Tag Archives: life

{foto friday : the coolest cattle}

8 Nov

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i almost didn’t share these fotos… simply because i felt like what i witnessed was so sacred and so divine… i really felt the connection and bond to these creatures as i was fotographing them a couple weeks ago… there was something very special about my moments behind the camera with this herd of cattle.  i even get a little teary-eyed thinking of it now.

hundreds of these animals live not to far up the road from me, on a gorgeous ranch. most of these are dairy cows, however a few of them are angus cows.

now, i’m not necessarily a vegetarian {though i’ve had my stints}, but i limit my intake of meat in general, and only once in a great while do i eat red meat.  but when i do, i am so very particular about where it comes from and how the animal was treated while raised. i am too educated not to make wise decisions about what i eat. {watch food, inc. or any other number of food documentaries and see what i mean} i feel like it’s my responsibility in a way… and i was so happy to know that i could find and purchase grass-fed meats locally here in my new town.

what made me feel really good about seeing the angus cows on this farm, was knowing what a happy life they had.  they weren’t shoved into a cattle-lot and stepping over each other just to eat.  they were out grazing… on the most beautiful pasture, surrounded by mount sopris, bein’ all cool…

just hanging out, like this :

amazingcattle-1 Continue reading

{some thoughts about love, transformation, and mercury retrograde}

5 Nov

hey friends.  how was your weekend?  i took a long one, and spent some time in denver visiting a few loved ones.  my goodness was it a rich weekend.  i am so blessed to have some truly amazing people in my life. they are generous and giving and never turn their back on me.  i am blessed to have such loving friends!

i had every intent to write “mercury monday” as promised yesterday, but i just ran out of time.  i start a new job today and had to tie up loose ends in other ways and just get mentally prepared for the day.  i’ll be working in glorious aspen… it is going to be a great season!

so here we are, in the final week of mercury retrograde.  how have you been feeling over the last couple of weeks?  personally, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster.  i mean, i know i mentioned that mercury retrograde periods are when i feel most alive and articulate, and that is very true and still applies {hence the reason i have started journaling more and even started writing a book, finally!} – however, that doesn’t mean i am immune entirely to the energies that come along with it.  Continue reading

{thirsty thursday – happy halloween : please enjoy responsibly!}

31 Oct

hey ya’ll

are you going to go out and/or dress up for halloween? i have an early morning friday, so i will probably keep it low-key and watch the nightmare before christmas or something… 😉

just wanna throw in my shameless two-cents of a plug here – please don’t drink and drive, have a DD.  and if you don’t have to be on the roads, just stay in. and why not give out healthy snacks instead of candy?  or better yet – do a TRICK!  no one does tricks anymore, we just toss “treats” in a bag and are done with it. can you just imagine the look on the kids faces when you bust out a bunny and a hat instead of twizzlers?  priceless  – better have a camera… 😉  i digress.

meanwhile, i’m all for enjoying a few libations for the event :

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i love to support organic practices of all kinds! 😉 this stout was incredible, and had perfect hints of chocolate throughout, with a nice finish.

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i’m a fan of farmhouse ales – the bubbles, the colour, the complex flavour… this one didn’t disappoint.

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brown ales just feel like autumn, don’t they?  the rich flavour and the heavier body… ideal for transitioning us into the next season.

have a great night, friends!  be safe!

{mercury monday – “just let go”}

28 Oct

hey ya’ll.  happy monday – did you have a nice weekend? i had a foto shoot saturday, but relaxed all day sunday… did a little work around the tiny home, and organized some things that needed organized – that always feels great, doesn’t it?!

i promised i would write about mercury retrograde for the duration of its journey… and although i’m tired and not feeling as “wordy” as i did last week – well, i’m a woman of my word – so here we go.

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last week i went on and on about how awesome it was that i discovered my mercury retrograde and how i can utilize the energies that come about when it takes a backward journey.  thank you so much for reading a little about me! a whole week has now passed and i still feel a little more “normal” than normal, but i also have noticed that my overall ability to just let go of things has come with more ease…

it’s amazing how much “stuff” we carry with us – ideals adopted from our families or social groups, our schooling, our peers, and our every day interactions with things even like the internet, phones, and public places. often times, this may leave us feeling confused and wondering “who we are” or “where we belong” – because for so long we’ve just done what was expected of us, or followed the masses.  all the while, those adopted patterns, beliefs, or behaviors, may not actually resonate with who we are as individuals.  i’m working very diligently on changing my own personal paradigms, so that i may walk about this earth with more comfort, confidence, and grace… and ultimately, more love… for myself, and for others. sometimes this means changing behaviors or habits within, in order to aid in revealing the most authentic version of myself.   Continue reading

{reflections of love}

27 Oct

“your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” ~rumi

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i love love love this quote!

as i was looking for a foto to post today, i thought about reflections… and how as individuals, we are all reflections – of each other.  any time you like something in another person, you are really liking or honouring something within yourself – a quality you possess, albeit possibly dormant.  and likewise, if there is something you do NOT like within another, it is often something you really don’t like within yourself… think about it.

so i say – let’s just try to focus on the things we love about ourselves and each other – since we are basically mirrors anyway, why not work to be the most benevolent mirror ever – so that when someone is in your presence, the only thing that will be reflected back to them…

…is LOVE.

