Morning, Noon and Night

I have already mentioned that we went on a quick trip to Lost Lake with friends. I even posted just a few of the hundreds of photos that I took here.

One of the traps of going to such a beautiful location as a photographer, is that it is just so tempting to take hundreds and hundreds of photos of the SAME THING. The view of Mt Hood was incredibly beautiful from the lake that I just couldn’t help myself. It took me many days to narrow it down to a few favourites.

I was up early on Saturday (the kids made sure of that), so I went for a walk and spotted the mountain peeking from behind the trees.

And then when I walked a little further up the path…

The morning reflection in the lake was incredibly beautiful (and the weather was perfect!).

But then I found that as each hour went by, the view of the mountain would change and, of course, I had to capture each moment on camera.

Especially this one with Kei kayaking in the foreground.

And then evening hit. The kids were both in bed (a miracle) and I was able to head back to the lake just in time to capture a few moments as the sun went down.

Under a pink sky.

Then the sky grew darker and I was able to catch this final parting shot before everything went blurry.

Recharging

It’s been a tough week. A big event at work on Monday meant that the beginning of week felt like it should have been the end of the week and now Thursday feels like December. And now I need to turn my efforts to a big creative project and I feel drained.

For a little pick me up, I went in search of some creative, colourful inspiration.

Mika’s new video for “We Are Golden”. Click here to watch (unfortunately I can’t embed) and just try to stop yourself from dancing around the room in your underwear using a hairbrush for a microphone.

Related note – fabulous album artwork.

Loving this Target ad. I have seen a lot of stop motion videos lately, but this one just has so much colour.

Speaking of stop motion videos – this is AMAZING.

This book – I have wanted it for SO long and finally purchased it with an Amazon gift certificate. Can’t wait until it arrives (Free Super Saver shipping so should be about three weeks…).

And finally having the change to watch this movie. Coraline and I have a date on Friday night (between catching up on episodes of Weeds, Dexter and Entourage and revisiting Six Feet Under. Thanks Netflix).

Have any great pieces of inspiration you would like to share?

Lots of questions…very few answers

Scene: Walking back from Peninsula Park Block Party. Sounds of the band playing “Billie Jean” in the background.

Me: It sounds like a Michael Jackson Tribute tonight.
Thomas: Why is it a Michael Jackson tribute?
M: Because they are playing lots of Michael Jackson songs.
T: Why are they Michael Jackson songs?
M: Because Michael Jackson used to sing them.
T: Why does Michael Jackson not sing them anymore?
M: ….because Michael Jackson is not around anymore.
T: Why is Michael Jackson not around anymore?
M:… ummm… (thinking I should just be honest) because he died.
T: Where did he die?
K: (Thanks for jumping in) In California.
M: (sigh!)
T: Why did he die?
M: Because his heart stopped.
T: Why did his heart stop?
M: Because he was sick.
T: Why was he sick?
K: Because he was older.
M: No one really knows.
T: So when you are sick, then you die?
M: Sometimes. Not very often…
T: Only Michael Jackson dies when he’s sick, right Mum? No one else.
M: Look! We’re home!

Of course now I am worried that the next time one of us gets sick, Thomas will assume one of us will die..or not. Apparently only Michael Jackson dies.

Can anyone recommend a good resource that provides answers to tough questions from four year olds? I feel like any day now I’m going to say the wrong thing and mess him up for life.

So Many Photos: Lost Lake Part 1

I’ve started editing my photos from Lost Lake. I think have made it about a third of the way into the 400 or so that I took that weekend.

Here is a small sample… Part 1… The children.

This one is my favourite but I’m not sure why…

This poor little guy was hit in the head with a frisbee right before I took this photo. I am ashamed to say that I took the opportunity to catch a photo with the little tear below his eye. But how sweet is this photo?

Loving the little bit of attitude in this one.

And this little sweet one. Just look at those eyes. Adorable.

I think I missed one or two children but they will be in future posts. With six families and 10 children, it’s hard to include them all in one post.

