Have You Ever Seen a Maple Leaf Blossom?

 Sometimes it's the little things, literally, the little things, that take my breath away. The things that are normal and mundane and not normally noticed, that when I take the time to see them unfold, I realize that maybe I hadn't possibly really lived until that moment. The intricate details, the tiny little features. Fragile, delicate, small, yet somehow so fiercely strong. Something so seemingly worthless that speaks of design and purpose. If a Father in heaven can so clothe every tree in the forest each and every year, how much more does He care for us?

Lyric & Ari

Sometimes it takes a little time behind the camera to get me back on my breathable islands; where crazy life and schedules are shoved aside to find space to take deep breaths and soak in the lovely parts of life that tend to get so easily brushed under the taken for granted rug when you forget to take the time to appreciate them. I need to see and admire the beauty of Spring, and flowers, and sidewalk chalk, and adorable little sisterlings, and blonde curly hair, and sweet childlike affections. I don't see it so clearly as I do when my camera brings such things into focus. And that's exactly what happened when I went to see these cute energetic girlies and their mother and grandmother. These little Florida girls ignored the Wisconsin Spring chill that set in that evening and happily romped around and did silly adorable things. My heart and camera are happy to have met them.

Jeremy & Kayla | Forever Could Never Be Long Enough

The morning of April 27 dawned... well, not so very clear and bright. In fact, it was a day of relentless downpours and heavily overcast conditions. Not ideal for weddings, particularly when you're the photographer. But the important part was that it did not serve to put a damper on the festivities and the celebration of two lives coming together to be wed. For a lifetime. And maybe just a couple wrinkles on my forehead. But that's okay; small price to pay. 

The wedding went off without a hitch. Except for it was a hitch, which is basically the whole point of weddings, right? Their wedding was so unique to them in a very beautiful way. The father of the bride built the incredible arbor. The aisle decor was stunning and meaningful. The little touches to include people in special ways... It was all very creative and lovely. 

Jeremy & Kayla were (and I think it is probably safe to assume still are) a fun couple, and their wedding party and families were equally fun. And photogenic. Which was a good thing because between terrible lighting and serious time crunching, it was quite the obsticality. (And yes, an experience like that deserves its own homemade word.) I am so proud of everyone for being able and willing to win the world's record for speed and efficiency when it comes to the heinous task of cooperating and smiling (with a healthy dose of goofy and fun just for good measure) for wedding pictures. So thank you, my willing subjects!!  

 3 Generations

A HUGE thank you goes to my assistants for the day, Bailey & Tabby. You girls were great and made my job much easier. THANK YOU!!!

How I Prefer My Breakfast

Cup of coffee and some unhealthy but tasty refined sugar shared with my two favorite people. In our jammies. It doesn't happen often, but it's worth it when it does. These little moments. I treasure them. 

Hope.

I took this photo the other morning shortly after learning my friend's baby, due to arrive later this month, had gone on to be with Jesus. Part of me feels trite and helpless, but with all my heart I dedicate this small token to precious baby Hudson Seth... The beautiful person who has brought heaven so much closer this week.

Life is fragile. Sometimes too fragile. Stuff like this doesn't make sense this side of heaven. But should it? Would heaven hold it's beautiful appeal if we could understand the how's and the why's and the pain and the suffering down here? Would the Gospel mean anything to us if all this tragedy made any sort of sense? Would the cross hold any meaning? Would we need hope?

I have more questions than answers right now, but at the end of the day I draw strength from the small beauties like a droplet of rain on a tiny brave little clover growing out of the rocks after a brutal Winter. A miniature hereld that tells me, He sees it all. Maybe these rain drops are His own tears, because I know He too feels the deep pain of our hearts. Even when it feels so wrong and hopeless, He will and He does make all things beautiful in time. The glimpses of beauty here on earth tell me how wonderful and ecstatic heaven will be. We do have hope because Jesus paid it all.

For now, my heart breaks for Hudson Seth's family. Hug them tight, Jesus.

Please feel free to leave them some love here and join me in supporting them with comfort and prayer.

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Cornbread

It's been a rainy and cold week around here so running ovens and making warm meals is still a good way to spend an afternoon. I personally like the flavor and texture that whole wheat flour lends to a dish, so I adapted this recipe awhile ago. Truth is, nobody even knows the wheat flour is in there. I have managed to pull the wool over the eyes of even the most anti-nutrition guys in my life with this recipe; they don't even taste the severe lack of chemicals and fat (the latter of which we make up for in the general consumption because when you live in Wisconsin, you put butter on everything).

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Cornbread

1 cup applesauce
1 1/3 cups brown sugar*
4 eggs
2 cups buttermilk**
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups cornmeal
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt

• Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 9x13" pan.
• In a large bowl, combine applesauce and brown sugar. Add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture. Stir in cornmeal, flour and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. 
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Serve hot with butter and honey. 

Other ways to enjoy it...

• Plain (seriously, it is so moist it doesn't need anything)
• As a side to soup or chili
• In a bowl with milk and possibly a little sugar or honey 

*One of these days I'm going to experiment with raw sugar or honey
**I never have buttermilk on hand so I do about 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in 2 cups of milk

Jimmy & Colton | You've Got a Friend in Me

These boys are the best pair of best friends if there ever was one. They just adore each other. Jimmy is always protective and usually gentle with Colton... I'm pretty sure he gets up every morning with an all encompassing goal for the day: make Colton laugh (much like his father who seems to have a similar goal with me). 

And Colton? Well, he looks up to his big brother like any little brother does. He thinks Jimmy is so funny and smart and loves climbing all over him and happily smacking his face as they giggle. I used to think my second child should be a daughter. I have never been so wrong about something in my life. I'm so lucky to be the mom of this pair of boys. 

Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am.

Bigger and stronger too. Maybe.

But none of them will ever love you the way I do. 

It's me and you, boy.

And as the years go by, our friendship will never die.

You're gonna see it's our destiny. 

You've got a friend in me.