RED: Lily Glass Photography [dot] om: TWELVE

FINALLY! If I could scream through the interweb, I would! I've been doing jump-dances all day - it feels so good to finally be finished with my website. I've needed one for, oh, more than a year... but had so many great weddings this summer and very little time to do anything else but shoot and edit (which I loved!). But alas - the time has come to be able to pass along a real dot.com website and I am so excited. So please, drop by the site, look around and then spread the word!

At the risk of sounding like a bad award acceptance speech: First, thank you to all the beautiful people that allowed me to work with them this summer - here's to years of yummy home-cooked meals and new opportunities. Most importantly: my sweet husband who put up with hours of my scrunched face scowling at the computer screen, my disgruntled mornings waking up from HTML dreams, panicked screams when the website disappeared for hours, called his web-genius friend, Daniel, when I couldn't figure out the menus... and of course he proofread the entire thing. He's selfless and wonderful and I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you, Benny.

RED: 8mm Movie Projector: ELEVEN

One of my mom's friends is a professional Ebay buyer and seller - when she saw our 8mm video on facebook she immediately contacted me, generously offering us this beautiful vintage 8mm video projector! I picked it up when I was down in Tennessee last and I think Ben was more excited about the projector's arrival back to Ohio than my own. After a bit of scrubbing and technical trial and error, Ben had turned our living room into a 1950's family vacation presentation. It's so much fun to watch the film; the only sound in the room is the sputtering of the projector as the film feeds through, frame by frame. There is an inevitable feeling of nostalgia and contentment as you view the world you know so well captured in such a unique and genuine way.

We're headed back to NYC in a few weeks and can't wait to try our 8mm film in the Big Apple!

RED: 8mm Movie: TEN

Like the majority of 20-something year old couples, Ben and I are aching to explore Europe together. Our refrigerator proudly displays a crumpled piece of notebook paper which was the product of a late night dinner with friends during which we decided upon 5 European countries we would like to visit the most. If all goes according to plan, one year from now you will be reading the most exciting RED post yet - a detailed description of a four week Glass Family European Journey. 

You should not be surprised that during one of our first planning sessions, the subject of photo documentary devices was brought up (i.e. "we need to set a limit on the number of cameras you would bring, Lily").  I don't need to tell you that my brain immediately began strategizing a way to fit my two polaroids, two brownies, two 35mm, digital cameras, my three favorite lenses, and enough film for four weeks into the most efficient bag possible. Ben saw right through me and intercepted my blueprints with "Two or three. Max." Uuuhhh arrow through the heart. You know we're talking about Europe right?! It's not fair that his craft simply require a pencil and a piece of paper...

As I created a mental pros and cons list for each camera, we started talking about how great it would be to have a motion recording of this fantastical adventure. One hour later, a Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera was purchased on Ebay. (I know what you're thinking - that boots out one of my still cameras. But once you watch the treat below, I'm sure you'll agree that it's more than a fair trade). 

Ben did some research and found the film we needed and a lab in Kansas that processes and transfers the footage into digital files. We ran two test reels and he edited the video into what you see below. My first thought after watching the video? "Our grandkids are gunna think we're so cool."

I can't begin to tell you how excited we are to take this little treasure to Europe with us. Can you imagine the Swiss Alps on this film?! I can't think of a better souvenir. 

RED: New Lily Glass Photography Packaging: NINE

Watch out - L. Glass Photography is gettin' swanky with new photo disc packaging and personalized labels. Take a peak at the new look here. Or better yet, schedule a photo appointment and receive one of your very own! Every photo session receives a disc with edited images and the shared rights to make prints to your hearts desire. More upgrades to come!

RED: Canoe Come Out and Play? EIGHT

Ben has always been a very creative boyfriend-fiance-husband. Our college years were full of scavenger hunts, sweet notes and little surprises. And when he's planning something, his reveal is quite clever. I, on the other hand, can't keep a good surprise to myself for more than five minutes. My dad and older sister stopped telling me what we got my mom for her birthday or for Christmas when I was four, I think. If I was in the know, the secret was out. Not because I'm a tattle, I just can't keep a good thing to myself! I love surprises, and twenty years later, I've made no progress. [Case in point: I was down south for two weeks in for weddings and came back the night before Ben's birthday. His presents didn't even make it to the wrapping paper. They were carried up the stairs and shoved in his face. Immediately. No self control].

