tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78042411986376087522024-03-14T06:14:24.696-06:00Silver Sisters StudioSilver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-7880673086555853542012-06-14T15:47:00.002-06:002012-06-14T15:52:06.350-06:00Notes for next year – or how to avoid panicking over gardening.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyv9znFe4stn9TQi4JXrXSK7EF3fWPKxmQb991ZxGwilIzzM3CGgj5LWszFALerDSFuTJ0Ehdb05KGeceBi3Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(This video has nothing to do with the post! It is the queen bee from one of my hives which we managed to catch on video.)</span><br />
<br />
I saw the first potato plant poking it’s little head out of the soil last night – halleluiah! And the clouds opened up and it rained unicorns – it felt something like that. Because, truth be told, I’m not that great of a gardener. Oh, you wouldn’t know it looking at my place, but I muddle along, faking it the whole time. OH, I love getting dirty (who doesn’t) but I just don’t have that much experience, and gardening is definitely something you get better at with practice. This year I had great success starting my own seeds inside. It was a combination of the right amount of water, heated seed mats and luck. Mostly luck. <br />
<br />
So much of gardening is about watching the seasons and working WITH them, not against. Knowing that our growing season here in the Chinook belt at the base of the foothills of the mighty Rocky Mountains is incredibly short (but the days are gloriously long) I bought all short season seed (60 days or less) and started seeding indoors in March. Yes, March. I am hiding under my desk now, as I am sure you are laughing. If you’ve done this before you would be.<br />
<br />
There are 21 tomato plants in my sun room. This sounds like a confession. My husband calls it the jungle, my friends call it the grow-op. They were officially evicted over 2 weeks ago but it poured cold rain and threatened to frost. So they have sat, leaves tangled together, reaching for the sun, setting fruit, drying out, crowding around the windows in the sunniest room in our house.<br />
<br />
And this brings me to the “what I have learned” part of this post. Here are my gardening dates for my region (west of Calgary, just north of Cochrane, Alberta):<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Plant potatoes and peas as soon as it is possible to dig. They like the cold. – beginning to mid-May. (Also onions, I think.)</span></strong><br />
<strong><br /><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Plant seeds – carrots, kohlrabi, beets etc. when the dandelions bloom - end of May, beginning of June.</span></strong><br />
<strong><br /><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">Plant beans, tomatoes and other tender things out when it looks like it will be more or less consistently 15 degrees C (60F) or better during the day. Mid June if you’re lucky. When the lilacs bloom (and thank goodness they bloom for a couple of weeks). </span></strong><br />
<br />
Do not start anything indoors until at least April. Middle of April, even. This is the hardest part. Remember the forest in the sun room, and the eviction notice but forget about the threats of composting them all; he wasn’t really (all that) serious.<br />
<br />
Conventional wisdom in these parts (even my grama said this, and she lived on a farm a short drive north of me for over 50 years) is to plant your garden after the May long weekend (very end of May), but I think this sets you up for angst about getting the tomatoes out before it’s truly warm enough, and you miss the boat a bit with the spuds and peas. Plus, spreading the planting out over a couple of weekends is far more doable in terms of time anyway (especially considering May birthdays and spring snowstorms). Next year I know what to expect, and I’ve got a plan, so surely, some other thing will happen! But, Life’s a journey, right? This here’s the fun bit, the learning. One day we will laugh about the year the tomatoes took over the house, and surely they will have reached the ceiling by that telling.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-88045306386122330872012-04-03T08:42:00.002-06:002012-04-03T08:46:15.615-06:00My Grandmother<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzIu0LpP7HMtcFWdMOlzNBsdtpy4k_QBk5HS8CMbxDvv5D-X_xil5esYK0dn0gho_8HaDnviWggzIOdMGGAcJE91GeMk0yUp7VjWotl7TE0X1smKeVDbIveGiL6L5lINbgZuCIkWPOvi_/s1600/photo-711472.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727181741999025874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzIu0LpP7HMtcFWdMOlzNBsdtpy4k_QBk5HS8CMbxDvv5D-X_xil5esYK0dn0gho_8HaDnviWggzIOdMGGAcJE91GeMk0yUp7VjWotl7TE0X1smKeVDbIveGiL6L5lINbgZuCIkWPOvi_/s320/photo-711472.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">My grandmother is Summer. </div><br />
<br />
She is raspberries and Chicadees<br />
<br />
And hardy ‘Explorer’ roses.<br />
<br />
She is in the wind and the sun and the smell of dirt,<br />
<br />
Sitting on the front porch.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My grandmother is rows of potatoes, and sweet peas,<br />
<br />
She is pansies, blueberries, leather moccasins, <br />
<br />
Oil paintings.<br />
<br />
I see her when I put the camera up to my eye,<br />
<br />
When I work with my hands.<br />
<br />
When I sit and look out <br />
<br />
Over the untamed woolly prairie grass.<br />
<br />
My Grandmother is summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Liz got me thinking about this. Her grandmother is <a href="http://www.lizlamoreux.com/be-present-be-here/just-keep-writing.html">spring</a>. Thanks, Liz.)Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-75290882475008754992012-03-20T09:24:00.001-06:002012-03-20T09:25:30.426-06:00I walk on the grass next to the sidewalk.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS2W7g3eeB-phZs1Ch1HKSt9TLDH6QYTS0uBQjkasXQLOvG28XHsbVIdKaJ9HcoA6of1eWhRxVw0b_bWczXrEkqPn1uJZ9ISYJNoINwBsS065QN5e5f0E3dwv-CrND4Hoz3r7-g3WxcPv/s1600/photo-759119.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721998789768076274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS2W7g3eeB-phZs1Ch1HKSt9TLDH6QYTS0uBQjkasXQLOvG28XHsbVIdKaJ9HcoA6of1eWhRxVw0b_bWczXrEkqPn1uJZ9ISYJNoINwBsS065QN5e5f0E3dwv-CrND4Hoz3r7-g3WxcPv/s320/photo-759119.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(This is my house from a different vantage point. <br />
Taken as I was chasing a dog accross a field.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div>I walk on the grass next to the sidewalk.<br />
<br />
I walk on the grass next to the sidewalk.<br />
I long for the softness of the earth to cradle me.<br />
To wrap around me,<br />
Like a blanket of calm.<br />
<br />
I walk on the grass and not the sidewalk. <br />
