Togetherness. We are heading up to my grandparents' for the holidays. Christmas up there is filled with cousins, warm fires, soft light, and plenty of family time. My grandma puts up a stocking for each person in our expanding family, and on Christmas morning each one is filled with knick-knacks and fresh oranges.Christmas Eve is when we head to the little church on the hill for carol singing and candle lighting. All of us kids are complete in our satin dresses with big bows and our shiny Mary Janes. Soon after the service, we scurry to bed where our grandfather reads "The Night Before Christmas," topped with wacky voice animations and fuzzy pj's.
Christmas morning, well that is just plain magic.
May your Christmas be filled with love, warmth, and magical togetherness with those special ones.
He worked next door to her... the girl with the auburn curls and rosy cheeks. She lived in the big white house with the navy shutters while he cleaned the grease off the stove and took out the trash next door. Her maid, Bee, had raised her since she was born. Her dresses were always crisp and bright. His trousers were slightly wrinkled and covered in soot. He would often sit out on the back porch and he would hear her music... it would come from the front room in the big house. He gradually would make his way to sit under the big oak tree and sit by the hydrangeas beneath the window and listen as her fingers glided up and down the piano... it was so peaceful. Sometimes, he would glance up without her noticing. When she played, she would tighten her lips and squint her eyes, almost as if they were closed. He saw a joy and a serenity in her as she played... he could tell it was her escape. Often she would look out into the distance as if seeing something far away, but then she would start right back playing again. She would repeat this for hours... sometimes he wondered if she even had a family inside that big house. He would almost be asleep under the oak tree when he would hear Ms. Wilkins whistling for him in the kitchen- another load of garbage waiting for him.... at night, sometimes he wouldn't even go home to his empty house full of soda cans and old magazines. Sitting under the big oak, knowing she was somewhere in that house- that was where he wanted to be.
Sometimes they would see each other at school. She would usually have four or five girls decked in plaid skirts and twin braids hovering around her to soak in the radiance.. she would always do the same thing she did at the piano- glance into the distance, as if searching for something... except here at school, she didn't snap back into the moment... the girls crowding around were almost a buzzing in her ears.
Little did she know that he was always there. Always in the background, always there to catch her if she'd fall. Around him, she wouldn't need to stare into the distance- all she had been searching and grasping for had always been right there under the big oak with the dirty hair and the greasy jeans...
I was just fooling around when I took this shot, but I somehow keep coming back to this one moment, filled with the subtle peace and beauty on a simple drive to dance lessons one rainy afternoon...
Things I am thankful for on this lovely Thanksgiving:
Pumpkin pies. My family. The warmth of my wool blanket. My camera. Natural light. Christmas decorations ready to be placed. Mac & cheese and fried chicken (the southerner's Thanksgiving meal) The touch of a loved one. My crochet needles. My friendships. Saturday mornings. Fuzzy socks when the draft in my old house is too much for my poor feet to handle. Dad's encouraging words. Joking around with Mama. My brother's blushed cheeks. My sister's warm hands. My golden retriever's precious head on my lap. The amazing readers of my blog... I thank each and every one of you... Who would have thought that a crazy 15 year old could love blogging this much?... and that would be because of all of you...
Most of all, I am thankful for this hectic, sticky, insane, crazy, wonderful mess of a life that I am incredibly blessed to have.
Steaming apple cider in the chilly mornings. The smell of rain... My moccasins. Brushing the hair out of my brother's sweet eyes. Staying inside all day watching Christmas movie marathons- I love this time of year. The smell of chili throughout my home- making me anxious for tomorrow's supper. The fact that Thanksgiving is arriving... Scribbling the beginnings of Christmas lists with my sugar-filled siblings. The heat from the fire that is warming my toes at the moment... The preparations for a pumpkin pie. The freckle-nosed little girl smiling up at me in the choir loft at church this morning. Going to sleep every night with the comfort of having my sister beside me throughout the night..
and the beautiful kitten that curiously watched the crazy teenager going camera-wild at the sign of leaves...
I am in love... with fall. Pumpkin pie, blazing fires, and the smell. Oh yeah, that is my favorite part. I am on my way to jump in a pile of leaves and crochet myself a scarf.
We were thirteen, on the brink of high school. Everything would soon be changed- our friendships, our schoolwork, our shoe sizes, our teachers, and our lives. But on that warm, humid summer night down by the dock with the crickets humming us a tune and the fish quietly splashing in the pond beneath us, nothing mattered- nothing mattered at all. It was just the four of us; me, with my braces and sun-kissed cheeks, the two boys- 12 feet and battle scars between the two of them, and my best friend, with her sandy feet and over sized t-shirt. Fishing poles in hand, casual conversation, and bubble gum that lost its flavor the hour before; this is all that was on our minds that night. Our palms were sticky, the bonfire was dying down, the fish were long asleep... but we didn't mind. We sat out there for hours with no light but the moon.
