Where I Belong

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  Sail away, kill off the hours.  You belong somewhere you feel free. Run away, find you a lover.  Go away somewhere bright and new.  I have seen no other who compares with you.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong in a boat out at sea.  You belong with your love on your arm.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong somewhere close to me.  Far away from your trouble and worry.  You belong somewhere you feel free.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  --Jeremiah 29:11

//

Unlikely combination, I admit... but Tom Petty, the sound of seagulls and shallow waves spilling onto a warm beach, and the book of Jeremiah make up the soundtrack of my life this week.

Friends, here's hoping you find peace in your heart, when and where you search for it.  For me, it was on a beach on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico.  Right where I belong.

xo,

Stacey

Things I Love: February Edition

Today, I put together a collection of little things that make me happy and add a special meaning to my life, or remind me of meaningful people or times past, or things to look forward to.  I plan to make Things I Love a regular feature here on the blog, so I hope you'll come back for more! I believe to have a meaningful life, you need to surround yourself with things (and people) that hold special meaning to you.  Whether that may be artwork, letters from your family, or photographs of your kids… whatever brings your heart joy and reminds you of someone/something you love is meaningful and important, and should be celebrated!

Here are a few of my favorite things to have around me, besides my people, of course.

Things that mean a lot to me are often art-related.  I bought these three sweet watercolor prints last year and love that they tell the story of Chris + me + us.  You can get your home state (or states, if you're nomads like us) from Pinecone and Poppy too.

I swoon over typography.  Lettering, calligraphy, and gorgeous typefaces.  I have taken a calligraphy class or two, and my goal is to carve out more time to practice it.  Someday I'd like to offer a few art prints with sweet mama sentiments that lift my spirits, and hopefully yours too.  Until then, I'll just continue to be inspired by this hand-lettered print that I bought for the girls' room, and this adorable card, and all of these (especially that gorgeous swoopy S below).

{Image above courtesy of my sweet friend Tiffany Ruda at Clementine & Pickle.}

Songs are often meaningful too.  They bring back memories of laughter, sadness, joy, or certain times in my life.  For example, every time I hear the Wallflowers, I think of my youngest sister and our spontaneous trip to the Isle of Palms, SC in 1997.  When I hear Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone, I think of my Momaw Jiggs. (Valentine's Day will mark an entire year since she left this earth, and my heart is not looking forward to it this year.)  I'm not embarrassed to admit that when I hear Tom Petty's Free Falling, I think of Tom Cruise slapping his steering wheel in Jerry Maguire, and I just have to do it myself.  (Admit it, you do it too!)

I'm a visual girl, so my home office wall is dotted with framed quotes and encouraging notes from clients.  This one is a favorite, and if you've been a newborn client of mine in the past year or so, you'll have received a version of this print as a gift from me!  Having gone through PPD twice myself, it's so important to me that new mamas remind themselves daily of this truth.  Especially when the nights are long and the days are hard.  I look up at this print every day, and it makes me smile at what I've come through and it encourages me to envision where I'm headed now.  :)

Sweet scents and delicious foods can sure conjure up terrific memories, can't they?  I have an entire recipe binder full of wonderful memories and cherished family recipes that mean the world to me.  My mom's potato salad, Momaw Bertie's Mandarin Cake, and Trish's apple dumplings.  Our sweet tea needs no recipe, I know it like the back of my hand.  Actually, I am trying my best to quit sweet tea.  (gasp)  Downright blasphemy from a Southern girl's lips, right?  Well, I hope to at least cut back dramatically.  I am embarrassed to admit how much I can consume in a days' time, and how little water I squeeze in.  Sweet tea is a comfort food for me, and it reminds me of warm days watching a jar of tea slowly steep in the sunshine of Momaw and Popaw's side yard.  Yellow lid, soft green grass, sparkling amber tea.  Such a calm, happy memory for me.  But healthy, it is not.  I am from the South, you know, so a cup to a cup and a half of sugar goes into every pitcher.  (I know!)  So I'm trying to cut back and make it more of a treat, rather than a habit.

Since I cannot go without caffeine altogether, this delicious cold brew coffee has been filling in the gaps for me.  There will never be a substitute tea for me (it's my standard Luzianne or nothing), but I can distract myself with flavored coffee so much more easily.  My favorite flavors are Sweet Delight, Mocha and Sea Salt Caramel Mocha when I'm feeling super fancy.  I add honey and almond milk to mine, and a little ice.  I think I might try Caribbean Coconut next.  I do love anything with coconut.

A few practical things that add meaning to my life are my Day Designer, my Simplified LifeBinder, and my PowerSheets.  Honestly, they deserve an entire post themselves, but let's just say that I couldn't make it a single (productive) day without this super trifecta of organization and planning.  They are beautiful, and they make me so happy.  Bonus points that they were all created by strong, driven women who have a heart for creative entrepreneurs (and mamas).