It reminds me I am human;<br />
I am alive and a puzzle piece of the universe.<br />
I am whole again.<br />
<br />
I walk on the grass and not the sidewalk. <br />
It cushions my footsteps,<br />
Reminds me of my humanness<br />
In a way that the hard human-build<br />
Cannot. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-48539963846364022672012-02-14T09:57:00.000-07:002012-02-14T09:57:38.522-07:00On Doing.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHOPkmFwl_vUAAhJlEypTYiMCQ-9Yx5A9xJoMficzL78bnQ8ey86Hz42wGzLPrL5smu_hn4xVW7pQbJ75zfdBKCivGe1PJ40QgVHLld64vgb5vBI3iGzOhnM6OTyRNdXod9cFEo4D3uc-/s1600/photo-751709.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709032680727399762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHOPkmFwl_vUAAhJlEypTYiMCQ-9Yx5A9xJoMficzL78bnQ8ey86Hz42wGzLPrL5smu_hn4xVW7pQbJ75zfdBKCivGe1PJ40QgVHLld64vgb5vBI3iGzOhnM6OTyRNdXod9cFEo4D3uc-/s320/photo-751709.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(love this kind of graffiti. Thank you, whoever you are in Sunnyside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">So, ya, sometimes blogging about life gets superseded by actually living life.</div><br />
<br />
I have been:<br />
<br />
::planning gardens, learning about permaculture<br />
<br />
::photographing like mad. I have so much to learn, and a fire in my belly. Even when I don’t have a camera in my hand I’m constantly watching light.<br />
<br />
::spending as much time as possible with my kids. Kids are little for such a small time, and I want to soak in every moment with them. I’m really smitten with these two.<br />
<br />
::making soup. Seriously, the easiest winter meal possible that satisfies everybody(almost) and is super healthy. I don’t even have to think about cooking anymore.<br />
<br />
::learning beekeeping. I know! Crazy, right? <br />
<br />
::planning. Planning big things, and waiting for the right time. Does this part ever stop?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Csgio5Pfnz-XRtB_An181kE2ZaM33VdvjYbUZSiWI_J4r4soE-UTdMXE4Ij3G9IKDM8MPPPPW6sN44b3pRJcpuhtYshw6o1m9KI0k15yUMhrTucr0sWxyivfkYVwJ8IXLQeLmLSQo1OU/s1600/photo-701963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Csgio5Pfnz-XRtB_An181kE2ZaM33VdvjYbUZSiWI_J4r4soE-UTdMXE4Ij3G9IKDM8MPPPPW6sN44b3pRJcpuhtYshw6o1m9KI0k15yUMhrTucr0sWxyivfkYVwJ8IXLQeLmLSQo1OU/s320/photo-701963.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(found these canoes while wandering around on a break from beekeeping class)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">I have NOT been:</div><br />
<br />
::sewing. Hoping (planning) for more time in the future for the rhythm of the needle.<br />
<br />
::posting photos anywhere really. Feeling like a pupa in a cocoon.<br />
<br />
::participating online as much. To expand in the doing I am spending less time talking about doing. This will come again in time as I do really appreciate the community here.<br />
<br />
<br />
This is the reality of right now. So much time spent at work and the rest with my kids, and other things snugged in here and there simply because they make my heart sing.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-86117146466979461752011-12-30T08:45:00.000-07:002011-12-30T08:45:50.785-07:002011- The year that changed everything.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oy8qYNdU1m0/Tv3cWf8sFyI/AAAAAAAAAsI/yKBj0wO6q6A/s1600/20111128-DSC_4304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oy8qYNdU1m0/Tv3cWf8sFyI/AAAAAAAAAsI/yKBj0wO6q6A/s400/20111128-DSC_4304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">2011 will be known around here as the year that everything changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all started with an email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A long email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been thinking.” It was titled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But let me go farther back than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I had been looking for a new home for at least 4 or 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little house was getting too small now that we had two kids, two dogs and a nanny squished in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was extremely difficult to find something that we both liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted space to spread out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a mechanic so ample outside parking and garage space is a minimum requirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would joke that he was looking for an acereage in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In town because I refused to move to a real acereage – you know, the kind where you’re isolated and spend your weekends mowing your gigantic lawn and driving kids places.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">And then one day I woke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started thinking about what I wanted in an ideal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been so busy trying to figure out how to shoe horn my husband’s long term vision into our current life (it didn’t fit) that I’d forgotten to dream for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just for fun I let my imagination run wild and be as idealistic as possible (I am usually trying to rein in the idealism!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this plan started to form that fit exactly into an acereage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it blossomed into an even bigger plan – a homestead – with chickens and bees and gardens and children running and playing in the woods, and that’s what we’re working on these days.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">And so the conversation began with the email titled “A long email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been thinking.”, and my poor husband had no idea that my entire perspective had shifted.