🙂

{animal energy}

26 Oct

animals {and all of nature} can teach us so much about awareness.  they can teach us about patience, presence, process, and perfect magic.

animals behave from instinct, not from thought.  i find it comforting when an animal crosses my path.  i feel their energy offers us much insight into a greater cosmic awareness.

so, here are a few friends i made recently :

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this was the “little caterpillar that could” – i watched him patiently inch across the street just in time before a big truck came rolling through…

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this dog followed me all the way into town one day… and right after i took this foto, i looked up and a huge raven flew over my head.  {talk about magic!}

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lots of cattle surround these hills and they have so much room to play! Continue reading

{tiny tuesday – details matter!}

22 Oct

sometimes when living and/or working in/with small spaces, practicality typically outweighs aesthetics…however, that is not the case in the amazing tiny home i live in.

🙂

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this week, i wanted to focus on some of the features that make this home extra cool and special.  the builder thought of everything to make it functional and practical while keeping the visual appeal as well as the modern-meets-mountain feel.

one of my favourite things in the kitchen is the sink! for one, i love a stainless steel sink. so easy to clean and just looks sharp, right?!  this one is complete with garbage disposal and stretchy-faucet hose thing.  i love those, too!

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and i love this second little sink to the left… so practical that it doubles as a colander! can also use it to dry dishes or rinse veggies prior to cooking. genius. Continue reading

{mercury monday – we go retrograde today!}

21 Oct

hey gang.

i decided to write a little today. it’s been a long time since i’ve written down my thoughts and it is such a good outlet for me… i always say i’m “better in print than in person” and that is very true.  i find i am much better at expressing myself when i write.  i often get “tongue-tied” or have major trouble articulating what it is i need to say.

this truth does bend occasionally… about 4 times out of the year… for about 3 weeks at a time.

why this change?!

the planet mercury, that’s why.

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{foto courtesy wikipedia} Continue reading

{tiny tuesday – have you ever been THE FIRST at anything?!}

15 Oct

i have never been THE FIRST at anything… at least not to my knowledge…

i mean, i have lots of original photographs i’ve captured… many of which may be the “only” of their kind… but i’ve never really been the FIRST at anything i’ve done… until now.

i am the first and only person to live in this new mini home.  now, i’m not fortunate enough to own this lovely home, but i am the first person to officially reside in it – on gorgeous private property with a river in my backyard and endless hills surrounding every corner.  it feels pretty incredible to be the first person to live here.  i’m grateful to have met the builder last year… we remained in contact and he updated me on the home this summer, when it was just about complete.  everything sort of fell into place, guiding me to these hills and to this home.  i’m taking it all one day at a time and just soaking up each gloriously relaxing moment in my new environment… and one thing i love about living here – I SLEEP SO GREAT!

when i wrote about my visit in september was when i fell in love and knew i had to follow my heart to the rocky mountains…

here are some detail shots of some of my favourite features inside this amazing home.

———

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this is the main living space… upon entering, there is a small foyer.  i have moved some things around, but wanted to give you all an idea of how this looks before and after 🙂 Continue reading

{foto friday – it’s been forever since i posted, i miss the internet, and i just moved!}

4 Oct

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friends!  i miss you!  and i miss blogging!  i have so much to catch you up on! most everything in my life is different! and i have a ton of fotos to share!!!

did you know i moved?!  into the cutest tiny home ever… 

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and you know it’s a good sign when a rainbow shows up over your new house!

😉

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this is pretty much how i feel every day when i’m up here…

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try not to freak out at how beautiful the next few shots are… it’s autumn in the rockies –  it’s hard to beat! Continue reading

{“painting with light”, while celebrating the autumn equinox}

24 Sep

nothin’ like a little fire-dancin’ to appreciate summer and welcome autumn… light-painting is COOL!!! 😀

{most of these images were taken with a 10-second exposure… fun stuff!}

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spiral!

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hearts and crescents.

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infinity. Continue reading

{ch-ch-ch-ch-changes…}

22 Sep

hey everyone, happy sunday.  and happy first day of autumn!!

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this is my favey-fav season, and not just because i was born in it 😉  but i do tend to thrive in autumn… i love the colours of course, and the calming down from summer, snuggling and cozying in and slowing down… i just love all that autumn brings along with it.

i’m just relaxing and enjoying my half-caff americano* and was thinking about how many blogs i want to catch up on.

