"Dear Friends, Family & Others..."

Title "borrowed"  from a recent episode of Modern Family...

Dear friend,

We know that we are friends. When we need to, we can talk, email or text each other. We've laughed together and maybe even cried together. We don't need to talk about our friendship.

However, today I want to remind you, quite simply, that I like YOU. I don't like you because of your intellect, your income or your looks. I like you regardless of the color of your hair or your skin, your religious beliefs or your sexual orientation. I will continue to like you if you gain weight, lose your hair or lose your job.

There is probably no single reason that we are friends. Chances are we shared common experiences that brought us together. More likely, common views have held us together. That doesn't mean that we agree on every topic. It does mean that we respect each other's right to disagree.

It is easier for me to define what I don't like in a person, than what I do. I do not like religious zealots who try to proselytize me. I don't like people who are intolerant of social or political change. I don't like people who are greedy or mean. So, thank you for not being any of those things.

Thank you for being YOU.

Happy Hannukah. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa.

Love,
Sallie

I'm a Shutterbug -- or maybe a Shutterfly

I am obsessed with photography these days. I took 151 pictures of the girls this month between trips to the pumpkin patch, Special Olympics and Halloween. To compare, I took a total of 96 photos during a 3 week trip to Kenya back in the dark pre-digital age. I can only imagine how many I would take if I'm ever lucky enough to return to Africa. I love the era of digital photography!

I not only love the ability to take so many pictures I love all of the things you can now do with your photos.  I don't make prints and stick them in albums. I create beautiful, archival quality photo books with creative layouts and captions.

I've also used the photo books to create gifts for special friends. My favorite was a children's story called "The Tale of Two Snuggle Turtles" that I wrote for a friend and her daughter.

And lets not forget holiday cards! So much better than the dry old Christmas letter filled with brags and boring facts- as they say,"a picture is worth a thousand words". Let your friends and family SEE what you've accomplished over the past twelve months.

My latest project has been to create a shower invitation for a dear friend about to have her third little boy.

Elegant Script Blue Baby Shower Invitation

Create chic bridal shower invites at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly is easy to use and lots of fun. Right now they have great promotional offers for free shipping and even free cards. Check them out and get creative!

This is typical! I always have a camera in my hands