<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-490344064743908402011-12-15T13:02:00.002-07:002011-12-15T13:08:57.711-07:00Vacuous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos.googleapis.com/data/media/api/user/117870480357178731974/albumid/5602532469166840913/photoid/5686447916100963682/1"> <img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 343px;" src="http://photos.googleapis.com/data/media/api/user/117870480357178731974/albumid/5602532469166840913/photoid/5686447916100963682/1" border="0" alt="" /> </a>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-24948950073088331162011-12-06T19:04:00.003-07:002011-12-06T19:08:12.118-07:00Colours of Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2lPQXg6qHmWGWXOFhpKnINFLwKcXdjPDRXoHATN_7bhc0l6aN772STXyQpxvy5mN7St6w-Da2D2pc8LPLt9iAo3-Szyr04lh-b3Gf-kxPCD_u-U7-NXOc0GODd7iGzo3yK76YRc-Yznc/s1600/20111206-DSC_4440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2lPQXg6qHmWGWXOFhpKnINFLwKcXdjPDRXoHATN_7bhc0l6aN772STXyQpxvy5mN7St6w-Da2D2pc8LPLt9iAo3-Szyr04lh-b3Gf-kxPCD_u-U7-NXOc0GODd7iGzo3yK76YRc-Yznc/s400/20111206-DSC_4440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I snatched a rare moment this morning to run around outside, camera in hand. The colours this winter seem to be yellow and blue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSJ7WWG1JK0Lqxl2GiNBVLaZcNdSkqD-i0uvUq2msucYeCMr8cxcjIrPbiUgXlr-WXNIrlJAdnwxVC7FZCc_vSfhCn81jxHwWwVPeATT4CZQy45mQLrxzIQ9UtFiH_PfA0-loegTpcNn-/s1600/20111206-DSC_4445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSJ7WWG1JK0Lqxl2GiNBVLaZcNdSkqD-i0uvUq2msucYeCMr8cxcjIrPbiUgXlr-WXNIrlJAdnwxVC7FZCc_vSfhCn81jxHwWwVPeATT4CZQy45mQLrxzIQ9UtFiH_PfA0-loegTpcNn-/s400/20111206-DSC_4445.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Fox footprints dance lightly on top of the snow crust where I saw them playing in the moonlight last night. I was worrying about how I would get down the driveway in the morning, they were enjoying eachother's company and the night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN36eaQfRRR_DKtPewxgFRULwWGTE6tqpTPYFBQIlxjwESR0QAwHSbbfU6kXjXUMfDZ9M9wJUe_WTPYTRdl5K7lsQJALMMlM1u95BOKtXCA5FLhFsP4vO3JLvIZBvdkV4viwPXosTqsi7i/s1600/20111206-DSC_4448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN36eaQfRRR_DKtPewxgFRULwWGTE6tqpTPYFBQIlxjwESR0QAwHSbbfU6kXjXUMfDZ9M9wJUe_WTPYTRdl5K7lsQJALMMlM1u95BOKtXCA5FLhFsP4vO3JLvIZBvdkV4viwPXosTqsi7i/s400/20111206-DSC_4448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Winter season is so intense. Bright snow and early dark skies, cold wind, cozy by the fire, time spent with loved ones, trying to fit it all in. The intense yellow and opposite blue of snow and light seem to represent it all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI5-BkWXgxDuGtdVzVk8ltHxugjW2ROup1S6kgl8-GZaTF5UgU2WYx6_PgSIYRHeAvu1CTNUppvVtntIkLYaeYbQkq4Iqy6wzqMYkfwpT9K7TFincUydbpOTFHMjSYVHw3j_gdkozGruh/s1600/20111206-DSC_4455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI5-BkWXgxDuGtdVzVk8ltHxugjW2ROup1S6kgl8-GZaTF5UgU2WYx6_PgSIYRHeAvu1CTNUppvVtntIkLYaeYbQkq4Iqy6wzqMYkfwpT9K7TFincUydbpOTFHMjSYVHw3j_gdkozGruh/s400/20111206-DSC_4455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And yet, there is subtlety and gentleness in the between moments if we make the time to look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NNr1OUqHlNm7G97PswWWU33k_OabJlq94K8EacEtcn0oDdfg4ywJS5pxPeMZF5GfSdxaCHOSF2a5-C-x9zCvRhVC7MgKSpWrjIk0NQ6pKyjGCusyPGidIBHEG3aO_IbSGcyQfYGABC7G/s1600/20111206-DSC_4478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NNr1OUqHlNm7G97PswWWU33k_OabJlq94K8EacEtcn0oDdfg4ywJS5pxPeMZF5GfSdxaCHOSF2a5-C-x9zCvRhVC7MgKSpWrjIk0NQ6pKyjGCusyPGidIBHEG3aO_IbSGcyQfYGABC7G/s400/20111206-DSC_4478.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Our new neighbours are a delight to get to know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8qGIRXXaIIooZtSqGc127SJ-Uvp7o3JbjgXZN3MzG6T7_UoYbFB51jA5fqkA01Dgc8Z_WDYpF9c4KZl1hIW-I1R0yFW8guLLplQOpufoJYRraDl_8R-nrPlyNYFTqbP6H2hhNrYflHYw/s1600/20111206-DSC_4496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8qGIRXXaIIooZtSqGc127SJ-Uvp7o3JbjgXZN3MzG6T7_UoYbFB51jA5fqkA01Dgc8Z_WDYpF9c4KZl1hIW-I1R0yFW8guLLplQOpufoJYRraDl_8R-nrPlyNYFTqbP6H2hhNrYflHYw/s400/20111206-DSC_4496.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There is a new one in their midst and he's having trouble fitting in. I remember being that kid. I'm so glad it doesn't matter anymore.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-65817260622498539862011-11-10T08:11:00.003-07:002011-11-10T08:15:04.752-07:00Maggie's Horses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had the opportunity to photograph these two beauties this summer:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomPQvYVgX9ANOQ1S88rFj6twtc1OoMbc_pevxVIQ0QqEs4h6BnJR5X_x-O9RncvNhiD_WuXgj8otVEpbpGXWJXGRN_G9cuSbqR1QFoqegClcYwN-p81MRbAiLOIY2255arbjN6TNCAbCp/s1600/20110813-DSC_3512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomPQvYVgX9ANOQ1S88rFj6twtc1OoMbc_pevxVIQ0QqEs4h6BnJR5X_x-O9RncvNhiD_WuXgj8otVEpbpGXWJXGRN_G9cuSbqR1QFoqegClcYwN-p81MRbAiLOIY2255arbjN6TNCAbCp/s400/20110813-DSC_3512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I found myself saying over and over, wow, you are just so gorgeous! (to the horses) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">They are mother and son, Arabians, <br />
who hold a dear spot in the heart of my friend Maggie.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We chose to meet an hour before sunset on the most gorgeous day of the year. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JcrltB1IjR88f0zWPVy726BDI027zPQ_A9Zy_AO1UTt1X-j8NWn83vq-1wtARNvTthKe6i8eCpoVUPB8mfM84-Z6P5wp8KaB_PeBRdxCuheQMJIJNFbrpd5ww_4NAZIzJ2-Ltqs1ClrY/s1600/20110813-DSC_3524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JcrltB1IjR88f0zWPVy726BDI027zPQ_A9Zy_AO1UTt1X-j8NWn83vq-1wtARNvTthKe6i8eCpoVUPB8mfM84-Z6P5wp8KaB_PeBRdxCuheQMJIJNFbrpd5ww_4NAZIzJ2-Ltqs1ClrY/s400/20110813-DSC_3524.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Though I must confess I don't know much about horses, I approached this portrait session just as I would if they were people, looking for the spirit, the personality, the beauty, the relationships, the story. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I believe you can photograph anything that way.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBUbZnm49wLgtCkxr-nWNjW3lpHGUNFL42qB0eqwzOVbDDGJjca-tWJvQFqVlTrTRWZjVIEy1MqQIFOcPTimAtrgmvXB129IhgTDoRBt2fXSYtxrZI1BUoky0Xk7wjiSSlFSRC23FO-2m/s1600/20110813-DSC_3269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBUbZnm49wLgtCkxr-nWNjW3lpHGUNFL42qB0eqwzOVbDDGJjca-tWJvQFqVlTrTRWZjVIEy1MqQIFOcPTimAtrgmvXB129IhgTDoRBt2fXSYtxrZI1BUoky0Xk7wjiSSlFSRC23FO-2m/s400/20110813-DSC_3269.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it really doesn't hurt to have the most beautiful models around!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">p.s. I must thank my friend Lelainia (@tatterededge on twitter) for the advice (and <a href="http://tatterededge.blogspot.com/2011/07/for-love-of-horses.html">blog post</a>) on this project.</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-6105118918232719962011-10-28T12:50:00.000-06:002011-10-28T12:51:05.556-06:00We've moved<div class="mobile-photo">
