Bring Change To Mind

Originally I was going to share this site Bring Change To Mind in my January Charity section, but in light of what has happened recently in Newtown, Connecticut, I am posting it earlier.  My blog site is not meant to be political or opinionated about big issues.  It's to show the wonderful lives of the children, families and our pets enjoying our ZEN Lifestyles.  I think this tragedy has touched so many in our world that I feel it important to share a site that a friend had recently posted on Facebook.  Her son, like so many other sons, daughters, parents and grand parents struggle with mental illness. My own mother suffered for years with bi-polar disease, so I know first hand how difficult it is to be the helpless one trying so desperately to find the right help for your struggling loved one.

Like most, I am heartbroken for the families who lost their children, worried for the first responders who will never forget what they saw, but did their jobs to help save others and get answers as quickly as possible, and saddened that those with a mental illness have such a difficult time getting help when they need it, before their illness takes over and hurts others..


Bring Change To Mindhttp://bringchange2mind.org/
Adults and kids alike are dealing with mental illness in our world. Unfortunately, most people do not look at it as an illness. Bring Change To Mind is working to erase the stigma of mental illness. You can help by reading their website, having an open mind as to how this illness takes over someones life and how you can help to understand what someone dealing with a mental illness is going through. With this kind of understanding, you can bring awareness and and help remove misconceptions for others. Consider holding a drive or even send a donation their way to help us Bring Change To Mind.

May we find a way to make a positive change for everyone.

Many blessing to you all

Janice K. Nelson

Home and Gardens Slideshow

Southwest Michigan Hideaway

One of our favorite places to stay on the southwest coast of Michigan is at a Bed and Breakfast called Harbert House http://harberthouse.net/index.html , in Harbert, MI. Located near the Warren Dunes, this B & B is run by Nancy, who is wonderful chef from Chicago. The rooms are very comfortable, with a private bathroom in each room. If you have diet concerns, she is very accommodating to making sure her homemade food is perfect for each of you. Believe me; we have carnivores, vegetarians and someone with celiac disease in our family, not to mention picky children! Our entire family has rented all of the rooms and stayed for a week over the holidays! My in-laws now own a home nearby Nancy, but we still have friends and family stay there when we have an overflow at our home, and she has become such a part of our family that we invite her to our holidays. Just tell her Janice sent you!

Changing Seasons

As the seasons change, so will my blog.  I debated a snowy background, but we are still snowless in Ann Arbor and it's so hard to think snow when we keep holding on to the late fall-like weather outside.  Instead, I'm going with a beautiful holiday star. 

From my family to yours, we wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

Blessings from The Nelson Family

Book Publishing

I'm excited to share some news with you! I've recently added a new publishing company to my photography business. This will help me to create and publish a variety of professional books, from photography to novels, poetry to memoirs, trips taken, cookbooks, journals and calendar books, just to name a few. I am excited to be working with a company that provides such beautiful heirloom-pro line quality paper and bindings.

Once we have your book created, you can share it, sell it or view it as an ebook. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

Best!

 

Cupcakes in Cadillac!

I got word from my hometown of Cadillac, MI that there is a new sweet stop on the north side of town.  If you are in the neighborhood visit the bakery and deli on the north side called The Sweetest Things. In the bakery they make gourmet cupcakes with a variety of fillings. If you are in the mood for lunch, they also make wraps and panini's served on authentic Italian bread.

 

This is a brand new business with exciting flavors to try, and what a great way to support a local family business. The next time I'm up north you can bet I won't pass this one by! YUM!

Charity of the Month for December

In the holiday season, always important to remember those less fortunate.

Food Gathers

http://www.foodgatherers.org/

We are so lucky in Washtenaw County to have such a place as Food Gathers. This organization gathers food from area stores and restaurants to give to those in need. Food that may have been wasted if it were not for Food Gathers picking it up and redistributing it. I worked with FG through another non-profit organization for years, where I learned the work that they and their volunteers do is just amazing. If you have the chance to go to 1 Carrot Lane, you should take your family and ask them how you can help. You will never forget your experience.

We've Got The Perfect Gift!

 

GIFT CERTIFICATES from Z.E.N. Photography Lifestyles can be a great way for one or more people to contribute to a special gift for family and friends.  

 

To purchase, email ZENPhotographyLifestyles@gmail.com 

 

 

HOLIDAY SPECIAL PRICE Gift certificates purchased by December 16th can be used to save $100 on either of the following Z.E.N. packages.

1. A spring time photo shoot with photo book Sale price: $250

2. A family heritage book  Sale price: $450

 

Also on sale, personalized 2013 photo Calendars - with photos on the cover, at the top of each month and up to 12 special days chosen for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Sale price: $40

 

Gift certificates can be purchased for the calendar.  Please note that all calendars will be made in January 2013 with your photos from 2012 or if you would like to add a photo shoot to this package Sale price: $250 inclusive (photo shoot with calendar).

 

What is a FAMILY HERITAGE BOOK?
Bring out the old boxes of photos, you know the ones of you as a child and the other boxes that hold your parents old black and whites! Your intentions have been good to put those in order and into a more organized album, but there never seems to be enough time to do it. Z.E.N. Photography will take care of this big project for you!

We create 3 types of beautiful Family Heritage Books.
1. With photos only
2. Each photo captioned with names
3. Tell your family story. Photos with added journaling about your family.

We believe in taking the time to capture your family stories and trasform these "old photos in a box" into a bound hard covered book that you can share and pass down to other family members for years to come.

How do we do this?
1. You gather all those old photos
2. Put them into a timeline order, as much as possible
3. If you know who the people are in each photo, write the names down on a post-it and stick it onto
    the back of the photo
4. We will meet and talk about the type of book that you invision for your Family Heritage Book.
5. We create and deliver a fabulous book that you will love to share as gifts, for each family member
     to hand down for generations.

To purchase, email ZENPhotographyLifestyles@gmail.com

Z.E.N. Moments

Admired Artist for December 2012

ARTIST - HELEN GOTLIB
http://www.helengotlib.com/
Helen is an amazing artist from Ann Arbor. I have known Helen since she was in the 6th grade. Her love of drawing has taken her across the state, from east to west, north to south in our nation and around the world! If she is not on the road or flying somewhere, you can find Helen at numerous events including the Ann Arbor Art Fair every July or at her studio in Ann Arbor. Her technique is as unique as she is. I have admired her since she was that young middle schooler, but her work makes me smile and feel proud to say that I know her. Check out Helen's work, you may find something that will be perfect for your home!

Miss You, Dad

In August of 2009 I took this photograph of my dad leaning against the gate of his garden. He worked so hard throughout his whole life, and his garden was something that he was always proud of, something that you had to take a walk through every time you came to visit. If it was harvest season, you could be sure to take home lots of fresh vegetables.

It turned out that this would be the last photograph that I could ever take of my dad. In November of that year he fell, while cleaning his chimney and died of severe injuries. This photo means so much to me because it's how I remember my dad throughout his life. I'm so glad I happened to capture him in his ZEN moment.