Waiting for September

Liam is due on September 1st, but there is debate! Will he be born on August 30th instead -- the birthday of his daddy and uncle Kurtis... and my friend, Kelley, too? Very wonderful people have been born on that day. I think there' s plenty of room for him on my calendar there. Of course, September is wonderful month, too!


That is my first bear posing with beautiful Jen, dreaming of her baby.

Baby belly blocks!

Dawn

Expressing...

*mirth*

*curiosity*

*gas*

*termi-"nater" attitude*

*happiness*

my-face-hurts-from-smiling,

Dawn

"With Brandi Carlile"

Wednesday night Kurtis and I had a night on the town! We ate at Blue Willow-- a fun, eclectic, local restaurant on Campbell Avenue-- and then we went to the "Indigo Girls with Brandi Carlile" concert at the Rialto Theatre.


Brandi Carlile's band began the show and they were incredible! A man in the crowd shouted at one point, "You should be headlining, Sweetheart!" and we so agreed! It should have been, "Brandi Carlile with the Indigo Girls," but due to the experience difference, that could have been an awkward conversation. We were there purely for Brandi's music, and not so much for the Indigo Girls because we don't really know their work. They have nice voices, but they just don't have the same effect on us! Kurtis and I swayed to the beat of Brandi Carlile's music in the center of a conglomerate of other fans listening together at the foot of the stage for a quick 45 minutes.

She sang some of our favorites tunes: "The Story," "Have You Ever," (which was recently played to wake up the astronauts at the space station!), and spectacular covers to "Hallelujah," and to Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison." We also got a sneak peak to a couple of new songs that will be on her next album - can't wait! She has such soul, unique tonality, and amazing crescendos and decrescendos. There's not one song that I've heard that I haven't liked, and that's rare to say that about any artist, I think.

Here's what's on the front of the shirt that I bought at the concert. I think it's very cute and I especially love that it's not obviously from a concert; it's subtle.

I wore it to a barbecue at an Australian family's house, and Mr. Plant said in his charming Aussie accent, "That's a penny farthing on your shirt," which I had to ask him to repeat twice, but came to learn that's a term for the sort of bike it is-- a penny for the large wheel and a farthing for the small wheel!

Anyway, during the concert, I came to the realization that Miss Carlile is not afraid of her gift and I found it inspiring that she has the gumption to follow the advice of one of my favorite quotes:

"Whatever your talent, use it in every way possible... Spend it lavishly like a millionaire intent on going broke." ~Brenden Francis

I think the t-shirt design illustrates how a person's heart leads the way on the ride through life. The heart is the big wheel and it's crucial to keep it moving. Spend those pennies and farthings. Go for broke. Be lavish. Make the most of your ride. You'll see more when peddling. Share those talents. Offer them to the world. After all, your heart is what drives you. You know when your heart beats its fastest.

heartful,

Dawn

The George Wedding, 2 Months Later

It's done. Two months, a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding, a trip to Rocky Point, my sister's birthday, lots of Photoshop, and a Father's Day later, I've delivered the photos to Megan and Matt George from their wedding that took place on April 12th, 2008. Whew! What a relief! I took about 2,000 photos and delivered about 800, which I hope they will "love and cherish" forever and ever.

I work with Megan at Madden Media and, ironically, Matt and I both grew up on Hickory Drive but we barely know each other from our youth. He was one year behind me, in Gayle's class. Gayle was my second photographer at the event that warm April day and I'm eternally grateful for her artistic services and the window of time that her son Nathan allowed her to be away. (She's nursing, you see.) She... I mean, I, was given 3 gracious hours which consisted of the last bit of time to get dressed and ready for the wedding, family portraits, and the ceremony. I don't think it's possible to shoot an entire ceremony solo and get everything because that part of the festivities seems to go by the fastest! Gayle got some amazing shots that add considerably to the collection. I love my sister! Thank you, Gayle! It's funny how things work out and how people are linked and reconnected.

What a loving and hilarious duo the new Mr. and Mrs. George are! Congrats to the happy couple, and I'm so glad I was able to be there to capture their story.

Cheers,

Dawn

Koskinski Kids

I've been photographing this family for about 10 years, unbelievably! They are my most loyal, non-related photo subjects, but they sure feel like family. They're beautiful kids, and I got some delicious chocolate from Cindy, their mother. Cute kids, laughter, pictures, and chocolate - ah, bliss!

Blissfully,

Dawn

Meet Red, our Adenium

Our African Adenium plant, aptly named Red for its tousle of crimson blossoms, which we adopted 2 years ago at the annual, world-renown Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (of all places), is blooming so beautifully right now, that I had to take this opportunity to photograph and share his splendor!


Here he is next to Basil, our other plant (yep, we only have 2 right now that are alive). Basil requires a bit more care though, and he had to be moved up onto the chair because the rabbits must have enjoyed his bounty. Red only needs to be watered 3 times a week in the summer, and only once a month in the winter. He's perfect for Kurtis' and my busy schedules and brown thumbs because he is a succulent tree and loves the heat. He's native to South Africa's Persian Peninsula.

Kurtis and I do have ambitious plans to grow green thumbs though! I hope to have a lovely backyard sanctuary in the future like my mom and cousin, Julena do! Our neighbor is a potter and came over to look at Red to get an idea for a custom pot for him. I'm so excited to see what she comes up with because he needs a bigger room.

Happy Summer,

Dawn