Happy New Year!

We wish you a roarin' new year!

2011 Roundup & Looking Ahead

Ok, here it is. The requisite end of year musings. This year has been fairly on par with last year and I'm so grateful. My family is healthy, we're employed, we live in a beautiful home and we have incredible friends. But you know, it's felt a little like I've been holding my breath. Does that make sense?

2011 Roundup
Highlights below, in no particular order. Click for individual blog post.
 







2012 Looking Ahead
Time to kick it up a notch! Bam! (Does anyone still get that reference?) In no particular order, I'm throwing down the following challenges to myself. (The ones in bold will be the toughest for me!)

• Learn my camera
• Take better photos (and learn how to edit ruthlessly!)
• Create more
• Learn something new
• Get healthy and be honest about it
• Live consciously
• Clean-up the blog! 

I've already started in on that last one. Most of my favorite blogs are uncluttered, clean and feature gorgeous photography. Not sure if I'll ever be as good as they are but a gal sure can try, right?

Click here to see the 2010 Roundup.

What are you planning to do next year?

:)

See ya next year!!

Palm Springs 12.2011

We headed to the desert for a quick pre-new year relax & recharge. Due to unwise choices on a few occasions, we really didn't get too much of either. BUT we still had a good time. Here are some of my favorite moments. Get ready for a lot of randomness.


THE SKY




THE BEST MEAL




THE ROOM




THE HUMMINGBIRD



These little guys are buzzing all around the place. We were so surprised to have one visit us during lunch in our patio. :)


THE MISC.




Now we're back in L.A. with a long to-do list for the rest of my time off. I hope we can squeeze in a bit of unwind time before I'm back on the job.

Click here for the full Palm Springs photoset.

Christmas 2011

I love Christmas. We spend the eve with my parents, eat lots and exchange gifts.

Here's dad in the trench he's been storing for 40 years. I wish it fit me. I would have stolen that right quick!


I purposely kept Christmas Day low key but we did a lot of housework. We spent the day cleaning, hanging out on our patio, doing chores (I think I did nearly 7 loads of laundry!) and hosting a casual after dinner coffee time.


Also, I got the e-mount lens adapter for my camera which has opened up a whole new world for me! I get to use my old Minolta lenses and Chi has lent me his to play with. So, you'll see that my photos look kind of funny. I'll get the hang of it!

For full photosets, click below:
Christmas Eve 2011
Christmas Day 2011

I've taken the rest of the week off work. I think there will just be a couple more posts and then it will be 2012! eeek! Are you ready?