Today I am grateful for...

Blogs.

Blogs have transformed my life, and it all started here.
One click leads to another, and before I knew it, 5 years later my life is richer than I could have ever imagined.

Through the wonder that is blogging, I found these amazing women, who moved from the screen of my computer into my every day reality.

Some of my now favourite musicians were found through the blog of this magical woman, and my mind is inspired and stimulated constantly through the writing and creativity of these wonderful artists and story tellers.

This picture made me look at photography in a completely different light and actually marked the beginning of my journey as a photographer, and these blogs continue to challenge me in this field of work.

A daily joy in my Google reader is to see the new delicious offerings on these blogs.  And this woman stokes the fire in my belly.

Last but by no means least, there are kindred spirits who I have yet to meet in the real world, but whose words impact my life daily, the wonderful Lisa being a clear example - without whom, I wouldn't have even started these gratitude posts.

Today I am grateful for...

Validation

vali·date (val′ə dāt′)
to prove to be valid; confirm the validity of; verify

Although I always strive to do my best, and more, for the couples we photograph, the little gremlin still lurks occasionally in the back of my mind going, "Seriously?  Who do you think you are?"  So it was beyond wonderful to receive this testimonial from Lucy today when I asked her to write something for me to include on a new section of our website:

"When I first started to organise mine and Chris' wedding, I asked a lot of married friends for their opinions on which companies they used for different parts of their weddings. The answers I got were encouraging - except when it came to the photographers. With everyone I asked they had some kind of problem - either they didnt gel with the photographers, their styles clashed, the photographers were difficult to get in touch with or they didnt like the final pictures. Well I can categorically say that Chris and I had none of these problems with Penny and Cameron! From day one they were excited to be a part of our wedding, they wanted to know what type of pictures we wanted, kept in touch with us all the way through right up until the big day and on the day they were amazing. From blending in with our guests, to making everyone feel at ease in order to get a relaxed picture; all of our guests have commented on how lovely they were. But what I am most thankful for is making me the happiest bride in the world because we have the most perfect set of wedding pictures, which captured the essence of the day, that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you Penny and Cameron, we are forever grateful to you both."
Lucy and Chris Johnstone (married 31st July 2010)

Thank you Lucy and Chris, those words mean more than you'll ever know.

Thanks Lisa for inspiring this series of gratitude posts :)

Today I am grateful for...

Weddings.

I love weddings.  They contain all the best ingredients of life, compacted into one perfect day, and packaged beautifully with a bow on top! 

I still pinch myself to think I get to share this magical day with people as part of my work, but I am oh so grateful for it.  These last few days I have been particularly giddy with excitement as we booked 6 weddings in 48 hours.  Amongst them is a breakfast ceremony at Stonehenge, a beautiful English country garden picnic and more vintage buses!  Yay!

So today I just want to thank the lovely couples - past, present and future who invite us to capture the most amazing day of their lives.   We don't take that for granted.

Thanks Lisa for inspiring this series of gratitude posts :)

Today I am (not) grateful for...

Carbohydrates.

I love 'em.  LOVE them.
Potatoes.  Pasta.   Rice.
Could eat them in large quantities.
Daily.

And I sort of was, which might explain why I started favouring the elastic waistband of my trackie bottoms over my jeans, and I started recycling the same outfit day after day.  The one that made me feel least fat. 

And so it has been for the last year (or two).
But there comes a point in this ongoing contemplation where you have to make a decision.
Clear choice:  carry on and start disliking myself - or - do something about it.

So I signed up to Weightwatcher's new plan.
I was told I had 29 points a day to satisfy my previously untamed appetite, and I thought that sounded rather generous really.  Imagine my shock when I discovered my staple and adored lunch was well over the half way mark of my entire day!   And don't even get me started on dinner!  Being half Chinese, rice is in my blood.  It's a staple as far as I'm concerned, and I adore the stuff.  So I nearly wanted to cry when I found out my rice alone (in terms of portion size) was nearly half the daily point allowance too - this is before even counting what I used to eat with the rice!

It's been a cruel awakening, to discover what I have so enjoyed eating is actually the very things making me feel uncomfortable about myself, but it's also really made me take stock.  To stop and think about what I am putting in my mouth, has actually been a real gift.  Since reducing my portions I have enjoyed my meals a lot more.   Knowing it's not from a limitless supply, makes me appreciate it more, and I find myself savouring each bite now, really enjoying the taste (although I admit I was SO ravenous tonight I just about gulped my meal down in 5 mouthfuls!)  I find I am thinking about food in a healthier way, and planning my meals with more care and thought.   By spending time considering how to maximise my points, I am mixing more foods, and being more adventurous.   It's a whole new way of interacting with food and I think I could enjoy this.

I have a feeling (although I am more certain there will be big frustrations, like the intense desire I have to go and reach for the chocolate sitting tantalizingly in the door of the refrigerator...) that this will be a life changing experience, beyond the body shape changing I hope it does too!  So I am going to approach it with a sense of wonder, gratitude even, and see what I get.

Today I am grateful for...

The kindness of strangers.

Driving home today, I drove past a makeshift Pudsey sign before seeing a line of traffic cones along the middle of the road.  It was a beautiful afternoon, the air freshly washed from the rain we had yesterday, and the light, reflecting off the orange and gold autumn leaves, gave a warm glow which warmed an otherwise cool day.  The pastel coloured balloons, tied to the cones, floated gently and contrasted beautifully, as did the fireman flanking them; shaking big white buckets decorated with multicoloured spots, the theme of this year's Children in Need event.    There was a carnival like atmosphere as people paused to make an impromptu donation, oblivious to the build up of traffic which would have otherwise be deemed an annoyance in Friday rush hour traffic.

