survival mode: focusing squarely on managing through the short-term.

I've been under a mountain of stress these last several weeks with many personal things to contend with. Just as the sky appears to clear, another storm hits. Much as it was during an extended period of loss I faced some time back, survival is my daily goal. Focusing on things that matter most. Seeking joy. Keeping my head clear. Spending time with family and friends.

That being said, I am also looking ahead. Working on a plan to get back on track with our faithbooking crops, despite the on-going storm. Among other things, a close family member is facing a very serious cancer diagnosis; with all of the uncertainties that lie ahead, I am simply unable to commit to our monthly faithbooking crops as I have in the past. With the help of several faithbooking friends, I hope to begin scheduling crops again come fall. (I'm still working out the details.) There will be a few changes... the most significant being a team of us will share the hosting commitment. Once everything has been worked out, I will let you know! (Hopefully, by mid-July.) Thanks for your continued patience.

kind of like a weekend recap

Really wishing there were some sort of in-between size for these Hipstamatic prints.

But no, they're either really, really big or really, really small. Anyway, at Sharon's prompting I am getting my blogging rear back in gear. Thought I'd begin with a rundown of my weekend... because it was full of all sorts of surprises. Including a date on Friday that landed me in this snazzy head gear:

Lovely, I know. We ended up sharing a thrilling eight minutes on the track at a local go-kart facility before heading out for a burger at Shamrock's in St. Paul. Dinner for two turned into dinner for four after running into Sharon and her husband. We'd already planned on staying for Rockfist (Sharon's husband's band) but dining with the two of them was an unexpected bonus :)

Spent the day at my mom's pool on Saturday and had a fire with friends that evening.

A fire that included strawberry marshmallow smores. (Yum.) And more pool on Sunday.

A super weekend topped off with a lunch date at Burger Jones for Sharon's birthday :) I was so engrossed in our conversation (and food - a cheese curds/french fries/bacon/beef gravy concoction) that I forgot to snap a picture.

Have a couple of deadlines I'm trying to meet this week but will be back soon with the update I promised!

just had to share this one...

Catching up on some waaaaaaay behind edits. I hope to have a little slideshow of the labor and delivery up soon. And a few pics from another newborn session.

And somewhere in there, will be posting another recipe or two.

As far as the faithbooking crops go, still on hiatus. Keep your eyes peeled for an update sometime in the next week.

ahhhmazing!!!

Miah and her friends won first place with this skit in their school's talent show. It made me cry all over the place. Way to go!!!!!! (And way to go Tanya on your graduation from nursing school!!!!!!!!!!!!)

M+L | Minnesota Engagement Photographer

A memorable session in more ways than one! Our session took place at a beautiful park in the area - cool bridges, gorgeous retaining walls, mini waterfall/pond, tunnel, ducks, and even deer. It couldn't have been better.

Well... perhaps it would have been a teeny bit better had my van not been vandalized. And my checkbook and credit cards not stolen.

Amazingly, this lovely couple happens to work for a local automotive glass company. And they were there to save the day broken window. (Thank you SOOOOOO MUCH for that!!!) I am also happy to report that the police already have a suspect in custody. Which is good, because it's my new FAVORITE park! Here's a peek at our exciting afternoon:

Just kidding :) Here's where the real excitement took place:

I had a WONDERFUL time and can't wait until the wedding!! Thanks again for everything...

that cheese bread recipe

Fondue Bread

1 pound Swiss Cheese, shredded

1 cup butter, melted

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

2 loaves French bread

Mix cheese with butter, garlic, and parsley. Slice loaves lengthwise and spread halves with topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm.

one down, seven to go...

Remember when my mom was sick some time back? I wrote about it HERE and shared how complicated blogging gets when I have BIG THINGS going on in my life that involve others. This happens to be another one of those times and there happens to be more than one big thing taking place.

For those of you who've been wondering (I've received phone calls and emails from some), this bloggy/faithbooking crop disruption is not about me being too busy. It's about walking the fine line between sharing and keeping private what needs to be kept private. It's about taking the time needed to care for myself during a huge time of stress. It's about keeping my priorities in order.

In other words: survival mode.

That's all I have right now. (Other than a fancy cheese bread recipe I didn't have a chance yet to post.) Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

The Birthday Girl | Minnesota Children's Photography Session

Met this smiling bundle of joy last week. In fact, she was amazingly cheerful for a 1-year old (they tend to be a little leery at that age).

If it weren't for the wind, it would have been perfect. (The balloons wouldn't stay in the frame!) Here are a couple more images from the day:

Thanks again for sharing your beautiful daughter, Emily!

love

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. - C.S. Lewis

Took this picture at a new park... a new FAVORITE of mine. I'll have some images to share from a recent session up later this week. (Seriously, the best location ever!)

Too as an FYI, our monthly faithbooking crops are on indefinite hold. With photography sessions taking up more of my time, I'm trying to figure out how to best keep life balanced. (Truth be told, I'm waiting on God for that answer.) As soon as I have a clearer picture for what is ahead, I'll let you know!

I do have a few things I wanted to share... first, my photographer friend Dawn's most recent post. Having trouble with the same sort of thing lately and her post really touched me. Second, a budding young photographer (daughter to a childhood friend of mine) recently started her own blog. Not only does Miah have an incredible eye for beauty, her heart oozes it as well :) I can't wait to see what God has in store for her! Third, life is crazy right now. I can't get into anything more specific than that at the moment... which, of course, hinders the writing a bit ;) Suffice it to say the craziness is like an octopus reaching into several areas of my life.

On a much lighter note, I'm looking into taking a class at Cooks of Crocus Hill this summer. (Click HERE for a list of upcoming classes.) Sur La Table is another favorite haunt of mine... looks like they offer cooking classes as well. (Click HERE for their summer schedule.)

And... if you've been following my sporadic Tweets you would have noticed this spectacular new Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor:

Guaranteed to cure anything that ails you.