1.We got some snow a couple weeks back and the kids got to play in it for awhile before we headed off to school.

2. There are unanswered emails in my inbox that go all the way back to September which makes me both embarrassed & overwhelmed.  If your one of those emails, I'm sorry.  My goal is to try to get caught up next week but quite honestly, I don't know if it's going to happen.

3. I'm re-working my long term photo storage and noticed this morning that a lot of my edited shots from 2009 and missing.  Just gone.  Thankfully, I still have the unedited files but man, I spent a lot of time editing all those shots so I'm struggling to accept the fact that they're gone.  (I still have a couple of external hard drives to check...so there's still hope.)

4. I found Annie's red & white striped tights at the Gap when they were having a 40% off sale (the only time I'll shop at Gap Kids.)

5. I always curl my hair on Thanksgiving (and on other big occasions) so please know that my hair doesn't naturally look like it did while I was playing football.

6. I keep hoping that my blogging mojo is coming back but I'm worried.

7. We set up three, 6ft. tables that stretched from the dining room into the living room for Thanksgiving dinner and I covered them with some pretty, lacey, white fabric.

8. I don't use flash in any of my indoor pictures.  (I haven't used flash in 6+ years.)

9. Did I miss any questions?

10. Did I mention that I'm struggling with blogging?  That I'm feeling incredibly un-witty?  That I'm feeling like I have nothing to say?  That I'm uncharacteristically unmotivated?

11. And just a few more from the snow...

Comments

[Annette]

Karen, we all have peaks and valleys. Ultimately you (the royal you) is only accountable to ourselves and our family. Take care of yourself and hte rest will fall into place. It's all part of the natural order.

You mant to look at Brene Brown...
http://ordinarycourage.squarespace [dot] com/
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

Warmest regards,
Annette
(former student of yours)

[Libbi M.]

karen, these photos speak more than words can say. if you have nothing to say, just blog the photos. we all love your gorgeous shots.

[Nickki]

Karen,

I love your blog. I think you are interesting to read even when you aren't trying to be witty, and really, you don't need to even say anything if you just keep posting photos of your adorable kids like the those above! When I grow up I hope to be half as good as you are with a camera. ; )

Nickki

[Patty Hetrick]

Karen, we don't need a lot of words but I do enjoy them even if you think they aren't very witty. I love your numbered posts! And if you only shared pictures, I'd be fine with that, too! I've been too busy to really get to play and I'm Jonesing for a new camera so I will gladly be inspired by your photographs in the meantime:)

[Shannon Laux]

Honestly at this time of the year I can barely think of my name...so I can understand lack of mojo but I LOVE your photos and you are witty :) so don't worry about it! Have a great holiday season!

[Devon]

Karen,
I know the feeling you are having too. Know that everyone out here loves your photography and cares about your family in one way or another. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and if that means stop blogging for a while well, we'll all be here when you are ready again.
Thank you for the effort you put into your work for all of us. I connect to your work and look forward to seeing it every time you post.

Devon

[MichelleGB]

Great photos! And I love it when you write...even when you're not feeling interesting or fun yourself. I always leave your blog with a smile...and usually inspired to grab my camera and go find some kids to photograph!

[Mary Ann]

Love the photos! (as always)
I think the reason I come back here EVERYDAY is beacause you are so "real". No pretending you have the perfect life and family. You share your photos with us that we love, and let us see that there are others just like you that struggle with kids, life etc.
Although, I do pretty much think you are a photography god :)

[Kim P]

Ditto what Mary Ann said.

[Shauna Thompson]

Love that last picture with her expression!

[Sophie]

Love the pictures, they're so cute! But I'm kind of sick of the sight of snow right now - I live in London and I've not been to school since Monday because it started to snow on Monday night and literally hasn't stopped since (it's Thursday night here now). It's almost two feet deep now and the most snow I've ever had. All the schools are closed and the country's gone into shutdown mode!

Maybe I can send some of it your way? I'm sure your kids would love it!

