sofiewarren photography blog

sports - round one

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:38:34 EST

yes, it is that time of the school year for sports day. how many of you have this to look forward to? well, i know you all just love to see my cute kids, but i thought i would give a little background in the way i capture these events. of course, this is just the way i go about doing it, certainly not rules to live by! i am always looking out for some little action, something that is just them... when i saw tye looking for me as he is above with his hands up, i knew i wanted to capture that but of course he saw me before i could get my camera up (kids are too quick for us sometimes) so i motioned back to him to do it again (is that cheating - i don't think so). it is also great to get others in the image so when they are all grown up you can have a good laugh, i mean, remember what they used to look like, so i fight my tendency to zoom in close, and open my view a bit to get a better feel of the event as i did with the image on the right side.

now during the races, i try not to go overboard and take every step. with digital, of course you can go ahead and click away but in years to come, you are not going to want to watch every step of the skipping, sack, obstacle, running... race. when you upload your images and have a look, just pick out the best of the best, be selective. tye's favourite race was the obstacle so i wanted to highlight that and took a picture of the way the clothes were set up, maybe a different angle for him to see and remember. and who doesn't look cool skipping? his team did the best in that race, so i thought it was nice to highlight too. don't get me wrong, these are not all the race pictures i am keeping by any means!

don't forget to take that far away shot too. i sometimes forget to step back and capture a wider view because of my typical style, but for events, a wide view can remind us of so much - the crowd, the setup... you may not be able to see it, but there are leaves in the image too which i love because it was quite breezy for most of the day and toby even commented on the falling leaves. when i look at this image, i can almost hear the kids squealing and the parents cheering.

and always my favourite, an individual portrait. for me, this type of image is the way i like to sum it up. i have found a few different spots in my house where the light works well. in this case, placing tye just inside the front door while i stand outside, helps to light up his eyes with catchlights and the back, patio doors help to light up the background. so that's about it for round 1 - round 2 is the end of this week, junior's sports day... i hope you have fun capturing your child's sports day!

forget me not

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:02:11 EST

...but i did! what do you do when you forget? i forgot, it just passed and i didn't remember. isn't it such an awful feeling when you suddenly realize? when you suddenly remember. have you forgotten anything recently? what did you do to make it up? ps: i know this is not a forgtet-me-not flower, i just liked it :o)

hazy

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:39:13 EST

after feeling pretty good for a few days i woke up in a haze this morning. not wanting to go downhill as i was still hacking away from last week, i played it safe and went to the doctor - yup, still not good - more antibiotics :o( at least i went early this time and did not wait! does anyone else do that - "i'm fine, i'm fine, i'm fine" take nothing - "okay, not fine" antibiotics and the works? took my son too - turns out his antibiotics didn't work. so back on the meds... when will it end? image above: there is something about the haze and colours of the east coast that i love...

it's been a while

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:44:50 EST

...since i picked up my camera. i wish it could have been getting a good cleaning or servicing or something, but oh well. at least it gives me a chance to go back and pay some attention to some older images. does that happen to anyone - you take, take, take and then you have a little time and realize that there are some images you may have missed from before? catching up is good, actually, catching up is great! above: on goes my love of everything coconut...

where...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:02:25 EST

well january 2012 is a day away from saying its goodbyes - already. what did january 2012 teach me? that things can get better but are pretty good here and now; i hate tying up loose ends - i much prefer slam dunks; my boys look so hansome with freshly washed, freshley combed hair; i can kick house work in the butt when my husband is away; i prefer a messy house than a husband that's away; my to-do list kicks my butt every time! so i did not reach my goal of my little pictures being all organized in a neat little row, maybe february will be a bit easier on me.

so i'm on a path that is my own and i may stop and enjoy the flowers every now and then, i may not know where it leads to all the time, it may be rocky sometimes and smooth at others - but it's my path and i'm going to enjoy it. what did january teach you?

oh hello...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:29:33 EST

friday!

oh yes, it is friday - i'm happy it is. let's just put this week down to got.nothing.done, have.a.sore.nose but wouldn't.trade.it.for.anything kind of week. i can see the end of january (already) and my goal of sorting my images by month end is looking a bit far fetched, but i have missed my computer and am feeling charged up - so i'm getting a move on. today - i only have one little boy home and he is more of the studious-entertain-myself kind of guy so i'm trying to get some work done before we pick up the more "mum-look-at-this" kind of guy (mums, you understand right?). have a great weekend!

so where have i been?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:59:40 EST

well i have been in a haze of sorts. i get lost every now and then, in thoughts, life in general, laundry... the list goes on and on as usual. i felt pretty thrown off track starting 2012 with work that needed finishing up and a lot of other things that started in 2011 and are not all neatly packaged up and shipped off - 2012 was not starting off all nice and clean and pretty (just to let you know, i like clean slates (i love a fresh piece of paper) and i like instant results (i would have a polaroid camera if i could)). so as people started their 2012 projects and reflected on their year's goals, i wallowed in the unfinished - blah. but breezes blow, tides come and go and we always come about (however, bronchitis would not be my preferred potion) i had time to ponder and think and dream - i.am.a.dreamer... and i discovered instagram, simple and quick.

random inspiration

random fun...

so we'll see where this current takes me, i'll try not to fight it. fighting it just makes you tired and gets you no where, so i'll relax and float and see where i go... today - i'm staying at home with my two little boys, blowing and spluttering but getting all better.

simple

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:56:20 EST

keeping it simple - went for a simple family drive the other afternoon and simply enjoyed every minute of it.

sorting

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:16:56 EST

i am trying to sort - i love organization and my images are far from organized. but january is the month - it is my goal to get sorted! the images above were taken ages ago and i love them so. i'll have to show you the colour version too, but for today, i wanted to enjoy them. see, this is what happens when i am sorting, i kind of get carried away, not carried away in the get-things-done kind of way, but the go-off-on-a-tangent kind of way! happy monday!

transport board*

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:37:39 EST

*bus - too tired to write...

unsettled

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:14:07 EST

we made the effort and went out yesterday afternoon - jade leaves tomorrow and it was probably the last chance to get us all together, in one place, clean and relatively happy. i made them sit in a potato field (maybe it was sweet potato) i made them laugh while i sprinted back and forth for the self timer - but we did it and it was sweet. now its monday and i am trying to take some deep breaths, trying to get settled. i have been running here, running there - just getting this done, just getting that done, just in time, just barley - i'm tired of just. on one hand i say "what a way to start the year" but on the other "it can only get better!" there are lots of things to be finished, to be started and some to be re-done. so enough sighing - on with it!

