update!

holy cow! it's been a long time since i've been on here. a friend of mine recently looked at my blog and commented on the day of scattering my grandparent's ashes. i was appalled that this was my last post. my commitment of doing this every day has simply fallen short. i feel like i have missed almost a whole year of recording adrian's growth. also, a lot has happened in my personal life during the months i have been absent. here goes:

adrian vega is almost 3! he spent a few months in daycare at a baptist church this summer, getting used to the routine. he really enjoyed making new friends and absolutely adored his teacher "tessa". it was a great experience, but came to an end as i unexpectedly lost my job in june.

the economy has forced me to take a hard look at my career and make some big changes. going from a 1 1/2 hour commute and working full time to staying at home with adrian, running our new shop STRANDED art cooperative, and pursuing my photography full time has been a huge change for me. i love it, though. i never could have imagined that my life would be exactly what i had always dreamed. so grateful.

one of my biggest projects has been the building of my own photography studio in our sweet backyard paradise. i love the modern look of the structure, based loosely on a design in ready made magazine. it is complete with studio lighting, ceiling fan, and heat pump/air conditioning. it is such a lovely space to work and just relax.

my new website is : www.toniaedenphotography.com this website was an interesting undertaking, as i have never built one before. i think it properly represents me and all my funky ideas floating around in my head.

a ginormous blessing also came to me with the addition of my photo assistant, aimee elizabeth simonton. she has helped me every step of the way in my photo editing and even shoots. she is truly a loving and generous person who seeks to support me in any way she can. she even cooks me amazing meals! what a gem!

our shop, STRANDED art cooperative, has also kept me busy. working with artists that i know and deeply respect has been such a joy. i am honored to sell their beautiful things in our funky space right here on main street in montevallo. supporting my local community and raising the bar for all montevallo businesses to create a lovely downtown we can be proud of, has always been on my mind since we have moved back in 2005. now, we are getting that chance to shimmer and shine! we are located at:

STRANDED art cooperative

620-A Main Street

Montevallo, Al. 35115

ashes to sea

So a few weeks ago, we decided to finally lay to rest my grandparents in the beautiful Gulf Coast. My mother just decided one morning she needed to do this. I really enjoyed the small informal ceremony on the inlet. Funny thing, the water was flowing back into the lagoon, not out into the Gulf. But, I think they will eventually find their way.

after my grandmother died, my mother, aunt, adrian and i headed down to the beach house for some time of rest and reflection.  it was so nice to spend the time together and remember my beautiful grandma billie.  my mom and her sister had such a great time with adrian.  it's amazing what only a couple of days can do...

library visit

i took adrian to the library for the first time the other day.  he was so excited to see so many books.  he absolutely loves books.  they had paper on the tables so he could draw on them and tiny chairs for him to sit and read in.  lots of cute ikea furniture to play on.  i rented the velveteen rabbit dvd for home.  it is not a movie, rather stills from the book and someone reading it.  oh, how my mother loved to read me that book when we were kids.  there were so many books i look forward to reading to him... james and the giant peach and the narnia books.  but some new ones that are so colorful and intelligently written, like a poetry book about harriet tubman that was just so beautifully illustrated by jacob lawrence.  oh, it is so exciting the world of books just waiting for him to discover!

beach babe

the gulf coast was incredible this past week.  spending time with my family was so sweet.  i am such a beach lover.  i love the sun and water and wind.  it's so fresh and clear and glittery.  it was adrian's first time to see the beach/ocean.  he was mesmerized.  through the eyes of a babe!  

petals from the past - new shoot

i went to petals from the past with my mother and adrian the other day.  we found wonderful herbs, kinds i never knew existed.  it is such a breathtaking place.  magical, even.  i took some new photos of the blueberry bushes with my extra nice and brand spanking new camera.  the blackberries are coming out too.  we picked some and ate them right there.  a little tart, but golfball sized, i tell you!  i cannot wait for the black and blueberry festival coming on june 13!  i think i am going to gather some friends for some good old fashioned picking!  

