Tuesday, November 6

For Everything There is a Season

 I had to design this because I love how this post relates with the title of my blog!
 

I experienced a major turning point in my life (besides becoming a Christian, getting married and giving birth). It happened six months ago, and I consider it both a blessing in disguise and (at times) a hindrance all at once. I really have been trying my best to stay positive, although I do still have my moments where I wish I wasn't Alexis Nicole Perron. Not because I don't like who I am, but because I am on one of the most strict diets EVER! {If you don't know me well, I am an extreme lover of food. It sounds bad saying it that way, but eating is one of my top-10 favorite things to do.} I've become gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free {including fruit}, soy-free, corn-free, legume-free, coconut-free {excluding oil}, caffeine-free, and...hmm...I know there's something else...Oh yes! vegetables-that-contain-natural-sugars-free. If I discover a new category I must eliminate, I shall add it to this beautiful list :)

No, I'm not on this diet for fun. And, no, I don't hate it!

I've earnestly come to learn how this diet change has altered my life in positive ways. I will mention these amazing aspects when I get a chance. Due to this diet alteration, I have had 0% chance to blog. {Tonight is an exception as both my Andrews are fast asleep, and I am waiting for my sunflower seeds to dry and my yogurt to get done in the crockpot.}

What I can consume: vegetables {no carrots, peas, potatoes or any other sweet or starchy vegetables}, fermented foods {like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut}, water, unsweetened coconut and almond milk, eggs, nuts {excluding cashews and pistachios}, seeds {excluding quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth}, meat, fish, and poultry. All preferrable organic/raw/grass-fed/ocean-caught/free-range as I've learned the truths behind the absolutely terrible "food" our culture regularly consumes on a day-to-day basis. I have tried and learned to like various new foods I never knew existed or that I already "knew" I didn't like.

I'm very thankful I can use herbs, spices and natural sweeteners {excluding types like honey and maple syrup}; what an amazing creation they are! The colors, scents and tastes surely make cooking/baking and experimenting an adventure. And they help brighten my day :)

I spend at least 80% of each {normal} day in the kitchen as I've taken on several new tasks: soaking/sprouting seeds and grains {this was before I gave up grains}; making my own almond butter and almond flour; making yogurt, kefir, and coconut milk, making homemade cleaning products; salad dressings, condiments, minced/powdered onion and garlic, fermented vegetables. I love to learn how to do all of this at home! And then there's washing/cutting/storing vegetables, making breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks, and preparing for days when I know I won't be home. I must always have food prepared before I go anywhere--and that's fine. It's still taking some adjusting though.

I could go on and on about this subject, but I don't want to bore you {sorry if I already have!}, so I should tell of another major event that happened at the end of this summer.............My camera broke! It finally gave up on me after all the adventures I'd taken it on for the past five years. We had so much fun together :(

BUT! I am trusting that God has a plan for me. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." {Jeremiah 29:11}

As for now, my time must be devoted to healing my body. Need better sleep, need better food, need better mentality. My desire to become healthy grows as I continue to learn and grow in God's word and take in bits and pieces of health- and cooking-related information each and every day. I mean it. I'm going to gather all the information I learn and turn it into my own personal book of information that I can refer to. {This will become my new type of organizing in this new season. The bedroom dresser and closets can wait!}

I've grown an interest in cooking and baking. It is an art! I love finding inspiration and creating my own recipes that best adapt to my diet. I am amazed at how many different ways you can use food to produce interesting creations. Cauliflower oatmeal! Zucchini noodles! Chicken zucchini burgers! I plan to post any of my favorite and created recipes in the future because, as for now, my creative outlet is in the kitchen :)

I love this new season!

Tuesday, September 18

More of Natalie

Just added more photos of Natalie :) She has such a lovely smile!

Monday, August 27

Senior Pictures: Natalie

And here is another beautiful senior, Natalie Hamilton :) I don't know how I always run into the right people -- she sure was a natural in front of the camera! And such a happy, fun, beautful girl she is. I was thankful to experience another relaxing photoshoot at the beach :)
 



 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, August 21

August Birthday Cards from Baby

With several August birthdays this month (includes my little Andrew's) and several things to do this month, the baby birthday cards are put on hold but will eventually be made and given to our special family members. Pictures have been taken, but the time to actually edit and create the card just hasn't been here. I think that's a huge sign that I need to simplify my life!

