I adore hoar frost.  This morning had to have been the finest display yet – everything was completely transformed with its tiny, intricate ice crystals.  As I was outside this morning admiring and shooting…our cat Buster suddenly appeared among the grasses.  He has simply got to be the cutest cat ever, no?!  :)

Fall.  Finally,  bit of colour on the trees…love the vivid red.

Love these kids, loving each other.   And they really do…usually.  xox BFFs xox

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory marshmallows on a stick, Baskin Robins ice-cream sunday, and trespassing.  Very pleasurable indeed! :)

It all started with around of mini golf at the Tug Boat Junction on the way to Harrison.  I’ve eyed that place for years, thinking it’d be a great place to take family pictures.  It was great to spend a bit of time with the kids…away from my computer and all the editing I’ve been doing lately, trying desperately to catch up in both my KK Photography and Personal “to be edited” folders before our vacation next week. 

The TBJ was kinda cool – the kids loved the golf, even though we royally sucked at it.  We’ll have to come back with Daddy one day so he can teach the kids.  There was some neat, bright backdrops there…anyone up for a family session at this great location?!? :)

I didn’t take too many pics here – it’s tricky golfing with a camera hanging around your neck and a purse on your shoulder.  The odd thing I noticed about these pictures (there was about 40 all together, which for me is not too many) is that every. single. one. was taken vertically.  That never happens with me; I’m usually more of a horizontal kinda girl! :)

Those last few pictures were only possible because I promised them the affor-mentioned RMCF marshmallow sticks after supper, which in all honesty was a little crazy since they had them on Friday evening too.  Guilty pleasures, I’m telling ya. 

Al fresco dinner, playtime on the fort and monkey bars, a stroll around the lagoon…before heading heading off to Trespassing Location #1. 

Well, I don’t know if this was really trespassing, since there’s no sign posted not to! ;)  And I did talk to the owner on Arianna’s wedding day and he gave us permission to be there.  Then, at that time.  And we weren’t wrecking anything…  

I LOVE this place.  So calm and serene.  Beautiful!  Anyone up for a family session here?!? :)  With permission, of course.

Trespassing Location #2 is a real delight.  Such a heady pleasure.  My imagination ran wild as I cautiously tiptoed through the rooms, crunching on broken glass, wondering who on earth lived here, and when and why they left the place.  How long does it take for a place to start to look like this, left unattended, I wonder?!  The kids were less enthralled than I was, however.   Jade was nervously twittering behind me as she followed me through the house.  To quote Liam “this place gives me the creeps!”  :)

I’ve got a terrific session planned for this old place…kinda creepy or not.

What a fabulous evening.  Three great locations explored and fun times had with my kids.  Love it.

…they still made them as uber cool as they used to! 

I went to Sumas Days on Saturday with the kids and my sister and her kids, and was completely enthralled by the gorgeous cars in the car show from the 40′s and 50′s.  One day maybe I’ll own one…I can always dream.

It was a fun challenge photographing these cars.  The streets were packed with people, tents etc, and getting shots that didn’t include the afor-mentioned was kinda tricky…and required patience. 

Am I alone with my vintage car fetish???

It’s here – if only for a day or two! 

Things I’m loving on this gorgeous sunny day: 

*  The shelves my dear husband hung up last night, after they layed on my back counter for the past 6 weeks.  My house was so dull….it really needed the extra colour POP! ;) 

*  The freshly pressure-washed house, patios and outdoor furniture.  I was so tired of looking at the moss and mold – I’m so glad I tackled that project on Tuesday! 

*  The new-to-me pots by the front door (from Atmosphere) that have a fresh new coat of red paint, and are awaiting some kind of funky sculpted shrubs.

*  Blooming apple trees.  Blooming, growing, sprouting everything.  Well – aside from the 100 or so plants in my yard that didn’t make the long cold/wet winter!  (We planted close to 2000 last summer, so I guess 100ish isn’t too bad?! :P)

I hope you’re loving this day too!  Cheers!

…to make you feel like spring is right around the corner!  Actually, there’s nothing like tulips, period.  This simple, classic, fragrant flower has always been a fave of mine, and every time I get a bunch (or three, thanks Joc!), I’ve just got to photograph their cheerful splendor!

The above left picture contains words that I really need to put into action today!  I’m trying to finalize a speech about photography that I’m doing at MCCS tomorrow morning, and seriously!  I haven’t done a speech in 13 years…and am feeling a little out of practice.  Take it easy on me please, kids! :)

The above right picture is a sneak-peak of some of the terrifically cool products that came via FedEx yesterday.  I’m totally in love.  I’m just waiting for one more package to arrive tomorrow, and then I’ll post some pictures of what’s in store. 

Happy Thursday.

I, however, wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Been comin’ back for 31 years. 

{Thanks to my aunt, this time, for the phone call telling me to go check out how pretty the church looked in the snowy darkness! ;) }

Bokeh: Japanese term for the subjective aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of a photographic image.  (It’s pronunciation is highly debated online as either BOW-ka or BOW-kay.)

While bokeh is present in any photo with a shallow(er) depth of field, it’s often non-descript.  It’s the extraordinary, catch-your-breath-beautiful, smooth and creamy bokeh that we photographers strive to achieve; where the bokeh is as important in the image, as the subject itself…..

Icy, golden, freezing, silver, glowing crystals.  Utter perfection in one small potted maple tree, which spent the day under the dripping eaves on my aunt and uncle’s back patio.  I’m thankful he called me over to capture it! :)

…no words today, just a few pics.  Well, I guess including this sentence there’s nineteen..but this is it. ;)