The Best of Intentions

This arrived in my email inbox this morning for my last day of Picture The Holidays with Tracey Clark.

"It's hard to believe that the year is really coming to an end, but hasn't it been enchanting spending the past 30 days together collecting the last images of 2010? Today, let's shoot something that encompasses our 

intentions for the New Year. Consider what you want to set into motion for the next year and try to capture something that will keep your intentions fresh in your mind. An iconic symbol of something important to you is one way to keep yourself mindful of it. Try to visualize a mood, thought, intention, dream and/or wish and 

then "picture it" for today's prompt."

I like the idea of Intentions better than resolutions, don't you?  I intend to put the following ideas, thoughts, behavior into motion instead of resolving to change something about myself. Resolutions leave too much room for failure while intentions are striving towards something.  

Intentions for 2011

Strive to be the best mother I can be and to limit the following phrases-"In a minute", "maybe", "hold on a second"

Continue to find beauty in unexpected places-this helps me to slow down and take notice of the world around me

Focus on Mother Nature-not only as a muse for photography but as the inspiration for my career as a designer

Take lots and lots of photos and continue to learn as much as I can!

The intentions that I couldn't capture in my neat little collage above.

get healthy

make healthy choices

strive to eat pure, real food not processed crap

be a better friend

"Live with intention.  Walk to the edge.  Listen hard.  Practice wellness.  Play with abandon.  Laugh.  Choose with no regret.  Appreciate your friends.  Continue to learn.  Do what you love.  Live as if this is all there is."

~Mary Anne Radmacher

So what are your intentions for 2011?

The Shape of Things to Come

I've been taking a 30 day online photography class called "Picture the Holidays".  Everyday a nice little image and prompt arrive in my email detailing the days assignment.  I then take a slew of photos attempting to get THE shot and then I post it to an online gallery for comments from fellow classmates.  Today the email was entitled, "A Toast".  Instead of looking forward to the new year the prompt was encouraging a toast to the year that has passed.  I'm toasting my new found creative outlet!

I love to look for simplicity in lines and the negative space that can be created.

I wish I could have gotten more definition on the little sun flare where the stem meets the glass.

I am digging the bokeh in the background.   Don't know what bokeh is?  just ask....I love to talk all things photography.

Yes I do have a blog! Thanks for asking.

So I had planned out this big introduction to my new blog, DIG. But then I decided to scrap that and just bombard you with my favorite photos from this Christmas. I'm sure most of you (my non-existent-for-now followers) have seen all these photos either on Flickr (Flickr ) or on Facebook. I'm sure it is very evident by now that I am completely....100% obsessed with photography. Of course I love taking pictures of my kids (who by now, are very sick of me having a camera in their face 24-7) but my favorite is to photograph landscapes, flowers, nature....the unexpected beauty. Photography has been so rewarding because it has really helped me to take the time and take notice of everything around me. I'm there...with my trusty Nikon....looking for the next perfect shot and in the meantime slowing down to really be there, be here, be present.
I should also warn you that I'm very indecisive.  So when I say I'm posting my favorite photo....that will usually mean my top 10 favorite photos because I can't narrow it down.
So here it goes....favorite photos from the last week.  And please...if you feel so inclined....leave a comment.  It makes me feel loved.

Why Dig? An Introduction.

Why Dig?

Definition of dig

to break up, turn, or loosen (as earth) with an implement

to prepare the soil of (dig a garden)

to bring to the surface by digging : unearth

to bring to light or out of hiding (dig up facts)

to hollow out or form by removing earth : excavate

to poke, prod

to pay attention to : notice (dig that fancy hat)

to understand, appreciate (couldn't dig the medical jargon)

to like, admire

to turn up, loosen, or remove earth

to work hard or laboriously

to advance by or as if by removing or pushing aside material

Dig pretty much sums up this blog. It's rooted in design, specifically landscape design, but that won't stop me from posting about photography, textiles, furniture, my kids and so on and so forth. So there you have it. A blog to express my design point of view. Hope you dig it.