I am so ready for the sunshine!!!! and for weddings, and for planting a garden, and for sitting on the porch, and for early morning bike rides before it gets too hot, and for our sundays on the lake, and for.....you get the idea!

Where in Allyson's wonderland am I? I think you'll figure it out if you've been reading my blog for a little while. Hint; it has to do with one if my favorite subjects to shoot as personal project. First reader comment to guess it right gets a $10 iTunes card. Happy guessing!

I'll be out if the studio this week, with intermitent email access. Thanks for checking in, more coming next week!

As I was finishing up choosing photos for 2009 for our personal albums, I came across this photo.  My goal {at some point in time} is to put together either a series or book of these images I've taken over the years...The Rearview Mirror Project

This shot was taken on hwy 46 east on our way to Vegas in 2009.

normally I'm really not a fan of selective coloring, but I feel like this one works....

Santa Claus was generous to Miss "I" and brought her a puppy who has matching hair to her owners!  Of course, since there was a new addition to the family, it was time for updated images.  We shot these between the rain storms on a local ranch in San Luis Obispo County.  We are so blessed to live in a place where this type of setting is standard everyday in our lives, thank you Lord.

And for my quote of the day.....I randonmly opened to the I's....Imagination was the most appropriate word on the page for this post....

"Imagination disposes of everything; it creates beauty, justice, and happiness, which are everything in this world."   - Blaise Pascal

and since I couldn't settle on one....we have two!

"Imagination rules the world"   - Napolean Bonaparte

BTW, Meadow is single.....

My friend Meadow has taught me how important the imagination is.  One of my favorite subjects to photograph are children, and I really do believe it's because of their spirit, which is largely ruled by their imagination...they don't suppress it, like most adults and they see life through a different perspective.  I know from my experience, the more I let my imagination wander & rule, the more fun I generally have.  So this week, I encourage you to try, even if it's just for a day, to use your imgaination, live every thought in it, suppress the "realistic" interpretation we often run to, and live in your imagination!

does this tree look familiar?

Big old oak trees kind of remind me of wise old people, when I think about the seasons, times, animals, children, solitude, torment, peace and changes they've been through, and yet, they are only in one place ever in their entire life cycle.  Kind of interesting to think about.

I randomly opened my quote book today to see where it took me, it landed on Grace and Gratitude.  As the world around us changes, people in pain, suffering, and sadness, I have been blessed to experience some of the most free, and wonderful moments this past year, and for that I am so grateful.  And the quote of the day.....

Gracefulness has been defined to be the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul."  William Hazlitt

Who can you extend more grace to in your life?  It doesn't hurt us to offer it and helps another to feel better, I'd say that's a pretty good trade off!

Just came across this image froma shoot I'm editing, aren't this tree and the road beautiful!

central coast oak tree

"If you don't know where you're going, you'll never get there!"  one of my key quotes in life....

I've always lived my life with the approach of "no regrets," I don't ever want to regret not doing something I know I should have, whether it's spending time with someone important to me, or saying something that needs to be said, or not going out or doing something that I know I should have done just because it was too much work.  I want to look back at my life and have it meant truly meant something....across the board, in my personal life, in my professional life.

This time of year is always full of reflection and focus for me.  Things finally slow down a bit, I get to go into the studio later in the morning.  I usually pick a word of the year, as I've mentioned before, and this year is the same, but different all in one.  So many exciting things are happening, but also a lot of sadness I am sensing and see, and my heart really breaks for a lot of people, while simultaneously is so deeply thankful for all I have been blessed with.

For 2010 my mantra's is "care more and care less" Care MORE about those who truly are important to me and show it by how I use my time and energy, and for me personally, doing more of the activities that make me happy, regardless of circumstance.....gardening, biking, hiking, taking Gunny to dog beach, and going fishing {even though I really don't care for fishing, but Dan does! and he likes my company and I like to be his company}.  Caring less, about what people think and what people are going to think. 

It's funny how we work each so individually.   The other night I was telling Dan about this little saying I had been thinknig about and he was like, "really, I don't give a rip what people think!" {generally speaking} and I truly need to start living a little more like him, dare I say reckless, in a safe way, of course.  Afterall, we've all got only one life to live right!?

The other words I've was considering for 2010 are Balance and Authenticity, geesh, I am really having a hard time narrowing it down this year!  But after writing this, I've come to realize, if I "Care More, Care Less," these other ones will fall into place....bingo, watch out, 2010 is going to be fabulous, because I choose to make it fabulous....what do you choose?

And because a post without a photo, on a photography blog is no bueno.....here's a few photos of our trip to New Mexico to see my dad for his 60th birthday in November....love in action, livin the dream

My dad and I...

Dan and Ally...forever....

sad day for this little guy.....but he was delicious!