If I had a Penny ...

Thinking about ...

By Monday I should have a new blog. Nothing wrong with reinventing yourself, right?

Shooting a wedding in Napa. Haven't even said yes but already sketching a storyboard ... I think that means yes.

 My first baseball game tonight (Rockies vs. Cubs)

My golden retriever, Lucy, will be here this weekend. Can't wait to walk her and pet her and and tell her how sweet and pretty she is.

Wayne comes home today. He has been in Seattle all week for work (and also chemo). 

Making a blueberry crumb cake with Caeden. Recipe here. We're on a roll.

(I torture myself as I took the "eat 1,000 calories" to heart and am living off of coffee.)

Made strawberry jam late last night. Pearly pink jars of goodness are in the fridge and in the freezer. 

Thinking ...

How next week is Caeden's last of summer. And maybe it's time to unplug and lay in the grass, get wet in the hose, eat ice cream every day, and love on him until he tells me no more. 

I don't think he will say that, though ...

The Little Things.

I had no idea I could share music (from iTunes library) on my  desktop to laptop. 

It's the little things, people.

Well Hello.

How about a list and some family pictures to break it all up?

1. Short attention span these days.

2. Made a cake for the garbage men (Caeden's idea). He just glowed when the truck pulled up and the men took the cake. So proud of him for being kind to others.

3. Still nursing running injury and I miss running dearly.

4. Talked to trainer at gym to whip me into shape (in 4 weeks) for Lindsay's wedding. Was told to eat 1,000 calories, cardio for 1 hour every day, weight training 3 times a week (with a female trainer and not a man because they are too soft! LOL)

5. Didn't sign up but did head to Chick fil A for dinner straight away afterward (kids) haha.

6. Claire has us all running scared as she is teething and bites everything in sight.

7. Wayne has 1 more day of chemo.

8. Caeden starts Kindergarten next week.

9. I am shooting the cover of a business magazine!

10. Addicted to blueberries.

11. It's peach season in Colorado. Headed to fruit stand on main street to get more. Making jam. 

This time I am telling the truth.

13. Have a dear friend on the other side of the state that I cannot wait to see. Going to try and go alone. Publicly stating/pondering that thought increases my chances of that happening... :)

14. Am over, over, over Facebook but don't know how to stop logging on.

15. Going outside with kids to get some exercise, some sun, some fun.

Find Your Style.

To have style translate into a photograph you have to put in the effort.

To have a cast iron bathtub in the grass by a pond ...

Well, that takes manly strength.

{And women to watch and make them move it twenty times.}

But when you go to the effort ...

Amazing things can happen.

Like this.

A portrait for their home that no one will have.

Getting ready for a session is so much more than picking at date and showing up.

It is collaboration.

Inspiration. Expression of personal style.

Anticipation ... total fun.

And.

Completely worth it.

Freedom.

Sum it Up.

She's a shoe girl.

Another.

As you might have known, I have been in Montana this week attending the 

Jinky Art Photography Workshop.

It was absolutely incredible. I learned so much about business, branding, and of course, more than a few photography tricks...

And while I am inspired with ideas (and I have lots!) the first item of business is to move away from this blog and showcase my photography in a better format. So, I am working on that now, and it will be launched shortly. Don't worry, though, this blog will still remain ... and I promise to post daily just as I (almost) always have.

And ironic as this is, the photographs I am showing you tonight were not taken by me. My good friend took them today ... while I was busy bribing Claire and shooting from a different angle. I haven't had a chance to edit mine yet, so here you go: 

Claire from another Perspective. Another set of eyes. 

Another photographer...

 Who wants to remain anonymous for fear he will steal all my clients. ;)

(this one is my favorite... those sweet chunky legs!)

We were playing peek a boo (I was sitting to the far left of photo).

Today was hot. Shot during the harshest lighting. We melted.

But I have to say. Totally worth it.

When the Sun Sets ...

I wish for the same thing each night when the sun starts to set.

Children who sleep in so they can stay up later.

So I can walk with them through a field and sit them on a log.

Weave them a story.

And let whatever happens, happen.

Like this.

A Fresh Air Education | jinkyart | Montana

Coming home from Montana tomorrow. 

Full of ideas. 

Touched by new friendships.

Completely inspired. 

Head whirling with what is possible.

Wanting nothing more than to capture.

To Create Magic.

To freeze love ...
&
giggles
 &
time.

So much to tell you and to share.

But for now ...

a smile ... thinking about it all.

Text.

Thought it would be fun to share some instant message pics. It's all the behind the scene stuff. The daily stuff. The random stuff. One week's worth of life...

(All with iPhone, of course. So, no judging on picture quality.)

Claire's first hair cut.

