HAPPY THANKSGIVING / Austin Family Photographer

Happy Thanksgiving!  Or, Happy Day After Thanksgiving (since I am posting this after midnight).

I am a fan of expressing gratitude sincerely, passionately and frequently, and the first thing I said to my boys when I saw them (yesterday) morning was......I have a project for you: why don't you either write or draw ten things that you are thankful for?  They began their task as I went to pick up a few last-minute items for our Thanksgiving meal, and when I returned home, this is what I found:

It's obvious which one belongs to my first grader.  What isn't obvious is the word in the upper left corner (the one overlapping the G in God).  Z is thankful for transportation, in addition to God, Jesus, clothing, etc.  I should also clarify that Smack is the name of our cat (no, I do not allow my children to indulge in illicit substances).  I don't remember why we gave him that name, but somehow it fits.

My fourth grader started to draw a cheeseburger on one side of his paper but decided it would be faster and equally effective to simply write out those things for which he is thankful.  By Food he means meat (especially if it's from Rudy's); he prides himself on being a carnivore – naturally because there are many days that his momma is a strict herbivore.  I have to give him props on his consumption of fresh produce though.  I'm sure I never tried kale when I was his age.

I am thankful for things too numerous to count, but if I could mention only one thing today, it would be that my Australian Shepherd, Gypsy, is feeling better.  Three weeks ago, she had what appeared to be a seizure, after which she rapidly went downhill, losing her energy, appetite and joie de vivre.  After five trips to the vet, several tests, and a having a heart monitor strapped to her for a week, we still don't know exactly what's wrong, but she is responding well to a couple of medications.  I am thankful that we haven't had to tell her good-bye yet, and that we will probably have her for another holiday season.  She is, hands down, the sweetest dog I have ever known.  A real love junkie.  And very smart, too.

My computer has decided to be obstinate at the moment so I'll include some new images in my next post.  Off to re-boot......

Can you believe it's only one month until Christmas???

Until next time, I hope you enjoy all the things that evoke feelings of gratitude.

Austin Humane Society 2011 Calendar / Austin Pet Photographer

I am excited to inform everyone that the AHS 2011 Calendar is now available for purchase!  You can get yours for $15 at the Austin Humane Society, located at 124 W. Anderson Lane (northbound 183 access road between IH-35 and Lamar Blvd.).  You can also order online by clicking here.  You will have to create an account (free) or sign in to make your purchase.  I volunteered my services for the calendar and had the honor of capturing Levi the cat and my own dog, Lucky.  I will be stopping by to get my calendar this afternoon and am really excited to see how it turned out.  This is the first year for the AHS to produce this calendar, and, as you would expect, the proceeds will benefit all the sweet doggies and kitties there.

I would love to hear what people think about the calendar.  Please leave feedback if you're so inclined!

SPOOKY / Austin children's photographer

We photographers joke that it's easier to photograph children who aren't our own.  This is not always the case; sometimes my boys ask to have their picture taken.  Most of the time, though, I'm the one making the request, and it helps to employ strong negotiation skills if I want good results.  On Halloween evening, I told M & Z that if they gave me some good shots before we went trick-or-treating, I'd leave my camera at home (we always join friends in another neighborhood).  Sure thing, Mom!  Fortunately the light was pretty perfect when we went outside......our front yard often has beautiful light in the late afternoon and early evening, and Halloween was no exception.

Check out my little wizard and "castaway boy scout" (or, Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone).....

"Clothes make a statement.  Costumes tell a story."
~Mason Cooley