***edited*** just to add some humor - we were trying to recreate one of the poses we did last year because everyone has learnt how to do it properly now however, we were a little close together and i could not hold it together! i seriously had not laughed like that for a while and now, a great memory is made!

thankful

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:45:10 EST

i am thankful... i can't really find the words, i have been sitting here, staring, trying to come up with the perfect ones, but i can't find them. it may just seem like a phone, a piece of technology, even unnecessary to some, extravagant to others, but to me, it is more. a gift. you know who, thank you ;o)

a dog named...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:15:18 EST

...maxwell - he's not ours, he just kept us company for a few days while on the east coast!

is it okay to start with a sigh?

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:40:03 EST

i would have loved to have started 2012 off with a gorgeous family photo and some sweet words, it would have been great to have it all perfect and pretty - but you know what, this is life and although the blog will not start that way, my life is pretty darn good. i won't lie, i was burnt out right around christmas, i am still feeling weary but i am guessing that my batteries won't really be recharged until the kids are back in school and i can have a few thoughts to myself. but in all the chaos that is my life and so many others, i kept being reminded that life is special and really is what you make it. some pretty sad things happened, not directly to me but close enough, and then this spoke volumes and even this was a reminder... how often do we bypass the chance to take that picture, write down those sweet words that made us laugh, print those pictures and stick them up. i am guilty of this but so aware of the preciousness of it. so even though i don't have the family picture yet, i feel so blessed to have the ones i love with me and i miss the ones that are a bit too far away to touch but am thankful i can still see and talk to them (thanks skype). so 2012 begins, even though its with a sigh*

new

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:58:24 EST

our tree

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:17:25 EST

thought i would snap our tree - i love the blurry lights. it looks as though i have a few 'holes' with my lights though. perfectly imperfect - as usual.

3-5

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:05:08 EST

i am living to learn, i am learning to live and i am trying to teach others (myself and kids mainly). today marks thrityfive years of doing so - it's a journey!

effort

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:31:24 EST

making a bit of effort to feel the spirit! thanks to are wonderful and amazing neighbour, the kids got together and "made" christmas cookies. we (the mothers) really did most of the work, but it didn't really feel like work!

blah

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:43:13 EST

i am trying to convince myself that i am feeling merry and bright however, the kids are sick and have to take medicine three times a day - three - that means things head down hill three times in a day! they are bored and bored of each other! so hey december, you're half way through, we need to get the merry back.

thank goodness for pinterest - they have been helping me feel a bit more sparkly. i just love the image above. i have been completely uninspired to take my own photos (maybe feeling a bit burnt out) so i need to shake this and get some shine on so i can feel merry and bright! any suggestions?

into it...

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:58:04 EST

with kids, it's not hard to get into the christmas spirit - it's contagious! we had our first christmas parties this weekend and by the end of the weekend they are feeling the wipedout-overexcited-funoverload-candyhangover feeling and really need to just get to bed!

i am trying to keep the reason for the season in the forefront of my mind - while rushing around trying to get christmas greetings finished for clients, ticking gifts off my christmas list and eating all the yummy food around the place - and i am definitely feeling the christmas spirit. i hope everyone is too.

smile

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:52:58 EST

was work, work, working away and came across this from his play last week. have you ever seen such a cute lion? it made me smile :o)

reminder*

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:40:15 EST

excuse me while i remind myself to do this very important thing!

i had not expected to shoot yesterday, but i did. pretty things, quietly waiting to have their picture taken. clean, colourful and simple - sigh. i have a mountain of things to get to but i could not resist taking a peek at a couple and then i had to remind myself to take that all important breath. hope everyone is remembering to breathe!

november...remember

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:45:48 EST

can someone tell me where november went? i was looking back at my pictures for 2011, all nicely organized into monthly folders and then i came to november. yes, there is toby at cubs and yes, his birthday... and that's it!!! oh my goodness, where did it go? well, it is gone, but december isn't, so if you're like me and some of those monthly folders are a bit sparse, pick up your camera and make sure to record december! i didn't even blog toby's birthday, so just incase there may be any jealousy down the road...

the power of glow sticks!

the obsession continues

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:11:42 EST

yes, my obsession with everything coconut continues. i had an early morning on the east coast yesterday with some fellow photographers. as much as tried to capture the seascape, i couldn't - i could resist the colours of the fronds, the mix of greens, browns, grays... and of course the husks, it was just too perfect...

yes, it is late. yes, i have a million and one things to do and this shouldn't even be on the list. yes, my bed is calling. yes, tomorrow is school. yes, it is raining - again. yes, it is december - already. yes, i'm going...

symbolic

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:30:46 EST

i love symbolism - i was trying to find an image symbolic of how i have been feeling. i came across a frog and started with that but then i thought of my aunt and decided she may never look at any of my pictures the same again so i decided against it and it may have been a bit too literal. i then came across this image i took in the summer. this is perfect- i feel a bit out of focus. you can see the flower, you can tell what it is, but it is not sharp. i've been in a haze, struggling to put things into focus - i want things to be tac sharp, is that too much to ask for? i'll keep on tweaking, re-focusing, re-evaluating - i'll get there! in other matters... i am fast, i am lightning!!! i am connected to my new internet provider and i am ripping it up! tomorrow is a 'holiday' but this rain has made it a working day for this island girl - please shine tomorrow mr sun, pretty please :o)

the sun sets

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:33:56 EST

it has been a busy week, but you always have time to watch a sunset. i had a shoot on the west coast, the day before had been cloudy and rainy and we had joked that it was a good thing the shoot was not that day. however, the next day was so sunny and bright, it made it difficult to shoot - with out a cloud in the sky, think washed out and squinting. what can i say, we had hoped for clear skies and we got them - we also had a beautiful sunset to enjoy. on another note, i am hoping that the sun is setting on my internet troubles. i have signed up with a new provider and i am so ready to pick up the new modem so i can rip up the internet instead of feeling like i am on a long board! happy friday.

why is it not possible...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:13:52 EST

to stop, slow or bottle time? i have so many thoughts and feelings about sundials - but guess what? i don't have the time to type them right now. i'm still here - being busy, hope everyone is busy too!

happenings

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:20:25 EST

last week was certainly a busy week in our house. of course it was toby's birthday, but it was also his cub investiture and tye got the conduct badge at school. phew, excitement overload!

is this the "stop taking a million pictures of me mum" or "i'm so excited i can't stand it" face? - i can't tell.

that's better!

i think i may need to consider badges for home - conduct, manners, good eating... somehow, i don't think they will work.

