sunday, sweet
husband, left for 3 weeks of out of state training – and yes, I got watery-eyed
as I hugged too long before he left. we’ve never been apart so long and it
seems like each minute I’m noticing something great he does to make our home
better.  so during that too-long hug in
the kitchen, and then in the living room, and then by the door :)…I
just imagined for a moment how wonderful it would be when he returned and that
brought a big smile.  

and we’re making a
fun little paper chain to mark his return – yanno, since kiddos aren't as adept with the "passage of time" thing :). we'll take off a loop each evening at dinner to signal that the time is getting shorter.

2009 has been
here such a short time but the days have been steeped with so much meaning
already.  I really don’t want to
derail any hopeful resolutions that go a little like this “I shall never let an
unhealthful morsel of food pass betwixt these lips” but in case you’re with me
in the ‘all things in moderation’ camp, check this out!! oh, bakerella…really?  did you just climb into my subconscious ‘unrequited
comfort foods’ file?

hope you’re having
the best 2009…we’re currently blanketed in beautiful snow (edited to add: and a hefty layer of crunchy ice!) and I love the
bit of stillness it brings.   -m-

stuff to share
with my favorite people who parent: darling toddler tank, screen time tickets, letterpress
loveliness from the office of the tooth fairy (via oh happy day)

hello mmp readers!  laura here for a short note — as some of you know, i'm in school and as the new semester began, i really needed to replace my old lunch tote.  check out this fabulous find from the folks over at BuiltNY:

doesn't it look fantastic?!? i can't wait for it to arrive so i can carry around my meals in style!  happy 2009!
warmly,
Laura

lisa is a bride from a few years ago and when she shared the news that she & her family would be moving to lexington, i was estatic. she's become such a dear friend – there's something really sweet about sharing a wedding day that keeps you connected to someone and i'm so glad about that.  clients often cross my mind…when someone mentions london, i think of jeanie.  when i see something in a particular shade of soft pink, i think of natalie (because her wedding dress was pink).  but we live all over the world so it makes me happy when a bride moves to lexington! 

thomas, her husband, is opening a business and i'm so excited for them…being self-employed is a unique situation so it's really great to be able to talk to friends about various things. and i'm really glad when a business opens that i can see will have a positive effect in our community – they are so on point with their message of wellness.  take a look at their website – they open in just a couple weeks (and their space near bluegrass bride will be great)! 

when lisa called about doing some shots for thomas i said we should do family shots at the same time…and I'm so glad we did because i had one of the sweetest moments as a photographer.  it was a beautiful day and as we were walking around the uk arboretum, miller grabbed my hand and with the sun on our backs there was a silhouette of us all in a row.  bliss. 

thank you to each of you for an incredible 2008.  it's hard to put into words the debt of gratitude i feel for the fortunate chance i have to create images for you.  -m-

hello to all of you!

we’re back…well, i’m back (melanie that is), laura is still hopefully dipping her toes in warm sand so bear with me on email since i’ll be in lots of shoots this week. how were your holidays? i so enjoyed the time with jason and audrey…we’d run to the post office *together* and go to the bookstore *together*.  are you beginning to see my favorite word and favorite thing to be is together ;)  i love them…and extended time off was the biggest treat in the world.  yup, i’m a total nut for lots of family time.

audrey got two bazillion kisses on those cheeks and teased me with nano-second snuggling.  it’s a good happy life – and i’m feeling so recharged for 2009.  i hope you had a wonderful time, too…oh, and your holiday cards!  you are truly the cutest bunch!  so glad to be in your circle!

welp, there’s so much to get to work on this morning so i’m going to hop to it…happy 2009…let’s make it extra great!  -m-

image via here