March 15th, 2011 … seriously – where did the first 2 1/2 months of this year go?!! Sometimes I really can’t get over how fast life moves. Not that I wish it would slow down all the time, but certain things – vacations or time at home or days with family and kitties – I wish would come to a screeching halt. But alas – we keep on trucking through things. Growing older and wiser.

2011 I know is going to be a big year. BIG. I can’t wait!! But at the same time, I can, you know? I want to savor all that has happened and will happen! I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to challenge myself. I want to take more photos than I’ve ever taken. I want to paint a room. I want to scrapbook. I want to camp. I want to cook. I want to spend more time with people I love. I want to day dream. I just want to be. And love it!

roxie, pet portrait photography, dog photos, chocolate moose images, pets  roxie, pet portrait photography, dog photos, chocolate moose images, pets

Part of my goal in 2011 is to keep up on the blog world – both with mine and reading and learning from others. I feel like mine is a great, great way to keep up on my thoughts, ideas and dreams. I love that it can be so personal and intimate yet is presented to a huge audience of the whole stinkin internet but only those who know of it, find it. It feels secretive in a way. Like your favorite hole in the wall coffee shop no one else really knows about. That kind of a feeling.

Well one thing that’s no surprise is that the beginning of the year in Minnesota is pretty blah and dull. I find it hard to stay inspired and continue blogging. I think next year I need to plan something just to do that… Note to self – get something on the calendar for 2012. But seriously You get over the hump of the holidays and want to just chilax until you see sunshine again. That is a big factor in why the blog has been so empty and quiet these last few months. One of my favorite things to do is take a big batch of photos I can hardly wait to download to my computer, then to organize them into my absolute can’t-believe-these-are-so-neat photos, then edit, then pour a glass of wine and whip up some witty blog post! And it’s even better if it can be done out on the square behind my place. Ah – I am getting antsy for summer just thinking of these great, great things!!

stone arch bridge summer 2010 minneapolis photography

So far this year I have done 3 photo shoots, had a birthday, been to Texas, been sick, been to Mexico, been snowed in, booked a few more sessions and 2 weddings, acquired a copy of Lightroom, fell back in love with cleaning and sewed my very first project on my very own sewing machine! Woot! I’m off to a great start, huh? And with the rest of my year? I plan to spoil my cats even more rotten than they already are. I plan to see Harry Potter in the theater. I plan to reminisce in my mom’s favorite cook books and cook my way through them. I plan to travel to Seattle, California, the North Shore and Iowa. I plan to really, really dedicate lots of blood, sweat and tears to my business. I plan to learn from my idols – and not the American kind. I plan to culture myself with a smattering of movies. I plan to finally finish Wicked – it’s only taken 2 years. I plan to throw my very first bridal shower (eek!) and collaborate with Mur on the food/drink combo. I plan to donate my time to some amazing charities! And I plan to do all kinds of things I don’t even know about yet. What an amazing year in store for me, right??

Ah – just listing all this stuff gets me so excited!! So now my promise here is that I will blog all of these amazing events. I plan to share my stories and my images. What is one without the other, right? At this point I have a slew of photos to widdle through but will be back shortly with images of beaches, food, pups and delight. Hold tight, folks!! And I appreciate those avid visitors that check back every day for new posts. Soon, I promise!!

wisconsin photography, winter, photographer, chocolate moose images

… but until then, sleep – eat – be well and enjoy the last of the snow. Spring is around the corner!!! Ah! So excited!!! Smile