It’s another indoor day—a mixture of illness inside and frigid temps outside has us very low-key on this final day of 2017. I’ve been working my way through an audio copy of The Boys in the Boat, so with The Gilmore Girl’s dad telling me a story in his smooth tones, I began to put away ornaments. I decorated lightly this year as I was hitting finals season after Thanksgiving, and I found myself grateful for that reality today. I purged a few Christmas items no one loves, repacked carefully the ornaments we really care about, and now there’s a tree broken in three pieces waiting by the door. The final packing of it is an ordeal for strong hands, so I wait for help in smushing it and re-taping its already beaten-up cardboard box. While the taking down of Christmas always feels a bit bittersweet, it’s also accompanied by that crisp feeling of a fresh start. So here’s to the New Year! To getting rid of what we don’t need. To cherishing sweet memories. To decorating with lights and colors. To valuing the people we know more than the things we own. To 2018 and to God be the glory in this new year.
I’m grateful for the long break my family is getting from work this week. Our lazy, pajamas-all-day, eat-when-you-feel-like-it, Netflix binge days are relaxing and are hopefully resetting us for doing well when our activities restart. Today’s task? Programming and learning to use a new Nikon camera body; the D750 for those who are interested. She’s a gem.
Merry Christmas, friends!
And the curtain goes down on the DPP for another year. Thanks for celebrating with me through photography all month long. I love you people. #dpp2017
This tough cookie did some good shoveling today. Yay for strong arms and backs! We’re excited for this white Christmas and thankful that the beauty of new snow is just one of the many blessings we’re given. #dpp2017
This kid warms my heart every single time I see him. I’m a really blessed aunt. #dpp2017
This one is one of my favorites. She sets aside her own agenda each year to come over and help me wrap gifts, and oh man, my joints and my heart couldn’t be more thankful. LOVE YOU, GIRL. #dpp2017
Are there days where I’m flying by the seat of my pants and I have no idea who to photograph? Yes and yes! Tonight is Magic Scotch night at our house and so I lucked out with models literally walking into my home. The downside is the darkness—indoors and at night. Note the grain in this shot! 1600 ISO on my wonderful and (now-ancient) Nikon D2x. It’s an amazing camera, just not a great indoor shooter. I have a new camera and maybe once my Christmas duties are over I’ll configure the gorgeous little body and start shooting with that one. Not maybe. That will happen. It must. #dpp2017
We’re down to the final five days on the DPP and I’ve really enjoyed it this year. #dpp2017
Couldn’t be more proud of this woman and her love for the little people in her arms and at her feet this morning. #fosterlove #dpp2017
A very happy Monday due to this lovely woman and a salad I can’t stop thinking about. #dpp2017