Yippie, new blog layout

I'm über excited! Why?! Today, I finally get to launch my new blog with the new and improved layout. Thanks to the wonderful Ellie of Rainy Day Template. Before I contacted Ellie, I was shopping for some unique looking blog templates, but nothing I found suited my needs nor my tastes. That was until, my sister recommended Rainy Day Tempmlate. Let me tell you, I was blown away. Working with Ellie was such a breeze. So, for all you folks in the blog-sphere, if you're looking for a stylish blog template contact Rainy Day Template.  Below are just a few samples. Aren't they super cute?!

Tis the Season...

Remember the Austin Family?! If not, you can read about them here. Anyway, I'm finally able to blog the last item of their photo session. The "A" Family will be celebrating their first Christmas, with their bundle of Joy, Spencer Donlee. As a gift to them, I surprised them with some Christmas cards, knowing they were planning on creating photo cards for their holidays. Well, they finally received them today, after some Fedex snafu. Yippie, on pulling off a successful surprise. It's quite a feat for me considering I hate surprises and most often don't do surprises either. Believe me, when I say, this was a hard kept secret. haha! So, definitely super proud of myself. =) Spencer, Marlith & Baby Spencer, I love you guys!

Flowers: Red Roses

It must be the flower. Simply stated, there is something about the rose that I can't seem to get enough off. There several different species of roses. But whenever I see one, simply can't help myself but have to take a photo. My boss has the some of the most beautiful smelling roses in his backyard. And he allowed me to take photos of my ever growing collection of roses. Perhaps, it's the metaphor the rose perfectly embodies. Here's a poem by Goethe, that describes this (poem is in German. If you click here you'll get the English translation:

 Heidenröslein

Sah ein Knab’ ein Röslein stehn,

Röslein auf der Heiden,

War so jung und morgenschön,
Lief er schnell es nah zu sehn,
Sah’s mit vielen Freuden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Knabe sprach: „Ich breche dich,
Röslein auf der Heiden.“
Röslein sprach: „Ich steche dich,
Dass du ewig denkst an mich,
Und ich will’s nicht leiden.“
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Und der wilde Knabe brach
´s Röslein auf der Heiden.
Röslein wehrte sich und stach,
Half ihm doch kein Weh und Ach,
Musst es eben leiden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

What do you think? Aren't these roses beautiful? Recently, I gave my boss a Fine Art  print of his roses, for his birthday. He and his wife absolutely loved them, especially since it was a photo of a flower that grew in their backyard.

Big Bear & The Austin Family

I've lived in SoCal for about 9 yrs now, but for some reason I just never had the chance to venture up to Big Bear. Two weekends ago, Mr. J. and I finally had the chance to explore and visit Big Bear. Another tenant in my office building graciously offered his cabin to us free of charge, after he heard that we both haven't been. It' was a quick weekend get-away, but Mr. J and I had so much fun, especially since we were able to spend it with our awesome friends the Austin's. We invited them to tag along with us, because we knew they needed a break from the daily grind as well. Who doesnt?! Anyway, we actually loved it up there so much, that we're planning another trip in the New Year. Hopefully, they will have snow by then, so that the boys can hit up the slopes. The weekend consisted of Food, Laughter & Food. I probably gained 5pounds that weekend. A small price to pay for a good time, wouldn't you say?!
Now, let me introduce to you to Spencer, Marlith & Baby Spencer ~ the Austin Family. Marlith and I met when we were Freshmen in College. And have been best friends since then. Actually, this story makes me chuckle, because to be honest when we first met, we didn't really like each other. This just shows, that first impressions aren't always right. After a few weeks of hanging out, we became fast friends. And here we are now, 10 year later. It was a pleasure shooting Marlith's family, and Mr. J and I are looking forward to many more trips together.






P.S.: I do have one more item to post for this shoot. However, I won't be able to do so until later on in the afternoon or tomorrow. It just all depends, and I don't want to spoil the surprise. I must say though, it's been extremely hard not publish this post sooner. Everyone that knows me, knows that I don't like surprises, nor do I do surprises. Mr. J is actually quite impressed that I held out this long without spilling the beans to them. =) Feel free to comment, as I'm always looking for feed back on how to improve.