When my dear friend asked me to take pictures of her daughter and friends for her 16th birthday celebration, I of course said yes.  I have to admit that even though I was honored, I was a little nervous.  Taking pictures of people is not my favorite thing.  They move more than bridges and fences do.  I don't have to worry about wine glasses looking at the camera and smiling.  But I'm always up for a challenge and getting to spend time with my friend was an added bonus.  And what do ya know...I had a wonderful time capturing these young ladies.  They had so much fun posing, and their laughter was contagious.  

There are successes in the kitchen and there are failures...unfortunately these pumpkin dark chocolate chip muffins were one of the those failures.  I had high hopes for them and all their expensive ingredients but they were a huge flop.  But instead of being discouraged,  I had to make light of the situation and use them in a photo shoot.  Part of this healthy journey has been learning to cook delicious meals with different ingredients.  There have been many successes: orange chicken, roasted brussel sprouts, baked apple turkey tenderloins, coconut pumpkin soup.  And that is what I want to keep in mind, as in any part of life, part of growing is both succeeding and failing...and learning from both.  I've always been afraid of failure, as I'm sure we all are.  But by exploring out of my comfort zone, I am learning to push past it...and I know that great rewards are to come. 

And, once I picked the dark chocolate chips out, Isabelle loved these muffins!

There's nothing like going home to experience a favorite childhood memory.  Some things have definitely changed since I've been there to the Clay County Fair...but my favorite food is still the Tom Thumb mini donuts, I still love the Tilt-o-Whirl, and the cows are still cute and stinky.  I don't make it home nearly enough but I still get that sense of love and comfort when I visit.

The best part of my day was enjoying a delicious and relaxing lunch in a garden with a good friend.  Lunch was in a garden, where most of the ingredients are grown right there!  I love visiting new places, especially hidden gems in the middle of the city.  It was a gorgeous afternoon and my only opportunity to relax and enjoy the day, so I'm grateful to take advantage of it and catch up with a friend!

This water bottle seriously made my day on Monday.  I learned that 75% of us are chronically dehydrated.  I know that I was, and maybe still am, part of that majority.  I am learning how much better the body functions on proper nutrition and hydration, and vow to drink enough water.  This bottle, and plenty of oranges and lemons are going to help me accomplish this.  I'm grateful for new gadget to keep me motivated!

Painting my nails is one thing that makes me feel instantly better about myself.  Unfortunately I haven't done it for a very long time.  I have a bad habit of tearing my nails...and I've had a hard time resisting.  But I'm trying hard to give it up again, and finally my nails are long enough to warrant some mint green nail polish.  I'm grateful for fun, girly things that make me feel pretty.

Summer evenings are for hanging with friends, amongst the mosquitos and tiki torches.  Enjoying a healthy homemade dinner with a good friend, while our doggies are frolicking in the fenced yard, is one of my favorite things to do on a beautiful summer evening.  I can't believe summer is already half over, but I'm grateful to take advantage of these great evenings while it lasts.

I can't believe this is the same fountain that had ice dripping off it in January.  The sun shining off the water was a beautiful golden sight!  Tower Grove park is my favorite park, and it was a quick picture detour before indulging in a long awaited sushi dinner.  The sushi was great, and the company was even better.  I"m grateful for my friends that appreciate me as much as I appreciate them.  Some friends come and go, and some stick around no matter what.

I finished up the 4th of July weekend with a dinner and relaxing evening at my friend's new apartment.  Moving from a small town in Illinois to the urban, tree-lined streets of Clayton post-divorce is a huge change for her, and I couldn't be more proud of her for moving forward and starting the next chapter in her life.  I'm grateful for exciting beginnings and friends that include me in their journey!

The day after the 4th, I got to spend an evening with friends and these 2 cutie pies.  We all know that I'm not too much of a baby person, but I couldn't help taking pictures of these happy little girls.  There's just something about the innocence of children and how they can be happy just kicking around on a blanket.  Their endless smiles are infectious.  I'm grateful for all the silly things that make me giggle and take life less seriously.

Food, family, friends, and fireworks...isn't that what 4th of July is about?  Since my family is far away, I got to spend it with my great friend and her family.  It was awesome just relaxing and enjoying everything this country has to offer us.  I've got to be thankful for independence...something I have been embracing in this post divorce, newly single life.  Although it can be lonely at times, it is also freeing to know that I am in charge of my life and happiness and no one can take that away from me!

I found a feather today.  I love feathers; they are my sign of beauty, independence, vitality, and inspiration.  Sometimes I feel like nature leaves us a little gifts meant to remind us of a bigger picture.  Isabelle was frolicking in some grass during our mini walk, and the feather was propped up in the ground right her.  I started off the day feeling pretty hopeless about my foot situation, even after a great run and workout.  But after an encouraging doctor's visit and this beautiful little gift, I found my hope again.  I'm grateful today for nature's little presents.

I had the joy of going downtown for the official Pride parade.  It was an awesome time trying to catch rainbow beads being thrown at your head and being around happy people celebrating the right to be themselves.  Love yourself, and be nice and accepting of everyone.  I'm grateful for my amazing GLBT friends for having the strength to be themselves.  Closets were meant for shoes!

Grass-fed hamburger, sauteed onions, and goat cheese...need I say more?  This is the beauty of my diet; I've learned how to make creative and delicious food.  Served with roasted brussel sprouts and a side salad, this was exactly what I'd been craving after two days of deep cleansing (which means no eating except a small chocolate snack each day).  I'm grateful that I'm learning more about food and what is actually healthy.

During one of my and Isabelle's walks, I noticed this little butterfly fluttering about my neighbor's beautiful yard.  I had to go back and capture it with my camera.  I just sat and watched it for a few minutes waiting for it to come a little closer.  I really love butterflies; they are beautiful, youthful, and independent.  Plus a bonus bumblebee!  I'm grateful for this little butterfly that flitted across my path today.

The Loop is one of my favorite neighborhoods in St. Louis.  I love the people, shops, bars, and architecture.  We came here on a search for cakes, and ended discovering so much more.  It was an afternoon of pictures, shopping, tea, and fascinating people.  I'm grateful for its funky vibe and to be able to have fun capturing it!