Bits and Pieces

I realized that I had forgotten to give an update on the camera lens situation from last week’s post. Remember I mentioned the camera was dropped and the lens broken? Well later that same week I was doing some serious cleaning and purging in my closet when I found a box with a brand new never been used unopened 50mm lens!

Crazy, right? The only thing we can figure is that it must have come in a package deal when I upgraded my camera and because I had one I tucked that one away and forgot about it. Which made for a really great surprise and some dry chicken for last night’s dinner because a new lens has such sharp clear focus that I got carried away taking pictures of some flowers. Actually, it was taking pictures of the radishes inside when I started cooking that caused me to forget about the chicken on the stove.  But just wait until you see the pictures…so pretty! Some of them will make there way to Just a Glimpse next week

In other news (and I just realized I am not going to come off well in this story either but that’s just me keeping it real) I made my bed at 5:40 in the afternoon the other day. But I had to do it. I try to make my bed every day but Sunday only Monday got away from me like a greased pig being chased by a bunch of kids at a county fair and on Tuesday I decided to wash my sheets. There is just something next level wonderful about sliding in between freshly laundered sheets, isn’t there? I was determined to have the full experience so I made my bed that late. Totally worth it.

71824FEE-A6EC-465D-B62C-192761826678Yesterday Sam and I made a trip to the library near our house. I told y’all there would probably be pictures. We actually only took a selfie when we reached the library. Wait, did I mention that we actually walked there because he needs a new tire for his bike? Yeah, and it is three miles not two. And that is important to know because with the heat index it was 106 degrees, people. To say I was a hot mess is an understatement. And I mean it like it really sounds and not like the skinny chick in yoga pants who took twenty minutes to make her messy bun look perfect means it. I didn’t ask Sam to leave most of me out of the picture but you can thank him because, seriously.

Things I heard on the walk there:

“I can’t believe I am saying this but I am dying” and “I need a bike. And for it to be autumn”.

I gave him the option to head back home after mile two but he wanted to push ahead so we did. He did go through a list of people we could call to have come pick us up, from his sister on through to one of the deacons in our church.

We passed by a large cotton field and I snapped a couple of pictures of the plants that are already flowering. Did you know that the flower blooms as a yellow/white color but after it self pollinates it turns pink and after a few days will turn a bright fuchsia. Fascinating, isn’t it? I was also surprised to learn that the cotton plant is actually a member of the hibiscus family. Who knew?

Anyway, we did end up calling Rob to come get us from the library but I promise it was only because I needed to get home and get to cooking for some sweet friends that have a newborn.

Which brings me to my last bit and piece…I made homemade buttermilk biscuits (leaving myself plenty of time to go buy a can of Pillsbury to pop open if need be). The last time I tried that I over worked the dough and they tasted dry as dirt and crumbled like a handful of dirt too. This batch won’t win any awards for presentation but they tasted light and yummy. I’m counting on the “made from the heart” vibe to trump the “how they look” vibe. I’m thinking I didn’t handle them enough this go round because the problem was they didn’t rise.

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Plans for the weekend? Why, yes we do. Lots of them actually. Rob and I are doing a nine and dine thing with friends tonight. What’s that you ask? You golf nine holes and then eat dinner. I think it will be fun. Or at least amusing to watch since my golf experience is limited to the putt putt goofy golf kind.

Saturday morning is a baby shower for a soon to be mama at church and in the evening it is nursing home singing and then fellowship time.  That’s always a tough one for me. I’m not super comfortable around old people but they love hearing us sing and they’re so delighted to see us each month, especially the children. I never regret going. I just have to talk myself into each time. (I am leaving this in although when proofing it I could see how dumb it sounds. It is a good thing to do, end of story. No talking myself into it and no complaining about doing it. It brings  some happy to some people who could surely use a little and I have the blessing of singing the Psalms of my God with some of my people.)

So what about you? Busy or relaxing weekend ahead? Whatever it is I hope you find reason to rejoice over the good within it.

Have a great one!

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Throw Back Thursday…Sort of

Most of the photography I do is for family and friends and people connected to my community of church and the kids school. Every now and then though I get contacted by a friend of a friend kind of thing and that’s how I came to meet this sweet  couple. Tim’s mother is a long time friend of my sister’s neighbor and family friend so when they mentioned wanting to do engagement pictures a few months ago my name popped up and I’m so glad it did.

We actually did the pictures back in April (hence the blog post title)  during spring break when his parents were visiting so it was a family event. Both Tim and Abbey are students at a local Christian college and the wedding will be back in her home state but they wanted their engagement pictures done here.

Because I hadn’t met them before I was a little nervous but they were all so laid back and happy it was easy for us to settle into good rhythm and we got some really sweet pictures.

Pensacola_photographer_downtown

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown_Pensacola_Beach

Pensacola_Photographer_downtown_Pensacola_Beach

Congratulations to you both, Tim and Abbey! I know you are counting down the days until the BIG day and I pray that you continue to find love in each other and in the details of all the planning.

