firsts

Perhaps it's because it's the unofficial beginning of summer, maybe it's because it has such a perfect aura of leisureliness, or it might be simply because I love honoring the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, but I've always loved Memorial Day.

This Memorial Day was one of firsts. It was the first time we went to a ceremony at a local cemetery with Jeremiah's Boy Scout troop, as well as hundreds of other scouts. The thousands of flags scattered about snapped crisply in the strong wind, a wind which made me regret wearing a dress. Even though the sun beat down on my head and I could feel my skin beginning to turn red, I was so proud to be an American.

It was the first time of the year that we had a barbecue in the backyard. Complete with vegetables roasted on the grill and watermelon cut into wedges, the sweet juice of the succulent fruit ran down chins.

Sighing contentedly while watching the sky fade from pink to navy blue, it was the epitome of a summer night.

It was the first time my dad and I slipped out of the house into the soft early morning air to play a game of tennis. No photographs of that – I'm not exactly known for my prowess in sports – but I loved the time I got to spend with my father in the precious before-breakfast hours, where the sky was streaked with vivid colors of the dawn. Watching the world waking up while smacking tennis balls with my racket, a satisfying thud emitting each time, it was the perfect way to start the day.

And on the way home we spied a small field bursting with purple flowers, gently swaying in the breeze. It was an unexpected patch of wild pulchritude in the midst of a neighborhood filled with brick and stone.

It was the first time of the year that we went swimming. After the initial tingling shock of cold, the swim was refreshing and indicated, at least in my mind, that summer is officially here.

I relished in the soft splashes and giggles that are inevitable while at a pool while on a lounge chair, wrapped up in a book.

It was a Memorial Day of firsts, but a Memorial Day that was so sweet. A Memorial Day that made me proud to be a citizen of America, a citizen of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

How was your Memorial Day?

-carlotta

P.S. Thank you for your input on my watermark – I've decided to keep it, but I've made it smaller and subtler.

scenes from the farmer's market.

alternatively titled: I love food photography.

It's early mornings at the farmer's market that make me remember why I love food photography so much.

Raw foods are my favorite to photograph, food in its purest form.

Often fresh from the garden, dirt still clinging to its crevices, it can't get any fresher.

The colors are astounding, from deep plums to red so bright it seems to be painted on.

While I classify myself as a lifestyle photographer, taking pictures of food will always have a special place in my heart.

I love everything about it, from the challenging aspect of making food look delicious to styling and arranging to capturing the beauty.



Also, I need your opinion. Watermarking: yay or nay? Part of me would feel more comfortable having my stamp on my photographs to (somewhat) prevent stealing and the other part of me thinks it's a bit tacky. The photos from this post are the first I've added a watermark – what are your thoughts?

-carlotta

thoughts of summer.

The windows are wide open, warm rays of sunshine spilling into magical pools on the floor, and a soft breeze gently ruffles the row of colorful scarves hanging neatly on their hooks. Pink Martini's soft croons fill the room, setting a perfectly relaxed tone.

Me? I'm basking in the glow that is the beginning of summer vacation. Having barely, just barely, survived finals and all the work that comes with them, the reward of three entire months of no school seems almost too good to be true, evidenced clearly here:

(such a lovely still, no? sigh.)

My outfit for today was inspired by summer. Stripes are a must, as are aviator sunglasses.

sunglasses: target / tshirt: old navy / belt: thrifted / jeggings: american eagle / oxfords: target

It's still sinking in, the knowledge that break really is here. Last night, as I frantically studied, if you'd told me it's possible to die of stress, I would have wholeheartedly believed you. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the sky. Layers of magenta, periwinkle, and slate grey swirled together in the clouds to form a breathtaking sight. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Standing outside, the wind lifted the hair off my neck. Goosebumps ran up and down my body, not just from the cool temperature. The only thing I thought was, "Our God is so amazing." And it's times like those, when it's just me and creation that I feel closest to the Lord.

Maybe it's because the heavy fog of school has been lifted, but lately everything has been so gloriously beautiful. 

Peeking around the corner to find Lilly in fits of laughter over MeMe's story in their fairy-net-cloaked reading nook made my heart swell. The bond these two have with each other is something so special. I know, once they're grown up, both of them will fondly recall these times.

And little girls blowing bubbles make me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. There's nothing cuter.

Summer break has arrived. The days are long and sweet, filled with memories that will last forever. I think I'll go (literally) jump for joy.

Has summer come for you yet?

Happy Thursday!

-carlotta

my day.

"Dear Monday,

Thanks for having the word 'mon' in you. That's French for 'mine', in case you weren't aware, Monday, but it makes me think of you more as 'my day', and frankly, that sounds like a much more promising start to the week."

 –unknown

Thanks to the above quote, I've begun thinking of Mondays as "my day" instead of dwelling on all the unpleasant  tasks the day could contain. Because right now, sprawled on my cowhide rug, listening to the crash of thunder and pitter-patter of rain on the windows, "my day" is the perfect description. 

