Finding my Snow Legs

Well, I’ve been here at the Shack for three days now, and I can’t say that I’m happy that I only have two days left. I have fallen into the way of life here quite nicely. I can’t even say that I mind the 10-degree weather. The daily routine here is something to be envied. I wake up every morning to a perfect winter wonderland. I watch the snow gently fall while sipping coffee, eat a little breakfast, then the daily adventure begins! Off we go on the snowmobiles to get lost in the fairytale that surrounds us…

(A frozen-over Squirrel Lake where ice fishers have made temporary homes.)

My dad and I are snowmobiling buddies, and I let him take the “wheel” so to speak while I take in the scenes around me. Everywhere I look is like a scene from one of my favorite books. I am at the top of a mountain in Forks, camping in the Forrest of Dean, searching for Aslan in Narnia. And, quite frankly, that is exactly what I love about this place. I love that it is like literally getting lost in your favorite story. I love that it allows me to be a part of a great adventure; to take in scenes that I had only ever read about in a book or seen in a movie. I love that it is so completely different from my everyday life that it’s almost like being someone else for a while. And isn’t that what a great vacation is supposed to be? A chance to escape, recharge, rejuvenate. A chance to remember what is so wonderful about this life.

(My cousin, Jaime, and her fiance, Adem, on one of our snowmobiling adventures.)

(My cousin, Amanda, and dogs, Phelps and Bella, when we hiked to an island in the middle of a frozen lake.)

To Have and To Hold

The month of May was a big fail for Swamp Gravy. But, to make up for it, I am going to inundate you with wedding photos from my recent Southern wedding weekend in Georgia.

John 3:16

Well, it's springtime again, which means Easter is here. I am always camera happy on Easter. Between all the precious children and brightly colored eggs, the photo oportunities are endless. Not to mention that in my family, we do Easter right. Easter at the Green house is about as Southern as you can get. There is Lilly Pulitzer and a Southern spread like you could only dream of. This Easter was especially wonderful because I got to meet my new baby cousin, Ella Margaret. But aside from the over-all "Swamp Gravy-like" quality of the holiday, there is just somthing about the meaning behind it all that gives me a sense of hope and happiness.

Backporch Views

This is what I get to look at every afternoon...

Just a little reminder that there is beauty everywhere. I don't have to travel any farther than my backyard. Someone remind me of this the next time I start complaining...

"That's all I have to say about that"

Well another month has come and gone, and, quite frankly, I have no excuse for not writing. A few weeks ago I was able to get out of Jacksonville for a night and visit Savannah with my parents. I cannot even begin to express how rejuvinating it is to get out of town and break routine for even just a night. I had always wanted to properly explore Savannah. After all, it is a true Southern mecca: home to Paula Deen and Forrest Gump. A city where magnolia trees and Southern twangs abound, I was in Swamp Gravy heaven. I am flat out ashamed of myself for not sharing it until now. Although the details may be foggy, the photos are not, and photos are not something I have had to share in awhile...

"Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get"

The real location of the Forrest Gump bench.

Savannah is truly unique. It has the party atmosphere of New Orleans, the historic value of Boston, and the charm of the Old South. -- J. Bennett

Breathing Air Again

It's a month into 2011, and the New Year's resolution is off to a solid start. In the last month I have done many things that make me happy including, but not limited to: catching some rays at the beach (something that can only be done in Florida in the month of January), taking pictures of the beautiful city I live in (evidence can be seen above), and diving into a truly amazing Bible study with some truly amazing women.

I honestly cannot even begin to express to you how happy I am with the start of 2011. Aside from the fact that this January has been quite possibly the longest month I have ever lived through, I really can’t complain about the new direction my life has taken. I have discovered so much about this life that makes me utterly excited to see what each day is going to bring. I have blissfully accepted the uncertainty of where exactly it is I am heading, and given in to a higher power of guidance. And, quite frankly, I am completely satisfied.

I have spent some time in the last couple days, reflecting on how far I have come in just the last few weeks, let alone the last year. I look back at this time last year and barely recognize the person I was. It amazes me how completely absorbed I was in making my life what I wanted it to be. I was so deep in “me” that I couldn’t see much else around me. A year ago, I had no idea where I was headed and I was basically drowning in the uncertainty of it all. Little did I know that all the things I was trying so hard to hold on to were the exact things that were pulling me even deeper under water. I must say, it feels nice to be able to breathe again.

