Thankful. Oh.So.Thankful. (GIVEAWAY!)

(the Thanksgiving spread at my friend Robin's house - so yummy!)

I have been doing some real soulful thinking lately --- about what this past year has brought me and my family --- and about all the amazing blessings in our lives. And this kind of thinking is very good therapy for the seasonal-affect crud that I go through at the start of these all too short days. Life is good --- even when its not. The old adages about counting your blessings have become more than just overused quotes for me now. I am beginning to "get it". Life is so good when you take deep look at all the beauty that surrounds you.

So, if you will join me, I would like to share some of the blessings of this past year with you and I invite you to do the same.

In no particular order ...

...but this one being the most important of all ...

* Meg has moved in with us for good. Amen x infinity. This is the greatest blessing to ever happen to our family --- and I hope it is true for her as well. She is safe, loved, supported, and she is family now. Truly. We could not even begin to tell you how thankful we are for her. And how very proud.

* Isaac's biological relations were found safe after the horrible quake in Haiti. What an incredible blessing. After all the devastation and loss of life in that country - we were able to locate the Metellus family and help them in whatever ways we could.

* Because of this dog, this dog and this fundraiser --- I have made the most incredible lifelong friends. I could have never imagined being so greatly blessed with the bounty of friends that I have now --- and I am so incredibly grateful! All my peeps at the Bangor Humane Society are such amazing blessings --- as well as all my "downtown" peeps --- my clients --- my mommy friends, my crafting friends, etc. Such a blessing to be surrounded by wonderful people.

* My dream of becoming a professional photographer has been realized. Studio 36 is a dream come true ... and within one year has become so successful that we needed a bigger, better location! It is still a long way from paying all the bills. But I am blessed by the clients who have come into my life, by doing what I love and by the growth potential of the biz.

* This past year has been a healthy one for all. How awesome is that!?

* Uncle Jamie got married. And Isaac was over the moon that he was the "ring master". It was a lovely day ... a beautiful, enchanting ceremony ... and a fresh start to my brother's life.

* We got a kitty! And I love her. Big. Much.

* Disney World! We were blessed with a hard earned trip to DisneyWorld! Ahhh --- the memories are simply awesome. I love that place. So magical. So family oriented. When I think of it, I have this intense urge to go back --- but also this calming, joyful sensation that I have experienced some wonderful things there. (Of which I have yet to post on this blog --- I am so behind in my posts!). And Isaac got to meet Spiderman. For real. So totally cool.

* Love. I --- we --- are blessed by the love in our family on a daily basis. Our little foursome has its ups and downs --- but we are so in love with one another. That is so worth waking up for :)

How about you??? Please leave a comment on the blog about what you are thankful for from this past year.

Heck - let's make this into a giveaway! Post your thankful thought and I will draw a random winner from your messages to receive a gift from my shop.

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Jodi

Introducing Our New Etsy Shop: BELOVED BOOKS.

I have always wanted to own my own used book shop that specializes in vintage childrens' books. Ad now I do - sort of. At least online. And although I always wanted to serve coffee in said book shop, I am thinking that perhaps you can grab a cup in your own home and surf through the fabulous books while still wearing your pjs.

Here is a sample of the goodies you will find there:

Please stop by and take a look around. From now till Christmas we are offering a 20% discount when you enter the coupon code: NewShop. Discount will be automatically taken off your total bill (a new Etsy function!).

Thanks for your continued support in all our endeavors. And ENJOY!

Love,

Jodi

Enjoying the Past via Videos.

I spent part of this weekend going through old picture and video files. I found the following two videos --- taken a couple of years ago --- and just had to share. Oh how I miss Isaac's little-baby-self --- but oh how I enjoy every moment that he grows into the sweet young man that he will all-too-soon become. I envy those mamas who have lots and lots of babies. I would have at least 8 if I could --- but am so incredibly thankful for the two awesome kiddos that I have.

Anyway --- here are the videos --- and if you are reading this on facebook --- you will need to click here to see the videos. ENJOY!

Love,
Jodi

Studio 36 Has a New Location!

