Cheers to Good Health and Well Being and Gratitude and Art Fortune

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Camilla

December 25 2016:

Cheers from Team TLC and The Romano Duo!

We toasted to good health and well being. I’ve been incredibly sick since last Monday and not the best host. Grateful to The Romano Duo for their understanding.

Lillian is having her sleepover with them tonight! May the force be with them!!! xoxo 🙏💤

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December 26 2016:

Lillian says, “I don’t like it when their visits end. They seem too fast. I had a lot of fun with them and I always do”! Thomas says, “Seemed so short and don’t like it when their visits end.”

Today was their last day here …. and my first day to come out of the house since they’ve been here! So we could at least have a picture of all of us. This sickness has been kicking my booty!!

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December 27 2016:

They left early this morning … Safe travels Romano Duo. Til next time!!!

Got a good shot of the sweater Thomas loves. Going on the 3rd day straight wearing it! xoxo

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December 30 2016:

Oceans of gratitude to you Kathy Montoya Duncan for giving me a really good trim. I am grateful for this thick hair, yet it can get pretty heavy feeling being as long as it was. And, deeply grateful for trading my book for the cut!!! Blessings and love abound to you!!!

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December 31 2016:

My art fortune from Pan received earlier this month. Things got crazy busy with Biggest Little Photographer and this got buried in papers. Just came across it again.

I had just met Pan minutes earlier. He did not know the ideas that come to me daily nor that walking is so deeply intertwined with who I be.

Win the day, I have to say, forthcoming, will be the way. …… Walk With Me and Lessons from Nature ….. I AM Ready .… xoxo

Thank You Thomas and Lillian

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Camilla

December 22 2016:

More getting caught up ….. For our November gratitude project we wrote letters of gratitude to our future selves, to one another to be mailed in the future, and a letter thanking someone to be delivered in person in the present moment.

I had done it all except the letter thanking someone. I wrote two!! Delivered Lillian’s last night. What a wonderful feeling! xoxo

Lillian:

I don’t know if I have ever truly thanked you for being my daughter. Thank you for choosing me to be your Mom.

Thank you for every card you have created for me. Thank you for sitting beside me, reading with me, and playing with my hair.

Thank you for every gift you have ever made for me. Thank you for helping around the house. Thank you for going on walks with me.

Thanks for going on dates with me. Thank you for being so kind when I’m sick. Thank you for watching movies with me. Thank you for going to the library with me. Thank you for going to parks with me.

Thank you for being on this “Living in a Tiny Home” adventure with me. Thanks for laughing with me and dancing with me. Thanks for taking pictures of nature with me.

Thank you for being the daughter I get to have while on this life adventure!!

Love,
Mom
Camilla

Thomas:

I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked your for choosing me to be your Mom. Thank you for being my son, thank you for going on walks with me.

Thank you for reading with me, and sharing your knowledge with me. Thank you for going to the library with me. Thank you for loving nature as much as me.

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for helping around the house. Thank you for listening to mantra and meditation music with me. Thank you for dancing with me.

Thank you for the cards you make for me and thank you for all of the gifts you have created for me!

Thank you for sitting beside me. Thanks for holding my hand. Thank you for hugging me and kissing me on the cheek.

Thank you for being a part of this “Living in a Tiny Home” adventure. Thank you for BEing YOU. Thanks for being on this life’s journey with me!

Love,
Mom
Camilla

Biggest Little Photographer LIVE on the Radio

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Camilla

December 18 2016:

Did you know there’s a local and live radio show all about the newest books? There is indeed!! It’s the LRP Book Hound radio show!

Thomas and I were on the show live on Monday, 12.19, between 4-4:30 talking about Biggest Little Photographer!! OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV …. Live streaming at https://amm.streamon.fm/ …

We are so grateful to Jan for this opportunity and the entire crew at LRP for all they have done with bringing the book together. Oceans of thanks to everyone who has supported and cheered from the beginning and who continue to support Thomas’ creation! xoxo

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December 19 2016:

Thomas was nervous to begin with, yet he got over that!! Went great and we had FUN!

Thomas and I were live this afternoon on OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV on the LRP Book Hound talking about Biggest Little Photographer ….

Why I Began to Blog

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Camilla

December 22 2016:

Team TLC extra movie night: My choice: “Julie & Julia” –

I say, “I watched this for the first time in 2007. It was one of the reinforcing messages to teach myself everything about blogging.