Sushi Den (the best in Denver, imo) with Linz and Jordan and Wayne.

What we do outside when we can stand the heat.

Claire rocking Matilda Jane. Adorable.

I eat blueberries, strawberries, and any other berry all summer long.

That and coffee.

And a little granola and yogurt.

Breakfast, lunch, and a lot of times, dinner.

I remember watching my mom get ready in the bathroom when going out ...

And here is Bear, fresh from the bath, putting on makeup. 

So sweet. 

Flat tire resulting from large bolt left behind by construction on our street this week.

Me sending this picture to my sister and girlfriend to see if headband was too much.

Nope it wasn't.

So I wore this to Fruition for date night.

Caeden said, "Mom, my darling love (his name for me), you look beautiful."

Made me glow all night.

Toy store in Cherry Creek (Kazoo) is a favorite place to go for something fun.

Bear just plays with toys and is totally content leaving empty handed.

Caeden? Not so much. 

That is half of a spider that landed on my face one morning this week.

(That is the inside of my pajamas.)

The other part was smooshed on my neck. 

And part on my cheek.

This spider just kept giving. Nice.

C Bear reading a magazine. I was too slow to capture her when she was holding it upside down and had it up to her face. Darling.

She reads to herself and it goes something like this,

"Yes! Blue! Four, Five, Six. Bunny!"

Horrible pic of the best hair cut Caeden has gotten to date.

Trust me, it is killer cute. Just a bad pic.

This boy can make conversation with the best of them.

Yesterday while talking to stylist,

he told her all about his Grandpa's lawnmower. 

Had the whole place cracking up. :)

That's our week in a nutshell. Some of you have seen some of these pics (because, of course, they were all taken with the intent of txting) but still thought it would be fun to share all the behind the scenes stuff I do (and I freely admit I am hopelessly addicted to txting).

Berries & Watermelon | Salad from Farmer's Market

Watermelon and strawberry salad with ginger syrup
Serves 4

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 2inch peeled piece of fresh ginger
1/4 watermelon, in cubes
3 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
fresh mint

Start with the syrup.
Bring sugar, water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan.
Let it simmer for 5 minutes, cool.
Discard the ginger.
Place watermelon, strawberries and fresh mint in a large bowl and ad the syrup, mix well, cool and serve.

(recipe via sweet paul.)

Now this one ...

Found this image and recipe online this morning and 

have absolutely no idea where (closed window like an idiot).

Basically you toss toss, beans, and potatoes together with a little butter and salt and pepper and call it dinner.

Yum.

 

 

In other news,

you know that brilliant friend of mine who seems to have all the answers? Hi Michelle ... 

She emailed me a great idea about recycling containers.

She made a recycling stencil and used yellow paint to denoted her large trash can as recyclables only. Isn't that brilliant?

Working on that this afternoon.

Second, we're making homemade peach jam Sunday (Colorado Peaches are starting to arrive!) before I leave for Montana on Monday. I'll post the recipe and pictures when we're done.

A Little of This. Of That.

We are in the throws of summer. So hot. Everything is drying out.

Thank goodness for a little stream to keep things cool.

And sand to keep boys and girls busy.

 Not sure why I have a love of images like this, but I do. 

Little feet.

Sister keeping up with her brother.

Not a care in the world.

Who needs to see a face to know that?

Well. Wait. 

Faces are good.

Very good.

In other news. I remember looking at the clock at 7:27 this morning and thinking:

1. Have laundry almost done (got up dang early today)

2. Had a very large spider land on my face while laying in bed.

3. Need to find a recycle bin as large as my trash can. Seem to have more recyclables than trash these days (so proud of us for that!)

4. Wondering if I can justify new dress for date night tonight.

5. Found a new machine at gym for cardio: Sort of like elliptical but not.

Doesn't bother my leg at all (still nursing running injury and treadmill is out).

6. Already time for another pot of coffee (small addiction happening here).

7. Caeden already had craft time.

8. Bear asked me to squirt whipped cream (for her berries and waffle this morning) directly into her mouth. She obviously has an older brother to learn this stuff  from.

9. 7:30. Time to get moving again...

Montana

So next week I am headed out of town for a photography workshop in Montana.

If you wonder why a professional photographer would need to go to a workshop ... the answer is quite simple.

I never want to stop learning. 

If you want a peek at my teacher, and some of the shots she got during last week's workshop, 

Click Here.

Here's my favorite sample image that Barb posted:

I cannot even tell you how excited I am.

Shooting whimsical, fresh, and unexpected is what I have always tried to do. 

Working with kids & families are my favorite 

(but you know I love a good engagement shoot - so fun)

and I hope to come back inspired and full of business savvy (I would MUCH rather shoot than talk about branding or marketing ... although both are very important, obviously.).