happy birthday*

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:24:25 EDT

before kids, you may think that your birthday is what made you feel old, with kids, it is their birthdays that make you feel old. how could it be, i have an eight year old? an eight year old that makes me so proud, is the pickiest eater, asks me questions and meanings of words that i have to go and look up, and who can add and subtract faster than me! i love you tobes <3

learn/play

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:15:03 EDT

last week i stayed at school after dropping my boys and went to the new nursery to snap a few. i found myself wishing i could have a studio looking something like that. i realized that like little kids, i learn through play - playing with my camera, and i felt lucky! there is something about clothes pegs that i love...

i had written various thoughts that came to mind with each of these images - but decided i prefer you have your own... i have christmas lists, editing and someone's eighth birthday on the brain today. i am daydreaming of seasonal changes that would allow me to layer clothing and wear boots. i have some sort of pinched nerve in my upper back that is causing agony and interupting my daydreams. i have a lot going on!

i am a wanderer

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:33:18 EDT

trick/treat

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:27:56 EDT

treasure

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:36:41 EDT

heavy thinking going on along with a million other things. i have christmas on the brain, which feels a little abnormal for this last-minute-kind-of-girl. i like to think outside the box and that's where i'm trying to go, but i keep hitting my head on the sides and it feels as though i may just get knocked out and end up right, smack, in the middle of the centre of the box!

what are my treasures? why? i think i have an idea of a few ;o) just because they are your treasures does not mean they don't stress you out, make you crazy sometimes or make you feel like you could tear your hair out. but one thing is for sure, they have the power to make your heart melt.

what are your treasures?

always pausing

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:26:14 EDT

i always seem to be pausing and 'smelling the roses.' well not literally smelling them and not really roses, more like 'snapping' whatever is pretty. i guess i take the 'live slow' attitude a little too seriously sometimes.

its monday*

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:08:52 EDT

yes, today is monday and it is half term. i'm happy for the break in routine and the kids being super happy. it means that getting through my to do list will take a bit longer, but i can handle it. the weekend was nice, it was slow and relaxed. i enjoyed a little "camera time" on saturday and i had a serious philosophical blog post coming on, but it has passed and all you get is a couple images - phew* right? happy monday!

the delicacy of...

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:01:41 EDT

things have been a bit topsey-turvey around here lately but all is good. my sister-in-law brought the boys these "bloonies" - do you remeber them? i had not seen them in years but the smell brought memories rushing back. we had lots of fun playing with them.

when i was looking back at these pictures today, it made me think about how some bubbles pop at the slightest touch and others can be handled a bit more. life too can be so delicate that the slightest touch can set things off however, sometimes it can take your face being all smooshed up against it - how cool is that? nonetheless, hold it lightly in your palms giving it the freedom to stay or float away...

the above thoughts can be blamed on the philosophical mindset i'm in today :o) have a good weekend - i'll be chilling

introvert

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:43:28 EDT

i am introverted. i am fine with it but i do try to stretch myself now and then and the other day gave me that opportunity. i was driving along the west coast and passed a fish market. there was a table set out with a bright blue umbrella and fresh fish on the table below. i drove by and thought, "oh, i would love to take a picture of that" and something came over me, a voice said, "do it." i turned the car around and parked at the market. i got out, asked the man if i could take a picture, and ignored his stupse and off handed remark. i got back in the car and carried on. i surprised myself - do you know how many times i have done this and just carried on without going out on a limb? have you done this? my story does not end with me saying that the picture i took went on to win some kind of award or anything - it was just a good exercise and thought i would share it. stretch yourself, you may get a stupse or even be told no, but there is no feeling like trying.

did you laugh at me saying i am an introvert - an introvert who spews out all sorts or randomness on a blog for everyone to read? don't worry, i thought it was hilarious too ;o)

travel

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:40:44 EDT

my overdose on indian last week has me feeling island fever more than ever. i do love this little island, but travel is something i crave, i love, i long for. *sigh* one of these good days i will capture another place, but for now, i'll pretend i went to india...

more moisture

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:57:28 EDT

* * * disclaimer - angry typist - lost post after writing it, here i go again * * * not only did looking at those images make me feel a bit a softer yesterday, but spending some time with my mum. it was not a planned, way in advanced, for a special reason type of thing, just one of those "what do you have planned today" "where should we go" "oh, i need some new black flip flops" kind of things - and wala (however you spell that) - we had a nice, quiet, simple lunch, beautiful seaside view, even a breeze, did i mention quiet, and even a new pair of cute, aqua flip flops (black is so boring, right mum?). not even a sore throat could make that a bad day. and today is friday, so that trumps the sore throat again - so go away. thanks mum * and happy weekend!

filling my cup

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:46:51 EDT

i said i needed some 'moisturizer' yesterday and looking back at these images from a tea i went to over the weekend was exactly what i needed. seeing some of these small details is all i need to be reminded of how full my cup is and redily it is filled, just when i need it.

yummy things

pretty things

there is something about this image - even when i was taking it - something so beautiful...

how does your cup get filled?

haze*

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:34:59 EDT

i have been in a curry haze... i am trying to find that certain someone's email to thank them for getting me there, go find some curry quick and join me :o)

other than that, things have been a little bumpy in certain parts. i am feeling a little dried and weathered at the moment, need some moisturizure of sorts. you know how sometimes you get into a set of waves and it is hard to keep your head up and know which way is up, but you know that it will get calm again and you will be floating quietly, soon. soon...

pause*

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:26:40 EDT

i always seem to be in a rush - but i am always thinking and wanting to post. my little journal (that is not so private, but private is boring, private is not sharing) and the only way i will remember all these things that are whizzing by me is to post, to make the effort to pause. so just two little images from my weekend while i pause... it was a good weekend

bring it on monday!

endless

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:20:40 EDT

can you tell i'm holding on to summer. i keep going back to those images and smiling - it was a good one. i love change and i would love to have the change of seasons like so many enjoy. you are probably saying that i don't need to 'hold on' to summer because it stays summer all year here, but alas, summer is summer, the rest is just... well, the rest of the year. its hard to explain, anyone get that? but right now, the mountain of 'stuff' i have do is blocking out the sun and that is just not right, gotta run!

i think...

