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75 Days of Summer - Week 4

Catching up on some posting - some more local fun from July...

One {August 2017}: The Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 Edition

Oh, my. I see my blog posting has gone entirely off the rails this summer. Many photos exist, so I hope to catch up soon.

In the meantime, it is time for this month's One post! At the end of August, my entire family (immediate and extended) trekked off to Wyoming to be in the path of the Total Solar Eclipse. Now, we've known we were doing this since Christmas of 2015, when we received eclipse viewing glasses from my uncle, together with a save-the-date because...science. And outer space. And total solar eclipse! And WHY NOT!? It was also my dad's 70th birthday that same week, and we have lots of small babies in the family, so it really was a spectacular hurrah and a perfect reason to get together. And it's always a good idea to head West. 

I had lots of fun taking pictures and pulled them together into this compilation - my "one" shot for the month to be sure. I've included a few closeups of the eclipse at totality because it really was very cool to see. Enjoy! Then please take a spin over to the midwest to see what captured Jessica's eye this month. 

Stacey Leece Vukelj20170827-Eclipseedit001.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

75 Days of Summer - Week 2

75 Days of Summer - Week 1

One {June 2017}

The poor dads/husbands out there - or mine at least - he's pretty spectacular even though I don't spend a tremendous amount of time raving about him publicly. This June was not only Father's Day, but also a numerically noteworthy birthday and a reasonably significant anniversary as well. So this month's one shot must undoubtedly be dedicated to him: my one-of-a-kind, and only one for my heart. 

Please head out to Colorado to see what Adele found this month! 

 

 

75 Days of Summer/Backyard Magic

Day 1 of 75.

Summer has arrived! While our move derailed my 75 Days of Summer project last year, I have decided to give it another go. Throughout this past year, I have begun work on a project I am calling "Backyard Magic" - we have a lovely yard and spend a lot of time in it, so it was either get inspired or put the camera away. We shall see what the summer brings. 

To kick it off, a small cheat - this afternoon in the sun preceded our first technical day of summer vacation by just a hair, but close enough. 

One {May 2017}

Hello, there. While I wish I could attribute my absence to a broken camera, an around-the-world voyage without internet or simply a lack of photos, the reality is it's been a tough spring and my time and energy have been needed elsewhere. However, this past weekend we enjoyed a change of scene as the guests of some dear friends. Their home is near a beach, where we were able to do some relaxing, or "laxin'" as a certain sandy someone likes to call it. Hoping the summer is off to a laxin' start for all. 

Please head out to Chi-town to see what Jessica found this May...

 

 

 

One {March 2017}

I'm not sure where March went, but it's well in the rear-view mirror by now. We had a snowstorm with grandparents, we got a new couch, spring arrived...but the biggest news of the month by far was a certain someone turning three! We had a long lead-up to the actual event - months of counting down, in fact - so her special day surrounded by friends and family (and cake and balloons) was a big deal. We love her so much; she's a firecracker who lights up our lives in every way. 

Please head out to Colorado to see what my dear friend Sarah is finding as Spring approaches!

 

 

 

One {February 2017}

I haven't yet made it through our winter break photos, so yet again I find myself sharing from our back yard. When it's 70 degrees in February, why not make giant bubbles in the sun? This is one of my new favorite images.

Please head over to Texas to see Adele's One Shot this month. They will soon be saying adios to the Lone Star State, so I am curious to see what's capturing her heart during this sentimental and challenging time. 

WWB - February 2017

In a belated nod to Valentine's Day, a few of us from the Who We Become collaborative are joining forces to showcase things that we love. Dead flowers don't usually top my list, but one of the things I DO love about photography is how much fun there is to be had capturing beauty in the smallest things. A backyard flower revisited, three ways:

 

Next, please visit Linda Hooper and see what she's loving in life these days or pop over to see a mosaic of all our images at WWB. 

The Weekender - February 4-5

It was the sad end of an era in our house this weekend. Our old neighborhood haunt, the west side Pony Bar, has officially closed its doors. And while there is an east side location, we've never been and it wouldn't be the same anyway. We've been going there since before kids, and then with kids, and with our family and friends and their kids...sigh. Tasty food, delicious brews and great memories. We got in for one last lunch, then took the kids down to the new-ish Whitney (since we never actually made it when we lived 9 blocks away). Their enthusiasm was less than infectious. 

 

 

One {January 2017}

While people who live in California don't normally choose January to visit New York, my very best friend from college was out for a quick trip with her family this month. A clear highlight personally, and watching our sons "shoot pool" (which, to be clear, is about what we do) was a hilarious circle of life moment. We managed to pack a short visit with fun, laughter and love, as we always do and we can't wait for them to come back. 

Please head out to Chicago to see what Jess found for her 2017 kick-off shot! 

The Weekender - January 28-29

Women's March on NYC - January 21, 2017

I don't have a crystal ball. I have no idea what the future will look like. But I do know that choices made by our leaders today will have a lasting impact on the world my children will inherit. When I am old and gray(er), will I have to tell them that we rolled the dice on the chance that, despite what science tells us, climate change isn't real and now they have to find a way to live with the consequences? Will I have to tell my daughter that I had more freedom and choice with respect to my body and health than she does? Will my children have to share in my current fear that people I love will continue to be treated as lesser in the eyes of the law or by society, because of their skin, or their faith, or their sexuality? Will I be able to look back and say, we cared enough not to gamble with your future?

I attended the Women's March in NYC today. To anyone who might question that decision: there is nothing more American than to publicly protest regarding issues that are important to me, even if (and especially if) they differ from the people in power. It is one of the greatest benefits of living here, and it is a right we share. It was joyful and powerful to feel solidarity with like-minded people and to truly use the freedom so many have fought for as it was intended. It was also cold, crowded and slow-moving - I am thrilled to have felt so safe among thousands in a very cramped space.

But today was just a day and will be of little consequence without massive follow-through.  And as for the future...the future will not belong to me. It will belong to our precious children. I will do my best to find a role in the long game in order to help shape the future into one that does right by them.

I didn't take many photos today, but here are a few of what I saw, some famous faces and some favorite signs.

One {December 2016}

Farewell, 2016. When hunting around for my shot for December, I wound up down a rabbit hole of images I have taken throughout the year. While photography was on the back burner for me in 2016, it turns out my camera wasn't entirely ignored. In a liberal interpretation of our "one" goal, here is a collection of some of my favorites, taken throughout the past year.

Please pay a visit to Denver, and my exquisitely talented friend Sarah Zalan to see what she found this month.  

Let it snow...

A little fun in the white fluff before it turns to rain tomorrow.