Regardless, as summer was coming to an end, Ben asked that I not make plans for a certain day. I obeyed and did my best to pry it out of him. His first clue was "Knock, knock..." Actually, I think this was his last clue because I couldn't get it. The morning of our adventure rolled around and he told me the whole joke: "Knock, Knock. Who's there? Canoe. Canoe who? Canoe come out and play with me?" Clever.

We journeyed south and I was allowed to take just one camera (yes, Ben has to put a limit on my documentary devices). It was our first canoeing adventure and once my rowing was acceptable to the drill sergeant in the back of the boat... we did quite well together. It was a beautiful day for a canoe ride. We passed only one other boat and stopped at our leisure to skip rocks and rope swing. Loved every minute of it and will definitely be back at the first sign of summers return.

RED: New Apartment: SEVEN

It has been one super busy summer for REDBROWNBLONDE. For starters, we've each moved: BLONDE, just across the street. RED moved two miles down the road and BROWN moved clear across the country (the SIX hour time difference has made communication quite tricky, but we're getting the hang of it!). In addition to packing, transporting, unpacking and decorating, Blonde's been getting ready for her new teaching job (don't want to spoil it, I know she'll tell you all about it), and Red has had a blast shooting weddings all summer long (four more left this season!). Brown is currently job hunting which can be rough - but keep in mind, she's hunting in Hawaii, so.... Things are going well and despite our crazy schedules we've managed to keep in touch at least once a week over the phone. We're so determined not to let this big trans-continental move keep us apart. All the more reason to keep on blog-lovin'. 

Here's a sneak peak of Red and hubby's NEW COLUMBUS APARTMENT. It's a bit further bike ride to school for Ben, but the apartment is worth it - we love it! One thing's for sure, we've been eating a lot of corn! The 50 mile drive from our place to Ben's parent's is lined on either side with acre after acre of sweet delicious corn - thank you, Ohio.

This sweet little owl lamp belonged to my grandparents. We're super excited about using our fireplace this winter! A s'mores party is in the works. 

I've been looking for a tea cup all summer during my yard sales, but never fell in love with one. Just after my grandfather passed away in July, we found this little cup amongst some of his things. It's perfect.

One of my favorite nick-nacks is this set of old printing press letters - my mom and I spent a good hour among thousands of little letters at a great antique store on Hwy 75. They spell Glass! And below, that's our infamous purple couch. A fabulous, comfy, curious little craigslist find. Why purple? Why not?!

Our kitchen is quite a bit smaller than our last apartment, but I think it works just fine. We spend a lot of time in there... 

... preparing things to eat out here! We're thrilled to have a little piece of grass to enjoy this time around. Good friends just down the street + a patch of fresh mint = yummy summer night get-togethers. 

FIVE and SIX: RED+family go to New York City [Broadway Show].

Somewhere between the airport and the ferry during the bumpy, windy taxi ride on our way to St. John, my Aunt Liz was telling me about an upcoming business conference she would be attending in New York City. As she so often graciously does, she extended the travel opportunity to the family - she would be arriving in the Big Apple a couple of days in advance and invited us to join her and experience New York. Rufus [grandma], and my Mom were on board and having never been ourselves, Ben and I immediately took her up on the offer. To prepare for this journey, Ben and I made several trips to downtown Columbus during rush hour [note: it did not help]. 

We drove East to New Jersey (and listened to Empire State of Mind, oh, every 60 miles), and then took the train into the city. And yes, Ben was a little embarrassed when I told him to stand by the track so I could get his picture, several business men and women onlooking. Let the tourism begin. 

And so we arrived. We stayed uptown with my friend from high school, Emily, who went to college in New York and now lives there with her sister, Katie who teaches in Brooklyn. Emily is a beautiful, super talented woman  --  she and the city were made for each other!