Anyway.

Wayne is recovering this week and we've made dinner reservations at a couple of places that we've never been before ...

Root Down

and 

Fruition (impossible to get a reservation here - so excited!!)

I plan on dressing up. Being out past 6 pm. 

People watching... and really talking to Wayne.

20th High School Reunion | Sturgis South Dakota | Class of 1990

Wayne made it to the reunion (well the Saturday part)...

...and found his way to the ladies. :)

And then (reluctantly) to his buddies.

 

Weekend Update.

This little berry colander comes in at least 5 different colors at the store and has 3 online. I have some for all the berries I end up washing everyday (and then just put the whole thing in the fridge. The air holes allow the cold air to circulate and you will have icy cold berries and no mush).

Even when not in use, just seeing them stacked in my cabinet makes me happy. That blue shown above is my absolute favorite color.

via anthropologie

Thought this hanger was a brilliant way to display the ever changing art that we produce around here. 

via Poppytalk


Want to vacation here:
via Simple Song

My good friend Michelle brought over a plate of food (and the best pineapple bran muffins; if I can get the recipe I will share!) last night that I have to replicate. She is always cooking up something fantastic (and like me, likes to cook as healthy as possible). I might be making this salad to eat again today. It was that good.

Found it here:

The lemon dressing is soooo good with the feta cheese. 

Seriously, put this on the menu this week.

Salad Link via Martha Stewart

The greek yogurt dipping sauce is soooo good, as is the marinade for the pork.

Pork Link via Martha

Wayne and Caeden are having a great time in Rapid City. Wayne tells me he feels fantastic.

Claire and I have been busy:

Farmer's Market for cherries and tomatoes

Church for the inside.

Gym for the outside.

Going for walks (for time with my daughter).

Napping (I have been napping and sleeping when she does. Wow. SUCH a luxury.)

Enjoy your day!

Making It.

Wayne got a transfusion today. Feels great. It's amazing how quickly he can turn around.

In fact, he is hopping on a plane tonight and going to 

South Dakota to catch his 20th Reunion. So happy for him!!!

He's making it...

Claire Bear and I are chilling here this weekend. Maybe baby pool and lots of pictures ... :)

Made some ice cream tonight that I wanted to share the recipe for (via Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver). I tweaked it a bit (omitting liquor) ...

Colorado Peach Ice Cream

(serves 4)

Peaches:

2 C. Peaches, finely chopped

1 1/4 C. Sugar

2 TBSP. lemon juice

Ice Cream Base:

3 C Heavy Cream

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (I added a tad more ... yummy)

Allow peaches to macerate in the sugar and lemon juice for at least 3 hours.

While peaches are sitting, mix cream, sugar, and vanilla in saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved (uh ... I boiled milk because I wasn't paying attention. Still turned out.)

Drain Peaches (do not use juice)

Combine peaches and ice cream base, pour into ice cream maker and churn.

YUM! 

Update On Wayne

Wayne has been spending his days in the hospital and coming home at night to sleep.
Tomorrow he gets a blood transfusion and it should make him feel much better.
His appetite is finally coming around.
There's no way he can make his reunion but the outpouring from his friends has been tremendous. Each and every text, email, Facebook ping ... means the world to him (calling is not so good).

Thank you for checking in...

38.

We are supposed to be in Rapid City today.

Wayne is supposed to be celebrating his 38th birthday with smiles, and hugs, and presents.

He is supposed to be celebrated. To feel like being celebrated.

But that isn't how it is happening.

Yesterday he was in the hospital here in Denver.

A fever, dehydration, and total nausea had his Oncologist wanting to admit him to stay there.

But he wanted his own bed. 

His pillow.

The smells and comforts of home.

His kids.

He wanted to come home.

My kids were split between two girlfriends (to whom I will always be thankful for)

so that I could get to the hospital.

And I took him home.

In the meantime, his parents raced down from Rapid City to be with him. With us.

They are here now.

His Dad, unlike me, is able to get Wayne to eat.

His Dad brings a silent strength to the house and it instantly eases Wayne.

His Mom scoops the kids up, holding them tight, not as a substitute to Wayne, but as close as it gets to Wayne for her. She loves on them and plays with them. And they her.

And Wayne.

He turns 38 today.

I have known him for more of his life than I haven't known him.

And today he didn't have the strength to open his cards or presents.

Today he walked out the door, back to the hospital, with his Dad.

And the candle ... that he did manage to blow out ... still sits on the table.

We hope he is better this afternoon, and that he can let us celebrate him.

But if can't, we know there is tomorrow.

And we are all holding out for a better tomorrow.