I'm in love with succulents.  Their soft, sea-scape colors and intricate, unique shapes entrance and calm me. 

This week, my church held its annual women's boutique.  Every fall, many creative, lovely ladies donate their home-made goods to be sold - and all of the proceeds go to supporting missionaries around the world. 

I was overjoyed to find a whole booth filled with potted succulents for sale this year -- and I just couldn't resist.  It's for a good cause, right? :) 

Now my pretty succulents are at home on my window-sill... enjoying the rain.



Here's to a cozy, rainy day.

A few weeks ago, I spotted a pretty little pink book at Anthropologie... and each day since then has been a little brighter.

It's a book of Love Poems by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.





The book gives you Neruda's works in the original Spanish as well as English.



Yesterday afternoon I stopped in to Peet's, chose a seat by the big window and took time to breathe and think... soaking in the golden sunset.

Before I left, I tipped my pretty Neruda book open and read one of my favorites...

Your Laughter

Take bread away from me, if you wish,
take air away, but
do not take from me your laughter.

Do not take away the rose,
the lance flower that you pluck,
the water that suddenly
bursts forth in joy,
the sudden wave
of silver born in you.

My struggle is harsh and I come back
with eyes tired
at times from having seen
the unchanging earth,
but when your laughter enters
it rises to the sky seeking me
and it opens for me all
the doors of life.

My love, in the darkest
hour your laughter
opens, and if suddenly
you see my blood staining
the stones of the street,
laugh, because your laughter
will be for my hands
like a fresh sword.

Next to the sea in the autumn,
your laughter must raise
its foamy cascade,
and in the spring, love,
I want your laughter like
the flower I was waiting for,
the blue flower, the rose
of my echoing country.

Laugh at the night,
at the day, at the moon,
laugh at the twisted
streets of the island,
laugh at this clumsy
boy who loves you,
but when I open
my eyes and close them,
when my steps go,
when my steps return,
deny me bread, air,
light, spring,
but never your laughter
for I would die.

 

Brad & Liz's wedding day was one big party.  It was a ton of fun - for the bride, groom, and all of their guests.  The reception was extended an hour longer than it was scheduled because people weren't leaving the dance floor... that's a good problem to have!

Due to all of the wedding season insanity... I'm just now getting into the Harrold wedding photos... and I thought I would share a little peek into the day by showing the bride and groom as they left the party - I mean, reception.

Exhausted... and so happy.


Love is a lovely thing.

More to come.

Misha's face is usually drawn into a look of curiosity.  His eyes are focused and his lips are stuck together in front of unclenched teeth.  He looks up and out at the wide-open world, taking things in, processing ideas in his head.  Once he notices you looking at him, he doesn't shy away.  His mouth spreads into a wide, sweet smile and his eyes brighten.  If medicine could harness that smiling face, it would cure every known disease.  To know Misha and to take in his bright spirit is a gift.



I met Misha at Pravda Orphanage when I visited Ukraine this past summer.  He is an orphan - and he is a bright, smart, athletic boy.

I'm so happy to tell you that an amazing couple in my town has decided to host Misha for Christmas this year!  Misha... adorable Misha is going to do something that few Ukrainians get the chance to do: leave Ukraine and travel to another part of the world. 

Not only does he get to come to America for the Christmas season, but Misha also gets to experience something extra-special: he's going to be a part of a family.  He's going to eat home-cooked meals, he's going to be tucked into bed with a kiss each night, he's going to go to Disneyland, he's going to go to the dentist, he's going to get new clothes... and he's going to be loved by two incredible host-parents. 

It makes me smile to even think about what all of this will mean for Misha.  It's going to change his life!

The reason I'm telling you about all of this is not only so that you can get excited for Misha and for this family... but also so that you can get involved.  The trip is costly for the host-parents... and it's not only the plane ticket.  It's all of the extra things they want to do for Misha -- Disneyland, clothes, medical and dental attention, etc. 

I'm excited to get involved and help in any way I can - and I invite you to join me!  If you know a Doctor or a Dentist who would be willing to donate their time and skill to see Misha... If you have gift cards to a clothing store where Misha could get new clothes and shoes... If you want to remember to pray for Misha while he's here - that he would have the experience of a lifetime... If you'd like to give financially to help with the costs that the newly-wed host couple are going to be facing... it would all be a blessing. 

If you would like to be a part of this special time for Misha in any way, you can email me at kathrynvphotography@gmail.com.  If you would like to give a financial gift or learn more about Misha's visit, you can go here.

Let's all be a part of making Misha's visit special.  Let's bless him!



James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Recently, two dear friends and I went to cute&chic Hayes Valley just to taste macaroons.  Mmmmm.... my idea of a good time.

Our first stop was Miette Patisserie.  Cutest place ever.


I had my usual chocolate lavender macaroon.  As always: perfect.

The whole trip was thought up by dear Christine. 

Bri got a pretty lemon macaroon at Paulette.  She said it was delicious!

And here's my pistachio macaroon.  Such pretty colors at Paulette. 


A day in the city that involves friends, cute shops, and macaroons = absolute perfection.