Julie Kittredge Art & Photography » Julie

nieces and nephews.

Julie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:09 +0000

I never did share these fun images of my nieces and nephew from December! Sweet baby sister with spunky Bekah and conscientious Will. I love them. This was the newborn that joined us at girls weekend …

anatomy of a five year old.

Julie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:01:23 +0000

:: Strawberries and sprinkles. Everything must have sprinkles ::

:: Sequins, glitter, and anything sparkly … sparkles make everything pretty ::

:: Pink. Everything matches pink. Everything ::

:: Her BFF. Best friends make everything more fun! Everything ::

:: Special. A five year old is the most popular person in the house on her birthday ::

beautiful birthday girl.

Julie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:49 +0000

She tells me the other day, “Mama, your heart and my heart … they’re together.”

She’s right. But what a profound statement for a 5 year old to be able to identify that the love she feels is a heart connection! We have a unique bond … it’s precious … and I don’t take it for granted. She’s a gift straight from the hand of God as all children are, but she fills a space in my heart that I didn’t know needed to be filled. She’s got a beautiful heart to go with that beautiful red hair and sparkly blue eyes.

She’s so cute with her babies. A wonderful mama who is so gentle and responsive to her babies needs. I love listening in on her family life! She has a wonderful and funny imagination.

She’s extremely self sufficient. If I don’t respond quickly enough she’s quick to find her own way, sometimes a little too creatively. Like the other day when I found her standing on top of her little blue chair which was stacked on top of a kitchen chair so she could reach a snack in the pantry. It looked like something right out of a Dr. Seuss book. Totally freaked me out!

She’s a free spirit. Something I love love love about her. It resonates deeply with me and I often find my heart well up with pleasure, joy, and gratitude when I see her living in the moment soaking it all in. She has a wonderful zest for life.

She skips everywhere, even holding my hand and trying to walk through the parking lot … she’s skipping and often singing some little diddy – it’s quite annoying actually but I can’t bring myself to ask her to stop … she’s just being happy!

She wears leotards and tutus almost daily – dancing to any tune . I have classical music on most days and will often find her twirling about. She feels the music. I love watching her.

Last night she asked me, “I feel like my heart is still connected to yours. Is your heart connected to mine too?” Forever princess. My heart is connected to yours forever. Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are loved!!

{side note:: all photos are instagram photos via my phone … clearly I need to get my regular camera out again! The phone is just so easy and I love the artsiness and creative challenge of instagram! }

getting healthy in 2012.

Julie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:15:44 +0000

Getting healthy. That’s one of my major goals for 2012. Thankfully, my health is not bad, but I am aging. I’ve strained myself by not getting the rest I need and the stress from the last several years of personal struggle have taken a toll. I realized how exhausted my body was over girls weekend when I slowly began to experience what it felt like to be really rested. The difference was night and day, I felt alert! My goal is to maintain a pattern of getting the rest I need and since getting up early to work out and spend time in prayer, meditation, and getting God’s take on my day is a priority … I’m going to have to go to bed early. Yep, that means I’ve been heading to bed by 9:30 every night. So early! I’m really not trying to be dramatic. But, as I edge ever closer to the big 4-0 I am seeing the affects of tired eyes, lagging energy, unclear thinking, a body shape that is not bouncing back like it used to, skin that is not as youthful. My eyelids are beginning to drape over my eyeballs like window shades … I’m beginning to understand the draw to botox! Too bad I’m not really into injecting foreign objects into my skin.

I haven’t shared much of my journey into more natural living over the last few years. Not sure why … it’s something that I have gradually incorporated into my daily living. These are a few things I believe in and have incorporated over the last few years through research and exposure and friends who also believe in a more natural /holistic lifestyle.

:: I believe in using only natural products on my skin. About a year and a half ago I became aware of what we put on our skin, how/what it absorbs into our bodies, and how regular soaps actually strip the moisture from our skin. So, I learned how to make my own bar soap (cheaper than buying). I always have a stash and it makes great gifts too! I made a huge batch of all natural lip balm made with coconut oil and bees wax – the best lip balm ever! I still use regular lotion on occasion, but I don’t need it often. I just found affordable natural shampoo and conditioner at Whole Foods that I’ve just started using (it’s actually cheaper than my Pantene!)

:: I buy only the worst offenders in organic food, potatoes, strawberries, romaine, spinach, apples, beef, eggs … the rest I buy regular.
:: I eat a lot of nuts. I drink almond milk only because I can’t handle regular. (I would buy hormone free milk). I try to buy whole grains as much as my family will tolerate.

:: We make our own homemade pizza every Friday for family night. From the dough (not wheat) to the sauce. The best. I’ve been told by my kids’ friends who have enjoyed the leftovers that it was the best pizza they ever had. Hmmm not sure about that but … but it’s special. The kids request it when we stray from it.
:: My latest incorporation … green smoothies! I thought I would need a juicer or a very pricey Vitamix in order to make this mean green body lovin’ smoothie. I whipped mine up in my regular blender! Happiness! Kale, spinach, banana, berries, almond milk, and a tablespoon of flax seed oil (see recipe here). Mmmm it’s good! Can’t even taste the green.
:: My neighbor and I have been working out at 5:30 am since … wait … June! Can’t believe we’re still at it, but the accountability is great. I would never do it if she weren’t expecting me several days a week.