On that summer night, the world's end wouldn't have bothered us. That night, on the cusp of young adulthood with our scraggly hair and torn blue jeans, a special, everlasting bond formed between the four of us... those clumsy country kids will never disappear...
Have been really busy lately, but here are some glimpses of some of my portraits. (click on each picture to get the full view... I hate how small they turn out on my page! They also look clearer when you click.)
This beautiful girl is my sister- how lucky am I to have such a fantastic model living right at home??
Have a marvelous, blissful, serene weekend. Much love, suzyQ
Waking up to the smell of pancakes. Hurrily putting on my wool moccasins and bathrobe to grab one before the rest of my family devours them. Sleepy eyes and scraggly hair. Orange juice on the back porch. Cartoons constantly showing on every t.v in the house. Good ole Log Cabin syrup on sticky fingers. Browsing blogs to my soul's content. Finally changing out of my pajamas around noon. Then gradually doing the dishes... usually around one or two.
This would have to be my favorite day of the week. Lazy mornings and late nights filled with fun- what could be better?
Will be looking forward to next Saturday all week....
Do you sometimes feel like you are just living your life robot-style? Like you are just going through your regular ole every day routine; like you are in a car going 200 miles an hour watching your life pass you by outside the window? Are you bored with yourself?
My new challenge: Take everything slowly. Live your life by the edge of your seat, eagerly grasping every exciting opportunity that comes your way. Anticipate. Get giddy over the little out of the ordinary happenings in your everyday life. Take risks. Try something new. Bake a cake, go roller-skating, try a new instrument, get a pedicure. Scrounge up every last crumb of your day (who cares if you get a little bloated in the end?)
Just take a leap into life again. Jump as high as you can- just have the ride of your life.
I love the shades of pink in this picture- his lips, cheeks, and ears. I had to bribe him to let me capture a few shots of him after school one day. We played, wrestled, and he macho-ly posed with his football in hand as well. We had a lot of brother-sister fun.
I am even willing to bet that he will be begging me sometime next week for us to do it again.
Tonight, as I sleepily murmur my prayers, I am going to be sure to get in a few good wishes for all the brave breast cancer victims and their families.
I might even say a thankful one for this cute little fellow as well.
Oh, the freedom it brings to my life. But, oh, the anxiety that follows close behind.
Does that sound like I envisioned it would? Correct grammar? What should I write about next? What if I run out of things to write about? Am I getting the point across that I have agonized over the last hour? What can I do to inspire and touch my readers? What is the purpose of this blog?
(Can you tell I have an analytical side?)
So, then my psychiatric side must quiet and console my endless thoughts. She tells them:
"As long as you are making yourself happy with what you write, nothing else matters. Never worry about running out of things to say- life happens, and when it does, your story will unfold along the way. No matter what, your words will somehow touch someone out there- end of story. Now, only you can reveal the purpose of your blog- think about it."
After much consideration, she answers, "Well, I started it as a creative outlet and a place to showcase some of my amateur photography. But, it turned into a place where I express my thoughts and it has taken me in many directions unimaginable. It is a confidence builder, friendship maker, and much more. My blog never ceases to listen to everything I have to say, without the slightest complaint. I guess that the purpose of it would be to challenge and uplift my own life, and hopefully lighten the load of some other people's lives as well. I want my readers to arrive here and feel at home, and for the stress and worries of their everyday lives to dissolve... knowing that anyone has received any kind of inspiration from my words gives me the greatest satisfaction I can ever have."
"Well, suzyQ, there ya go. Next time those crazy thoughts start buzzing again, tell them they will have to mess with me."
1. The coolness that is just now approaching the air in my southern town. The need to reach for a light sweater delights me. 2. The sudden urges I have to jog around my neighborhood because of the beautiful weather. All the thoughts jumbled around in my head begin to make sense when I just let my mind go wild. 3. Vanilla yogurt (it is my new every morning breakfast.) 4. The fact that my sister and I have barely argued in the past week or so- yesterday, I could have sworn she smiled at me. 5. The adorable notes and doodles that my boyfriend leaves in my locker. 6. My history teacher has actually taken a liking to me. Today, we held some very detailed conversations (he even cracked a smile too!) 7. Hugging my mother every night before going to bed, and then hugging her in the morning- -bed head and all. 8. Lingering under the cozy, warm sheets in the morning. 9. The photo shoots that a couple of mothers have asked me to do for their children (this one makes me especially giddy) 10. Seeing one of my best friends that graduated last year for the first time in a while. We talked for about two hours straight- I have missed that girl with every ounce of my being. Our lengthy discussion included talk about her ongoing love of college, while missing her real home. She came to one of our football games, and she said she felt like she should still be in the student section cheering with all of the crazy teens. This is what I am constantly analyzing about my future- the fear of leaving my whole life behind me and going on to the unfamiliar. See here. 11. This lovely little lady bug that elegantly posed for me while I took her picture.