I feel like the first couple of weeks after having a baby - when you think will I ever cook a meal again? How will I manage to do that? I keep moving in the direction of my computer to get to those photos and write a proper blog post, but I never quite make it. You'll just have to accept my apology for the too-long absence and really bad cell phone pictures. It's all I can do for right now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmX3avoc3o2-VwoyrtRYlUGJoyWEXxmzU-L1uTl85o7GEwnbQuA9CFeBHYFOd2w63kZBTaKJ60qEhWjEf8DhYz0fIsCMaxSjhyWAZK-rsxmkFAoY7gfjeFiH3e1Or5dYIhfQiQkncbdLY/s1600/photo-759755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="238" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668607187512317954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmX3avoc3o2-VwoyrtRYlUGJoyWEXxmzU-L1uTl85o7GEwnbQuA9CFeBHYFOd2w63kZBTaKJ60qEhWjEf8DhYz0fIsCMaxSjhyWAZK-rsxmkFAoY7gfjeFiH3e1Or5dYIhfQiQkncbdLY/s320/photo-759755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, yes, We've moved. It was crazy and hectic and we're still recovering. I can't wait to be really settled. I'm such a homebody. Would you look at that sunset, though, seriously. Who wouldn't want to just park themselves in front of the window with all that going on outside. (it's much better for real. In real life there are mountains, but I would need a real camera lens for that) Our new place is pretty amazing. We wake up every morning and think do I really get to live here?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1lgvLRUzmPIZ44c7V_l9t2tzUJj5FqcYVeaeKpmbpzzs6jsd8zKA-agLbDGe9p2Qp2OG1yzxybB98gLD5-PDGIHKEiLN3zu0HCuXv4G0SMpko8HJ58G9W_sz7DBPdDn1lCj0Th3X2IeZ/s1600/photo-722718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1lgvLRUzmPIZ44c7V_l9t2tzUJj5FqcYVeaeKpmbpzzs6jsd8zKA-agLbDGe9p2Qp2OG1yzxybB98gLD5-PDGIHKEiLN3zu0HCuXv4G0SMpko8HJ58G9W_sz7DBPdDn1lCj0Th3X2IeZ/s400/photo-722718.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Case in point, on the 5th day, this little guy was born right outside our window. (It ended sadly, he never was able to stand up on his own.) Epic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGZTRoEgc1R31A_1JUbbtbrzK4SvaK4ssbN1Djc2fLgwch_YgUoMc3SkGTlIccaztEt83Up_eX_Q0orHwwD7K2mfny_uuWmMqcIR0rVJi4JIHMFP7tLW3LGJS75h81OzMPp0d1O0Y3xLM/s1600/photo-791289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGZTRoEgc1R31A_1JUbbtbrzK4SvaK4ssbN1Djc2fLgwch_YgUoMc3SkGTlIccaztEt83Up_eX_Q0orHwwD7K2mfny_uuWmMqcIR0rVJi4JIHMFP7tLW3LGJS75h81OzMPp0d1O0Y3xLM/s400/photo-791289.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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We really do have the best neigh-bours. har har. I'll post more later. <br />
I can't help but thinking that this is a huge step in a new direction for us and I'm so excited of what is to come. Truly, life right now is like a summer strawberry that you just took a bite out of, dripping and sweet and so delicious.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-35518822431224483082011-09-07T08:09:00.000-06:002011-09-07T08:09:10.949-06:00This summer:<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1-Up4foelxmcs5ss4u72j9A_UOLJ3zu0Fzm0tGl3nZLtpZbQG6ADf22LnX0KBwrYyu2dZeelWr8tw2_rpETRE3l5vvjiqschW4SEsEI_DYLVc8kWAiDvdmY74YVHPfn28ubH1OiKyqjk/s1600/photo-778074.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1-Up4foelxmcs5ss4u72j9A_UOLJ3zu0Fzm0tGl3nZLtpZbQG6ADf22LnX0KBwrYyu2dZeelWr8tw2_rpETRE3l5vvjiqschW4SEsEI_DYLVc8kWAiDvdmY74YVHPfn28ubH1OiKyqjk/s320/photo-778074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649618787269616722" /></a></p><br />
Having a camera phone around this summer meant catching so many small memories of everyday things. For that I am truly grateful.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-56944250199887307272011-08-29T19:51:00.000-06:002011-08-29T19:51:07.856-06:00From the garden:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3PQzWa1YUAxDSGsSOqSVByvWjkSTWLSQZK82aBIGqB-QKYz3bsrwspGRQa7BJic_o_beljdKjag0e-iVWJnYR2bOMhR9VyyCVzlW7QiCm52VzPHJalATNmWj3tyolkDj35oXoy4WSq4b/s1600/photo-788871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646454306655699778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3PQzWa1YUAxDSGsSOqSVByvWjkSTWLSQZK82aBIGqB-QKYz3bsrwspGRQa7BJic_o_beljdKjag0e-iVWJnYR2bOMhR9VyyCVzlW7QiCm52VzPHJalATNmWj3tyolkDj35oXoy4WSq4b/s320/photo-788871.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">2011 has been the year of the raspberry. I pick at least 5 cups of delicious berries every other day from my back yard. These are all volunteer plants - I didn't plant any of them on purpose. We eat them just like grama served them to us - with some milk and sugar for dessert. Actually, grama would probably have used cream, but it's still delicious with milk. If there are any berries left we freeze them for winter - oh, can you imagine the sunkissed sweetness in the middle of January? So Yum.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Also in my garden this year:</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tkghipw5hlvNYigoQh3q0JTA9AjtBSkK12eg9A5DJzIbkKip560w_JkjuYit4VVWrp1xCx6CR0u7vfRnKjvPiuq6kljIT8Nwy_QC4ZsRbkFrspn1feyz7xEH50XUnBvsjdYL_N-JmGMO/s1600/photo-753495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tkghipw5hlvNYigoQh3q0JTA9AjtBSkK12eg9A5DJzIbkKip560w_JkjuYit4VVWrp1xCx6CR0u7vfRnKjvPiuq6kljIT8Nwy_QC4ZsRbkFrspn1feyz7xEH50XUnBvsjdYL_N-JmGMO/s320/photo-753495.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo">Something, I suspect a mole, has been digging and chewed through all of my pea stems. I'm glad we got as many peas off as we did, they were mighty fine, and growing really well. I will have to remember to plant those again.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">The house we are hoping to buy has gardens, oh boy, the gardens! I might as well go ahead and tell you, it's an acreage! Our very own homestead. I've got big dreams of chickens and honeybees, Saskatoons and of course, raspberries. I'm making lists. Lists of the things that my grama used to grow (she lived on a farm not too far from here), lists of things that grow well here, lists of foods we like to eat. All the while praying and hoping for our little house to sell so we can make these dreams real. </div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-6412864433042847242011-08-25T20:58:00.000-06:002011-08-25T20:58:17.650-06:00At Peace with our house.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big changes happening here chez Silver Sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of which (chronologically), Selling our house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyone who's sold a house before knows that it can really stress your relationship with your home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All you see are the flaws, the reasons no one will ever ever buy it, how it doesn't fit you anymore. