The weather is starting to shape up. People are retreating from their houses, shaking off the cabin fever. We moved into a really nice residential area where you’ll see people ambling about with their dogs. Across the way, there’s a right-of-way to the beach and, to my surprise, the waters are sparkling. Quite a difference coming from only a few minutes down the road. We’re walking the streets of our new digs, daydreaming of the good times to come.

We’ve been talking vacation, so I thought posting a shot from a pretty little girl looking over the waters of the Douro River from Vila Nova de Gaia would sort of symbolize how I feel about Summer a’coming – through the looking glass. For now.

It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming…

One of our recent stories covered a local, no-kill animal shelter than rescues cats. Their facility is in as great of condition as it gets, but it’s swarming with over a hundred felines. Chris and I having been craving pets since we moved into our new place, so naturally I wanted to adopt everything. The kitty above, or should I say the diva, had the right spunk and ‘tude a cat needs. I was craving.

In light of the tragic story about my 20D dying days before I take on a full-time photography position about a month ago, I was fortunate to be able to upgrade to a Canon 5D Mark II. At the moment, I’ve only got the 24-70mm 2.8 L, but I’ve certainly got my eye on too many others.  Gotta say, I really love it. I’m still getting accustomed to all the features of a full-frame, but it really kicks a little ass. If anyone has any tricks about it that they’d like to spare, I’m all ears!

All of the shots of the shelter were shot with my new bad boy. If you have the time, check out the video that accompanied the story. Scroll down to the bottom for a larger preview.

Meow.

This is an older photo of my friend Danny from my solo road trip to Maryland last March. It was a snowy afternoon in which I caught him hiding behind some gargantuan bamboo bushels as we promenaded his new stomping grounds.

I’ve been ridiculously busy this holiday season. The holidays were warm and welcoming and on top of that I just accepted a new full-time position AND a new apartment! Phew! It’s been a friggen’ roller coaster ride and I’m peachy keen about all of it. I hope everyone kickin’ back right now had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all to have a fantastic New Years’.

Now bring on the snow!

Across from the mammoth Christmas tree, a lovely little spectacle held by the city in which 1,200 wax coated paper bags illuminate the historic upper green. Apparently one ton of sand was used to weigh down all the bags and some 3,600 candles. Chris and I weren’t really sure what had spawned this seasonal event, but I did learn that a luminaria can also be known as a farolito and is most common in Latin American countries and the American Southwest.

The more you know.

Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It’s lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. It’s higher thought and a greater plan. It’s glorious dream in the soul of man.

This holiday season has been more hectic than usual, but deep down I really do love Christmas time. The previous quote sums up all my reasons precisely, although I must admit, I tend to find joy in the lights and show as well (obviously). Furthermore, I do deduce that gift-giving might be slightly overrated and we should just eat another gigantic, swell-tasting turkey instead. Just a suggestion!

This ridiculously colorful photograph was taken on the New Haven Green on a rather chilly night from the bottom of a mammoth Christmas tree.

The pup, Austin, swiftly intervened early on, securing that his fluffiness was a spotlight of the holidays as well.

The past weekend I spent much time in the local communities to enjoy the wholesome festivities of Christmas – tree lightings, little dancing jubilant children, historic reenactments, Santa on his giant sleigh led by horses and, of course, lines that went on for days to meet with Santa in his cabin. These girls were particularly entertaining; they were leaping up and down to keep themselves nice and toasty because sadly, it’s beginning to get a bit frigid.

Just another reason why I miss Summer… all the bobbing boats are hibernating at home for the interim of chilly, Wintry days.