Lovely Lucy Lu

Lucy, a Goldendoodle, is my next-door neighbor's dog.

Every time I come home I want to stop and play with her!

I was so happy to do just that this Monday after work.

Came home, enjoyed a bite to eat, then stopped by the neighbor's to play.

Great Monday - MUCH better than most ;)

This is Lucy around when they first brought her home.  She was such an adorable little pup!

Puppy tickles!!

Of course, now she is a bit older, but no less adorable.

Lucy loves to chase, and pop bubbles.  A dog after my own heart!

Following Aleah to the bottom of the hill and getting excited to chase the ball!

Aleah can really throw with the lacross stick!  In true form, Lucy chases right after them.

I love the golden, setting sunlight!

Time to cool down with a waterbreak :)

The way the sunlight is hitting the water... pretty magical!

Shake, shake, shake!

**POOF** Cray hair! :)

She chased the ball around a bit more to dry off

I just love the golden backlighting that comes around 8:00 p.m. this time of year. 

Aleah and her buddy Lucy :) 
I had a great time hanging out guys!  Thanks for having me over!!

On a separate note, I'm headed to Pennsylvania tomorrow...

drum-roll please...

to shoot my first wedding!!!

I can't begin to explain how excited I am!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Happy Father's Day, Papi!

I am lucky, and thankful, to have such an amazing father. 

Someone I look up to and get some of the best advice from.

Among many other values, he has taught me the importance of hard work, loyalty, and patience.

This Father's day I was at a loss... what to buy my father?

How to show him how much I appreciate all he does for me and our family?

His tool shop is already stocked with tons of gadgets...

His closet is packed with tons of clothes...

many of which date back to the 80s :) He doesn't get rid of much.

One thing I know he loves is good food!

Cheese, wine, salty & briny olives... simple pleasures for the foodie palate.

Dad, I love you. Happy Father's Day!

I went paparazzi and shot this photo of my father takin' care of business today.

I laid out his foodie basket when he was about 3/4 done with the lawn 

so he'd have a yummy lunch when he came back inside.

Mowing the lawn on Father's Day!  Yeesh... he needs to sit back and relax! :)

Qiana {Expecting}

Just look at this happy and glowing mother-to-be!

I fell in love with her butterfly tattoos.

A very cool perspective :)

Qiana is naming her little boy Quincy.  Notice the theme?

When Qiana asked what to wear, I recommended "simple and elegant" or "bold statement" jewlery.

This ring is amazing and it isn't battling her simple bracelet.

It's all about the details, ladies!

Stunning! 

Qiana {Preview}

A small preview of the beautiful Qiana and her little man.

This was such a fun session, many more to come!

A Beautiful Sunset

The last few days I have been pretty sick.  

Had to call out of work yesterday and today... 

Thankfully, I'm beginning to feel better.

Sunday evening we had the family over to celebrate my cousin's 16th and my 25th.

The weather was out of this world, we were under a tornado warning.

The rain and wind were intense!

By the end of the day though, we had a picturesque sunset and the whole

family sat out on the deck together and watched the sun go down.

It was a wonderful moment in time. 

This is a panorama taken from my deck.  Spectacular!

Now it's time to get over this sickness and get back to work!!

A Yummy & Indulgent Treat

It's summer time and like a lot of people I'm watching what I eat,
working out and trying for that "summer bod."

Well, good luck to me when there are so many goodies in our house.

I splurged, and it was delicious ...and I had to photograph it.

What I didn't photograph was the Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Icing

 that I ate the day before ;)

Well... I had an excuse. It was my birthday weekend.

Fred's Success Story

Meet Fred.

Fred is a Venus Fly Trap.

My Mom names just about everything Fred.

This includes, but is not limited to: flies, spiders, plants, etc...

She brought Fred home about 3 weeks ago and he has been very happy in his new home.

Well... happy, but not well fed.

See, Fred likes to eat flies. 
Due to my 25th Birthday Party (where doors were constantly being left open, Reggie)

Fred had plenty to eat.

And Fred got lucky.

Sorry for the gruesome photo.

When my Mom found that Fred had made a catch her instant reaction was:

"Oh my gosh!  I have to rescue the fly!"

"...Umm... Mom? What did you think would happen when you bought a fly trap?

I have been waiting for this plant to capture a fly for the past few weeks,

you're not allowed to rescue that fly! Let Fred enjoy his lunch."

That's my mom though.  Lover of all plants, animals ...and insects, alike.