2020 – What I’m Doing – Wrapping it up!

Baking

I will give credit to 2020 for bringing me a renewed interest in baking. With the discovery of The Great British Baking Show and my new Paul Hollywood cookbook I have been exploring a “new to me” world of baking. While I have yet to bake any “normal” bread I’ve had fun perfecting cinnamon rolls and I made the olive breadsticks again and they turned out even better! I used Kalamata olives instead of green olives this time and I loved the flavor! I also made some new to me cookie doughs (ginger and butter/almond). There was a significant problem in the fact that thanks to our current state of shutdown I really didn’t have many places to send these goodies to and I certainly couldn’t eat them all (although I did make a significant dent). Then I realized I could send them to Grammy’s house and they could be shared with all the residents – now that I had a mission it was even more fun baking. 

Kneading, proofing and weighing ingredients are all new to me and I’m embracing it. If you have any interest in The Great British Baking show here is a YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NquMtptdmdk

As a vegetarian I’ve never had much interest in cooking shows because there is so much emphasis on meat, perhaps that is why I enjoy this show so much. Plus I’m learning to appreciate the British sense of humor. 

Exploring

Jeff and I wanted to go snowshoeing last week so we headed back up to Mt. St. Helens. Once we arrived at the Marble Mt. snow park it was clear that there really wasn’t enough snow to warrant snow shoes. It was a gorgeous blue bird day and we enjoyed a beautiful 6 mile hike on a trail with packed snow. We found our way to June Lake and enjoyed the serenity of the place. It was the perfect pre-Christmas getaway.

Christmas

While Christmas was different this year (we missed some very important people joining us) we were thankful for those we did get to spend the day with. There were gifts, food and some of us played games. It was a very chill day.

Grammy

We continue to visit Grammy even though its through a window. She is frustrated because she doesn’t understand why they can’t have one room where we can hang out for an hour or so. It’s a difficult thing to explain to her. Overall, she has remained very appreciative and positive which is astounding to me. 

What I’m Reading

Hippie by Paulo Coelho

I first discovered Coelho years and years ago when I read The Alchemist – a book I HIGHLY recommend. I quickly snatched up several more of his books only to discover I didn’t love them as much. So I have about 3 books that have been sitting on my shelf for years. I finally grabbed one and read it. As I read the back cover of the book Hippie it is described as a story of love (how he met his wife) and a quest for inner truth. There is way too much focus on the hippie thought for my tastes. 

While there were aspects of the story I found interesting, primarily a glimpse into his life story and experiences, I was left wanting with regard to any kind of love story between he and his wife. The back cover promises the story of a love affair and a trip on magic bus from Amsterdam to Kathmandu – spoiler alert – In my opinion it’s no love affair and they never get to Kathmandu…

3 stars

On Writing by Stephen King

I don’t do horror so this is not an author I would normally pay any attention to. This is however, the second book I have read of his. A few years back I read 11/22/63 by King and I loved it! It’s not a horror story although it does have a few moments in it that are less than “pleasant”.  It’s a thought provoking book that I give 5 stars and recommend all the time.

I was given On Writing by a friend and it sat on my shelf for about a year. The book is largely divided into two sections – the first half of the book is a series of King’s vivid childhood memories where you get a glimpse of his blue collar childhood and his earliest writing attempts. No, nothing is revealed as to why he prefers to write horror, he doesn’t reveal any gruesome childhood traumas that may explain his fixation on horror. I did find his childhood and early beginnings interesting and I enjoyed that part of the book. The next section moves into how to be a writer with some helpful tips that I tried to pack into my brain. The last chapter tells of his experience being hit by a van while he was walking along the road in Maine and his recovery, which I also found interesting. So overall, I enjoyed this King book but you won’t find Carrie or Cujo on my shelves ever!

4 stars

The Last Story Of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim

This month’s book club choice opened the door to the life of an immigrant’s experience in the US. It is also a bit of a mystery. Mina is found dead by her daughter. Her daughter, Margot, was born and raised in the US and does not value her mother’s Korean ways. Margot has grown up ashamed of her immigrant status and their poor living conditions and as soon as she can, she moves from LA to Seattle.

After 6 years away from home she travels back to LA to visit her mom. As soon as she finds her mother’s body Margot begins to question what she knows, or doesn’t know, about her mother. The rest of the book jumps back and forth between Mina’s life’s journey and Margot’s present as she searchers for answers about her mother.

Was it an accident as the police say or was it murder?

