Easy to make, and sometimes, even easier to break, New Year’s resolutions are as much a part of the holiday as champagne toasts and Auld Lang Syne.

It’s that time of the year where I draw a line in the sand and set goals to achieve over the course of the next twelve months. For the first time ever I have an extremely difficult list in front of me and, to be honest with you, I could care less whether or not I have them all scratched off in a year from now.  Most importantly, the effort to reach them will force me to push myself every single day and take advantage of all the resources I have around me to the best of my ability.

Here are a few of the lighter goals I’d like to share:

1. Make new mistakes everyday.
2. Work smarter.
3. Give my blog a face lift.
4. Start a scrapbook for Tulsi (terrible, I know.)
5. Train for a triathlon and half marathon.
6. READ. READ. READ.
7. Make more time for myself and my girl friends.

I suspect you will have a list of goals or resolutions and I would love if you could share them with me. And if you have any good reads, send them my way!

Have a safe and happy new year celebration.

I want to thank my friends, family and clients for making 2010 the most amazing year yet. Wishing you all a season of peace and new year full of all the things that make you smile.

I look forward to creating many memories with you in 2011.

With love,

Ziem

I was informed that contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 5th). The origin and counting of the Twelve Days gets more complicated as it relates to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe the holy days in various cultures. Well it’s too bad I had to find out after getting half way through the jingle.

Well- stay tuned and be sure the check back on January 1st to see what Santa brings on “The Seventh Day of Christmas”.

On the sixth day of Christmas, Santa gave to me a mother and daughter gazing.

Young lady graduating.
Four all aglow.
Three big grins.
Tender sister love.
and a branch full of purple berries.

I can still remember the initial e-mail from Lesa. I was sitting in my old bed in Florida with my newborn, getting ready for her baptism. I could tell by the kind words and wishes that I would enjoy photographing Lesa and her mother.

Five months later, we met at one of the local gardens and discussed some of the things they enjoyed, cooking, praying, reading, and the outdoors. I couldn’t be any further from wrong; I enjoyed every 35 minutes spent with them. None the least of which was the 20 minutes we did chatting alone!

I have some of the best clients. Love leaving my portrait sessions feeling like I’ve made new friends..