Feeling Inspired By One Of My Best Friends

This is my beautiful friend Gail. I know she's going to probably love/hate/cry, probably hate me more for this because she is the type of person that would never, ever draw attention to herself  or be the center of attention and she probably would never describe herself the way I'm about to. In fact being in front of the camera was very uncomfortable for her at first until I got her to relax a little and then we just had a blast. But I've been wanting to do a blog post about her ever since we did her photo session almost a year ago last winter.

I first met Gail when both our husbands worked together at the same grocery company in Michigan almost 14 years ago. Ever since, even though most of the time miles would separate us, she has become one of my most treasured friends. She is technically old enough to be my mother (not that age has anything to do with this, I often find that I click better with those older in age than I am) but she really is more like a sister and I appreciate her wisdom as I go through the things she already has. We've cried together, laughed even harder, eaten everything in sight, shopped til we couldn't any more, crafted together, exercised together, traveled together and have talked and talked and talked for hours. She always makes time for me and is always willing to help me with anything.

Recently I was lucky enough to have her close again when our husbands crossed paths once more in their careers in Central PA.

I was always knew this about her but was happily reminded again of what an amazing woman she is. She is talented in so many ways! Give this woman a hammer and a nail and she could build you a house! Don't tell this girl from Kansas her place is in the kitchen, although she's amazing there as well. Her craft room is filled with all the things necessary to make you the most beautiful quilt you've ever seen! Need to spruce up an old antique or just some old furniture that needs a little love? This girl can paint for days! She definitely has the patience and  passion to work with her hands. I'm convinced she's capable of building, painting, cooking, creating anything. But what strikes me more about her is her heart. Faithful. Loving. Giving. Kind. Caring. Soft. Open. Willing. Strong. Warm. Passionate. Loyal. The list could go on. I know the most important people on earth are her husband, her son and his family, and all of her extended family and friends. She would do anything for any of them. I'm lucky to have met her and to have her in my life. She is a HUGE inspiration! And the most down to earth person I know. Count your blessings if you ever have the privilege of crossing her path because your life will be richer as a result.

The following images are my favorites from our session together. Be sure to click on the images to see them larger.

 

What Weddings Are Made Of

I'm so behind on blogging the weddings I've done. Here is one that I second

shot with Jeff Benzon Photography. I have a few more to post at some point

but will let this one do for now before I go on vacation. 

Here's Jeff, yep, we're taking pictures of each other. We always
test the lighting before things get real.

I love all the gorgeous details on the day of the a wedding.

Sometimes the details are very sentimental. Given or handed down by loved ones.

I totally love this shot of the ring but the picture that captures my heart is this of
the little puppy chow wondering what all the commotion is all about.

The gorgeous bride in her gorgeous dress.

I love this impromptu moment that daddy steals one last kiss of his "little girl".

The bride and groom's closest friends. 

The ceremony.

What weddings are made of....family and friends, cake smash, pillow fights,
laughter, sweet and silly moments.

Doh, Dad is out of cash!

The perfect image to end with. They live happily ever after!

Cupcakes & Cookies

Awhile back I got together with Hope Adela Pasztor to collaborate on a 

photo shoot contest where the winner would receive a free photo shoot

 by yours truly and styling and makeup by Hope. Since Hope works at the amazing

Atomic Warehouse, we decided it would be the perfect place to do our shoot for our

winner Michelle. Michelle's entry was posted on my main Facebook page and read 

"Hi! My ideal shoot would be posing as a pin-up girl in a kitchen

setting because, I'm a baker and I adore pin-up!"

This was Michelle's first photo shoot and she did such an awesome job

in front of the camera. I think we captured her personality perfectly!

Be sure to stop by my pages and give me a "LIKE", you never

know when I'll throw out another contest. My fashion FB page can be found

here. Also be sure to stop by

and visit Hope at Pink Champagne Fashion where you'll find all kinds of

vintage goodies as well as Atomic Warehouse. 

  

Weddings are FABULOUS!

Thanks so much to Priscilla Baumgartner Photography for having me

second shoot this fabulous wedding! The bride and groom, Mhegyan and Jason Booz 

(yes Booz!) was so much fun and I loved the colors and location of the wedding. Not to 

mention that we have so much fun working together as a team!

Ashley Steven's at Jubilee Day

Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg, PA takes place every year and is known 

to be the largest street fair in the eastern part of the U.S.

Ashley Steven's Salon (my favorite salon) asked me to come out and 

capture all the fun that takes place in their booth. All proceeds went to

their favorite charity. If you get the chance, be sure to stop by this full service

 salon and check out all that they offer. I'm totally psyched that they're 

now offering eye brow threading!

Grandad's 96th Birthday

I'm a little late in getting this out. Grandad's birthday was May 2nd and 

we got to surprise him with a little get together the following Saturday.

We went to a local favorite place called The Banana Peel to celebrate

this special occasion. 

Here the great Grandboys sit and chat with Grandad. 

Looks like he's giving some great advise.

Grandad's cake was made by a local bakery. I'll have to

find out again the name of it but it was yummy. We all loved

how they decorated the cake keeping in mind that Grandad was a

 farmer of corn and a hunter most of his life. 

All the Johnson men/boys with Grandad. 

Jake and Ryan goof off in the parking lot while we continue to visit.

The guys and the gals with G'dad.

Trent and Renee say their goodbyes as we all have 

a few hours drive to get back home. G'dad is always so 

sweet.

G'dad and the boys with Tip. Tip was G'dad's hunting companion

but now Tip is enjoying retirement with the PA Johnsons.

Pops and G'dad looking and pointing at something but

I have no idea what it was about. Probably reminiscing about something

that used to be "over there". That's just my guess.

I Love this one of the great Grandboys with G'dad. One last hug. 

For this visit.

Christopher {Grad 2012}

For many of us high school brings fond memories. These are some of the best years of our lives even if they are mixed with a few unpleasant highlights. We start off as the newbie freshman, a little apprehensive of what lies ahead but we're comforted by the familiar faces of our middle school buddies, realizing were not COMPLETELY alone. Throughout the years of our up and downs we've made some strong connections with friends and have even favorited a few teachers. Seems like forever before we can escape this "prison" as we sometimes refer to it. But before we know it, it's here. The end of all our childhood schooling K~12. Graduation has finally arrived and we celebrate once again with mixed emotions. Sad to be seperated from our school family and a little nervous and excited for a new chapter. The world is now our playground.

 I like how Dr. Seuss sums it up, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

Chris in his own words "Graduation is a bittersweet thing. Although the
best I'd say is the promise of the future. A new horizon that only
I can explore. True independence to find out who I'm supposed to become.
That's truly exciting!" 

"I'm most looking forward to the complete independence

that college offers. This is the true push out of the safety

nest I've been in the past 18 years. I really want to be

on my own so that I can truly be myself and hopefully add to who I am."

"Of course I could speak about the financial aspects and how

I've always been way too spoiled. But above money, my parents 

actually physically have been there for me. Pushing me

when I loathed it the most but needed it or just checking

in on me everyday and everything in between. When I think

ahead to college I realize I won't have that comfort or reassurance

of their presence and care, something I've had daily for the last

18 years of my life. It's love and dedication that goes unsaid, 

but which internally I've cherished. So I guess, just a 

thank you isn't enough, but THANK YOUFOR BEING IN MY LIFE!"