Which, I did. I spent hours and hours learning. And, then I jumped in!! I purchased my, Thomas’, and Lillian’s names as domains as I knew this would be important for them later in life. Thomas was 2 years old at the time. He’s 11 years old now. (CamillaDowns.com and ThomasADarnell.com and LillianDarnell.com … )

I began blogging at Pink Elephant Books .com and then Lillian joined me over there. I think she was 6 years old. Then at some point she and I switched to writing at our namesake blogs. And, later, Thomas did too. And at some point I began an online journal at The Team TLC .com (this blog).

I loved this movie then and now as, for me, it is about listening to our intuition, divine messages, and following those messages without hesitation. xoxoxo”

Thomas says, “I liked it. I like food. I liked that she was driven by a passion for something. I liked how it switched back and forth in time. I like how it is similar to my 365 photography project.”

Lillian says, “Good, I like how it has to do with food, liked how she was passionate, like the humor, my favorite parts were Julie’s blog, and after she cooked the last dish, and how she got to see Julia’s kitchen.”

Completion and New Beginnings

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Camilla

December 14 2016

Here’s to completion and new beginnings!!

Today we graduated from psychotherapy sessions with Alexa at Midtown Mindfulness.

After a trip back home to Germany beginning tomorrow, Alexa will begin her new journey helping young girls affected by sex trafficking. A beautiful heart centered new beginning for her.

We are extremely grateful for the year and a half we’ve experienced sessions with Alexa. She has seen Lillian come a long way from that first visit in 2014.

Alexa always shared wonderful comments about my style of parenting and ability to stay calm and relaxed. Of course I’m not always able to sustain this, yet how would I know the joy and peace of remaining calm if I don’t experience the opposite.

Mindfulness is indeed miraculous and has been life changing for all 3 of us. Another wonderful path in our journey together!!! Cheers!!!!!

Biggest Little Photographer on the Radio and Flying to Germany

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Camilla

December 13 2016:

Thank you Terry Torpet Vasenden for buying 10 copies of Biggest Little Photographer to be sold at Sierra Family Pharmacies, including Don’s Pharmacy!! He gets a spot right up front at the counter! Your kindness, friendship, and excitement were refreshing to experience this afternoon! xoxo

So far 5 local shops are selling Biggest Little Photographer … He’s getting around! Tomorrow is post office run day so if you planned on buying a book and want it mailed tomorrow, place your order by end of day today.

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December 14 2016:

Biggest Little Photographer gets to travel to Bavaria, Germany tomorrow with Alexa! He will permanently reside there with her Photographer Uncle!!! We are so blessed to have had Alexa in our lives for this past year and a half. xoxo … (Alexa is the wonderful psychotherapist that we’ve been seeing to help Lillian with processing emotions. Today was our last session with her! We graduated!)

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December 15 2016:

Thomas and I will be on the LRP Book Hound radio show live this coming Monday, 12.19, between 4-4:30 to talk about Biggest Little Photographer!! OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV and live streaming at https://amm.streamon.fm/….

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December 16 2016:

Thank you Dave Asher at Buy Nevada First Gift Shop & Visitors Center!! Biggest Little Photographer looks amazing with all the other locally created souvenirs! It’s already time to re-stock! There’s only one left!

Thanks so much everyone!! Supporting another’s heart creation is indeed a blessing all the way around! xoxo

How to Have a Simple and Stress Free Gift Giving Season

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Camilla

December 10 2016:

Nearly all the gifts Team TLC exchange are handmade …. Always using recycled materials and arts & crafts we already own.

This year the lodge and staff where we live have provided a gift wrap station. We went over yesterday so Thomas and Lillian could wrap the items they’ve created so far. So fun!

When we got to the library they, too, had a gift wrap station and books for sale for 50 cents to 1.00. This book loving families eyes lit up at the sight of all those books!! We purchased a few books and wrapped them. More fun!

This is not only how we celebrate Christmas. We also create handmade gifts for one another for all other “gift giving” times. For about the past 10 years I have been slowly shifting away from consumerism.

Instead modeling and teaching that fulfillment and joy are inside jobs and not attained by the amount of stuff we have. And showing ones love for another is done on a daily basis and is not about how much and how many store bought gifts are given.

