Yesterday, the child was back at preschool and I got back to work (for real). And when I finished my to-do list for the day, I did a quick workout and then took the dog for a walk. First, because it was 30+ degrees outside (!!!), and second because I bought myself a pretty new macro lens for Christmas and I wanted to take it out in the wild. And these were the results from my neighborhood. Enjoy! For your internet shares of the day:+ I loved this interview with Oprah after the Golden Globes. No, I don't think she's running for president. But she sure would get my vote!+ Jamie and I are on the waiting list for tickets to this and I am so excited about the possibility of it that I might just pee my pants!+ Good life advice.

While on our hike in the woods last weekend, I was searching for deer. I had no luck other than footprints, but I did stumble upon these turkeys! The way the light was hitting their feathers was lovely, so I eagerly captured the color while I could. I always think of wild turkeys as being a bit of a nuisance, but on this visit, they seemed gentle and lovely. It must have been the cold weather that got them under control. Ha!For your internet shares of the day:+ This graffiti artist's project in the woods made me laugh out loud.+ I was not expecting this from Sarah Silverman.+ If you know me, you know I love looking at red carpet fashion. Project Runway really made me appreciate cuts and fit and proportion and all of that so much more. Anyway, Elle has all the dresses from the Globes red carpet up, if you want to see them. I loved that they were all black (obviously as I'm a feminist who supports the cause) but also because you could take color out of the equation and just examine the style of the dress. Super fun!

Saturday, between a morning shoot with a baby and a beautiful collie mix, a birthday party with two indoor bounce houses (the things you learn about as a parent), and a massive grocery-store run, I squeezed in an hour-long walk in the woods with my dear friend Nyberg.It was just what I needed.This "new year" hasn't felt new to me. I've been trapped at home by the cold and the threenager, and some time in the quiet, fresh air following deer and bunny tracks and listening for woodpeckers and the branches tapping each other in the wind was just what my soul needed.I have photos of the "wildlife" I spotted for tomorrow. But for today, I just want everyone to look a those trees and that light and take a deep breath.For your internet shares of the day:+ I loved the first season of The Crown (haven't gotten into season two yet), and seeing these photos of the real people and the actors who play them is fascinating.+ I have a few goals in life that I'm not sure I'll ever master (or come even close). But here's a step in the right direction.+ This headline says it all. "Singer from clown-themed Iron Maiden tribute band allegedly smuggled seven million dollars worth of drugs to Japan"

Today, we have stayed in. It's still not above zero degrees yet, and there was plenty to entertain us from our windows.First, a crew showed up bright and early to cut down two trees on our block, including one right out front of our house. That was absolutely fascinating for the boy to watch.Then, an hour later, an enormous truck pulled up and two men took away our broken washing machine and delivered a new one. Ezra watched them very carefully, and declared before naptime that when he grows up, he wants us both to work together all day taking away broken washing machines and hooking up new ones for people in the city.Big dreams, I tell you.For your internet shares of the day:+ Super fun fashion illustrations.+ Secret spy cameras in the 1890s!+ A sweet read on love and loss.

This morning Sir Ezra and I had another date, and this time he got to go... to Warby Parker to shop for new frames and glasses! This kid is just so dang lucky, I tell you. Ha.But I did take him to Spyhouse Coffee first to have a donut, so I am trying to maintain a bit of my cool-mom status. I even let him sip my chai latte, but he wasn't into it (yet).It's still ridiculously cold here -- although right now we are all the way up to six degrees. But don't get too excited, we're dropping down to 12 below zero again tonight. It looks like Sunday we'll be back up into double digits, so that's the light at the end of the tunnel for now.I love driving around town in this cold though and seeing all the steam rising from the buildings and the light bouncing around the snow and ice. I thought that first picture captured it nicely. For your internet shares of the day:+ The ladies are killing it at the box office.+ Niagra Falls is AMAZING in this cold weather!+ And JT is releasing a new album the week of the Super Bowl (when he's in town!) Here's hoping I get to see him somewhere. Anywhere. Do you think he pumps his own gas? Maybe I could spy him doing something mundane like that. I always dreamed of running into Prince picking up cereal at the grocery store... Talk about dashed dreams.  

Hello! And Happy New Year!Did you all have a refreshing and wonderful holiday? I wish I could report that I did, but I've been fighting a terrible head cold for most of the break. That said, it's been a joy to step away from work for a bit and spend some extra time with my boy.Today, I took him on an amazing adventure to... the eye doctor. But he was a great sport about it, so afterward I took him to the MIA (our favorite free art museum). We did a wonderful scavenger hunt while there, snacked on a muffin, played in the kids area (which is so great) and then left with a new book (yes, I'm a sucker). It was a great visit.If you have kids and you need a good winter getaway, that museum (and their scavenger hunt -- which you pick up at the information desk) is great.Now, let's talk about 2018. Do you have any personal goals? Besides eating better and exercise? I want to see and photograph more live music. Not as much as my pre-child life, but more than the last 3 years for sure. I also want to photograph more dogs and puppies (bring them to me, people!), and I'm dying to photograph a wedding in the woods. If you know anyone who is planning one of those, get at me.Personally, I want to see my girl friends more. Maybe start a supper club or a card night? Not sure. And I want to take more photos for me, not for money (if that makes sense). If you're up for it, I'd love to hear about your own resolutions in the comments! And happy new year!

I've been culling a few of my favorite client* shots from 2017 recently. It's a good way for me to reflect on the year and it's a good way for me to look at my work and see where I need to improve for 2018. It's also a fresh reminder each year to work hard at finding jobs that feed both my wallet AND my soul. I'm hoping 2018 is the year where I get those needs more in balance! Anyway, here are just a few of the shots I have chosen for this year.Here's what I notice when looking at them: Not enough concerts (related: not enough sleep), not enough dogs (I'm not sure this will ever change! I just can't get enough of them!) and not enough food (I miss it!). So those are my goals for next year. But here's what I loved.*These photos do not include the images I took for myself (like my child, my dog or the zoo or vacations -- like Norway, for example).

We went back to the zoo today with some friends. Did you guys know that when I was in high school, I joined the school paper when I was a junior? And my editor at the time, Nikki, now lives about 12 blocks away from me? (Also, randomly, when I was a senior I was a co-editor on the paper staff and my co-editor -- the other half -- just moved up to Minneapolis as well!).So today Nikki and I took our boys to the zoo together. Her son, Henry, is 8 and he was brilliant and charmed Ezra to bits. He showed him all the tunnels and hidey holes that the zoo has to offer, and man did they have fun.Of course, I brought my camera. But this time, we stayed indoors and visited the tropical area of the zoo (which is prime in the winter). Here are a few of my shots, including the poor monkeys who braved the outdoors as well!