Being in love is not merely a feeling.
It is a deep unity maintained by the will
and deliberately strengthened by habit;
reinforced by the grace which both partners
ask and receive from God.
~ CS Lewis

Things I Saw

I’ve been walking a lot lately, mainly at the gym, but with the weather so nice I just hate the idea of doing my exercising indoors, you know?

Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I didn’t have somewhere pressing to be first thing in the morning so I headed downtown for my walk.

It was such a beautiful day and before I knew it I had walked five miles. My time was a little slower per mile than usual but I am chalking that up to a rougher terrain. At least that’s my story and I am sticking to it!

downtown_Pensacola_Garden_Street

No idea what these are but their cheerful red caught my eye.

Poor confused crepe myrtle…is it still summer?

I love the beautiful greenery that grows up so many walls and fences downtown.

This hill is much steeper in person, trust me. Especially at the end of the five mile walk.

Technology is an amazing thing. This little app on my phone tracks distance, how many steps and how long I walked, and calories used. Pretty useful for a gal trying to be all healthy, isn’t it?

For the record I took all of these pictures with my phone. Rob thought I had taken my camera camera with me. I didn’t because
1.) It’s kind of bulky and heavy and 
2.) I was exercising, people. Maybe a little slower than some but I was booking it as fast as this forty four year old new to physical exertion woman could book. One day I will be faster. One day I might even be a runner I think.
Maybe.

Making Memories

It’s been said that a happy family is but an earlier heaven. It’s a beautiful idea that I caught a glimpse of over the weekend photographing this sweet family.

Ft. Pickens, Pensacola Beach, family portraits

It was the first time I’d met Mark but I knew Amy when she used to teach K4 at Trinitas. It is always such a pleasure when I get asked to photograph the same people more than once and having done Mr G’s first birthday pictures I knew I was going to enjoy seeing those bright blue eyes and quick smile again. He’s pretty much always been a handsome fella, hasn’t he?

We had decided to do the pictures at Ft. Pickens and we had a good laugh at how almost creepy the fort seemed when we first arrived…we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

How precious is Mr G picking and giving flowers to his Mom?

Ft Pickens, Pensacola Beach, family portraits
It didn’t take long to see how much this family loves each other…truly a bit of heaven here on earth.
Ft Pickens, Family Portraits, Pensacola Beach
Thanks for spending the afternoon with me you guys!

Tim and Chrisann

One of the hardest things for a photographer who wants to share their work is choosing which images to post. Especially when there are so many good ones to choose from which is certainly the case with Tim and Chrisann’s engagement pictures. They are both photogenic but it really is the way their happiness and delight with each other just shines through every image that makes narrowing them down difficult. 

Except this one. This one is easy to share so that we can collectively enjoy the awesomeness that is Chrisann’s hair. Gorgeousness. 
Pensacola photography, engagement pictures Pensacola Beach
We started our time together in Gulf Breeze on a giant sand cliff and then moved on to Ft. Pickens. I ended up with way more images than I normally deliver and if the light had lasted longer probably would have ended up with even more. Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order.
couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits

My goodness I just love this one.

couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits
couple photography, engagement pictures, Pensacola Beach portraits
 
Tim and Chrisann, may the Lord continue to pour out His generous blessing upon the two of you as your love for each other declares His goodness and faithfulness. May He bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.

Life Is Good

We spent much of yesterday at the Naval Aviation Museum. The huge aircraft hanging everywhere or placed where we can get up close and personal is impressive but honestly my favorite part is the miniature aircraft carriers. Ironically, I am more aware and amazed by the sheer size of those ships when I see them scaled down.

Pensacola NAS museum air craft carrier miniature

Pensacola NAS air craft carrier miniature

After we had meandered around a while we went to the lighthouse and enjoyed a picnic under the shade of some huge old oak trees.

Pensacola NAS lighthouse

We walked along the beach and just enjoyed the beautiful day. While I cannot say that it was cool, the day was unseasonably not hot.

 Claire rolled her capri pants up as far as she could and splashed in and out of the water. She also drew in the sand.

She was with her people and all was well in her world.

And indeed it is.

How We Spent Thanksgiving

We originally thought some very dear friends were going to come visit us for Thanksgiving but much to every one’s disappointment it wasn’t able to happen. So some other very dear friends invited us and our twenty-five and a half pound turkey to feast with them.

One the beach.

My favorite place.

And the weather was wonderful. The water was crystal clear and we were able to see a bunch of frolicking dolphins and a fever of stingrays. (I looked that up to see what you call a bunch of stingrays 🙂

The kids were even able to pick up a game of beach volleyball with some really nice people from Mississippi  and they raced each other up and down the beach.

On your mark…get set…GO!

He’s in the lead!

It looks like he may hold onto his position…

But big sister pulls ahead…

He doesn’t like that; he must do something…

He’s going to take her down!

They spin…

 Please note Emily celebrating the victory in the background.

Little Miss Claire was pretty busy collecting shells and Abby went back up stairs to help make some homemade yeast rolls that were fan-tab-ulous!

All together it was a great day of relaxing thankfulness. Hope you enjoyed yours as well!

Sharing pictures and telling stories with Sincerely Paula, My Chaos and My Bliss and Best Shot Friday.