2009 Veggie Garden

Thanks for the encouraging emails and comments after my last post.  After an incredibly relaxing weekend, I am feeling much better today.  Today I'm going to share my quaint veggie garden with you.  After last year's failed attempt to grow a garden with my sister Rebecca, I decided to pursue growing my own veggie garden this time around.  I included lettuce, carrots, beans and cucumbers.  Lucas especially loves wandering out there every morning to see "how far the beanstalks grew".
In preparation of planting, I learned that certain vegetables don't like to be next to others via this website (scroll down to the section on "planting companions").  Since I'm very new to gardening, I spent time researching tips and successful planting strategies for the Pacific Northwest.  I came across Andrea's blog, which has tons of great information, all organic, from a Northwest perspective.

It's not always what it seems.

It might seem like I'm always super happy, positive, got it all together... or uh, maybe it doesn't - lol.  Well, if you think the former - guess what: not true.  Today was one of those not so great days.  Just not sure on a lot of things, my health hasn't been great lately, and the busy-ness of life is getting under my skin.  I need to take it slow and get some things figured out.  I admit I'm an all or nothing kinda gal.  I either go crazy and take it to the top, I mean why do something half-way?  It totally goes against my grain.  Somewhere along the line though, I end up crashing back down to earth.  Earth to Andrea.  You can't do it all.  (note to self: stop setting yourself up like this!)  So, I'm working on getting my focus back, why I'm here and what my purpose is.  And well, I can't think of anyone else around here who deserves my attention more than these guys:




Thanks for listening, and if you are interested in a photo session, I'm still taking on new appointments, just on a limited basis.  Just 'til I can get some stuff figured out.  Thanks.

Jenaya & Matt - Engagement

So I've been "away" for awhile... lots has happened in the few weeks, including five photo shoots, a trip to Edmonton, the biggest heatwave to hit the WestCoast since 1937, planting my very first veggie garden (more on that later), and some other random stuff..   so I am doing my very best to squeeze all the post-processing i can into the *wee* little free time i have.  To those of you eagerly awaiting your pics - thanks so much for your patience!

This photo shoot took place almost 3 weeks ago, Jenaya's Mom actually contacted me via email to set it up.  This was the first time i've ever done a shoot where i didn't meet my subjects beforehand.  I have to admit, it was exciting not knowing who was going to meet me at the park that day.  Kind of like a blind date i guess.  Jenaya did kindly give me a few tidbits of info about her and Matt, which was awesome.  One of the things she told me beforehand is that she paints for a living... and no, not like houses, she paints pictures.  How cool is that??  Pretty much the sweetest job on earth.  Well, besides taking photos of course! ;-)

May Long Fun

Over the May Long Weekend, we went to visit Erik, Jete and Blake up at their campsite at Cultus Lake.  We had a great evening, perfect weather, great company, tons of laughs, good food, and a cozy campfire.  The highlight for the boys was walking down to the waters edge where they could throw rocks in the lake.  Here's a few pics:

Persistence.

When I get something in my head, I just won't stop until i "get it".  The other day I was having major issues with Adobe Lightroom.  I had completed editing a Senior session all in LR (my first time ever using LR from start to finish), attempted to upload them to my flickr account and here on typepad, and they looked absolutely horrible.  The colors were washed out, and my subject looked bluish.  It turned out to be a setting that needed to be changed with my calibrating software, as well as aligning my colorspaces in both LR and Photoshop CS4.  Thankfully the time spent editing wasn't wasted (which was my biggest fear).  The point is, it took me 4 hours one night to try figure it out, and when i still didn't get it that night, (and then couldn't sleep that night b/c i was thinking about how to fix it), i had to go straight back at it the next morning until finally it all worked.  One thing I don't lack is persistence.

I've been noticing I could streamline things a bit better between here and my website, so I'll be making a few changes to hopefully make things easier to navigate between the two sites.  The new blog header was the first step in the process.  I also have some pictures to share with you in the coming days from a recent Senior session (the one i was talking about before).  I'm so excited about these pics and can't wait to post them.  Also, check out my "Senior Special" on my website (under Pricing), if you are interested in having some casual Senior pics done, there is still time. :)

Death is not Dying

You just have to watch or listen to this.  It is a presentation given by a young woman named Rachel, on March 9 of this year, who is dying of cancer at the age of 37.  It holds the most amazing testimony and key truths of what it is to be a Christian.  Ever since I watched it 3 days ago, I just can't help telling everyone I know about it.  It shook me up in the best way possible.  In fact, I believe God has opened my eyes through it and as a result, it has changed my life.  Please watch, it may just change yours too.
ETA: The video is 55 minutes in length, I encourage you to make some time to watch the whole video in its entirety.

Smooooch

I was looking through some photos I took awhile back, when i came across this set of Luke and Nate hanging out in the kitchen.  I just had to share.  :) Those puckered lips are so typical of Nathan!