I Heart Christmas!!

Holiday bokeh I Heart Faces submission.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

Yes, I am still alive!

Well, hello blog readers. If you are reading this, you truly are a loyal blog reader since I have not updated this blog since November. In any case, thanks for sticking around and I appreciate you sticking with me!!

There have been quite a few developments with me of late. First of all, I would like to announce that I opened an Etsy store. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ktart569?ref=si_shop

Secondly, I have recently become a grandma!! Yay!! My sweet granddaughter, Destiny, was born on June 10. I just got back from visiting her for the first time and got in lots of spoiling! Here she is!!











The last bit of good news I have to share is that in a few weeks (August 5 to be exact) my son will be getting married! I am so excited for him. He will be coming home from Korea next week and then after they are married, him and his wife will be stationed in Colorado which is where my dad and brother are. Just got back from visiting them and forgot how much I love that state. Here are a few shots I got while I was back home.









Thanks for stopping by! Leave me a comment if you feel so inclined!

I Heart Faces - Fall

One of my favorite things about fall are the beautiful colors that we get to see. My family

recently visited the mountains of North Carolina and the colors were at their peak! This was

taken at one of the many pull-over-to-the-side-of-the-road-for-a-photo stops on the

Blue Ridge Parkway. Gorgeous variety of colors!!

When a baby laughs for the first time....

.....a fairy is born!

Texture

Been experimenting with textures today. =) FUN STUFF!!

I Heart PINK!!

This week's I Heart Faces challenge is pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month. I thought I'd enter this photo because I just love the location and my beautiful model Josyln (who is only 13 by the way!); and I just love that crotcheted hat!! I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my boss, Marla Osborne, who is currently in the battle. She was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer earlier this year, right after her 50th birthday. It is an uncommon, very aggressive type. She is a strong, courageous fighter and has valiantly underwent her first set of chemo treatments and is currently undergoing radiation. She is a very strong, God-loving woman and I am so incredibly proud of the way she has fought this tough battle. She continues to work every day, coming in after her radiation treatments. She has been a true inspiration to me and so many of my coworkers. It is people like her who truly show just how strong a woman can be, with the help of the mighty hand of God. I have lost a grandmother to breast cancer and earlier this year, I lost my mother to cancer as well (though not breast). Thanks I Heart Faces for supporting NBCA month!

At the orchard

This week's I Heart Faces challenge has to do with orchards, so I figured it was a great time for me to enter since I just visited the Orchard at Altapass in western North Carolina this past weekend. Lots of great-tasting apples and of course yummy apple butter!! We had a great time!