I hope you are loving your life as well. Happy Tuesday.
Every Sunday we come together. Communion is my favorite part of the service. The lights are dimmed. The prayers are said. There is a single glow from the flickering candles. Hands are held. Eyes are dabbed. The soft music is playing. We all go down to the front to partake in the bread and juice. It is silent. Peaceful. Magical. Warm. Inviting.
It's at this moment that we are whole; gathering for one reason. We are friends. We are family. We are happy. We are loved.
my grandmother- her blond locks slowly began to disappear. the gold on her skin was reluctant to shine. the strength she normally had no trouble exerting began to fade; but the smile on her face or the warm in her touch never withered.
...
the cancer no longer claims my grandmother. its mark, barely visible. but the memories...they will always remain. ...
To learn more about, or participate in "Pink Thoughts in October," click on the link over on the right- you know you want to.
I spent my Sunday afternoon photographing a birthday party- of twin 4 year old girls! Everything was absolutely precious. I have a gazillon photos that I will posting periodically... but this wonderful little party gave me inspiration for this week. Lately, I have been rushing around trying to do this and that, and I have forgotten to enjoy the little moments. So, as I was taught this afternoon by a dozen squealing little girls, I am going to enjoy every little inch of every day- or at least do my best. So I am off to get in my pajamas, grab a cup of hot chocolate, watch some sitcom re-runs, and enjoy.
As I got home from school on Friday, a nice little package was waiting for me... As soon as I saw it, I ripped it open, knowing just what it was- my Lensbaby. I immediately went outside and started snapping hundreds of pictures. It is a very challenging lens, however, so some of these aren't that great; I am still getting used to it. (and sorry if you get a bit of a headache from looking at some of these!)
"Good night, Mom," I said. Then I stealthily snuck into the kitchen and cut a generous piece of a brownie cake that we have. I then walked upstairs and attempted to fall asleep... but the craving for one more meager crumb kept me awake. So I crept back downstairs to polish up the last bit of the cake... but, to my dismay, the cake polishing had already occurred. And as I looked into the deep, dark shadows of the pantry, I spotted my mother licking her greedy fingers.
green grass. pink lemonade. sun tans and tan lines. faded beach towels. sandy flip flops. pimento cheese sandwiches. back-porch dining. strawberry banana smoothies. blue skies. bare feet. skinned knees. grass stains. endless movie marathons. fresh cucumbers drowned in vinegar. lazy mornings. late nights. last-minute planning. camp outs in the playroom. the warm, sweet scent in the air.
oh summer, how I will miss thou.
Happy Fall to all you Blogger residents out there.
What makes you happy?Waking up to light shining through my window on a sunny day. Stepping outside and feeling a slight nip in the air, right in the beginning of fall . Putting on the first sweater of the year. Family bonding at the dinner table. Writing, writing, and writing . Napping with the rain and an empty mind . My dog, Sam . Weekends full of game nights and lazy mornings. Taking pictures of my beautiful life that I couldn’t even begin to put into words.
What are your dreams?I want to travel around the world . I want to have three children, whom I will love with all my heart and whom of I will take many, many pictures . I want to live in New York City for some amount of time. I want to be famous (ha!). But above all, I want to be blissfully happy no matter what.
What are some improvements you would like to make to yourself?Can I use three pages for this one? Well, there are many improvements that I need to make to myself, but I think there always is for everyone. The most major one, however, would probably be my too-quick-to-judge-ness. As hard as I try to be non-judgmental, I always get initial thoughts buzzing around in my head when I first meet someone, and unfortunately, those thoughts aren’t always good. I am working on it though!
Who are your role models? Why?My grandmother, Mama Sue, will always be one of the major role models in my life. She battled cancer a few years ago, and even though she has gotten rid of the disease, it did leave its mark in her everyday life. She is always trying to help everyone around her, but the after shocks of the past chemotherapies have left her feeling tired very often after little exerts of energy. She is constantly working hard for others no matte r what, and I hope that I will be at least a fraction of the dedicated person that she is.
What do you want to be when you “grow up?” To employ at either a major advertising or marketing firm, or something creative. But most importantly, I must love it.
Describe your current life.Currently trying to fit family time, boyfriend time, friend time, extra-curricular activity time, spiritual time, school time, fun time, and me-time into my already insane schedule. But loving every minute of it.
3 wishes. Go:1.) I wish for me to stop questioning life, but living it.2.) I wish for peace in not only my own life, but in life around the world (I know, very beauty pageant of me). 3.) I wish for me to become a better writer to better describe how wonderful life really is.
One of the things I love most about high school: Friday night football games.
