Strawberry Shortcake

Today I took one look at the carton of strawberries in the fridge, the first of the season, and immediately wanted to make strawberry shortcake. So I did. Because it's Easter and everyday is a cause for celebration. Because baking makes me happy. Because food makes me happy. Honestly, I think food is my love language. This cake reminds me of summer, but I'm enjoy the beauty of spring and the joy of the Easter season.

Film

Last summer I found a Canon AE-1 film camera at a thrift store for $5. I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but I picked it up anyway. I bought a roll of film later that day and began snapping away. I was trying to use the film intentionally, so it took me a few months to fill it. I still had a couple shots left when my brother picked it up a couple weeks ago. He finished the roll off and then took it to get developed for me. Oh my, I wish I had developed them sooner! Film is beautiful. There's something about slowing down before you trigger the shutter that you often forget about when shooting digitally. It's a challenge. And I'm far from perfect at it. But these shots make me so happy.

Introducing...

I've had multiple blogs in the last six years. Some I was better at keeping updated than others. So you're probably asking yourself why in the world I've decided to start another. Well, long story short, I finally figured out why I want to be blogging.

I currently have a blog for my photography (Leah Miren), I created that one to share my work and have a place where I could send potential clients to see what they could expect from me. I've been negligent of that blog as well, but I know why. I was trying to mix personal and professional and it just wasn't working. I figure that if I have two blogs, one for me and one for my photography, it'll be easier to decide what belongs and what doesn't. Way easier.

So you're now looking at a brand new blog. A place where I feel free to share whatever catches my fancy. There will be photos and stories and recipes. I want to blog to document my life. I want family and friends, near and far, to get a glimpse into my life and who I'm growing to be. Not because my life is perfect. Not because I think I have the most interesting life. It's just a place for me to document little happenings and things I'm enjoying. Maybe no one will be interested, and I'm okay with that too. If nothing else, I want to record things here as a way to slow down and really appreciate where I'm at.

"Life moves pretty fast, 
if you don't stop and look around once in a while, 
you could miss it."
Ferris Bueller's Day Off

As for the name of the blog, in a sense it's my motto. I'm called to be "salt of the earth". To radiate Christ, that which every soul longs for. And I strive to live my life in joy. So through my joy I hope to radiate the love of Christ to those who don't know Him. 

"You are the salt of the earth. 

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? 

It is no longer good for anything 

but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Matthew 5:13

Also, life isn't always perfect. Sometimes there are tears and sometimes there's laughter. Salt and joy. My mom can also attest to the fact that I love salt, just in case you were wondering. :)

Welcome to Salt & Joy. Welcome to my perfectly imperfect life.