Happy Halloween....early edition

We celebrated Halloween a bit early last night because our little friend Ariel couldn't wait to dress up!

Is it just me, or are babies in costume like a form of crack?

Notice the Little Things: 31 Days of Being Present; Day 13

Sometimes I let the schedule of the day can get ahead of me. Some days I don't. Some days I stop rushing to get out the door and instead take a moment to soak the day in.

That's what I did this morning. Clearly I wasn't the only one taking it slow this morning.

loving her 'bun'

who needs a pillow?

I can't believe how sleepy she was!

Just Do Something for You: 31 Days of Being Present; Day 12

I get caught up in things. Stuff. Tasks. Priorities. You know, things. Every so often it’s refreshing to take a break and do something for me. I put aside the looming lists & tasks and enjoy.

I have missed my last 2 book clubs because I have had too much work to do. Boo.

BUT tonight I went to book club, despite the mountain of work that threatens to overtake me. I will always be able to find something to replace book club, but I stilled my mind, and went out and had a wonderful time. The group was small; only 5 readers, but there was wine, cupcakes and laughter that made tears spring to my eyes.  That beats my to-do list any day.

And now pictures that have nothing to do with this blog post!

This post is part of a 31 Day Series. Find out more about it here. See all the posts from my series here. Bask in the glory of over 700 participants and their topics here.

Check out my 3 teeth. I'm kind of a big deal now.

How DARE you speak negatively about Dora.

This is what it looks like to be attacked by a baby!

Passing on the love

I love my daughter. She is my muse, she makes me laugh every day, and has given me a greater perspective on life, love, friendship and the meaning of a 'clean house.'

Over and over I hear parents say that they could not imagine their lives without their baby. I get it. Combine that with the fact that I am now a big softy I now get really touched when I hear that someone's baby is sick. I can't imagine it.


A year ago, my sister in law told me about an organisation called Inspiration Through Art. Her dear friend's little boy was diagnosed with Noonan Syndrome. They were put in touch with ITA, a professional photographer donated their time to take images of little Jack and it had a deep impact on the family, and my sister in law. And me; I was inspired.  

While I was on maternity leave my mother-in-law shared the story of the time her and her husband, my father in law, found out that her daughter had craniosynostosis. Her daughter's skull plates were fused together. 

She had to take her 5 month old child to Sick Kids for brain surgery to un-fuse the plates. A rare fluke, the doctors said, and they were on their way. 

Fast forward a few years later. My brother-in-law was born. My MIL was told that she was in the clear, this random defect could never happen again. 

9 months layer she was back in Sick Kids - this time with 2 older children in tow. Another brain surgery, but this time there were complications that resulted in little G laying on a bed of ice to bring his temperature down. 

When my mother in law recalls this moment, I can tell that this image will be one that she will never be able to forget. Some images stay burned in your mind forever; some are good, some haunt you. 

Through photography, I want to be able to give some positive images to stick in people's minds. Images recalled on days when people are feeling down. Images that touch one's heart. 

Now, back to that conversation with my MIL....

"I can't imagine what you must have gone through emotionally while your children were in the hospital". I commented.

She paused and looked me straight in the eyes
'No. You can't. You can never imagine what it is like to have a sick child. I hope that you never have to." 

I have that same hope,I hope my muse never gets sick, I hope that my friend's children never get sick.  Unfortunately that's not how it works. Several of my close friends have had their challenges with their little ones and it has impacted me deeply.  

Fortunately everyone is okay, but their lives will be forever changed. I want to capture that change, capture hope, but most of all capture the heart of a family's little muse. I hope that I am selected to be a photographer for Inspiration Through Art. 


To me, there is nothing more meaningful than giving the gift of happy images. New images to be burnt into memory....never to replace the images that haunt, but hopefully they become the images that create a smile.


Check out ITA (http://www.inspirationthroughart.org/) it's a lovely organization.

nothing more perfect than cuddling a babe in your arms

Day 10: Go For a Walk

There is always the list of things to do. I didn't do them today, I went for a walk and enjoyed the amazing weather instead. 

four ladies went for a walk

on the look out

My little muse has started to point to a body part on command. We peppered her with requests for the first week (Where is your ear?! Where are your toes?!). Unfortunately, she doesn't always have her heart in it.

Yeah, fine. There, you happy now? 

running amok

celebrating the leafs big win (for the season)

As you can see, this was much more fun than doing the laundry and the dishes.  Besides, as an eloquent quote says...."only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday." ~Author Unknown


My task for you, avoid something and go for a walk with someone you love. Trust me, it's worth it.

Day 9: Get Off The Computer

In the spirit of being present for this 31 day challenge (an idea that I lovingly adopted from this blog - which - as an aside - is a fabulous blog with some outstanding tips for photographers of all levels) I decided to take a break from the computer and spend time with family instead.

I even have photographic proof, see:

Day 8: Take a Deep Breath

I used to take breathing for granted, until someone asked me to think about my breath. "This is stupid" I thought. "I know how to breathe."

"Take a few moments each day to just focus on your breathing, clear your mind, check in with your body and experience breathing." Then she made me sit down and breathe with her.

"This is REALLY stupid" I thought as we sat. Looking at each other. Breathing. She was breathing deeply. We played a mean game of chicken; maintaining unbroken eye contact as she wheezed and sputtered. The moment was beyond awkward; it would have made awkward fidget uncomfortably in it's chair.

But, I tried it on my own time; I started to take time each day to just sit, breathe and 'check-in' with my body.

I started to enjoy breathing. Mind you, not the staring, sputtering breathing; just nice, deep breaths. So, on Saturday morning, I woke up at the cottage, strolled down to the dock, watched the mist lift off the lake and just breathed. 

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
                        ~James Taylor

Love the lens flare and the rainbow

lake like glass

Best. Thanksgiving. Ever.