beautiful places || seattle

High rises pierce the cloudy overlay of a grey cotton sky, surrounding the landmark Space Needle like a matchstick frame. Surrounded by water and white sailboats and filled to the brim with open-air markets, serene viewpoints, and quaint homes, the city is beautiful, stately, busy—it is Seattle.

We girls took a visit to Washington this last weekend to attend the yearly Christian Heritage Conference. It was a refreshing time of learning new truths and having time with old friends, reuniting with best friends, meeting new friends, and simply enjoying a time away. The conference was not far from Seattle, and so on our extra day in the neighborhood we spent some time walking about in beautiful places.

I can’t claim to love the city, but a day amidst skyscrapers and hedges and little cafes tucked behind flower markets always promises to be a lovely one. We climbed a hill overlooking the city and ate our picnic lunch there, enjoying the cool and watching water planes land amidst the sailboats. How odd they are—droning in with their big boat-like gliders, barley missing the boats and skimming across the water just as calmly as you please. I don’t think I could ever get up the courage to pilot one.

After lunch we meandered through the uptown, past lonely benches and the pretty scene of an organic store’s market. I have always loved the handwriting on those flower and vegetable labels—all swirly and whimsy. Handwriting is so distinct, such a part of who someone is. It saddens me to hear that schools will no longer be teaching penmanship as education in the coming years. Print and type has replaced what will soon be a forgotten art. I, for one, will teach cursive to my children. I really can’t imagine living without it, silly as it seems.

For one last adventure, we drove up to the Queen’s Street viewpoint to eat Thin Mints and raspberry Popsicles. Simple treats, yet extremely satisfying [who could have guessed that Girl Scout Cookies could be so delectable?]. I could see the city stretching out before us in the hazy distance, the clouds melting like golden marshmallows as the sun peeked through.

Beautiful places /// Seattle. 

xo,

lucia 

misty & we

This is Misty: the gorgeous, the sweetheart, the possessor of a velvet nose. No, she isn't mine--I wish. I absolutely love horses, if you didn't already know, and I just discovered yesterday how much fun it is to photograph them. Future equine photographer? Oh, wait. Make that equine/wedding/children/family/senior...cough. 

Anyways. 

Misty was a dear, and so were the lovely young ladies I spent yesterday evening with. It was golden hour just as we tramped down to the barn, and hazy sunlight filtered through spring foliage. I knew it had been a good idea to bring the Nik. 

This is Andrea: the beautiful, the lovely, the sweet.  I've known Andrea for a very long time, but over the past few years have enjoyed getting to know her better. She is a very wonderful and encouraging person whom I am blessed to call a friend! Andrea loves beading and makes lovely jewelry.  

This is Anna: a lovely lady who is an avid reader, avid hat-wearer, and has a pretty smile. I've known Anna for a few years, since her family moved to Oregon from the South, and she is genuinely fun to be around. Anna loves music, and plays the flute with excellence!

This is Sarah: the cheerful, the pretty, the animal-lover. She is Andrea's sister, and is also a dear friend of mine. She is always ready to laugh and to give a hug. Sarah is also a pretty amazing soccer-player, and I love her shade of red hair to death. :) 

Oh--and this is apple crunch pie: summer days and cinnamon sugar all rolled together. And which is now in the state of "gone-ness." 

Like this Indian Summer weather soon will be. I love it like I love apple crunch pie, but I'm afraid even that honor will not keep it.

In any case: here's to friendship, horses, and sunlight! 

xo,

lucia 

ps- photographers! never fear, the winner of the march photo challenge will soon be announced. in the meantime, enter your sunlit portraits in april's challenge linky while you can! 

the miscellany & the lovely.

It's been a miscellaneous & beautiful week filled to the brim with sunlight, jelly donuts, camera clicks, Cadbury chocolate eggs, new chicks, fresh flowers and bike rides down quiet country back roads.  Easter weekend was all azure skies and balmy breezes, and my camera was out almost every second.

On Saturday I helped photograph the annual Megga Easter egg Hunt at our local county fairgrounds. The midday sun was bright and un-photogenic, but the kids were beyond adorable (dang, there were over 1,000 to choose from). It was my first shot at event photography, and I have to say I'm pretty smitten. I wandered around at my leisure into the petting zoo, the face painting and the egg fields taking pictures to my heart's content.  This is the type of thing I could get used to.

