*b* list of summer goals…

one of the things I love about the change of seasons, is that it feels like a fresh start. My very favorite season of all is summer. I love the heat, being outside, the fresh produce and vegetation, the more relaxed schedules (haha!), time with family and friends in our backyard poolside, grilling and eating outside, photographing on location, roadtrips, flea markets, estate sales, garage sales and all sort of other activities that seem to only happen in the summer.

Before I list some summer goals, I want to share some photos from yesterday. I helped my friend/client Amy hang her photo canvases in a wall grouping. As we were laying them out on the floor before we hung them, we were both totally giddy about how cool it was going to look! I thought they looked good on the floor-

but we were even happier with how they look on the wall!

This is one of the most fun aspects of being a photographer….seeing the images as wall art in friends/client’s homes. Completely gratifying and energizing! I told Amy that now I want to do a grouping like this going up my stairs!

As we were hanging the canvases, Blacky kept flying down the steps and then flying back up. I think she was mad that she isn’t in any of the photos. When we finished and stepped back to look and photograph the wall, Blacky sat on the steps and I was able to photograph her. I think that pacified her.

Doesn’t she have a great look? I wish I could have a cat.

I’ve been working with several clients on wall and desktop photo groupings and I just love it! So much fun to help figure out a way to incorporate the images they love in their homes.

Something I didn’t mention yesterday, was that the group of friends who I challenged to create blogs are actually doing it! I have 3 links ready to go and two more coming soon. So hopefully by Friday, I’ll be able to link 5 brand new, never before seen blogs : ) I am just so thrilled that my dare  encouragement was so well received.

So here’s my list for today:

*b* list of summer goals (because I don’t want the summer to slip past without doing the things that are important to me)

• Sunday swimming. Every Sunday in the summer, we just have an unspoken, but consistent date with the pool. We get out of church and either run through a drivethru or come home and make a quick sandwich and head outside. We spend the whole afternoon in and by the pool. Our kids know that this is the way we spend our Sundays and usually some or all of them join us. Tom and I were talking about this recently and I suggested that we open it up to our friends too. He agreed. We just have such a great time and it’s so casual and easy. Many times the day turns into night and we end up throwing something on the grill and making dinner for whoever is here. Easy, simple, but always fun. This year, even more so.
• Farmer’s market. Last year, I only made it to the farmer’s market a few times. Sad. We have so many opportunities around us to support our local growers AND it tastes so much better than anything available. I can’t even wait to start going regularly.
• Buy a bike. I am determined to do this. I’ve been talking about it long enough, it’s time that I follow through. I like this one.
• Road trip with Tom. This would probably happen without me listing it. We love to take off in the morning with a very loose idea of where we’re headed and then stop at all the out of the way junk stores, Harley dealerships and anything else that strikes our fancy.
• Farm Chicks. I’m hoping that it works for my cousin Er to meet me in Spokane! I want to do this SO bad!

• Gardening/Yardwork. Last year, I didn’t not do well with this. Tom pretty much took over with everything outside. I was beyond busy with photography and didn’t balance things very well. I think I have a much more balanced approach this year. PLUS, if I have managed to gracefully switch from PC to MAC by then, I will have more time! (That’s in the works!)
• Destination Photoshoots. I always have a great time photographing families in different parts of the country, so I’m hoping to have that opportunity this summer. I just need to plan ahead and hope some families would like to have me take their photos!
• Live Outdoor Music. Tom and I both love live music and we especially love it when it’s outside. Any time we’re at a summer festival or event and we stumble across a band or musician playing, we almost always linger and listen. This year, we want to be more intentional about it. I know that last year, Village Point (local outdoor mall) had Friday Night Blues. We had thoughts of going, but it just never happened. This year, if they do it again, we WILL make it at least once! Speaking of VP, me and my bagel friends are all so sad that Melting Pot closed. We weren’t surprised, but sad nonetheless.
• Event at the Loft. I’m not sure exactly how or what this will look like, I just know I’d like to do an art showing or gathering of some sort at the Loft. Any ideas?

I’m hoping to achieve all of these and more…and I think it’s definitely obtainable. What are your summer goals?

God bless you today!