PERSONAL : FLOWERS FROM JAKOB

Yesterday when we came home, Jakob wanted to run down the driveway. When he finally came walking in, he gave me these beautiful red clovers. “Here Mamma, I picked you some flowers” he said proudly. The fact that they are classified as a wild plant that is used for grazing cattle and other animals (per my google) is besides the point. They are some of the prettiest “flowers” around. I totally love dandelions as well, but that’s another story.

Here are a couple of shots of my bouquet from Jakob. Gotta love it!  : )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEODOR!

My sister’s baby came early and my baby came late, as all three of my kids did. Instead of being two months apart, our boys are one month and one day apart. I should really dig out a shot from their first birthday, they were so cute…with a cherry on top! Matching green shirts with a frog and a party hat…it was quite a sight!

Well, today is Theodor’s birthday…six years old…wow! What happened? These boys are now scootering, riding motorcycles, diving, doing flips on the trampoline and know how to run ANY Wii or Playstation game. I am actually okay with it though. What I have enjoyed with all my kids are the different stages they go through…and at the end of the day they all still love to snuggle. Mmmm…enjoying it while I can!

After the kids came home from their summer activities, basketball and cupcake decorating (posting stuff later), we got on the computer to Skype Theodor and sing him the “Happy Birthday” song. Luckily they were all home and our kids had a fun time visiting via Skype. He had just received the letter we sent last week with cards from each of our kids, and one from Stine’s friend Grace, plus a bunch of Diego band-aids.

Here is a cute shot of my oldest daughter visiting with Theodor, his baby sister and my sister. Plus a cute curious friend in the background. Thanks to Skype we get to see and speak to my family at the same time, for FREE. Lovin it!

ENGAGEMENT : NATASHA & JOEY

Friday morning looked gloomy and grey. I checked the weather forecase, which predicted more clouds and possibly rain. Oh well, I thought…you take what you get and make the best of it. Right before I left my one daughter looked at me and stated that the weather was going to be sunny and super ALL DAY. Thanks sweetie, I told her, thinking what a positive mind she had. As I drove to the Winnebago Valley Park, where the shoot would be, I could see blue skies to the north and…was I just imagining this or were the clouds going away…? By the time I got to the park the clouds were almost gone. Amazing!!!

I met Natasha last year when she and her mother came to visit me and see me and my work. Now I got to meet Joey. I think Joey smiled and made jokes the whole time. What a fun couple! What a treat! Later this summer I get to shoot their wedding as well. I’m very excited!

Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

PERSONAL : RHUBARB PIE

We were invited to a party and as always I bring a desert. I wanted to make something different. It’s usually always chocolate cake, my specialty!  : )
I happened to see the rhubarb that came with our house and has continued to grow every spring. Memories of my childhood came to mind. We used to pick rhubarb and dip them in a cup of sugar to offset the sour taste. Rhubarb pie it was! I really had a fun time making it and hopefully I’ll have a reason to bake another one soon. Yummy! Below is the recipe I found and have saved, because it turned out swell. I have also made a pie with a mix of apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Highly recommendable as well.

Basic Piecrust
Makes top and bottom for a big pie
3 cups flour… Read More
1 tsp. salt
1 tbs. sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
6+ tbs. cold water

First cool your betal bowl and mixer in the freezer for about 10 minutes.

Put flour, salt, sugar and butter (cut into chunks) into a mixer, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat egg in a cup and add water. While processing, pour liquid in gradually, mix 30 seconds at most. Divide dough into two parts, wrap each in wax paper and chill one hour, or freeze ten minutes. Keep extra crust on hand for another use.

Filling
5 cups rhubarb, sliced
1 ¼ cup sugar
¼ cup minute tapioca
2 tsp. finely grated orange zest

Mix and let sit for 15 minutes to bring out the juices.

Roll out a crust and drape over the filling.
Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy! M m m m m… : )

SENIORS : GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

It’s been busy lately! No posts since April. Gosh…not good. I like to update my blog with new stuff often, but I guess life just got in the way. For all the parents out there…you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Here are some graduation announcement cards I have worked on for some of my seniors. A lot of the cards have the same basic design, but are tweaked a little to fit each persons personality. One of my clients told me jokingly that she wanted to order all of them. Fun! I wish you guys all the best.

Enjoy! Feel free to comment.  : )

PERSONAL : EARLY APRIL

It was one of those days…you know the sun is shining and you just can’t stand it any longer…sitting inside, that is. Back in early April I went for a walk below my house and took my camera along. I had initially planned on walking to the old farm and back, nothing major. Actually that was exactly what I did…but I was gone for about three hours. It was a blast! It was a little chilly, but the sun warmed just enough to not get cold. I shot the cat, no…not literally, some dried-up flowers, well…weeds probably, old farm machinery and an old house. I could go back today and get totally different images.

Here are a few of my shots from that day! It seems like ages ago. I have actually worn shorts since then…and the grass is green! Yikes! I’ll have to go on another walk.  : ) Enjoy!

B-Cat, one of my helpers.

Jordy had fun chasing B-Cat and trying to lean on me when I got down close to the ground to get a good shot.

Who knew thistles could look this lovely when they were dead?!

SENIOR : #1 CHRIS

Last night I finished off the session for Chris with a shot at the football field with him dressed to play. We only needed one shot…I think we did good.

I think he’s got his game “face” on. Enjoy!

BOUDOIR : LINDSAY

Still at the classy and elegant Grand Hotel Minneapolis in downtown Minneapolis to do some Boudoir shots. Thanks to Chris Meyer for organizing the shoot. Other photographers were: Tamrah Ryan, Sara Weitzel, Tom Ward and Nick & Hillary.

A fun way to document how great you looked when you were young!

Here are some of my favorite shots of Lindsay. Enjoy!

BOUDOIR : ALY

Last week I went to the classy and elegant Grand Hotel Minneapolis in downtown Minneapolis to do some Boudoir shots. Thanks to Chris Meyer for organizing the shoot. Other photographers were: Tamrah Ryan, Sara Weitzel, Tom Ward and Nick & Hillary.

Images like these are great for a very special gift to that certain someone or even fun to have for yourself.

Here are some of my favorite shots of Aly. Enjoy!

TRAVEL : OSLO – MINNEAPOLIS VIA ICELAND

I was looking through some shots from October and came across the ones below. I totally love being at airports. I doesn’t matter how many hours I have to wait – I LOVE IT! There are so many cool images – everywhere!

Had I waited just one more day I would most likely not have been able to go anywhere. The weather turned into a snow storm and all planes were grounded the following day.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Loved the bright yellow marks on the glass sliding doors at the airport in Oslo. Fresh!

The silhouettes of people walking was super cool! The people walking on the top is actually a reflection and were behind me.

Looking down the loooong walkway. I like the lines.

Lots of fun lines crossing each other.

I totally loved how neatly these planes were lined up.

Norwegian fjords and mountains. My nose was “glued” to the window the whole time until we got to the coast. Just beautiful!

The coast of Iceland coming closer.

…more Iceland. Looks like a crater to me.

Going in for landing. Check out the loooong stretches of roads cutting up the landscape.

Back up…icy windows.

Iceland air have fresh fun colors! I have quite a few shots like this one. Just something about those colors.

This one has a sort of stormy underwater feel I think.

After what felt like a never-ending flight we finally reached Minneapolis. Amazing sun set! You can even see the reflection in some of the small lakes in the city.

Hopefully I’ll have images from another trip sometime soon.  : )