Get your face in a magazine!

So.... I relish my time alone. And every once in a while I will grab a few minutes here or there and will find a book store. Since I've moved I'm now much closer to Chapters than before.... like 8 hours closer! Anyways, back to the alone time. I'll head to the magazine section of the bookstore and spend quite a while there. You see... bookstores have a way better selection than the grocery store or drug store. And where do I linger? Why the photography and wedding magazines where else? Okay maybe the fashion magazines too, but love the wedding magazines!

So I was more than a little excited to hear that there is a new bridal magazine in the works. And the best part? It's Alberta based! How cool is that? Produced, printed, created in Alberta. I am looking forward to the first issue on September 1, 2010. And even more exciting? They are looking for Alberta brides to highlight! So.... if you are an Alberta bride and were married in the last year you can submit photos and a story to them and they may print it!

Because they are new, their website is not up and running yet (boy does that sound familiar huh?) you'll have to make due with their facebook group so check out Alberta Brides .

I'm in the midst of finishing up a wedding and thought since we were in the wedding mood I'd post a recent edit from Ben and Nicole's wedding. I don't like to play around with and overedit my photos, but this one called my name and asked for it. Isn't she beeeeeeyoouuuuutiful?

The kind of day it was

Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. That's the kind of day it was. The kind of day where an easy comfort meal was in order. The kind of day where errands and tasks are completed until you're run off your feet. The kind of day where it seems like the to do list keeps getting longer even as you check things off it. The kind of day where you didn't know if it was going to be hot and sunny, overcast or thunderstorm. So being a creative genius in the kitchen was not in the works for dinner tonight. Grilled cheese and tomato soup, a family favorite, everyone seems to know that when it's served it means that I'm tired, or completely confused about what to make for supper... the good old standbye. So how do you finish off a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of day?

Sitting in the newly found sunshine at the playground I sat on a park bench and listened. Listened to my boys playing and screaming on the new playground we discovered last week. Listening to Garth try and play grounders with them. Listening to Garth agree to more kids playing and trying to explain to them that counting one to ten actually involved the numbers 3 to 9 also. Listening to them run in terror for fear they'd be tagged it next. Watching as Garth tried to manoveur through the child sized play area avoiding getting caught.

Feeling the sun on my face as I snuggled under Garth's jacket I was taken back to another place many many years earlier where I spent my spring evenings playing on the playground. But today's standards the playground I was thinking of would be boring. But it was my playground and I loved it. Running on the tire pathway, sliding down the tall long slide, trying not to fall off the merry go round and knocking the wind out of myself falling from the monkey bars. I loved that place and the freedom I had to ride my bike their by myself was amazing! There is something about playgrounds that brings a contentment. I love going with Tys and Ry and watching them enjoy themselves as they pretend and play. It was the perfect end to a grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of day.

Here are Tys and Ry playing on the tire pathway I used to play on.

Hits and Misses - My swing is a little lonely

So I had planned on taking the afternoon off..... from life.... okay not really life entirely but from anything pressing other than my book and an icy drink. Then........ the weather struck..... AGAIN! I had such grand ideas of parking my bottom in my swing and finishing a book and starting a new one while guzzling 2 gallons of iced tea. Ry had that idea too (or he would have if the sun would have proven stronger!!). So now the inner debate begins..... sit inside on the couch with some hot chocolate and read or get back to real life and do some responsible things? Hhhmmmm, this may take some time.

And so here are some hits and misses that I've encountered recently.

Misses
- The weather system- seriously? More rain? More cool weather? Where is the heat? I need to sweat while sitting still outside... come on you can do it!
- Waiting in line- I know, what happened to being an adult and being patient? Well, it gets lost when you have to stand in line two afternoons in a row for a soccer team photo and a single photo (which we won't be buying.... I think my camera can do just as well!)
- No cruise control - really when I rent a car for an 8 hour one way drive I expect to have cruise control. And this didn't just happen one time, but 2! 2 trips from Calgary to PG with no cruise control. My right leg was sooooo done by the time I made it to my destination.... no cruise control?...BAD!! I did make good time though!

Hits
- Ted Dekker - I'm loving his writing right now! I'm sure you've all read his stuff, but I'm just getting on the band wagon. Finished Black am working on Red and have White sitting by my bed waiting for me!!
- Star Wars the clone wars - huh? you ask. Rented the movie this last weekend for the boys and even though we've watched it like 10 times.... I'm totally loving it! Have scheduled the weekly new episode on my list of things to do.
- Banana Bread - am loving the banana bread. Didn't make it for the longest time b/c I couldn't get it right, but maybe the bananas in Calgary are different. I don't know, but it sure tastes good!

This little guy here has enjoyed his quiet time in my backyard for the last week or two.... I can look out my window at various times and see him sitting there. At least he's enjoying the backyard.. as long as he stays OFF my swing!

All about winning..... something.... anything

So last night I took part in what is an annual event at my church...... the annual spring fling thing. Doesn't tell you much yet does it? So... I'll explain. Basically a bunch of women get together in the church's nicely decorated gym and commence to politely vie for prizes in a raffle style formation. Did that make sense? I'm questioning my sentence building abilities right now, but will forget about it.... just this once!