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:12:48 EDT

i think... that when it is dark and rainy out... splish splash!

what do you think?

sigh note

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:45:24 EDT

in all of my busyness - i have to remind myself... did you forget too?

brain overload

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:35:12 EDT

yes, i have been totally brain overloaded. wrapping my head around having two big boys back to school and all the million and one things to organize for them to settle in, completing projects, new projects, new ideas... i could go on and on and on. but sometimes, i just need to do 'it' - do something that is not on my list (that is usually the blog). i have all these great summer pix, great ones i keep going back to, ones that are heavy reminders, light memories... i love them. although summer is not officially over, it is for this little house and the members in it :o( so i keep looking back - above, our favourit-est place and the people that have become summer fixtures, playing their game.

two little pairs, i can almost feel the saltiness of that hair :o)

and my little ladies man again. my mind does not dare to wounder what he is thinking while following the girls into the sea... and oh to be young - missing you jade

perfection

and my last pictures from a summer afternoon out with my boys. this was just before haircuts. awe summer, i miss you - okay, back to work...

ready, set, start

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:14:03 EDT

yes, it is that time of year. to me, it is like a fresh start, more so than new years! the beginning of term, the beginning of a new school year! time to start new routines, get out of bad habits, exercise, eat healthy... who am i kidding? i started the term off yesterday with a nasty soar throat and no time for pictures, i took the kids for fast food chicken after school and lay down for the afternoon. but we will just move right along - we got our pictures this morning (do they look like a pair of goofs or what) and there were no tears. so today's the day: drop off - check, in the office - check, to do list made - check, crank the music and let's get some work done! (seriously internet - let's get some work d.o.n.e)

paths

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:05:33 EDT

i was out and about this weekend. after a quick download and peek, this is one of my favourites. sometimes the sun shines in a way that is as close to magic as anything i know. i hope everyone had a good weekend.

saturday morning...

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:30:53 EDT

this past saturday morning i went to the market. it was a rainy morning and i was just tagging along. it was fantastic. i had a great time soaking up the colours (of the produce and the people!) it was an experience that must be had again.

i loved this spice table - something about the colours and the collection - i love collections.

and as we were leaving i could not resist the pigeons. for some reason when i see pigeons i think mary poppins and can hear their coo's. it was a great morning.

magical

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:47:25 EDT

i'll be brief because things are busy and the internet is misbehaving (seems to be the trend around here)... anyway, we popped into a property last week called fisherpond. this place brings to mind secret gardens, fairies and storytales. we did not stay long becuase the boys and i were, well, let's just say we were not on the same page.

tye was most interested in the birds and we tried to understand their squawks and calls. there are so many details to focus on with these beautiful birds - their eyes, their colour, their antics!

we tried not to interup the little lives living in this magical place but i couldn't resist capturing mr yellow breast, enjoying his bath... happy monday!

l.i.f.e

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:48:04 EDT

just in case you were wondering - i'm still here! this thing called life can be hectic, beautiful, confusing, simple, chaotic, stressful, happy - one thing at a time and everything at once. but i'm still here, in some ways more than others. above - this boy can sleep, he is putting in some serious practice for when he is a teenage, but oh how i love to watch him dream. below - a little something i read and has been on my mind. oh so true, a good reminder that this is a process, a journey, and i am a traveller and a dreamer...

guest *

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:35:14 EDT

like so many, i have thoughts and ideas (some crazy, some looney) and some days they are forgotten, left untouched and left to fade into distant memory. but sometimes, every now and then, they are remembered, acted upon, taken by the reins and followed through. i had asked a few friends to send me their 'thoughts' a while ago, anything that tugged at them to share and i would in turn share them so that they would inspire others and it would not just be my ramblings left... well... rambling on here. with some prodding, janelle followed through (yah janelle!) i read and related - how many times have i thought, dreamed, envisioned, and never followed through? her words came without an image and i decided to wait, not to post her message right away. was this another lesson in follow through? when i saw her words again, i thought it was, but as i dissected the message it became more, just as her experience had. i question my photography and sharing, but it is not about the 'grade' - i am believing and i am so thankful to have people remind me of that. thanks janelle - for seeing your task through!

just trust*

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:04:12 EDT

i came across this image while editing and thought of a few people (including myself) and when that happens, i try to share. when i typed the title, "just trust" i thought, "just?" that word gives the impression of, it's easy, it does not ask a lot, it only takes a little, and i was going to erase it. but then i thought, no. i kept it because to me it says, only, nothing else, simply, nothing but, no more than. think about it - j.u.s.t.

pretty places

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:52:58 EDT

oh summer *sigh* you tease me with thoughts of sunny days and cool breezes, endless time to daydream and sip rum punch, late nights and sleepy mornings... oh how you tease. instead - the clouds come and go making you constantly guess and never plan, daydreams are interrupted with cries of, "i'm bored!", and the nights are late but the mornings seem not to notice. ah, reality... where's my rum punch?

work still goes on (that's a good thing, don't get me wrong) - i photographed a family here and it was gorgeous! there are so many little details and this day was quite overcast so i must go back ;o)

and we even had extra company

barbadiana

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:39:06 EDT

yesterday was grand kadooment in barbados, the celebrating of crop over, a carnival style celebration that the sugar cane crop season is over. those things hardly come to mind as they are over powered by colour, beads and drinks!

the girls looked beautiful in their bright colours, sparkles and feathers!

we enjoyed snow cones and ring pops, and waited for the colours to come...

...and they came. the colours helped to brighten things up, but the dark clouds loomed and people were prepared.

we kept an eye out for key people and even joined in with a few :o)

and then it all ends on the coast, with those gray skies and tired legs. tired revelers - we hope you are not too tired today.

balloons

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:33:05 EDT

its a rainy day today but yesterday was great. balloons are the most fantastic things and i think everyone had a great time. the balloons were filled with water and thrown, they were almost impossible to blow up (before we realized there was a technique) and used as swords. try it, the next time you are at a loss for entertainment, get your hands on some balloons and exercise those lungs (but try not to burst a blood vessel!). my little party animal had so much fun and passed out quickly at the end of it all. i am keeping this short because i don't seem to be getting anywhere with my stuff... i hope the whole year is full of fun and balloons tye guy :o)

omg *

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:08:29 EDT

he is sweet, stubborn and funny. he loves stuffed animals, the colour orange, bugs and drawing. he loves dressing in jeans and collared shirts. he is afraid of monkeys and the dark but loves scooby doo. his favourite songs are dynamite, dirty bit, fly on the wall and i just can't get enough - he has killer dance moves. he bugs his brother because he loves him. he find his way to my bed every-single-night. he talks funny and makes funny faces. did i mention he is stubborn? he loves alvin and the chipmunks and watching documentaries of animals (snakes and crocks especially). he is wishing for a 'sausage dog' or any kind of dog for that matter. he is so excited that it is finally his birthday, and if he sees you today, he will ask you if you have a present for him! happy birthday tye guy - we love you so much!

