Where Did it Go

Where did it go?

What did I do with it?

Is it yet one more thing I have misplaced?

For the life of me I just can't remember.

Summer,

Where oh where did you go?

Nine Years

Nine years.
Three states.
Two beautiful children.
One happy life.

Happy Anniversary S & B.
We couldn't love you more.

Somebody Needs a Hug

Somebody needs a hug.  I volunteer.

Risky Business

Being out on the lake at sunset sitting as close to the water as possible without getting wet is extraordinary.  Usually my camera stays high and dry on shore but one evening last week calm water and the promise of something special nudged me into throwing caution to the wind.

I think it was worth the risk.  How about you?

A Photo Shoot

On Wednesday morning Pappy and Miss A went to town to do a little school supply shopping.  Pappy loves, loves, loves to shop for school supplies.  He always has.  He likes it so much that once our boys were grown he shopped for nieces, nephews, and strangers.  So it comes as no surprise that he would be more than willing to take his first born grandchild on this right of passage.  He's such a good school supply shopper that he even purchased the "change of clothes" listed on the sheet for emergencies.  Miss A was more than happy to pick her sweet self out a new outfit.

The G-man turned 3 years old on the 9th of July and it was determined a photo shoot was needed to document the occasion.  So while Pappy and Allie were otherwise occupied B & I headed for the woods  with G for some camera time.



This little man is such a ham bone.



We saw his serious GQ side,



his charming side,



and his much sillier side.



He posed.  He giggled.  He laughed out loud.  He even blew a few kisses my way.



All of this for the two Dum Dum suckers that were hidden in my pocket.



Hey, I never said I wouldn't stoop to bribery.

Happy Birthday G-man.  Three is a great age to be.

Deer Park

Pymatuning Deer Park was established in 1953.  I believe the last time I visited the park was in the late 1950s.  Who could have predicted that 50+ years later I would return with my grandchildren to a charming, hands on little zoo.



Our expectations were low as we buckled the kids into car seats that morning.  We knew there would be deer, after all it was a deer park.



We weren't disappointed in that department.  There were plenty of deer.  All eagerly sticking their necks through the wire fencing in hopes of a snack.



What we weren't prepared for were the myriad of other animals.  Critters such as lions, tigers, bears, mountain lions and camels.



The petting zoo boasted miniature horses, goats, ducklings, calves, pigs and more.  All easily accessible for visitors to feed and pet.



There was a train ride and peek a boo signs.



Miss A was particularly enamoured with the kangaroos,



while the G-man opted for a pony ride.



If you're in the neighborhood, I highly recommend a stop at Pymatuning Deer Park.

Miss A and the G-man give it two thumbs up.

Do You See What I See?

Do you see what I see?









Perhaps we should wait until after dark.

Cottage Visitors

The little red cottage has been hopping this week.  Miss A and the G-man arrived early in the week and we haven't stopped since.



What have we been up to you ask?



Searching for deer in the Jeep.



Cart rides with cousins.



Swimming and fishing.









Visits with more cousins.





And even more cousins.





Daddy arrived tonight which means there is more fun in store for the weekend.

And me...I'm one happy Grammy.

On the List

Sailing.  It's on my bucket list.  One of these days.  Soon.  I'm going to learn to sail.
I'll keep you posted.

Cousins

The weekend following the 4th of July brought The Kid's little sis, her offspring and their offspring for a visit to the Little Red Cottage.  They were spending the week nearby in another cottage and descended upon us loaded down with a week's worth of leftovers and a fun loving spirit.

As a photographer one of my favorite subjects is children.  I can spend hours following quietly behind, observing their play and interaction with others and hopefully capturing a few good photographs along the way.  Photographs that capture their spirit and true sense of who they are as individuals.  Eventually they reach an age where they become much more aware of the camera and even more self conscious.  At this point for me the fun is over.  I think because it requires a lot more effort on my part to get them to relax and I'm just not as adept at that as a good portrait photographer should be.

On this day I was in hog heaven.  Four little subjects who, for the most part, could care less that I was there with a camera pointed in their direction.

First up is L, a strawberry lovin little man a little on the shy side.  L didn't stray too far from Mom while I was near.









Big sis A was much more of a ham.






It took a long lens and patience to catch this little actress lost in thought.



Cousin A is also a little on the shy side;



but is filled to near bursting with giggles that bubble over with the tiniest amount of encouragement.



And then there's little K.  The current baby of the group (two more are expected to arrive in early November), K was the easiest mark for me.



I ended up with the most usable photos of her mainly because she was oblivious to me and my camera.



She's also an adorable subject (as were they all).






Don't you agree?





Let's do it again soon, okay guys?

How It's Done

Do you remember this?



And this...Banana Bread Surprise?


Well, THIS is how it's done.


Yum.