CowKids

Hope

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:45:03 +0000

I love spring! It’s so exciting to see the new life appearing after 5-6 months of our Midwest winters. I’m always amazed at the strength and brilliance of the tiniest of flowers that emerge so powerfully through the coldest and darkest of soils. What a beautiful reminder of the hope we can all cling to when we feel we don’t have a voice, when our circumstances are too dark, when we are frozen, entrapped, alone. Yet, the One in charge is indeed in charge. He can bring every situation into victory and success, even when we feel there can’t possibly be a positive outcome at the time.

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Job 11:18

I love cowkids

farmgirl — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:18:06 +0000

Why cowkids? A sales rep asked me about my business name the other day posing the question “Do you love cows? Or do you love kids?” Hmm, I quickly replied…”I love cows AND I love kids.” And I love their way of life.

I love cowboys. I love cowgirls. I love horses and cattle and rodeos and farms. I love the western way of life. I love the smell of a horse barn. I love watching farmers at harvest time. I love the atmosphere of a county fair beef show. I love watching children interact with livestock. Their simplicity and innocence captivate me.

And it’s a good thing.

To everything there is a season

farmgirl — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:18:00 +0000

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3 (King James Version)

Fall in the Midwest…one of my favorite times of the year. I so thoroughly enjoy the colors, the smells, the crispness. I can’t soak up enough of the hues of reds and oranges and yellows and browns. I cannot resist a leaf pile. I especially love the days where the sky is so incredibly blue that you get lost in it. You can’t help but lay down on the crunchy leaves and gaze into the endless sky while the autumn sun kisses your face. Sweatshirt weather, bonfire season, harvest moons, football games, hiking trips, Sunday drives… ahhhh I love, love, love fall.

And then it comes to an end.

The days get shorter. The trees become bare. The windows close. The farmers are out of the fields. The Harleys are hibernating. The deer are moving. The geese are flying. The ice-scrapers are put in vehicles. The winter clothes come out. Ugh…it’s depressing. I’m finding the older I get, the faster time moves and, I’m sorry, but fall just doesn’t last long enough!

But then you get a couple days of reprieve. An “open your windows once last time” kind of a day. One last chance to take the bikes out. Another opportunity for leaf piles or a game of ball. One more day of hearing children running and laughing outside. Gray skies exit and blue skies are ushered in. And you are grateful. Thankful. Thankful to the Creator for the reminder of His power and grace. It is so easy to get discouraged and down-trodden during different seasons of life. It is so simple to forget the blessings in our lives and instead focus on the negative. It is so effortless! Yet, perhaps we should put some effort into a season of Thanksgiving. A season to store up a harvest of gratitude for the blessings and mercies shown in our lives this year.

It is a sure cure for the winter blahs…count your blessings. Just start counting. You’ll be amazed when you begin. And soon, thankfulness will be effortless. Perspectives will change. A balance will set. The blindfold of resentment, bitterness, regret, jealousy (whatever foothold is covering you) will be removed. And you will begin to see with new eyes. And as the leaves change and weaken and fall to their rest, we can still find something to admire and fix our eyes upon. Wherever you are, wherever you live. Beauty is all around us…if we just have the eyes to see it.

~My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9

Tests of time

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:32:33 +0000

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

The old barns tell a story from an era long ago.

Withstood the harsh realities of rain and wind and snow.

Stored hay and grain and leather for stock that worked the land.

Through storms and scorching sun, it always could withstand.

Seen generations of men pass through big double doors

As sweat from working sun to sun flowed freely from their pores.

Now they face uncertainty towards eventual demise

As horse-less carriages relentlessly speed ignorantly by.

So if you pass a weathered barn, breathe in its vital history

Of family and perseverance, of hard work and unity.

For traits that seem to be fading, like the weathered barns, too fast

May soon be fully extinct from the rare breeds of our past.

- Denise Strahan

Harmony

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:31:48 +0000

A girl and her horse. Just as people think of “a boy and his dog”, I look at this photo and think of “a girl and her horse”. Has there ever been a young girl that doesn’t love horses? Some lucky few, grow up with horses readily available to them. Others are content to pretend their stick horse is real. Or they dive into every book they can get their hands on about the beloved equines. Or they collect and play with model horses. Or draw pictures of them. For the fortunate who have access to horses, it is a dream come true. Whereas many view the tedious tasks of keeping a horse as grueling work, a girl takes pleasure in the grooming, mucking stalls, and the feedings. The girl considers it an honor. Just being near a horse and breathing in the sweet smell of them is a wonderful opportunity. And while adults and trainers may have a horse with a vice, the girl can take the same horse and walk him down the aisle, whispering sweet-nothings, and the horse becomes a gentle, obedient giant at the end of the lead.

Harmony.

Definition of Cowboy

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:31:17 +0000

Definition of cowboy: A condensed version of my thoughts. I think the word “cowboy” means different things to different people which vary from the icons of the Old West to modern day rodeo cowboys, from the large scale cattle ranchers to the small scale cow/calf operations, and anywhere in between. My thoughts are a little mix of all of it I guess. To me, a cowboy is a “real” man; a gentleman. He holds open doors for ladies. He takes off his hat at the supper table. He has polite manners and language.

A cowboy respects his parents, the elderly, and all of nature. He is dependable, kind-hearted, and willing to help anyone in need. A cowboy has callaused hands but a gentle touch. A cowboy has a firm handshake and looks people in the eyes when he speaks to them. A cowboy knows horses and/or cattle and a good dog and he never treats them unkindly. A cowboy is true to his word. His word is his contract. He is faithful to his family. He is honest in his dealings and never cheats. A cowboy tends to his livestock first before sitting down himself to eat. A cowboy loves and cherishes and protects his mate. He does not rely on The Weather Channel as he is so in tune with nature. He can read the skies and his livestock because he spends so much time with them. He’s a meat and potatoe man, a dedicated family man, and utilizes each minute of daylight. He knows the Lord and obeys His commands. He honors Him with thanksgiving and praises Him for his blessings. A cowboy is slow to anger and rarely complains. He makes the most of every opportunity and setback and can roll with the punches.

A real cowboy is few and far between and those that know him are honored to be acquainted with him.

Here’s to the cowboys out there, young or old.

Kudos to all the real men.

Fall is here!

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:24:08 +0000

Fall is here!

Weekday specials…10% discount on weekday bookings in October!

Family

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:23:26 +0000

Family

$75

Family 1 hour photo shoot (up to 5 subjects) with DVD slideshow of your pictures from the days event.

High School Seniors

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:38:44 +0000

High School Seniors

$150 1 hour photo shoot with CD of your top 5 choices of pictures to print as you wish

Forever sisters, forever friends

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:53:43 +0000

Well, what can I say? These two sisters were soooo much fun to shoot. Granted, at home, they may actually want to “shoot” each other but while taking their pictures, I couldn’t help but think about the lifelong bond they will have with each other. They’ve shared many memories I’m sure, as childhood playmates, school days together, and squabbles over clothes, the phone, the TV, etc.

As they’ve matured, I think about all the other memories they probably have (but do not yet appreciate I’m sure): prom dress shopping trips, driving each other to school, late-night talks about boyfriends, bickering about their parents, visiting each other at college, etc. The future is not far away. Soon it will be endless conversations about wedding preparations, new homes, baby registries, and play dates for their own children. I hope when they look at their photos from this day, they will recall that they are forever sisters, forever friends.