Lunch with Candice Stringham

Last year I had the opportunity to take Candice Stringham's online photography classes at JessicaSprague.com.  They literally changed my life.  Not only is Candice an outstanding photographer, but her teaching style is clear and professional.  Then a few months ago I was offered a job as one of her T.A.s.  What a privilege!  It is a pleasure to interact with students from all over the world, and I continue to learn so much myself as I work with Candice and her other incredible T.A., Nancy Riley.

I didn't think it could get much better.  But yesterday I was able to meet with Candice--as well as her beautiful mother--in person.  And yes, she is just as pretty and charming and generous as she appears in her classes!

There are several people who have had a huge impact for good in my life.  I count my friend Candice as one of them.  Thank you, Candice, for being who you are, and for giving me the opportunity to learn from you.

P.S. Look what else she did for me before my daughter and I left for home. My camera's never been happier.

Easter, 2011

It's usually too cold outside for an Easter egg hunt at our house, so we traditionally hold it indoors.  We're not big easter candy fans, so the kids get a few jelly beans, and various coins.  This year, one of my friends also gave me a copy of a scrambled scriptures' game that she created.  We don't have a huge celebration, but we enjoy being together no matter what we do.

Perfect's Tombstone

My little boy lost one of his pet chickens the other day.  In Art class he made her a tombstone to put on her grave.  The poor little guy has had a lot on his mind lately.

The initials, "PTC" stand for Perfect, the Chicken

Forsythia

I noticed on Saturday that our forsythia bushes were blooming at last, so this morning I took my five year old out for some photos. Unfortunately she had other ideas.

One of which included her own style of posing. . .

The mood changed, however, when both of us discovered that Mommy was standing on an ant's nest! Finally, I got a reaction. . .

She was in such a good mood now that I hurriedly brushed the ants off and continued to work until I took a photo that I was somewhat pleased with.

Oh yes, and I took a picture of the forsythia blossoms, too.

Little Boy in Mourning

One of my son's chickens died last night.  He is heartbroken.  My husband and he went out this morning, in the rain, at 7 A.M. to bury her.  My son requested that we not eat her.  They covered the burial mound with barbed wire to discourage predators, and my son is now planning on building a tombstone for the grave.

Chicken Whisperer?

My son loves his chickens. I mean, really loves them. Each morning, before school, he goes out to feed them and let them out of their coop. He makes sure each one is picked up, cuddled, and stroked. In the afternoon he repeats the process.

Today, when he arrived home from school, three of the hens were outside their fenced yard. He came into the house after finishing his chores and reported to me: "Mom, three of the chickens were out. They're safe now, but when I got there they were wandering outside the fence. I put them back and then we all sat down and had a talk about leaving the yard."

I think I have a chicken whisperer in the making.

Open Wide!