To celebrate...

the boy's birthday.

We celebrated a week early. He didn't mind. It's supposed to be all about him, but he didn't eat and when his momma asked him why, after he so carefully chose all those special foods, his reply was, "I picked it for them." He meant his guests, those of us who came to help him celebrate his day. How sweet...how like him.




I made him a crazy, zany sort of alien card because he's a crazy, zany sort of kid. The idea for the card is not my original idea. I copied a very similar image I found online, but hey, isn't that why we have the internet?


I wanted to give him a special gift (no toys) and this one is straight from my heart. Last year, I took a series of photos of him launching himself off that big tire when we were on the beach in Grand Marais. He was so full of joy as he sailed through the air and I wanted his gift to capture that joy. Besides, who doesn't like to see pictures of themself? I used an exacto knife to cut the images of him from the photos, I collaged the water and sand from the photos onto the paper and placed his images so it would imply motion. When he opened his gift, his words were, "that's me!" Then he looked at me and said, "this is awesome!" Exactly what I hoped for while making his gift.


Oh, and there was cake, of course there was cake. And of course he ate his cake.

Happy birthday, darlin'!

Relaxing...

on a warm summer evening. It's not often that we have absolutely nothing to do in the evening. It would be silly not to take advantage of that down-time, don't you think? We did that, just the other night.

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The charcoal was lit while the salmon was soaking in a Ceviche-ish marinade, and the vegetables were cleaned and given a light coating of oil. Mind you, I didn't do a thing to get this dinner ready. Someone did all the work and I simply showed up for the cooking and eating. That's kinda nice. 


However, I did pour the beer. Cold, refreshing - we're quickly running out of our stash from the duty-free shop. It tastes so darned good though, we can't help it.


Gin Rummy anyone? I like this game. It's quick and easy, and perfect for two people sitting outside on the patio enjoying a gorgeous evening.


Well, how about that? I haven't seen a walking stick in years. ~grins~ Might it have something to do with their wonderful camoflage?


Okay, you've got me here, this has nothing to do with relaxing on a warm summer evening. It's just me wanting to show off my new toy. I had this lens a few years ago when I was shooting film, but it sort of went swimming with me one March when I rolled my kayak in the river. Oops. Water and cameras don't mix too well. I think I'll try harder to keep this one on the top of the water. This was my favorite lens and I've missed it. I'm so excited to play with it again.

I'm just sayin'...

that somebody should have told me.



I won't buy toys for the grandbabes, but I don't consider Legos to be toys. No, they are so much more than just a toy. They require my babes to use their imaginations, which is why I still have quite a large tote full of them from years of purchasing for my sons for Christmas and birthdays as they were growing up. Nearly every time the babes come over, that tote is thumpity thumped down the stairs from the attic and unceremoniously dumped upside down in the middle of the livingroom floor...and the adventures begin. Am I the only one who loves the sound Legos make as kids (and adults) paw through the piles?

But really now, they make Star Wars Legos? For how long? Why didn't I know? I so would have bought these for him. C'mon! It's Yoda for heaven's sake. No one rocks like Yoda rocks. Seriously!