And it goes without saying that some of the most meaningful things in my life -- besides my family -- are my family photographs.  They are all around me, smiling up at me and encouraging me to keep my camera's shutter clicking with intention.  To show them that they are important to me, and that their beautiful faces are truly God's artwork.  The best kind!  And it is my honor, and my life's work, to create meaningful photographs for you and your family.

Momaw meeting Charlotte.  Priceless to me.

Possibly my favorite picture of Parker and Lila together, ever.

Lila and her beloved Bitty Baby.

Charlotte's "baby" and her shenanigans.  She climbs into this shopping cart all by herself and I'm always afraid she's going to tip it over.  She's so proud of herself!

This scrunchy smiley face, and all of those rainbow loom bracelets.

And that smattering of freckles that dance across her cheeks and nose.  Ohhh.  Things I love, for sure.

Now it's your turn…..

What meaningful things do you surround yourself with?  Do you have a sentimental piece or two at your desk, or beside your bed?  Do you connect memories to songs like I do?  I'd love for you to share in the comments below, at least ONE big or small thing that is really meaningful and important in your life right now…

xo, Stacey

On being kind.

Earlier this week, Lila's kindergarten teacher brought Lila and I home after school, because my car key broke and fell off my ring somewhere between the parking lot and Lila's class line.  Crazy accident, right?  But that sweet woman generously offered to rescue us.  The women in the front office were so kind and helpful, looking up phone numbers and offering their best advice, and a phone and phone book too.  The assistant principal actually found my missing half of a key the next day and returned it to me.

THANK GOD FOR KIND PEOPLE.  Kind people who hurt when you hurt, who offer to help when you are in a jam.

In this world of go-go-go, it's often so easy for us to just look past people who are having trouble in favor of our own busy schedule and to-do list.  But these people didn't.

So on Friday, we brought flowers to the school staff and to Lila's teacher.  Miss Anna in the front office was so surprised and overjoyed.  They were just simple wildflowers from the grocery store, but I wrapped them in kraft paper and washi tape and added a pretty handwritten note.  I didn't spend a lot of money, in fact it took me longer to rewrap them and add my personal touches than it did to purchase them.  But they thanked us over and over.  And my heart swelled.  And Lila grinned and ran off to class to take her bundle of flowers to her teacher too.  She wrote me back a sweet thank you note and she loved all over Lila at school.

You know, I was struck by how good it made me feel to make someone else happy.  Even though they made me happy first.  Isn't kindness a funny thing?  I've read somewhere that kindness is actually a selfish thing to do, because it makes you feel amazing in the process.  I'm not sure that I believe that.  But I have to admit that even when I start out in a grumpy mood, I can feel my spirits lifted after I've done something kind for someone.

Love doesn't just talk about loving on people... love actually does.

This week, I want to challenge you to show kindness to someone.  Do something extra special for someone who doesn't expect it.  Do it "selfishly" if you must, but do it with a genuine smile and a sincere heart. I promise you will be so happy afterwards.

Kindness doesn't have to be big and showy to make a difference.  Pay for someone's coffee in the Starbucks line behind you.  Hold the door open for a mama with a stroller.  Hold the door open for anyone.  Buy flowers for a friend.  Make a pan of Shauna's enchiladas for a new mom and take them to her.  Take your kids to the park or to a movie.  Read one more story at bedtime.  Refrain from nagging your husband and instead ask him if there is anything you can do for him.  Smile at and say hello to the stranger you pass on the sidewalk.  Download a song your kids love and play it in the car.

And don't forget to come back and tell me how awesome you feel.  :)

Merry & Bright Mini-Sessions

It's Mini-Session time again!  Every Fall, I offer Holiday Minis so that you can update your family's photos if you've had them done earlier in the year.  Lots of clients see me every few years for those big milestones (pregnancies, new babies, birthdays, etc.) and then opt for a mini-session in between.  And sometimes, families who aren't quite ready for a full Signature Session opt to try a mini-session and dip their toe in slowly. So which one are you?  :)

I have THREE open spaces left:  Saturday September 28 at 6:30 (the sun sets at 7:20) and Saturday October 5 at 5:15pm and 5:45pm (the sun sets at 7:12pm).

The location we've chosen offers the best of both worlds: a lush green setting.... rows of pine trees, clusters of sea grapes, and a pond surrounded by reeds and rushes.  And it just happens to be on the beach as well... a picturesque boardwalk leading to the Gulf of Mexico, soft waves lapping over the sand, a huge stretch of white sand beach, dunes covered in sea oats and wildflowers, and even a tiki hut.  (How cool would a tiki hut be on your Christmas card this year, right?!)

