five on friday:: moments captured

this week ended up being a wrap up of 2010.  so for today i thought i would share five unforgettable moments caught on film from 2010.  there were many, but these are my top five.

1. cha consumer show - i wasn't able to attend the trade show but I did get to go to the consumer show in anaheim in january.  i took classes, did some shopping and got to meet some fun people that i admire.

shimelle laine

donna downey

stacy julian

 i also made the trip back later in the week to have dinner with the ladies from studio calico.  how could i pass up the chance to meet them?

The Studio Calico team

i love this hobby and how it inspires me.

2. my carpal tunnel - i forgot how bad my hands felt during this time.  the numbness and achiness that i felt every morning.  the tingling in my fingertips.  the soreness in my wrists.  it was awful.  i tried acupuncture, massage and physical therapy.  they were all great, but the only thing that made it go away was this shot of cortisone.

this experience made me so grateful for the use of my hands.  without them it's hard to do the daily chores around here.  it was hard to pick up sofia, type, write, brush my hair.  and i was reminded time and time again that i need to let go of stress and relax, something i still struggle with.

3. outstanding in the field - i was so excited when i found out that our school would be hosting it's annual fundraiser on campus.  and i was even more excited that they were inviting the folks from outstanding in the field to put it together.  i loved the idea behind it and it was perfect for our school wide theme of "going green."  but i was  even more excited, and frightened, that they had asked us to share our wine with everyone at the dinner.  what would they think of it?  it's just a hobby for our family and we had never served it at an event like this.  but it was an honor to participate.

our wine as part of a gift basket for the auction.

our wine ready for tasting.

homemade s'mores that we roasted by the fire.

it was a night of delicious food, a beautiful setting and a good cause.  we were so lucky to be a part of it.  you can read a little more about it here.  and this is the website for outstanding in the field.

4. my 40th birthday - i celebrated my special birthday a few times.  but the dinner party was so perfect (except for the wind).  i had a vision of an italian dinner with many courses and wine and people just talking and laughing and celebrating.  it was everything i wanted it to be.  a special time with friends and family.  we toasted and enjoyed being together.  my special touch were the place cards for each person.  on the back i included a personal note thanking them for being in my life.  i will never forget this night.

you can read more about that here.

5. walking through fern canyon -  it was awesome and inspiring and beautiful.  i almost had a vision, ala 127 hours, where you zoom out into the sky and realize how little we are in this space.  it was breathtaking and peaceful.  we could have spent a whole day here taking it all in.

just a reminder that there are so many incredible things to discover.

so that's my top five.  and this year i know will be filled with even more unforgettable moments.  and you can bet that i will be there to capture it with my camera.