Wet, mushy, perfectly groomed sod. Enthusiastic mamas and nervous daddies. Little girls donned in their homemade cheerleading uniforms, cheering along with the "big girls". Our coach's famous speech made at the end of every ballgame in a huddle on the middle of the field, with players and fans surrounding. Roasted peanuts and cokes. Candy-filled children screaming for their role models on the field. Gnats...everywhere. Bright lights. Hair ribbons and pom poms. Rub-on tattoos plastered on pink cheeks. Familiar cheers ringing through the whole complex. Sore throats and hoarse voices. The feeling of having the whole school together rooting for their boys.
This makes me love high school life. This makes me feel at home. This, I will never tire of.
And this, I will most certainly miss in a few years.
After long thought and much consideration, I have decided to start a new weekly blog theme called "Memory Monday." Each Monday I will share a memory from my cherished past.
And yes, I do realize today is Tuesday, but I just couldn't wait another week!
So sit back and enjoy...
I have analyzed and over-analyzed my first memory to share with you... And after a lot of mind battling, I came up with the perfect subject: My great-great grandmother.
She was my mother's grandmother. She had snow-white hair and the most beautiful facial features I have ever seen. Her wardrobe consisted of all the most elegant apparel of the time. Her famous quotes are still remembered throughout my family today. Visiting her mediterranean-style home to visit with her and sip apple juice in her charmingly outdated kitchen was always anticipated. Her Southern antebellum accent made anyone she met instantly fall in love with her.
These are some of the few things I tangibly remember about her since I was only in 4th grade when she passed away, but the most prominent memory in my mind is how much my grandfather loved her. She was his mother. What can one do when they lose a parent? I can't even fathom. But I remember sitting in the kitchen at my grandparents' house and my grandfather saying...
I found this on my brother's desk yesterday morning. In all his sweetness, he created a list of his daily routine starting from bedtime.
I see a very successful future for this boy. His handwriting is just like my dad's... If you can't read some of it, it says:
1. Prayers 2. Sleep
3. Get up take shower at 6:10 (he is the morning person of our family) 4. Get out at 6:20 (Ten minutes? I don't think he has quite reached his goal yet. His showers usually estimate around twenty minutes. Much to his sisters' dismay)
5. Brush teeth
6. Go in mom's room and sleep till 6:40 (mama's boy)
First things first: This photo and the one before, and the ones to follow are all results of my summer savoring. I hope you all have gotten some great shots of these last days as well!
Sooo.. I took a personality quiz based on my favorite colors on http://www.colorquiz.com/ today, recommended by my very dear friend, Caroline. Just to humor her wild imagination, I took it. But as I read the results, my mouth dropped wide open. No one has been able to perfectly describe me better than this. I seriously suggest this to you, it was so cool! And it really shed some light on some current situations for me.
"Feeling tension and stress brought on by situations which are out of her control, leaves her feeling helpless, anxious, and in adequate. In order to build her self-esteem back up, she looks to others for recognition, respect, and encouragement. This can be a problem since she tends to blame others for her shortcomings. Searching for solutions that are geared toward her needs and self-consciousness."
"Feeling held back and restricted from moving forward, looking for a solution that will give her more freedom and less obstacles."
"Seeks freedom and the chance to do as she wishes; avoids restrictions or things that try to hold her back. Feels an intense amount of pressure being put on her and would like a chance to escape in order to do the things she wants and needs to do for herself. However, she lacks the determination and motivation to escape and pursue her own personal gains."
I have spent this lovely Labor Day Weekend at the beach with a chunk of my family members. Our beach house is very East Coast-esque with charming white trim outlining the pale blue wood. Many memories have been created throughout my lifetime here, and every time I walk through the door and smell the familiar smells, all those memories rush back.
Digging bathtub-sized holes for hours with my older cousins in the gritty sand. Body surfing and boogie-boarding in the high-tide waves. Applying massive amounts of Aloe Vera to my many sunburns. Feeling the breeze brush across my face at the perfect moment. Painting my toe nails so my feet look perfect buried in sand the next day. Grana's world famous cheese grits every morning. Pimento cheese sandwiches as a daily lunchtime meal. Outdoor showers topped with Pert shampoo. Stepping on sand dollars in the ocean and then masterfully picking them up with our toes to add to the collection. Seagulls. Seagulls. Seagulls. Cheez-its and Crystal Light. Wearing baseball caps and t-shirts every day due to our entire family's pale-as-can-be skin and our over-protective mamas. People-watching galore. Complete peace and serenity that I can find nowhere else. Knowing that I am surrounded by the people I love most in this world. And the feeling of dread that overcomes me on the last night.
As we are approaching the final weeks of our current season (for me, it is summer,) I challenge you all to scoop up every last bit of these final moments. Go outside and take a billion pictures of nature this time of year so you can enjoy the beauty all year long. I will be posting my finds on here throughout the next week... This summer has been a beautiful one and I want to get a picture of every last glorious thing! I also want to see what moments you all can capture as well... even if you haven't ever even held a camera before- I promise you, you will love it.
