In Studio.

Oh hi there.  We've just been hanging out in my new almost-complete-studio working on sets and playing with props.  Still not ready to share the Studio yet, but maybe just a sneak peek on what we are working on.....  Here's just a few of my daughter and constant model, Magdalene.  Thanks for posing, darling!  I hope someday she admires that her mother had a passion for something and went for it, rather than looking back begrudgingly at the many many hours playing around in the studio...  I know I am loving every moment in here.

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Spooktacular!

Since nursery school started in September, many of my mama friends now have a free hand.  Which, to be sure, is great for getting errands done or working part-time, etc.  But it also means, sadly, we haven't really gotten together as much as we have in the past.  Or at least, that's how it seems!  So we were really looking forward to all getting together for Halloween and then various upcoming events as we get closer to Christmas. 

Today we went over to a friend's place for a little Halloween bash she was throwing.  I say little, but...  since we all of our families have been expanding, these playdates aren't really that little anymore.  Nothing like having fifteen mothers with one or in some cases, two little ones to make a house suddenly crowded!  But, I don't know if it just seems easier when we are altogether or if we are all just getting used to the chaos and (occasionally) semi-parenting each others' children.

There were lots of princesses to be seen, that is for sure!

 

I had planned a little caveman/dinosaur theme for our little family.  But, you know toddlers.  He wanted to go as an airplane.  We didn't have an airplane costume, and fifteen minutes before the party is really too late to mention you don't want to be a dinosaur.  We had a hand-me down costume, that I was sure was a "kitty-cat" which I managed to wiggle him into, only to find out later it was a zebra (???)  I mean, ya, black and white stripes, but nothing else about that costume was a zebra....  So we went with a wild cat/caveman theme.  You know, the Croods or something.  And Maggie, she owned that pigtail like Pebbles!

The mamas really got into it too and came all decked out.  You kind of have to when you have kids.  They love it when we do!  And I think we secretly love it too.

 

The decorations and food were terrific!!  Christina, our mama friend, is so good at this--mummy wrapped hotdogs, apple-peanut butter marshmallow teeth.  This is definitely not my forte....  Yesterday, I tried making white-chocolate dipped strawberry ghosts.  They were scary alright...  but not in a way I'd want to share with others.  Kind of globby and patchy.  Let's just say... I don't have a future career in any sort of pasty or confection profession.  

The neighborhood mamas--Lucy and Victoria!!

Ok, this was a major feat.  "Let's take a group shot of just the kids!!" Tears and bribes ensued....  BUT!  Tip to all aspiring photographers, one I picked up from my friend Gill.  You can actually get them to sit still and maybe even look a little happy if you sing them a song like say, the "Wheels on the Bus" or the "Alphabet song" or "If You're Happy and You Know it."  Likely a good tip for Family photos too!

Happy Halloween tomorrow, everyone!!  Hope it's full of all sorts of good-humoured silliness.

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New Spaces.

Wowza.. what a crazy couple of weeks it's been!  Since designing a website and doing a small amount of advertising and practice sessions with friends, this whole photography thing has taken on a life of it's own.  First it was an idea and, now it's so very quickly coming to life, my head is still spinning--studio sign, business cards, return address stickers, editing software, lighting, reflectors, flashes and clients. But I digress.

The whole house has been upside down and inside out.  We've rearranged nearly every piece of furniture on our main floor to make a studio happen.  And I am pretty sure when the kids come down each morning (or when husband comes home each evening), they aren't quite sure what they are walking (or crawling) into.  "Why is the dining room in the living room?"  or "Why is the playroom in the dining room?"

Anyway, the upside to all of this is that I personally feel that we were quickly outgrowing the playroom sooooo.....  now we have a bigger one!  It was practically like Christmas morning for Gabriel who could finally see and get at all of his toys for once and Magdalene too who now has some space.

Anna and Eddie, the Polish dolls that arrived for Gabriel and Magdalene the day Magdalene came home from the hospital.

A basket of toddler toys ready to be emptied. Because what else is a basket for, afterall.

We can actually set up the train tracks and leave them without walking all over them.

The teepee now has a space of it's own for books and music and hiding.  And finally a change table in a handy location.  No more floor diaper changes!

And yesterday we had friends over and they all agreed, the new playroom is much better!  Still not quite ready to show you the new studio.  But it's all coming together....

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Orange Cranberry Walnut Bread

 Orange Cranberry Walnut Bread

When I was pregnant with Gabriel, my good friend Dori made some of this bread for me.  It was one of the only things I could eat for the first 14 weeks.  And I was so incredibly thankful when she gave me the recipe.  I found myself a breadmaker on loan for awhile before finally getting my own for Christmas one year.  Now this bread is a staple in our house and I likely make it once a week.  The old recipe from Dori didn't work in my new breadmaker, but I adapted this one to make it taste just the same.  Thanks Dori!!  **A special note about breadmakers...  if you don't have one but would like to buy one, don't splurge.  Unless you have special dietary needs, just get a regular old basic Black & Decker, nothing fancy. 

2 large eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup cranberry juice (pure is best, but others will do)
1/4 cup marmalade
1/4 cup dry skim milk powder
3 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter cut into pieces
5 cups bread flour
2 1/12 tsp of bread machine yeast
1 cup cranberries
1/3 chopped walnuts (pecans will also work)

1. Insert bread pan securely into bread machine and plug in.
2. Put all ingredients in bread machine in order listed (except cranberries and walnuts), making sure to level off each tsp or cup with a flat edge knife.  *Measurements must be exact for bread.
3.  Select "Sweet" setting and size of loaf (3lbs) and crust colour and press start.
4.  Listen for beep indicating "Add ingredient" and add cranberries and nuts.
5. Do not open bread machine until completed.  Once completed, remove pan from the machine and let it set for about 20 minutes before removing from the pan and serving.

This is one of those breads that Gabriel LOVES!  Sometimes I feel like it's hard to get the carbs in those kids that they need.  Having a breadmaker helps!

The Cove and Bonavista.

Finally getting to the last of our Newfoundland pictures.  There were too many to choose from.  Upon reflection, both Jordan and I agreed that our favorite time spent in Newfoundland was down in the little cove on the ocean where the waves rolled in.  We spent hours down there throwing rocks or sitting on a rock in the warm sun listening to the rhythmic beating of the waves as they crashed up against the rocks and threw sea spray into the air.  Or watching the water swirl in around us and lap at our toes.  It was all very mesmerizing.  Something I don't think I will ever tire of.    

Despite the relentless crashing of waves along it's shorelines, those dark jagged rocks remain impervious to their pounding, refusing to be ground smooth.  The trees, which measure their annual growth period in days, are short and stunted despite being decades (or more) of years old and are windswept in one direction with branches often on one side.  Many places scarcely have grass.  The ground cover is blueberry bramble and partridge berry bushes which turn a deep garnet red/purple colour in the fall.  Who would have thought so many blueberries grew in Newfoundland?  The entire province is covered in bushes!

These are the partridge berries.  They were delicious!!  We bought some jam, but nothing was quite like the one at the Fishers Loft, I must say!  I just might have to contact them and see if they'll ship a bottle.

The newlyweds!! 

 One of our last days in Newfoundland, we drove up to Bonavista to see the most spectacular scenery and some of the most rugged, rough-looking rocks. We felt so lucky to have yet another gorgeous day there before we flew out in the rain and fog the next day.  

And that's the last of Newfoundland for us this time around.  "We love thee, Newfoundland!"

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