The gifts we give are truly listening, supporting one another, and helping each other to see and experience the wonder of the world. Yet, I also strive to teach and model non-judgment of anyone who chooses a different lifestyle and philosophy.

We do usually exchange at least one store bought item as there are things we need or items we feel will enhance our joy.

If you were to ask if there are things I want ….. Sure, there are! I’d be over the moon joyful about receiving a real camera, a pair of moccasins, and new cookware. Yet, I’m also not going to be sad and feel deprived because I don’t have them.

May you have a joyful, peaceful, and warm weekend!!! xoxo

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Sparkly paper snowflakes! xoxo ❄️❄️❄️

These are inexpensive and FUN to make. Not to mention gorgeous when hung on the tree or from the ceiling!

Biggest Little Photographer Featured in Local Author Section

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Camilla

December 9 2016:

Team TLC Library Day + Biggest Little Photographer on the shelf in the Local Author section!! Double the adventure! Wahoooo!

So far Biggest Little Photographer is being sold in 5 local gift shops! Oceans of thanks to everyone for the purchases, referrals, kindness, love, and encouragement!! xoxo

How to Decorate Minimally for Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Camilla

November 27 2016:

Tree and decorations to match tiny home living …. Simple and minimal …. Well into our second year in this lovely one bedroom, one bathroom 815 square foot condo ….. Love, love, love …. xoxo

Craft Faire and Book Signing and Where to Find Biggest Little Photographer

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Camilla

November 27 2016:

Mr. Minifigure Photographer gets to attend the Magic of Santa Craft Faire next Saturday, 12.3! Thomas and I and the Biggest Little Photographer will be part of the Book Blast! space.

We will be there from 10-4. Stop by for a hug and a book if you’re there!

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November 28 2016:

Thank you Natalie Gorden for surprising us on Saturday. I so very much appreciate you stopping by to see us and to buy a few books at the book signing! Oceans of love to YOU! xoxo

So far Biggest Little Photographer will be in five local shops: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy, Buy Nevada First, Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop, and NeverEnder.

If you know anyone, we are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks; including Nevada Historical Society, Wilbur May Center, visitor centers, casino gift shops and hospital gift shops. xoxoxo

Worlds of thanks to everyone for the connections to local shops in regards to stocking Biggest Little Photographer!” xoxo …. Blessings abound to everyone!!

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November 30 2016:

Wednesday is post office day for Biggest Little Photographer. Safe, quick travels Mr. Minifigure Photographer! Have fun in Carson City, Nevada; Mountain View, California; and Youngsville, Louisiana!!! xoxo

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November 30 2016:

Thank you Coral Wilcox for coming by to see us on Saturday and buying a book. I’m incredibly happy we finally got to meet! Thanks, also, for the hugs! Oceans of love to YOU! xoxo

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December 1 2016:

Delivered books to Neverender today. What an absolutely beautiful shop! So many locally created items. I’ll be back to get some of the amazing soy candles in recycled bottles. WOW! For now, this is the place to get the book in Mid Town. Thank you Melanie Crane for your trust, kindness, and having such an awesome shop!

The other locations around town are: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy (delivering next week), Buy Nevada First (delivering next week), and Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop (delivered today).

So far that’s 6 “Yes!” and 5 “No” responses and several waiting to hear back from! Plus, one book signing. I say that’s a success.

Heck, just asking is a success. Even further, simply creating the book is a success. It’s interesting that all but one of the “No” responses were not referred and don’t know us. All of the “Yes” responses were referred or know us.

Oceans and oceans of thanks to those of you who have purchased a book or referred us. Books are certainly not a “popular” item and it’s difficult to get those who don’t know the story to not lump this in with past experiences with books.

I’m not sure I’ve seen a 365 photo a day project that was done by an 8 year old made into an actual published book with ISBN and LCCN numbers.

Every day I open my eyes and put my feet on the ground is a success. Today was a success!! xoxo

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December 2 2016:

Thank you Todd Kihara for coming by to see us on Saturday and buying a book. We hope your Dad loves the book!!! Let us know!

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December 3 2016:

Our magic is complete for the day! Home from The Magic of Santa Craft Faire. We were part of the Book Blast magic!

One person who bought Biggest Little Photographer is a photographer for magazines and he LOVED the book!

Thomas and I had our art fortune read and created by Pan Pantonja … our table mate. Thanks LRP Printing Publishing & Business Center for inviting and including us.