I am now officially 1+ months behind in my bloggedy blog mcblog… so I pinky swear to follow up in the next few days with some snapshots of work and life over these last several weeks.

In the meantime, I’m over the moon to share with all 2 of my official followers news of my first major publication feature in the Winter 2012 issue of 1859 magazine.  Contributor profile included!  Published out of Bend, Oregon, it’s a beautiful magazine {I would have said this EVEN IF I hadn’t been published} that embraces completely it’s tagline to “live. think. explore” all the things that make Oregon so spectacular.

My feature originally started as a personal project “{Alone} on Belmont” and expanded into a more general profile of the people and places that make SE Belmont St fabulous {in my humble opinion}.  I absolutely loved the opportunity to meet so many interesting people who were so generous with their time and stories.

And now, without further ado…

It was a dark + stormy…afternoon.  But in true Oregon style, Kristen + Will shared their vows + love + celebration as planned in their own backyard.  As they exchanged rings with one another, they also gave rings to each of their kids, a very touching and all encompassing embrace of their new family unit.  And extended family + friends had a hand in providing everything from food to flowers to music to chicken chasers.  It was a true “barn raising” of a wedding…and it was an incredible honor to be a part of their day.

I wish you both a lifetime of love through the rain.

Collette + Rusty + Baby Owen make it look so easy….you would never know three days later their house was packed and they were on a plane to their new life in the land of squeaky cheese {a photo of my cat for the first person who knows their geography + answers correctly….disclaimer: friends, family, and employees of ColletteRustyOwen + Associates not allowed to participate}.

Thank you so much for the honor of capturing your new family.  Wishing you all much happiness + a return ticket to Portland.

and other things one learns at their High School graduation party.

Congratulations Jackson…I have no doubt you are on a path to greatness in whatever you do with this life.

Thank you for a beautiful weekend my new friend.  You are more than sweeping bridges and expansive views.

You are pillow top beds that allow for a full 8 hours of sleep and then some.  And Aveda soaps that make my running clothes smell like they just took a jog to the spa.  You are Sunday markets out my front doorstep.  And hot from the oven bread samples at the Sunday market that remind me that a girl can’t live on bread alone and could sure use a cup ‘a joe to go with that bread.  You are strangers in hotels and coffee shops and on the street who don’t remain strangers long.  And who go out of their way to give directions, share some history, tell a story, charge a dead car battery.

Yes, you are more than sweeping bridges and expansive views.

{and for dessert}