Letting Go July 12, 2008

Today I was given the privilege of second-shooting a wedding with another Twin Cities photographer. It was fun, but also hard. The bride and groom were actually going through a ceremony for the second time. Her father had had cancer and was fading quickly, and she had wanted him to be there for the ceremony, so they got married at his bedside in June. He died days later. Today was the originally-planned ceremony, sharing vows before oodles of relatives and friends and celebrating together afterward.

The ceremony was especially hard for me because I lost my daddy two years ago today. He was there to walk me down the aisle. He brought me a rose when I was getting my hair done next door the morning of my wedding. He was SOBBING when he brought it in and couldn’t muster up anything to say but “I love you so much, my little girl.” Mom told me later that he’d been driving around for a long time trying to compose himself. (Obviously it worked well.) He had to let go of his little girl that day.

My daddy had the most tender heart. He was compassionate and kind. He was a great listener, and always asked gentle yet probing questions, and people would just open up to him. He hardly ever had anything bad to say about anyone. He was the kind of guy who everyone called for help. “Scott, can you come help us re-shingle our roof?” “Scotty, can you help us haul some things on your trailer?” And he did.

Mom and I were with him the day he died. He’d been in the hospital for several days, coming in and out of consciousness. That last day was the hardest day for me to bear. His chest rattled when he breathed, he was emaciated, his right eye wouldn’t close, his hands were clammy. I swabbed his tongue with a sponge dipped in water and put saline in his open eye. He simply wasn’t Daddy anymore. Even though we had been waiting for the time when God would take him home, it was still excruciating to watch him breathe his last.

My mom had been a pillar of strength, his constant nurse for 13 months. She did things no woman dreams she will have to do when she says “for better or worse” at the altar. When the hospital nurse let go of Daddy’s wrist and said, “He’s gone,” Mom fell into my arms and let the last 13 months of torture out in long, pained sobs (much like the ones emanating from me as I write this). She had to let go of her husband that day.

It was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.

The bride I photographed today strung her daddy’s wedding ring, her own ring, and a little locket that said “My Dad…My Hero!” on a pearl necklace and wound it around her bouquet. Even though he couldn’t be there to walk her down the aisle, she had a piece of “him” with her. Undoubtedly, she was grieving at the same time as she was celebrating her new union. And as she clung to her new husband, she had to let go of her daddy today.

Mod Mum June 18, 2008

A while back, I got an offer to try out a new baby sling. How could I refuse? The kind, lovely people at Mod Mum sent me this beautiful sling in the mail (I got to pick out which style I wanted, but there are many more…I was torn between the one I got and this one…and let’s be honest, this one, too.).

The past couple of weeks, Anja has been a little needier (to say the least). The sling has worked beautifully for those times when she needed a little extra lovin’. I put her in it on my left hip, pulled the padded part down under her little bum and behind her knees, and she would ride around with me happily while I scrubbed fingerprints off of doors, cooked dinner, or even worked on my computer. Though I haven’t tried it yet for this, I hear they’re also great for quick errands where you don’t want to hassle with a stroller but need your hands free. Once she passes the year mark, I have a feeling I’ll be using it for such purposes often.

If you have a baby (or know someone who does or is expecting), I would suggest you high-tail it over to Mod Mum and check out their slings. They are fashionable, reversible (two looks in one, for you fashion-conscious folks) and practical. And, little known to most people, they work for DADS, too!

Mediterranean night with a bit o’ homestyle thrown in June 16, 2008

Some of you have been asking for updates as to how our night having Husband’s foodie relatives over went. It was fabulous! I decided to go with an Italian a Mediterranean theme (because my friend pointed out so kindly that Italy is SURROUNDED by the Mediterranean. so. there.), except for dessert. Because I had rhubarb on hand, and I can’t say that it’s Mediterranean. Did I mention Husband’s aunt is vegetarian? So we made all vegetarian stuff, but non-vegetarians wouldn’t have even noticed. By God’s grace, it turned out that good!