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I remind myself that <i>we</i> bought it once, not so very long ago, and we were so happy to have it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgLlOnk4x69Ncax96s05jzNcyXHOF532hXzQKCnwH7lLGzbOk9zMeoDLFm64-0FKNpgY6tIyDadpkjH2J5IdCI3vqfn4oxZlAnUGkPC-CKJBI1ZIqHRv8H2AGaN7d0EHmy7ND1TVODpRk/s1600/20110821-DSC_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgLlOnk4x69Ncax96s05jzNcyXHOF532hXzQKCnwH7lLGzbOk9zMeoDLFm64-0FKNpgY6tIyDadpkjH2J5IdCI3vqfn4oxZlAnUGkPC-CKJBI1ZIqHRv8H2AGaN7d0EHmy7ND1TVODpRk/s320/20110821-DSC_3650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">It's been a good house. We brought 2 babies home to this house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Made a home away from home for a nanny, chased a naughty puppy around this house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Nurtured our old dog for the last time in this house.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPb3rLml_d7YFrG6k03OjlMPTaJ573JYDgZqOVuyuSKF9bY36dcGLn6A8do0kpozWBpJ626MmXRKKPbT9GcDpZIn4ecZRqXh6RZVTGEQ2jyDGhT1Lm76LmSty9zkHAM5s0jnvny8N0Ro8/s1600/20110821-DSC_3688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPb3rLml_d7YFrG6k03OjlMPTaJ573JYDgZqOVuyuSKF9bY36dcGLn6A8do0kpozWBpJ626MmXRKKPbT9GcDpZIn4ecZRqXh6RZVTGEQ2jyDGhT1Lm76LmSty9zkHAM5s0jnvny8N0Ro8/s320/20110821-DSC_3688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love all the corners of this house. The light. The wood floors. The crazy paint colors.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I even like that it's small, because that just makes it cozy. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidJIE-rSJrA69hNDkTTXXz9qw60bldGfhtnmk0LQYcFOLk6rYq7ye8bkq1HbOG9I1h0mA-S8_Ndg58DyRH4L_PRzPhvZUK8p2eN8bpGIBG6rMIFaUw19nRN4A-RKCfO35hkDifZrurOmk/s1600/20110821-DSC_3708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidJIE-rSJrA69hNDkTTXXz9qw60bldGfhtnmk0LQYcFOLk6rYq7ye8bkq1HbOG9I1h0mA-S8_Ndg58DyRH4L_PRzPhvZUK8p2eN8bpGIBG6rMIFaUw19nRN4A-RKCfO35hkDifZrurOmk/s320/20110821-DSC_3708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(But boy do we have big dreams, big plans, I can't wait to tell you.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">p.s. Ailsa says she likes the soft carpet in her bedroom best.</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-4013224264388614932011-07-29T07:07:00.000-06:002011-07-29T07:07:11.837-06:00This Moment<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAiVFF8e4E2PtfiPy6R3U-1v-8eN7g9t9iNS-2G6HWabBN0V5WpMya0AAcAC9Ci6sUWfMBHSYtkZWWbdqMK6gKu2nbhBuMt82UEDoM-ZPlZMae7KEuPxXaNDrVM1rvHiOgyO10AodZ3P0/s1600/photo-731034.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634759290208452338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAiVFF8e4E2PtfiPy6R3U-1v-8eN7g9t9iNS-2G6HWabBN0V5WpMya0AAcAC9Ci6sUWfMBHSYtkZWWbdqMK6gKu2nbhBuMt82UEDoM-ZPlZMae7KEuPxXaNDrVM1rvHiOgyO10AodZ3P0/s320/photo-731034.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo"><em>{this moment} - A Friday ritual over at <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2011/07/this-moment-3.html">soulemama.com</a>. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. </em></div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-89999275198438251912011-07-27T09:02:00.000-06:002011-07-27T09:02:20.570-06:00This post is not about Chocolate<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ppHsCUINWkHwuP_rpUClP6ZjJXvSJWhFlHyszHTltJAee3CDSD7gsTQ0iFp1A83hpnHGEGkv64acn7zlawjrkG5O68Zcy-FhFriypQ621XcAohNz6YPc_kGa1qhKNUyPcYq5Efa_S1zT/s1600/photo-772336.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633811566183380034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ppHsCUINWkHwuP_rpUClP6ZjJXvSJWhFlHyszHTltJAee3CDSD7gsTQ0iFp1A83hpnHGEGkv64acn7zlawjrkG5O68Zcy-FhFriypQ621XcAohNz6YPc_kGa1qhKNUyPcYq5Efa_S1zT/s320/photo-772336.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo">This photo is not about chocolate, it is about light. And shadow. Composition. Contrast.</div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">There are so many ways to learn things, so many different paths to knowing.<br />
I am thinking about my own path, where I am in my own learning, and taking strange shots like this one just for fun.</div><div class="mobile-photo"> </div><div class="mobile-photo">I've seen so many debates lately about the difference between professional photographers and amateurs who think they are professionals. And I wonder how it is that anyone can expect to cross from amateur to professional in this kind of hostile climate. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't really much matter. Just keep shooting the work that you are drawn to and don't worry about what other people think. </div><div class="mobile-photo"> </div><div class="mobile-photo">Usually in these rants the photographers are quite concerned that "photography is dead" and "no one appreciates a good photograph anymore" which I believe couldn't be farther from the truth. So many people taking photographs means so many more people appreciating photographs, and looking critically at them. This can only be good for the industry. I see a renaissance in people who are genuinely excited about great photography. How is this a bad thing?</div><div class="mobile-photo"> </div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-13985209285352247282011-07-13T19:20:00.000-06:002011-07-13T19:20:05.035-06:00I am:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXmEDyufPfTtbZzpixP1nusUGjHPposxXHxhWM67q4E9nCcGWiko_DC808jAoprqMIr_o0v-jjLWisXKiokglQs1aXcvKz3Vb7LmqRUXdN2Yp4O9dJFlXOUaHCJznNuL5XbpIbJtcXKLI/s1600/revised-1444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXmEDyufPfTtbZzpixP1nusUGjHPposxXHxhWM67q4E9nCcGWiko_DC808jAoprqMIr_o0v-jjLWisXKiokglQs1aXcvKz3Vb7LmqRUXdN2Yp4O9dJFlXOUaHCJznNuL5XbpIbJtcXKLI/s320/revised-1444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo of light. The best part of summer, imo. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">So much light to photograph in this northern hemisphere. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Totally off topic. grin. </span></i><a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/07/time-to-share-summertime-treat.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">for 52photos</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.)</span></i></div><br />
My word of the year is change. It sounded good the time. change.<br />
<br />
Change means being vulnerable. And I am feeling wide, wide open. Like a hermit crab without a shell.<br />
<br />
I keep hearing messages about taking giant leaps into the unknown and following your dreams. Facing your fears head on, blah blah.<br />
<br />