To reserve your family's reservation, just send me an email using the contact button up there on the right sidebar.... ----> or give me a call at 727-698-0344.  All sessions must be paid in full to reserve your spot; all mini-sessions are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

I can't wait to see you!

If you have to take cover from the rain under a tiki hut....

...then make sure you do so with a super cute and fun family with a great sense of humor!

What an amazing family!  They were such good sports about our infamous Gulf of Mexico / Tampa Bay evening thunderstorms, even despite dodging buckets of rain and having to take cover inside a tiki hut on the beach.  Not quite what we had in mind for our session, of course, but I think we got some pretty awesome images from our time together.

Best of luck to Drew and Morgan on your senior year!!  I hope it's your best one yet.

Isa's 1st Birthday Party | Part One

I had such a wonderful time photographing beautiful Isa again, this time for her first birthday invitations.  (I will do an entire post on that session, but here is a sweet favorite for now....)

And how she looked after she dived into her cake.  Birthdays are so much fun, aren't they?  :)

And here is just a preview of the loveliness that was to be had at her beautiful birthday soiree.

More to come from this event soon, I promise!  I have so many images and ideas -- and resources! -- to share with you.  Enjoy!

xo,

Stacey

Homemade Granola Bars

So I've been loving and hating my food lately.  Refined sugar, gluten and dairy, and processed everything?  You've got to go.  I've been juicing (green juice, how I love thee), eating lots more fruits and vegetables, less meat, and have almost completely replaced my beloved sweet tea with.... water. Yes I did.  And my body has not revolted yet.  Actually, it is being pretty nice to me for a change.

The trouble is, my kids still love the junk.  And every once in awhile, I need a cheat.  So when my childhood best friend Laura posted this homemade granola bar recipe on her Instagram feed, I was all over it!  They're gluten-free, dairy-free, and raw. And they are delicious.  My kids were fooled, if that tells you anything.  Here is her recipe, and then my lazy adaptation:

GRANOLA BARS

1 cup minute oats

1/3 cup peanut butter

3 tbsp honey

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together well and press into muffin tins; refrigerate.

My husband buys granola bars at our grocery store every week, and we can't keep them in the pantry.  The kids nibble them for breakfast on weekends, I pack them in their lunches, I throw them in my purse for snacks in the car, etc.  We go through boxes and boxes and boxes of them.  Have you ever read the ingredients on a box of granola bars?  I grabbed our favorite brand, and was shocked to count at least six different additions of sugars, four separate corn syrup / high-fructose corn syrup ingredients, plus multiple ingredients of partially-hydrogenated oils and other things that I couldn't pronounce.  All together, there were thirty-nine ingredients.  Thirty-nine!

So we made Laura's granola bars, and my kids gobbled them up within minutes.  Told me they were the best granola bars they'd ever eaten.

Four ingredients, folks.  Four.

I use raw honey, and I sub almond butter for peanut butter.  By default, the basic recipe is gluten-free.  You can also get creative and add whatever you like: shredded coconut, cranberries or raisins or other dried fruit, chocolate chips (or carob if you're eating dairy-free), a chopped-up dark chocolate bar, almonds, pecans, cashews... the possibilities are endless.  But the basic recipe has just four ingredients to build upon.  Brilliant, I say.

I will admit: I'm not much of a recipe follower.  So here is what I do:

GRANOLA BARS

Dump in enough oats to probably fill the bottom of a brownie or loaf pan.  

Add a few heaping spoonfuls of almond butter.

Squeeze a big glug of raw honey so it helps the oats stick to the peanut butter.  

Stir until it all comes together.

Add a big handful of chocolate chips, if I have them.  Stir a little more.

If it looks (or tastes) dry at that point, then I add more nut butter.  If it is crumbly, I add another big glug of honey to make it stickier.  

And I usually forget the vanilla.  

Press into a loaf pan (or double the batch and press into an 8x8 brownie pan), cover and refrigerate, slice whenever the kids get hungry.

At night, I can whip up a batch in 5 minutes, stick them in the fridge overnight, and then slice them for breakfast or lunches the next morning.  THEY LOVE ME.

Goldilocks

Someone's been sleeping in our bed, these past few weeks.  She's not been feeling well, and to be honest, she just is a cuddler and dislikes sleeping alone.  She is happiest when she's snuggled up next to one of us.  As much as she and Parker bicker and argue during the day, they beg to sleep together at night.  When we don't allow it (because they inevitably giggle for hours or start fighting instead of going to sleep), then this is what happens.... Sometime between 3am and 5am, we'll hear our doorknob turn and then we'll feel a little girl crawl up from the foot of the bed.  Wordlessly, she slips in between us and settles her little knees right into her Daddy's back.  He doesn't sleep well after that, and neither do I, but Lila is blissfully unaware of our tossing and turning and inching to the outer edges of the bed so that she can sleep sideways in the middle.

