One of my favorite times of day is an hour or two before sunset or the "golden hour". If it's sunny, warm, golden light streams through the trees, pooling on the grass. It bathes everything in a soft glow. A gentle breeze blows, making it chilly enough to want a sweater. Frolicking children and a barking dog who wants to play, set a light and happy mood. 

And it's a photographer's dream. All the beautiful light makes for whimsical photographs in slightly muted colors, unlike the harshly colored pictures taken at midday. 

This time of day makes me feel as if I can do anything. I can't explain it; it's just so magical.

What is your favorite time of day?

Before I end, though, I'm going to enter in Louis' photo challenge...the theme is candy. You should join too! 

We still had some Skittles left over from the slew of candy we got last weekend...yum.

-carlotta

Alternately titled: I couldn't stay away from blogging.

Every day is like a present. Each morning when you wake up, instead of thinking how early it is and how much you'd rather stay in bed, jump up and embrace the new day. Regard it as a beautifully wrapped present, a surprise just waiting to be discovered.

Maybe you'll find beauty in the warm tones of pumpkins. (Linking up to I Heart Faces: Orange)

EDIT: I just realized something. In my haste to put up an orange photo, I forgot that there has to be a face in it. Oops. I feel so stupid. Soo...I'm going to "unenter" myself :) I'm entering the below photo instead...there's orange in the sign in the upper middle.



Maybe you'll find an opportunity to take a photo in an elevator mirror. ;)



Maybe you'll find joy in a sweet little girl's smile.



Maybe you'll find a heart shaped surprise nestled in the middle of a carnation.



Maybe you'll find bliss in each sweet, wonderful bite of a chocolate chip cookie or four.

(If you want it, you can find the recipe here)

Every day is like a present. You never know what you're going to find. Don't wait around - after all, time is fleeting. Every day that passes is a day you'll never get back. Cling to the moments that you have.

What presents are you going to unwrap today?

-carlotta

PS I deleted my stat counter quick link from my browser. I didn't delete my account, or the numbers that have accumulated, I just got rid of my easy access to it. And I haven't checked it once in over twenty four hours. It's the best feeling ever.

Lately I've been filled with stress.

I've been stressing over the insane amount of homework I have.

I've been stressing over life.

I've been stressing over school.

And I've been stressing over blogging.

When I wrote my "Blogging isn't Everything" post, I said that I would try to step back a bit and not worry about my blog so much.
Yeah, so much for that. It worked for about a day. Before I knew it, I was back on the computer, reading blogs, writing posts, fiddling with my blog design. I was digging myself deeper in the hole called procrastination. Instead of doing the homework I was supposed to be doing, the pages after pages of piano music I was supposed to be practicing, I sat at my laptop, letting precious minutes tick by.

And then I read my sweet friend Hannah's post. Chills ran up and down my spine as I read word after beautifully written word. I agreed with everything she said; it made so much sense.

I'm so sick of posting things just for the sake of posting things. Sure, it's fun to go back and see that you've posted nearly everyday for over a year. But I'm tired of writing bad quality blog posts just so I have something to publish. And, though it's embarrassing and so selfish, I'm tired of not getting a ton of comments. Of seeing my visitor numbers sink. Of thinking I need to find something to write about or I'm going to lose readers.

But really? I can't blame y'all. If I were a reader of my blog instead of the author, I would be bored to tears with most of the things I see on here. There are so many posts that are just thrown together without much thought; they're just floating in cyberspace because I felt the need to have something out there everyday.

One of my very, very, very favorite blogs is Enjoying the Small Things, written by Kelle Hampton. Her amazing photography, her absolutely adorable girls, and her way with words never cease to inspire me. Every time she updates her blog, which is usually every two or three days, I immediately visit it the first chance I have and soak up the words and photos like they are essential to living. I never want the posts to end, and when they does, I walk away feeling inspired.

In my opinion, if you're still contemplating a post hours or even days after reading it, it's a sign of a good quality post. This is exactly what happens after I read Kelle's posts.
That got me thinking. I would much rather write (and read) good quality posts less frequently than low quality posts everyday. Writing blog posts is a bit like buying clothes. Would you rather have many clothes that are cheaply made or fewer clothes that are well made? I don't know about you, but I would choose the latter.

I had a long conversation about this with my mom and she agreed. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to feel like I need to post everyday anymore. It's so comforting to know that if I don't have anything to post, I simply won't post. I'm not going to try as hard as I can to come up with blog worthy material. Instead, I'll concentrate on putting together better quality posts.

Having said that, if I have something to blog about three, five, or even seven days in a row, I will. But if I don't? I'm not going to sweat it. After all, it is my blog. There's no one forcing me to post every single day of the week.

I hope y'all understand. You seriously don't know the huge weight that's been lifted off my shoulders, the stress that's left me. I feel free. Oh, so free.



-carlotta

Fall is finally here in our neck of the woods.

It's going to frost for the first time tonight. Yes, it's normal to have first frosts in November...but that's what you get for living in the south ;)

I can no longer where just a tank top outside. Instead, I have to throw a cardigan over it. I'm relying on my UGGS to keep my feet toasty. That is, the UGGS that are slightly beaten up, as I forgot them outside and Sarge chewed part of the inner sheepskin lining off. Sad face.



The leaves are turning bright colors and swirl in the chilly air every time the wind blows.

The stores already have their Christmas merchandise out on the shelves; after all, the big day is only forty eight days away. Yes, I'm already counting down. Is that bad?



Branches void of leaves are starting to appear...soon there won't be any bright, colorful jewels on the trees.



They'll be on the ground instead and in the hands of children, throwing them in the air, twirling with delight as the dry, papery leaves float softly onto their heads.




Fires are being made in backyards, complete with s'more making. And people huddle around the source of warmth, their chilled fingers and toes eager to soak up the heat.

Yes, fall is finally here. And I'm loving it. Aren't you?

-carlotta