We had these fabulously amazing veggie paninis. I found them through Randi’s Recipe Box Swap. Seriously, you must make them. You will not be sorry.

We also had a fabulous little dish I’ve made several times (these photos are from a previous time and show that I did not have yellow peppers on hand at the moment…they also do not illustrate my photographic abilities with my flashy point-and-shoot…please do not judge), Tortellini-Asparagus Salad, straight from my Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. Again, YUM. Here’s the cast of characters and a shot of me stirring in the nuts and cheese and stuff at the end, because I’m too embarrassed to show all the even-less-nice ones from the process. But it TASTES good, and that’s what matters.

Tortellini-Asparagus Salad
Better Homes and Gardens
Yields: 10 side-dish servings

Ingredients

• 2 9-ounce packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears (about 16 spears) trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large yellow sweet pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil or salad oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or chopped almonds, toasted

Directions

1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook tortellini according to package directions, adding asparagus and sweet pepper during the last minute of cooking; drain. Rinse tortellini and vegetables with cold water; drain again.
2. For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine lemon peel, lemon juice, oil, mustard, sugar, salt, and garlic. Cover and shake well.
3. In a very large bowl place tortellini and vegetables. Add dressing; toss to coat. Cover and chill for 2 to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in cheese, green onions, and nuts. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

We served all that up with a side of fresh berries (rasp-, blue-, and straw-) and cantaloupe, some wine and lemonades (yes, two kinds) and finished later with Rhubarb Crunch, the single best rhubarb item I have ever eaten.

Thanks for caring how it went, friends! I’d love to hear about your exploits in the kitchen; feel free to leave a link in the comments if you’ve recently posted something yummy!

Photo Blog June 13, 2008

For those of you who have links to my photography blog, I’ve recently move to a new home on the web.  If you visit the link I sent you there’s a post re-directing you to the new site at the top.  Please do me the favor of changing any feeds, links or bookmarks you may have set.  Thanks!

Anniversary, Part II June 6, 2008

So, a week later, I’ll finally finish posting what Husband and I did for the rest of our 5th anniversary celebration.

Saturday, we went to the Guthrie Theatre following our time at the Sculpture Garden. They allow you to give yourself a little tour around the building, or you can get a guided tour for a price. Since we’re all about The Free, we did the self-tour. It really has some amazing spaces. I take it back. Unbelievable spaces.

Here are a couple of my favorite images:

And this one highlights their very reflective window sills on the 4th floor. Only the part in the middle is an actual view to the outdoors.

We ate dinner at a fabulous little place called True Thai (We had “B” on the appetizers, the Purple Yam, and #57, the wok-fried bean-thread vermicelli.  Overall, we gave the restaurant 4 out of 5 stars for incredible service, friendly staff, and very tasty food.), and then went to a Saints game with my father-in-law and brother-in-law.  Anja’s first outdoor game!

Wowza, Internet Peoples! June 3, 2008

Thank you all for your overwhelming support–the comments, the emails.  You guys are so kind and encouraging.

I posted some photos of someone besides my daughter today, so if you’ve already requested a link and have it, go check it out.  For those of you who missed my last post, if you would like a link sent to you, either comment here that you’re interested in getting it or shoot me an email.

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In other interesting news, my daughter fell down the stairs today at the sitter’s.  I was NOT happy, and had to scurry out of there before I started crying.  Her sitter told me in a very nonchalant way, which:

A. Made me concerned that she should have been MORE concerned and called me at work to let me know

B. Made me less concerned because she must’ve thought Anja was alright

What would you have done?  Bawled her out right there?  Anja only has one more week with this sitter and then she’s on to a new daycare, and since it’s only 1 1/2 days each week, Husband suggested I keep her home next week and he’ll take the extra half day off work to watch her himself.  Is that wrong?  Will it convey unforgiveness to our current sitter?  They don’t have a gate at their stairwell, so I’m just concerned that it could happen again…

A Little Project June 2, 2008

Hi friends!

