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Just a reminder, the studio is closed from December 22nd until January 6th. Please feel free to email theblackhorsestudio@verizon.net if you have any questions or are trying to book a session. E-mails will be checked periodically during this time and will be responded to as soon as possible. If you already have a session booked during this time - the studio will be open during those session times of course 
Thank you, and have wonderful holiday!
As I was sipping my coffee this morning with my husband, Dean, I decided with the light snow, it was time to get my yearly bird pictures taken through the glass doors, while I sit on my couch lol ;) My goal was to get a picture of the red-headed woodpecker I see nearly every day on my deck railing… Dean went out and put some bird seed in the feeder…
and we waited…
First up, a dove… You think the dove as a peaceful bird, but it really isn’t. She likes to sit in the middle of the feeder and hog it all, warning the other birds to stay away from her prize…
Next up, blue jays… we regularly have about six of them, but I just managed to catch one…
Then to our surprise, a bunch of scavengers arrived…
and then left…
Then a squirrel…
and finally… finally the woodpecker…
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In other news, a big Merry Christmas to Dean!!! We brought home the first two kayaks yesterday!
Barrett, I think you need some water….
I have had a lot of questions regarding my Studio Lighting Naturally book and availability. We just received another shipment of them in last week, but I am down to only four TWO books remaining for Christmas delivery (within the continental US). Another shipment will arrive a week after Christmas. If you wish to have yours by Christmas, the last day for ordering is Friday, December 18th. See photographers link above for more detail. If you have any questions, please email at theblackhorsestudio@verizon.net. Thanks
It seems to be the time of year for newborns once again… I have several to share over the next few days, but I don’t have a lot of time this morning - I’m on location today, so I must charge up the GPS and head out… but I wanted to at least post a couple of this gorgeous baby boy. I photographed his older brother a year or two ago. I had to do a double-take at first because he resembled his brother quite a bit at first glance 
Well, it looks like I see a light at the end of the tunnel with Christmas rush and for a break, Dean and I took our kids out over the weekend.
Let me back up. Remember this? Kayaking off of Pea Island?
Dean has decided kayaking will be his new hobby. I think it is great. I brought him into the world of horseback riding, and it really doesn’t fit him. Well, it doesn’t help that his eyes will swell up and he can barely breathe when he is around horses… lol! But that’s okay, horses are my thing, not his… so I am excited for him to get into kayaking…
We started off Saturday over at Shank’s Mare in Pennsylvania - it’s not too far from our home. We live right on the MD/PA border. When you go on an adventure with Dean, you never know where you may end up, so sometimes it is a little scarey not knowing what to expect
I was pleasantly surprised - Shank’s Mare sits directly on the Susquehanna River, and is a really nice place. We were greeted with a few pups in the store (and you know I love animals so I had to take a few shots…)
A unique building - you know I love old buildings…
and very nice products available…
but we came for the kayaks…. it was so nice to talk to those who are very knowledgeable about this subject. We learned more listening to Liz, than we could have possibly learned at sports equipment stores (while our kids sat next to a warm pot-bellied stove with the pups… ;)) Dean did go back yesterday and bought his first kayak. We have to buy another single, and then a tandem for Erynn and myself in the upcoming months. We have major plans for this summer :) Well, first we will be back to Shank’s Mare in the spring to take life saving/self rescue classes.
We were then off to Bube’s Brewery We were there one other time about 6 or 7 years ago, and our children didn’t remember, so it was a lot of fun surprisingly them with such an odd place…
We drove across the Susquehanna…
and then ended up in downtown Lancaster…
Oh but wait, we were in the wrong city! Nice mixup with the GPS - but we promised ourselves when the weather gets warm again, we will take a day trip back there for some shopping…
And then we finally made it to Bube’s - it’s in Mount Joy, PA. I think these pictures will basically give you a feel of the catacombs - yes, you can eat dinner down in the catacombs…
They have ghost tours here - supposedly it is truly haunted… (I wonder what my kids really thought of this… lol!)
If you look carefully - the back wall has white candles that have been melted all over the wall - it’s really a cool thing to see…
The way up from the catacombs…
And can you believe, the food is REALLY good… yes, it is a great surprise to be in such a strange atmosphere to dine, and be able to say that the food is very good.
On our way home, we had to stop off on the side of the road so I could grab a quick shot of the moon coming up. This is not a sunset, it is indeed the moon over the Susquehanna River (and I didn’t have a tripod with me, so it isn’t the best capture propped on a sideview mirror lol).
You may recognize her from the portrait in my studio office that most people refer to as “Uma” ;) She’s simply gorgeous and she’s back with her second pregnancy - looking just as stunning. She teaches yoga so it was fun incorporating her son in a yoga pose - love his face in the picture (more of him and his new little sister soon!)!
A quick note - if you wish to have any prints back by Christmas, the deadline for ordering is December 11th. I did extend that date this year. This is for prints or regular albums. Custom items such as storyboards and coffee table books cannot be guaranteed Christmas delivery.
So again, I am neglecting this blog. I really don’t mean to, I have just been working hard trying to get sessions proofed and orders placed, and in any spare time, trying desperately to spend a little quality time with my children…
Here’s a cutie I haven’t shared yet. He was so fascinated by everything outside. Dad called him a city boy, so we laughed every time he picked up leaves with such amazement lol
So I’ve been sitting at my desk, proofing sessions, and proofing sessions, and proofing sessions, and placing orders, and placing orders, and placing orders, and packaging orders, and packaging orders, and packaging orders - you get the picture!
I glance over to see this… his name is Boss… He’s just rubbing it in that he gets to sleep any time he wishes. And yes, he does indeed have “bonus toes” on his feet…