Overall, I found the writing weak (ironic I know but I don’t claim to be an author) but I still enjoyed the story. The author repeatedly writes that Margot can’t understand her mother because she speaks Korean and very little English, How can someone raised by a mother who only speaks Korean not understand the language? Isn’t that confusing? I can see that Margot may have never learned to read or write Korean, but the author repeatedly states that they have a tough time communicating because of the language barrier. Because it is brought up so often it bugged me. 

In the end the story wraps up neatly and I’m not left with wanting anymore.

3.5 Stars

What I’m Photographing – That’s a wrap 2020

My brother called asking if I would photograph his daughters. Of course I said yes! I love every opportunity I have to hang out with these beauties! The 3 P’s as we often refer to them.  I can’t believe how much they have changed over the years. I love watching them transf_orm from the sweet babies to adorable toddlers to who they are today. We had a lot of fun during a short break in the rain along the Vancouver waterfront. 

January 2021 Edition of SFP

As we welcome a new year in and kick 2020 to the curb the latest edition of SFP News will hit inboxes bright and early January 1st. In each monthly newsletter I include book reviews and my latest photography news. The newsletter is also where I first announce any special offers, mini sessions etc. If you would like to sign up for this once per month newsletter click this link http://madmimi.com/signups/f92831e48f4c4758a38ad3779e2d9f9b/join

What’s Next?

Who knows? If 2020 has taught me anything it is that we are not in control! As much as we would like to be in control (and some of us do everything in our power to be in control), we are not.  We should be learning from the lessons of 2020. 2020 taught us to grow our perspectives outside of our own life experiences. We became more aware that everyone’s life does not look like our own. It has also taught me that even when I’m frustrated, discouraged, afraid and angry I am still blessed. I have the ability to grow from this miserable year and become stronger for it. Like you, I’m totally over it and beyond ready to move on.

I would love it if at midnight tonight as we cross the threshold into 2021 it would throw a switch and everything is magically better. While that’s not likely, I know we are getting closer to the end. I’m sure of that. What’s next? I don’t know, but I do know that if we remember to be kind to ourselves and those around us we can survive this!

Business – 2021

I pray everyday that my business will be blessed and that I can continue. I don’t know what 2021 holds but I do know that I plan to keep pushing this boulder uphill until I just can’t anymore. I’m looking forward to all the photographic opportunities 2021 holds. The new friends, locations and opportunities! Even with all that happened and the closures in 2020 I was blessed with new clients and opportunities which I am so thankful for! As I write this from my studio I wonder what is ahead? Will I be sitting here next year?

Goals – 2021

My usual tradition is to set goals at the beginning of each year. My overall goal each year is GROWTH with one exception (my body!). I want growth in my business, in my relationships, in my life experiences. As I begin to work on my goal list I keep an eye to what will truly stretch me but at the same time be doable. I usually take the first couple of weeks to mull this over and create my goal list for the coming year. It feels more challenging than usual because of the pandemic. How to plan for a future when everything is so uncertain?

One day at a time.

Looking Back – 2020

Here is a link to last years blog https://shellyfryphotography.com/my-everyday/new-year-new-adventures-shelly-fry-photography It’s a bit sad reading about how carefree last year was. Two things really caught my attention. If you read it you will see that I wrote “I plan to embrace the adventures 2020 has to offer.” 😯  and at the very end I mention that I found a dead mouse in the kitchen and that it wasn’t the type of adventure I was looking for. Little did I know…

Books – The Atomic Habit by James Clear

This I do know I have already started what will be my first book of 2021. I ended up reading 54 books in 2020 which is more than double my normal. It’s not something I plan to duplicate. I’m optimistic that this coming year won’t include any surgeries or government closures of my business. Both of which gave me more time than usual to lose myself in books.  I do really enjoy reading and I know that 2021 will include many new books to add to the library. I’m looking forward to discovering new authors. I have a very eclectic collection of reading materials. While I will always steer clear of certain genre (horror, mystery, sci fi) I do, at times, stumble across something that catches my eye for whatever reason and I read it. 

My husband asks me how I choose books. Back in the good old days my favorite way was to spend time browsing in a book store, reading covers. Sadly, its been a long time since I’ve browsed a bookstore.  That hasn’t stopped me from finding new books. I welcome any and all recommendations from friends, people I follow online and book reviews. 

What was your favorite book(s) this year? I would love any recommendations you have!

Here’s to brighter days ahead!

Shelly