The Colors of Italy

My husband and I spent two glorious weeks in Italy. I would like to go back, if not live there, someday. I love their use of color and the richness of nature in everyday life. These oranges were at a simple market in Campo di Fiore in Rome.

Castle in Tuscany . . .

Futbol fans in Firenze

And heaven, in Vernazza . . .

My new favorite ingredient . . .

Glorious color, not so bound by the rules of matching

If this were America, we would say "how vintage", but in Italy, this is normal . . .

Wine produced at a castle where a Count and Countess carry on a family tradition . . .

Fun on the Farm

I spent a weekend with Jodi, my best friend from college, and her adorable boys. We took the boys to a picturesque apple orchard on a crisp fall day. This was my first time really trying to photograph children - it is TOUGH. Let me tell you - they move so quick and I'm not as quick resetting the manual options on my camera. I was also holding an infant half of the time I was trying to chase Luke. 

I love this moment. Luke loves to help push his brother in the stroller. I really like the overexposure in this one.

Luke and the fruit of his labor.

Just started getting into playing with photo software. This pic was washed out in its original form. 

I'm having a hard time not being cheesy here - but is he not the cutest little pumpkin?

Those eyes . . . I swear 

Luke and the goats

10 Years

It was 7 a.m. and I was sleepily brushing my teeth in the community bathroom of my freshman college dorm. Second week of classes. It was Tuesday. A girl burst in and grabbed my hand, pulling me into her room pointing at the TV. I stood confused. Something about her dad calling that morning and telling her there was an attack in New York. Never in my lifetime had the US been attacked on our soil in such a way. I realized we were still holding hands, staring at the TV in shock. Smoke billowed from the World Trade Center towers in New York City. I didn't even know this girl. Cara. That was her name. Everything slowed down. Completely surreal.

I finished getting ready and made my way to my first class of the day - some low level health class. The professor walked in and said "in light of the day's events, class is cancelled". Still not understanding the gravity. On my way to breakfast I noticed the doors to the large chapel/event center were open. TVs splayed the different national news channels. I sat alone, watching the events unfold before me. Both towers down, one plane into the Pentagon and a plane down in a field in Pennsylvania. I saw my friend Chad across the room, tears in his eyes. The plane in Pennsylvania went down close to his home. Too close to home. He had a hard time getting through to family, but they are ok. We hugged for a long time and he cried.

There are certain moments in life that will never be forgotten. The minute details ingrained in the mind.  I pray for the families who sent their loved ones to work that day never knowing it would be the last goodbye. I pray for our nation and how we interact and are perceived globally. I pray that the pain our nation suffered will transform us in a positive and meaningful way.

I married the Cubs

They say that you don't marry a man, you marry his family. I've found the same is true for sports teams. 

The grass is always greener when it comes from a Sod farm

If June was the month of weddings, July was the month of yard. The front had become sparse and patchy. We realized that we had a serious insect infestation only after our yard was annihilated. So we had a sprinkler system installed. I hope our landscaper is correct in his estimate that it adds $14k to the value of our home. I doubt it. 

After sprinklers were intact, we had to scrape the top two inches of the yard off to make way for new sod. Judd is below wielding the stupid sod cutter. Two full days of cutting, shovelling, wheel barrowing, dumping . . . and repeat. We hauled so much dirt, that we had to build an 8" x 8" x 2" planter to hold it. 

Here's what the yard looked like after the scrape

And finally the finished product. We of course love it and no longer have to hide our faces in shame when we pass our neighbors on the street. No more house/yard projects for awhile.

Handsy

Hands say a lot

Unity.

Affection.

Function.

Belong.

Tired.

Expression.

Cheers.

Love my new classroom

I'm taking a photography class this summer. My highlight of the first session was when I learned we had homework. Three pictures: one with a shallow depth of field, one with blurred motion, one freezing time. I took this as an excuse to hike in Winter Park and attempt to capture some of Colorado's beauty.

This would have been much cooler if it were dark out, but I this homework is due tomorrow and I am in my pajamas. Oh well.

I love this one because you can actually see each little fine strand on this weed. I don't know what these are called, I call them wishies.