I've only got a quick second but I wanted to post this sneak peak of Katie and Tom's wedding. 

I met with this adorable couple last year and totally clicked with them and their families...  amazing people through and through... in fact one reason I have to run is because their parents have returned to the island and I'm off to meet them at an art show...

I will definitely be writing more about this wedding and all their special additions when I post their slideshow in a little while... but for now...  hopefully the pics speak for themselves... in how cute and fun and simply adorable these two are.

(plus a side note they are the same couple I did an engagement shoot with in Chicago back in October)

Katie & Tom...  I must admit I was a little sad when your wedding was over ... but at least I know anytime I'm back in Chicago we can meet up at POPS...  ;-)  . . but no "grandma" this time :-)

Love
A

Even though its officially summer and its our third day of gloomy rain on Mackinac  ...I don't really mind.. its a great day to edit... FINALLY catch up on blogging a bit... and drink my favorite tea...

French Blue Earl Grey... from Mariage in Paris... I picked this up last spring when traveling and doing a little work in Europe.

Since I'm never quite sure when I'll make it back there I savor every minute ... the smell is amazing like spicy earl grey mixed with the sweet and floral scent of lavender and violet... mmmmmmmmmm

It can't be the summer already... can it really... I swear just yesterday was my last weekend on the island for the season and I was getting a call from Gordon and an email from Michael...  both with the same date.. both from NY...  both ... marrying Anissa... now this is just strange...  okay, ... two names,... I guess I can relate.

Must admit the weather was about the same as it was in October so it really could have been yesterday...  but even though rain was all day for the forecast... and a chilly 56 degrees (when they needed 57.5 for the string quartet)... we met the day before and I whole-heartedly convinced them not to worry about the weather (which seems to be a common theme so far this year... and yet... just look what happened... beautiful sun came out just in time for everything!!

It was so much fun to have Anissa and Michael for my first island wedding of the season...  we had a blast, playing croquet ...  one of the best parts was the surprise for Anissa & Michael.  The moms had a special surprise guest... "Straight No Chaser" and incredible men's a capella group from Indiana University.

Anissa & Michael.. congratulations on your wonderful wedding. It was so much fun to be a part of your day.  You are two incredible people who are truly beautiful inside and out and obviously inspire those around you to be better people as well.  May you continue to love and surprise each other more and more every year!

Love,
A

One would think my favorite time on the island is in the middle of July... gorgeous sun, warm weather, boating, biking, flowers... all that fun summer stuff..  HECK NO!

You might think I'm crazy but my favorite time of year here is February.  Its quiet, peaceful, serene (except for the sounds of snowmobiles everywhere).  When in the summer there are so many people, everyone is working so hard it becomes difficult to find time to sit, relax , visit and truly enjoy the people and place around you.  Right now is a time when you can cozy around a fireplace, make dinner for one another, play games and just live.

This year was particularly exciting for me.  I rode across the ice bridge for the first time!! Last weekend my dear friend picked me up in St. Ignace with a cutter on the back of his snowmobile (aka sled)... and rode me across the frozen lake.  Mackinac Island residents save their Christmas trees every year in hopes that the lake will freeze thick enough to create a path to the mainland.  Then these trees are then placed as markers to show the ice bridge.  I have been hearing about this thing for years but never experienced it...  all I can say is that one minute I was terrified the next completely mesmerized.  I've never experienced anything like it.

Its always fun to see the different community activities on the island this time of year. Euchre one night, trivia the next, and then there's always bingo and great live music with local singers. Last week was the Village Inn's annual chili cookoff.... and now (since I'm a bit trapped till tomorrow because of a supposed storm coming in) its off to the Mustang to watch a bunch of guys pretend to have a golf tournament in the middle of winter... ahhh "Golden Tee"

 Its amazing how the island (and ice) can change minute to minute... from last week with a frozen lake to this week having to fly over open water.  After ten years this place still never ceases to amaze me.

Here are some pics... I hope you enjoy them... they are probably some of my favorite island pics..

Stay warm...  and may you all continue to find amazement and wonder in the world around you!!

Love
A

I just wanted to inform anyone and everyone about my dear friend Chris's new business he is bringing to the Straights of Mackinac...  The Black Prince!! 

I am sooo excited for him to start this new endeavor. He will be offering all sorts of tours, private and public, on the beautiful straights.  

This would be the perfect activity for a rehearsal dinner,  family reunion, or just the two of you getting out on the water with many of his different adventures. 

So spread the word...  The Black Prince is going to be such a wonderful and unique addition to this gorgeous area!!

Thanks Chris... can't wait for a fun 2011 summer!

Love,
A