Why is it so dark that I can't take photos...

I wanted to show you this layout yesterday but it was so dark and rainy that it was impossible to get a good photo. The weather isn't much better today either unfortunately. I wanted to avoid using the flash, so in the end I had to take this with some strategically placed/aimed lights and at least got a half decent shot of the layout this morning.

And look ----> staples in the middle of the page!! Yay! Thanks to my new long reach stapler - that just wasn't possible before. Supplies are: Cosmo Cricket and Love Elsie papers, Maya Road (I think?) ribbon, Love Elsie alphabet stickers, Autumn Leaves stamp plus some staples and jewels.