It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a happiness report over here. It’s not that I haven’t had things to be happy about…it’s just that I have been so busy with regular life lately to actually sit down and share some things with you all.
First off, last week a friend of mine and I went to one of my newest places to go to in Kansas City. High & Dry is in a little house where my new pal Jamie does the most amazing thing with furniture and home goods. I’ve purchased a table from her and a hutch and keep going back for more goodies. I got the cute little red plate above plus a lot of other neat things at her studio during this past visit. Just walking in there and being inspired by her work makes me happy! (Also, if you are interested in where those little snack mix cones came from, head over to my guest post on the Mom it Forward blog where I give a review of the neatest cookbook, Picture Me Cooking.)
I had an absolute “pinch me” moment last week when Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry asked if I would be interested in contributing some pictures to a March of Dimes fundraising Etsy store she was opening. As I read through her email, I kept thinking… “but wait, I’m not a photographer!” Then, as I read further down where she listed the names of the other 9 photographers who would be contributing, I felt so honored. The names on the list were all people I have greatly admired for so long now for their talent in photography. I’m not sure that I belong with this talented group, but I sure am tickled to be there.
The photo above is one of four pictures I have for sale at the Etsy store, June Afternoons. Click here to see all four of my prints for sale. To see the entire selection of prints (and books) available from all of the artists, click on over. All proceeds go to benefit The March of Dimes.
Kelly (7) and Ella (4) share a room and 99% of the time it is a complete disaster. Even when they clean their room, it is still like glimpsing at tornado alley. Today, as I do about once a month, I got totally fed up and spent a good part of the day cleaning their room. 5 large donate bags and 3 bags of trash later I was done. Their dressers were gone through, their closet was completely cleaned out… under the bed and dressers were cleaned and vacuumed. Can I tell you, doing this kind of work… when I actually sit down and take the time to really do it and don’t have a lot of interruptions, gives me the biggest happiness boost! It feels so good. Give cleaning and decluttering a try next time you need a happiness boost.
If you want a really good laugh, check out this website “Dear blank, please blank.” It is “spit diet coke all over your computer screen from laughing so hard” funny.
I hope you all have lots of happy encounters lately! What’s is on your happiness list currently?
Kristin, your photography is gorgeous! Congrats for being added to the charity list of photographers. I will head over there next. Ahhhh, happiness is a clean & organize room 🙂
Can’t help but smile when I read this! Here’s my brief happiness report:
1. My mom visited this weekend.
2. Discovered a new French bakery nearby located in a charming little white house.
3. Decided to bake scones last night at 11 p.m. Midnight snack, anyone?
I love your photography. You are so multi-talented, but more than anything I admire you as a person. You are one of the most genuine people I know with one of the best sense of humors.
that is so awesome about the etsy store – congrats!
well deserved my friend
the shots are awesome
Congratulations on being a part of the fundraising efforts on Etsy. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that they picked you, you are a great photographer! I laughed when I saw the before and after pictures of the room, that’s quite a change. Now if only they can manage to keep it that way! I love that feeling you get from a nice clean house, I just wish it would stay that way longer *sigh*.
There is no better feeling then a clean organized house! Much congratulations to you on your fundraising efforts. You are an amzing photographer!
I saw your photos over there – congrats! I am a fan. 🙂
This is a reminder that I need to clean my boy’s rooms…groan.
The June afternoon photo featured here is beautiful. I will check out the others. Congratulations on your recognition.
Travel makes me happy and I recently completely plans for two near term trips…one an 8-day cruise for our annual family time vacation and the second is a pure ‘me’ trip to NY to reconnect with the my friend base.
Yes, life is good!
Clean rooms do make me happy! But this week. 1. Sunshine 2. Easter 3. Family. Have a wonderful Easter, friend!
newsflash . . . you ARE a photographer . . . and a darned good one at that!! love these happiness reports Kristen – it helps me pause for a moment and look around my own world and smile!
I’m not surprised they picked you for the special Etsy shop — you take really lovely photos, Kristen! Even today as I opened this page, saw the cone treat pic and then the pretty June afternoon pic, I thought, “Are these from a magazine?” 🙂
Love this happiness report! xx
P.S. Ooh, that High & Dry shop sounds like a nice place to spend an afternoon in.
You take great photos Kristen, I love the ones chosen for the etsy shop – gorgeous!
So glad that decluttering is on this list! Love your photos and your blog! I am always looking for that one joyful moment every day that surprises me, from the smell of honey suckle in bloom to the sky on a walk. Thanks for sharing your pinch me moment!
You are my hero!! The cleaning… the organizing… the contributing!! AWESOME!!! So proud of you!
Um, yes. You are definitely a photographer!
Thanks for the reminder to continue with my closet-cleaning. Neighborhood garage sale in less than 2 weeks!
That is such a wonderful idea, and the photo you’re contributing is so beautiful!! Your photos are always beautiful, though 🙂
I am really enjoying that Dear blank, please blank website. The one about teenage boy’s mustaches made me almost fall out of my chair! !
You have a photography blog where you teach other people how to take pictures! Of course you’re worthy!
I reallllllly need to remember the things that made me happy this week after today.
1. A boy likes me (and ok, I’m married, and so is he, nothing’s HAPPENING – but it’s still flattering to know that it could have happened if we had met each other 10 years ago).
2. My husband (who is awesome, in case anyone’s getting the wrong idea from point 1) brought me a big roll of paper, so I can FINALLY get started designing my half-sleeve tattoo. I can’t wait to get this thing. It’s going to be a little piece of my home on me forever (or… a big piece), and since I won’t be going back there for a long, long time, it’ll be nice to have it with me all the time.
Kristen you ARE a photographer! And not only one, but a great one too! I love your photos. I have to say my kids’ rooms look like that too, so I hand them a trash bag and say, “fill it.” They put two things in the bag and call it a day. Sigh.
What is making me happy right now is that it is going up to 80 degress tomorrow and I bought my annuals to plant tomorrow and then get the deck all set up! Then we will ahve all our family for dinner on Easter! Except my son who is now living in Fl., 1000 miles away:( But I am happy that he is happy! XO, Pinky
Oh, but honey… you are a photographer… and such a talented one at that. Congrats!
I think your photos are fabulous! 🙂 So that makes you a photographer! And yes, de-cluttering and cleaning stuff out gives me such a high! Unless it’s the bathroom. I don’t like cleaning the bathroom.
Congratulations on having your photos featured, Kristen! They’re absolutely stunning and worth every cent spent. I’m going to check out more of them now!
I totally agree about cleaning!! I spent almost an entire day this weekend cleaning my kitchen and omg I am SO happy now. And cooking/baking is so much more fun 🙂 I have space to move and everything is easy to find. Yay 🙂
Congrats on the photo submissions. That’s fabulous 🙂
Congrats on the photo submission (gorgeous!) and um, I want the doll house.
Your photos make me happy. Keep on truckin’! Love your talent.
That bedroom looks incredibly tidy compared to my teenage son’s room. I mean, you can see the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
heeheee, it’s not often that bad, but seriously there are day when I cannot see the floor in his room!
Hi, My name is Rachel:
I really love your blog, I’ll be trying out your recipes in the near future.
I was wondering if you’d like to do a link exchange.
here’s my site:
http://itsmadefromscratch.blogspot.com (food)
thank you for your time
(Send e-mail to)
Rachel Neil
peru1@shaw.ca
RE: Link Exchange
Please include your URL in the e-mail for me to link to.
You ARE a photographer, my friend. And you photos make ME happy!
I loved the kids’ room before and after pictures. Every fall when my son starts school, I do a massive attack on his room. Oh, man, does that feel good.