:: I’ve started running … the Couch to 5k program is so doable. My goal is 3x a week with a short yoga routine following. Then I do strength work with my neighbor in her basement 2x a week.

It’s important to note that I didn’t do all of this at once. It was really one small change at a time over several years that made these things part of my lifestyle. Regular exercise is the most recent thing that has become a new lifestyle choice - knowing that it needs to be a priority and one of the first things on my calendar, not something that can be put off as an optional “if it fits in” scheduling option. I’m looking forward to a new burst of energy and health this year. I need to be thinking more clearly and I think taking care of myself is the first step. One day at a time … I’m feeling thankful for a warm winter (so we can workout outside), that I can make green smoothies without an expensive appliance (keeping it simple, using what I have), and for a great workout buddy to help keep me on track. Getting healthy in 2012 … it’s another new journey!

:: ongoing 1000 gifts list ::

159 … two hearts connected

160 … my sisters

161 … mom and her legacy

162 … restored soul

163 … sun through tall grass

164 … emotional space

165 … hindsight

166 … trials that bring beauty

more 1000 gifts images on flickr.

first family of the year.

Julie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:24:00 +0000

I know this family is itching to catch a peek at their session from almost two weeks ago! Girls weekend threw me – I let everything go … but as promised I’m getting them in under the wire. Enjoy this adorable little family!

Even the shy ones can’t help but love me by the end of the session. I love teddy, almost as much as he does. I love that teddy was an okay fill in for mom’s lap. So cute!

Kids in their bedrooms … this is my favorite thing about being invited in my families homes! The kids are so proud to show me their favorite things in their very own space. It’s priceless to capture these spaces for them so they can look back with fond memories of their personal spaces.

They got lucky with the first real snow of the year just before their session so we geared up to head out! But … it was sooo cold!! We didn’t last more than 5 minutes.

It felt so great to get back at it. I adore shooting families. I adore getting peek at them in their home environment. I love watching them interact and love on each other. I love their different personalities. Most families have a shy one … all families have one that’s goofy … always striking a pose. It’s a great time and a huge privilege to be doing this for all of these beautiful families. Jane and Chris, your family was no exception! So sweet, and a great way to start the shooting season of 2012! The rest of your gallery is coming very very soon! Promise!

what i learn at girls weekend.

Julie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:04:43 +0000

This is where I spend Friday – Sunday once a year on any given weekend in January.

6 years and counting. Every January the sisters and mom go to Michigan City in January – after the holiday rush – just when we need a little pick-me-up and something to look forward to. We were reminiscing about the last several years. We’ve had tears and laughter, nursing babies are allowed but other than that – there are no children allowed. period. The weekend is totally sacred. We plan ahead, we make arrangements, we make it happen.

I basically lay on the couch and snooze, feeling by body rest, feeling the physical exhaustion of motherhood and life drain from me. The draining usually makes me even more tired before I start feeling rested. The one time I venture out all weekend is usually for a winter walk in the crisp cool air. Sometimes we’ll head to the local antique shop but this year … we were just too busy … resting.

I was so happy to have a clear day … I just love chasing the sun. It’s my favorite thing … the low winter sun is so golden … it’s a different kind of beautiful from the summer sun.

It’s funny. We are a normal family, Us sisters don’t always see eye to eye. I am the oldest of four kids. We have a brother who’s wife joins us because … well … she’s our sister! We are so so different, with different life experiences that we bring to the table affecting our perspective on different issues. Many years someone has gone home feeling misunderstood, last year we did personality tests that gave us deep insights into how we tick and why we respond to each other the way we do. It was so insightful … Year after year we gather, never knowing if it’s going to result in some big drama or something else. This year was the first year I think we experienced a breath of fresh air. We’re knowing each other as best we can.We’re accepting each other the best we know how. We’ll never get it perfect, but I think we’re accepting that rather than expecting more. There’s an understanding that hasn’t been there before. (Personally … I think part of that is because they all finally had kids!) And there has been a definite softening toward each other, I think.

So, it’s a tradition that I expect will continue with our own daughters. Girl bonding. A time to pull away and and just be.

I’ve learned that we’re all different in our wirings … which means no one is wrong … just different.

I’ve learned how to rest. really rest.

I’ve learned (am learning) how to listen.

I’ve learned that my perceptions of my siblings hasn’t always been accurate.

I’ve learned that we all have different lens that we filter life through. Different doesn’t mean wrong.

I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to let go.

I’ve learned how to forgive, and that it’s non-negotiable.

I’ve learned that spending this time together year after year has brought a lot of clarity to my relationships with them.

I’ve learned that without being intentional with this time, I would still be living with many misperceptions.

I have learned that time like this … it’s sacred.

These are the things that come to mind in the moment. It’s precious, precious time.