aperture mittens

thankful and happy.

2012-02-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

Today, several of my best pals and I hosted a baby shower for E's mom. Everything and everybody came together to make it play out perfectly. . . I can't stop grinning, the memories are so nice! It was a wonderful time to simply celebrate something truly exciting. Sending a million thanks to all who participated!

xo

Adventures at a Lakeshore

2012-02-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

These are old-ish photos, but I thought you might enjoy some wind and water on this {mild} February evening. I sure do. I the thought of summer makes me happy!

But for now, math homework. It'll be great. No sarcasm here.
Mia
PS - Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Monday morning.

2012-02-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

This tidbit is from the aftermath of brunch at Grandma's house, back on the tail end of a January weekend. Hannah made one more pot of Swedish coffee before it was time to go home.

Have a happy Monday, everyone! Thanks for all of the sweet comments you've given me lately . . . I appreciate your kind words!
Mia

warm winter light

2012-02-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

Almost a month ago now, if you had traipsed out to a certain field, you would've found three girls; two making straw dolls, one snapping photos. To me, the last word in good times is to be at a favorite place with good friends, and this fit the bill perfectly. Ellyn and I were going to embark on another semester of the school the next day, and this afternoon outdoors was a perfect close to winter break. I miss those carefree days, but thankfully, friendship and familyhood doesn't come and go with days off academic obligation.
Love,
M

"bathed in autumn gold."

2012-01-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

Remember some departed day

When bathed in autumn gold

You wished for some sweet song

And sighed for minstrel days of old.

-Robert Frost

----

I was trolling through photos today and came upon this set from November. The first verse (stanza?) of my favorite Frost poem instantly jumped to mind. Warm autumn sunlight and today's thick grey sky have quite the contrast . . . I'm very fond of them both.

I know that I chatter about the weather quite a bit, please forgive me. I just like the climate here so much.*smile*
Love from an infatuated,
Mia

meandering

2012-01-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

My days are filled to bursting with school and work, the only photographic thing I have time for is remembering days last month when I could take it slow.

The good thing - the best thing - is that God is always present, day in and day out. And He gives good gifts and good promises. This is the psalm that has become my reference point for the new semester and new year:

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame:
let not my enemies exult over me.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.

Lead in me in your truth and teach me,.
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 25: 1-2, 4-5

The photos are from 12.26.11. I love brown winter fields . . any type of field, really. *smile*

winter's cold finery.

2012-01-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

This winter hasn't been marked with abundant snow or perpetual cold. It's mild, with cold snaps flitting in and out of the thermometers. The sunlight has been my favorite thing; it ranges from dim to blazing, and it always looks - but not always feels - filtered by the chilly air. Although the solstice has passed, I think of these days as the thick of winter. And I really, really love them. ♥

this shining night.

2011-12-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

Sure on this shining night

Of star-made shadows round

Kindness must watch for me

This side the ground

The late year lies down the north,

All is healed, all is health

High summer holds the earth,

Hearts all whole

Sure on this shining night

I weep for wonder

Wandr’ing far alone

Of shadows on the stars.

--James Agee

listen

Oh, bokeh.

2011-12-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

If I'm obsessed with taking bokeh shots, I'm living in denial of it. But isn't it amusing that this:

Can turn into this:

Or even this?

Abstract images with a magical quality, all wrapped up in fun and easy production; I understand the bokeh craze now, after messing around with the abundant lights and my focus ring to achieve these shots (plus the other twenty still on the hard drive!).

----

Life as of late has involved Christmas parties, outings to the mall, playing on goodreads.com, actually reading the books I've collected online, and eating lots of cookies. I'm enjoying winter + winter break to the max.

Love,
Mia

autumn recap

2011-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

1. October in the backyard : 2. Arriving home : 3. Halloween candy : 4. Midmorning light in the kitchen : 5. Exploring dad's new workplace. {We are so, so thankful for this job!} : 6. Grandma's house : 7. Hanging out with sweet Blackberry : 8. Flying south

---

It's already the 12th of December, our Christmas trees are up, and I have only two finals to go until winter break. Winter is certainly here, but before autumn becomes too distant a memory, I wanted to share these last bits and pieces from the season. It's been the quite the season in so many ways, marked with growth, change and hope.

November 24

2011-12-08T20:46:00.001-08:00

Some photos make me exhale pent up stress and lapse back to the moment I took them. These are prime examples : Thanksgiving Day afternoon, S and I spent some more time out in the alfalfa field with the dogs, doing absolutely nothing except running around, looking for small adventures.

Second Snow

2011-12-03T14:10:00.001-08:00

The second snow of the season fell exactly two weeks ago. Since then, fifty-degree temps came and melted it, we scrambled to finish picking up the leaves, and the weather has varied between mild and biting. Today, it's more biting than mild and significant snowfall #3 is coming down outside right now.

Winter's here and I am glad. Have a cozy afternoon, wherever you happen to be!

sunday morning in chicago

2011-11-30T18:55:00.001-08:00

From a quick jaunt to Illinois with my parents and sister back at the end of September. We didn't have the luxury of time to spend time doing so real-deal sightseeing, so I took these from the backseat.

Chicago is definitely on my list of places to revisit. It's big and beautiful and seems very full of stories.

September 4

2011-11-28T12:35:00.001-08:00

This photo is one of my favorites of this year.

From a late summer evening spent in Grandma N's alfalfa field. It was a sweet weekend respite from the new semester that I was working to acclimate to - and now it's a very pleasant memory.

I plan on posting photos from the past few months over the next week or so; autumn's a lovely season and I've had such a good time using my new camera to record some of its loveliness.

Have a happy Monday afternoon!

Mia

Hello Again

2011-11-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

After a hiatus and relocation, I am back in the blogging saddle. This time, I have new ideas for what I'll post and why I'm here.

One, I simply love photography. It's sort of like a habit; if the light is good or the situation an interesting one, I reach for my camera. This happens often (life is beautiful!), so I have these photos that I want to share. Blogging is an efficient way do to that.

The other reason I'm back: I love writing. Here is a practical way to practice it.

My desire to document life and grow in those areas come together and perfectly compliment the fact that I have something to say; a story to tell about life. In this era, getting heard by even a few people is as simple as clicking 'publish post'. That's a gift I'll try not to abuse.

Then there's one last overarching fact about this blog: God's presence in my life. His perfect love and saving grace are things I want every reader of this blog to know about.

It's good to be back,

Mia