Just this last week or so, I have started bringing my digital SLR camera around with me again when I go out. I have been so lazy about that ever since the iphone came into my possession. I almost think it’s the reason I’ve stopped blogging as much too – just because I don’t have as many high quality images of every day life to share and also Instagram is just right there, so easy and so immediate.

But truthfully, I miss my camera.  I’ve started leaving it out at home too, so that when Genevieve is snuggling so adorably with our dog, or her brother, or her baby dolls, or when Baker puts on the cat costume or builds a really cool block building…I can capture that. I’m trying to live a little more without my phone constantly in hand – it’s really hard, but I’m trying. For that reason too, I like having my camera always at the ready.

The other day we were at a friend’s house and she has beautiful Camellia trees in her yard so I took some photos. It’s not so much about the photo, but just about the doing. I feel like I’ve lost a bit of that drive lately.

In the spirit of doing I have a very unrealistic list of things I’d like to get done this weekend, but whatever I get to I know I’ll have my camera with me and perhaps something fun to share next week.

Happy weekend. xoxo

 

 

 

photo by Annie McElwain

We can never seem to make a holiday card happen and I love celebrating Valentine’s Day so this year we sent this card to our loved ones.  As for us, we keep it pretty low key with take out and champagne . We don’t do big gifts or anything, but I look forward to our little celebration every year. Whether you love or loathe this day, I just wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day and all the best in 2013.

With Love,

The Carlisles

Stamped leaves for our place settings.

Cozy dinner table.

yarn wrapped sticks and glitterfied acorns and pinecones.

Playing in the toy closet after dinner.

Thankful Tree.

Pies, pies, pies. I made the apple with ruffle top.

Even though two holidays have passed and we are now in a new year, I still wanted to post photos from our Thanksgiving in Bass Lake, as it was one of my favorite Thanksgiving celebrations. It’s a tradition in Forest’s family to gather at the cabin owned by his Mom’s cousin, but we haven’t been in the last few years for various reasons and were all looking forward to a reunion.

This year I want to do the table decor so we gathered sticks and leaves from around the house…a fun outing for all the kids Thanksgiving morning. We wrapped the sticks with yarn and other ribbons, yarn-wrapped some used wine & beer bottles, glittered pine cones and acorns and filled votives with rock salt and tea lights. Stamping the leaves was probably my favorite – so easy! I just used Martha Stewart alphabet stamps and an acrylic block with regular old ink.

We also did a Thankful Tree that we left at the cabin and will hopefully get to add to next year.  This year I was feeling so grateful for family traditions and the opportunity to come together at a place we all know to spend some quality time.

Happy belated Thanksgiving, Christmas and Happy New Year! I have some catching up to do…

[Photo from my first trip to NYC in 2005.]

This weekend my thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  When one is physically far away from a disaster  it can sometimes be difficult to know what to do, or the magnitude of the need can be paralyzing. Direct Relief International is a wonderful organization that has already pledged $1 million in cash to Sandy relief.  More info about the needs, what they are doing to help, and how to donate can be found on their website:

directrelief.org