Long time no…write!  I think this is the longest I’ve gone without posting.  It feels awkward.

Anyway, the reason is, I’ve been working on a little project.  Actually, a big project.  I’m kind of embarrassed about it, because I don’t feel like I’m good enough to be “in the big leagues” yet, but I’ve started a photography business.  I have a new blog (since I can’t afford my own .com yet) where I’ll be posting favorite images, including those of some lovely folks who have helped me during my portfolio-building stage.

All that said, since my identity is somewhat secret on this blog, and I’d like it to stay that way, please email or leave a comment if you’d like a link to my new blog.  I’m fantastically excited, nervous and hopeful all at the same time.

I’ve long wondered, “Lord, what do I want to be when I grow up?”  I’ve been wondering that since high school graduation.  And…I think I might have finally found an answer.  Of course I want to be a MOM, but in order to be able to stay at home with my little peanut, some cash money needs to be made, and this photography stuff?  I’m addicted.

Thank you all SOOOOO much for your helpful support up to this point, and I will always, always appreciate your constructive criticism.

My Posse Does it Right May 25, 2008

Here are some photos from our “anniversary spectaculare” (the extra ‘e’ there makes it Fronch). We had fun a the sculpture gardens yesterday, as did 500 million other people. We ran into at least three wedding parties, possibly four.

Starving artists’ ode to mini golf:

Someone else having a much more zen date than us:

The image used in virtually EVERY Minnesota brochure, The Cherry on the Spoon:

We also went to some more places, which I may or may not post about tomorrow.  It’s Memorial Day, so I should be relaxing and eating picnicky food and waving flags and stuff, right?

Oh, Snap! May 8, 2008

Anja is crawling a few little “steps” (do you call them that when you’re not on your feet?) at a time now. She sees something she wants, gets herself from a sitting position to all fours, and makes miniscule little crawling motions until she gets there. Then she grabs the object and sits herself back down, and I go wild, clapping and encouraging. Sometimes she ends up stuck under the coffee table or the piano and cries out for help. Like any good mom, I come to her rescue. Or sometimes she gets something she shouldn’t before I can stop her, like a plastic bag or one of our books. And I run to the rescue again.

I feel much like Anja in my photography endeavors these days. Seeing something I want to achieve, I take baby steps toward it. I practice the technique. I read about it in books and my camera manual. I ask advice of friends who photograph. I participate in photography forums. The progress is slow. I want to “arrive” quickly, when in practice, that rarely happens. But like Anja, I keep plugging away at it. And you folks have been my encouragers, my cheerleaders time and again. Thank you for that. Even mommies need someone clapping for them when they accomplish something.

Oh, and constructive criticism is always welcome, too. I relish it.

We Have A Winner! May 6, 2008

Actually, you’re all “winners,” but since I’m not rich, I did have to narrow it down to one prize-winner. You had some very clever and cute entries, so it took me awhile to decide.

And after deciding that this individual shouldn’t be disqualified, even though it was her idea to have the contest in the first place, the winner is….Miz Booshay with “See here, Vinnie, it’s like this….”

I found it odd that so many of you commented on how cute she is, because I think she’s pretty ugly in this picture, kind of like a little mob boss or something. MB’s quote captured that spirit. Ha!

I hope to continue holding contests, so keep coming back. I was especially excited to see some new first-time readers.

Miz Booshay, for your efforts, you will win aforementioned $15 Bath and Body Works gift card as well as…this FABULOUS prize from my mother’s high school collection! Yessirree, we turned up some treasures last time I was at her house.

The New Sound is copyright 1966, so who knows what phenomenon of the musical realm will be in it? This snapshot was taken shortly after Anja threw it (she apparently doesn’t like oldies as much as her mama).