As I drove past (after donating of course!) I found myself welling up at the kindness of people.
Times are hard for a lot of people right now.  Economically.  Socially. 
We are all struggling in our own ways to make a mark in the world, in our own world, and sometimes this can be exhausting.   I get that.  

In fact I often get worked up about the injustices in society, and can allow feelings of impotence disempower and overwhelm me. But then moments like these remind me of all that is wonderful and great about the world we live in.  How fundamentally we care, and how there are a lot of good people out there.

Today I am grateful for...

Where we live.

I'll be honest, I've had a love-hate relationship with our village ever since we moved here.
I think I am a real urbanite at heart, and moving out into the middle of nowhere, took some adjustment.
But then, on an afternoon like today, out with my boys - I realised there's no other place I would rather be.

There is something magical about the late Autumn combination of fog, sunset, dew, and of course, dogs :)

Today I am grateful for...

Serendipity

As inscribed in our wedding bands.

Today I am grateful for...

My Boys.

Second only to my husband, these four legged parcels of awesomeness are my inspiration.  I always attribute our photography business to them, after all McKinley-Rodgers photography evolved out of Dogtales and Dreams, my original dog photography business plan.

Today we took advantage of the rare winter sun with an early afternoon walk.   Just the three of us.
And my camera...

I was particularly happy to catch Jake doing what Cam and I call his "leaping lizard!"

Today, like every day, I am filled with love and gratitude for having these furry little fellas in my life. 
It is definitely better for it.

Today I am grateful for...

Winter Sun

I love it this time of year (when it's not raining!) and the sun is out.
The air is fresh and crisp and it makes me want to be outdoors wandering amongst the fallen leaves...
On days like this I truly marvel at the world we live in.

Today I am grateful for...

Books.

I had the luxury of 90 minutes to wander around on my own this morning in Oxford, and I spent 87 minutes of that in Waterstones. It was bliss and reminded me how much I love books and bookshops. It is a pure sensory indulgence for me. From the colourful aesthetics gracing the different covers (Cookbooks! Oh My God, how gorgeous are some of these...) to that undeniable scent of books. The floors of knowledge and imaginative journeys between the pages...

I left today with no books, but a list of over 20 must reads, and head full of new ideas. Yes, today I am grateful for the joy that is books.

Today I am grateful for...

Live Music.

Early gratitude this morning, as it's a bit of a no brainer following the brilliant gig we went to last night at the Royal Albert Hall.  If you've not heard of Nouvelle Vague you need to check them out.  Fun, full of energy and great music, it was like the best party in town.

Today I am grateful for...

Living in Britain.

Despite it's problems (and there are plenty!) Britain is an inclusive, compassionate and beautiful country.
I feel lucky to be living here.

Today I am grateful for...

Good friends.

I remember once hearing Oprah talk about how a gratitude journal changed her life because each day she was consciously looking for reasons to be thankful.  This deliberate act of focussing on the present and being aware of the things which bring her joy had a transformative affect on her, and I can see why.

Since signing up to Lisa's 30 days of gratitude, it has been at the forefront of my mind, and I find myself paying a lot more attention to the details of my life.  For example, today I am grateful for good friends.  I could leave it at that, and it's no less significant or valid.  But the reason I chose to acknowledge the blessing of friendships today is because Cam and I had the most delightful evening with a couple of our dear friends last night.   One of those nights where you leave with your heart as full as your belly (Michelle seriously cooks the most delicious roast...) In fact, sometimes its only after being in the company of people who you feel totally comfortable with, do you realise how rare and precious that gift actually is. 

Then today, one of my oldest and dearest friends called me to tell me she has just been offered this amazing job.  After two years of literal hell, suddenly something good and wonderful was happening for her, and I felt my eyes well up with happiness for her.  I was grateful in that moment for having a friendship so deep and so full of love in my life.  I truly am blessed.

Most of the time, I try not to take the good things in my life for granted, and I like to think that I practice gratitude on a daily level (I genuinely feel thankful every time I look at Cam), but it's only Day 3 and I can already see how much deeper this practice can go.  So thank you Lisa, for making me sit up and pay attention to the reasons why I am grateful.

Today I am grateful for...

Good food!

Cam and I spent the morning in Oxford today, and we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at my most favourite cafe.

The Vaults and Gardens cooks up the most delicious dishes which taste as fresh as they look.
Priding themselves on using natural, seasonal, organic and local produce wherever possible, the food here has never disappointed us.

It's also only one of a few places I know where I can get a delicious free-range chicken meal, and today was no exception, with the most scrumptious chicken massaman curry.  Yum.

My belly is full of happy gratitude :)

Come join Lisa's 30 days of gratitude!

Today I am grateful for...

Holidays!

Cam is on annual leave, and we spent the day in London meeting with a lovely prospective bride and groom, eating unhealthy food, and being culture vultures at the V&A.

As a photographer I am ashamed to say I don't have a photo to accompany my post today -
but I promise to make up for it tomorrow.

I am joining Lisa in a gratitude bonanza for the month of November, care to join us?

*** updated to add a photograph, as I've decided to illustrate each day with an image from my most used iphone app.