Favorite of the month: February

This month's favorite belongs to my jasmine flower.

I love this plant. Mine isn't much to look at, (I hope that will change with some growth) but it's the flowers that draw me to it. In particular, the scent. These little flowers have such a beautiful scent to them. It just makes me smile!

It bloomed for me this month for the first time since I last blogged about this plant (close to a year ago!). I was so excited to see this bloom and to see 4 more buds on the plant. I was rather relieved because I had thought I was killing it - it hasn't looked too good lately. But after this one flower bloomed and dropped, the others withered up and died. I was so disappointed! And then the leaves started drying up and I thought it was all over for my pretty plant.

Now, I will admit that the thought of buying a new plant briefly crossed my mind. But I'm no quitter! So instead I pulled off the dead leaves. I pulled out my ultra high tech gardening tool (a fork) and loosened the soil a little. I talked to it while no one was around: "You can do it. Come on, Jasmine."

Well guess what? My pretty jasmine is growing new leaves! No new flower buds yet, but the leaves are a good sign and I'll take it.

So here's to new growth! To not giving up! To pulling out your fork and loosening the soil!

Matt & Alicia

The Forks were busy the afternoon I met with Matt and Alicia to do their engagement pictures. I saw Matt first. He's pretty tall and so he was easy to spot over the crowd. When the crowd parted, I could see petite Alicia next to him, both coming my way. I gave them a little run down of my plans and when I asked about theirs, Alicia mentioned she had an outfit change. LOVED it! I love it when my couples are that into their pictures! Right then I knew this was gonna be good.

We spent some time inside before braving the cold for a short while. The lighting was lovely and we made the most of it before we went in to warm up with some hot drinks.

Matt and Alicia - thanks. You guys were great! You're so easy going and fun and sweet and good looking(!) - it made for a fun and easy shoot. I had a great afternoon and I wish you both all the best on your wedding day and in the lifetime to follow.

Just Because: Dave and Melissa + kids

Whew! These are l-a-t-e!

I took these pictures back in December when Melissa sent me a message asking about family pictures for their Christmas cards. I said "no problem!" but I was freaking out a little, thinking "Christmas cards? How do I take family pictures for Christmas cards?!"

Weird. I know.

A lot of my clients use their family pictures for Christmas cards and I'm pretty sure that registers in my brain when I'm taking the pictures, but this time around my brain had a meltdown or something and I got all panicky. I tried thinking of some extra cute Christmassy stuff to add in and though those things went well enough, things went better when I switched gears back to "me". Normal me. Where I direct a little and let things happen and catch the fun moments.

Favorite of the month: January

Late. I know:)

This was taken when Jonny and I took the boys skating at St. Vital Park. Or rather, he took two of the boys skating and I took the other one exploring in the snow. I love how he was so proud of himself for getting to the top of this little hill. I love the way the light is here - it's totally perfect for his achieving moment.

And there you have it - January's favorite of the month.

woe is me....

ugh.

I've done nothing today. NOTHING! And I hate that. And it's totally for lack of trying. I take full responsibility.

I'm on a lazy-don't-want-to-do-anything kick that started last week while I was sick. While I was sick I had an excuse. Today, I do not. (Unless I blame it on the hormones, but that is so overdone and should not be used as an excuse.) So here I am, excuse-less-ly lazy and down in the dumps about it.

I need to get up and do something! Clean something up! Lift my shoulders and put a smile on and face the day head on!

I gave myself this pep talk earlier in the day and felt better, so I rewarded myself by finishing a book. BIG mistake! The ending was a little depressing and then I was mad at myself for wasting my time and found myself back at square one. Actually, I found myself further in this sad hole than before. Which is really just more depressing.

Since sitting down here a few minutes ago, I have sighed 3 miserable sighs.

I wanted to post something today - I've got a few sitting on the sidelines, but I suppose this will count. Though you aren't getting a picture. (Did you expect one?!)

So there. Now I've done something.

And I suppose the laundry I folded counts too. And maybe feeding everyone. And playing lego. And reading a book to my son.

4 sighs.

I'll get there. How did that pep talk go again?

It's a beautiful day!

What a great way to start a Monday! Was it as beautiful a morning where you were as it was here? I was admiring the frost and the sparkle early this morning, thinking that shooting from the window was just not going to cut it. (How lazy is that anyway?!) When my morning plans were cancelled, I figured I'd go for it. The boys and I got bundled up and away we went, down the street to the "wild woods". (That's what the boys call it.)

I've always enjoyed the spot - it's peaceful and pretty and full of big trees - but with the boys, it becomes magical. In their eyes, it's unchartered territory! It's exciting! It's adventurous! It's full of possibility!

Even though I was doing my thing and they were doing theirs, I couldn't help but be caught up in the wonder and joy and enthusiasm they had with everything around them. I loved that.

Favorite of the month: December

I'm back! Well, for one post anyway. I can't promise anything past today... I've got stuff goin' on.

But here's December's favorite of the month! I kind of cheated a little and put two together. (I can do that, though. It's in the rules, trust me.)

Anyway, this was taken Christmas morning after all the hooplah of opening gifts had subsided and I remembered a gift (or 4) that I'd forgotten about! I'd hidden them under the couch the night before and then it totally slipped my mind. A phone call with my mom triggered the memory (I'm not sure why) and I had the boys pull them out and a fun marshmallow war ensued. My two year old was far more interested in eating all the ammo he could find, so I got to use his shooter. Lots of fun. And look at their faces! I did good, eh?