In the Valley of the Sun we’re still in the triple digits. Um. Triple digits. It’s October. It’s not right. Right?
But … it’s where we live and it is home and we do love it here. And have the best Winters ever. And as for this “Fall” weather? It is what it is. This is the desert. “Fall” just comes way later than the rest of the world. Besides — the forecast tells me we might actually be below 90 degrees for high temps next week. Time to bust out the sweatshirts on those chilly mornings in the 60s.
Enough about the weather. I just want to give a little shout-out to my absolute favorite month of the year. October means more than cooling temperatures, although I do find that to be awesomely refreshing. It is also when David & I each turn a year older. I have loads of wonderfully fun October memories in my life. It also happens to be a year ago – October 2009 – that we were launching our new business and working like mad to create the original edition of Project Life.
By the way, I’ll just say it again and again — THANK YOU dear readers. Thank you for being a part of all of this. Thank you for being part of the Project Life movement. Thank you for stopping by the blog. I know many of you have even made it a daily routine and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your interest and your loyalty and your comments and your sharing.
So where was I? Ahhh yes … October. As we see the change in seasons and as we anticipate the upcoming holiday season, I do hope that we can all make an effort to simplify the upcoming holidays in our own families and not do too much, not spend too much.
Moms: As for that holiday with all the candy (I get sick thinking about all. that. candy.) … you may find yourself attempting a little photo shoot of your dressed-up goblins and princesses.
(The scene in our garage 4 years ago.)
If it goes a little something like this picture, don’t get uptight. Take a step back. Take a deep breath. Have a laugh. Have a moment where you feel gratitude for the blessing that is your life, your family. And keep snapping. Because the “perfect” pictures aren’t the ones you’ll treasure in 5, 10, 20 years.
Capture real life. Embrace your real life. And do what you can to record it.
Tags: costumes, fall, motherhood
Awwww – congrats, Becky on your 1-yr. business anniversary! May success continue for you!
Love the last two paragraphs… so very true about the “perfect” pictures.
Thank YOU for your blog and your amazing product. It saved me from giving up on “scrapbooking” when my second child was born and I had less time and money than ever before. I can now “capture real life… and record it”!!
Amen to capturing real life–I have so many of those real-life photos now that I am doing project life…..before PL, it didn’t occur to me to include those in an album, but as you say, they are the most memorable and precious photos to me now! Looking forward to getting a glimpse of the new PL designs!!!!! Can’t wait! Thanks for all you do to help us document our “real” lives, Becky–it is appreciated!
- Tina in Ontario
Thanks so much for your inspiration. Sometimes when I look at other blogs and their awesome photography, I feel like my pictures aren’t good enough. But they are, they’re records of tiny moments in my life that I love and treasure. Thank you!!!
Thank you for reminding us about capturing our everyday, sometimes complicated, and imperfect photos. Thank you for helping us remember our everyday lives! Your blog is an inspiration.
Project Life rocks simply because it makes scrapbooking accessible to people who normally wouldn’t scrap. Love the ease of use.
Yes. A nice time to think about simplifying things.
That pic is hilarious!!! Happy Birthday to you and David this month!!!
Isn’t it strange to think any temp under 100 is a cool down? Thankful for the small things!
Becky, I was discussing our ward directory (or lack of one) with a neighbor. She used to live by you in Ohio (Jen Mund) and she said you did a great one for their ward. Didn’t surprise me one bit. If you are ever looking for something to blog about, you should share your creative ideas for making a functionable phone directory
You seem to be the best at these kinds of things and I can’t find anything online. Have you ever posted about anything like this before and I just overlooked it?
Thanks!! You’re always giving me great ideas. You are amazing!!
After doing a full year of Project 365 and now this year of keeping up with Project Life – sometimes I feel like I am not doing anything too significant with it. Some days I just can’t seem to take a picture of anything. But, you know, so what. I just stick in another picture that I like and who’s gonna remember if I really picked that big basket of tomatoes yesterday or today anyway? But a little while ago I sat down and looked all through Project Life from page 1 and, man, it is so amazing to look back over this year and see the things we’ve done. Just everyday things but it is such fun to look at. I really haven’t looked through it since I started it this year. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for next year. I think this time I may give the digital version a try. My friends would probably prefer that I get over this project as I am always taking pictures of them when we get together.
Thank you Becky for your inspiring Blog and fun things you post for us. Love, love, love those minimal pictures. Need to focus on some of those of our precious little grandson. Love the one of the baby on the colored blankets.
I want to thank you for bringing me around and reminding me that life isn’t captured in “perfect” pictures. I used to want those kind of pictures, even though they were difficult to get with my autistic son. One Easter, I wanted one of those picture perfect holiday moments and had my husband try to get a pic of me and the kids. Needless to say, neither child wanted a photo taken and the result was a frustrated look on my face, my daughter in tears, and my son tugging to get away from me. I love that photo now! It’s LIFE in my house! I no longer look for the perfect pic. I take what I can get – the good & the bad. It’s our unique life. Thanks again!