Puzzles & Life

Puzzles!!!! My mother-in-law and I just started puzzle Number 10!

Funny thing about puzzles. After you pull it out of the box, you have to turn all the pieces over so that you can see what you are working with. Then, you look at the picture to see what the Picture is. Sort through and find all the flat pieces and put up the border first. Once the border of the puzzle is complete, you begin to fill it in. One of the things I do, is put like colors together. If I see something like a dog, or an ice cream cone or a small little bird, it's easy to figure it out. But I never look at all the pieces, and do it on my own. I need the picture on the box. I can take one tiny little puzzle piece, study it with the picture on the box, and know exactly where it goes. It's the same thing about life. It is so important that we put our borders up, and then fill in the pieces, sort it all out,by studying the master picture. Without that picture, it would just be a pile of cardboard pieces.

I feel like my life is just like that puzzle. The picture I picked is Photography. I have put up my borders. Sometimes I feel like I am still finding all the border pieces - Other times I feel like I am done. But one thing I know for sure, it is a very long process to sort out the pieces of my photography business, as well as life at home with my husband and mother in law. It's going to take time, but when the picture is done, it will be well worth the effort and time. I am enjoying the process.

This week I got the key to the Studio.
February 2, 2010, I will be in the studio waiting for my first client.


I will also be able to work on the production of the cookbook in the studio. I finished another batch of cookies for the cookbook. This week I made Date Nut Bars, Nana's Rich Brownies, and Biscotti DiRegina. My Lemon Bars flopped!

The Road Ahead

End of my first week with many short term goals to reach. Out of all of them, I accomplished one. I made one recipe from the "Cookbook". Nana's Rich Chocolate Brownies. They were wonderful. I was able to bake, correct the recipe, take a picture, and have it all beautiful.
Did I also tell you that my mother in law is now living with us? She is going to be 87 years old. Her name is Frannie, like mine. She has dementia. The challenge of it all. George and I have been alone for over 1 1/2 years, and so there is somewhat of an adjustment. I am glad she is with us. She needs our help. That's what families are all about. Being there for one another.

So, as I journey through this life, I know that we are all in God's hands. He will give us the strength and courage to face each day.

I had her read me the recipe. She felt like she was working with me. She had a job to do, and it made her smile. It made me smile too! But as I write this blog, I have tears in my eyes. There is sunshine in this sadness. One day, she won't remember us. So as I journey with my photography business, my cookbook, and all the other "Things" I am working on, I may go just a little bit slower, so that my Mother in Love, can walk beside me, and be a part of all of this as long as we are together.
"Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Lord, I am counting on that!

The Year of the "Italian Wedding Tray" Cookbook

As I sit here planning out my day, my week, and my year. I have short term goals, as well as weekly goals, followed by a yearly goal. It is so different from "New Year's Resolutions. I don't do well with those, so I never make them. But what I do try to set are goals.


One of my goals for this year is to finish a cookbook that I started many years ago. My first recipe was my mom's Peanut Butter cookies. That was at 11 years old. That was the same year, I got my first camera. And the two have gone hand in hand all these years. A desire to be the best in photography, and the other to write a cookbook of all the recipes that my mom, grandmothers, aunts, used for the "Italian Wedding Tray".

I promised my dad I would finish the book, that was six years ago. The week before he died, I told him I would. Mourning my loss, I lost track of the process and also loss of time.

So, I will work on finishing this cookbook. I have a connection from a local company that will help me. I will call them this week.

So, Bowl, ingredients, and camera in hand, the journey has begun.

This week, I review the contract for Studio Space in Rohnert Park. If all looks good, I sign papers for a one year lease. February 1, 2010, My shingle will be hung. I am going to have a Grand Opening Celebration! You will all be invited.

2010 Brings Promise

January 13, 2010.

We are just two weeks into this New Year. And wonderful things are ahead for Russell Event Photography.

I would like to share with you some exciting things that are out on our Horizon.

January 9, 2010 at the Haus Fortuna in Petaluma, I had the honor of being a featured Artist along with two other women. I was able to share my "Off the Beaten Path Through Italy", photos. The display will be there on display for a total of 8 weeks. So if you are in the Petaluma area, stop by. It's a wonderful "Everything Italian" gift store. You can find Murano Glass, Wonderful smelling imported soaps, kitchen utensils, Masks from Venice, Italian cookbooks, pottery from Umbria, and so much more. I want to thank Karla for the invitation!
http://www.hausfortuna.com/



My photography business is up and running. I am very excited with what is ahead this year.
My son Jon and I are flying to Las Vegas in March to the Wedding, Professional Portrait International Conference. There are about 12,000 attendees and 350 vendors-Everything for the Photographer. We won a free Registration through a David Ziser Conference that was held in San Francisco last year. We are excited to learn and gather wonderful information through the platform classes. We will be there for one week.

I have some "Italy" photos in Nicolino's Resturant in Cotati, California. Wonderful Italian Restaurant with very good authentic food. Nicolino is a wonderful Italian Man.
707) 664-1418
8204 Old Redwood Hwy Cotati, CA I also have some of my "Italy" photos at an attorney's office in Santa Rosa, Ca.

I have landscapes, flowers, rivers and wildlife photos at doctor's offices throughout Northern California. So I am just waiting for the photo calls for orders!!!

April 11, 2010, I along with a photography friend Steve Bryan are producing an Art Fair at the DoubleTree Hotel in Rohnert Park. We are working to bring artists together during these hard economic times to show our community at large that the arts are still alive. If you are in the area, or better yet, make a special trip to come to this wonderful art fair. more information on our website at: http://www.northbayartfair.com/ We are hoping for 40 artists. Look at the artist/vendor page to see who is going to be there. I am so excited with the artists that have signed up so far. It's going to be a great day!

February 1, 2010, if all goes well, I am in the final stages of securing a Portrait Studio here in Rohnert Park. Just about 3 miles from home. I will let you know when I move in.

Keeping You posted!
Fran Russell
Russell Event Photography
(707) 479-4772