Anyways, upon entering the gymnasium one was initally struck by the sheer number of women crammed into such a large space........ There were a lot of women present! And apparently this happens every year. The spring fling thing draws lots of women out to win a prize.

So I made my way to the ticket table and purchased a measly 4 tickets for $4.00(confession time here... I had to "borrow" some loonies from Ry's piggy bank to fund my need to win a prize). Yup.. I only bought 4 figuring that would be enough. Needless to say I was surprised when a women came up to the table with a twenty and said she'd be back!! Yipes! I know Ry did not have $20.00 lingering in that pig so I made due with my 4. I should mention that all the money made last night went to camp okotoks (http://www.campokotoks.com/). Which ended up being alot.... $2000.00! That was a lot of tickets sold!

So anyways, back to the contest of whose ticket would get picked. It was amusing to watch the faces of those who were anticipating their ticket to get picked out of the prize bag that they entered. It was even more amusing to hear the squeals of those who won or the questions raised when number 151 got called for another prize. So how did I do? Didn't win anything... but that was probably due to the fact that I only bought 4 tickets!

Anyways in the spirit of winning something I've decided to join in. Who doesn't like to win something... anything? So anyone who books a photo session this month will be entered into a draw to win a photo book created from the photos taken in the session. Again with the poor sentence structure huh?

So.... book a photo session for this month and be entered to win a photo book.

Have a great day!

I'm soooooo dreaming of some blue skies...... at least this reminds me what it looks like!

Ben & Nicole - Prince George Wedding

"Did you see the cake yet Carly?" Ben asked as I wandered into the reception hall early Saturday afternoon. "Not yet!" I replied and then smiled as I looked at the amazing cake that was topped with a princess holding a frog awaiting a kiss. Ben went on to explain the meaning behind the cake topper. "You see, Nicole is my princess and always has been. And the cool thing is that I used to love frogs when I was younger. Perfect!" He also asked if I had seen the present he bought Nicole. It was an authentic Cinderella glass slipper, one of only 2500 ever made. Quite the romantic this guy! It was apparent that Nicole WAS his princess and he treated her as such on such a special day.

And Nicole did look like a princess! Just beautiful! Once her dress was on and everything had slowed down, she took a moment to herself before the ceremony and the excitement oozed out of her. She walked around with a beauty and grace that would rival any princess, Disney or real life!

It was a beautiful day, and I was so glad to be able to share it with Ben, Nicole and their family and friends. I always know I'm going to have a great wedding when the couple and their families make me feel like I've known them forever.

The civic center in PG was an awesome location and I loved the fact that everything was in one spot, getting ready, ceremony, some photos, reception and dance... all together. How nice to not have to drive around from place to place. They did a great job hosting the day and I would love to work with them again!

A big shout out to my second shooter, Jennifer.... total last minute request for help and she SHOWED up big time! I had a great time with her even though I didn't get to visit with her as much as I thought I would!

Thanks again Ben and Nicole, I had a great time hanging out with you two and watching you with all your peeps. The reception and dance was great and I enjoyed watching you and your friends out on the dance floor. Enjoy Mexico and the years of marriage ahead of you. You are young as you said Ben, but you've just given yourselves even more time together! Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did!

I could go on and on and on about the gaze this girl brings, but I'll stop. AMAZING EYES this girl! Wowza!

The newly married Mr and Mrs share their first of many post ceremony kisses!

A beautiful bouquet with the added touch of a coin from Nicole's Grandfather.

She has SUCH and expressive face.... I LOVE it!

I'm thinking that this is one of my faves from the day. LOVE it!

It's Mothers Day - what are you doing?

So it's Mother's Day in just over 2 weeks and I thought it would be a great idea to give a few suggestions. You could buy your mom a mani/pedi, a new perennial plant for her garden, a nice dinner out, a new blouse, a necklace, some flowers.... OR, you could give me a call and book a family photo session for sometime this year.

As you'll see below, if you book a family photo session by May 10, 2010 you can get a discounted price. The photos don't have to be taken by mother's day, just booked. So if your mom's walls need some updating... give me a call!!

I like me some new music!

It's a great day to surf the net..... the snow is blowing like a hurricane (90 km/hr is what I've heard on the radio!) so I'm housebound. I've already cleaned my house for all the company that is arriving in the next. Can anyone say Mr. Clean's got nothing on Carly? All together now!

So in the middle of edits and creating a website I surf to change things up. I also am loving I Tunes again today, bought a few songs and then thought I should check out you tube for videos! Well, I found one and I'm loving this artist!

And because I'm still incompetent on this blog site I haven't been able to figure out how to post the video here, just the link. So if you've got a couple minutes, check out Greg Sczebel. He actually performed at our previous church in PG and has evolved quite a bit. Just goes to show you what time, patience and practice will get you. HHhhhhmmmmm.... maybe I should take a page from his book with my photography?

Well, I should get back to the website.... it's coming along nicely, I'm hoping for it to be up soon.

Stayed tuned for updates on what I'm doing here in Calgary, starting to get started!

Enjoy the snow!

Here's Greg's video.... I love his smooth voice! Smooth like peanut butter baby!

http://www.youtube.com/user/gregsczebel#p/u/12/Br8zEBwv81Y