The practical mama inside me wants to send her back to her own bed, to help her learn how to sleep in her bed all night, like a big girl.  After three babies, I just want a good night's sleep again.  Daddy has to get up early to go to the gym, and I have work to do the next morning.

But... the sentimental part of me doesn't mind one bit.  The sappy mama I am, I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull the covers up over her and spoon her until my back aches.  I share my pillows with her and scoot to the edge of the bed and think, "Someday she won't want to sleep with us, she'll think it's silly and we will embarrass her and she will want to walk 10 steps behind us everywhere we go.... so I will enjoy this night, this gift, while I have it in my arms."

///

These photos were taken on two different mornings this month.  I took both of them with my iPhone when I woke up and opened the blinds.  I didn't have time to get the big camera out, and Lila had to wake up and get ready for preschool in a hurry.  But I had my phone on my nightstand, so I grabbed it right away, stood on the bed just below her feet, and shot from about eye level down at her.  I processed them both with PicTapGo and then easily published to my Instagram feed.  I have so many images of her sleeping so sweetly.  I think maybe I'll make a book out of them all.

If you are like me, and can't always grab your big camera with your own kids this summer, then at least use your phone to document the fun stuff... the stuff you don't want to forget, and the things you want to remind them of someday.  My good friend Angie Warren has recently published an e-book called Snap Filter Share about using your mobile phone to artfully document your family, how to share them online, and even print them to keep (you betcha I'm printing these).  To get your own copy, go HERE.  It's an amazing purchase (only $25!), and you don't have to be a professional photographer in order to put her techniques to use and create beautiful images with your phone today.  Like, right this minute.

And now I feel kind of sleepy again.  Must have been those two little knees in my back all night.  ;)

xo, Stacey

Bleeding hearts

Today would have been my Momaw's birthday. She never forgot mine.  Or Chris's.  Or any of the kids.  She and Popaw always mailed a card (with money tucked inside), and it was a guarantee that it would arrive either before or on our actual birthday.  Her last week here on the earth, we were lucky enough to FaceTime with her in the hospital, and as sick as she was, she said, "Oh no, I haven't forgotten a lost tooth or a birthday, have I?"  Bless her sweet heart.  Always thinking of us.

She passed away on Valentine's Day of this year.  I find myself dreaming of her today, remembering her kind voice and her positive attitude.  I am thinking of her tiny flower garden, and the stories she would tell me about the plants in it.  Buttercups, red roses, and pink and red bleeding hearts spilling over the broken sidewalk.

I wish I could grow bleeding hearts here.  (And peonies.  And clematis.)  Unfortunately, it's a bit too hot and humid for these pretties to thrive down here, but they will remain in my memory as the most poetically beautiful flowers in the world.

I also remember her shenanigans.  Once she "baked" a sponge cake for someone (I can't remember who, just now) when I was just a girl.  She put this big round piece of sponge on a plate, and covered it in chocolate icing.  After we sang Happy Birthday, she handed the knife to the guest of honor, and urged him to cut the first slice.  We got the biggest laugh out of that sponge on a plate.  My mom was afraid to cut into Momaw's birthday cakes for years after that.

I don't remember if she ever tried this in my presence, but she used to giggle about putting a tiny inflated balloon down the center of an angel food cake, and then frosting over the whole thing to hide the balloon.  When the knife popped that balloon, there would be an awful mess to clean up... but goodness I can just see her slapping her knee now.

If Momaw were still alive today, I'd bring her over a sponge cake and a card, and we'd eat cake and drink 7-up, and I'd bottle up her pretty laugh to listen to on days when I miss her too much.  Like today.

The First-Ever Spring Mini-Session Event

Spring is HERE in Florida!  The skies are bright and sunny, Spring Breakers are lining the beaches, flowers are blooming everywhere, and temperatures are in the 70s again. Let's celebrate, shall we?

Spring Minis.  Saturday evening, May 4th.  For this event, I've selected a beautiful patch of sunlight amongst great, grand live oak trees with Spanish moss dripping from their branches... and it's just a few steps away from one of the Gulf's prettiest white sand beaches.  I can't imagine a more perfect Spring setting!  So whether you prefer the foliage or the coast (or a little bit of both!), we've got you covered.

Call me at 727.698.0344 or use the contact form in the sidebar, to reserve your 20-minute session and accompanying prints.  Exclusive Mini-Collections are available as well.

Hint: these would make amazing Mother's Day or Father's Day gifts!  Sessions will take place just prior to Mother's Day, and final prints will be back in time for Father's Day gift-giving.

Can't wait -- see you soon!

xo, Stacey