Hi, friends!

December – one of my favorite months of the year! Each year during this time I find myself reflecting – as many do – on the end of the year and beginning of another, but also on the beautiful journey of my 31st year on Earth. Regardless if you’ve known me since birth or we met last month, you’ve played an intricate part in my time here. I’m filled with gratitude for each one of you who has contributed in-person or in-spirit to the tapestry of these irreplaceable and developmental moments. To express my Thank You I would love to share the gift of perspective from my heart to yours in my Photography and Web Design Services:

⭐️ The gift that keeps on giving, snag my Coffee Table Photo Book featuring Big Bend National Park for $32.32 through the Amazon link below.

⭐️ Enjoy a heartfelt 32% Off in the Print Shop, featuring Big Bend National Park. Use code BIRTHDAY32 at checkout.

⭐️ For those contemplating significant milestones, embrace the opportunity with 32% Off Intimate Weddings and Couples Photo Sessions booked this month for 2024 dates.

⭐️ Let’s weave more stories together with 32% Off Empowerment Photo Sessions and Birthday Wisch Photo Sessions. Every session booked in December ensures a reserved spot during the month of your choice.

⭐️ And for those contemplating digital homeownership, my Web Design Beta Offer just may be exactly what you need – learn more through the link below – reserve for spot for Winter-Spring 2024, and receive a complimentary 32-photo Branding Photo Session. 

Thank you for being an integral part of my journey, I appreciate you and hope to celebrate another 32 years together! 🥳🕯⭐️

Cheers, Emily

BOOK OF THE MONTH: “101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest (purchase here)

I first read this book in 2020 and I can without a doubt say that it positively changed the trajectory of my life. One of my favorite things about is that each section is either in list form or it’s a few pages as an essay. They’re easy to digest and If you ever have the opportunity to look through my collection of books you’ll see that I love writing and underlining as I read. This book has hundreds or favorite wisdom nuggets and I 10/10 recommend it to everybody.

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OF THE MONTH: My Top 2023. (listen here)

Every year Spotify creates a curated playlist off of what we listen to the most and this is mine!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This quote sticks with me as a reminder during Birthday Month that looking around at what everyone has “accomplished” by my now 32 yro age or the material things they have in life.

WORD OF THE MONTH: Words are the foundation of human communication and expression. They allow us to convey our thoughts, feelings, ideas, and experiences to others, creating a bridge between our inner world and the external reality. Every word carries its own unique power and nuance, shaping the way we perceive and interact with the world. Having a “Word of the Month” has been me a source of inspiration, sparked creative thinking, and promoted my love for language. This month’s word is “serendipity”.

Serendipity: (noun) The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

AMAZON FAVORITES: Camera Gear (purchase here)

This is an extensive list of almost all my camera equipment I’ve collected since the start of my Photography Business. If you’re looking to get into photography or starting your own business this is a great place to start! Please note though that the equipment doesn’t make the photographer and you don’t need a deep list of gear before becoming a photographer. Just pick up a camera, any camera, and start taking photos. Practicing is the best way you’re going to learn and find your own creative perspective.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH: MawMaw’s Cranberry Salad

This section of the newsletter is dedicated to my Mom, who loves cooking our favorite Cajun recipes that were passed down to her from her Mom, my MawMaw. My MawMaw and PawPaw have strong Cajun backgrounds as they met in Leroy, Louisiana. After they got married in 1950 they moved to downtown Houston and raised 7 children, my Mom being the 5th. My MawMaw passed away in 2009 from brain cancer but my PawPaw still lives in that same house. The second recipe I’ll be sharing from the family cookbook vault is one of my personal favorites, Cranberry Salad. Instructions below are from my Mom and one of her favorite cookbooks, The Bishop’s Bounty:

CRANBERRY SALAD INGREDIENTS:

8 oz can crushed pineapple (reserve the juice)

3 oz package strawberry jellow

1 cup boiling water

1 lb can whole cranberry sauce

1/2 cold liquid (reserved pineapple juice and water to make 1/2 cup)

2 tsp lemon juice

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp vanilla

8 oz package cream cheese

1/2 cup chopped pecans

rind of 1 orange

This is one my favorite desserts my MawMaw would make every Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The original recipe can be found in the cookbook, The Bishops Bounty. Every time my Mom makes it I’m teleported back to my MawMaw’s kitchen growing up. I’m so excited to share this family recipe with you and that you’ll get to recreate it in your own kitchen with friends and family. Bon appétit!

CRANBERRY SALAD INSTRUCTIONS:

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Dissolve Jello in hot water. While still warm, stir in cranberry sauce and mix until melted. Stir in 1/2 cup cold liquid, lemon juice, and pineapple. Pour in 1 1/2 quart bowl and chill until firm. Blend sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and cream cheese until smooth. Spread over Jello layer; sprinkle pecans on top. Refrigerate. Can also be served without the topping.

WISCH’S WORDSEARCH:

December 2023

See you next month on January 1st for our next newsletter. If you haven’t signed up yet and want to receive the monthly newsletters please visit: https://emilywisch.com/newsletter

Disclosure: The link to my favorite Amazon Finds is an Amazon Affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through this specific link and finalize a purchase using this specific link.