Friday, May 29, 2015

The Hood


Locals call it da 'Burg, 
Fritztown, Fredtown, Fred, 
and any other number of assorted endearments. 

I just call it home.


Ever since I can remember, 
I wanted to live here. 
Right here, where I am right now. 
Even before I was a blogger or a photographer, 
my inner artist's heart always felt called 
to the town of schnitzel and wineries,
of countless B&Bs and all things peach, 
 and street after street of the 
loveliest historical homes 
I've ever seen. 


And then in 2010, it happened. 
It actually happened! 
We secured our own little piece of da 'Burg, 
and all was well with my heart. 

I've made countless friends here, 
kindred spirits that while I knew existed, 
I scarcely realized just how close they were, 
geographically speaking.


There's really nothing like that feeling of coming home. 
Not just a house or a city, but home. 
A place where you feel that somehow, 
if you are the sort to believe in past lives, 
you spent at least one or more lifetimes in this welcoming place.


You see that photo above?
Taken on one of my multiple weekly visits to only 
the best and friendliest coffee shop you'll ever find, Java Ranch. 
Owned and operated by Gordon and Vikki King.... 

All the baristas are my friends,they know what I want 
and how I want it before I even step up to the counter. 
It sounds corny, but it's like the old theme song to "Cheers"...
it's where everybody knows your name. 
My name.

{ photo by Thomas Adams }

And the photo above...
Ahhh yes I remember that day well. 
It was a monthly visit to the best flea in the world 
{ lots of "bests" here, ya know? },
Fredericksburg Trade Days.

As I am wont to do, I approach any and all canines 
with a pet and a scratch and the requisite baby talk  
all pooches deserve.
This fella, while appearing a bit daunting on first sight, 
was just a sweet little guy who humored me while 
I made a little small talk....all the while making sure 
that he held on that monkey with a death grip. 
After all, a guy never knows when some strange chick 
is gonna abscond with his favorite snuggle toy.

I think it all comes down to this. 
I was a nomad throughout my formative years. 
My childhood and teen years were spent moving 
from State to State, school to school, 
Nothing was ever permanent, not as long as the 
old man couldn't get his crap together long enough 
to hold down a permanent job and provide 
his family, me and my mother, with some semblance 
of a safe and secure environment.
A home. A real home.

We never owned a home,we were always renters. 
I could drone on for hours about 
how I lost big in the father lottery, 
but that's not the point. 

My point is that right here, right now, 
in Fredericksburg, Texas, I feel a sense of home. 
It's an unmistakable gut instinct 
that in my many years on this planet, 
 I am exactly where the Almighty wants me. 
And to a girl who always felt the sand shift beneath
 her feet, that's something. 

There has been some talk about us moving again recently. 
Nothing definite, but just a reassessment of whether or not 
financial issues will make it feasible to remain in our current home. 
And while this would break my heart, 
that would be nothing compared to the 
crushing loss I would feel if we had to leave this community. 
They are more than neighbors and friends now,
they are my family and my home. 

So place me in a shanty on the edge of town, 
or find me an old RV with a comfy cot. 
Either way, I'm not budging.





Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Through a Glass Darkly


I'm not promoting a local photo shoot, 
nor am I pimping out another magazine feature. 
Nope. 

Just taking a stroll around the farmhouse 
and seeking to view familiar objects with new eyes. 

I can't begin to tell you how much I am loving 
taking time off away from doing pro shoots. 
This Summer is for relaxing and regrouping, 
and in some small way, getting back to why 
I started all of this crazy nonsense 
in the first place...

Because in 2009, I was a girl with a brand new blog,
 who just so happened to fall in love 
with her camera, and discovered 
a world of artistic expression 
 I never dreamed existed. 

So,
My house through new eyes.











Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Latin for ""all for the glory of God."




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Saturday, May 23, 2015

Farther Down the Road....Joyriding Again


During my Summer long commercial and editorial  
photo shoot break, I've been working on some 
personal projects near and dear to my heart. 

I love urban exploration photos 
which are images shot in abandoned or decaying locations, 
such as homes, factories, really any structure which has 
long since been cast aside and left to the elements. 

I posted one photo from this project entitled "joyride" 
a few weeks back, and I'm back to share a couple more. 










Happy Memorial Day Weekend, 
and remembering all we have lost. 


Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Latin for ""all for the glory of God."




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Friday, May 15, 2015

Published in Romantic Homes, June 2015


I am so fortunate to be able to have photographed
the warm, welcoming and lovely Dyllla Farmhouse
for Romantic Homes magazine, June 2015 issue. 


And it was an honor to be able to write
the accompanying feature story as well.



It was  the childhood home of
Joey "Dixie" Dylla's husband, and the renovation
involved blood, sweat, tears, and passion.
And the results speak for themselves!



