When I photograph children there is no telling how long they will tolerate me so I always go in with some sort of plan. Those plans are usually gone the minute we start. I bring an arsenal of props for interest and other secret weapons but ultimately I just follow them along and work very fast, my fingers adjusting the settings as quickly as I can.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph my friend's little boys, one who just had a birthday. I always encourage parents to get in to the pictures also so I was happy that Amber was willing to do that. You never know what sweet memory you will make through a photograph.

My whole goal is to capture kids as naturally as new surroundings afford them and just let them be. That plan will always produce something good.
These boys were exceptional and are about the most well behaved little guys I have ever met. And their mom? Well as you can see, she is naturally beautiful, whose beauty is only enhanced by her goodness.

This is just a small sampling of the day.

Rose postal

Recently I saw P. Allen Smith massacre some rose bushes.

I always dead headed and pruned them but never cut them back so drastically.

There were never many blooms. All I had were holes in leaves.

Even after setting Japanese Beetle traps, they still didn't produce.

I even gave them food. The rose bushes, or lack thereof, were planted by the previous home owners. I figured they should look a little better after 4 years but they didn't.

So I hacked them up. ALOT.

They looked like two sticks in the ground.The worst it could do was end their already miserable state, or best thing - which ever way you look at it.

We don't have a beetle problem this year so I was hoping for a rebound.

I waited and waited and then I saw P. Allen's segment

and felt better about going postal on them.

One lonely bloom was on the bush a week ago so I brought it in and gave it a spot on the windowsill. Today there were a few more so I set them where I'll see them while cooking dinner.

And after seeing so many buds in waiting, it looks like tomorrow there may be enough for a full blown centerpiece.

How far that little candle throws its beams

As I was coming inside the house from a morning walk, my husband met me outside and gave me a kiss good-bye. With his hand on my shoulder, he said, "Don't doubt yourself" like only someone who completely has your best interest at heart can do. I said with a smile, "No worries!" and I truly meant it. I had no worries at that moment. I have made some work decisions and for a brief moment in an earlier conversation with Jon, he saw a moment of self-doubt. Nothing that a nice walk couldn't fix and of course, his loving concern.

I came inside the house and my littlest ones were holding up pudding cups.
"Why not?" I said, "It's calcium." And we ate it for breakfast.

Then I sat down to the computer and in my in box was a forwarded message from my brother. It was titled "Carolina's testimony." I assumed it was another short story for me to review and edit. So, I was intrigued and opened it.

The message read:

Hi Mr. Dobson,

My name is Andrea. I lived in Logan, UT around the corner from your mother Carolina. I moved away in 2005 so I didn't know she had passed away. I recently found an old cassette tape with her testimony on it and I am sending you a copy. I truly loved your mother and when I heard her voice on the tape I knew that she would want you to have it so I found your name in an obituary for Carolina and looked up your address in a google telephone directory. Your wife gave me your email.

I hope you have a great day!

So, I clicked the mouse on the attachment and waited for the download. Reaching to turn on the speaker, I also adjusted the volume.

And then I heard her.

I haven't heard her voice in 2 and a half years. And instantly my eyes teared up as I listened and smiled at her inflections. Being so used to her voice, I could never hear her accent. But I heard it now and for the first time, I understood why all my friends would tell me how cute it was. On this audio, she was speaking in church about God, her children and our families and she sounded nice.

Although I have wished for a few years that I could chat with her again, to get her counsel, I've never really been sad. Just wishful but happy still.

And now I am so happy for many things. But right now for technology and that someone (Andrea) acted on her feeling to spread some kindness. She did it not knowing that someone, somewhere (me) was having a lack of faith in her decisions.

And maybe it would be good to hear from my mom right about now.

I think I'll celebrate by having some more pudding.

The kids are napping...they'll never know.

Hugs,

Laura

Dog Days

The dog days of summer are over. Tomorrow the school bell will ring, pencils will be sharpened
and books will be opened.

It was a great summer, wasn't it?

And today, have a peaceful Sunday.

Hugs,

Laura

Round about antiquing

I was giddy yesterday despite having a migraine that has still not gone away. Every smell makes it worse and my dog smells bad. She even had a bath but then went and rolled in something and it wasn't roses.

