saturday rain || a short home film

So, we aren't going camping, after all. Dad hurt his back really badly somehow (even he isn't sure what happened!), and thus all plans are canceled.

Yep. 

...oh, and did I mention it's raining? 

Yep. 

We are disappointed, of course, but I took advantage of this newly freed [rainy] day and made a short film for you. It features a few of the scenes around our house--flowers, pets, my (grass-covered) feet. Stuff like that. 

Enjoy. :)

(music is nicole nordeman's "with you")

xo,

lucia

art in the everyday. and randomosity.

I don't know why we always think of "art" as the oils and watercolors and pastels hanging in the museums. Art isn't restricted to a painting or a statue. These are indeed "art," yet are in many ways only the imitations of art. After all, statues and paintings are merely copies of the real world. Perceptions of the art around us--in the sky, in the fields, in the places the artist went and the people the artist saw. 

I like striving to live an artsy life. And by "artsy," I don't mean making my home in a greenhouse, surrounded by boxes of paint and eating baguettes + cheese (though give me that and I'll take it, I suppose). I mean living with eyes that are always perceiving and appreciating the colors and patterns and contorted emotions on the faces of those around me. 

I guess you could call it a hobby of mine. 

---

...I've been a little MIA for the past week or so, thanks to the general emotions and excitement and upheavals of existing. I've been helping out at a local VBS every night for the past four days, helping lead the music up front (did you know I could dance the Ten Commandment Boogie? Me neither..), playing the piano, doing skits (eek, I have a main part tonight that I have yet to finish memorizing), and assisting in herding dozens of little cuties to their various activities (I have to admit I've become a sort of beloved celebrity among the kids, despite the fact that I am constantly forced to order them about... how that happened I have no idea. But I love them all to death). 

And then there have been four hour study parties at Starbucks with Sarah (yes, we are both still experiencing the joys of schoolwork), year-end testing yesterday morning, 6:30 a.m. runs with Olivia, and hectic packing for  our week-long camping trip to Idaho (we're leaving tomorrow--guest posters, ahoy!). 

When I return, I have a second senior shoot with Jessica planned, an engagement shoot with a lovely couple (my first! Eee!), giveaways to post, a certain photo challenge to start up again (many apologies for never posting the winner of April's, or starting up the June one as planned...in case you didn't see the poll on the sidebar, our winner was Lauren), a milk maid braid tutorial to post, another vlog for y'all, and a random video of me singing. 

Yep. Only because I have gotten at least twelve requests in the past month for a video of me singing--why, I have zero idea (have I ever even mentioned singing on here??). But, I complied--let's hope you aren't too disappointed. =] I love to sing, but certainly have no claim to boisterous vocals. Whatever--you asked for it! 

Wow. I have used a lot of parentheses in this post, rambled a little, updated too much, and dawdled from my original subject reprehensibly. But, it is good to be back, though I am leaving once more--until next week, friends! And just for a spontaneous ending, because I will not be here to wish you it: Happy 4th of July. 

xo,

lucia

 Also:

..Bekah is having a pretty exciting event over at her lovely blog! Be sure to go check it out. 

&

..I guest posted at two blogs this week, if you want something extra to read! 

Anna Gray: Self Portraiture 101

Camera Girl: Seven Tips to Better Friendships

children of summer // portraits

I am a child of summer. Born there, grown there, left there to stay.

I drink the warm scent carried upon the balmy breezes of a summer day like a woman drinks her perfume--the scent of freshly mowed grass and drying leaves scattered in the wind, pale roses releasing their petals in soft showers, and blackberries ripening in their homes.

I revel in the long nights, the twinkling stars in a clear sky, and the sun-spotted mornings; the dappled shadows, the deep greens of a shaded grove, and the pure white and gold of daisies sprinkling a yellow field.

---

The past few days have been weather bliss. I took advantage of the lush greens and sunny skies and took my camera and tripod out back. There is this lovely little place behind our woodpile that I have had my eye on for some time--a patch of green woods, dappled and leafy. I have been wanting to try some self-portraiture, and this seemed the perfect spot to do so.  

It was hard. And patience-trying. But I emerged from that leafy bower with much learned, much gained, and much happiness that I am not (nor ever could be) a model. 

A little while later Olivia volunteered herself as a model for the benefit of myself, much to my happiness (bless her heart. I can only stand taking photos of my own awkward face for so long). And thus we both reveled in the forest as children of summer. 

Summer, pass ye by slowly. The days are long yet short, and I want to make one hundred daisy chains before you fade.

xo,

lucia

ps-the shirt I'm wearing? handmade. my dad got it for my aunt when he was a journalist in cyprus 37 years ago. she passed it down to her daughter, who wore it for years, and now it's in our family. sweet little relic of history, eh? 

also: braid crowns are my new fave at the moment. video tutorial, anyone? warning: many.bobby-pins.needed.