Everything beautiful in its time

I've got you, babe

I would like to personally meet and congratulate the advertising copywriter who came up with the tagline life comes at you fast.

Does it ever.

We are currently in the throes of a wedding year, and believe me when I say, if you had told me six months ago that that would be the case, I would have said you had had too much eggnog.

Be that as it may, our beloved Audrey is engaged to be married.

Family tree

Our entire family met Mike on New Year's Eve of 2023. He came over for festive nibbles and friendly chatter on New Year's Day.

Within two weeks, he and Audrey were an item.

They became serious pretty quickly.

A trip to Paris took place the first week in May, during which Audrey and Dagny met Mike's adult children. Mike is a widower whose wife of thirty-one years passed away in 2020.

She's a leggy one

Then, on June first, Mike proposed and they became engaged.

The wedding date is November eighth.

Our heads are full of happy plans.

Being a shutterbug and wanting to memorialize this never-to-come-again time, I suggested an engagement photo shoot.

It took place last Thursday, at the Horseshoe in downtown Columbia.

With this ring

This is a beautiful location for taking pictures, and we've used it several times. There are the Greek houses and numbers of small courtyards with fountains and rose gardens.

There are live oaks and historic buildings, masses of beautiful flowers, and lots of space to walk and to pose.

TG and I got there first, but we hadn't long to wait before Mike and Audrey and Dagny joined us.

Dagny was home schooled this past year, and way back in the fall, Audrey had asked me to take her school picture.

Of course I agreed and I know this will have you scratching your head, but as of last Thursday we had yet to experience the alignment of planets that apparently was necessary to make that happen.

Our Cherica et al

We talked of it many times but there was always some impediment to Dagny and I stealing away, just the two of us, for a photo shoot.

So in planning for last Thursday, I said why don't we get some pictures of Dagny by herself too.

And then Cherica -- Chad, Erica, Rhett, and Baby Elliot a/k/a Skippy -- joined us later, in time for me to get some family shots of them. 

Erica is always eager for these, because as you know, family photos are a precious commodity.

One can never have too many of them.

I choose you

I took along my big Nikon with the powerful zoom lens, and I wore it on my person via my BLACKRAPID camera sling.

We hadn't been working for long before I became acutely aware of the prevailing meteorological conditions.

As in, it was approximately five thousand eight-hundred forty degrees, with six-hundred percent humidity.

And, the mosquitoes were biting.

I sent Dagny back to TG, who was sitting on a step near the entrance to the park, looking at his phone.

Pretty girl and pretty flowers

Ask Papaw if he'd go to the car and get my handkerchief out of my purse, I told her.

Why was my hanky not in my pocket -- I had one. A pocket, I mean, but not my hanky. Well, I had a hanky but it was in my purse in the car, which made zero sense.

Ever tried blotting your face on a humid day with a tissue?

It leaves you lint-flecked.

I give you my hand

But I'm the hanky type anyway and I have a whole stack of them, and I always carry a fresh one in my purse. Perfumed and everything.

Since the humidity was causing me to glow exceedingly, I needed to blot my brow with something that was made of cotton.

Soon enough I had my hanky and not long after that, it was damp. The hanky, I mean.

As for the mosquitoes, before long they had decorated my ankles and legs with welts where they had tasted me.

So happy together

Dagny suffered the same fate. Skeeters do not bite TG and Audrey rarely is bothered by them, but even she had some sample bites taken from her ankles.

The critters are fierce and they will be with us until the first frost -- meaning, nearly Christmas.

But we soldiered on and I don't think you can tell that Audrey and Mike were under any kind of duress.

That's because they weren't. Mike is relaxed and Audrey tends to be calm, and they were just happy to be together, anywhere.

They were fun to shoot because they did exactly what I told them and didn't care if I changed my mind mid-sentence, which I sometimes do.

Let's discuss ... I mean kiss

We paused now and then for me to get some shots of Dagny, who will turn ten this Friday and is becoming a young lady.

Where did that darling baby go? If you know, you know.

I was just about done with Maudrey when I spotted Cherica coming towards us, pushing Skippy's stroller.

We posed up near some gorgeous hydrangea bushes -- the colors! -- and took several of the little family.

