Wahclella Falls

Went hiking with Kate, one of my favorite people in the world, this morning - you know I love her 'cuz I got up before 8am to go! (me, not so much the early morning person...) She suggested the short but beautiful Wahclella Falls trail (Bonneville Dam exit off 84 for you local readers) and I realized I hadn't visited those particular falls in over ten years, so I was in...

Took my little point and shoot and tried to convey just how magical a morning it was - the trees and small creek conspired to keep us cool and the filtered sunlight caused the leaves and ferns to glow...

However, my FAVORITE shot from the hike was taken by Kate! When I first walked up to the waterfall, I reached out my arms to embrace the cool mist and I could hear Kate in back of me yelling, "Gimme your camera - I want to take that picture!" How could I not give in, despite my instinct to hide whenever someone points a camera at me?! (a common affliction amongst photographers, btw...)

So thank you, Kate, not only for a lovely start to my day, but my favorite photo of me in a Very Very Long Time!

45 Life Lessons

A friend sent this list to me this morning, and it struck such a chord with me I had to share it. The list was written to celebrate growing older by a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio - Regina Brett, now 90 years old. It is the most-requested column she's ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.

Don't save it for a special occasion, Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone and everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

More collage fun

I'm starting to get addicted to creating these cute little collages! This one features the adorable Alex who I met at a recent get together - I just couldn't resist photographing those chubby cheeks! Ain't he a sweetie pie?

A GORGEous Weekend!

Boy howdy, have I been waiting a looooooong time for a stretch of weather like we are enjoying this Memorial Day weekend! So nice to be out of the house and taking advantage of the adventures to be had practically at my doorstep...here are a few images from a hike my husband and I took (with my darling puppy, Sofie) at Catherine Creek Trail in Washington - so wonderful to still find plenty of wildflowers to photograph! Hope you're all having a fantastic holiday...

Ever think you'd like to be a model? Well here's your chance to find out what it's like!

I'm still looking for 2 more models from the class of 2010, so if you think you've got what it takes, give me a call at 541-436-2755!

The many moods of Ely

One of the things I look for in a Senior Model is personality - when you come for your Top Senior Model interview, make sure to let all the facets of YOUR personality shine through! Here's an example, two completely different sides of my first Senior Model, the lovely Ely...

Top Model for Class of 2010!

okay, I HAD to include at least ONE image of Ely, especially since I posted one of her little brother first...you're going to see ALOT more of her this next year as she's one of my Top Models for the HRVHS Class of 2010! and I think she is DEFINITELY a '10, don't you?!!

I think I used up my monthly quota for capitalization with this post... : )

Little Brother

Photographed the gorgeous Ely, one of my Top Models for the Class of 2010, in the studio last Friday - got SOOOO many great images, I'm STILL editing and trying to pick the very best ones to present! Even though there's still so much work to do, I couldn't resist playing with this shot of Ely's brother and thought I'd share it with you all...(I was really impressed with what a great little brother he was - helpful, cooperative and alot of fun to have around! Now why couldn't MY little brothers have been like that?!!)

Soroptimist Spring Bling!

I had a wonderful time at last Saturday's Spring Bling! luncheon put on by Soroptimist International Hood River! This annual event was started last year to celebrate SIHR's 60th year anniversary of service to women and girls of Hood River. A new twist this year was the addition of three custom jewelry vendors who displayed their creations for purchase - hence the "Bling!" in the title! Showcasing their glittering bling were Jewelry by Cari (ahem - the photo used in her Mother's Day promo shows Cari and her adorable daughter, Stella - created by yours truly!), Pearl Girl Tags, and Tricia Losee for Silpada Designs. The fashion show was such a hit last year, we HAD to have our local style mavens back! Showcasing their latest designs were Ananas Boutique, Flow Day Spa, Frolik, Melika, Outside Baby and Parts + Labor.

As a member of SIHR, my contribution to the event was the set up of a mini-studio where I created portraits for mothers and daughters as a fundraiser for SIHR's charitable programs. Many thanks to all the women who participated and helped make this luncheon a FUNdraising success!