Tuesdays With Danny

I am a deep thinker. An over analyzer really. I am that girl that asks why about everything. I have been this way since I was a little girl. I can remember being 5 years old and my Godfather, Syl would sit me down on his knee and ask me well "have you had a little chat with yourself today?". I have a photo of me on his knee on my dresser to remind me about all my little chats with myself. Every time I look at this photo I can still hear his voice, I can still hear my thoughts. The thoughts and questions about life. The why's that often times would go unanswered. I am learning to live with it. With the many unanswered questions. I am learning to realize that sometimes it just doesn't matter. I am learning to let go, to not waste energy on things I cannot change. But I am also learning that all these questions and thoughts are simply just life. It is teaching me to have more faith.

I recently finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I couldn't put this book down. Through tears, laughter and joy I was inspired. I was reminded of being five years old and having "little chats with myself". The thoughts and inspirations that this book brought to me gave me an idea to start Tuesdays with Danny (my childhood nickname) and put myself out there to cyberspace. To make me crawl out of my little hole and take chances. To "Fail Forward". It will be a window into my world of thoughts, things and people that inspire me. Ramblings of my "little chats with myself".
Syl, I dedicate this first Tuesday's with Danny post to you. For always being there for me since I was a "little papoose". Your words of wisdom, love, and utter belief in me no matter what have played an important role in who I am today. I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life. I love you very much. Love always, Your one and only "Danny"

Palm Desert Scrapbooking Weekend

Elaine is one of my parents friends they met through their Woodie Club. Over the years I have had the pleasure of getting to know her and some of the other ladies as we all have scrapbooking in common.
They have all attended my Big Bear Retreat and Elaine had such a good time she thought it would be fun for her to host a mini retreat out at her condo in Palm Desert.
We finally were able to get all of our schedules on track and made it happen. Elaine was the hostess with the mostess! We had the best weekend ever. Her condo sits right on the beautiful golf course. The weather was perfect and I had the best seat in the house. I got to look out on the rolling green golf course and beautiful clear desert mountains all around. It looked like a scene from a post card.

For those of you that don't scrapbook you are probably thinking we are crazy and well you may be on to something this is one of my favorite pastimes.
Creative Memories has been a huge part of my life and I think it is a great accent to my photography business. Being able to teach others how to preserve their memories and tell their stories through photos and albums is what makes me go round. But the best part of it all is truly the people I have met through my business and the friendships that have come along the way. Many thanks to Elaine for opening up your beautiful place to us and for worrying about every last detail. You did a perfect job! We look forward to the next one.

Jack Baur & Home Cooked Meals

It's just our thing we do. Monday night football is a thing of my past. I have hung up my Chargers jersey and seasons tickets and have moved onto bigger and better things. Like Jack Baur, a good ol' fashioned home cooked meal, my wonderful husband, Tony and two scrumptious boys (if you know me by now "my boys" refers to our two Jack Russell Dogs, Mac & Jonas).

Monday nights is "our" time. It is our time we spend laying cuddled up with a soft blanket and a full tummy with "the boys" sprawled out all over us. Our time to be sitting at the edge of our seats until we get through another episode of 24. Our time to babble about whatever we want, okay whatever I want and Tony listen with undivided attention. Our time to be thankful for ALL that God has blessed us with especially each other and our wonderful boys. Marriage isn't always easy and we think it is very important to set aside some time weekly just for each other (and okay there is always room for Jack).

Love is in the Air

Will you be my valentine, Tony? Mac & Jonas already told me they would be mine forever. You have some serious competition but if you ask nicely I am sure you will win me over!! I love you babe! 1.4.3.
My niece, Kiana spent the night with us and we had a fun evening playing Super Mario Bros. on our Wii, dancing to the Black Eyed Peas, going to dinner, racing each other at sudoku and just simply enjoying life and each other. It was a perfect evening.

Here are some yummy treats I made and put together.

Sweet Dylan Jean

Mondays is grandma time for Linda. She spends every Monday afternoon down at the park on Los Rios Street with her precious granddaughter Dylan Jean. So it was easy choosing a location for their portrait session. What better place to document Dylan Jean than in an environment she is comfortable in. She is only two so I am sure our big camera gear wasn't the friendliest thing but she adjusted very well. She has the sweetest, most precious spirit and I wanted to be sure I captured this for Linda through my lens. The afternoon flew by and I am sure we wore her out.

Thanks Linda for trusting me with the honor of capturing Dylan Jean. You both did amazing. And I must state the obvious Dylan Jean was so adorable and photogenic, but you my dear looked absolutely gorgeous!
I hope the photos are more than you imagined. Isn't being a grandmother the most wonderful thing ever?!

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. -- Author UnknownThere's no place like home except Grandma's. ~Author UnknownGrandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author UnknownIf you are looking for a fun afternoon with your kids be sure to check out Zoomars on Los Rios Street. Los Rios Street is one of my favorite places to hang out. I have been coming here since I was a child and it never gets old. To be able to photograph special people and their lives on this street is a perfect day for me. I love my job!!!

Linda is full-service catering and event coordinator for over 25
years in Orange County.
"If you want to be a guest at your next party call us and we do the rest!"
Her contact information:
kirbside@dslextreme.com
(949) 233-6142 or (949) 496-4851
27902 Paseo Nicole
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Website:http://www.catering-oc.com

Growing Old Gracefully

They say twenties is the new thirties right? I don't know what it is but hitting my thirties hasn't been too bad. There is something about saying goodbye to your childhood and awkward twenties where you are frantically trying to find yourself.
Maybe that is why turning twenty-five was my hardest birthday. I think it was that I had so much expectations on myself and hadn't reached all that I wanted to by that age so I freaked. Literally I freaked out. Fell off the deep end, okay maybe just fell out of a plane. I went skydiving on my twenty fifth birthday. I thought this would some how make up for lost time. Time I had wasted on finding myself doing stupid things, time I had wasted on not so good people in my life, time being what others wanted me to be rather than being who I truly was. You ask, did it solve all that? Not exactly but I faced a fear and a monster obstacle I never thought I could do and boy was it empowering. It changed me forever. It was the beginning of a bright future. Though I am grateful for my childhood lessons and my awkward twenties as they have shaped and molded me into who I am today but I embrace the next chapter in my life even if it means a few extra pounds and some unwanted wrinkles. Life is good because I have Christ in my life. This doesn't mean that life is going to be easy without its ups and downs but it means that I have a hope and a future in Him.
As I celebrate my thirty second birthday I am simply thankful. Thankful for all that God has blessed me with.
It has turned into my birthday month! Wowzer! I must have been a good girl this year. :) Thank you to ALL of you who made my birthday so special. You know who you are. All your planning, sneaking around, lying, giving, and labor of love has meant everything to me. To be surrounded by so much love is priceless and cannot be wrapped up in a box with a bow on top. My heart is forever grateful. I love you ALL!
Love, Danielle, Danny, DJ

January is the Best!

I always knew January was a special month. A new beginning, a fresh start. I may be a little biased since it's the month of my birthday too (January 18). But it became even more special after I met my husband Tony and share the honor of celebrating his parents wedding anniversary on the 16th and then his mother's birthday on the 17th.

Tony and I are both blessed with parents that are still married, in love and have reached milestones in their marriages. They have been incredible examples to what a marriage and commitment truly is. We are so thankful for their examples.


Happy 45th Anniversary, Dad & Mom and Happy Birthday Mom! We had a great time celebrating with you. We love you with all our hearts! Your love and support mean everything to us.
Love, Tony & Danielle