I stopped at the antique store after a hair appt. The search has finally ended on finding a good stylist by the way! This is a big deal to me. To any woman with hair, really.

She was great and understood exactly what I wanted and actually paid attention. The shampoo slash scalp massage felt so good on my migraine pain. She even blew out the cut which I don't normally have them do. I could tell she was doing a good job so when she turned me around, I said, "No way, give me your card!"

So while I had some time and no kids in the car, I went to the antique shop to check and see if a certain booth was still having their sale. They were so at 50% off, I got a few things and only spent $10.80. Giddy.

I did have a mission. I have photo sessions scheduled for the weekend and I was in search of some vintage numbers. The closest thing I found was this number reader. I figured I would have to make my own. It will work, I think.

If not, I'll use these alphabet cards.

But then I started looking around and I also found some more globes and a canvas hockey bag. I'm thinking of making it into a pillow for Reese or maybe just using it as a bag. He can throw all of those little toys in there that are strewn across the floor when he feels like "cleaning." As long as I don't have to do it, I don't care how they are picked up and stored. Is that bad?

My girls and I like to wear vintage jewelry so a necklace and some cameos rounded out the trip.

Then I stopped by Carrie's house and talked with her and she gifted me a bag of organic brown rice. 25 lbs of it! Giddy.

Reese met me at the door right when I got home to go to his "Meet the teacher" day. After seeing his desk and supplies, we toured the little environmental center on the school property where they get to learn about animal specimens and plants.

School starts on Monday and guess, what? GIDDY! Well, I am anyway, sort of. I hate to see summer end and miss the kids but then I also enjoy fall and some quieter time at the house. It'll be fun!

Oh, and my husband comes home tonight so I'm giddy about that too.

*****

linking to A little Knick Knack

Copper pots and paste

On a trip to Washington D.C. way back in 2002, the Julia Child's kitchen exhibit at the Smithsonian was being carefully planned. I was able to peek through the curtains that were put on the exhibit while the curators, behind glass, catalogued each item to recreate her kitchen. I couldn't wait to get back to see the finished exhibit. So it was one of the first things I went to see on another trip.

Even though we have seen many of the same sites each time we visit, we're always reminded about what a great country we have and notice things we didn't notice before.

Again, last weekend I was able to see the Julia Child exhibit and saw that they had changed a few things. There is a t.v. showing all of her old programs and they highlight more of her items. I thought it was great that people of all ages were watching it and laughing at her great sense of humor. And my favorite, the famous french copper pots, were acquired in 2009, along with the original peg board that her husband made, which completed the whole exhibit.

So that you can look into her kitchen, the wall was removed and in its place is a glass wall with the outline of each of her pots and pans, which are displayed in the first picture above.

One of my favorite wedding presents was her book, "The Way to Cook." Sadly, it doesn't get much use but I was inspired again to crack it open. I may even try to use a recipe now.

I was also inspired to polish my own copper. I don't have as many as she did and they are not French but I wanted to shine them up. So, somewhere I read that making a paste of salt and vinegar will restore their shine. I don't know where I read that. It may have been on one of your blogs. I'll give proper credit as soon as I can remember. They say the mind is the first to go..or was it sight...I don't remember...it must be the mind...anyway...

So I tried it and after one try, it turned out like this.

And to think I almost bought some copper cleaner.

Home remedies really do work.

Now if I could just remember who gave me that tip.

It's going to bug me all day...

Winding down

What better way to wind down my niece and nephew's visit than to spend the day riding roller coasters? A trip to Hershey wouldn't be a trip if we didn't go to the park so we spent the full day there with an intermission of grabbing a bite at home. We're not paying $6.50 for a piddly pizza slice and $4.25 for a Gatorade. So we went home where I made a homemade meat sauce, angel hair pasta and dinner rolls.

The evening proved to be a great time for rides since the cooler weather cleared out the park a bit. Blair and I didn't have to wait in line for rides. I was even able to meet up with the older kids and take Reese on two coasters at the end of the night.

Memories are made of this.