grow

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:15:01 EDT

we have a dwarf coconut tree in our back yard and it is one of those things that is at the top of my "will hate to leave" list when we move (if we ever move..). i could list all the things i love about it, but i won't. i took the above image a few days ago as i wondered around it, admiring it, and noticed this new growth that i had not noticed before. so many things grow, develop and change without us ever noticing - i'm glad i noticed this though. right now - i'm still struggling to balance 1. kids always wanting entertainment 2. house work and 3. work * blah

finally *

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:15:49 EDT

its official - the cousins are here so summer is finally in full gear. we had a full day of waking up from having a sleep over guest, trying to get some work done and welcoming cousins - phew, it was so much fun i thought i would not be able to contain myself ;o)

another year has past and when they get together, it just brings it home to me how much they have grown - the awkward "hi, i haven't see you in a year!, look what i have (the latest 'favourite' toy), you know what i did (the most recent 'great' thing in their mind), remember what we played last year (that's so last year), and let's do ______ now!"

so we celebrated their arrival and the birthday we missed - but there is so much more to celebrate and get doing - so before they ask me again - let's go!

i think i'm in...

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:56:12 EDT

trouble - and i think that trouble is spelt with a capital T(ye)! there is no doubt that my youngest is very social and loves attention, he was in heaven this past weekend as he had the attention of three, yes t.h.r.e.e. little ladies. that face just screams trouble!

it was another perfect summer afternoon - sand.sea.sun.fun - have i mentioned i love summer?

summer time*

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:48:45 EDT

we are in serious summer mode - late nights and sleepy mornings, staying in pajamas way too late (or should i say 'lounge ware' jade? ;o), way too much screen time (i'm feeling like a bad parent in that department), board games and card games (tye beats me at memory e.v.e.r.y time). we are trying to hold off from the beach until my sister and her kids come because when they do get here it will be beach, beach, beach! i am still going through pictures from our short, coastal stay but i'm getting there. my nephew is getting so grown up, he looks summer ready in his cute little hat doesn't he?

he had a great time beating the 'pool' drum and was always on the move! summer is here and we're feelin' alright.

together *

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:01:40 EDT

i don't think i have done anything for ten years!

you think i'm pretty without any make-up on, you think i'm funny when i tell the punch line wrong (katy perry) these lyrics could not be more appropriate (especially looking at this picture) not only do i barely wear make-up but i am horrible at telling jokes, but he loves me despite these things. he does make me feel like i'm living a teenage dream.

a little *

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:46:00 EDT

i enjoyed watching this little guy one day - or maybe he was watching me...?

i heart

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:40:52 EDT

i have written of my love for coconuts before. there is just something about them from beginning to end, inside and out, the tree, the branches, every inch of every piece.

during our stay on the east coast we picked one, chopped it open, drank the water and ate the yummy crunchy inside (i don't know all the correct terms for handling coconuts). i love when they have more of a jelly inside, but i guess this one had matured passed that. the boys tried the water and declared their taste buds had not changed since the last time i had coerced them into trying it. at least i tried.

to me, nothing says island more than a coconut. i would have them planted in pots in my house if they could live, they can't right? rob and i sometimes talk about a farm and all sorts of crazy things and i always say it would be too stinky - i would prefer a coconut farm - but i would not be the one climbing those trees! hmm, i may have to go and find myself some ice, cold coconut water today - how about you?

i am *

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:59:28 EDT

as i was thinking about someone and thinking of an image i could send to them, i came up with the above. the more i looked at it and thought about it, i realized that we are all waiting... for different things of course. some small, some big. sometimes we want it to hurry up and other times we don't want it to come at all. 'it' will always come but sometimes not when we want it, sometimes not in the way/form we thought about it. for the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

full

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 07:45:17 EDT

life is full. life keeps on trucking. just when i think i am going to get some time - time to work on family photo books of years gone by, time to read a book, time to daydream, time to stop and smell the roses - i find myself staying up too late 'getting stuff done', scrambling from one thing to the next, having a way too long to do list, throwing dinners together and yelling at my kids to 'just find something to do!'

but we're keeping it light, we're keep it easy and we're definitely keeping it goofy! i have heaps of blog posts to catch up on but i can't seem to get dig through all the images while fighting for the use of my computer, getting laundry done... you get the picture. i hope everyone's summer is going well and you are keeping things goofy as well!

break in transmission

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:24:27 EDT

there is going to be slight break in transmission here on the blog. posts may be random all summer, but for the next week, i am going to try and... *i can't even think of the word* marinate, maybe? just soak up the sun and breeze, enjoy the kids splashing in the pool and sea. we are beaching it over on the east coast of the island and keeping it simple is key! i wish i could take a vacation from my brain, but i don't think that is possible, legally anyway.

i don't think they are going to tire of bombing!

day 1: some new little crabbies and friends to dive up from the bottom of the pool. awe, brotherly love is as strong as ever

one word*

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:33:24 EDT

dear summer 2011, i cannot believe you are here already. it feels like just yesterday we were thinking about easter and you were a bit too far to start counting down to. we are so glad you are here because you bring so many great things; our daughter/sister from florida, random pancake breakfasts and bacon too, late nights & sleep-ins, early mornings on the wii, sand, swimming & sun, cousins from florida too, there is even a birthday in there and a little anniversary! we hope you feel gentle this year, with breezy summer days with some showers just sprinkled in. we hope your turbulent moods stay out to sea and you just stay calm and relaxed. we promise to stop and be thankful and document our adventures. with ten weeks of s.u.m.m.e.r we will do our best to fill them up* i hope you do too!

time...

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:37:30 EDT

time is ticking on today and my wheels are spinning. the rain is falling. the sky is gloomy. brain empty. tick. tock.

however, i have been feeling challenged. after doing a few portrait sessions with subjects not in the 'pulling faces is cute' category (in.other.words not kids) i have been wondering how i would react to being on the other side of the camera and seeing my self. also, would i look for all my flaws or would i embrace my brown spots, wrinkles and lines, strands of grey, my 'bad side'? how would i feel, vulnerable or bold? i was also struck by the fact that i could not find a picture of myself to submit to a magazine other than the one i had taken a few months ago for another issue of the same said magazine! i had read this post a while ago and it had to sit with me for a while (that is not unusual) however, it took me a while to be able to admit that i do press delete more often than i should and i do want my kids to remember me - the real me.

are you in pictures?