Even as I write this, I am taking a deep breath and I can’t help but smile because it seems I have finally found what was missing in my life. After all that searching, it was right in front me all along.

Friendly Competition

Well I’ve been home for about 4 weeks now, and, until yesterday, I hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary. So my dad and I decided to get out of dodge for the day. We hopped in the car and made the hour and a half trip to Seaside, a place where we used to visit a lot, but hadn’t graced with our presence in around nine years (I believe it is the mark that you are crossing over into adulthood when you can say it has been nine years since you have done something).

photo by Dad

Seaside has changed a lot since the last time we were there, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves via a friendly Father-Daughter photo competition. I have learned so much about photography from my dad, and I love shooting with him. I am a firm believer that our eyes and creativity and knowledge (and my lenses) are the perfect compliment to each other. Together we could create a masterpiece. And although the pictures may be a far cry from perfect, the day was as close to a masterpiece as I could have imagined.

(Dad said this sky was worth capturing, and I must say, I agree.)

Smell the Jasmine and Magnolia

I finally gave in today and settled into my version of a southern summer. I have been resisting for the last couple days due to the fact that there is much to be done before I venture off to the “west” in a few weeks. But the cool breeze carried the smell of jasmine blooms right into the house this evening, and it was only a matter of seconds before I had sprinted outside (pups on my heels) and was curled up on the deck completely surrounded by blooms and immersed in my latest book of choice.

Sure, it may not be your typical, fun-in-the-sun summer day, but to me, it doesn’t get much better.

She Offered Me Friendship

Happy Easter!

Welcome to Easter Sunday at the Green House. It's an adventure...as you will see.

There is egg hiding.

And egg finding.

And egg counting.

And egg re-hiding and re-finding and re-counting.

There is little person hiding.

And camera seeking.

And joy for all of God's people...

and God's creatures.

Inspired

Today was a good day. It inspired me. I sat in my room for most of the day, in full production mode, knocking out homework with due dates in the far future. But as I sat here, vanilla candle burning on the table beside my bed, I felt Fall. I could see it in the way the light made funny patterns through my sheer white curtains. I could smell it when I ventured into the kitchen and the pumpkin candle burning in the living room hit me like a wall (we are candle people here at OT). I could feel the imminent coolness that can’t get here quite fast enough. I’m sure it will have been an illusion when I step outside in a few minutes. All in all, today was just a day for the books. Even with all the stressors life has thrown my way in the last few weeks, I somehow found a way to be in complete peace today.

These pictures also really made me happy, and I wanted them to make someone else happy too. McKenzie is beautiful and smart and loved modeling for me last weekend. Watching her experience the magic of the Swamp for the first time after four years of waiting was another one of those peaceful moments like I felt today. As she held up her “Go, Tim Tebow” sign with a huge grin on her face, I couldn’t help but smile with her. I just love the way little kids look at the world. Maybe that’s how I was looking at things today: like something exciting is coming and whatever happened yesterday or last week isn’t so important anymore.

Time Flies

Lately I have been out of my picture taking habit, hence why I have not posted anything in a long time. I like to have photos to share with you, and I finally do!!!

On Friday afternoon I went up to Georgia to take my cousin Zack’s senior pictures. I can’t believe he is going to be graduating from high school in a year. It seems like just yesterday he was a teeny tiny little blue-eyed, blond-haired boy with sticky fingers. But now here he is, practically a grown-up with plans for what lies ahead.

There was also some bonding with the others cousins, who seem to be shooting up right before my eyes…

For now, I am in the process of moving into my new apartment. I’m sure there will be pictures to come.

Wedding Bells

Today I had the opportunity to photograph my first wedding! It was a blast, although it is a lot harder than it looks. The pressure is on to make sure every shot is perfect and there is always more going on that one camera can possibly catch. Even though it was sauna-like outside, the light was beautiful and the people were happy. Hopefully they are happy with some of the moments I caught…I know I am.

To see more pictures click here.