the kitchen window.

2 plates.

4 green bowls.

1 dog.

2 macs.

1 massage table.

0 couch.

this is my life. It's definitely interesting. I sell cupcakes and steak by night and try and be a photographer by day. I love to cook but have no table to eat dinner on. I also love to take pictures, and lately don't have anything to take pictures of. Or so I thought.

Sometimes, I have so much creative energy welled up inside of me that I can't stand it. I have a ton of ideas,  (some of which have nothing to do with my camera) but no time to make them happen. Or no one to use as my model. So, I got to thinking a week ago that I needed a way to release a little bit of that energy. A way to force my finger to keep clicking away. Something to tide me over until people in Durango actually learn that I'm here and then realize how badly they need me.  :)

I decided to start a tiny little personal project. It will be called "Everyday Sunday." And it will live right here, on my happy little blog. It's a tribute to my appreciation for the ordinary. The simple. The everyday life that I oddly find so amusing, beautiful, and not so obviously obvious. The details. The moments. A tribute to antiques, color, design, and food. 

I first got the idea back in Oklahoma when I returned to my Mom's little cottage-like house after school and was immediately inspired by her lifestyle. Her decorating. The spools of thread and old sewing books. The way my dog's soft, white fur looked in contrast to the old wooden floor. Her garden and antique kitchen utensils...

As part of my daily routine I look at the same blogs almost everyday, and I love when I find a new one that strikes my fancy. Most of them are photographers, but a few are "foodies" and crafters of many sorts. I enjoy getting photography inspiration from unexpected sources. I also have a few books and magazines I absolutely adore. So, before I start this new project, I'd like to give a shout out to a few people that don't even know I exist, but I'm sure we'd be great friends if they did...

Tasha Tudor.

Incredible woman. Children's book illustrator beginning in the 1930's, and in the remainder of her life lived at a farm house, much like one from the 1800's. The two books that have been published on her are beautiful. I've checked them out from the library so many times I should of just bought them by now.

Molly Wizenberg.

Foodie, photographer, and writer. She does it all and does it well. Born and raised in Oklahoma. Author of the Orangette (a blog) and A Homemade Life (a memoir.) Also features a podcast called "Spilled Milk" available on itunes.

Etsy.

a world of everything handmade and vintage. Need I say more?

A Beautiful Mess.

Elsie Flannigan may just be the most followed girl with a blog. She's full of creative ideas, DIY tutorials, (pin hole cameras and knitting!) links to other websites, and great pictures from tons of photographers. She'd be a fun friend to go thrift shopping with someday.

Sandra Juto.

A girl from Gothenburg, Sweden who has a great eye for composition, design, and the simple things in life. 

Stephanie Congdon Barnes & Maria A. Vettese

Co-authors for the books 3191 "A Year of Mornings" and "A Year of Evenings." Beautiful, beautiful photographs and a great example of why I love joint photo projects and photos from everyday life. Someday, when I have a couch, I'll have a coffee table, and when I have a coffee table, I'd like to have both of these books to sit on it.  :)

I also love the photography in any of Martha Stewart's magazines, Real Simple, The Sun, Color, and many many many more websites and blogs.

Here are a few images from this week's Everyday Sunday. I'm a little late. (It was technically still Sunday when I started this.) 

sara.

I wish I could say I took this picture. If I had, I would have been with my mom and one of her best friend's in the early 70's on a road trip from Evansville, Indiana to Great Falls, Montana. As she wrote on the back of one of the pictures, "camping along the way, deciding where as we went in my '65 Chevy Impala."  :)

I found this picture, along with a few others in a box my mom sent me after my recent move to Colorado. I'd seen most of the pictures before, but I didn't remember this one, and it struck me. There was something about the light, the look on her face, the mountains, and her free spirit that spoke to me. She's about my age in this picture, routing out her own path of discovery and drinking it in.

I immediately pinned it to my bulletin board right next to my computer and can't help but glance at it every day. It reminds me how young I am, how life is an adventure, and to be myself and enjoy it.

She's beautiful, courageous, and smart. I think we would of been best of friends in the 70's, cause we're best of friends now.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Simon.

I've learned in the last couple of months, that it's hard sometimes when you're trying to be a professional photographer, and so is your boyfriend. Especially under tough circumstances. Like paying rent and school loans, supporting excessive eating habits, working two-three jobs, adapting to living in a new city, etc. Tensions can get high. And that is why this blog post isn't entirely about our good friends Amy, Jeremy and their little baby bump, Simon. It's really dedicated to Chad. He was supposed to take these pictures, not me. But due to working jobs that have nothing to do with our photography, he couldn't. And, due to the goodness of his unselfish heart, he gave the job to me. And I am so grateful.

I don't really know very many people in Durango yet, but I'm glad that of the few I do know, Amy and Jeremy are two of them. I went to their home to photograph maternity pictures, not really knowing what to expect. I thought we'd do a few personal, intimate shots in the house and then venture outdoors to a more naturalistic location. We are after all, in beautiful Colorado. Not to mention the two of them are the type to usually be found outside biking, running, climbing, camping, etc. It only made sense. It's a funny thing though. I was there a little over two hours and not once did we leave their house. 

Sometimes, when I photograph...okay...every time I photograph I get caught up in the moment and before I know it the shoot is over. It was no exception with these guys. I found myself enjoying the personal challenge of finding ways to use the house as a backdrop. Their home. It is after all where you collect yourself at night together. It's where you can be you, be messy. And where the baby will spend so many of his first years. I even broke out my flash (which I almost NEVER do) and combined it with a lot of natural light by bouncing it. I needed to be behind my camera again. I needed the challenge. And I needed the laughs. Thanks Jeremy :)

The mural in the nursery was absolutely beautiful...

enjoy!

Special thanks to Daisy and Gus (dogs.) They were excellent troopers. Oh and sorry for the excessive amount of photos. I had a hard time picking out my favorites. These are only a handful. I decided that if I'm ever pregnant, I want to look as cute as Amy...

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a great weekend :)