disclaimer - heavy post

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:01:23 EDT

would ice cream taste so good if it was not fattening? would we pour our hearts out to our loved one if we knew they would be there tomorrow, the day after and the day after that? would a song with a great beat but rude lyrics sound as good with pure lyrics? would you not touch your cell phone/bb if someone said that they dreamt that you had an accident today? would you work too much to give your kids everything if i told you they will always love you and make the kind of life they ultimately want for themselves? would you secretly want your friend's life if you knew they cried themselves to sleep every night? would you rather not love and never get hurt or love deeply not knowing if your heart will be crushed? would you shout at your child if you knew someone was watching? i have spent way too much time this morning thinking of these things, trying to figure out how to express myself. if you think this blog post is a result of you, then it is. my heart aches for all those people wishing for something else, regretting, would of- could of-should of, not doing, not being. i do it too, i am not saying that all is hunky dory with me - those of you who know me, know better - but i just want you to know that you are not alone. perspective is an amazing tool, yes t-o-o-l. it works for you, against you, you can change it, keep it the same - just think about it, think about your perspective. be aware of it and see what happens. nothing? something? i don't know where i first saw/read the saying below, but all i know is that it spoke to me so much so that i printed it out, cut it out and it has been in my wallet for years. my wallets have changed, pictures have been added but it has stayed. when facebook started it went on my profile as my quote - whoa, heavy. it has always been there and i don't think i really realized how much it is a part of me and my perspective until today (but i think i always knew).

work like you don't need the money

love like you've never been hurt

dance like nobody is watching

the last line - my boys are totally into dancing and music recently, and it struck me how much this little line says. when my boys think that they are not being watched, they go all out! as soon as they realize eyes are on them, they change, they tone it down, they do something different. one of them actually goes as far as to hide when he is dancing! i struggle with this line the.most! do you do this (not literally while your dancing) in life? what if no-one was watching?

always...

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:31:51 EDT

did anyone think that i forgot it was father's day? my own father may have but i did call and wish him happy father's day. dad (i know he reads my blog sometimes) thank you for being such a great dad - you provide me with an amazing example of a great husband, father, grandfather and person in general. my dad and i don't have a lot of heart-to-heart's but i know he worries about me, cares for me and i feel his love and hope he feels mine in our own way. his work ethic, family values, love of grease (the movie), elvis, campers and more, mean so much in so many ways. thanks for being you dad, i love you <3

enough already?

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:54:14 EDT

have you had enough of the flowers? i am not typically a flowery person, but a trip to the flower forest and a folder full of flower images will cause one to give them a closer look. in retrospect, i do have quite a collection of flora and fauna, maybe it is subconscious - the life of a flower doesn't seem too shabby.

in my effort to "fix my gaze directly before me" (adapted from Proverbs 4:25) it doesn't hurt to put on some rose coloured glasses, maybe they'll help.

explore*

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:19:59 EDT

i went on another field trip and we went exploring the flower forest. i had not been since i was my boys' age (i think) and it was great to share in their excitement - again. honestly, i think all you really have to do is 1. tell the kids they are going on a field trip ("yay!) 2. take them on a bus ("woohoo!") 3. have a picnic ("sweet"). but no, we tried our best to listen to our tour guide, we tried hard not too pick flowers/touch spiky plants/crush millipedes and we survived the heat - it was a great day.

maybe bored is a harsh word - the information was just a little over their heads, but they did very well trying to stay attentive - note to self, need to teach my children they put their hand over their yawn!

there really were some beautiful flowers to see and amazing plants. we really do live in a tropical paradise. paradise is just sometimes a bit hot!

another school year is coming to an end and we survived another round of school trips. i know i will look back and remember fondly, our adventures and explorations! this week is short (again) and i am struggling to remember what day it is honestly. happy tuesday, i mean wednesday - it is wednesday right?

magic moments

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:03:04 EDT

random - when i take certain pictures that i like, i want to share, and sometimes coming up with a word/phrase is tiring - so there. i saw this, i liked it, i took a picture...

there was just something about the environment, the sky was grey and cloudy, i was hot and sweaty, the humidity (i was like, "just rain already!) but things just kept popping out to me. then this morning, that artist i love so much kal barteski wrote this - "i like winging it MORE than organizing specific thoughts because i feel like the moment brings the magic." omg (as they used to say) that one little sentence sums me up in so many ways i want it tattooed somewhere.

okay - enough spontaneity - i have a to-do list to tackle and a limited time to tackle in. tomorrow is friday and it's a long weekend, double delight!

six kids, three courses, one happy birthday

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:09:55 EDT

i have great neighbours! it was hannah's birthday yesterday and her parents planned a three course dinner for her. it was perfect. dad dressed up as the waiter (even picked them up in his car, never mind they are just two jogs across the road), mum was the cook...

they were made to feel special, made to feel grown up. i was reminded - it's the s-i-m-p-l-e things in life that mean the most. i had my boys requesting their own three-course dinner for their birthdays (copy cats!). after dinner they boogied down in the living room and as their 'loot bags' they were given their own copies of 'hannah's birthday mix' (so 80's i love it!). side note: hannah's dad had called the night before asking for music suggestions, i had a few! my morning was made super easy this morning because the boys could not wait to get in the car and listen to their mix!

so happy birthday hannah - and great job parents! you proved that a little thought and preparation can transform into a special, meaningful event. six little guests + three simple courses = one special birthday (sprinkle in some good dance tunes and it's icing on the cake!)

just ask

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:38:19 EDT

i had not done one of these for a while

chaos

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:46:13 EDT

something happened this weekend. somehow, i pulled out printed pictures from a trip taken more than eight years ago; somehow, i unearthed stickers, papers, glue sticks, staplers and more, and they were not descended upon by one mr. tye warren; somehow, i started to scrapbook some old, great memories; somehow, i have to live with this chaos until i complete this mad, crazy occurrence! i am not sure i can handle this kind of chaos, so i better get-it-done-quick ;o) maybe i'll share - i'll think about it.

uninvited

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:31:07 EDT

this visual just about sums up the way i am feeling. i told sore throat not to invite any friends, but they were rude and showed up anyway. so i'm hanging out with runny nose, stuffy head and just plain lazy bones. whatever, it's friday... hope everyone has a good one...

hello - goodbye

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:27:24 EDT

well hello there little neighbour. we were so happy to meet brandy a year ago, peaking through the fence next door. she is still small and hardly ever barks, but she hops like a little bunny rabbit, it is too funny.

and now we say hello to duchess. duchess is brandy's brand new playmate. i don't remember brandy being so small, but then again i can't believe my kids were once tiny, little newborns! duchess seems feisty and playful and looks as though she is not doing a bad job holding her own when it comes to playing with brandy. tye is over the moon and asking for his very own, once again - one day tye guy, one day...