Let us begin with our New York culinary experience. Don't you worry, we had street food and we had NY pizza, but we also had this:

Right to left: chilled vegetable soup, crap wrapped in zucchini leaf, a chocolate brooklyn bridge standing over a river of chocolate mousse, dish post the pasta that looked so appetizing I forgot to get a photo of it pre-devour, and a plate of petite fours. 

Aunt Liz and Ben are alike in that they are always prepared. No place is visited unless first researched. This means that the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants people like me and mom have the most delightful time, somewhat deliriously following along like this just all fell into place... Regardless, the restaurants to which Aunt Liz so graciously introduced us were the best I have ever experienced. Course after course of melt-in-your-mouth goodness and we were treated like royalty. My purse, yes my purse even got a stool so it didn't have to sit on the ground (which I'm sure was more immaculate than my kitchen counters). 

Every morning we took the subway to 52nd Street and enjoyed a breakfast of chocolate croissant goodness at the Cafe' Cognac. 

And in the evenings, we treated ourselves to a little night cap. Thus - morning and evening beverages: 

We spent one day with Lady Liberty and at Ellis Island. Piece of advice: if you go to the Statue of Liberty, the audio tour is a must. It was so informative and very well done; it made the experience so meaningful. Also, if you can take your grandmother along, do! Rufus was also full of information about our Irish ancestors who made the long journey to Ellis Island. 

Got Benny? I do!

Aunt Liz, Rufus and Mom

Now for the night-life portion of the blog. During Ben's preparations for our NYC experience the United Citizen's Brigade was recommended to him. This is a must for anyone traveling to NYC! [no photos allowed during the performance]. Several improv comedy groups make their home here and include lots of people that you'd recognize - we saw Bobby Moynihan (SNL), Zach Woods (The Office), and people from Madmen and Accidentally on Purpose. The first show we saw there was free. The second was $5/person. It's worth it to get to the theater a bit early and stand in line for a good seat - we sat front row both nights. Such a fun experience! Be sure to visit the site for more details.

Aunt Liz, Mom and Rufus stayed in The Novatel on Broadway. There was a fantastic balcony bar that overlooked Times Square so naturally we enjoyed some libations while taking in the city lights.

  

It was so much fun exploring the city!

Post cards were written in Central Park

followed by a trip to the MOMA (one of these busts is not like the others...),

where we encountered Marina Abramovic - performance artist - for the first time, and in person. The experience was quite unique. Not for children or the faint of heart, that's for darn sure. 

The five of us enjoyed a trip to Broadway, delighting in the fabulous costumes of the Lion King. The entire show was so visually stunning! 

A trip across the Brooklyn Bridge 

A second helping of chocolate croissants awaited us on the other side of the bridge. Brunch consumed, we each took to our respective traits: mom and I snapping photos, and Ben and Aunt Liz planning making sure we didn't get lost. 

Our last nights meal was my favorite venue. The restaurant was located in Brooklyn and overlooked the bridge. We enjoyed our dinner just as the sun was setting. 

It was such a wonderful experience and with wonderful people. I'm sure we'll be back. This husband of mine left a part of his poet soul there, I think. The city will always be on his mind. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go! 

THREE: All Girls Trip: RED

Every time my extended family is together we talk about how we need to be together more often and for years have traded wild suggestions about fantastic girl trips to the beach, to the west, on a cruise... but the wonderful thing about my family is that we really could have fun anywhere. In fact, I thought we had a pretty good time occupying half of the waiting room at the hospital while we hoped for good news about my mom's mastectomy back in October. Unfortunately, this was the kick in the britches we needed to actually plan a girls trip. A month later, Thanksgiving Day to be exact, we got the good news that no chemo or radiation would be necessary -- and immediately started planning.

