Brandy's Trash The Dress

I first met Brandy last summer when she joined the baseball team I played for, 'the titans'. I like to think we hit it off right away. I instantly liked her. She's a cool, say it how it is, take no b.s. kinda girl. Which I love.
I asked Brandy if she would like to do this shoot with me since I've never done one before and I want to build my portfolio up some more. I messaged her on facebook, and right away her reply was "Hell yeah". So we planned it for the following week.

I really wanted to do it at the Elora Gorge, and also in the water, but i had some field shots planned too. She was up for anything....
So, cameras, her amazing shoes, and my 25 pound chair in hand we made our way into the gorge. (which was the easy part by the way, climbing out was another story...let's just say there was some sweat, maybe some pulled muscles, and me saying "two more steps, must move forward")
Brandy was an awesome model, and she made me laugh everytime she swore at me when I wanted her to something a little bit nuts...like climb on a stone wall with her high heels, or sit in a mosquito infested creek, or walk out further into the river (hoping that it didn't all of a sudden drop off, or i would have to go swim in and rescue her), or even lay down in front of a fast rushing waterfall:) BUT...she did it anyways.
Brandy you were awesome, and I had a blast with you that day......I'm laughing as I type this cause I can still hear you swearing at me and telling me "I would never do this for anyone else Missy!!!" LOL!

First day of school

Old abandoned school bus, originally uploaded by Baroni.

Dedicated to all you mothers who think this is NOT the most wonderful time of year:(

AHHH! It's that time of year......Again? Wasn't the last day of school just like the other day? Seriously people. Where did the summer go? Was it even here? At what second did I blink my eye, and the summer just slipped by?
I truly, honestly despise this time of year.....the dreaded first day of school. Now, I know that there are alot of mothers out there who break out the champaign, start blowing off the fireworks, and cheer boisterously while their kids walk out the door towards school. But, I am NOT one of those mothers. I'm the mother who puts off the school shopping till the day before school starts. Who stays up late with kids during the last week of summer holidays because going to sleep just means wasting away the hours before your kids go back. Who rolls out of bed on that very first day of school and mopes to eachof their bedrooms to get the kids out of bed, maybe even lie in bed with all of my four kids just for a bit to cuddle, and then drag my butt down the stairs to start making the school lunches, while in between all these tasks, shedding a tear or two.......then, (here we go, sniff,) sending them out the door (after a full blown photo shoot of course) and clinging to each and every one of them for a couple minutes, trying not to cry, and telling them I love them more than words can say and that I will miss them incessantly. "Geez mom, it's not like we're going off to war" says my very clever 10 year old Taylor. Then i wipe my tears, laugh and realize that she's right. It is a true privilege that they get to go to school. It expands their minds, imagination, creativity, gives them structure, and discipline, and good fun times with their friends. When I think of some of my most memorable times from my growing up years, most of them are from my school days. I guess going back to school isn't so bad.....I mean now I have more time to have a nice day out with Ange and Sharon, or a quiet breakfast and lunch with my husband Mike.
But couldn't we atleast add a month or two to the summer holidays? that's all I ask:)

Keys to my heart

Music from the past / Vintage sound, originally uploaded by PatMatte.

love KISSES sweet dreams CHOCOLATE laughter ANTIQUE STORES my children HOT COFFEE green white mango tea 4 AND A HALF INCH HEELS turtles PEDICURES kissing on the neck SMILES lazy afternoons PHOTOGRAPHS cuddles HUGS a long walk with no where to go LOVE pajamas OMELETS honey in my tea GARDENS clean sheets WEDDINGS beautiful bouqets SLEEPING IN day dreaming LOVELINESS honesty CITRUS tenderness MY HUSBAND baths TREES spaghetti homemade pizza KINDNESS the soft space nestled just between being awake & asleep GENUINE AFFECTION cupcakes SWEETNESS wine TENDERNESS kisses for no reason at all POLKADOTS travelling MUSIC humility FRIENDSHIP yellow roses LAVENDER vintage cars MOVIES strawberries and whipped cream VINTAGE TRUCKS really soft sweaters SAND BENEATH MY TOES sunglasses PURE BLISS organization with just a hint of chaos LOYALTY full lips MY MAMA hand written letters on pretty paper LIP GLOSS the perfect pair of jeans BLOGGING the sound of my husbands voice RAINY DAYS affection TRUTH memories FAMILY hawaii HANDMADE ANYTHING beautiful bags and shoes LIFE artists PIANO MUSIC reeses pieces SELFLESSNESS unexpected blessings ANGELS blowing bubbles APPRECIATION headpieces & long veils GENTLENESS holding hands LAS VEGAS newborn babies LAUGHTER wood floors LONG HAIR pillows HOPE a good book & time to read it TWILIGHT soft kisses COTTAGE LIFE talking on the phone MAPS unexpected generosity WATERMELON beautiful lingerie FOG my family ring PICTURE FRAMES wishes INSPIRATION almost any shade of blue SPRINKLES clouds COUNTRY LIVING fresh cut grass
HOT SUMMERS Snowstorms and sitting by the woodstove
SUMMER RAINS AND THUNDERSTORMS black and white pictures
PLAYING CHOPIN AND MOZART grand pianos CHURCH
Reading maps and a big fat atlas CRUISE SHIPS AND CASIONS 80's music MICHAEL JACKSON Dirty dancing JOHNNY DEPP survivor GOSSIP MAGS AND FASHION MAGS My straightening iron, eyelash curler and bronzer BASEBALL cereal without milk PEANUT M&M'S Castles & swords MEDIEVEL pretty boutiques OLD JEWELLERY tutus and fairy wings GOD with all these things I am blessed

Nadya and Ben

Nadya and Ben, Oh how sweet these two are. Both very caring and considerate of eachother. And their wedding party.....HILARIOUS!!! It was great shooting your wedding you guys, and we were soooo super lucky we didn't get rained out during pictures. It was touch and go right after the ceremony, but the rain stopped just as we were leaving the church. YAY!! Congrats you two. May your marriage be blessed with lots of love, and tender moments.

Sarah and Lamar

Fairies in my fields

On my daughter Maggie's 9th birthday we decided to do a photo shoot with some new props I bought in the beautiful, scenic village of St. Jacobs. So with my 3 daughters, 1 niece and a trunkful of props we marched on through the dirt, long grass and wheat. It was a hot, sunny day, and we had soo much fun.