The Dirt Pile

Thomas has always been attracted to dirt.

If there’s a pile of dirt somewhere he will find it.

And THAT is why I have so much laundry to do every week. I’m sure little girls are not like this.

By the way, he is not in a jungle, it’s our backyard. Sad, but true.

I’m Going to Talk About the Weather

I know it’s a cliche to talk about the weather, and probably not a topic that will win me more readers, but this is seriously ridiculous. They are projecting that it will reach 105 degrees in Portland today. That’s above 40 in metric (i.e. makes more sense) temperature. Tomorrow may reach 104.

The problem? Air-conditioned daycare is closed and I am home with the kids on “vacation”. I had wonderful plans for the zoo and the park and other outings that would allow us to enjoy some summer weather. Instead we are going to head to the mall. If only Samuel was old enough to see a movie. I wonder if other parents would mind if I brought my squirmy 14 month old son to see Ice Age… it’s a thought.

Anyway – enough with the whining. A few things I am thinking about today:

Happy to support my friend Lauren who is having a printing GC giveaway on her blog. Check it out here.
Grateful that Samuel is now walking more than he is crawling. Time to buy some shoes (I know, bad mother).
Enjoying Thomas’ sense of humor and the way he laughs uncontrollably when we watch America’s Funniest Home Videos together. Although, I find myself constantly saying “Don’t try that Thomas. That’s not safe Thomas.”
Looking forward to editing some photos from a fun shoot on the weekend. No kids involved so this was a challenge, but I think the clients will really like the results.
Relieved that I finally have a backup system for my photos with our new Mac. I know it’s been way too long.
A little tired of Yo Gabba Gabba – the latest obsession.

And…Excited to begin going through photos from our weekend trip to Lost Lake. Here’s a preview.

Before and After

It was ugly

Very ugly

But just in time… only weeks before our 12 month deadline to protect the siding from our new renovation…

We finally got around to the painful process of getting the house painted.

We settled on a neutral colour. Safe.

Of course now you can REALLY see the horrible shrubs in the front yard. They used to blend into the green house, but there’s no more hiding the truth…

We REALLY need to do something with that garden. Next year.

Fireworks in the Backyard, Portland Style

The concept of lighting your own fireworks is something I have had to get used to over the past few years. Before that, my experience of firework was massive displays in crowded public locations. Personal fireworks were…well…sparklers.

But not in the U.S of A.

Here you can buy fireworks, which scares me a little. Sure, in Portland they have some limitations, like you can’t set of fireworks that shoot more than 6 feet..or something. I think it’s supposed to limit the damage. Of course we live about 10 miles from the Washington State border. Vancouver, WA sells a LOT of fireworks around July 4th.

I wonder if Oregonians are exempt from sales tax for partially illegal purchases…

Our fireworks were from Fred Meyer which means they were smaller than the light displays we had been seeing over the neighborhood in the week leading up to the holiday. Still, they were big enough to impress a four year old (and admittedly his mother).

Kei took some video on real film for his latest class. Apparently was able to get some cool footage until the film ran out.

Thomas was instructed to stand next to the fence and NOT MOVE an inch while the fireworks were lit.

Good Boy.

He may not look like it, but he was one happy, fireworks-loving boy.

(Samuel was in bed asleep…in case you were wondering).

Wordless Wednesday: Solitary Sunflower

Mississippi Street Fair

I just love this time of the year, when the everyone in Portland comes out of their rain-induced habitation and really enjoys the city.

Last weekend we headed to Mississippi for the annual street fair. Super Why came along and garnered quite a bit of attention.

He’s a super hero with the power to read.

The best thing about the street fair – the colour.

And the adorable hand-made little girl clothes that make me want to dress my boys up for the heck of it. Of course I already have trouble getting Thomas to wear anything other than sweat pants.

And the eclectic little shops with an assortment of antique and quirky goods that I love to look at, but am not funky enough to buy. I swear I had a pram just like this one when I was a little girl. I wonder what happened to it…