My sweet in-laws (sweet is a fact, not just something I have to say), have spent the last few winters enjoying the sun and beauty of St. John, a beautiful US Virgin Island they were married on 26 years ago. After our wedding, Ben and I exchanged gifts and I was beside myself with excitement when I opened an envelope to find two tickets to visit St. John for spring break. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It's just a matter of hours until you realize no one can reach you there, and you physically and mentally melt into this relaxed state of island contentment. [I was one grumpy girl on that plane ride home].

At Thanksgiving, I asked Mama and Papa Glass about the possibility of a girls trip... then asked about brining five girls... Mama Glass' mouth dropped open and I knew I went too far. But then she said "yes! We would love it." And so, three months and countless snow storms later, I was boarding a plane bound for paradise.

At the airport, I waited just past the rum-punch welcoming committee for the others to arrive. My mom and my sister, Jennie were the first. A couple hours later and we piled into the taxi with my Aunt Liz and Grandma, "Rufus." St. John is only accessible via ferry boat, the last of which we just made after our adventurous taxi ride over St. Thomas. Mama and Papa Glass were waiting for us with a large truck that would be our transportation for the next several days. If steep inclines and hair-pin turns weren't difficult terrain enough, you drive on the left side of the road on the island... so we gladly left the driving to the professionals [M&P Glass].

Imagine sleeping in a room of screened floor to ceiling windows, the full moon lighting up the entire house and the silhouette of the cliffs and ocean outside, to the tune of the crickets and the wind rustling through the trees [now do you see why I was grumpy leaving this place?].

Rufus and Aunt Liz could only stay for three nights, so we wanted to explore the island best we could while they were with us. Our first stop was Hawk's Nest Beach. You really can't go wrong when choosing a beach on the island; white sandy beaches and the most beautiful turquoise, green and blues you've ever seen. Back in 1956, Mr. John Rockefeller donated a generous sum to preserve 2/3 of the island as National Park. And since the island is only accessible by boat, you're often left with the feeling that it's your little secret.

can you tell they're related?

rufus with M&P Glass - she was a big hit, but that wasn't a surprise to anyone.

We spent the majority of the days on the beach and then headed home for some pool time and one of Papa Glass' famous pina colada's or rum punches (some days, one of each!). It was just what everyone needed- some time away from work and stress -- able to relax and just chit chat all the day long.
Papa Glass was running the Eight Tuff Miles for the fourth year in a row that Saturday morning, so we ladies left him to rest Friday night and went out for some prime rib specials! Delicious. The band didn't know "Pretty Woman", but they did sing "My Girl" for Rufus. Everyone was singing along by the end of the song.

Remember those steep hills and hair pin turns? Eight miles of this make up the course of the "Eight Tuff Miles" and after witnessing the start and finish line, I personally vowed to never take part. Runners come from all over the world to compete in this race. The record time was broken by three minutes this year. Mama Glass, Mom and I enjoyed some delicious french toast just across the street from the finish line (we considered feeling a little bit guilty thinking of Papa Glass enduring the hills and the heat, but the french toast was just so good...). We made it to the finish line with minutes to spare as he ran through, beating his previous times.

We said goodbye to Rufus and Aunt Liz, who left far too early. The remaining days were filled with shopping, snorkeling, hiking, fantastic dining and good conversation. We saw starfish, countless sea turtles and even some stingrays swimming amongst a variety of other colorful fish at Maho Bay (my favorite).

this is ben and I at maho bay 2009... and then just me at the same tree 2010, missing him

Woody's Seafood Bar provided the best Pina Colada I've ever had, hands down. We did a toast with delicious Pain Killers to sweet Ben who was teaching away up in snowy Ohio -- and even met a real pirate!

Our last night on the island, we met several of M&P Glass' island friends and enjoyed a night of wine tasting at a local restaurant -- delicious appetizers paired perfectly with red and white wines from California.

The whole week was spectacular. Good quality time with fantastic people. My sister Jennie and I spent a couple evenings chatting away late into the night, which was great. No distractions, just sweet conversation and beautiful scenery. We can't thank M&P Glass enough for opening their island home to us. They truly have the gift of hospitality and we couldn't have been more fortunate to spend a week with them in the Caribbean. Hope this is just the first of many girl trips to come!