So let's take time to notice all of the simple, ordinary perfection surrounding our every day lives... let's take time to savor.
(Sorry, no picture today- my computer has crashed so I am improvising... Will be posting more soon!)
My biggest problem is...
living in the present. I am either wanting to go back to the past, or I am wanting to fast forward to the future. I am getting close to the age of planning for colleges, etc., and that completely excites me. But on the other hand, I am wanting to be eight again; riding my bike down the sidewalk, giggling at boys, wearing my favorite pair of Ked's sneakers, lacy socks, Full House marathons, an A+ on every quiz, bare feet, loose teeth, not questioning every little thing- accepting it, rub-on tattoos, Santa Claus, stress-free, snuggling with Mama, going to work with Daddy, leggings and clip-on earrings. Why can't I just accept everything that goes on around me? Why can't I stop worrying?
I am going to give myself some advice, and maybe it will help a few of you out there too...
The past is gone. The future- not guaranteed. Now? That's all we've got. Now. Now. So hug a little longer. Splurge a little more. Press the snooze button on your busy schedule, and do what pleases you. Snug some me-time in there as well.
How are you? Are you happy? I mean really happy. Do you walk around with a smile on your face? When was the last time someone asked you How's it going? What have you been up to lately? And you simply said,"Falling completely in love withlife."? Why were you so happy then? What is it that gives you that on top of the world, everything is beautiful, jump for joy, I love my life! feeling? That feeling when you think anything can happen, when you cannot wait to see what tomorrow has in store for you, while not wanting to let go of the present moment as well. That feeling when your biggest pet-peeves are beautiful additions to the world, when your biggest problem exists no more. Come on! Let go of everything, if only for a second. Fall in love with your own life again, and stop comparing it to other people's. Be happy. I mean cookie dough and brownie batter happy (you can even lick the spoon!)
Well...it's just that kind of day. Gloomy weather, tests and quizzes galore, blah, blah, blah.
We had try-outs for our school play today in Drama class, and there is only three parts suitable for girls. I sadly don't think that I got a part, so I am kind of bumming... but who knows.
As I am sitting here typing, all I want to do is go put on some comfy sweats and snuggle under a blanket...
but the good news?
Tomorrow is Friday!! Ahh, the weekend. Also, fall is coming soon (my favorite time of year!)- fall also means that I will be outside constantly and that pretty pictures will be coming soon!
Well, I am on to watch a sitcom and drink some hot, delicious, comforting tea.
"He not busy being born is busy dying." -Bob Dylan
" To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is apart of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." -Anatole France
"If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads." -Anatole France
I looove Anatole France! :)
"People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest." -George Matthew Allen
Drum roll please... this is my favorite of the bunch:
"In the hopes of reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet." -Albert Schweitzer
I hope you all have had a magnificant Monday, and have a beautiful week!
Tiny toes. Stubby fingers. Crooked smiles that bubble your heart over. Billions of questions. Skinned knees. Dirt behind the ears. Chubby cheeks. Dimples. Pink cheeks. Button noses. Mama's Girl. Daddy's Boy. Holes in jeans. Playful. Innocent. Happy. Carefree. Loving. Beautiful. Warm.
Now, I know that I am very young as well, but I do not compliment myself by saying I am child.
I love this photo. I think it is a wonderful description of childhood- dancing through life, not paying attention, or caring, who is watching.
So my challenge for us all this week? Be a kid. Ask billions of questions. Skin up those knees! Who cares if you get a few holes in your jeans? Be loving, happy, warm, carefree, and playful...
Today, my family and I went to the funeral of one of the dearest women in our lives. She was about sixty and had been suffering from PSP for the last five years or so. Her grandchildren, some of our closest friends, and we would regularly visit her in the nursing home and sing and play piano for her. One of our favorite songs to sing was the classic hymn "Sanctuary." The funeral today was a wonderful service, and I got teary-eyed very often throughout. We were told before the funeral that she had asked us all to sing "Sanctuary" at the end...
I was very nervous about the way I would sound, look, etc., but when we got up there to sing, all I could see or think about was the precious woman we were usually standing before while singing this beautiful song. About two words into the song, tears started flooding down my face, and I could see all of her family start reaching for their handkerchiefs.
This beautiful service has already got me looking for the beauty in my life, like "Mrs.J" did. Even though she was disabled by the disease the whole time I knew her, I could always see the life and warmth in her eyes, and her love always showed the faith she had in God.
I challenge you to live your life like she did- happily, lovingly, hopefully, and faithfully.
Sanctuary
Lord prepare me.
To be a sanctuary,
pure and holy,
tride and true.
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living.
Sanctuary-
for you.
Thank you for everything you have given each and every one of us. We love you and will always miss you dearly.
