General Conference...

I love that feeling of anticipation before LDS General Conference and the feeling of fullness after. And all of the possiblities of future study that still lay before us.

As of late...creating...

I've been shocked by the amount of time I feel like I have now that I don't commute. I have had to get creative to fill it...literally. I'm experimenting with gouache and Prismacolor markers a lot lately. I'm still getting the hang of both so I'm no completely satisfied with the following but I view them as a process. Practice if you will. There is definitely something to shutting off your brain and turning it over to a creative process that is very appealing. I hope you enjoy...

5 April Photo Sessions Available...

So spring is here and it's time to break out those spring clothes and get your Easter on!  Also, I've decided to do a few photo shoots in April. I have 5 spots available (we can work out the dates and times etc. on an individual basis). April is the perfect time to get a head start on those Senior photos and to get outside and recapture your family. As of now, I only have the 5 sessions in April planned... so let me know if you want one. For session info and pricing see the April Photo Session tab. To set up a session email me. See you soon!!

What are you reading lately...

I realized that I spend a LARGE amount of my life reading and never really mention anything about it here in this space. I think there are many reasons for this but mainly because I probably would only recommend one in ever 4 or 5 books that I read. (Seriously, what is it people? Why is there a scarcity of really great books out there right now?) and because I prefer to give book recommendations individually, dependant on that person's likes and interests etc. I'm not usually the blanket recommendation to the void type. BUT...why not. It is a good way to keep track of what I read anyway.

So, I thought I'd recommend (to the void I suppose) a few books that I've read lately.

Note: I tend to get hooked on one category or genre for a while and read everything I can find until I burn out on it and then start a new one. So here are 3 genres that I've been stuck on recently:

History (non-fiction)...

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

The unbelievable...and yet believable...story of Louis Zamperini and Olympic runner and World War II POW. I could not put this down. Hillenbrand is an excellent writer and a detailed historian. Zamperini's story is amazing and every bit as interesting as fiction but even more riveting because it's true.

Killing Kennedy, by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

This is a well written, interesting read. I'm sure that's more of a tribute to Dugard than O'Reilly but that's besides the point. I'm so fascinated by this period in history, politics, fashion, movies etc. In the book there are brief but helpful descriptions of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And, of course, an in depth description of the assassination. Very interesting for those, like me, who didn't live through this time and only have a vague history class version of these events. I found my self googling and watching all of the TV moments that were mentioned in the book on YouTube (oh, technology). Speeches, White House tours, interviews and even a much too graphic slow-motion, digitally enhanced reel of the fatal wound to Kennedy's head. I can never unwatch that... Also, besides the point. Next on my list to download is the first in this series Killing Lincoln.

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, by the Countess of Carnovon

How about a cross-over of history and Downton Abbey? OK...They have to fund the Highclere estate somehow right? Riding on the tail coats of Downton is this book about the Castle and it's ancestral residents.

If you like Downton Abbey...

The House at Riverton, by Kate Morton

Who doesn't like Downton Abbey?...and if you don't, what the heck are you doing reading my blog? Kidding...sort of. I swear to you that I checked the copyright date on this book twice while I read it because it was so similar to Downton at times that I thought it had to be written afterwards. For the record, it was written before. Actually, the plot is not that similar at all. Just a lot of similar class and upstairs downstairs drama. I like that this book jumps through eras and brings us almost to the present day.

The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton

This book came in a collection with the above mentioned House at Riverton so... bonus book! Anyway, this book isn't really like Downton Abbey at all but it was a good read. I liked Riverton better but was entertained by this one as well. It's basically a story about roots really...trying to find where you come from and how that heals us somehow. A quick read.

American Heiress, by Daisy Goodwin

This is a buccaneer story. A "Cora Crawley" story if you will. A wealthy American heiress and her adventure into the strict rules of the British aristocracy.

The House at Tyneford, by Natasha Solomons

A bit later than Downton...Tyneford is about the second world war and the changing times.

Young Adult Fiction...

Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card (re-read)

My second reading of this great book. It's such a page turner. It's a sci-fi teen novel which is not my usual genre but it's so worth your time. If you like the Hunger Games, the Giver, or pretty much any dystopian hero stories this one's for you.

The Selection, by Kiera Cass

The description of this book is horrifying: the Hunger Games meets the Bachelor...what?! See what I mean?!!..So, naturally, I had to read it. This book is pretty light and definitely more love-story than fight-to-the-death-story but I thought it was a fun, quick read. Stay away if you're not into trilogies...It's the first of three and the second two haven't been released yet. Bah! Who will she choose?

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

This is some EXCELLENT writing folks. The plot itself is not the big seller, it hooked me with some genuinely excellent writing. Rough description: Hazel has terminal cancer. The book basically steers you through her developing thought processes on living, dying, and love. It is very thought provoking. My only hesitation to recommend this one is that is has some questionable content that may not be for everyone...Steer clear of this one if you have an issue with language (it's full of swears) and has a bit of content as well.

So that's about it for now. I have three more categories (the Jazz Age/Lost Generation literature, If you like Jane Austen..., and LDS Church doctrine) that I've been reading a lot from and will post some stuff about those soon. Until then I'd love to hear your recommendations.

Happy reading!

This is why...

This is why Kadence is the coolest...wet willies on cue.