by Amy | Jan 2, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Faith, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Living, The Art of Projects, The Art of the Kitchen, The Art of the Moment, the house
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we have entered another year. If your life is anything like mine…it’s felt like a whirlwind ever since Thanksgiving. Yikes. But now the festivities are behind us and it’s time to learn from the past year and step into a fresh, new season.
The year goes by so fast that I often feel like it passed in a blur. {Any one second that?} I have to remind myself that a year is a long time. A lot can happen. One life can do a lot in one year. I really believe that and I hope you do too. For me 2013 could have been a very hard, negative year…but I think we chose how we spend our time and resources and energy. We can let negative circumstances weigh us down…or allow them to give us a chance to brush up on our hurdling skills. I may have banged my shins on hurdles a few times in the past 365, but I can confidently say that I cleared them all.
And if you don’t believe a lot can get done in a year…let’s look back at the biggest moments of a year with Amy Allender. (more…)
by Amy | Dec 18, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
On a day, not so long ago I was in one of the greatest places on earth: Elkhart, IN. While I was there, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to do a few Christmas photos for my favorite {and only} Allender sibling. Newsflash. My sister is precious.
We debated staying indoors, but thought that temps in the 20’s would be warm enough to face. That was a mistake. They look beautiful, but I was behind the camera coat on, scarf tight, and hood up…shivering. Those pups, cute, right? Watch the big one’s eyes. She’s completely absorbed by the squirrel activity going on around her. The little one is in a sweater, but that didn’t stop her from being completely pathetic in the winter air. Sweet babies. Can you tell my sis likes her dogs?
by Amy | Dec 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
My how I’ve missed you. Let’s see…all kinds of things have gone on here since we last caught up. There was a Thanksgiving miracle–which I’ll tell you about in a couple days because I need a few extra photos. I went to Indiana for a wedding. I got trapped in a 5-alarm Chicago snow storm, which lead to a long night in the O’Hare Airport and a 24 hour commute back to Practically Canada. Whilst stuck en route my throat began feeling like it had been rubbed down with sand paper. Once I made it back home I was fully sick and the PraCan air welcomed me with a cozy -3 degrees {F}. That was nothing compared to this morning’s -18. So yes, I’m back and I’m diving into the jolliness of the holidays head first. Well, DayQuil first, but I’ll be there as soon as my nose lets me breathe again.
But I’m getting off topic. Let’s kick the Amy Allender Christmas Season with a look at my favorite shots from all of my chalkboard mini sessions. Golly that was a good investment of time and energy. It totally worked over time and I had a blast taking all these Christmas photos for so many precious families! Tonight I’m sharing my absolute favorite shot from each session. {Seriously, have you seen cuter kids??} Take a look.
{Recognize that last name? Yep, that adorable couple is my mom and dad.}
And if you thought I wasn’t using this for our Christmas card…you were sorely mistaken. Of course we posed for a few in front of the “wall.”
Have a jolly night. See you tomorrow.
Amy
PS–It wouldn’t be the Christmas season without a few melt downs from these cute kids. I had one cry when her daddy did a Santa impression. Another took a tumble off one of the props. Another was throwing poinsettias. Of all those moments the only one I caught on camera was this melt-down-moment. Classic.
by Amy | Dec 5, 2013 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Projects, The Art of the Kitchen, The Art of the Moment
Did you have a happy Thanksgiving?
I sure did.
As most of my holidays go, the day revolved around being in the moment with family and friends. Oh, and it also involved quite a bit of food too. I’m a big fan of eating later in the day so that there isn’t a big rush with baking the turkey. It also takes away the need for a second giant meal of the day…we do dinner, pie, tea, games and bed time. Eating at dinner time {instead of that awkward 2pm “lunch”} gave everyone time for a little Thanksgiving activity time.
For Derek and my dad that meant time in the field hunting. For mom and me it meant time at the gym for a little turkey trot {aka an hour on the treadmill.} Of course we were home in time for THE parade.
