Right before sunset yesterday I had this overwhelming feeling come over me.
The feeling that I had to go outside and take pictures.
But if you saw this sky from your window, you’d want to take them too, right?
So I told Skylar, “Get your shoes on. We’re going!”
And she said, “Where?”
I said, “Surprise!”
And when we get there, you can do some of this, honey
While Mommy captures this (with my iPhone)
And yes, it is possible to take marginally decent pictures with iPhones but I strongly urge editing them. Strongly urge.
And I captured a whole lot more on my 5D
I’m still editing the images but the ones above and below this sentence are from my real camera
Walking around the park was wonderful
Skylar ran around like a nut and went, Weeeee!!!! a jillion times
Kids get so wound up around dusk. Seriously.
And I went Weeeee!!!! with my camera in my hand.
I felt calm.
Satisfied.
Content.
Ahhhh.
We came home and did the dinner, bath, bed routine and then I was browsing through my photos getting ready to edit and remembered this dessert
Sounds complicated and fussy and has a fancy name
But it’s as easy as making pancake batter, pouring it over fruit (fresh or frozen) and then baking it
Sweet, rich, dense, custard-ey, and use any fruit you have on hand that’s in season or needs to get used up pronto.
But if you’re feeling more no-bakeish lately there’s always these
No-Bake Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls (GF, Vegan, and with a High Protein Option)
And you don’t even have to get out your Vita or food processor. Just a bowl + spoon.
From my last post, Printing Poorhouse, glad I’m not the only one who feels ripped off by Kinko’s! And glad to hear most of you don’t bother printing out that much anymore. Good job.
Questions:
1. What was the last overwhelming feeling, the last I Must Do This feeling, that you had?
Other than taking pictures, the urge to do yoga and run are strong and powerful for me.
They ground me, center me, fuel me, give me what I need in order to be a better parent and a better person all around.
2. After you did what you wanted to do, did you feel satisfied? Did you get that aahhhh feeling and sense of calm contentment?
Most definitely, yes, I did.
Being outside with my child, my camera, nature, wide open spaces; watching her giggle and laugh and play while I took pictures, was wonderful.
It really is the simple things. Free, easy, basic. And, The Best.
I’ve touched on this before in a post I wrote called Bonding Time, where just celebrating the simple things together with Skylar really makes me swoon with delight. That’s what nourishes me.
That’s what I want. My child, my camera, being outside. Basic stuff. That is what life is about.
What has left you overwhelmingly satisfied lately?
Seriously, you have the most delicious food on your blog! More delicious than any other blog I read!! I am drooling right now… I know I say that a lot, but I mean it! I’m popping grapes into my mouth and suddenly they’re tasteless after looking at that deliciousness. Ahh, San Diego is so beautiful! We’re so lucky we live here!
Nice pictures, what a fun trip to the park. It was nice weather here too, perfect for my run. And great dessert recipe inspiration – yum!
1. Lately it’s been relaxing and taking more down time for myself with so much going on at work and with family health crisis’s, but that hasn’t happened yet. :-(
2. I still feel that I haven’t had enough down time between working, meeting family needs and doing what I want, exercising, blogging, and playing in the kitchen – not enough hours in the day!
Skylar is getting so BIG! I really can’t believe it has been over a year since I’ve seen you guys!
i know…a year…just even that feels like a lifetime ago and our coffee dates in Desert Ridge at that coffee shop feel like…10 lifetimes ago!
i miss you!!
xoxo
My most recent overwhelming feeling was to RUN…
I live in VA and we just had an earthquake!
I blogged about it over on our blog…
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
I read about that on kath’s blog…wow! glad you’re ok!
oh, what a lovely pre-evening-routine outing for the two of you! those trees look pretty awesome!
i often get the urge to GET OUTSIDE. and i always feel great once i get the fresh air. i also love that feeling when you just really want to run, and then end up having a great outing.
doing a good job at work makes me feel very satisfied and happy.
bet skylar hopes you can get back to the park this eve, too!
“That’s what I want. My child, my camera, being outside. Basic stuff. That is what life is about.”
Yes! I agree. I had so much to do today, but Meghan wanted to head outside, so I dropped everything and just enjoyed being outside with her. While I snapped a few photos, of course. :-)
I love all your pictures in this post, especially the first two. Stunning!
glad that you and M has sweet times together too :)
I honestly feel completely overwhelmed with feelings (good or bad depending on the day) when I run — I absolutely love it. Usually I end up crying for one reason or another. Maybe I look like a lunatic but I just feel so emotional — whether I’m thinking about someone I know having a tough time or I think about all that I have and all that I need to be thankful for. It is honestly a very strange experience sometimes, but I always feel so good afterward.
I love the first shot — that big tree — how beautiful!
it’s totally normal! when i used to teach yoga people were always having emotional surges just spilling over…it happens. roll with it :)
I also think it’s part of our HSP nature, the way we’re wired.. Happens to me too!
Wow. No one ever said they felt that way before. I do lots of thinking/processing on runs and sometimes I find myself tearing up. I always thought this was sort of idiotic. Now I realize I’m not the only one.
a lot of my crazy “i have to right now” urges involve writing, meditating, grabbing a certain person for an immediate hug, or grabbing my camera…
and now that i think about it, all of those things mellow me out. just like yoga and spending time outside with the sunshine. :-)
If I looked out my window and saw such a beautiful sky, I’m pretty sure I would feel inclined to run outside and take some pictures as well. Beautiful photos, per usual ;)
:) thanks
I had the most intense urge to make salsa with the tomatoes I bought at the market. Along with cilantro, lime, onions, jalepeno, cumin, coriander and dried guajillo chilis, it added greatly to my black bean taco lunch :)
hi my friend, good to hear from you :)
Gorgeous pics, as ever. That first picture of the clafoutis is just stunning! Looks like you had a great afternoon.
Your reminder to enjoy the simple, FREE(trying to save for wedding and move next month!), real memories came at a really good time. I’ve been “wanting things” lately and I need to remember that those aren’t the things I’m going to remember, look back on or truly enjoy! Thanks. I might need to return those clothes I bought online last night… :)
oh that’s a big move actually returning things but do it girl if you need to!
and i hope your komboucha is going well! :)
I had an INTENSE urge to run today! For a long time! It was perfect weather for it and it felt amazing.
Those shots of Skylar are SO cute! She is so adorable. I totally feel that way about practicing asana, as baking! And I do always feel satisfied. You are such a wonderful photographer, it is really neat to see how your blog has transformed over the years! I love your photos, thank you so much for sharing them with us!
you are so kind, thanks Ali. The transformation has been surreal and fun for me to actually live :)
Last week I was getting over remnants of a cold and I just had this feeling that I should go take a yoga class, even though I wasn’t feeling 100% better. I’m so glad I did because I felt refreshed, stretched, and just wondeful after!
These are amazing pictures! I would have to go take pictures if I saw a sky like that!
thank you :)
and for all your sweet comments lately too!