Photographer, Andy Anderson

As an art director on Royal Caribbean, I always hoped to hire Andy Anderson. As a photographer now, I am both envious and inspired. I follow his work and admire every step he takes. His images completely transport me into that space, that place, that mood he captured. Immediately, without hesitation. It's truly amazing when an artist does this. And it's truly amazing when an artist continually does this. This is one of my favorite photographs:

Andy Anderson's website

2¢

So if a picture's worth a thousand words, why are so many photographers' blogs filled with words and not pictures? At least for me (the art director side of me), when I stop on a photographer's blog, it's to see photos. My two cents, stop writing and start shooting. Stay focused (pardon the pun).
 
(with the exception of rodney smith. he can write as much as he wants. if you're as great a photographer as he is, then you can write as much as you want too.)

Winter Walks

Everything's different on a walk in winter. I'm forced, in a positive way, to see the little things. With every other season my walks are overflowing but with winter, I notice plants and wildlife I probably wouldn't have even seen or heard in summer. (posted via iphone)

HApPy HoliDaYs

Wishing you peace, love and tickley toes.

Charity

I recycle. I compost. I'm a vegetarian. My three pets are all adopted. I hold the door open for the next person. And I write checks to my favorite charities regularly. But I'm a total fraud. At least that's how I feel. I talk a lot about "doing," about making a difference. I get plenty of things done in my own world at 100mph everyday but when it comes to volunteering, I talk about it then put it off. Life happens. Until now...


Now I'm going to pull a fundraiser together next year and I'll track it here. Might be interesting to one of you or both of you (only two people read my blog). I know what it's going to be but I need to get it organized in my head first, get a few people on board, then I'll start posting about it. It'll be interesting to see if I can pull this off. I'm starting with a lot of enthusiasm and no experience. Should be fun!


Where to start? I need to find someone who can give me some advice on where to start.

Frog Pond at the Boston Common

I love this time of year! (client: Boston Museum)

SHOOT: Playin'

Some work from the past couple weeks. (client: B. toys)

Loving Your Compost (too much?)

My compost pile loves Autumn! It's the pile's last solid meal of the year. 
 
So I'm a little crazy when it comes to my garden. I know this. And I know that it's strange to consider your compost pile to be your third child. But I have a few tips to offer up if you're serious about composting. (I'm laughing that I'm doing this post.)
  
1) First off, steal your neighbors leaves in the fall. Make sure they're bagged already. Less work for you. 
2) Don't take the first or last bags that you see. Wait for leaves to fall, but don't wait too long or you'll get wet leaves, mud, garbage, and just plain gunk.
3) Stalk trees in the neighborhood. I scout out the best trees in my neighborhood (yes, really, I do). If a yard has a big beautiful tree full of wonderful leaves then go back to that yard and take those bags. If there's a house without trees in the yard and they have 20 bags out front on collection day, be hesitant! What could possibly be in those bags? 
4) Don't take heavy bags. Big red flag. People might hide trash or rocks in the bag. Good, dry leaves are light, light, light.
5) Watch the weather forecast! You want dry leaves so grab bags before it rains or a few days after it rains. 
6) Store the bags in your shed or garage thru the winter so you can use them in spring and summer when "browns" are hard to come by.
7) Before adding them to your pile, dump a bag on your lawn and mow over them. They'll break down much quicker.
  
This year I think I stashed about 17 bags in my garage. Some women hoard shoes, I hoard dead leaves. 


(our japanese red maple)

BEST purchase... Satsuma Mandarin Oranges

Another best purchase: Satsuma mandarin oranges are ripe only once a year. By the end of December they're gone. They're so much more flavorful and juicy than clementines. It's disturbing how many of these I can eat in less than a month.