unseasonably warm

This winter in Kansas has been unseasonably warm, or so they tell me, as I have nothing to compare it to.  At first, I was frustrated by the lack of snow and the (in my mind) disturbingly warm December temps.  I wanted cold. I wanted Christmas. I wanted what I know.  But as this "winter" has stretched out, I have taken on a new outlook.  I'm happy to have had this nice weather and must try not to take it for granted.  It has certainly provided for many lovely walks in the different parks around Kansas City, giving me the opportunity to get to know the city better, especially its outdoor spaces. 

These photographs are from December 31st.  If I remember correctly, it was one of the warmest days we've had all winter at about 70 degrees.  I don't want to give you the wrong impression, much of this winter has hovered in the 40s.  This day was especially warm.  That sweater and scarf I'm wearing in one of the pictures? Yeah those came off shortly after that photo was taken.  This was definitely a t-shirt weather day. 

I love the colors of the landscape in the winter.  They're so monochromatic and calm.  Don't get me wrong - I'm excited for the vibrant hues of spring, but looking at these images fills me with a sense of serenity, of a slower pace of life, when you have time to stop and notice little details like fungus growing on a tree or the way grasses become almost translucent in the sunlight.  Anyway, I wanted to share these pictures with you before spring is upon us in full force and they no longer feel relevant.  I hope you like them as much as I do.

friendsgiving

Here are a few much overdue pictures from the Friendsgiving we hosted back in November. I know they don't feel nearly as exciting now that the holidays are over, but I just wanted to get them out there to share with all of you.  I promise this is the last of the long over due photos...for awhile anyway.

random recent favorites

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These photos have stood out to me over the past few weeks as capturing a mood that feels relevant right now.  Perhaps it's the muted colors reminiscent of winter greys, or maybe the hint of warmth from brown and wood and copper tones that makes me think winter's not that bad...or maybe it's that I've found myself craving a newfound simplicity to life lately and none of these pictures (save the chandelier) feels too extravagant.  Whatever it is, I like these images and I hope you do, too.

miss these guys

zoe

joey

maggie

These are Dan's parents' pets, Zoe, Joey, and Maggie.  I got to see them during the Christmas festivities (well, minus Zoe who's quite skiddish) and I miss them.  Maybe Dan's parents will go out of town soon and need a pet sitter? If so, I'll be sure to be available.

more pictures to share

{new digs}

{a fall bouquet from Dan}

{another breakfast}

{coffee in a locally made mug}

{herbs on the windowsill}

{short rib wellington potpie - check out my post today on The Loud and Clear!}

I have been busy getting things ready for the new website I'm working on with Jessie Fisher and Kate McCusker - The Loud and Clear! Check it out, let me know what you think, and subscribe if you want to hear more from us! We're really excited about the new project and we hope you will be, too!

october afternoon in the garden

{last forrages}

{sparkles}

{"i think she's pretty." "quiet, bud."}

{green light}

{a glimmer}

{winter nears}

{soft like velvet}

I took these pictures of Dan's mom's garden late one October afternoon.  It was one of those perfect afternoons when the sun's shining and it's not too hot or too cold.  One of those afternoons when you're accutely aware of winter's imminence, which makes the waning warmth of the sun feel just that much more opulent.  One of those moments when you realize just how fragile life is, how interdependent we all are.  A lingering quiet made the world stand still and I felt lucky to try to capture it.

a few pictures as of late

{weekend breakfast: fried eggs, sweet potato homefries, fresh herbs, and goat cheese}

{the morning light creeps through our window}

{homebrews by Dan and Chris}

{red, white, and blue}

{the chosen one}

Some of these pictures are from the fall and some are more recent.  We forgot our camera bag in Vail and now I'm playing catch-up.  Get ready for quite a few more pictures from the past 3 months!

all is calm, all is bright

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Merry Christmas Eve!

snow globe

I love winter.  I love the cozy silence after a fresh snowfall.  I love the serene, sparkling beauty of a snow covered forest. I am mesmerized by snowflakes falling under street lamps.  I wanted to share the gorgeous photos below, because each one fills me with an uncontainable excitement for snow.

Snowy Amsterdam

by Leafde

Wintry Cathedral Beach, Yosemite National Park
by Robin Black

Church in Iceland by a lake called Úlfljótsvatn

by Ingólfur Hartvigsson

Edinburgh - Dead of Night

by Lawrence Winram

Hallstatt, Austria

photographer unfortunately unknown found via 

Bring on winter.  I'm ready.

happy friday and more & co.

It turns out Lynsey's boyfriend is almost as cool as she is (sorry, Ryan, but it's true :). He and his creative studio, MORE & CO., which was also founded by MAV and CDR, do amazing work.  Seriously.  We're talking Starbucks campaigns, local publications, book design, photography and video...you name it, they do it.  And they do it well.  Plus they seem to have a darn good time while they're at it.

MORE & CO. Walk All Day from More & Co. on Vimeo and their blog

I hope your weekend is as much fun as this video! Happy Friday!

ralph eugene meatyard

The Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco has displayed almost 300 exhibitions of photography or relating to photography since 1979.  Dedicated to representing photography from every angle, the Fraenkel Gallery does not shy away from artists that may lie a bit off the beaten path.  Ralph Eugene Meatyard's photography is just that - Meatyard pushed the boundaries of photography from the 1950's to the 1970's, experimenting with focus and exposure.  I find the photographs of his family and friends wearing masks to be quite haunting.  His selection of natural and abandoned locations only enhances the eerie ambiance.

All photography by Ralph Eugene Meatyard via The Fraenkel Gallery