But I can't help wonder how you know if the grass is really greener on the other side. How do you know if you want the change because everything sounds better than whatever it is you're doing right now? I'm really sincere in this question. If you have any thoughts, please share in the comments. I am thinking of taking a giant leap but how do you know if it's really as great as imagined?Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-76552259414979490642011-06-23T08:39:00.000-06:002011-06-23T08:39:43.090-06:00Heart You.<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1TPF_dyVKUeRH660l95mKKlrvDgYHRmI5tCxyUAhIlnpRJNVY1FHTtN77sfFMN2kBQ9-ZyaeXOCy9uni8F5VWHPErsjt-GB6b1a-dTTGoVceIRdE_OkpW5iMfVXwJ5GD6k4Pkw2m5C3m/s1600/image-717962.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621423785851120738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1TPF_dyVKUeRH660l95mKKlrvDgYHRmI5tCxyUAhIlnpRJNVY1FHTtN77sfFMN2kBQ9-ZyaeXOCy9uni8F5VWHPErsjt-GB6b1a-dTTGoVceIRdE_OkpW5iMfVXwJ5GD6k4Pkw2m5C3m/s320/image-717962.jpg" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><br />
“Mom, Mom, you forgot the <em><strong>I</strong></em>!”<br />
<br />
<strong>I Heart You.</strong><br />
It was a message for her dad.<br />
Made from strawberry tops and cookie cutters<br />
photographed and emailed.<br />
<br />
<strong>Heart You.</strong> <br />
was the message I saw. Love you. <br />
Give yourself a great big hug just because. <br />
And smile, because you are worthy of it.<br />
<br />
(for <a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/06/time-to-share-one-word-that-describes.html">52photosprojects one word.</a> )Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-69833050274552732622011-06-12T09:03:00.000-06:002011-06-12T09:03:21.207-06:00Thoughts on Exercise. #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP1cje3qwHu7qRrCTkYgiAJXQur0ql0wM_0NMnjFLFxamNMGp4TwumyFDmscCxlSKyoi4C8Ih_ekf3fUDsB8JWaM304JhFrGxuuLfKicwwa86jr62L03GEh60B6YktBmsWxiJ5FzitSLs/s1600/DSC_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP1cje3qwHu7qRrCTkYgiAJXQur0ql0wM_0NMnjFLFxamNMGp4TwumyFDmscCxlSKyoi4C8Ih_ekf3fUDsB8JWaM304JhFrGxuuLfKicwwa86jr62L03GEh60B6YktBmsWxiJ5FzitSLs/s320/DSC_3213.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On exercise:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You may remember <a href="http://silversistersstudio.blogspot.com/2011/05/on-exercise.html">I posted about exercise</a> at the beginning of May. About getting out and doing *something* 5 days a week in that month to kickstart an exercise habit. The most important part is not that I nearly accomplished that goal, but that I figured out what is keeping me from exercising. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">yes, those days I didn't want to go out I was just plain old tired. So, that's obviously what I need to work on next. It's hard to get enough sleep because after the kids go to bed is my one time to do things for me. Especially when hubby's not home. Gosh, this ballance thing is tough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To kick my butt a little further on <a href="http://silversistersstudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/change.html">my goal to get more exercise</a> I've signed up for a running class. Yes, I know, I'm not a runner. Really not a runner, but I'm seeing this as a grand challenge. (and now that I paid money for it I am sure to stick to it.) If nothing else I'll have gotten a bit more exercise and will be able to say I've tried it. Given it a really good shot. Who knows, I might even enjoy running. It's possible, right? I am actually really really looking forward to diving in.</div><br />
(<a href="http://www.upandrunningonline.org/faq/">here is a link to the running class</a>. It's online so you can do it anywhere, and the registration is open until aprox June 17th. join me?)Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-5226855083438969002011-06-07T13:04:00.000-06:002011-06-07T13:04:27.569-06:00I don't know what this means, but it can't be good.<div class="mobile-photo"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_aS590s1VMKYC91Ade93RvLxbkHWmoIj7Aaz7EVJauhvPyUU_eDO2-T2yA0mEdQ47LNBTdccBEfXBQK0ton2uvk0-LIj4Wmkzh2-1qmFg4KO2_nAG98GcR-YUqrQX_Xc06RUi2ebtfM8/s1600/photo-762857.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615238796010376290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_aS590s1VMKYC91Ade93RvLxbkHWmoIj7Aaz7EVJauhvPyUU_eDO2-T2yA0mEdQ47LNBTdccBEfXBQK0ton2uvk0-LIj4Wmkzh2-1qmFg4KO2_nAG98GcR-YUqrQX_Xc06RUi2ebtfM8/s320/photo-762857.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
ok, so this is really funny. I'm not a frilly kind of girl who doodles hearts all over her notebook pages. I'm just not, ok! </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7p6RpNytbUvc8SQEn3NH19LpSXlca9RWj8WXDKP8LJ9vrqy930DLDREnxb29ftTLchYxKgBiBp5QDqIKOWD-QndkkahBdRF7QpV6tfKFlarVuXgGlFMt13KmQdgxCg9WqXIBYGdqtBhe/s1600/photo-760784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7p6RpNytbUvc8SQEn3NH19LpSXlca9RWj8WXDKP8LJ9vrqy930DLDREnxb29ftTLchYxKgBiBp5QDqIKOWD-QndkkahBdRF7QpV6tfKFlarVuXgGlFMt13KmQdgxCg9WqXIBYGdqtBhe/s320/photo-760784.JPG" t8="true" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
But then, thumbing through my photos searching for a certain one for this week's <a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/06/week-7.html">52photosproject theme</a>... <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildri0vBft8xCs1SYIi1hja_L2TFDTt2QJX78yeQYvxrDSQzpz7yXuhSoLjFw_WP_ed7X3laBhvi3XMRz7NXh0JZMvk3hM2E_PWS7irPr83tnc1CQNc67OmrzPpyTXcnqrHKd-J5nV40P5/s1600/photo-781002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildri0vBft8xCs1SYIi1hja_L2TFDTt2QJX78yeQYvxrDSQzpz7yXuhSoLjFw_WP_ed7X3laBhvi3XMRz7NXh0JZMvk3hM2E_PWS7irPr83tnc1CQNc67OmrzPpyTXcnqrHKd-J5nV40P5/s320/photo-781002.JPG" t8="true" width="239px" /></a></div><br />
And I find heart after heart after heart. Hmmm..... All taken in the last couple of months. I'm not sure what this all means, but it can't be good. <br />
(kidding!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1zqcLAkM6xw5wMadcpb2m_-E73kQQFaw1cJ1MuMs9zqtmh_BfSSt6A8oCc5ZGepMRk2isqf-G3V_5VKp2CejYPm9fA2P0Dn-4K7pbBmeCXBpQX4DxkpKhe-XDl6Ta19cCDFRFKDb5YOk/s1600/photo-706262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1zqcLAkM6xw5wMadcpb2m_-E73kQQFaw1cJ1MuMs9zqtmh_BfSSt6A8oCc5ZGepMRk2isqf-G3V_5VKp2CejYPm9fA2P0Dn-4K7pbBmeCXBpQX4DxkpKhe-XDl6Ta19cCDFRFKDb5YOk/s320/photo-706262.JPG" t8="true" width="213px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
1. Found in a neighbourhood I walk through everyday on my way home from work. There must be someone interesting living there. Probably the people with the crocheted car. Maybe <em>as well as</em> the people with the crocheted car. I love that it says heart and home and that someone just left it there for whoever to see.<br />
<br />
2. Daughter's valentines picture. She used it as the front of her homemade valentines cards for her classmates (we made one and photocopied, there were 50 kids in that class). The picture is SOOC and we only took two. I was giddy 'cause I knew we'd nailed it.<br />
<br />
