on top of the people I am shooting. Luckily most of the time they are children, who seem to tolerate my antics better than adults. I make faces at them, or in desperate times, even pull out the silly noises from behind the camera.

All of which I don't have to do when shooting nature. When I am rolling around in the dirt, I enjoy the silence. The calm. The fact that I have to control my breathing to be absolutely still since I don't use a tripod when shooting very close macros. It almost becomes meditative. Zen like. Peaceful.

Such different experiences, but both essential to making photography such a rich part of my life. The laughter and the peace. The yin and the yang.

Thanks to Aimee aka Greeblemonkeyfor being our gracious guest blogger/honorary sister today and for sharing her perfect photograph and words with us. Aimee has also offered one of her stunning 2009 calendars from her etsy shop today for our giveaway. Leave your comment for a chance to get your hands on it! It's one beautiful way to keep track of your New Year. And be sure to visit her blog for yet another super sweet greeblepix contest this month.