You like the place setting in the photo above? I thought you might. I bought a new {cheap} table cloth from Target’s Threshold line. I just love that stuff. Then I topped it off with a runner made from some unhemmed gingham fabric I had in the basement. My favorite part of the table was the place mats I whipped up. They are paper bags I ran through the printer {cut to 8.5″ x 16″ long} with this adorable free printable. Paper bags! {And you know how I like paper bags.}
On the menu:
An herb rubbed turkey stuffed with sliced apples. It was just enough sweet. Mashed potatoes mashed with nonfat Greek yogurt, milk, chicken bullion, garlic and green onions. Homemade yeast rolls that Mom and I worked on throughout the afternoon. Jiffy corn casserole {it’s a classic, but I sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream called for in the recipe.} Sweet potatoes with cinnamon and pecans. Apple butter. And the prettiest part of our meal, apple cider sangria. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the few days of the year I have a glass of wine, and I can’t think of much prettier than this sangria with pieces of apple floating in the glass. And since Derek doesn’t drink at all {ever} he had his non alcoholic. Just cider with apples in a fancy glass. {Which means this can be a fancy drink for the whole family.}
As much as I like cooking and setting the table, my favorite part of the day is sharing a meal with a table full of people I adore. After the meal comes something I like even more than eating…games. Then of course, hot beverages {tea, coffee, cocoa} and pie. Between activities there is lots of chatter, story telling and foolery. I love the rhythm of Thanksgiving at our house.
Where’s my mom? Probably on the couch with Derek and me…occupying my dad’s lap after dinner was his “lap” dog.
This year was very special because the living room was taken over by the chalkboard for mini sessions. But for us it only added to the merriment because it meant that I could take Katie and Sean’s Christmas photos. Here’s a peek. You’ll have to wait a few days for the rest…
xo Amy
by Amy | Nov 25, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
If you are a fan of the Facebook page, you may have seen a small post about a super secret mini session I did a week ago. Well…the secret is out! And now you get to see the big reveal.
Some dear friends are expecting baby #2. You may recognize baby #1 from her pumpkin patch session, family photos, cake smash…She’s so stinkin’ cute, I can only imagine what the next one will be like!
So darn cute. This session alone proves that my giant chalkboard was so worth the effort. And if you like this, just wait until you see the Christmas sessions I shot this weekend! Adorbes.
Amy
by Amy | Nov 15, 2013 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Projects, The Art of the Moment
Thanks for the input on the upcoming Christmas sessions. I took your advice and made a giant chalkboard. Take a look.
My floor is a chalky mess, but it was worth it, because this is precious. Here’s the finished product. Email me, call me, text me, facebook me if you want a session. All sessions come with high resolution digital images and a print release…and hot cocoa.
Amy
by Amy | Nov 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Being chosen for the job of wedding photographer is always an honor. It means that someone is trusting me with a once in a lifetime event. It’s a tall order…but always a blessing. The blessing is just that much sweeter when the bride is a dear friend. That was the case a few weeks ago when I had the great privilege of capturing Kate and Jacob’s wedding day. Their love is pure, they have a full understanding of what it means to take on the roles of husband and wife, and {most importantly} their relationship stands on the rock that is our savior Jesus Christ.
Oh, and you may remember them from our engagement session over the summer. They were the couple that battled fierce North Dakota mosquitoes between shots. Yeah, that was them.
Anyway, without further ado, feast your eyes on this blissfully sweet day.
For years Kate has kept a journal of prayers and notes written for and to her future husband. Before getting dressed she passed the notebook to Jacob. The man that God answered those prayers with. (more…)
by Amy | Nov 9, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Believe it or not…it’s time to start thinking Christmas. If you are like me your Christmas card might just barely make it out before the holiday. Or it might not even get stamped until after the New Year. Well…this year I’m trying to bite that problem in the bud by starting preparation early. And that means fun Christmas Photo set ups!
Okay…this is especially good news for those of you in the Minot {Practically Canada} area. Because you’ll benefit from this. I’ll be offering Christmas mini sessions in the coming days. But I need your help. I’ve got three themes in mind and I need all of you to tell me which one you prefer. Even if you don’t live in PraCan…gimme your input anyway. Here are my inspiration boards.
Option #1: Merry & Bright
This theme is inspired by hip window displays from shops like Anthropologie and Selfridges, bright colors, and minimalist-modern props.
The photos in the upper right are from Beth Strong Photography. I love her set up!
Store window: Anthropologie
Option #2: A Chalkboard Christmas
Pretty self explanitory. This theme is all about the chalkboard. I’ll create a full chalkboard backdrop and create a typographic/artisan vibe with my very own hand lettering. Bonus: I’ll be able to add your family name to the background.
Don’t you love that chalkboard portrait? Go check out Amy Lee Sullivan…that’s where I found it!
Chalkboard in upper…via Chalkboard House
Option #3: The Great Outdoors
Beautiful, yes. Cold, definitely. This theme is inspired by soft colors and rustic, outdoor Christmas scenes. We’ll use cozy props like blankets and mugs and set up in the rural back roads of Minot.
I fell in love with the photos of that couple and the Christmas Tree. Go over to view the whole session at Stephanie Hunter Photography.
Oh, and that other couple is me and Der-Bear. That’s our Christmas card photo from last year.
So. Leave a comment. What do you prefer? Cast your vote. This year your Christmas card will be epic.