my early morning walk to the river with adrian vega was a discovery trip.  he wanted to pick up everything.  a nail.  an antpile.  aggghh!  a piece of asphalt that he hugged to his chest for the last half of the walk - back up the hill.  all treasures from the look on his bright shining face.  then, home again.  pop in to see papa still in bed.  (he walked home from the bluegrass show through the woods just before sunrise, so he is tired!)

headed to petals from the past today with my mama and baby.  my mom has never been there and she is in for a real treat.  what a magical place.  i will of course check on the blueberries to see what color they are now.  will steal some new shots with my little camera.  looking forward to my new one - still in shipment.  darn backorder.  they should check to see if they have enough in stock, before they offer a mad discount.  

having a hard time with posts lately because i am waiting for my new camera to arrive!  my old point and shoot is on it's last leg and i am upgrading to a proper digital slr like a good photo grad.  finally the prices have fallen for little old me to afford such a luxury item.  (or we got more back on our refund than we anticipated!)  anyhoo, look forward to some better shots soon!  hoping it is going to be a night/day difference.  

this is a few weeks ago at the magic city art connection.  so fun to splash in the water.  Patrick taught the kids a project by artist mel chin called the fundred dollar bill project.  it was a hot day, but lots of people came out to support the arts.  maybe one day i can show my work there, rather than chase after my toddler.  definitely cannot do both these days.  

kids market find

this is by far the best kids market and mom find!  svan bouncy seat.  and yes, adrian is no longer a baby, but he can sit in it up to 30 lbs.  so, it works!  17 bucks!  i have heard it retailed for $160.00. what a steal.  now, a.v. has his very own chair in the living room.  he knows where it is and goes to eat crackers in it during snack time.  so clever, my child.

biker babe

adrian loves his new bike seat i scored that the thrift store.  $4.98!  and found a bike helmet there too.  only $1.98!  total investment=$6.96!  but the memories are priceless.  it makes us get off our butts, out of the house, and get the exercise and vitamin d we need so desperately.  ahhh, spring.  

wedding weekend

it was a beautiful day for a wedding.  wasn't sure in the morning when a massive thunderstorm passed through, but it cleared to a perfect day.  my friend, mary and i drove to montgomery to our dear friend, marie's, mama's house.  my friend, marie, had met billy over the internet, on myspace.  he lives in the u.k.  they have had a wonderful relationship of writing each other, talking to each other via webcam, and flying back and forth to visit when they could for 2 years now.  they are perfect for each other in every way.  i am so happy marie found someone who loves her the way she is, not the way they want her to be.  i have known her for 10 years now, and it is wonderful to see her so happy and in love.  they finally tied the knot on saturday.  it was a beautiful ceremony in the old house.  her mama was there, as well as her 3 siblings.  they are such a lovely couple, and of course i wish them well.  she is moving to the u.k. to live with him.  i am going to miss her, but we will keep in touch with a little help from the internet.  

clover crawl - green event

the annual clover crawl was today at vulcan park.  it's a green event.  and the sun was so beautiful today as well.  first sunburn of spring.  spent time learning about green companies and products.  pretty cool.  wore my green treads.  adrian wore his green tee.  good music from friends and good food.  what more could we ask for?  

cabbage patch

these babies are too cute.  daphne and i took our babes to the botanical gardens today.  they were so sweet in their matching crab outfits.  they remind me of something we used to wear when we were kids.  smocking and embroidery, yeah!  and crabs!  we must take them to the beach in these. 

mama gets a new pair of shoes

i needed a NEW pair of shoes.  i am so often pulled into the $2 shoe phenomenon.  there is a thrift shop called "isabelles" right behind where i work.  i know, dangerous, right?  well, they always sell their shoes for $2.  they are used, but usually in really good condition.  so, i usually just wait till i find a pair in there.  i mean, if i can buy a pair of shoes for $2 and recycle them for me to wear, why pay more, right?  well, i was looking for a pair of shoes to go with a dress i need to wear to a wedding at the end of the month and i didn't find what i was looking for, but i found these.  how perfect.  and what is better is that they are GREEN!  they are made by simple and are eco sneakers.  they have organic cotton uppers, organic cotton linings, a recycled PET pedbed, AND a recycled car tire outsole.  i mean these are darn cute and eco friendly.   i love this.  and the best part of all?  $15 new!  i have got a new spring in my step this spring...