Quote

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name--liberty. And it follows that each of the thing is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names--liberty and tyranny."

Abraham Lincoln, 1864

Thirty

Today is a milestone and I am enjoying every minute of it. In my humble, yet "experienced" opinion, 30's Lexi is so much cooler than 20's Lexi. I found this quote a couple days ago and it has stuck with me, hence the reason I intend to embrace the "fool" inside of me this weekend and beyond:

"I must learn to love the fool in me--the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool."
-Theodore I. Rubin, MD


If you'd like to help me celebrate, we'll be serving up a roasted pig (bbq pork sandwiches, of course) along with an ice cold keg tomorrow. Sunshine and warm weather is included.

Living the Dream

After weeks of work, Greenprint Photography has finally gone live! It is such an exciting feeling to have spent so much time on my little website and to now be getting such wonderful feedback from my circle of friends and family. I just keep telling myself, little by little I will make this dream a reality...and already I feel like I am there.

http://greenprintphotography.com/

All Along

Found this beautiful quote on Lex and the City [love the name!] and had to post it if only to keep a record of it forever. I had the best Valentine's weekend with my husband. I keep reminding myself not to dwell on it being over so quickly...we have a lifetime of weekends ahead of us.


The minute I heard my first love story, i started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

-Jalal-Uddin Rumi

A Valentine Story

Yesterday, by mistake (or chance), I opened a piece of mail that was intended for someone else, but with our address listed. Inside the envelope there was a small card saying that a prayer had been said for this person, with a handwritten message at the bottom that read "May God bless you, as you let God control your life and marriage!"

Last night, while my husband serenaded me with his other love, I told him how I still sometimes wake up thinking that our love is too good to be true. How could two people be so blessed (not 'lucky'--he always corrects me) to find such a love? I never imagined it possible, but sometimes prayers really are answered.

Along with the card was a copy of the Beatitudes for Marriage, which I found appropriate to post as we anticipate Valentine's Day tomorrow. Plus, it makes me feel a little less guilty that I intercepted such a thoughtful package.


The Beatitudes for Marriage

Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate, considerate, and loveing after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends.

Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another.

Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the Lord.

Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer.

Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."

Blessed are the husband and wife who work together for the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of adjustment without interference from relatives.

Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the control of both.

Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being unselfish, loyal and loving.

Canine Photographer

I stumbled on Erin Vey's blog via the Pioneer Woman and couldn't resist sharing her here. What a brilliant concept! I am still drooling (pardon the pun!) over her professional website photos.

Now I am thinking that I might just add another category to my photography website...

Dexter's Slice of Life

I have become addicted to watching tv on dvd. My most recent indulgence: Dexter. Back when I used to pay for premium channels and DVR I followed a few of the early episodes, so when my favorite brother-in-law (Love you, Sean!) showed up one weekend with Seasons 1 and 2 in hand, I knew my stack of Netflix dvd's would be on the back burner for a while.


If you haven't given Dexter a try yet, consider this my nudge. In the meantime I will be on pins and needles waiting for season 3 to be released. (Jen...Mad Men is next in my queue!)

Lens, Baby.

I splurged. My 30th birthday is still a month away, but it was the perfect excuse to treat myself. My new Lensbaby and all her beautiful accessories have been keeping me and the Nikon busy. Lately all I keep wishing for are more hours of sunlight in the day. I guess I still have something left to wish for when I blow out my candles.

Planning Mode

I've been getting organized around here. Between working, designing my own photography business website (almost done!), and keeping up with my homemaking, I decided it was time to get myself a daily planner to help me keep it [my sanity] all together.

My little red Moleskine daily planner was waiting for me when I got home yesterday and I can't wait to start scribbling in all the tasks I've been trying to keep together in my head.

My ideal Super Bowl halftime show

Led Zeppelin
What? A girl can't dream? I say dream big or GO HOME.

Lady Gaga.
A more realistic choice, even though it exposes my addiction to pop/dance/electronica music. What can I say, I love a woman with balls and originality.

Vote for Marley!

My sister entered the photo that I took of her "Baby Girl" into the Bissell Photo Contest. Would you take a minute and cast your vote for her? Pretty please?

A Child of God

Yesterday my mailman delivered this wonderful little print that I ordered from Etsy seller Persimmon and Pink last week. I can't wait to frame it and put it somewhere that I will see it each day. It is such a beautiful reminder...

Grateful

Today is a good day. I am grateful to be alive. Grateful for all of the love and beauty all around me. How blessed I am, and how blessed WE ALL ARE. Especially to have Nie back.

God bless NewNie!

Light Italian Wedding Soup

I served up my first attempt at Italian Wedding Soup tonight and it was a huge hit! My husband even deemed it "restaurant worthy!"

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground dark-meat turkey (93 percent lean)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice
• 2 heads escarole (2 pounds total), cored, trimmed, and coarsely chopped

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine turkey, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Using 1 tablespoon for each, roll mixture into balls.
2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth and tomatoes (with juice); bring to a simmer. Add meatballs; cook, without stirring, until meatballs float to surface, about 5 minutes.
3. Add as much escarole to pot as will fit. Cook, gradually adding remaining escarole, until wilted and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Thin soup with water if desired; season with salt and pepper. Serve soup sprinkled with more Parmesan.

National CHOMPions!

Today I'll be basking in the glow of the Gators big win last night. Tebow really is Superman!

Also, I'm gearing up for the first of three photography classes I signed up for that starts tomorrow. I may look like I know what I'm doing, but really I'm just having fun!

Good (okay, GREAT) News

Nie is back! In just 10 days (and 5 months after her accident) Nie will be blessing us in the blog world again!

My heart is happy.

And what a beautiful post by big sister C Jane.

"In due time I couldn't help but notice
that the more I heard her voice
the less of her voice I needed to be."


Today is a day of thanks.

Blog Crush

I have a new blog crush on The Rockstar Diaries. If you're a hopeless romantic like me, you might love Josh and Naomi, in love in NYC, too.


Image via The Rockstar Diaries

A New Year of Happiness

I thought about compiling a list of resolutions for the new year, but after two years of failed attempts and disappointments, I have decided instead to make only one resolution.

Pursue my passion.

I won't bore you with the details, but believe me, the queen of details has many plans in the works.


Also, above all else, I resolve to be happy. (Okay, so make that two resolutions.)

Duchess of Carnegie

Did you read this article about Editta Sherman, the 96-year-old photographer who has lived above Carnegie Hall since 1947? The studio space she has been living and working in has been rent-controlled and she only pays $650 a month for it!

via www.rossbennettlewis.com

Here she is with her 100 year old format view camera with a portrait she took of Andy Warhol hanging in the background.



via www.rossbennettlewis.comwwwrossbennettlewis.com

Poladroid

Have you seen the Poladroid project? It takes your photos and makes them look like they were taken with a Polaroid camera. One word: Genius!


Whether you have a Mac or use Windows, you can download it...wait for it...for free(!) here.