Pretty Summer Photography

August is here, which means there are only a few weeks left until the beginning of Fall.  For all of us in Arizona (and other parts of the world/country, too) the beginning of September does not necessarily mean cooler temperatures or layered clothing.  Usually by the beginning of October it is finally starting to feel nice outside, and I look forward to that first brisk day of Fall where a Pumpkin Spice Latte is a must-have (as my sister-in-law likes to say, the first "jacket-worthy" day; she is right!).

I have made great strives within myself to enjoy the months that do not have to do with Christmas trees and Holiday cheer...  I used to have a really terrible case of the after-Holiday blues once January 3rd rolled around, and those sad feelings would stay with me for a long time and only grow worse once the days began to get hotter.  This year, I promised myself I would find the beauty in each season... spending more time outside and feeling grateful to live in such a beautiful state with amazing weather and scenery for most of the year.

I can actually say now that I have begun a love affair with the summer months, and it feels amazing to be content and excited for what's to come, but not anxious.  I am looking forward to starting school in a few weeks -- a journey that I have wanted to continue for so many years but couldn't get up the courage to do so.  I thought that for today, I would gather up some summer inspirations, if you will; these pictures are a little snippet of what summer means to me.

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What does summer mean to you?

love,

maria

The Fancy Blonde Chihuahua

 Happy Sunday!  :-)

I thought I would take today to share something personal with you, and that is my love for this little creature.

This is Wally.  My husband likes to call him Walter, but his real full name is Wallabee.  

My dad brought him home from an animal shelter for me when I was eighteen.

I instantly fell in love.

One of the best things about him is that he has a snaggletooth that is ever-so-present, all the time.

And a cowlick that never goes away.

He sings when my brother plays guitar and I play the piano -- like, full-on Snoopy style.

And he loves onions.  Especially when they come from the kitchen floor.

Wally has many different outfits, and dresses for all occasions.

His Hot Dog costume and Santa suit are two of his wardrobe staples.

My husband would describe him as "wormy, floppy, and nosey -- always wanting to know what is going on."

And he loves to snuggle -- which makes him special.

Wally once got bitten on the nose by a bug, and his nose never returned to the same color again.

He usually smells bad, even after a bath.

We don't mind, because we know he can't help it.

Speaking of baths, he hates them.

Like, really hates them.

But he likes to be bundled up when it is all over.

I told you he has a snaggletooth.

You thought I was kidding, didn't you?

No piece of furniture is too pristine for Wally to claim for himself.

He's invited to sit on anything...but only when my dad goes to bed.

He is quite spoiled, but seriously, look at that face.

He likes to eat grass...it's a fun way to pass the time.

He is so lovable, that when I moved out, my mom couldn't part with him -- so he still lives with my parents.

Wally spends his time rolling on his back waiting for belly rubs and sniffing around for scraps of food anywhere his nose takes him.

love,

maria