October 31, 2011

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We were happy to return from Montreal to be home with our Bobofett, Little Watermelon & Gypsy.

October 30, 2011

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For our last day in Montreal, Cory finished up at the Chalifour show and I strolled around Old Montreal with my Starbucks for the morning.  It was relaxing to walk around the city and be inspired by all that I saw.  Cory accomplished alot for the lumberyard on the trip and I know it was nice for him to get away.  I'm very thankful for having the opportunity to accompany him and looking forward to coming back next year.  We were very excited to get home and see the kiddos...miss them.

October 29, 2011

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Today we had a full day at the Chalifour show.  Made many contacts, decided on the point-of-sale system for the store and received lots of great help from suppliers on merchandising shelves.  So after we were all finished with business, it was time for some touring around.

We discovered the Notre-Dame Basilica Church just down the street, toured some shops, and enjoyed walking the cobblestone streets.  This area is a photographers dream (everyone told me I need to go to Quebec City next if I was impressed with Montreal).

We had a nice dinner together, just the two of us, which seems really special these days when we seldom get a date night.  I can't even remember the name of the restaurant, but it was quaint, trendy with great food & wine.  Our waiter treated us to a glass of Spanish sherry...it topped off a great evening!

October 28, 2011

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We jetted to Montreal for the lumberyard to attend the annual Chalifour Show.  My parents were so sweet to look after our three kiddos while we were away.  We had an amazing trip!

We arrived, attended some meetings and then went sight seeing in Old Montreal.  We loved the feel of the city, maybe because we slowed down enough to enjoy it with being away from work, but there was just something we both loved about Montreal.  Around every corner was a wine & sushi bar, art everywhere, the architecture was gorgeous and we had no trouble talking to the french locals (I brought my Grade 8 French/English dictionary just incase).

This evening we stumbled upon Toque Restaurant for a late dinner.  Being tourists, we didn't realize we need a reservation...I think the maitre d' felt sorry for us anglophones and found us a table for two.  It was a delightful evening ended with a stroll back to our hotel.

October 27, 2011

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We had lunch together at my office today...the phone calls seem to follow him around.

October 26, 2011

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Scarlett woke up tonight and came out to snuggle up on a chair in the living room...just had to snap a photo.

October 25, 2011

October 24, 2011

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I've been meaning to share this card that touched my heart.  Britt, one of the Dyer siblings I photographed a week ago, made a point of dropping off this card before her session with her siblings.  It said 'thank you for taking time away from your family and children to photograph us'...I feel so special and like I had a connection to my clients already!

October 23, 2011

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This is one of my absolute favourite meals...I love a good casserole.  A Calgary friend, Casi gave it to me years ago, and we renamed it CASI-ROLE.

CASI-ROLE
(from Casi McKernan)
INGREDIENTS
2 cups raw rice & water to cook
2-3 chicken breasts (cubed)
1 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 large onion (chopped)
1 medium carrot (grated)
1 1/2 cup canned mushrooms (sliced)
1 cup celery
1/2 red pepper (chopped)
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 cup milk
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp worcheshire
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
1 can water chestnuts (sliced)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cornflakes

DIRECTIONS
Cook rice according to directions.  Cook chicken in large frying pan with oil, set aside.  In the same pan, sautee all veggies for 3-4 minutes & add flour & milk.  Then add garlic, herbs, salt & let thicken (approx 5 minutes).  Add sour cream, lemon juice, worcheshire, cooked chicken & stir.  Mix in rice & water chestnuts & transfer to casserole dish.  Sprinkle almonds & corn flakes on top.  Bake at 300 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

October 22, 2011

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This mama is away on a Scrapbook Retreat at Kenosee Lake this weekend.  I just love going on retreats to create and relax...I always come back so fresh and smiling.

Some of my creations over the weekend...




October 21, 2011

October 20, 2011

October 19, 2011

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Checking out birch trees in the area after a client requested their family shoot to include them as a backdrop...now realizing how peaceful & beautiful they are!

It's our 9th anniversary today.  Sometimes it seems like just yesterday this picture was taken...then other times, looking back on all our accomplishments and changes over the years, it reminds how far we've come together!

October 18, 2011

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Chinese lanterns...saw these on a drive to the States today and couldn't resist capturing them.

October 17, 2011

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Another Obviously Chic photo shoot today...here's Alex, our model doing a little cleaning 'cinderella style'.

October 16, 2011

October 15, 2011

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Date night with our friends Curt & Cindy...with a slight detour to Walmart for a few things before heading home.

October 14, 2011

October 13, 2011

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School portraits day...I always like to take my own version before they head off to school.

October 11, 2011

October 10, 2011

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Baking pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner tonight.
 It's always good to get together with my sisters...I love how they're always willing to take part in a photo opp!

October 09, 2011

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It felt so good to take a family trip today...just the 5 of us.  We headed to Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch...the kids had a blast!  We all chose our pumpkins, loved the variety of different pumpkins they had.  This family will definitely be back next year for another visit.

October 08, 2011

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A long overdue dinner out with friends...what a relaxing evening!

October 07, 2011

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Obviously Chic Editorial Shoot!
This photography session I shot in Oxbow with Obviously Chic store owner Jess 'Coco' Cote and models Alex Thieven & Bradley Swayze was a blast!  The shoot was to showcase fall outfits in coordination with the launch of Obviously Chic's online store.  When I heard Bradley was heading home for a visit in SK (he models in Calgary), I asked if he'd be interested in the shoot with the store model Alex and it all came together wonderfully!

I packed up a few antique items including an old yellow dresser, books, mason jars of marbles, pop bottles of crush, some fresh cut flowers and custom cupcakes made by my niece Kyra.  We shot for two hours in the fall landscape of the Bow Valley (just minutes from Oxbow) until we lost light.  Then we moved uptown to the historical Greer Block building, owned Lorri Solomon, where I set up my lights and we finished up the shoot. 

Here's a taste of the shots we pulled off that day...you can see more here.  Looking forward to future shoots like this one...it was so fabulous!







October 06, 2011

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Spending some time with Amber & Kim before Kim heads back to Calgary.

October 05, 2011

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Auntie Kimmy is down for a visit (for a funeral unfortunately, but we're happy we can have a visit).  Scarlett loved getting her nails painted and having some quality time with Auntie Kim.

October 04, 2011