goodbye - sore throat. i don't care to have you around, don't make yourself comfortable and don't invite any of your friends - runny nose, headache or cough! you all are not welcome here. and can you believe hello june and goodbye may? what the kaboodles?

show off

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:20:07 EDT

when toby found out he was going on a class trip to the wild life reserve i knew what was coming... "will you come mum?" i have been to the wild life reserve (with both boys individually), i have seen the menagerie of animals... "of course toby, i'll come." i love animals, but i do not love animals kept in captivity and the number of tortoises is unhealthy (okay, maybe not unhealthy, but gross). anyway, i boarded the bus, dreading the day but all in all, it was a good day. i got to accompany toby, on what for him, was an exciting day and i noticed how different he was this time around - more grown up, noticing different things, asking all sorts of questions. it is not often that i get to interact with toby and tye on an individual basis, and i'm glad i did not pass up the opportunity just because i did not want to see a bunch of stinky tortoises, scraggly deer and gross snakes... anyway - toby's favourite part was seeing he peacocks. they were standing right in the middle of our path and they even showed off their feathers!

it is so unfair how beautiful the males are, the girls just don't come close! isn't it ironic us humans have it completely turned around? the males are colourful and extravagant and they even shake their tail feathers - us humans... it's the girls that have to be all colourful and extravagant and we won't discuss any tail feather shaking!

so i'm happy i saw the peacocks, i'm happy i got to spend time with toby and i'm happy i can put another class trip behind me. next up - flower forest with tye (at least it does not involve stinky poop!).

the busy*ness

Tue, 31 May 2011 19:10:12 EDT

it is not that i have not wanted to blog. i have been busy and honestly, not had much to say. i have not had time/really felt like looking through some of the images i have taken recently. i find that i go through phases, ebbs and flows or maybe i should just be honest - i am moody. i am in no bad mood, upset mood or anything like that right now, just busy and preoccupied. preoccupied with trying to sell a house, pay bills, pay attention to my family, keep the house clean incase anyone wants to see it (does anyone want to see it?), stay motivated and creative for my clients and just have purpose. yuck, life can be such a mundane muddle sometimes. how do you like these flowers? i thought they were pretty one afternoon as i waited to pick up the boys. i think it is a vine of some sort, but not a nice one. i think it is one of those kinds that grow on trees/bushes, feeding off of them. as i flicked through some recent shots, there was something quiet about it that made me like it...

all aboard...

Thu, 26 May 2011 16:25:39 EDT

i am on the font train and i can't get off. i have always loved stationery - paper, envelopes, pens, stamps, yada yada yada - but in this digital world, you gotta get with the program! fonts are my 'stationery' and i can waste some serious time and get some serious cross eyes browsing this guilty pleasure. i hope to capture a few more images like the one above this summer...

hearts always make the heart flutter and doesn't the expression say, "awwwe"?

still just playing around with the fonts - however, i have had the above thought on my mind. think about it, when you live on a small island, where does the blood come from? last year, i was asked to donate for someone i knew who had the same type as me. i had donated in university, but donating blood is not one of those things you happily schedule in like a hair cut or even the dentist (i hate the dentist but that is a separate issue). anyway... the blood bank is just around the corner from my kids' school - the people there were very friendly - after a few questions and a little prick of my finger, i was seated in a comfy chair - my veins are sometimes a bit shy, so i was a bit nervous, but the nurse was gentle and precise - i sat, squeezed my little rubber ball and before i knew it, i was drinking my fruit juice and being told about not doing too much for the rest of the day - all in under 30 minutes! i was so impressed. that day, i decided to schedule it (you can only donate every three months). i have since been back and everything was smooth again, so it was scheduled again in my blackberry. i know, needles are no one's best friend and you may be a bit squeamish but you could be helping save a life. i know it is not for everyone and not everyone can do it because of high blood pressure and other sorts of things, but in case you had not thought of it (as i had not) think about. are you scared? are you too busy? if you need a blood buddy, let me know, i'm going again in august, i'll go with you...

mary mary quite contrary...

Wed, 25 May 2011 12:49:00 EDT

...how does your garden grow? things have been busy around here and i like it that way. when things are busy, things get done and i am all about things getting d-o-n-e. i can smell summer just around the corner and that freaks me out a bit - because summer means no school, no school means kids need occupying, kids need occupying means i don't get what i want to do done. but it also means a whole lot of other important stuff and if i could just figure out how to combine family important stuff with work important stuff i would have a really awesome summer lined up!

i love fonts and other little designs so when i was browsing some fonts i thought i would play around with these little blooms...

this is one of my favourite pictures and sayings all wrapped into one. *bloom*

sneaky

Mon, 23 May 2011 10:25:57 EDT

i was trying to be sneaky, hiding behind bushes, trying to capture them as they plotted - but alas, i was spotted! these three - they talk and discuss what they are going to play more than they actually play. they are full of squeals and ideas for secret clubs. we stayed close to home this weekend. we did a lot of nothing and even more screen watching. i was horrified to learn that the daily recommended screen time is one/two hours! between trying to enforce limited-screen time and eating-vegetables, we score low, but in the spending-quality-time and getting feet-dirty, we score high!

we took another step in the 'selling our house' task. the boys did not do anything crazy like pulling up the sign and hiding it, so i think we are doing okay. we did get laundry done, finished up a dolphin project, and played some go-fish and monopoly. i would say it was good weekend, now here's to a good week!

it's the weekend (kind of)

Fri, 20 May 2011 09:22:57 EDT

we spent some time at the beach after school yesterday. it was bright and sunny and the waves were big - just the way the boys like them. they battle them, jump in them and get swept away with them. i sit there like a hawk, watching to make sure they are okay, but i also watch them and marvel at the fun they have being tossed about, they laugh and squeal - i love it. while sitting on the sand where the waves wash up around me i was aware of the feeling of the bubbles. sometimes when the water is turbulent, it creates all these bubbles as if the sea is carbonated. if you rest your hands lightly on top as they wash ashore, they tingle... the next time you find yourself at the beach on a rough day, try it :o)

i took this picture years ago and i have always loved it, but now it will remind me of the afternoon i sat and watched the boys battle the mighty waves and the feeling of bubbles...

yesterday was thursday and friday all wrapped up in one and now today is all about juggling chores, play time and a bit of work. i am getting better at tackling small work items so that i don't explode every time a little person asks me to do something - so i'll do some typing then play a game of 'go fish', after putting a load of laundry in the dryer that is. not sure what the weather is doing, but hey... its the weekend!