3. My newest favourite way to send boiled eggs in lunches. In heart shapes. This is ridiculously easy. <a href="http://www.annathered.com/2010/09/29/how-to-make-a-heart-shaped-egg/">tutorial here</a>.<br />
<br />
4. Someone left this on my phone for me to find (tilt your head to the right). See photo 2 above. LOVE.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-17613910817511289842011-06-07T07:56:00.000-06:002011-06-07T07:56:05.342-06:00Remember<div class="mobile-photo"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit74z3rNVp4Eg657OSr_tK16Bz-ffvZRHWDyBLjdNhUXVgpuWknkC_9lZgLU_foar1OPLY4OQeYRsdIo7OpER89rw9E_y-Z365fpSe8NsK_mj6lhzbGO2dPgRI-tlhqivIMTXXyttYEIXR/s1600/photo-737946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615239978993435154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit74z3rNVp4Eg657OSr_tK16Bz-ffvZRHWDyBLjdNhUXVgpuWknkC_9lZgLU_foar1OPLY4OQeYRsdIo7OpER89rw9E_y-Z365fpSe8NsK_mj6lhzbGO2dPgRI-tlhqivIMTXXyttYEIXR/s320/photo-737946.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
These are the days I will remember forever.<br />
Days so full they're bursting at the seams with joy.<br />
I never thought I'd be quite so <em><strong>in love</strong></em> as a parent.<br />
Life before seems as shades of grey.<br />
<br />
But we didn't know it then.<br />
<br />
My heart aches with love for them,<br />
that I get to be the parent to two most amazing people.<br />
To witness their souls at such a close level,<br />
is a rare joy indeed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoKkL-IV0UbGBb1afSVvr6TlJPbmNxHTqZhe4AUa35pW-mxpOL8e_V-HEl6YH8yLY7SU1QQug1huHPP2qw_n3taSRJXC9MmZuR95ViD2bcfu14fZX1ldbVLXXKdT-scSoGUgCweem-ZsU/s1600/photo-769999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoKkL-IV0UbGBb1afSVvr6TlJPbmNxHTqZhe4AUa35pW-mxpOL8e_V-HEl6YH8yLY7SU1QQug1huHPP2qw_n3taSRJXC9MmZuR95ViD2bcfu14fZX1ldbVLXXKdT-scSoGUgCweem-ZsU/s320/photo-769999.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Sometimes all you hear is parents complaining<br />
and I want you also to hear about the joy<br />
because in the end there is only joy.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/06/time-to-share-memory.html">for 52 photos project: Remember</a></div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-43856555268484161282011-05-25T14:24:00.000-06:002011-05-25T14:24:48.205-06:00Water!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPwYdQ5c9cS9lw34ZuoAC7b4HCeTvjEZ6TeDbGDeTKRmZXwysv6RJfJJL8NesFbZ5mSy640k8nE-FSHIkDXr9yCP5yTIC4TzDvaVG-zdVV_b0Xa7T-rr_tnvXtvenvtw68AW6wQSOvkYW/s1600/photo-768331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPwYdQ5c9cS9lw34ZuoAC7b4HCeTvjEZ6TeDbGDeTKRmZXwysv6RJfJJL8NesFbZ5mSy640k8nE-FSHIkDXr9yCP5yTIC4TzDvaVG-zdVV_b0Xa7T-rr_tnvXtvenvtw68AW6wQSOvkYW/s320/photo-768331.JPG" t8="true" width="239px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This weekend was Victoria Day Long weekend in Canada, and for us, as many, it was the first camping weekend of the year. We were all loaded in the truck and ready to go when it was discovered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNTpVS6SpiOfS-C3wl0SZZMtM5P5MzEGD6H8khy4JTXkqi3xLwSq4erinNOJNY_t-O0R1hXDW5L5Q1mXF1HinSoQw4bbEFIV6pu5AeWU4W6EzJvKYkOeyduiCi9BO_LbU80ja4JGPQS4Q/s1600/photo-723917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNTpVS6SpiOfS-C3wl0SZZMtM5P5MzEGD6H8khy4JTXkqi3xLwSq4erinNOJNY_t-O0R1hXDW5L5Q1mXF1HinSoQw4bbEFIV6pu5AeWU4W6EzJvKYkOeyduiCi9BO_LbU80ja4JGPQS4Q/s320/photo-723917.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A massive leak in out trailer roof. What you are looking at here is the insulation held up by vapor barrier (plastic) after the soggy roof panels were removed. We've poked a big hole in the plastic and water is running out into the bucket. See how it is bowing? Water. Lots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Does my husband look not impressed? He's a mechanic and used to fixing broken things and I admire him for not freaking right out. We took it in stride, really (I followed his cue as I'm normally the one to react, um.... strongly). He didn't seem annoyed even, just got down to the work of fixing it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC2OUcTqXbvzFQeHIoZ_Z2j2lMDFb6JZE8hbWsbx3vDKbSKBVDQwLo7bjmMozDNGoqOYlh9-BaN9I_Ca60wX64JDBkGUtohE6n_dYTEeN5JwSNSB7Z0QaQfjyfQOi7NZZO_-Q4x2CzB-1/s1600/photo-731502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC2OUcTqXbvzFQeHIoZ_Z2j2lMDFb6JZE8hbWsbx3vDKbSKBVDQwLo7bjmMozDNGoqOYlh9-BaN9I_Ca60wX64JDBkGUtohE6n_dYTEeN5JwSNSB7Z0QaQfjyfQOi7NZZO_-Q4x2CzB-1/s320/photo-731502.JPG" t8="true" width="236px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We ended up removing a good portion of the roof and rebuilding it. Renovating, as it were. What a mess. I ran around the disaster scene with my camera. That part was fun, at least.<br />
<br />
But don't worry, there was plenty of time for this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b8zPcAG9hboGBeyUY5uuStqghaX1rZcJR2LS48PxuWCzW0kp0P9-wZl2xFtCLDm5gSjgZsoCXqFUi_eN8f8VKE8x02atdAMmP5Pqf2UgOvRkJykkUpLpJbAyFQezaj4UKzb-uoIzxaGa/s1600/DSC_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b8zPcAG9hboGBeyUY5uuStqghaX1rZcJR2LS48PxuWCzW0kp0P9-wZl2xFtCLDm5gSjgZsoCXqFUi_eN8f8VKE8x02atdAMmP5Pqf2UgOvRkJykkUpLpJbAyFQezaj4UKzb-uoIzxaGa/s320/DSC_1870.jpg" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>and this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKRS6JvWyG-ZMsyqYQOPcE1KczAO-XSVDepjYFPpvJhOzmd-cNKfUMFd7tUza4tghTY-6OPRPiZJw_kkNnNrExp2S3oXBf-nkPgcG-_aajzl2E6LSa5GLu9DaxgB7XEfHal7XQCh2q4va/s1600/DSC_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKRS6JvWyG-ZMsyqYQOPcE1KczAO-XSVDepjYFPpvJhOzmd-cNKfUMFd7tUza4tghTY-6OPRPiZJw_kkNnNrExp2S3oXBf-nkPgcG-_aajzl2E6LSa5GLu9DaxgB7XEfHal7XQCh2q4va/s320/DSC_1936.jpg" width="225px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We worked out butts off and still managed to get out to the mountains for a couple of days camping. And it was pretty darn awesome to hang out with these guys for a couple of solid days.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">(Water is the theme for <a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/05/time-to-share-water.html">52photosproject</a> this week. Go check out more photographs on the theme)</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-24070029048679044872011-05-17T09:44:00.000-06:002011-05-17T09:44:02.416-06:00Bookmark - Spring<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCG3UXqPMMzfbDOZ-d5RGpKx6D1W_ZkKiRaqBrHI1Pi5OeiRTsV3zLCjHInu9_xlAGMOVrdrcM37hy38vHtKNJeVZrQy4Sr7K3b82uAc5F5LXD_PlddkELiiIdzg0j_qy57CEsGJS4yZi/s1600/photo-710894.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607504194979777138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCG3UXqPMMzfbDOZ-d5RGpKx6D1W_ZkKiRaqBrHI1Pi5OeiRTsV3zLCjHInu9_xlAGMOVrdrcM37hy38vHtKNJeVZrQy4Sr7K3b82uAc5F5LXD_PlddkELiiIdzg0j_qy57CEsGJS4yZi/s320/photo-710894.