Happy Birthday Grandma Maggie!

Chris missed a phone call during church service this morning.  He called his sister back as we sat in his mom's office, where we were discussing our plans for the afternoon.  As he hung up the phone I asked what was going on, and he told us that the plans had changed.  Grandma Maggie was snowed in at the farm and wasn't going to be able to make it to Steve and Linda's for lunch.  And not just for lunch...for her SURPRISE 70th birthday party.  A flurry of phone calls ensued as Plan B (well, there really was no Plan B, but they made one up real fast) was put into place.  Steve told Maggie he would drive out her way and help dig her out.  Then we were all to show up around the same time, bringing the party to her.  Everyone re-worked their schedules and timing to fit the new plan.  Then the phone rang again.

"Grandma Maggie just looked outside and said the roads look clear enough for her to drive out to Steve's, so the original plan is back on.  But, she might get there earlier than planned, so try to show up earlier," Stacey told Chris.  We relayed the message to Mom as we waited for Dad to show up.  So we settled our plans, ran our errands, and each of us arrived at Steve and Linda's well ahead of Maggie, making sure to park around the corner so she wouldn't see any of our cars.

When Maggie walked in, her surprised face was greeted with streamers and a cacophany of voices shouting, "Happy Birthday!!!"  Her eyes lit up with a smile that stretched from ear to ear, and we could tell we had succeeded with our secret plans.  As we feasted on pork roast glazed with mango chutney and a complement of curried vegetables and rice pilaf, buzzes of converstaion filled the air.  Whenever we gather, moments are never silent and laughs are rarely few and far between.

Our combined gift to Maggie was a working day at the farm this Spring, where we would all gather to help her clean and organize the garage, weed her gardens and rebuild the beds, and do whatever other tasks she could think of that she needed help with.

Happy 70th Birthday to a loving, sweet, kind and classy lady...we love you Maggie!

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Exposed

Expose (v.):  To subject (a photographic film, for example) to the action of light.
This is what I do - as a photographer - I subject the digital camera sensor to light in order to create beautiful photos.

Exposed (adj.):  not concealed; displayed for viewing.
This is what I am...today.  And therefore I have a confession to make....

Though I started my blog just over two months ago, I had the security settings set to "private."  My blog was invite only.  I know...how do you gain exposure for your work if you won't let anyone see it?!  The need for "lock down" mode is because of my full time job.  They don't exactly appreciate their employees moonlighting.  They take it kind of personally.  And so I'm taking a risk by making this public.  But, without risk there is no reward, right?

I decided to make my blog public because I'm attending a workshop next month (which I'm SO excited for!!) and all of the attendees were given each other's websites so we could check out each other's work and get to know each other a little better before the big day.  So I realized it was time to come out of concealment, and expose myself for the world (okay, for now just the workshop peeps) to know!  Kind of like how this little guy came out of hiding for me to take his picture (he said he needed new headshots)....

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Happy New Year!

This is that time of year when everyone makes resolutions.  Resolutions to get in better shape, eat healthier, accomplish a particular goal....  But, I don't make resolutions.  I never have.  I've always thought that if I can't be motivated enough to attain something at any other time of the year, then what makes January 1st so special? 

For me, January 1st marks a time to reflect on the previous year (often in disbelief as I realize how fast another year has slipped away) and look forward to the upcoming year.  And, I have to say that 2009 was pretty great.  Great new friendships, great new challenges, and great new opportunities.  And as I look forward to 2010, I'm so excited for the possibilities it holds, the dreams to be discovered, and the beautiful moments that are waiting to be captured so they can be reflected on in the many new years to come. 

I hope the new year brings you new joys, new hope, and new blessings.  I know that I am looking forward with anticipation to what will unfold!

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