I (almost) always have my phone with me, and I could start trying to see the world from a new angle once again.

And yes, I am using the dreaded filters… hey, it’s just for fun, right?

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“A photographer is like a cod, which produces a million eggs in order that one may reach maturity.”
― George Bernard Shaw

I think this quote relates to my life in so many ways right now, and although I won’t dive into the many different ways it applies I can touch on a couple reasons! I am a photographer who shoots a lot, though not always trying to create a portfolio piece. Although I sometimes shoot with the worst kind of light (like these- high sun!), there may be some memories I just want to keep anyway.

Luke has been working on this pond for a few weeks, and the fish are thrilled to have a new, bigger home! Our former egg, now daughter Audrey, making her first appearance of many in this blog, is also fascinated by the little swimmers. Or maybe it’s just the water… she loves water! She is a Water Dragon, after all!

While the flowers died a long time ago, the bouquet of basil that Luke gave me for Valentines day is thriving in one of the vases that came with Audrey’s bouquets!

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”
― Robert A. Heinlein

They say that dogs are a man’s best friend because they are loyal, loving, attention-craving, and always seem happy to see you. In my case it’s not so much the dogs that are like this, but the cats! I got up today all prepared to get a bunch of cleaning done, and I have three cats following me around, rubbing on my legs, begging for me to turn on faucets, pet them or let them outside, and now, sitting between me and the computer and laying on my arm… Martigan must love to feel my breath on his fur as I try to type! Once they get tired of following me around they usually will find a place to cat nap!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
- Benjamin Franklin

I am at that point in my pregnancy where all I really want to do is bum around in comfortable clothes, skip the social events and just relax as much as possible between the spurts of cooking and cleaning. For that reason we were planning to stay in for New Years Eve- have some great food (because that’s ALWAYS a part of our plan), relax, and hopefully stay awake for the ball drop.

When we found out lobster was on sale for $3.99/lb at ShopRite, the ante was upped… Luke got 4 5-pounders and his parents decided to join us! It was a super chill evening with all the delicious food, of course. We watched the Dick Clark tribute Rockin’ New Years Eve, and I actually made it to midnight!

I am not generally big on New Years Resolutions, since I believe in continuously trying to improve myself throughout the year. I might make one big resolution though… A few years ago I made the resolution to do a 365 photo project and succeeded for the most part. This year, my only resolution is to be the best mother and wife I can be to this little family we have begun. I am looking forward to giving birth to our firstborn son or daughter in the next couple weeks, and I think 2013 is going to be a fabulous year full of amazement and surprises and love!

I don’t normally bake for a couple reasons: First, most baked goods are not paleo, primal, or healthy in any way, and second, I have a crazy sweet tooth so once I get started eating this stuff, it’s very hard for me to stop so I prefer to not even have it around.

That said, I made an exception to this rule for Christmas, and spent the day creating both paleo and non-paleo desserts! Here is my process for creating Christmas Delight, a recipe out of my Mattke Family Recipes cookbook! I forgot to document the buttery topping, though, but here’s the cake and it was delicious!

“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.”
– Linda McCartney

I am listening to this discussion on “Become a Better Photographer in 2013” by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski, and it gets me thinking. Not about my lack of shooting recently- I haven’t had the time nor the energy to focus on photography lately! Soon enough though my baby will be born (I’m sure I will be shooting LOTS of photos of the little one!), I’ll head back to work, and life will take on a new normal. The video discusses finding your niche… what you really enjoy photographing. Usually you will be the best at what you love the most!

I have thought about this before and have realized that I do not want to shoot weddings, portraits, food, landscapes… I will play around with shooting lots of different things, but my passion lies with the uncontrollable. I have realized that I do not want to pose anyone or tell them what to do. I don’t want to control all the elements of background and lighting beyond the basics, or spend lots of time planning out the perfect shot. I don’t want to use tons of equipment – just my camera, a few lenses and sometimes a flash.

My passion lies with capturing moments as they are. I like shooting events where I can be a fly on the wall, animals as they go about their business, moments between people. I like to observe and immortalize! They are the moments you can’t create… you just have to wait for them, and when they happen, capture them as best as you can.

Here are a few of my favorites from 2012!