For only my first week back, school this week has been insanely hectic. And not to forget, my sports practices that have been lasting from 3:30 to 7:30! I will go crazy by the end of the year. At my school, we have an infamous history teacher that everyone fears... and I now have him for the first time this year. And I have to say, he definitely lived up to my terrifying expectations. When it is time for his class, our class has learned to quietly swift in, not to speak a word, show no emotion, and agree with everything he says. I have my first quiz from him tomorrow- I am really worried...
I am sorry for the lack of posting this week, but come this weekend I will have a lot to write about!
If only I could just forget everything and prop my feet up for just one second...
I watched her as she etched various doodles into the sand with an old stick. My four-year old cousin's creativity amused me for about ten minutes. Young children's creativity never stops blossoming, but at some point in the growing-up stage it starts slowing down. I hope that you will ponder this thought this week, and try to shoot some creativity sparks into your everyday life. After all, what is life without a little creativity?
"Creativity is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself."-Alan Alda
I hope you all have a marvelous Sunday! And I hope your life will become a little more creative.
Well, I am sad to annouce that school started back for me today. As excited as I am about the year ahead of me, thoughts of my wonderful summer still linger in my head. After careful thinking in french class today, I jotted down my favorite things about my summer.
And here they are...
1.Fresh fruit and veggies- my main diet in the summertime.
2.Having the time to read- for fun!
3. Being with my family every second and loving every bit of it (well, maybe not every bit.)
4.Finally starting my blog! And being introduced to some very wonderful people through my blog that I would never have met otherwise.
5. Getting my learner's license.
6. Pursuing a constant dream of mine by being in a play for the first time ever. I can't believe I have waited so long to get on stage because I fell completely in love with it. One of the best decisions I have ever made.
7. Finally getting some long-awaited projects finished around my house... I will come out with it now-I am suzyQ and I am a total narotic clean freak. There ya go.
8. I have never been happier than I was at times this summer. Complete bliss.
9. I started hanging out with some new people, and became really close with some really cool friends.
10. I conquered my ocean fears. I usually never, ever get in the ocean because of the feeling of critters crawling all around me (and sharks!), but when we went to the beach this summer with some friends, we all stayed out in the ocean for hours on end. It was fantastic. I really loved it... especially since I had on swim shoes :)
11. My sister and I redecorated a room in our house and turned it into a bonus room... I love designing rooms and I had so much fun with it.
12. I learned every single word to "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison. My new favorite song, and quite fitting for summer.
"Who's my baby boy?" I ask my nine year old brother. He extravagently rolls his eyes, tries to hide a peeking smile, and says,"I know I know. I am."
He has dark brown hair. Freckles sprinkled across his nose. The longest eyelashes I have ever seen. Oversized teeth that are the result of much wiggling in hopes of a five dollar bill from the tooth fairy. He masters every sport he attempts, while still maintaining one of the highest averages in his third grade class. He spends most of his time playing outside with the neighborhood boys- in fact, he just came in the house at 9 o'clock p.m. for the first time today- grass stains and all. He has a habit of sticking his tongue out of the side of his mouth while concentrating. He practices his piano for 15 minutes some days. He is the video gaming king. He is a mama's boy, and a spitting image of my dad. He claims he is old enough to watch PG-13 movies with his older sisters, while he asks my parents to reassure him every night that he won't have a single bad dream. He kisses the cheeks of every two year old girl he meets, even though he goes fishing and hunting with the boys. He reads his Bible and is a perfect Southern gentleman. He has a sharp mouth, but also has one of the sweetest souls of anyone I know.
He may be the "tough guy" to his buds, but he still makes time to snuggle with his mama...
I was sitting on my front porch this afternoon, glancing down at my mother's barely living flowers, when I found this little beauty- alive among the dead. It got me thinking...
What great lessons can be taught through everyday things in life! With so many things in this world going terribly wrong, what are we supposed to do? Well, the answer to that big question lies in this tiny flower: be alive among the dead surrounding you! I challenge you to scrounge among the dead in your life, and realize what all you have to live for.
Driving. Any excuse I can get, I am snatching those keys and heading out the door. Sure, it is only a learner's license, but I am still on the road. I got my license a week ago, and I have already almost put my mother in cardiac arrest. Since I am one of the youngest in my class, all year I have been enviously watching my friends finally get that taste of freedom- and now I get to experience it as well.
I can't wait until next year when I get the real thing...
My aunt Stephanie and her Shutter Sister Jen are now on a trip to Rwanda where they are photographing hopeful people with amazing stories for their project Picture Hope. I follow along with them on their journey, and they cease to amaze me. I hope that you, too, will begin to follow along as they replay truly inspiring stories... you might even want to bring a few tissues along, just in case.
"Hope is that open space between where you are and where you long to be."
Up until last year, I always had self confidance issues. I was constantly shy and worrying what everyone around me was thinking about me. I never had a close group of friends, so being at home with my family was pretty much the only place where I would open up and be myself. I always kept a mirror snug in my pocket to make sure I was looking half-decent; my looks were never up to my standards. I was very emotional,and getting through the school day without an occasional teary eye was a struggle.