Located in St. Hedwig, Texas
{ the far East side of San Antonio/Bexar County }
it is a true farmhouse in every sense of the word.

And now, it is a charming guesthouse,
accepting guests as we speak!





















I'm in love with this sweet little farmhouse,
and the Dylla's as well.
If you'd like to book a stay, click here:

Click to Book a Stay at Dylla Farmhouse!

And be sure to get a copy of the June issue
of Romantic Homes!


Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Latin for ""all for the glory of God."






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Monday, May 11, 2015

Off The Merry-Go-Round


Sometimes....actually, all the time, 
it's a good idea to take an introspective inventory.

Why do I do what I do? 
What do I hope to gain from it? 
What are the rewards and the pitfalls? 
And what are my motives? 

I've found myself in such a place 
many times in my life. 
And more than once, I've heeded 
that little voice inside my head. 
But of late, the past few years I would guess, 
I have all but ignored that still, small voice. 

Until now. 



I've accomplished a lot of things that I set out to do, 
things I was certain would leave me feeling 
satisfied and fulfilled. 

I've had the good fortune to see my work 
in print on many an occasion.
I've been blessed to have multiple local clients 
secure my services for their photographic 
and advertising needs.

And not just that, 
but filling my life with material pleasures, 
often to excess. 
Spending ridiculous amounts on clothes, 
jewelry, shoes, camera equipment, etc, etc. 

But still.... 
Did any of it bring happiness? Peace? Joy? 
Sometimes it has. 
But of late, I've recognized that 
the joy and the passion for all of this, 
these earthly pursuits, if you will, 
has left me feeling empty. 

I've looked back over the past 5 or so years, 
and I've recognized that while I've always given 
thanks and credit to magazine editors 
and clients, rarely if ever have I ever 
given credit to the one who gave me 
the ability to pursue these gifts in the first place. 

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, 
and loses his own soul?" Mark 8:36

I have neglected to give thanks to God... 
to give Him his rightful place in my life. 
And in neglecting to do so,  
I have felt empty and largely unsatisfied 
in most everything I have pursued of late. 
Every worldly thing, that is. 

Success. 
Recognition. 
Praise and flattery. 
All nothing in the grand plan. 

The scripture haunts me...

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, 
and loses his own soul?" 

 It has profited me nothing. 
Certainly nothing of eternal value. 
And so I decided, a break was in order. 
A hop off the merry-go-round. 

While I am not taking on any new shoots 
in the immediate future, I very much 
want to make sure that I 
give proper exposure and kudos 
to those folks who've shoots I have completed 
and have hit the magazine stands. 
These sweet and talented friends 
deserve that much, definitely.

But if I am to actively resume my pursuits
in the artistic world, ( and I want to, very much ) 
I want to do so 
with only the most honorable of motives. 
Always and without reservation 
giving the glory to God. 

Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Latin for ""all for the glory of God." 

Pray for me, please. 
Thank you. 






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Friday, May 8, 2015

Lilacs-n-Calico & Co. Inc


A couple of weeks ago, 
I paid a visit to one of the most darling 
lil' shops I've encountered in quite awhile. 

Although I was hired to come and take pics 
for commercial purposes, I also discovered 
a new favorite shop.

Located in the sweet little town of Mason, Texas, 
I present to you Lilacs-n- Calico & Co. Inc....














Please visit Jennifer at 
Lilacs-n- Calico & Co Inc 
at 
112 N Live Oak St. 
Mason, TX 





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Saturday, May 2, 2015

Glamping! Published in Flea Market Decor!


Even though I'm deep into editing 
multiple photo shoots, I absolutely, 
positively, had to shout it from the rooftops 
that my bestie, Theresa Cano of 
is featured in the brand new issue of 
Flea Market Decor magazine! 



To be more specific, it's Theresa's 
swank Glamper / RV that is featured, 
and it has Sweet T's sweet stamp 
all over it!

   
Even though she sets up at 
Fredericksburg Trade Days here in Fbg, TX 
every month, you can also find her at 
numerous other shows throughout Texas 
year round.


But if you want to see this little slice 
of glamping Heaven, you have to head 
on down to our neck of the woods 
and pay her a visit to Trade Days,
held the third weekend ( Fri, Sat, Sun ) 
each and every month. 




   Nobody incorporates vintage and natural elements 
in such a seamless fashion. It's just her thang, ya know?



  How great is that "lunch room" sign, I ask you??? 







I want to thank Flea Market Decor magazine 
for featuring Theresa's story and my photos,
but most of all, huge thanks and gratitude 
to Theresa herself for her friendship 
and trust in me. I love you, girl!



Grab this issue today!



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