The Griswalds -- er I mean The Blaschkes - hit the Caribbean.

It's not often that I'm able to block out a week and not book it so I can get away with the family. But that's what I did that first week of August. I turned away wedding requests, said no to clients wanting my time and I turned off the cell phone.

It was strange and different to not be busy all the time. But it wasn't long before I got really good at sitting around and doing nothing. We took a cruise to Belize and it was blissful. Unfortunately, we're incapable of going anywhere as a family without leaving mayhem in our wake. I'm just happy we made it to the second to last day of Camp Carnival before they asked us to not bring The Boy back.

Over the course of the week we swam with dolphins, sang Karaoke, we hung out at picture perfect beaches, paid too much for cheap souvenir crap that was probably made in China, we toured Mayan ruins, drank sugary adult beverages from cups that looked like monkey heads and ate entirely too much food.

It was a blast.

I wanted to share with you just a few of the images we took while in Belize. It really was a wild and unspoiled country, still untouched by hordes of tourists and developers. The people were very friendly and eager to invite us to return. This was before they got to know our Boy, however. But I digress. Enjoy just a few scenes from Belize.

And my apologies to our very forgiving tour bus driver who, I'm sure, was wondering who clogged up the potty with an ice cream cone. Sorry about that.

Lisa On Location Photography

Happy "Closing of the Chicken Ranch" Day {New Braunfels Photography}

Forty years ago today one of the most famous (or should I say in-famous) brothels to ever grace us with its presence, the Chicken Ranch in LaGrange, TX, closed down.

Okay, so big deal, you're thinking. Well it really is a big deal. My darling dearest has spent the past few years researching the brothel for his book, "Texas Has A Whorehouse in It". The book is almost done, but in the meantime, we've put out a little teaser to whet your appetite.

During the course of Jayme's research we've managed to befriend a number of Chicken Ranch notables including the current owner of the property. As a result we've had the green light (as opposed to the red light *snicker*) to photograph and research this property extensively.

Most of the images were taken by yours truly but some of the really smoking ones like the star trails over the ranch and the infrared images were taken by Jayme.

To get a little sneakity peek of the book flip through this.

Ghosts of the Chicken Ranch by Jayme Blaschke & Lisa Blaschke | Make Your Own Book

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And if you're ready to purchase this masterpiece of Texas history, by all means follow this lovely link. Hardcover. Softcover.

And to read more about the amazing book Jayme is still working on, follow him on his blog and website: Here it is!

Lisa On Location Photography

Gotta Love Those Fightin' Texas Aggie Weddings -- Whoop! {New Braunfels Photography}

It's not hard to spot my fellow Aggies. They're the ones who call me and say "please tell me you're open on our date." They've seen my website. They know I went to A&M and that's one of the reasons they made the call. I'm not saying these clients hire me just because I went to A&M. They also like my work. But it really helps that I'm an Aggie too. So I know all about their need to include their Aggie rings in their photos. They know I'll appreciate their raucous yell practice after dinner. And when the DJ starts the Aggie War Hymn and the crowd hits the floor in formation swaying to "saw varsity's horns off," they know I won't miss a beat.

They know I'll appreciate the importance of their Bonfire grooms cake. And that when someone drops a cup during the reception and the entire wedding party whoops, I'll know why.

I went to Texas A&M way back in the day when they had a journalism department. Back when The Batt was a force to be reckoned with, mostly because I could write a mean review of the new Nirvana CD. I learned the art of darkroom processing in the basement of the Reed McDonald building. And they know where that is.

Many of these brides were proposed to under the Century Tree. They make references to the Dixie Chicken and they make sure there's plenty of Shiner beer for everyone.

These couples call themselves "old ags" because they graduated in '09 or, like, last week. I show them my ring, but not long enough for them to read the year. Some of them were toddlers then.

Lisa On Location Photography

Because All Good Things Must Come to an End: The Vineyards Restaurant {New Braunfels Wedding Photography}

I've been a regular fixture at The Vineyards at Garden Ridge for several years. I sat down to try to count the number of weddings, proposals, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties and more that I've photographed there over the past few years and I gave up.

So I was saddened to read their announcement on their homepage last week. After 15 years they will be closing their doors. The owners have decided to move on to other adventures. So it's with a heavy heart that I write this salute to an amazing restaurant and the people who ran it. The food was so good my mouth waters at the thought of it. The venue was so beautiful. My hope is that some lucky individual or group of individuals will decide to take it on.

I'll miss Lindsey and her laid back but efficient approach to coordinating the weddings and events. I'll miss the guys who were so great about sneaking me a plate here and there when I got hungry or bringing me water during hot outdoor weddings. They were golden!

They'll close their doors at the end of this month. But the memories they created will live on. I was honored to be a part of their history.

Lisa On Location Photography