Tiny bubbles...

The boys were outside playing with their new bubble blowers this afternoon. I caught this little one hanging around. It popped about half a second after I clicked. I just love the colors.

Love the Y Auction Recap

I can't believe I forgot to post about the YMCA auction! My bench went for somewhere around $350.00, I forget the exact amount. That's about how much most of them went for, though there were a few that sold for twice that.

I took tons of pictures of the different benches, and I loved all of the little detaills on them. We have such talented artists in this area!

Some of the benches were beautifully hand-painted...



So whimsical!

I can't even imagine how much time it took to carve out all of these pieces...

A few of the benches were upholstered or had hand-sewn pillows (including one that would have looked spectacular in my living room!)

The seat of this wine-themed one was covered with corks!

In addition to the main auction items, there was a silent auction of small frames and wooden birdhouses...

A new beginning

So what do you think of the new look? I decided that I needed something a little more fun and funky, so I've spent the past few days designing the new logo and re-doing this blog. Next up will be the website, but I think that might have to wait a few days. I've spent too many hours at the computer lately!

Another thing I'm going to try to do is update this space more regularly. I want to get out with my camera every day this summer, or at least as many days as I can. And if I don't have anything new to show you, I can always dip into the archives and see what is lurking around in there.

For now, here are some pretty daisies from my garden, taken a couple of weekends ago. Enjoy!

The Ireland Family

Highlights from yesterday's portrait session. The full gallery can be viewed here.

Brotherly love

This morning I think I laughed more than I ever have before while doing a portrait session. And I've laughed even more as I've been looking through the images I shot. These brothers just crack me up. Here's a little preview for Mom and Dad. More to come soon - and there will be a ton of great out-takes!

More from yesteday...

Goofy Griffy faces. I love those eyes.

The Piggyback Ride

While they were outside playing in the yard, Grant gave Griffin a piggyback ride around the yard. Considering that Grant only weighs about 15 pounds more than Griffin, this was quite an accomplishment...

Mr. Serious

This afternoon I took a few pics of the kids in the back yard. I am in love with this picture of Grant. He looks so serious, so grown-up. More to follow later.

La Vie d'un Rose

We have many flower beds and little gardens around our house, thanks in large part to the professional landscaper who lived here before us. My favorite area is one that I designed myself which I call my Serenity Garden. It's my place to escape from housework and bickering kids and just go to relax. At the entrance to the garden is a wooden arbor. Growing up the sides of the arbor are Joseph's Coat roses. This is the third summer that I've had them, and this year they are blooming like crazy. Well, one side is. The other side has been struggling since I planted it, and I was convinced it was dead until yesterday when I saw some buds. But the other side has finally climbed up all the way to the top of the arbor and it has put out more blooms in the past week than I think it did all last summer. I love this particular variety of rose because, as the name implies, it displays many different colors all in the same bloom. From the bud it comes out a strong, vibrant orangey-red color, then it gradually fades through a lovely pink and ends up a pale yellow as it starts dropping its petals.

Here's a little look at the life of a Joseph's Coat rose...

It's here!

Today's the day! I hope to see you all at the YMCA Auction tonight! Doors to the Polish Home open at 6:00PM and bidding starts at 8:00PM. Let's see how much we can drive up the bidding on my bench!!

Here are a couple of pictures of my YMCA auction bench that I took today. For display they have removed the cushion and the little boxes that were on the shelf underneath (so that they don't come up missing before Friday), but you get the general idea.

I love my bench. I hope it does well at the auction. Please come and help drive the bidding up really high. :)

BTW- The bench has been moved from the Fulton Savings Bank to St. Onge Auto Body on West Broadway in Fulton (former home of Agway). If you find yourself in that area in the next couple of days, stop by and check it out!

Oh! and I forgot to mention that tucked away inside one of the little boxes under the bench will be a Jen Marrniner Photography gift certificate! The winner of the auction will get a free portrait session and a $50.00 print credit. So come to the auction and bid!

Love the Y

Attention all fans of this picture of the Oswego lighthouse...

... you can now own this picture, and the bench that it is part of, just by being the highest bidder at the "Love the Y" auction. The auction is being held at the Fulton Polish Home on Friday, June 6th beginning at 6:00PM. All of the auction items have been hand-painted by local artists, and most can be seen here. I attended last year's auction and it was a great time with great food. Tickets are $12.00 pre-sale (available at the Y) and $15.00 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Fulton YMCA.

Here's a little picture of my bench (created with my good friend Amy Johnston, who did all of the painting). The bench is currently on display at the Fulton Savings Bank branch on the west side of Fulton. I'm going to try to get there tomorrow to take some better pictures of it.


I hope to see you local folks at the auction on Friday. Even if you don't bid on anything it's fun to be there for all of the action.

In the Garden

I've been so busy with portraits and weddings and such that I've been neglecting my garden, and also neglecting to take pictures of my garden. So although there was no weeding or mulching that got done today, I did get out and snap some pics of the irises that have been blooming this week...








In addition to the irises, my pretty daisies have begun to bloom.

And after a couple of bad seasons, my rhododendrons are back!

Griffin always wants to use my camera. Here's one that he took...

And here's the imp himself...