All day yesterday I sat down to blog, thinking I would make a meaningful proclamation -  perhaps, a strong sentence to sum up last year or at least some inspirational words for the future.  It was the first day of the year and I am sure that a good blogger would be on top of it.

But not me, I couldn't sum it up in a neat little package.

2009 was kicked off with receiving the  Comox Valley Small Business of the Year Award and wound down with me receiving the Vancouver Island Photographer of the Year title from the Professional Photographers Association of BC. Sandwiched in between was a studio robbery, a new blog, new website, new staff, an out of town conference and a new studio.

2009 also brought some amazing wedding clients and I just looked through the images and couldn't believe how different each wedding was. We had some amazing collaborations with families who welcomed us into their world and I am excited by the work that was produced. One of the things that I am most proud of this year was our ability to step-up our giving. I just did a tally off how much we donated and I feel really pleased, my little business is able to make much more of a difference than I ever could have dreamed.

Sandwiched in between all this there was a lot of growth and reflection, creatively, personally and professionally - it won't go down in history a boring year, that's for sure!

I  have this strong sense that 2009 and 2010 are meant to go together, so if pressed for a new year's goal it would be just to  "stay the course"

Rather than make new years goals I always make goals on my birthday which (note to John) is, only 94 days away, it just makes way more sense to me. That is my time of reflection. 

As for what 2010 will bring, I have to tell you, my house is a mess, I have movies to watch, I should still be holidaying, but I am revved up to work, because I am pumped about some of the things we are going to be doing this year.

Some of the news will roll out in the McKinnon Photography newsletter before it hits the blog, if you haven't signed up you can hit the link above. I promise we don't uber-spam you, you can just expect a little bit of news from us every few months.

So Happy New Year, I have no doubt it will be a meaningful one!

This was one of my last shoots for 2009 and a classic one to end the year off. If you are a regular blog reader you might recognize the always stunning Linden

The kids are laughing and playing, John is cleaning and I am photoshopping (only because I think I shot one of my favorite maternity sessions EVER!) - my perfect holiday has begun.

I am actually just about to tie things up here and head upstairs for some special coffee and board games. Followed by more special coffee, board games and eating.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, I know we are looking forward to quiet family time and extra moments reflecting on all the goodness we are blessed with.

For those of you with new McKinnon Photography prints on your wall and those receiving them for Christmas thank you for letting us be part of your holiday gift giving.

Peace



 

One can try go get through the holidays without elf-ing themselves, but it's hard. I caved and I am pretty happy that I did because I always suspected I could move it like that.

( P.S. - Phebe and Lion can we be in your Disco Troupe? This is our official audition tape. With John's Disco Face how could you turn us down)

There are so many special things I could blog about right now, I am overflowing with warm fuzzies - hopefully you are as well.

The last two days while delivering clients photographs and going about some errands I was showered with lovely treats, flower and cards. It was incredibly lovely, and I feel so very blessed. However, what really made me smile was bringing these things home to my family.
See, I get the chance to know you all, and I get so much from my interactions with my clients. But John and the kids, they don't have the same experience. They know I love my work, and that people are a massive part of that, they know how important being genuine and doing my best  is and they wholeheartedly support me in it.
so these little gifts ya'll gave me, they were for them - because me, I get you.

Thank you.

Last night my bookclub did our annual cookbook exchange, and the conversation turned to cooking blogs and I promised I would share some favorites:

Dinner With Julie - she wrote two fabulous cookbooks, Grazing and Smart Cookie. We have Smart Cookie and it is fantastic, it was my go-to book to give for the last year.

Steamy Kitchen  - I have been getting her RSS feed for sometime and in the last week I have heard numerous people mention her cookbook. My friend Lisa, who is a top-notch cook, loves it. It is definitely on my wish list.

EatMakeRead - Love the name, love her style, a maple syrup cocktail that's the ticket!

Elana's Pantry - Gluten Free and Sugar Free, around here two of us should be wheat free and sugar free (we mostly succeed), so I have convinced myself that she is our long lost cousin, who will soon be moving to the Comox Valley

Picky Palate - not sugar free, not gluten free. Check out the black bottom mini caramel pumpkin cheesecake bites and caramel apple cream cheese bars, and oh yah, there is lots of healthy stuff as well.

 A Year of Slow Cooking  - I have blogged about this site and her cookbook evangelically. Read it, buy the cookbook, run into me in the street and we can geek out about how much we love our slow cookers.

I am sure there are tons of others out there, but these are my current fave's. Hope you like them.