And then one day, I realized that drowning myself in pity wasn't helping anything. I began to learn how to love myself. The freckles on my face were no longer a disgrace, but a blessing. The waves in my hair started to grow on me. My fair skin...well, I still am working on that one...
I became comfortable cracking jokes in front of people and being myself around them. I started making closer friends whom helped repair the wounds of my past. I learned how to love life again like I did when I was a child.
Of course I still have confidence issues, but who doesn't?
I urge you to smile at your imperfections... and learn to love.
After all, it is the least you can do for yourself.
I was looking through some of my pictures the other day, and realized that I need to take some more nature photographs...so, I did. I went into my backyard and got busy.
We drove 14 hours- all five of us packed in one car, luggage and all. The best trip of my life.
Chicago.
Car horns. Busy sidewalks. Suited-up men talking on their Blackberrys. Brief cases. Shopping bags. Taxis. Gum on my shoes. My mother freaking out as we cross the busy street- holding each of our hands. Wind-soo much wind. The Magnificent Mile. The Sears Tower. Navy Pier. Lattes. Darling boutiques. Wonderful dining on every corner. The feeling of excitement the city brings to me. Mine and my sister's plans to move up to Chicago as soon as we graduate college. New clothes, and much bragging to look forward to when we got back home. ... Yep, I am a small-town girl who dreams of an internship at a major advertising firm in New York. Who dreams of being able to go shopping on a whim. Who dreams of going out and actually having a place to go. Who will be on top of every new city trend out there... and the list goes on.
But for now, I am perfectly content with my sleepy street, 30 classmates, neighborhood parties, and the sound of crickets as I fall asleep.
He was in the local department store with his sisters and grandma when he saw it. It was the perfect Mother's Day gift and he knew it would look perfectly around her neck. He remembered that he had just enough money in his piggy bank for it- but he had left it all at home. Frustrated, he shyly asked his grandmother to pay for it, promising to pay her back as soon as he could. As they were leaving the store, all he could do was think about his mother's face when she saw it. It was perfect to him and he knew it was perfect for her. He couldn't hide his pride.
On Mother's Day, his mom opened up both of his older sisters' very creative gifts, and loved them. He was starting to worry that his wasn't good enough. His sisters were both artistic and had crafted his mom pieces of art and he felt his gift paled in comparison. Why couldn't he paint something beautiful like that? Why couldn't he take pretty pictures? He began to realize that butterflies were fluttering throughout his stomach and his palms were becoming sticky.
But as his mother picked up the final gift, everyone in the room knew that the ten dollar locket was the most precious gift of them all.
...
She still wears her son's locket proudly- every single day.
Growing up is hard. I am at a point now where part of me can't wait to go to college and get out of here, but another part wants to go snuggle up in my mom's lap and let the world pass by.
I wrote that poem among many for a poetry class last year. I think it's my favorite because I feel like it perfectly describes what goes on in a mid-teen's thoughts:
I am finally, officially, amazingly, so happily HOME. As boring as a small town gets, I have never been so glad to be back. I have missed my sheets, my cereal, my camera, my dog, and all of you, of course, for weeks. Today I have plans to lounge around all afternoon (!) and then tonight play some exciting board games with my greatly missed friends.
Mentholatum. She applies it to her temples and under her nose every night before immediatley dozing off. When I was a young child, I would snuggle up with her in bed, while she would read countless children books to me and dazzle me with her many stories that I had heard many times before. She was Super Grandma-swinging with me on the swingset, pushing me in the stroller, always playing with me, rocking me to sleep every night, and being my idol; she could do no wrong. Now, I get to experience new sides to "Super Grandma". I get to experience her wise wisdom and good sense of humor. I also realize that she is not perfect, and that makes me love her even more.
I do, however, sometimes miss those old days...
A faint smell of mentholatum in the air- takes me back.
The beach is one of my favorite places to go. Whenever we come down here, we all get to be carefree for a couple of days and just enjoy eachother and the calm atomosphere. We all dread to go back to the "real world" and face worries and everyday stress again. Luckily, though, I will be back in a couple of weeks :)
"I love you Su-Su," she says as she looks up at me with her big, blue eyes. She has been walking around telling every member of our family this for the last hour. She is the second youngest person in our family, and probably the most entertaining. "I love you too, sweet girl," I reply, and then she goes on to the next person, leaving me with a smile on my face that lingers all day.
Traveling up to the beach, it was just my mom and me. It has been so long since I have really had time to really talk with her, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I caught her up on things going on in my life, we went shopping, and ate at a nice little seafood place for dinner. I love mine and my mother's relationship. A lot of teens worry or feel uncomfortable about telling their mother certain things, but my mother and I talk about everything. I am always open with her-she is my best friend.