Saturday, August 18

Thursday, August 16

Herrera Family Photos & CD

I was happy to finally give Kim [mom Herrera] her photo disc tonight :) I had so much fun designing the cover and cd face, but I'm very happy to say that I've completed this project and the photos have found a happy home.


Here are some more images from their lovely photoshoot back in the middle of June. As of right now, her new baby boy [Micah Jon] is already 6 weeks old. This summer has flown by much too quickly!


Lacey is the little girl you see in all but one of these pictures. And I don't think I captured a photograph where she didn't look cute. I loved Kim's purple shirt. It complemented the greenery so nicely! -- which R.J. was highly allergic to. You'd never tell!


What an excited family they were. Makes photographing their memories that much easier.

Tuesday, August 14

Beautiful Girls

Still editing the many, many photos of these beautiful girls!


 
 
 



Sunday, July 29

Allison: Senior Pictures

Last night was absolutely gorgeous on the beach during sunset. And what made the natural lighting even more beautiful was the radiant smile from my cousin, Allison! Her natural beauty and comfort in front of the camera made our senior session lots of fun :)





She wore four different outfits. Here are a few photos in her pink dress :) 
{I took down the previous two images to display groups of images instead}

{Click on image for larger view}

Here are a few photos of Allison in her green/cream outfit.
It contrasted so nicely with the warm coloring of the sun!











And some loveliness in navy :)


Monday, July 23

Mother-Daughter

These girls made this past Saturday evening lots of fun. We had a mother-daughter photoshoot in a park during sunset. This one image shows beautiful mom and her four beautiful daughters.
Coordinating, smiling, laughing--they sure know how to have fun together :)

 Four sisters and their mom. Beautiful.


This is lovely Shannon.


 And here's Kim with her baby, Taylor Marie -- remember her? :)


 Shannon's little girl loves her Aunt Kristen.
 
 
And Aunt Katrina loves her Little Twix. 


Mrs. Gibert shares a beautiful moment with her granddaughters.

Saturday, July 14

Friday, June 15

Herrera Family

I had such a fun time photographing the Herrera family (R.J., Kim, Lacey and unborn baby Herrera) tonight :) Kim is due on June 22, so we're expecting baby to arrive any time now! They are looking forward to finding out whether they're having a boy or girl, and Lacey can't wait to be a big sister. Isn't Lacey the sweetest thing? 




Love this family :)

Saturday, June 9

Baby Taylor

I am very happy to say that I had the privilege of taking photos of little baby Taylor Marie earlier today. She is such an adorable little girl with an obvious mixture of mommy's and daddy's characteristics! This photo session took quite some time as both Kim and I had babies to take care of, but we were able to put baby Taylor to sleep for pictures, and my three brother-in-law-baby-sitters kept my little Andrew occupied for quite some time. It was well worth the adventure! Here are some lovely photos from the day:









Mother {Kim}         Father {Tim}
Such a beautiful little family :)




[And as you can see here, my little guy really wanted to be included in pictures...

  ]

Tori

This is my beautiful friend-since-eighth-grade, Tori. Her interest in modeling has been growing over the past few years as she's lived in Chicago. We spent a lovely evening at the beach taking pictures this past Sunday.



Thursday, June 7

Photos with Mood

I took this top image earlier today and I couldn't stop thinking about how beautiful it is to me. I love the expression on her face. A couple hours ago, I stumbled across one of my past college teacher's photography blog, which had an updated post with some black and white images she'd captured so perfectly. Each photo included young people, and each photo expressed so much mood. This inspired me to look through some of my favorite images I'd taken over the past year. So here they are:

Hannah: June 2012

 Olivia: March 2011

 Valerie: March 2011

 Myself: April 2011

 Cara: October 2011

 Nathan: Novemeber 2011

 Hannah L.: March 2011

Valerie: March 2011

Monday, June 4

Color Palette: A Delicate Treat

This is color palette number two. These candy dishes were placed on tables as favors for my sister-in-law's bridal shower in April.