When I'd done that, and got numbers of them sitting on a low wall in front of one of the mansions, I knew I had had about all I could endure of the heat and humidity combined with what for me is the arduous activity of taking pictures.

She is blossoming

It's one thing to point your phone at someone and quite another to frame the shot with a heavy camera, and to do that a hundred times in an hour.

We had planned to go out all together for our dinner, and I proclaimed that it was time to head in the direction of the restaurant.

All I had had time to eat that day was a handful of walnuts. I was hungry and thirsty.

We made our way to the Vista, which is a section of downtown Columbia along Gervais Street known for restaurants and shops and so forth.

Our destination was Grill Marks, a place we'd never been but were interested in trying.

They were exceedingly friendly and courteous there, and it wasn't long before we were seated in a pleasantly cool area at a table so long, there was room for everyone and then some.

Whither thou goest I will go

I did not take pictures of our food beause we were too busy eating it, but it was delicious. Some had burgers and a few of us had the Hot Honey Chick Plate, which I would highly recommend if you ever find yourself at Grill Marks.

I had a side order of sweet potato fries -- my one weakness, haha -- and they were superb.

We also ordered an appetizer for the table, allowing all of us to sample onion rings and fried pickles and yet more sweet potato fries, with tasty sauces.

All told, we packed a lot of goings-on into about three hours, and when we'd finished supper I was more than ready to go home and kick back.

Our Cubs were playing and TG and I watch the games on MLBTV, with a subscription. Our Cubbies are having a disappointing season so it's a good thing we were tired, and full.

Focused on you

I thought you might enjoy seeing a variety of the pictures I got at our shoot, and I hope that you have.

There are a mere two days until Dagny's birthday party on Friday -- and -- would you believe? -- there is another party BEFORE Dagny's party. As in, tomorrow evening.

I'll tell you all about it in due time.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

You did a wonderful job with the photos! The one of Dagny sitting on the wall is gorgeous. And I love the fence one that shows off the pretty ring, it is such an artistic shot! Love how you put the focus on the red roses in the last pic. I hope you are not still itching!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... thank you and no, the itching from the bites does not last all that long, although it is fierce while it does last, hahaha! xoxo

[Mari]

Wonderful engagement photos, family photos, Dagny photos!!! You did great my friend, even in heat, humidity and bugs.
Your subjects did good too, and didn't show discomfort they must have been feeling.
I really can't choose a favorite, they are each special in their own way. I love seeing Skippy smile! And yes, how is our Dagny so grown up? It happens so fast.
Enjoy the parties! I'll be watching for a report on them.

[Donna G]

Beautiful pictures of one and all! Your suffering was not in vain.

[AC]

Job well done with many sweet photos. You can be proud of the photos as well as the people. Somewhere in the house I have a blackrapid strap, but I had forgotten about it. I used it for quite awhile but decided that I didn't want to keep carrying my camera upside down. Are the still like that? Probably the most important reason was that I didn't want to have to remove the strap whenever I wanted to use the tripod. But I don't use the tripod a whole lot anymore. In fact, despite what you see on my blog, I don't really shoot a lot anymore, I should rectify that.

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Thanks as always my friend, and I cannot choose a favorite either, although I felt that the one at the top of this post was the money shot, hahahaha! Despite the discomfort, I think we captured their devotion, and that's what I was going for. xoxo

@Donna ... It's wonderful to know that it wasn't, and thank you for saying it! xoxo

@AC ... Yes you should rectify that situation immediately, because you have a great deal of talent. Full disclosure: before I picked up my camera for this shoot, it had been many months (with a few exceptions here and there) since I'd done anything like this. We did an all-family photo shoot the day after Thanksgiving last year, like we do every year, for Christmas card pictures, but the phone has just become too easy a way to get the shot without carrying a heavy camera. You always have it with you, and the pictures are so good. But even though I was hot and the bugs were biting the other night, I had such a good time doing this and it reminded me of how therapeutic it is to use a real camera! The blackrapid strap has its drawbacks for sure. Yes your camera is upside down, but then you don't have to hold onto it every moment. BUT my camera and big lens are so heavy that unless it's a more relaxed weather day, the weight of that can be stressful. I actually much prefer my wrist strap, which for my money is the easiest way to hold and carry the camera. I dithered for half an hour that day trying to figure out which one to use for the shoot, and decided on the blackrapid and during the shoot, wished I'd gone with the wrist strap, hahaha! I'm sure that if I'd gone with the wrist strap I would have wished for the blackrapid. But we got the shots and that's what matters! xoxo

[Maryellen]

Truly lovely photos that they will be able to share throughout their marriage. I am a sucker for a fairy-tale happy ending and a happily-ever-after; thanks for sharing!