On Easter Sunday we had some family over for a full spread, and basked in the warm sunlight. Food + sun are my "one weaknesses," as Miss Lane of Lark Rise to Candleford would say (just FYI: favorite.show.evah.). We talked and laughed and played around in the glowing embers of dusk, just like we used to when we were little. That's the funny thing about family; you can always, always be yourself with them. Even if you change.

Maybe that's why the miscellany and even the mundane are always the loveliest.

What did your Easter look like?


ps- never fear, the march photo challenge finalists will be announced soon-ish! 

caught in the rain //

It rains, and we laugh. Anne is ten-going-on-eighteen in her big sister's winter coat; I think she's two inches shorter than me as of now.

Boom, baby. That's how fast the years have flown. And yet here we are, caught in this moment, with the crystal raindrops splattering around us and the water dripping down our noses.

She holds the big yellow umbrella over us, and we run shrieking from the pine trees as the branches decided to dump a bucket or two. Caught in the rain again. That's Oregon for you.

And so we've learned to dance in it.

Is the sun shining where you are?

piddling about in the sunshine.

Mmmm. It's gorgeous out today. That perfect in-between-spring-and-summer temperature, the sun filtering hazily through the trees in the warm, dusky light; the distant mountains crisp and beauteous against a faded blue sky. It's a wonderful day to be alive, and a wonderful season to be reveling in. Oh, spring, I was wondering when you'd arrive!

I can hardly believe that yet another Winter is behind us. Just yesterday (and I mean this quite literally), there was snow on the ground, and a chill in the wind. This morning, the sun seems to have been reminded of her duty.

This type of weather makes me want to write poetry. Or sit at the piano with the sun pouring through the windows, singing to my heart's content. It's crazy how a bit of sun can lift your spirits.



...Speaking of crazy, that is exactly the word to describe my life right now. My weeks lately have been fringed with that busyness which you can't explain despite its all-too-true reality. My camera has even lain still for days upon end, besides a few captures of the spring world we are enraptured in today.

But Nikki will not be neglected for long; I am looking into purchasing a new lens for her. I'm pretty sure it will be the 50-mm 1.4, but I may go with a 70-mm, too. I just. need. to. save. Camera equipment is dang spendy, I've come to find. But I have several "ordered" photoshoots on the horizon that I need a better lens for, and thus I am scrimping with all my might.

By the way--if anyone is interested, I am thinking of starting up monthly advertising spots here at Lucia, Etcetera. I will get up a page, soon, but if you have a shop or simply a blog that needs a little love, rates will be low and all proceeds will go towards my new lens. ;) Just e-mail me if you're interested right now.

Also--I noticed with much awe and excitement that I am a mere four followers away from 900! Wow. And I mean, wow. I have a supercalafragilistic giveaway planned for y'all as soon as that number is reached--prizes have just been pouring in, and you will not be disappointed. I promise. There are things for the fashionista, the jewelry-lover, the gift card adorer, and the sweet tooth. ;)

So, if you care to spread the word, please do so!

And thus ends my little ramble about my utterly piddle-paddle life. How goes your's?

xoxo,
lucia

ps- calling all photographers! enter your best night shot in this month's photo challenge while you still can! *whispers* there's a prize...

breath of spring.

A balmy wind appears out of nowhere, warming the still-chilly late winter air and gently prodding sleepy buds from their hiding places. With the breeze comes the scent of something lovely--wildflower perfume, roads warming after a rain, and home baked bread all in one.

I step outside and stand on the front porch, basking in the sunlight, inhaling deeply; taking a breath of spring.

I sit in the sun and gaze at the world around me. At the moment, there is nowhere I would rather be: this is my seraglio, my nature palace spotted with sunlight. The yellow daffodils beside the porch are beginning to lift their heads after a long winter nap. I've watched them bloom every spring for so many years, in that same spot, beside the bottom porch step.

Funny how time flies, how seasons pass in a blink.

I pull off my socks and leap into the mossy grass beneath me. It is cold and wet, reminding me that winter is still here--today the sun shines, tomorrow the rain pours. Nevertheless, I  curl my toes between the green blades and forget the chill still within the ground.

Winter can live out its course; I've had a breath of spring.