*{that reminds me of this funny thing that happened and i took a foto of it}

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🙂

my life has shifted so drastically in the month of september, that i just haven’t had time to keep up with the blog like i wanted to.  plus – a huge rebirthing is in order here at foodandfoto.com.  on a personal level, i have grown and “re-birthed” on my own so much, that it’s only fitting the blog shifts along with me.  i’m not exactly sure what that will look like yet, but do stay tuned – some big changes are on the way! Continue reading

{foto friday – once upon a time on the western slope…}

20 Sep

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…i followed mount sopris…

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and took a selfie…

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…i saw this amazing door… Continue reading

{tiny-home tuesday : the interior}

17 Sep

last week i introduced you to the cutest tiny-home ever.

this delightful minimalist house isn’t quite complete – a few final touches are still in the works from the amazing builder… but as promised, here are some fotos of the interior.  and i will share more soon, and even more down the road… when it’s fully complete and decorated inside!

🙂

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the front door opens into a small foyer with shelving to the left and a place to hang coats, etc.

ladder to sleeping loft is removable…

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main living space – to the right is a window and a kitchen table… Continue reading

{foto friday – minimalist lifestyle : the cutest tiny home ever.}

13 Sep

i love a minimalist lifestyle.

ever since i sold all my stuff and moved to NYC in 2008, the idea of a minimalist lifestyle started to appeal to me more and more.  as years have progressed, i’ve found myself actually downsizing even more.  it’s very liberating to be able to fit everything you own into a 5-piece suitcase set and the back of your subaru.

🙂

i’ll have a story to tell soon behind this little house… for now, i just want to share the fotos of where i stayed on vacation last weekend on the beautiful western slope of the rocky mountains. this home sits on private property with the roaring hills steps away, as its backyard.  i am not certain of the square footage, but it i’m guessing it’s around 300, including the loft.  the living space is maybe 200 square-feet?  but it is so well-designed, one still feels open within the space.  plus, all you have to do is open the door and you’re in the biggest open-space ever… 😀

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i just fell in love with this place.

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how could you not?!

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complete with patio and furniture, outside heater… Continue reading

{whatever wednesday : the aspen mac -n- cheese festival!}

11 Sep

so, i spent the {long} weekend on the western slope, my soul soaring with the rockies and the clouds.  my spirit begged to stay up there, so i obliged… which means i will need to return soon.

🙂

i’ll have much more to share about my trip later this week… for now, here’s a little story :

as i’m cruising the aspen saturday market, picking up some yummy wild plums and yellow cucumbers, i turn the corner and spot this large group :

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it smells amazing… people look happy…

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there are random lines everywhere…

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and everyone is EATING!!!

my kind of party, i say… and i pause for this foto opp:

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hi.

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and i get distracted by the cool brick-laid sidewalks…

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cuz yanno, i’m an artist… we see the world differently… Continue reading

{my first tomato ever!}

7 Sep

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this is terrance, my tomato plant.

i haven’t written about him much because i actually thought maybe he was dying… i only got this ONE tomato from the plant and i believe critters got to the rest of the fruit before i could…  i hadn’t seen any new life in almost 2 weeks so i was concerned… but then recently, i started seeing new growth!  i have 10 little tomatoes growing at the moment, woohoo!!

i’m not sure why it seems my terrance is a late-bloomer… most of my friends that have plants are harvesting TONS of fruit right now.  it’s just funny, it seems like everything i own takes on my energy… i’ve always said i’m a late-bloomer… 😉

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this was my very first homegrown tomato – an early girl 🙂

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i picked her at the beginning of august…

stay tuned for the recipe i used this yummy fruit in!

{foto friday : headed to the hills}

6 Sep

i’m taking a much-needed long weekend and heading up the rocky mountains for a little getaway.  i’m hoping to gain some inspiration, clarity, peace, and get a little rejuvenated.  i may have some exciting news to share upon my return, as well 🙂

in the meantime, here are some fotos i took at a spot in glenwood springs, around this time, last year… not far from where i’ll be staying!

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check out that heavy fog rolling in…

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cool sculpture of some kind… i believe it was made out of wood from an old fire?!  can’t remember…

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when viewing this foto in high resolution, you can actually see the little bee floating above the flower on the right… Continue reading

{adult tea parties : way better than when you were a kid!}

3 Sep

just be aware : this post is very foto-heavy! 🙂

hope you had a nice holiday weekend!  welcome september!!

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so, i had a little tea party with some girlfriends last week… and it was just so charming…

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my favourite quote from the day was from my friend mary who said, “i didn’t even know that could happen!”  i also overheard my friend noel say, “this is WAY better than when you were a kid!”

😉

it truly was a magical day! and my camera was there to document the entire event.  the guest of honour?!  my mom :

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judi.

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a few months ago, while unpacking some storage stuff, i found this beautiful china set – almost completely intact.  as it turns out, it was my mama’s.  i had been keeping it stored with her stuff ever since she passed away.  now 20 years later, i decided to dust if off, sparkle it up, and honour her life by having a party for her on her birthday – august 21st.

she would’ve been 60 years old!

Continue reading

{some rainy-day pics}

16 Jul

just celebrating the rain we’ve been getting this week with a few fotos :

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