Lately, I’ve been so inspired by these two ladies.  Sometimes I’ll take their book on the bus as a type of tranquilizer. I sit there, page after page, calm, amidst the strangers left and right, and smile and smile.

Here’s a few from my Sunday.

Now that the sun’s out….it’s time to enjoy it!

(Photo: Sneak peak from my “UW Prez” shoot today)

Who knew paperclips could be so cute!

I have my friend Amy to thank for this gem.  Here are some other finds I have to get off my chest:

Seeds + Soil + Water + Sunlight + Time = These little guys

I don’t know what it is, but WITHOUT FAIL I am always surprised when plants begin to emerge from seeds I’ve planted.  I’m surprised that it’s so simple.  I’m surprised I didn’t mess it up.  I’m surprised I get to witness growth.  I’m surprised that I got to in a small way be a part of it.  I’m surprised that life emerges and that I didn’t do that part.  I’m surprised by process.  I’m surprised each day, sometimes more than that, by the little changes I see.  I’m surprised by how strong and fragile they are.

And in the end….

I’m surprised by grace.

And, in the end, I am reminded that the invisible factory of change and growth I see in these little seedlings is a picture of the one chugging away in me.

Dear Merriam,

Here it is monday nite and instead of being in Idaho I’m way out in Wyoming.

More tomorrow (maybe)

Ken.

(postcard from 1937 I found in one of my “piles” over the weekend….)

Thought I’d post a quick sneak peak at an engagement shoot I did this weekend for my dear friend Roger and his fiance Ali.  We headed over to Volunteer Park, which was a great choice cause we had perfect weather and lots of different environments to shoot in.  Not sure yet if some of these will be the final edits. I can already see things to change or colors to tweak as I post these, so consider these a rough draft. Plus, I have tons more to go through.

It was a pleasure getting an excuse to do what I love and hope for more opportunities in the future months.  It is spring, you know….and there is that something floating around that’s not just pollen.

Day three of Inspiration Week is all about my favorite funnymen!

These particular guys have a way of inspiring not only a ton of laughs but a new way of looking at mundane and ordinary circumstances around me  A persons ability to see and react to the humor in themselves and life is something that totally gets me going – and I love being able to laugh and say, “That is SO TRUE!” (like I did when I saw the clip above on the Dave Chappelle show).

I have had humor (and otherwise) crush on Jack Black for a number of years now.  Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you that I kind of turn into a different (WAY too giggly) person when he’s onscreen.  Funny thing: My mom is always telling me how she is praying for my future husband (thanks, mom) and last year she starting adding that she was praying for my “Christian Jack Black” (which are kind of two things you wouldn’t normally put in the same sentence…).  At any rate, I could fill this whole post with my favorite clips of Jacky – but thought I’d share one I actually found TODAY – that shows classic (what I love) Jack Black.

I was introduced to Mike last year by my co-worker and actually got to see his show in October for my birthday.  He still manages to make me laugh – without fail – every time I listen to this particular incident (that I’ve probably listened to about a hundred times).

I have to thank my friends Derek and Laurie for introducing me to “Sweat the Small Stuff” by Kevin James!  I knew that I liked him from the movie Hitch, but seriously, watching this show was about the funniest things I have ever watched – to the point where I couldn’t laugh anymore I was so exhausted.  I’ll never forget how hard my friend Paul laughed (and clapped…cause he does that) – it was AMAZING!

And of course I couldn’t forget to add a little something by my boys the Flight of the Conchords (and Murray!).  Their work is the perfect mixture of subtlety and silliness.

I don’t know if any of you are like me – the one often trying to make other people laugh – but it is so wonderful to find people who give me deep belly laughs and inspire to the kind of humor in life that I am always on the watch for. Thanks boys!

Mattbites – Cheese Plate Tips from Matt Armendariz on Vimeo.

HAD to share this cute video that Matt put together about cheese.  It combines two of my favorite things – photography and foodie goodness!  I mainly just like watching this video over and over so I can spy how wonderful his studio is and the massive amounts of props he has (organized!).  Slow and steady, gets the worm….is what I’m telling myself – one prop, one light, one camera at a time.