Vintage Christmas

I have a favorite vintage shop down in Waxahachie, Texas. Crooked Creek Farms is a little house that is stocked with just the right things. No digging through piles of "stuff;" everything that's out is very good quality, and in many cases, it's something you've always wanted. There's even coffee and freshly baked cookies! Co- owner Shane is one of the nicest people ever. He's very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and a pleasure to know.

Right now, Crooked Creek has some of the best vintage Christmas decorations that I've seen, and the prices are very reasonable. During the holidays, they're open Thursday through Sunday. You'll be doing yourself a favor if you stop by. Tell Shane that I sent you!

Breathing Again

I've totally let my blog take a back seat to life lately. Last time I looked, I was in Arizona, staying at my favorite b&b in Jerome, and visiting my dear friend, Holly Joy, and her Italian Greyhounds in Chino Valley Then...boom! My doctor was telling me I had to have surgery, and I was meeting with a gynecologic oncologist. It really is amazing how you take good health for granted until something like this happens. I was a lucky one, though. A ten-pound ovarian tumor was removed on November 5th, nineteen places were staged for cancer, and EVERYTHING turned out to be benign. I spent six days at Baylor Hospital, and was given the very best of care. Since then, I've been home recuperating. That means canceling photo shoots I'd already scheduled during one of my busiest seasons. My clients were so very kind and understanding though. I'm gearing up for a new year of photographing, and I can't wait! I'm feeling better every single day, and realize that I'm beyond blessed. Thank you, everyone, for your support.

Iggie Central

A visit to Holly's house is always a treat...especially if you love Italian Greyhounds like I do.Holly's pack was happy to see me yesterday, and I was happy to see them.We had a nice chat, and everyone got lots of attention. It was fun to dress the kids up in their holiday accessories, too, even though they were adamant about not doing a group shot...

Holly says Jack was her husband in a prior life! He looks like a very distinguished older man, don't you think?

The lovely Princessa (aka Cessa) was thrilled to strike a pose.She told me that America's Next Top Model called her so often, that she had to change her phone number!

Star is the elusive Iggie.  She seldom comes out when I visit, but this time she was quite interested in what was going on. I managed to get one photograph of her in her holiday gear.

Vinnie is a very handsome boy!

Little Tino is fifteen years old.  He is deaf, and can now see only some shapes. Tino loves having Holly nearby, but he gets around quite well!

Monti looks very regal in his antlers!  I had to apologize to him for telling him that his skin looks like the old-fashioned formica that used to be on kitchen floors!

Holly hates having her picture taken, so hopefully she won't kill me for slipping this one in. I'm not sure why that is, because she's adorable. I'm SO jealous of her hair!!!

Benny is a daddy's boy.  He only came out when I was getting ready to leave!

By the end of my visit, the pups were getting bored with the whole thing...they were ready for their naps. Thanks for letting me stop by, Holly! I know how busy you are this time of the year, but I just can't be in the neighborhood without a quick get-together!

Autumn in Jerome

Every time I visit Jerome, it's like coming home again. It's been a long time since I've been up here in the fall, and I'd forgotten how beautiful it is.