Don't make plans for the day, the day will make plans for you

I woke up ready to write my next blog entry this morning.  I was going to discuss my temporary art studio at the farmhouse.  I had made plans for the day.

I ended up at the fabric store.  The day had different plans for me.

Seriously, seriously love fabric.  I'm a self-professed textile junkie.  It's eye candy for the artistic soul.  The colors, patterns and textures are intoxicating to me. 

I woke up ready to write my blog entry, but I knew I needed supplies for a requested project.  Due to the fact that I'm in Ohio instead of Wisconsin until June, I don't have enough fabric variety to get me through.  I needed to replenish. 

15 minutes.  I would run into the fabric shop and run out.  15 minutes.  

2 hours later.  I left the fabric shop.  On one hand I was totally irritated with myself as I had intended to proceed with other plans for the day.  On the other hand I was giddy with excitement because I was leaving with remnants galore, polka dots and floral patterns and some hand-dyed burlap and wool.  The irritation was fleeting I was feeling pretty darn good.

When I returned home I laid out all of my finds. 

So today's post isn't describing a transition or one of my house rehab projects.  No, today's post represents the beauty of spontaneity and the happiness it brings when you do something you love.  The unexpected pleasures of life sometimes just happen when we're too busy making plans. 

The enchanting Mud Goddess Photography

I have an extreme weakness for photography.  I, myself, am not a professionally trained photographer but I take the personal liberty of photographing everything.  Kids, art, food...dirt if I think it will make a good photo!  So I have been told that I annoy those on Instagram and Facebook with my many pictures and my answer is typically "Well, don't look."  We all have choices in life.

I have grown up in a photography "elitist" family.  My dad has been taking pictures since the dawn of time.  That represents a really long time.  The basement of our house was a makeshift darkroom.  Large black trash bags covered the small windows to prevent light from seeping through, large format enlargers, timers and the "secret" photo paper were all on hand.  Trays full of developers chemicals sat in the laundry area neatly in a row so that the processing went smoothly.  To this day if I walk into a room where there is the smell of photo chemicals I breathe it right in and it feels like home.

I have witnessed the purchase of thousands of dollars in camera equipment, particularly Nikon, as my dad has an extreme prejudice to anything else.  While others received little click-and-go cameras for their birthday, I received my first Nikon 35 mm and the instructions read like a foreign language.  I have set up countless backdrops and held lighting and umbrellas for shoots I didn't want to be at.  I watched my dad, who by trade is an audiologist, earn a degree in photography later in life.  He could have been teaching the classes.

Growing up with an exceptional, artistic photographer as a parent makes it difficult to ever have your picture taken by another.  I have to admit, my standards are probably over the top when it comes to photography.  However, I did it. I found someone.

Back in January I was perusing Facebook and came across a lovely photography site, Mud Goddess Photography.  The site was different.  The photography as well as the concepts were mystical and unique.  I believe the stars lined up that evening because the photographer had posted a call for models with the exact specifications as my Cate.

The model call was for her unique line of American Girl photo shoots. She was looking for a Kit Kittredge.

I replied to the call with pictures and the attitude of "hey, if this works out I think it would be a lot of fun for Cat!"  Cate had been through the ringer the previous year with all of her health problems and I thought this would be a great self-esteem booster.

Low and behold she got the gig and the rest is history.  A beautiful friendship has developed between Ashley Skaggs Parker, the owner of Mud Goddess Photography and myself.  If I could have her photographing every day of my life she would be the person I would select to tell the story through pictures.

Ashley describes her photography on her blog as custom ethereal portraiture and I couldn't agree more.  She has carved in a niche for herself in a market saturated with those who claim to be the real deal and those who really are.

She's the real deal.  When I first met Ashley she was running a successful photography workshop in her studio space in downtown Cincinnati.  The studio is in an old, industrial automobile factory adorned with large windows that allow natural lighting to be the main element of Ashley's photography.

She shares the studio space with two Anatomy Vintage, which specializes in vintage treasures.  Ashley just completed a spectacular photo shoot for Anatomy Vintage that was featured in Redbook Magazine.  I told you, she's going places!

Ashley's work captures people, more importantly, each photograph captures elements of emotion and desire.  Her work borders on surrealism at times and makes you want to create a different escape each weekend.  Her focus isn't just on people, she captures commercial elements and still life in an equally magical way.

  

Ashley's work speaks for itself.  One look and your drawn in.  What's even better about Mud Goddess is the fact that Ashley partners with her sister, Brittaney, to style her shoots.  It's a family affair and Brittaney adds a creative, fun flare to each photograph.  Brittaney has a sharp eye and I was immediately drawn to her due to our love of searching for vintage finds.

Not long after Cate's modeling gig, we had another shoot at the studio.  She just gets it.

Take the time and visit Mud Goddess Photography.  She specializes in a number of photographic genres and her portfolio is equipped to support each.  She also hosts photography workshops for a variety of skill levels.  Below are the links where you can reach Ashley for her Facebook, website and Etsy shop.

http://www.mudgoddess.com
https://www.facebook.com/mudgoddessphotography
http://www.mudgoddess.com/blog/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MudGoddessPhoto?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Spin until you're sick

Until I stepped foot into the small town of Lake Mills, I felt like I was on a ride. Spinning and spinning to the point where I was going to make myself sick. I had been in Wisconsin living in that apartment in July and I wasn't seeing any opportunity to get off that ride. I just wasn't feeling like a "home" was going to be possible in the great state of Wisconsin.

The girls were going to be starting school back in Ohio in August and the summer was drawing to a close. I was feeling the crunch. I needed to know there were possibilities for our family.

One morning instead of dragging the girls to yet another realtor visitor I said "let's visit a different lake today." I needed the tranquility of the lake to take my mind off the chaos and I didn't want to over think it. I closed my eyes pointed my finger and placed it on the map. Rock Lake it is!

That's how we came to find Lake Mills. A by chance moment where you let everything go and wait for the rest to come to you. We packed up our beach bags and a picnic basket and headed northeast. Nothing was going to stand in the way of that great day.

Magic. That's what I felt when I pulled off the interstate and began to drive into the little town of Lake Mills. It was picturesque and quaint. Not unlike the towns we may see in a movie or read about in a book. The girls and I went straight to Bartel's Beach. I had a feeling this was going to be another new beginning.

How many lakes does Wisconsin have?

Bear with me. This blog has been in the works for some time now and I need to get caught up to the "good" part of the story. Every picture tells a tale and every word is connected. Stay with me. It gets better.

How many lakes does Wisconsin have? The answer: I have no clue- but it must be a lot! Everywhere you turn there are water, boats and fishing poles. Breathtaking to a land-locked Ohio girl.

During our July trip to Wisconsin we were staying in an apartment with Dave. His company was putting him up in executive housing (fancy wording for a basic apartment). The days Dave didn't work we would go exploring for homes. The days he worked the girls and gathered our beach towels, sunglasses and sunscreen and headed to the lake.

Lake Geneva was about 20 minutes from the apartment. The first day we decided to venture out we ran into this

We could have turned back but of course we did no such thing. By the time we got to the beach the sun was beaming and we were back in business. The girls had their cousin, Millie B. with them so there was no turning back!

Lake Geneva is pristine and elegant. Sitting on the beach from morning 'till night wasn't a difficult task. Dave's birthday fell in between visits to the lake so we decided to visit The Crazy Horse Campground, conveniently (and well though out by Dave) located near the New Glarus Brewery. Apparently a Wisconsin favorite- and now we know!

We camped not knowing where to head to next.