Just Piddlin’…

One of the best things about talking with kids is that they tend to tell you exactly what they are thinking.  Sometimes, however, it seems to catch you off guard and you realize that they are so full of whit, innocence and it never fails that they seem to say exactly what all of us “grown ups” are thinking.

 Last Friday night was a prime example.  It was a party of all of the previous owners of my little farmhouse…kids included.  I was innocently having a conversation with this cutie, and asked the simple question “what are your plans this summer?!?!?”.  I asked this question fully expecting the standard answers “going to the beach, swimming, playing with friends, ice cream…you know, the “lazy days of summer according to kids” kind of answer.  I had no idea that she was wise way beyond her years and that she would answer not exactly like any other 8 year old, but with an answer that clearly is what I think about most of the time, myself.

 I hope you are sitting down here…if not, grab the nearest chair because I am about to tell you exactly what she told me.  Yep, she is going to do all of the regulars (i.e. going to the beach, hanging out at the lake, swim the afternoons away, and play with some of her friends), but my favorite answer of all times was “…and other than that I’m just going to PIDDLE.  Piddle, people, she said PIDDLE!

 I have no idea why I don’t use that word more often…just saying it makes me smile and brings to mind some simpler times…SO, my new answer for the standard question of “What will you do with your 99 days of summer?!?!?” is PIDDLE!

 So, here’s my first attempt… I’m off to the lake for a few days and YES; I have every intention of JUST PIDDLIN’ while I’m there (big smile across my face)!

 ENJOY!!!

Mother’s Day Recap…

I LOVE Mother’s Day…and it has absolutely nothing to do with all of the self appointed hoopla, the gifts or even the cards.  As simple as it sounds, I LOVE that we all get to gather together to EAT…yes, you heard me…EAT.  As most of you know, I was raised in the SOUTH and to my momma, and most of the generations before her, food had some sort of close equivalent to LOVE.

 In other words, most of the gatherings in our family are centered on eating and anything and everything involving food.  It almost happens naturally, that the first question that anyone ask around here is “what do y’all want to eat…are you hungry” …keep in mind that just finishing a meal is not a good enough reason to ever be full or to waste any amount of time planning out the next meal.

 It’s a wonder we aren’t all over weight, but I can assure you that we never lack for a full belly, or the knowledge that we are loved.

ENJOY!!!

Jody .&. Julia = BLESSED

I imagine that it would have been relatively safe to say that I anticipated this blog post being very, very LLLLLOOOOONNNGGG, but as I sit down to put words on paper I am struggling with the exact way to sum up my relationship with these two and the amount of love that I have for them and their entire family.

 This session was made of magic… a beautiful sunrise, some vintage goodness and their playfulness together was oh so totally cute and fabulous.   I am sure you all know that I was squealing and claiming that this session was my “all time favorite” most of the hour that we spent together…I have been known to embarrass myself when everything falls into place and I just can’t seem to control my excitement or the fact that I just want to soak up every minute of our time together…OH HOW I DO LOVE THIS JOB!!!

 Here’s to my dear friends, Julia and Jody, and most of all here ‘s to their sweet unborn child.  Their relationship with each other is full of heart and soul and being around them for just a small amount of time left me feeling like my cup runneth over…yep, they simply have that way about them.

 ENJOY!!!

A Day at Scott Antique Market…

Let’s kick off Hump Day with a little sneak peek into the exciting time that Debbie and I had at Scott Antique Market, in Atlanta.  This gal has been a great friend for over 30 years and some how I had no idea she had such hidden talent.  You may remember our pallet project and all of the laughter and challenges that came along with that adventure, but the real highlight of the trip was pulling an all nighter (YES an all nighter…NO sleep) on Tuesday night.  Realizing that her visit was coming to an end and so many projects were still in the works, we decided to hunker down and get it done.  We spent time hanging window treatments, rearranging furniture, turning old linens PINK (NEVER and I repeat…NEVER wash linens with anything red and expect anything short of PINK…YUCK), and dancing around all the while reminiscing to the 80s on 8.  It was so awesome to realize the vision, and seeing Debbie’s determination was totally INSPIRING.

 So you can imagine the exhaustion we felt the next day, but I can only speak for myself when I say that the excitement and adrenaline keep me going.   You don’t need much sleep to DREAM BIG and it was completely awesome to see the dreams that I have had for my studio come to life right before my eyes.

 Debbie, I adore you!  There simply are NOT enough exclamation points for this statement, but trust me when I say that you are one uber talented gal, and I am fortunate to call you my friend and my all time favorite designer.

 Yes, the pressure is on to photograph her Ohio interiors half as well as she decorated mine, but bring it on…OHIO BOUND!

 ENJOY!!!

 

 

Summer is COMING…

May is on the way, which can only mean one thing…SUMMER IS COMING, SUMMER IS COMING!

 Make no mistake about it, I do LOVE Mother’s Day and all of the pampering, and recognition that is involved, but Memorial Day and all its fanfare is what I am really waiting on because as soon as it shows up the race to enjoy summer is on!!!

 This year seems to be the exception and it seems like summer is coming sooner rather than later, and so it may just be the time to start planning the relaxing vacations, and long weekends at the beach.  Bring on the popsicles, leisurely dinners on the porch, evening hours in the hammock, and afternoons spent poolside.  I may no longer be a kid, but you will find me trying to recapture that feeling that I had when I was…you know the feeling, the one where summers last and last and last.  That’s the goal at least.

 This image screams summer to me.  It was taken on the fly at a recent extended family session.  Wish you could have seen her dress and her shoes were “HOT”.  Let’s be honest, had they been a size 8, they may have gone home with me…yes, she is stunning and the light…well you all know how much I adore some YUMMY light.   Here’s hoping that May, June, July and August will be full of yummy light and that this summer will go on forever and ever.

 Enjoy!!!