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">I feel like I need to bookmark this time. I took this photo on Friday. The first leaves are finally opening and spring is officially here. It's been a long, wet, cold winter here and we are sure appreciating the opportunity to leave the windows open at night, to play outside in bare feet and to finally take the bicycles out into the neighbourhood. Ahhh spring, so full of promise and joy. Exhale.</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-39812839610090393432011-05-11T07:29:00.001-06:002011-05-11T07:30:13.288-06:00Grounded<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmTrKhyphenhyphenQ8e9G2OLWn1_onqxz31JEPdxWXzFKHu5cASsHj_jyBDycieICm53k5JpwcBu-U21c9oveuY0iz4lmUmFHdH9Q0PM6Yoz2_k4jEl2okEFJnFykAc9digGQJ1tqR0SbTZNZgN7Xu/s1600/photo-774395.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605433013260106114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmTrKhyphenhyphenQ8e9G2OLWn1_onqxz31JEPdxWXzFKHu5cASsHj_jyBDycieICm53k5JpwcBu-U21c9oveuY0iz4lmUmFHdH9Q0PM6Yoz2_k4jEl2okEFJnFykAc9digGQJ1tqR0SbTZNZgN7Xu/s320/photo-774395.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">Grounded.</div><br />
Firmly planted. <br />
<br />
Like a tree swaying in a strong wind or reaching up toward the sunshine with roots firmly planted, anchoring, providing stability. <br />
<br />
My feet are rooted, my body is still so I can do the work. <br />
<br />
<em>for "I found it on the ground" with <a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/2011/05/time-to-share-i-found-it-on-ground.html">52 photos project</a>.</em>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-41395297032916548262011-05-04T14:10:00.000-06:002011-05-04T14:10:44.979-06:00Color<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ta_5rkaN17lnFC6NTt13DKb9pmEzWoh9RsA4NCK0oY3DBadlGawU2l11dTglXmyWHLsMcHN8_QorwqR0n3w4YacMukFjTMfNPBE6Bs-GIILALVFNZD3Vgv793JROTWriTrIDflsXMh2/s1600/photo-715914.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602841172974559330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ta_5rkaN17lnFC6NTt13DKb9pmEzWoh9RsA4NCK0oY3DBadlGawU2l11dTglXmyWHLsMcHN8_QorwqR0n3w4YacMukFjTMfNPBE6Bs-GIILALVFNZD3Vgv793JROTWriTrIDflsXMh2/s320/photo-715914.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">2 weeks ago it rained and then snowed and then froze. I started out at 6 am as usual, drove up the hill, and then back down it and went back to bed. It's not worth going to work on days like that. On the way home I had the fortune of following the snowplow, and here's what I saw out my windshield. <a href="http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2129.htm">Yellow and Red, Snowplow Ahead.</a> The yellow streak? That's the reflection of the lights in the ice that coated the entire road. That's what you look for to see how slippery the road really is. </div><div class="mobile-photo"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo">I took this photo with my iPhone as proof of how bad the roads really were. It's the photo I thought of when I saw <a href="http://www.52photosproject.com/">52 photo project's</a> prompt for the week: color. I love all the bright primaries.</div>Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-54197448158326190452011-05-03T10:49:00.007-06:002011-05-03T10:54:09.677-06:00On Creativity.<a href="http://photos.googleapis.com/data/media/api/user/117870480357178731974/albumid/5602532469166840913/photoid/5602532893415248114/1" onblur="function anonymous()
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I am an artist. <br />
I am not prolific (right now).<br />
But I am always an artist.<br />
<br />
I have seen this pattern before.<br />
I get excited.<br />
I create.<br />
<br />
Something happens.<br />
A glitch.<br />
My camera breaks<br />
or I get sick<br />
or computers are silly.<br />
(aren’t they always silly?)<br />
<br />
And I stop.<br />
Temporarily.<br />
Temporarily turns into a long time.<br />
Because Life keeps going.<br />
And the excitement is gone.<br />
<br />
Until that spark hits me again.<br />
(because it always does eventually)<br />
And I delve into creating.<br />
Something new.<br />
Something completely new.<br />
<br />
This time I am pushing through. <br />
I am not stopping.<br />
I don’t want to start over again every time.<br />
<br />
Because this is what you do<br />
when you really love something.<br />
<br />
This is what I think it means<br />
to be a Serious Artist.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7804241198637608752.post-77961801529303429432011-05-02T12:11:00.001-06:002011-05-02T12:12:21.599-06:00On ExerciseYou might remember I mentioned it <a href="http://silversistersstudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/change.html">here</a> - one of my goals for the year is to get exercising. Well, It’s May already (yikes!) and I need a plan. <br />
If you want to make a change commit to doing that thing everyday for 30 days and it becomes a habit, so here is my plan.<br />
<br />
<strong>I hereby commit to doing some sort of exercise for 45 minutes 6 days a week until the end of May.</strong><br />
<br />
Why? If you are clear on your goals then it’s easier to stick to your plan. I want to be healthier. I want to be able to breathe deeper, feel stronger, run longer with my kids, and yes, feel better about my body.<br />
<br />
How? I know I need exercise, but I’m not really excited about it. That’s why I’m challenging myself to just do it. I really need to just start, and stop making excuses. I like Leo’s take on it <a href="http://zenhabits.net/train/">here</a>. I’ll start with walking and yoga and keep looking for other things to do. Maybe I’ll get out the roller blades. Exercise should be fun and part of your normal life so that you keep doing it. Exercise is part of living.<br />
<br />
When and Where? ok, so a new activity does not “fit” into my schedule at all. But this is uber important. The only flexible time during the week is my lunchbreak. That’s usually my creative time, but if I’m going to get some exercise that’s the only time I can really see it happening regularly. I’m hoping to fit in creative time (also Sooo important to me) in the evenings and weekends which is a better fit anyways because I’m at home where my tools are, it’s easier to do with the kids around, and it fits into small chunks of available time.<br />
<br />
And with that, I’m off for a walk. I think I’ve got a podcast or two to listen to on the way to spice it up.<br />
<br />
I’ll check back in at the end of May to let you know how it’s going. And now that I’ve said it out loud this will keep me accountable.Silver Sistershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699221400428028528noreply@blogger.com0