"There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness… The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way." - Andrew Jackson
We threw a birthday party for my dad last month and invited all of the families on the street. I had my camera out- trying to get a picture of everyone- and of course, all the elementary-aged boys hid themselves from me. This little one, however, has not hit that "too cool for school" phase yet. He gladly smiled his best smile while I snapped the picture. I guess while boys may be boys, children will always be children- blissfully innocent.
I am headed to the beach for a few days with my huge family- 22 of us in one house!
I regularly go out to my trampoline, jump for a few minutes, and then lie there and enjoy my backyard. This time of year especially, I go out about seven o'clock when the tempature starts cooling down, and the sun is in the perfect spot. I love to just sit there and listen to the birds, admire all the green around me, and try to see how long it is before I hear a car pass by- which is usually a meager ten seconds. I can almost always hear the neighborhood boys playing next door. Sometimes, I even bring my camera.
I urge you to find a place where you can just enjoy everything surrounding you... and relax.
July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. We have a huge family reunion down by my grandparent's pond with 150 of my closest relatives. There is always mounds of delicious food, and it is a great time to catch up with some of my long, lost cousins. Today, I enjoyed following around one of my youngest cousins whom I get along with very well. I have never realized the difficulty of capturing pictures of toddlers until today, but I did manage to get a few cute ones in there.
Here are some other pictures I managed to shoot today of various family members.
friendship.
peace.
family.
I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day, and I hope you take some time out of your day to honor those who have made this country the wonderful place that it is.
This week and last week are two of the biggest weeks on my side of the family: Wimbledon. My mom, brother, sister, grandpa, grandma, and countless cousins, aunts, uncles, and me all play the beautiful sport. It is either always on the television when I am in the room, or I can constantly here it going on in the background. Personally, I find it extremely boring to watch, but it is quite obvious my family feels the opposite.
Mine and my mom's two favorite players are Andy Roddick and Roger Federer- and despite popular belief, it's not only because of their looks.
"A three-year-old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm." -Bill Vaughn
Sitting out by the pool. Casual conversation. The youngsters playing various water games. Good Southern cooking. A nice occasional breeze. The feeling of family in the air that I have missed for so long. Mama Sue, my grandmother, worrying about the amount of food on everyone's plate- "That surely isn't enough to eat! Let me go get the butter beans for you," -I always gain a few pounds. Big Daddy, my grandfather, always starting another political discussion. My aunt, who inspires me with her brilliant photography, telling us about her new accomplishments that amaze me. The squeals of laughter coming from the pool. The green grass surrounding us.
This is summer "suppertime" on the farm. This is bliss.
My whole family has gone to the farm for a few days- the oasis where my grandparents live; we call it paradise. From swimming to playing tennis, and just visiting with all of my great family, I always look forward to spending time up here.
Yesterday out by the pool, we stumbled upon this little surprise in one of the planters. Lost from its mother, my little cousin was worrying about it. It's little surprises and gifts like these that make life interesting. We can't wait to see what will grow from this little tiny wonder.
As a child, Sunday mornings were always a drag- sitting through the looong service at church, where I was one of the six kids. I would always scribble away on the church bulletin, and snicker with my buds as the old ladies would sneeze. Now-a-days, though, Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. I cherish the atmosphere filled with familar vibes and warmth. My church family is my family. Preacher Dale always delivers thought-provoking sermons that really have molded my spirituality. He has a way of making you say "Ah! I have never thought of that like that before..." He is one of those people who has been everywhere and done everything. We always have lengthy conversations about his many adventures before Sunday School while we kids sip our sugar-filled coffee.
My church was where I first accepted God into my life, and where my faith continues to grow. I thank each and every member of the big ole' family for being such an important part of my life. May we have many more memories to grow!
I am so excited to finally start the blogging experience!
I have always been interested in photography and have recently pursued my interest by messing around with my mom's Christmas present- a Canon Rebel. I have come to realize that as wonderful as browsing different photography is, creating that image is a completely different experience. When I go hunting in my backyard, or around my house, for something to capture, simple, ordinary things come to life with whole new meaning. I have acquired newfound thankfulness for the beauty surrounding my small-town world.
To prove that photography can be tackled by anybody, I am a clumsy teenager with a whole lot of empty summer left to go.
Hello Guys. I am just a small-town girl who has a brewing passion for photography. Please feel free to leave a comment telling me how you feel, giving me advice, or just saying Hi. I'm all ears.
1950's style dresses. bright, sunny, kitchens. raspberry and mango sorbet. vintage cars. photographing children. deep discussions in history class. eating pancakes on her back porch in the beginning of fall. going camera-crazy in a field of flowers. falling asleep to the sound of crickets in the summertime. charming little antique shops. going to the town coffee shop on Wednesday nights. riding her bike to clear her mind. wearing fuzzy sweaters by the fire on winter nights. and most of all, she loves writing to express herself in ways speaking can't describe. she loves life.
friendship.
family.