[Lori]

All of the photos are just amazing. Dagny does indeed have long legs doesn't she? I'm a bit jealous. Mosquitos always attack me and not TBG. It just isn't fair. They come at me like they can smell a free meal from miles away. I' sure both parties will be wonderful. I can't wait to hear all about them. Enjoy!!

[Jennifer]

@Mayellen ... me tooooo! Love it! So charming and sweet. But they are so happy and it's a joy to see. xoxo

@Lori ... Oh girl I do believe that mosquitoes come from miles around the moment I step outside. It's positively diabolical. I've tried many methods of keeping them off me and Cutter Dry works best but I wish there were a more natural, chemical-free method that really works. I saw something recently about making a cinnamon spray and I think I'll give that a go, hahaha! Yes I will faithfully report on the parties! You and TBG have a good weekend! xoxo

[Barwitzki]

I enjoyed your photos... they are great, I congratulate you. It's a fantastic series. Congratulations.
I wish you all wonderful ones
Family celebrations... with nice weather, lots of laughter and joy, good food, fine drinks, good conversations, nice chats and happy running around with the children.
So be it. Family gatherings are simply great.

[Jennifer]

@Viola ... Thank you and you are so right! We always have a great time together with lots of good food and talk and laughter and carrying on like there's no tomorrow, hahaha! I'm so thankful. xoxo

[Donna]

Your photos are Always Beautiful...but it helps when the subject matter is gorgeous, as well!
I'm SO happy for you all...November isn't really that far off! Busy, busy times coming!
Miss Dagny is so beautiful...I hope she enjoys her "special" Day! She certainly does have great gams!
Momma's 'gonna need a big stick soon! lolol
Love to you all...
hugs
Donna

[Jeanette]

Aww! Beautiful pictures of your beautiful family! Dagny is such a young lady now! I am looking forward to reading all about the wedding in November and seeing the pictures! You've inspired me to start carrying a hankey in my purse. I have so many beautiful ones that belonged to my grandmother. XO

[Skunk (aka Mike Bay)]

It does...yet some folks master the art of slowing it down for some really memorable moments. Hat tip to them (your camera seems to find masters at that, Jenny).

[Carla TePaske]

Hello, I love all the photos. My favorite is Let's Discuss... what a great capture. I am excited for the big day!!
Carla

[Carla TePaske]

P.S. I also love the photo...with this ring. :-) I love your creativity. And your people did a great job too.
xx oo
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... ain't it the TRUTH about them gams and the big stick Mama's gonna need? Hahaha! She's a lovely young thing, that's for sure. I wish you could have seen her eyes nearly bug out of her head when she saw your gift! She was DELIGHTED and no mistake! Love you friend! xoxo

@Jeanette ... YES carry a hanky! You never know when Max and Levi will make you shed a tear out of sheer adorableness, or when a hot spell will leave you needing to blot your brow, hahaha! xoxo

@Mike ... Why, thank you my friend! I certainly do try and I enjoy capturing the meaningful and memorable moments. xoxo

@Carla ... that's one of my favorites too! I like a creative shot of the ring. I am not as good at it as some but it doesn't keep me from trying, hahaha! xoxo

[Barb]

More congratulations are in order i see! What a happy announcement. My very best to the couple. I'm sure you and Audrey are now busy with wedding plans. Our Ben was married to Paula last week. They will be assigned to a foreign mission at the end of 2024.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... oh how wonderful! Congratulations to Ben and Paula! Yes we are SO busy with wedding plans but it's fun. And it is just grand to "see" you, my friend! xoxo