I've always hated the expression, "New year, new me."


You don't have to wait on a magical date to change yourself. I like to think that I am ever evolving. If I'm not growing, working, and changing into a better version of myself, then what's the point?

A candid from our trip to Colorado in September

One thing I do love is the idea of doing a 23 in 23! I can certainly come up with 23 ATTAINABLE goals. (I say attainable because I am NOT about to set myself up for failure. No thank you!) These are going to be big goals, but goals that I can absolutely turn into reality, and I love that for me! The good news is that a lot of my goals are going to benefit you as well!

23 in 23


  1. I am going to photograph something artistic every month. The above photo is from last January 2021, when I collected all kinds of natural elements from our property and laid it all out to make a living wreath. It was so much fun and felt so magical, I want to keep feeling that way.
  2. The 12 Months of Minis. It's a huge goal, but one that I've wanted for so long! It's going to be a challenge, but one that I am looking forward to! My clients deserve the best, and that it what I'm offering!
  3. Continuing my health journey. Living with Lymes Disease isn't easy, it has taken a lot from me. I know I can't go back, but I'm determined to get as close as possible.
  4. Landscaping the chicken coop. It's a beautiful coop, but I want to make it photo perfect! It's going to take some elbow grease (and a retaining wall), but I'm ready to make it happen!
  5. Turning the atrium fully into a studio. I've been keeping an eye out for studio space in De Soto and Festus all of last year, but nothing suitable has come up. So I'm going to turn the atrium into a fully functioning studio. It's been a long time since I've had a studio at home, it's going to be fun!
  6. Finishing my 2022 home projects. In this case, the guest bathroom is half finished. I think I'm dragging my feet because I'm intimidated by the thought of putting up wallpaper. Even if it is really cool Star Wars wall paper.
  7. On the topic of home renovations, I'm going to tackle the kitchen this year. We aren't in a place to do a gut job, so I'm going to paint the walls and cabinets instead. Anything to brighten up that room a bit!
  8. Wildflower. Field. I played around with the upper field last year, but didn't plant early enough. I've got an actual plan this year and I'm excited to see it come to life!
  9. Taming the back field. (Lots of land goals this year!) I happen to know that there is THE COOLEST tree, just in the woods, in the back field. It has to be well over 100 years old and would make the PERFECT backdrop for so many sessions! We just need to get to it.
  10. The garden. Oh the seeds I wasn't able to plant last year. Sigh. I'll get to it this year. Tomatoes anyone?
  11. Parks. Missouri has so many beautiful spaces! Both state, and national parks are wonderful places to visit! I want to explore more of them this year! My goal is to visit every park in St. Louis AND Jefferson County!
  12. History lessons! Now that we have moved to De Soto, I want to learn more about the local history. I know it is a historic train town, but that is surface stuff. I want to dig deeper!
  13. I'm going to try my best to get back to running. I miss it so much. If all I can manage by the end of the year is a slow jog, then I'll be happy with that!
  14. More reading!
  15. A summer trip! Nothing crazy or big. We went to Colorado last year and it was wonderful, but we are thinking about something on a smaller scale for this year.
  16. Getting involved in more community projects! We moved here in 2020, and I spent 2020, 2021, and half of 2022 fighting Lymes. I wasn't able to get out to do things.
  17. Spending more time in the moment. My brain likes to try and run ahead to the next task, instead of just existing where I am.
  18. W A T E R C O L O R. I am not an artist, but I do love the art of watercolor. I've been dabbling off and on for the last year and a half. I'm going to make sure I do more of it!
  19. Education. Continuing my education as a photographer is always a top priority. I'm doing a really great intensive this month on newborn and maternity, I can't wait for that to start!
  20. Regrowing friendships. Moving so far away from friends, and being so sick for so long, I really feel like it put a strain on a lot of relationships that I care about. I'm going to pay more attention to those things.
  21. Finding new friendships. I've always been a bit of a social butterfly, thriving on having a large group of friends. My illness had me shutting down. I know I'll be able to make new friends here, I just have to get out there!
  22. Making more professional relationships! I've always had photographer friends, and I do still, but there are so many more local photographers now than there was even ten years ago. It's well past time for me to get back out there and meet my peers!
  23. Selling prints and products of my art! I've spent YEARS photographing beautiful scenery, fascinating macro botanicals, and other amazing things. In March, I will be putting all of those images online in various canvases, framed photographs, and even some greeting cards that I've been working on!