Tulips

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So I went to Seattle. Um, just a few (3) months ago. I’m finally editing the photos. My mom had told me before I went that she and my stepdad went to a tulip farm. And I thought they only happened in Holland. Forgive my ignorance. So I got VERY excited about the possibility of seeing fields of tulips. They did NOT disappoint. I have a ton of tulip pictures that I’m getting through. I thought I would get sick of them but there’s something about them I love. Mostly the colors. The rows and rows of gorgeous, colorful tulips. LOVE.

This is one of my favorite pictures, out of the almost 900 that I took. We were at a smaller tulip farm, and there were CLEAR signs warning against walking in the rows. There were… volunteers? maybe? With handy jackets so it was clear who was and was not allowed to walk in the rows of the Precious Tulips. Well… I’m a photographer. Who wanted a picture, a certain picture, of a certain tulip. I didn’t have my zoom and even if I did, well, it wouldn’t have worked. I’m also the daughter of my mother, who has quite the mischievous side to her. So, yeah. I went in the rows. For this tulip. Worth it.

We didn’t get arrested, or banned from tulip farms. Just asked if I could please stay out of the rows of tulips. Ahem. We left shortly after, but headed to bigger tulip farms where they let you walk in the rows, and even lay down in them. That happened too.

Budding Tree

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This tree is in our backyard. It is everything I love about this time of year. Grey mixed with bright colors. The tiny seeds of leaves emerging, announcing that they are here. It feels like Spring is here to push Winter out for some months. I love days like today, where I walk around in flip flops even though it’s officially still too cold for them. I don’t care- I’m pushing Winter out, too.

I love summer and fall, most of all, though, I love the beginning of any season. This is my favorite part about New England. Just when you think you can’t possibly take any more of winter, spring, summer, or fall, the weather shifts, and the signs of the next season are here. It’s like hope. I love it.

It’s been another weekend of goodness. Enjoying the weather, seeing friends, getting stuff done, and relaxing. Because work has been so hectic and busy, weekends feel well-deserved, and that makes them all the more enjoyable.

Snowy Woods

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Including ignoring all kinds of No Trespassing signs that are very clearly marked, to sneak through a fence, to get to this little tiny river-ish thing that’s probably like a sewage feed, but was really, really pretty in the snow.

Things are good lately, but very busy. I have alot of irons in the fire, alot of good and exciting things coming up. I’m working hard to also take care of myself better in the process, and have been running, getting ready to do a 5k! I’m happy and excited about where things are for me right now. I may get overwhelmed, but this is my nature. I much prefer to be busy and overwhelmed, with a few days here and there to rejuvenate, then to be bored. I don’t do bored well.

Dandelion Wishes

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This picture is from a year ago. Last April. I remember exactly who I was with and where when I took it. It’s also SOOC- straight out of the camera, no editing. I am itching to edit it, but just haven’t. Sometimes I like that, though.

I’ve opened up an Etsy shop. Check it out: Landscape of Paige- Etsy.

There’s not much there. If you’ve seen something here that you’d like, let me know, and I’ll add it to Etsy. I’m working on building up the shop.

Winter

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This picture is actually hanging on my wall. I love it.

BUT. I am so beyond excited that spring is coming. Weather may be taunting us with two warm days followed by a cold snap, but I know it will be just one minute, and the cold will be gone for a bit, and spring will be here. With it’s blossoms, and it’s flowers, and the colors. COLOR. I cannot wait.

Today was so nice. Jax met his doggie-cousin Belle- can’t say they were besties off the bat, but we do think that Belle’s sleepover at Casa de Q will be a success in a few weeks. What was great though was just hanging out with my sister and her family. There’s something so home-like about family. My family, at least.

Pretty

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My week off is officially over. Got less productive things done than I wanted, but still enjoyed my week. AND am excited to return to work tomorrow.

Perspective

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Look up. It might change things completely. A whole new way of seeing something.

Through the Forest

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I love how peaceful this picture looks. I love when yellow light shines through the trees, and looks all golden.

Today was one of those days. I was kind of dreading it- no plans, really, a bunch of tedious things to do, several more quiet vacation days ahead of me. But I filled it up in a peaceful, enjoyable way. The last few vacations we’ve had from school I’ve just taken… off. I haven’t gone anywhere, done a ton of things. I’m learning how to just be. I like the other stuff, too, lunches with friends, or traveling to whatever state my  mom lives in to visit her. But I’m learning to like the quiet of vacations. I will say, though, that I’m looking forward to going back to work on Monday.

I’m pretty proud of myself, too. I did two things to take care of myself today. The first was a baked cupcakes. Sounds silly, I know. But there’s something about baking that’s unbelievably soothing to me. It’s not in how things turn out, either, although I do much prefer it when they turn out yummy and everyone loves them. But it’s the process that I love. Taking ingredients that are all separate entities, changing them this way or that, adding them to each other, until you have a formed dessert. YUM. And, soothing.

We capped off the night with some TV. Watched a show that involved a funeral of a parent in Connecticut. It was a punch to the gut, especially with March coming up. So I cried, and let myself just cry. But I didn’t let it take me over, either. We turned on The Office, and I laughed and ate a cupcake. And moved on, once again.

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Natty is here for our first sleepover. This is her reading to her friends (jax and a baby doll and a bunch of stuffed animals). She is holding “Good Night Moon” but reading “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” (from memory).

It is so fun having her here.

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Edited to add: HOLY CRAP. What a terrible picture! This is the first time I looked at it from the computer and not from my phone… oy.

Fly Away

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When we went to the balloon festival (IN AUGUST. I’m a little behind) I was so excited about all the colors. I loved them. They were bright, poppy, in your face. The balloons all had different colors- mostly primary- and different designs. It was cool. My eyes loved the way they looked.

My photographs don’t love them. While I’m editing, they are … well, I’m just not in love with the colors. I’m frustrated with this set of photos- I had high hopes for taking photos at the hot air balloon festival. So far, my favorite pictures are of Natalee.

But I do love this one. You know, the one without any real colors. The balloons were not my favorite- yellow and green, I think, and I took the color out and added warmth. And promptly fell in love with the picture.

Funny how things work out like that, huh? You go in thinking or expecting one thing, like that you will love the bright colors, and fall in love with something completely different?

We’re off for February break. I wish they were making up our snow days this week. I’d rather have more time when the sun is shining, they days are warm, I can enjoy being outside. I sound like a total spoiled brat, I know, waaahh I have too many days off. But they’re not good for me- I like and need to be busy. I function best at the line just between manageable and completely overwhelmed. I don’t function well at overwhelmed, but even less so at bored. But I’m making it work. Exercising, editing, hanging with the puppy, trying to remember how to relax. The problem is I actually do know how to and love relaxing, but when there’s too much of it the appeal is lost.

Enough whining. Just enjoy the balloons.