In addition to thinking of it as my day, most of my Mondays are spent reveling in the afterglow of the weekend.

We went to a May fest downtown, full of art, delicious treats, and people. While gazing up at old skyscrapers, I got a bit nostalgic, wishing for an era I've never known to return. Instead of offices, this part of town must have been copious with people, strolling from shop to shop.

MeMe, along with her ballet class, danced at the festival, the blanket of clouds parting to let the sun stream in as they twirled and leaped. 

Seeing MeMe with her friends, so happy to be dancing together, was heart warming. 

The top of my dresser got a bit of a mini-makeover. Rearranging and cleansing is so good for my soul. It's amazing what something like sweeping the floor and getting rid of unnecessary clutter can do.

The weather was dramatic, heaps of clouds piling on top of each other to form mountain-like shapes. And this weather also caused the devastation in Joplin, Missouri. To think that so many lives were lost in such a short amount of time, the utter chaos and destruction that occurred. I'm praying for everyone involved...I can't even fathom what those dear, sweet people must be going through.

My day indeed. I rather like Mondays now.

How was your day?

-carlotta

photo challenge: green

Citrus are some of the most beautiful fruits  – each half perfectly divided into sections, so colorful and juicy. Limes, along with lemons, are my favorite, especially in a cold fruity drink in the summer. Delicious. What's your favorite citrus?

The theme for the photo challenge this time is green...above are my entries (I couldn't limit myself to one ;)).

<a href="http://www.pastorsgirlsponderings.com/2011/05/photo-challenge-green.html"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/X2tII.jpg" /></a>

Want to join? Just write a post containing a photo of  something green that you've taken, then come back here and link up! Feel free to grab the above button as well  – just make sure that you have some sort of link to me, allowing others to participate as well. One entry per person please  – if you have several photos in your post, please specify which one you are entering.  The challenge will end one week from today, Saturday, May 28th, at 9:59pm CST, and the winner will be chosen shortly afterwards.





Have fun – and don't forget to visit at least three other entries!

-carlotta

happiness.

Some things, no matter how many times I see or experience them, never fail to bring a smile to my face. Like this video MeMe recorded of Lilly acting as piano teacher while I played the song I composed.

It's been watched over and over and over at our house, but still brings giggles and snorts of laughter each time. And it's moments like these that make me thankful for a video camera to record these candid moments, moments that are hard to capture with a photograph. 

When I spied telltale brown truck with the letters UPS emblazoned in gold, I giddily ran out to meet it. I fairly snatched the package out of the poor man's hands, eagerly ripped it open, and immediately fell in love. New shoes, especially oxfords, make me dreadfully happy.

Classes are done for the year. Finished. Over with. An impromptu dance to Rolling in the Deep ensued, me ecstatically waving my hands in the air. Y'all, summer is becoming a reality. The summer that I am beyond excited for, as I have lots of traveling planned – my favorite. Visiting new places, seeing different things and photographing along the way thrills me.
Now to deal with finals. It's safe to say the weekend will be spent cramming. Eek.

{via}

This illustration makes me wish I could draw. Perfection. It's technically a drawing of a magazine editor, but I'm going to say it's a blogger instead ;) Pinterest, how I love you for introducing me to so many gorgeous things.
(view other lovelies by Inslee on her blog and website)

Fresh flowers brighten any room. All the new life that's blooming makes me so happy, as it translates into sweet smelling blossoms scattered in vases throughout the house.

Thunderstorms late at night – the booming and crashing paired with the drumming of rain on the roof makes me feel so cozy and complacent in my bed. Add a good book to get lost in and it's one of the best things in the world.

I like to write silly things on my hand – if nothing else, it makes others laugh ;)

What has been making you happy this week?

-carlotta

why do i blog?

In the midst of editing photographs and putting together posts, it's a question I often ask myself.

What is it about stringing words together with images like colorful beads on a ribbon that appeals to me so? Why do I think about it so often? Why do I blog?

When I clicked "create a blog" so long ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, no idea how great an impact blogging would have on my life. As I pondered myriad possibilities that could fit the question of why I blog, it was not easy to narrow it down to one specific thing. After many months sorting and organizing everything in my mind, I sat straight up when I realized what the answer was.

I blog because I am an artist. Not necessarily a paint splattered, beret wearing, brush wielding artist, but an artist whose canvas is a blank screen, whose brushes are keystrokes, and whose palette of paint is instead letters and a camera. As an artist, I blog to share my paintings made of text and photographs, expressing my creative side.

I confess there I times when I question myself, times when I wonder what the heck I'm doing in this world called blogging. There are times when I want to just walk away and quit. There are times when I feel insecure about my work, thinking it's not good enough.

But there are times when I'm so content to be blogging, so happy to do what I do. Despite the insecurities I have, the good always weighs out the bad. Every time I hit "publish post", I know that this is what I ultimately love doing, that being a blogger is the perfect fit for me.

And then there is the blogging community. It contains people like no other, people that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

This is why I blog.

Why do you blog, friend?

-carlotta