This past week was crazy busy — with lots of work and wedding planning (oh! the wedding planning) — and I did not have a chance to take photos until the weekend. Luckily for me, I was in Memphis and had a few fantastic models — two dogs.

Kaci, your wish is totally coming true.

I present: the week of Lucy and Callie.

Saturday, April 17 at 9:40 a.m.: This little puppy isn’t allowed to sleep in the bed at my house, but she can do whatever she wants at her KK’s. She snuggled up next to me both nights, and it was amazing.

Saturday, April 17 at 5:53 p.m.: Callie, the temptress. Callie, my mother’s Golden Retriever, enjoys drawing Lucy in by rolling around on her back and then leaping up (as best she can) to attack.

It’s a fun game, obviously.

Saturday, April 17 at 5:52 p.m.: Callie on the offensive!

Saturday, April 17 at 5:52 p.m.: Lucy fights back!

Saturday, April 17 at 5:53 p.m.: Crazy eyes!

Saturday, April 17 at 5:55 p.m.: Look at that snazzy photographer! Who is she?

… A stunner, that’s who.

Ha.

Sunday, April 18 at 3:19 p.m.: This little bird fell out of the big oak tree. Lucy found it for us — and the only reason I noticed this was because the parent birds were dive bombing Lucy. Like, swooping down from the tree to move her away from their baby. Of course, she didn’t budge, and I had to drag her away from the bird.

Once we got the dogs back into the house, my mom and I tried to scoop the baby bird into a little nest we made in a bucket so its parents could continue to take care of it, but it was not having any of that. It leapt down out of the bucket, and moved on its way.

I don’t know what happened to it because I had to leave town. Sad face.

…

How was your weekend?

Lucy and I have been adjusting to our new home in Nashville, and I took the time one afternoon to snap some photos of her, just hanging out.

It’s funny how a year and a half can change so much. When I took her home from the pound in July 2008, she wanted nothing to do with nature when it was raining. She would refuse to walk out the door, or, if we made it down the stairs, she would look up at me with sad eyes, turn around, then drag me back up to our apartment.

(She doesn’t like having her photo made. True story.)

It snowed this past weekend, and Lucy surprised us all by playing and WANTING to go out in the cold! No, seriously. I wasn’t sure how she would take the precipitation until we walked out the door. She took a few steps, slid, steadied herself, then kept walking like a trooper. When we made it to the little grassy area at our condo, she immediately started digging in the snow, sticking her nose to the ground the entire time, then tossing her nose (and all the snow on top of it) into the air, spinning in a circle.

The only thing I wish is that I had taken some photos of her out in the elements and that we had a backyard so we could have played more while the snow lasted.

Things here have been fantastic. It has been a good year so far, complete with a lot of wedding to-dos crossed off of my list (more to come on this!), seeing some new and old friends (and family!), and getting a job in Nashville.

I’ve been getting to know the Music City during the past few weeks, and I love it. I love the people, I love the city’s personality, I love the nightlife, I love the food, and pretty much everything else… The only thing that I’m still getting used to is the weather. Being a Memphis girl, I’ve dealt with the Tennessee winter before, but this Nashville winter has thrown me for a loop.

Y’all heard what happened here this weekend, right? (Hint: I got off work around noon because of it.)

Let me clue you in, in case you didn’t know:

SNEAUX! (This one’s for you, Louisiana friends.)

Felicity had a rough time. And by the end of the snowstorm, she had a good six inches of snow piled on her roof.

Lucy kept watch as her mother plodded around in the snow.

And I wore boots with the fur, quite literally, and an awesome/obnoxiously orange scarf. (Not seen: My awesome fingerless gloves that make my hands so happy when it’s cold outside. Just ask my Hattiesburg friends.)

…

It snowed from Friday morning until Saturday morning. By the end of the storm, we had probably six inches of snow on the ground in some parts, and our parking lot was a glorified skating rink. (Which probably explains why no cab drivers came to pick us up Friday night to go over to some friends’ house. And definitely explains my nerves driving around town last night to and from a photo gig.)

However, it was a beautiful weekend. We all had a great time, despite the snow and treacherous driving conditions, and I plan on making some chicken soup with spaetzle tonight for the boys. Because chicken soup with spaetzle is the best for cold wintry nights.

What did you do this weekend?

My friends, who I learned had NEVER ROLLED COOKIE DOUGH before, got into the rolling, cutting and baking process easily, and we had a fantastic time.

One of my favorite photos of the night was taken right after the handoff of cut cookie dough to pan.

Lucy wanted in on the action, too!

It started with lions, panthers, man children, oh my!

Kaa (from left), played by Jessy Palmer, Baloo, played by Logan Little, and Baghara, played by Noel Anderson, spy on the monkey clan that has kidnapped Mowgli Thursday afternoon during the dress rehearsal of 'The Jungle Book' at Oak Grove High School's drama room. The OGHS drama team will visit Scotland from August 4-17 and perform the play. More photos can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site here. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

And then some baseball players left for the College World Series. Of course, they had to get in on some of the interviews (and perform some of their own, as showcased in the photo gallery) before leaving town.

Southern Miss players Jonathan Johnston, left, and Corey Stevens, right, film Chris Williams, middle right, and Jason Hurst interviewing Brian Dozier before the Golden Eagles departed from Pete Taylor Park for the Pine Belt Regional Airport Thursday morning. The Golden Eagles will face the Texas Longhorns Sunday during their first game of the College World Series. More photos can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site here. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Some children sold lemonade to help animals at a local sanctuary.

Hannah Harvison, 8, holds a sign advertising the lemonade stand Friday afternoon at the Crayon College. Children and teachers from the Crayon College used the stand as a fundraiser for the Lumberton Animal Sanctuary. More photos can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site here. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Poplarville, Miss. hosted a blueberry festival all day Saturday.

Ashley Keene, Miss Blueberry 2009, checks out the engine of an antique car Saturday afternoon during the Blueberry Jubilee Festival in Poplarville, Miss. The festival hosted music, food and craft booths and a pageant. More photos can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site here. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

And, last but not least, there was an art gallery opening in Laurel, Miss. on Sunday afternoon.

Sharon Walters, left, from Laurel, and Faye Rogers, from Laurel, discuss a tapestry on display during the opening of the Sister Cities Art Exchange Sunday afternoon at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, Miss. The museum is hosting the Sister Cities Art Exchange, which features art from Shelby, N.C. artists, until August. More photos can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site here. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

While it was a busy week, it was definitely a good one.

How was yours?

Can I have a treat?

Smilin’

I don’t like what you’re doing with that weird box thing that’s making scary noises.

And there you have it! Expect a weekend update on the work I’ve done this week. (But since I’ve been out of town since last Friday, I haven’t done much yet!)

I have to admit, she’s pretty fantastic. Lucy Belle doesn’t talk back. (Most of the time, at least.) She’s always there for me. She gets really excited when I come home from work. And she’s a really good snuggler.

She’s still not sure about the camera, though. We’re working on this.

And even though she’s a little (see: background of this photo) messy, I love her anyway.