Hooray! The lease has been signed and for the next couple of years (or longer) our photography studio will be located at 170 Park Street (formerly the Peace & Justice Center) in Bangor, ME. We are so very excited. This space is gorgeous ... and is also the home of One Lupine Fiber Arts ... as well as the new home of my friend Andy Hurtt. There are some wonderful plans for the rest of the building as well --- very artsy plans --- and this space is going to be filled with creativity, joy, and all that is good. I can't wait!

We hope to be open in early January ... and will be sure to have a open house bash asap. Will share plans as we create them.

Thanks for sharing in our enthusiasm!

Love,
Jodi

Aunt Dandi on WABI.

One of my very best friends, who also happens to be the Fundraising Director of the Bangor Humane Society ... Ms. Danielle Coutu ... appears regularly on our local television station, WABI. Here she is ... showing off a pup that is up for adoption ... and promoting our 2011 Bangor Humane Society Calendar ...

http://www.wabi.tv/news/15329/pet-of-the-week-bangor-humane-society

Thank you for all you do Aunt Dandi.

And remember readers ... it is time to buy your calendar! Thank you :)

Love,
Jodi

Buy One. Pretty Please :)

Meet Seabass (formerly known as Winston). This cat's life was literally saved by staff at the Bangor Humane Society. He died once. Truly. He "saw the light at the end of the tunnel". Well, I assume. Then, within minutes, he was brought back to life by the staff vet at the shelter. And though that should be enough to make him pretty special ... his life has also changed the lives of the human beings who love him. Including me.

Now meet Kimbo. He is A.W.E.S.O.M.E. And he would not be in a loving family were it not for the Bangor Humane Society. His life was saved because the Bangor shelter was able to meet his needs and to find him a loving home. Were it not for the shelter, who knows where he would be today ... if here at all.

Meet Lyra. She is WAY sexier in real life. This snapshot is terrible. And so is she sometimes. But we love her so very much. Because of the Bangor Humane Society, this kitty is a permanent member of our family. She was brought in as a malnourished, underweight little bitty thing ... and through their foster care program, we were able to care for her until she was ready to be neutered and adopted.


And Isaac is forever changed because of her. In our home, you will often hear me say, "What the heck did you do with yourself before we got Lyra?" because he is forever playing with her. She is his best buddy (though you wouldn't know it by the look on her face in the above shot).

Look, I swear I am not overly sentimental about animals. I used to be. But Haiti changed me on that front, and I am now much more sensitive to the plight of human beings than animals. BUT I have also seen first hand what wonderful things the BHS staff and volunteers do to help animals that would otherwise be in misery. And what they do is good ... and worthy of support.

I can also honestly say that it is not just the work they do for animals that has me lending support, but even more than that ... they help people. Sometimes people cannot keep their beloved pets ... and the shelter assures them in every way possible that their pet is in good hands and that they will find him/her the best home possible. This is good work. Sometimes a family (like us) is seeking the perfect pet ... and the shelter goes above and beyond to match people to their soul-pets. This is good work. The shelter also takes in volunteers who have their own challenges (mental /physical challenges, court-appointed community service workers, etc). They help these people to do good work as well. And working with animals can certainly change lives for the better.

So, have we established how awesome the Bangor Humane Society is yet? Have I given you enough info to make you want to buy our 2011 Bangor Humane Society Calendar? For just $20, you can purchase their calendar --- full of gorgeous fine art photography (like the picture of Seabass pictured above) --- all photos taken by me --- and in financial support of their good work.

Here is how:

Please purchase one or more calendars ($20 for 1 or 6 for $100) by sending a check made out to Studio 36, 1746 Stillwater Ave, Bangor ME 04401. Be sure to include your address and phone number so we can send you the calendar!

Or you can use Paypal:

Options:

1 Calendar $20.00 6 Calendars $100.00 12 Calendars $180.00

Please consider buying one or more asap. They make great gifts for everyone on your Christmas list ... they are good for you ... good for the animals ... and good for people.

THANK YOU!

love,

Jodi