[Heather Topich]

Beautiful pics, Karen! Thanks for every time you do blog... I always get excited seeing your name pop up in my Reader. :)

[Addie]

I get excited every time I've seen that you've updated, regardless of what you have to say! And thanks to you, I've been flash-free since Jan 2010! I'm also searching for blog mo-jo, I think that's just the way it goes with life and blogs! Go Beavs!

[Beth]

Please don't stop blogging! I don't even know you, but I would miss you and your gorgeous family being a regular part of my life? Is that weird and creepy? Perhaps you should give up blogging... :)

[Theresa]

Don't pressure yourself. Do whatever you feel like doing. We will love seeing your photos/hearing from you whenever your "mojo" does strike. . . Don't be so hard on yourself! You are a busy mother and business woman! Do what feels right for YOU!!

[Domenico]

Ya know a picture says a thousand words.... an ordinary picture. One of your pictures tells an entire story, so you could just keep us entertained with your winning shots.=0) Oh, and by the way... you are always witty, or at least charming.

[stacy]

Karen , even when you think you have nothing to say-you always inspire me with your words and loving pictures of your family. my 4 yr old Seth sits with me each morning to see what your kids are up too, especially Annie. I think he loves her ;)
please dont give up!

[JaYne]

even at your unwittiest, your blog is still one of the the best of the 5 blogs I read everyday. I've narrowed blogreading way down. Love your pictures! Please keep blogging!

[celeste]

I've been reading your blog awhile now so I know you don't like to be asked photography questions due to your paying students. I understand completely. But I just want to know if I'm fortunate to get into your class someday will I be able to take pictures like you? :) You said you didn't and haven't used a flash indoors for sometime now. Then why do your photos appear normal? When I take photos inside they always have a yellow hue. Do you shoot in raw and edit all your photos? Is that why they look so amazing? I agree with some comments above. You don't have to blog words if you don't want, your photos are enough! And even if you think you're not witty, you still are :)

[Angie]

Every time I see new posts in my reader, your blog is the first one I look at. I just love your style, your photos, your beautiful home and beautiful family. All that said, I can totally understand the pressure you feel to blog. I hope you decide to hang around though, for totally selfish reasons on my part of course. :) You are inspiring!

[Kathy]

Karen, family commitments come first, we (your blog fans come 2nd). A photo a day without words would be all we need anything else is a bonus. (CELESTE)....I'll try and answer some of your questions as I have done Karen's course and it's AMAZING and she is very funny, talented and real. She does shoot in RAW and edit. The yellow inside hue is all about White Balance (so look up your camera manual about that). We only dream about taking photos like Karen...we learn about the technical side of things but Karen's "natural" style of capturing moments are amazing. Everyone develops a style unique to them but all aspire to have natural shots like Karen. In regards to FLASH - yes, we all hate flash photos and learn how to take indoor photos without it. Get into one of her courses and you'll be very pleased. Kathy, Brisbane, Australi

[janel]

I agree with Annette...check out Brene B. Such good morsels to digest. How frustrating to lose photos.I am so sorry. I would be more upset about it than you sound. Try not to stress about blogging..things change and nothing is set in stone. Be true to your heart and the rest will fall into place. Thinking of you.

[Peggy]

OMG... when did Annie become a little girl and not a baby? It sooo shows in those photos!

[michelle tabb]

Dear Karen, I don't comment often because I think you will have too many to read through and I don't want to waste your time with my blathering. However, I'm just sure we'd be friends IRL :) You don't have to be witty and you don't have to blog every day. Blog when you feel like it. And if you liked Character Under Construction - are you listening to Game Plan. It's incredible. Praying for you - Michelle

[mary]

how about just posting photos for the next weeks, months, whatever...until you feel inspired again? remember - a picture is worth a thousand words...and you don't have to answer every email, do you? let go of some of it - it will be all right! i really enjoy blogs that post mainly photos. and then when you're feeling loquacious again - we'll be here to giggle along with you...

mary