Where I've Been...

It's been quite awhile since I've done anything with this blog or really with my photography for that matter.  So, what have I been up to?  Most recently, I had another beautiful baby girl, Cassidy.  She is now 5 months old, and my first baby, Savannah, is about to start Kindergarten.  I can hardly believe it!

Savannah at almost 5 yrs. and Cassidy at 5 mos.

But, before Cassidy, there was quite a lapse with no communication here...I have been pretty private about it, and I don't plan to elaborate about it now.  But, in the last couple of years. I have finally come to realize and attempt to deal with my depression and anxiety.  Unfortunately, the pregnancy didn't help my condition much, and I am currently finding my way out of post-partum depression.  Thankfully, I have an incredibly supportive husband, great doctor, and a great determination to get back to the self that I remember before I felt paralyzed by this stuff.

I am realizing now that turning away from things that once made me happy, like photography, although it can also ramp up my anxiety too, is not the answer.  I need to keep doing the things that make me, me, and do my best not to let my depression and anxiety run my life.  I think that this blog may even be somewhat therapeutic in that respect.

So, there it is...I have broken my silence about something not many even know about me, and I shouldn't feel ashamed of.  Anyone else out there been through this and care to share?

Black Friday Sale

My entire Shop is on Sale for 30% OFF Black Friday-Cyber Monday!  And, for the first time ever, I'm offering FREE Shipping (within the U.S.)!!  Sale ends Monday, November 28th, but you can enjoy FREE Shipping throughout the holiday season :)

Start shopping  here

First Snowfall

We woke to our first snowfall of the season yesterday morning!  Not too much, just a skiff really.  For those of you who may not know what a skiff is, there was just enough of the white stuff on the ground to know that it had snowed.  But, you could still see grass peeking through the snow, so there wasn't enough even for ground cover.

Our snow-capped lights looked like little mushrooms

Our  poor icy  pumpkin

To Savannah's disappointment, there wasn't enough for good sledding or snow angels.  That certainly didn't stop her from trying though...

She just wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to sledding.  I swear I have no idea where she gets her persistence from ;)

                           

                                     Savannah trying to make her snow angel

I have to say, I wasn't really ready for winter to be here yet.  Even though I know that I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I realize that it can really snow just about anytime here.  Yoopers, those native to this Peninsula, often joke we only have two seasons up here: 1) snow and 2) bugs.  Savannah and her Daddy did take advantage of the one thing that this wet, little bit of snow was perfect for: building snowmen!!

Showing me her snowgirl's ears

Placing the final touches on the snowman

Father/ daughter discussion on the fine art of building snow people

Their finished product!

Although I wasn't mentally prepared for this stuff yet, I must admit there is always something special about that first snowfall, however little it may be.  A fresh, white blanket covering the landscape makes everything seem pure and beautiful.  The snow did remind me of just how excited I am to capture nature in all her icy and snowy glory to add to my winter portfolio.

Halloween Highlights

We had a fabulous Halloween this year, so I thought I would share the highlights! First, we started out by making autumn cut-out cookies.  My little helper and I made these tasty little morsels:

My little helper sure loved the sugar sprinkles!

Next, Savannah had a blast carving her first pumpkin!  Well, she really supervised my carving while she played with the seeds, guts, and pieces that I cut out.  It was great fun though, and those seeds sure were yummy after we toasted them :)

Our Jack-O-Lanterns

Finally, we went trick-or-treating with the cutest little Minnie Mouse ever!  OK, so I'm a little biased.  But, it sure was neat to see our little girl truly understand this holiday.  We went last year, but she really didn't get the concept.  This year she was all about it though.

You can see our Halloween clings on the window in this one.  Someone is really into grouping things right now ;)

How was your Halloween?

Giveaway on Facebook

Looking for "Liker" #200...I'm running a contest right now on my Facebook page. Lucky "Liker" #200 will win an 8x10 photo (with or without the mat) of her/his choice from My Shop!  With over 100 items to choose from in My Shop, my 200th Liker will have plenty to pick from.  Click on over to my page to see if your #200 today!!

www.facebook.com/HeatherNewkirkPhotography

You Know You Live in Black Bear Country When

The second bird feeder, in 7 months, you had was destroyed by some creature that must have been really hungry and strong.  Hungry because not all animals would attack both a seed feeder months ago (my super cute one that was green wrought iron shaped like a lantern that looked awesome hanging from a tree) and now a suet feeder.  Strong due to the complete crushing of the previously mentioned seed feeder, which I was too sad to photograph, and the cold, hard evidence of the broken chain left on the tree from the suet holder and this:

For days, I didn't even know where the suet and holder had been carried off to, but I had assumed it had been a tasty snack for one of our local black bears.  But, Jimmy found this near the trail leading into the woods from our backyard.  Guess we're all done feeding the birds :(

The Things We Do

I had gone out to shoot the moonrise a few weeks ago when it was a full moon.  I got there early in case the sunset was vivid too.  I stood there, shooting away, in the hot, humid weather wearing long pants and a hoodie, just sweating bullets.  Why was I so overdressed?  Anything to attempt to fend off the nasty biting flies that swarm the Lake Superior shoreline in such oppressive heat!  Bug spray doesn't seem to do the trick, so you just have to try to cover any exposed skin you can.  Ahhhh, the things we do to get the shots we want!  I think this one was well worth it...

Lake Superior Sunset over  the Porkies
Porcupine Mountains State Park at Union Bay