Change

The last few weeks have been, er, interesting...to say the least... I have been able to relax and focus on only the things most important to me. And while I'm so blessed to be able to experience such "relaxation" and time off, I'm looking forward to the change that inevitably comes this time of year: a little slice of the pie named "my crazy life." Our tree nursery is growing and we're constantly working on improving it. More trees, less overhead, more profit, less cost, better trees, a new barn, a larger, more capable staff..and on and on. Each year, it's stressful when I'm suddenly thrust into an insane schedule, but it's about this time that I welcome it because too much time to focus on whatever, sometimes leaves me...well...a bit bored. I have plenty to do, don't get me wrong, but when I am given the choice to choose my schedules, I make them easy and doable. In addition, I'm a bit of an overachiever, so I'm never late, and usually allot more time than is actually needed on any given project. I'm also quick, so I end up accomplishing things faster than I'd planned...which leads to more time on my hands. Bottom line: I know I'll regret saying this, but I'm excited to stand in the sun and bake while watering my trees and talking to my crazy customers. ;) Haha. Once I get my fix, I think I'll probably look back and wish I were sleeping until 11 each morning again and staying up late loving on my husband. But for now, life is good and I'm trying to embrace the inevitable change in my "freedom" that comes with owning my own business...or two. Until this change comes...which is usually around April 15th...I'm going to soak up my home, my husband, and my doggies. Oh, and our new cozy bed! The hours I spend in it make the endless search for a mattress all seem absolutely and most positively necessary, now that I sleep like I'm on clouds. Minor point, but a good one. ;)

In short, no blog is worth a read without a visual. In all of my relaxation, I've taken on numerous photo shoots at leisure. All were shot at my home studio, so it's been pretty fantastic. I've messed around with my editing and lights...wondering if I'll ever stop craving a new, more modern style to my photography. Oh well. Change is growth, and I'm just not done growing.

Enjoy.

xo, Shanny

South Pacific Sampler... =)

So we made it back, I'm sorry to say. =) I fell in LOVE with the countries we visited and wish we could have stayed longer than a month. It was too perfect and too much fun that's for sure.

Here is only a sampling of images I shot. I don't know that "blogger" would appreciate the 2k if I posted them. ;)

Walking through a rainbow...Fijian Market Food

A little Fijian boy who stole my heart...

Fiji Flowers in the Orchid Garden

Fiji was heaven on earth to me. Quiet, serene, majestic, and ridiculously beautiful. Even the people captivated me with beauty and yet most had never seen a magazine, a t.v. show, or the latest trends in makeup and hygiene care. These people were the real deal, and beautiful...just as they were.


Tauranga, New Zealand

While I have tons of images of New Zealand's landscape, Tauranga was magical. The sea-weed colored tides and dark, hidden peninsulas just fascinated me.

The Botanical Gardens at Christchurch, NZ.

On our way to Australia (by boat), we cruised through the National Fjordland Park in New Zealand. Here are some images...that hardly show the true power the Fjord Mountains held.

When we reached Australia, once again, it was more fun that I could have imagined. I supposed I got as much joy as foreigners seeing a deer in Colorado do, but none-the-less, the Kangaroos, Koalas, Camels, and Tasmanian Devils made me giddy. =)

'Roos in Hobart, Tasmania

Koala Bear in Hobart, Tasmania

Chester and Jack...Camel ride to Sunrise, Ayer's Rock, Australia

Heres to a new outlook on life...and a new planner book for my next world trip!

Cheers,

Shannon

-----It's already January 3rd! I look back at the last three months and how they've flown by! I've done so much stuff that having a second to really sit and write, or reflect has been something only of a mere thought. I used to journal. I just don't make the time anymore. Reading my old diaries is so entertaining, however, so I wish I would just force myself to write.

-----After my fall post below, my husband and I spent a week in Vegas relaxing. It was almost so relaxing that coming back to real life seemed a necessity. ;) We came back to a whirlwind of projects...most of them related to our Christmas tree lots. As soon as Thanksgiving was over, time just flew by. I had so much fun selling trees listening to Christmas music 24/7, but time was just escaping me. It could have been the fact that we were SO busy and the fact that, somehow, I was shooting all the time. I couldn't believe how often I was behind the camera during the month of December. So much fun, let me tell you, but SO much work too. But now I'm sitting in January, with a lot more breath in my lungs. Because as of January 2nd, I am officially ON BREAK...if there is such a thing. Our nursery business runs full-force between the months of April and December. We start easing back into work around March, so for me, the first full day after the last Holiday of the year...I celebrate! This winter, however, will be different. Instead of sleeping in all day, watching tv, working out, and then literally, doing nothing for a few months, my husband and I are going to spend this week packing for one of the biggest adventures of our lives. On Sunday, we leave for Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. I don't think I've actually let it sink it yet, but we're going to spend an entire month there!! It's going to be the first thing I've ever done like this and thinking of it gets me so anxious to go! I am spending this week figuring out what to pack and just how to to that. ;) But I am mostly spending this week with a huge grin on my face for two reasons: 1, because even after my vacation, I'll still be on "vacation" at home with my dogs doing all the things I love, and 2, because I'm just enjoying the life I have with the best husband in the world. People always say that, but really for me, I don't know that anyone can compare to J.

-----So enough slobbery stuff...back to photos. =) I decided to post a few from the last few shoots I've had just because it's been so very long. Enjoy the photos...and check back in February for (what I hope I will have time to sort through) my trip's scrapbook when I return! Pray for my flight, though. I'm a little...a lot...nervous. ;) xo, Shan