Remember back when it was just you and you were in complete control of all your free time? You only did the things you wanted, when you wanted and how you wanted? I've been thinking about those days. Not because I was having one of those crazy mother of four moments, but because I've been trying to figure out where all that awesome precious time has been going? I miss the quiet of my own thoughts. I miss quiet period. So this week, guiltily, I've been reading some books by Laura Vanderkam. She writes about time management. Her books are less stone cold research and more conversational fun mixed in with all the facts.  I read "What successful people do before breakfast" Monday and Tuesday and on Wednesday I started "168 hours" - she breaks down the work week into nice chunks that start early. After reading her for a couple of days, I started waking up early. Four am early and I've been doing the things I don't do  or feel like I can't do while the kids are awake. I exercise. I read a novel. I edit photos of beautiful babies. I drink the FIRST cup of coffee in utter quiet and pumpkin spice goodness. This book a delightful guilty pleasure that I like to read while my house sleeps. Check her out. You might like her too.

I really enjoyed seeing your guilty pleasures this week. In fact, I bet a lot of us shared the same guilty pleasures. It's nice to have more than one. Congrats to our featured photographers. Our top ten is in no particular order each week. When you enjoy the photo, check out the artists. Chances are you will like more of their work. A link to each artist is directly below each shot. 

Here we go...

ONE {Love these bold colors and glowing glitter. Great choice for your Guilty pleasure. And I strive to be just like you painting my nails multiple times a week to a coordinating outfit.}

Week 40 - Guilty Pleasure by Bernadette Miller 

TWO {I love everything about this shot. The gorgeous landscape. The out of place mystery of the piano. It's delightful. I wish you could build a bubble around it and use it year round!}

Project 52 Guilty Pleasure by Terry Lynn Ayers 

THREE {A guilty pleasure after all our own hearts. More lenses? Yes please. It's always yes please. Always.}

Wk 40/52: Kit by Tony McCann 

FOUR {This shot makes me Happy. Mmmm. I love the bright light and the great candy shadows!}

EP52 40/52 {guilty pleasure} by Anita Cline 

FIVE {What's not to love about a great adventure? Boldly going where no one wants us to be...I do it all the time. The secret is to be quick and to play dumb. Carry on Adventurous photographers!}

Project 52/40... Guilty Pleasures... by picsbymekarenlee 

SIX {Candy crush is the new angry birds. It was probably made the angry bird guy. Great shot of a fun time waster!}

40/52 guilty pleasure by Detta Owens 

SEVEN {Feet up with some pop corn watching reality TV? A fun guilty pleasure indeed! Confession: I haven't faithfully watched a program since LOST.}

Week 40/52 Guilty Pleasure by Catherine_pdx

EIGHT {Sharpies are fantastic. So many colors. So many tips. So many sizes. Have you seen the neon ones? Just saying, you might want to check them out!}

sharpies by jules1836 

NINE {Shoes! Love this guilty pleasure. When I walk into the DSW it's like Christmas morning. I want to unwrap every box. Great shot!}

Week 40/52 - Guilty Pleasure by Lisa Kollberg 

TEN {Great choice. 1800 awards shouldn't make you feel one bit guilty about this choice. :-)}

Guilty Pleasure by Lissa

Week 41's theme is: "Think BIG"

This great big family is always so much fun. Meet the Davis / DeFord / Miller bunch.  It has been such a pleasure to meet them this year. I love it when clients become great friends. Don't you?

What's New with Daphne Ellenburg?

This week, I'm writing to you from beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. The rain from Karen was too much to bare for the entire weekend, so my wonderful husband planned a family gettaway that starts here and ends tomorrow in the best place on earth, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We're rolling with the Tide all weekend. Jefferson will attend his first Tide game {outside the womb} and Madison is more excited about staying in a hotel than going to the game. We've got connecting rooms and I heard great things this evening like "Mom! come check this out ~ it's a closet!" "Mom! Can you believe there is a shower in here too!" I've really got to start taking her more places. It's nice that she's so excited about everything. It makes every trip that much more enjoyable.

She set her hotel space up nicely.

And this is Jefferson's first official road trip. He's pretty darn excited. Travel tip: The app "Monkey Talk" is the best 99 cents I've  ever spent. Look it up.

Got a great fortune.

Bought a sock monkey. Ok, I'm going to share it with Jefferson.

Cheered for the Saints (not as loud as Jefferson) and the Satsuma Gators this week. My oldest boy played a great game that Mike and I watched huddled together in the rain.

And for no reason in particular, I'm sharing this photo of me in my underwear with you. I found it in my closet this week and brought it to my Mom for a good laugh. She brought me this stuff back from her trip to Hawaii in 1980. That's 5 year old Daphne. And short stack is my little brother, J.J.

Wishing you a BIG week of Family, Fun and Photography! Make it a GREAT week!

Like what you read? Leave us a comment below :-) We love to read what you write.

Daphne Ellenburg is a Portrait photography business owner located in Southern Alabama with a supportive family and a new fancy-pants NEW 2000 sq ft studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and newly all things Canon. Daphne also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Catch up with her at Ellenburg Photography.com  

Ellenburg Photography's award winning photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, specializes in Wedding Photography and Family Portraiture. We are located just north of Mobile Alabama. We proudly serve all of Alabama, and Gulfcoast Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. (251) 656-7601