Life Jackets and Cinnamon Buns

It was a bad day. Nothing happened to make it that way, it actually just started that way. One of those "I woke up on the wrong side of the bed" days. The kind of day where you wake up and just want to go back to bed and stay there for the day. I was cranky and irritable and miserable. I tried not to be - though, I'll admit, not very hard. I always tell my boys they can choose to change their attitude, but I wasn't doing a very good job of changing mine. Maybe I need days like that to remind me how hard it can actually be to do these things I so easily say.

Anyway, we went over to my parents' place for a reprieve. They picked up on my mood, but didn't say much. Dad offered me a life jacket - to keep me afloat - and mom gave me an extra hug when we left and said she'd bring by some cinnamon buns later. While these two little things didn't immediately change my mood for the better, they were the turning point. I often found myself smiling during the day at an image of me, walking around the house wearing a life jacket. And who wouldn't smile at the thought of fresh, homemade cinnamon buns?

I'm glad for people who can see I need help and deliver it. Especially in the form of cinnamon buns.

Favorite of the month: July

Kids are neat. I don't know if you get the chance to watch children play very often - I do and yet I don't. I have the opportunity on a daily basis, but I don't often take in what I'm seeing. It's worth it though, to stop and pay attention to how children interact with the people and things around them.
This favorite was taken on a camping weekend with a group of friends. Some of us are up earlier than others, so I took the kids who were awake for a walk before breakfast one morning. We ended up down at the beach where the kids threw stones, drew in the sand, played in the water and looked for pretty pebbles. It was so great to be able to stand back and watch them play and explore. I could just soak in the beautiful early morning light, the waves on the shore and the carefree play of children.
That's likely why this one is my favorite - for the way it makes me feel, for the memory it brings and for reminding me to stop and take it in.

Bryan & Heather

You'll be happy to know I finished these in time and Bryan and Heather got to take their pictures with them when they left Winnipeg to head for home.

Their wedding day turned out some beautiful weather - rare considering what we've seen so far. We started out at Heather's parents' place where she was getting ready and then headed to the church. After the ceremony, we quickly got in some pictures at Assiniboine park and then to the hotel for the reception. It was a lot for the amount of time we had, but it didn't really feel rushed. That probably had a lot to do with the laid back attitude of the couple who kept themselves going with laughter and smiles.

Summertime...

It's been a while. I know. But this is summer and it's for being outside and cramming in as much summery stuff as possible before the snow flies again. Which is what I did this past weekend. We spent Saturday morning in a strawberry field at the La Salle Valley Berry Farm. The picking was easy and the Epps are warm and friendly people.

We managed 4 baskets in short order - not bad considering someone (or three someones) preferred eating over filling baskets. I was prepared for mosquitos and mud, but I only had one pest the entire time and the mud was covered with straw (...hay? difference? doesn't matter). It was fun and now we'll be eating strawberry jam and strawberry ice cream, strawberry smoothies and strawberry milkshakes, strawberry muffins and maybe some strawberry tarts. I've only actually gotten around to a tester batch of jam and some strawberry ice cream, but that's what the freezer is for.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and get your own! The strawberries aren't out much longer. Be sure to call the farm before you go - 261-4155 - just to be sure they're open and to get directions.

Favorite of the month: June

Sorry! I'm getting a little behind here.

Here's my favorite picture from last month, when summer finally checked in. Blue skies, green leaves, bright sunshine and white fluffy things flying through the air - how could this not be my favorite?

Preview...

I've been working on a wedding that I did a couple of weeks ago. I'm trying to finish the editing quickly so that the couple can pick up their pictures when they're back in town, so you're only going to get to see one picture today. More to come later.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day to my daddy - guide, comforter, friend. I'm glad you're my dad.