opening jars and getting stuff done

Wed, 18 May 2011 11:35:52 EDT

so the week is wrapping up and it is only wednesday. lots was done yesterday and the trend continues. it is h-o-t here. it is not just, island, summer hot (even though it is only may), it is sweaty, feel-grimy-at-the-end-of-the-day, yucky hot. everyone is complaining. i was complaining this morning because it happened again - the jar that did not want to open. has anyone had this problem? what do little old ladies that live by themselves do? they don't get to enjoy jam, pickles or olives? i get home from the supermarket after purchasing my favourite pickles, i have dreamed up my sandwich, i pack everything away and start making my sandwich. then it happens - i can't get the jar open. i sigh, i huff, i puff. i laugh at myself. i hit the bottom of the jar, i tap the cover, i get the kitchen towel. i take a break. i give it a stare down... i say, 'one more try.' e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y i get it, i always do - i never give up. but i cannot imagine how silly i look. it is as though the jar is being a little cheeky but then gives in and lets me open it. sigh* i enjoyed my sandwich...

short*

Tue, 17 May 2011 09:43:21 EDT

it's another short week around here and that means motivation - i need to get things done and out the way so me and the boys can have some fun on friday. the to do list is long and i absolutely hate when there are open ended items on there like 'sell house' and 'update website'. i also hate when 'clean bathrooms' gets on there because that means it has moved past 'to do' and is now 'must to do' bleck. there is typing to be done and the kids' bible lesson to be ironed out (no matter how many times i say i am going to have the lesson all planned out, it is always last minute and that is so not cool). happily, a quick catch up with a friend is also in the planner before school pick up - and that's always cool :o) can you believe it is past the half way mark in may and i have not taken one 'personal' picture, not good enough! but because i cannot post without a pic, i'll put up a nice sunny one (or two), because we have been having some gorgeous weather. be productive

...and so it goes

Mon, 16 May 2011 07:25:30 EDT

i think i have just about gotten over my 'why do i do this' sulk. maybe we all need a little slump here and there to be able to say, 'i am back.' country singers must go through some of those break ups to get those lyrics, artists must experience turmoil to be able to paint moody masterpieces... right? so let's skip right along and i will continue to learn lessons from all around me. not once, but twice last week, my boys taught me to just 'get over it and move right along.' one of our bunny rabbits died and i waited for the right moment to break the news. the news was taken in by wide, worried eyes and you could see as it was processed and understood, and then... "can we get another one?" phew, no tears, a little emotion and moving right along.... then i broke the news about selling our house. their initial reaction was a great big, "n-o" but by the time we got home, they were imagining where we would move to, all the things possible (and impossible, but i won't tell them that yet) and wanting to know when we needed to pack! whoa nelly! we have to find someone who will buy our house first! so just a reminder - look on the bright side. sometimes we need down days to have up days. we need cloudy days and rain just as much as we need sunny, breezy days. we need valleys in order to have hills and mountains - i know we all know that, but sometimes we need to know it.

there is always a rainbow...

quiet*time

Thu, 05 May 2011 10:23:31 EDT

i am no 'artist' in the painting sense of the word, but sometimes you have to submit to something that comes upon you - like i did when i could not get these words and thoughts out my head until i did something. i thought i would share...

speaking of sharing... i looked it up

verb [ trans. ]

have a portion of (something) with another or others : he shared the piewith her | all members of the band equally share the band's profits.• [ trans. ] give a portion of (something) to another or others : moneyraised will be shared between the two charities.• use, occupy, or enjoy (something) jointly with another or others

it was the "enjoy jointly" that i loved about the definition and miss. i use living on a small island as an excuse for not getting the 'inspiration' from others, making the connections (its beauty and other such inspire me immensely) but i know that it is not the island as much as it is me. but as #362. jumped out at me, i decided that i need to be silent, quiet for a while in this space. i will be back, but better to be back with a definition, a path. i know it is okay to step off the path, but i feel as though i am in no-man's-land, and that's no fun, for me or for anyone to read about! so if you want, find me on facebook (the little icon to the right will take you there) and i'll let you know when i've found my path.

keep inspired

Wed, 04 May 2011 15:52:07 EDT

i am trying to keep inspired. the endless rainy days are not making it easy and some days are just better than others, but that's life. yesterday was a difficult day, when things just seemed 'heavy' and my glasses were far from rose-coloured. if only the below was true - i mean, really true. it did speak to me though, so i am always thankful for the amazing kal barteski - always an inspiration

sweet*ness

Tue, 03 May 2011 16:04:11 EDT

i don't think this little one year old could get any cuter! she made my afternoon easy with smiles and coos! with seven other siblings, maybe easy going is a must!

a is for abi

b is for block

rain*

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:38:02 EDT

oh my goodness... it is the dry season, but all i have wanted to do is what mr. turtle is doing - stay inside! it has poured and drizzled, and poured some more. our plethora of bank holidays have been spent mainly inside, and as great as that has been for me getting stuff done, it just doesn't feel as though we have really had the time off :o( my 'getting stuff done' has been marred by a glitch in some of my software and i feel as though i am turning into a crazed scientist trying to fathom some unfathomable mystery! i am on the verge of sending out smoke signals to an invisible computer wizard that will sneak into my computer, like a little elf while i'm sleeping, and fix my problems... sigh* until then, i'm back to trolling the help forums - unless the sun comes out - yeah right! wishful thinking all round!

family*art

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:19:38 EDT

today feels like monday, but guess what, its friday! it is rainy (again) and usually that would not bother me too much, but i have a photo session this afternoon and we would like the sun to make an appearance :o( so fingers crossed, the clouds will blow away, and like the island weather that we love, the sun will come out. i have been feeling a bit 'arty' recently and was inspired by a picture i saw, to draw this on my blackboard in my kitchen. toby knew exactly what it represented the moment he saw it - "you and dad at the top, me and tye on the middle branch and jade flying." i was impressed by his introspection and then he says, "is the fatter one me or tye?" i love it! happy friday!

sandcastles

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:26:21 EDT

it is another rainy day, but i am daydreaming, listening to bob (marley), feeling island inspired. can you hear the waves?

various

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:32:07 EDT

yes, varied. this weekend was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. family, movies, worship, food, more family, work, food, more food... i don't need to eat for the rest of the week! it was tough getting up and taking the boys to school this morning, but i just had to remind myself that we get a few more holidays just to keep this week and next week interesting! the ring is from a special event that i had the pleasure of capturing and of course i had to send a little thank you to my cousin who did a great job making easter special :o) i was thankful for the gifts of baked bread, surprise easter eggs, time spent with family & friends and so much more.

remember

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:42:43 EDT

i am happy to say that i have been oh-so-busy but there is a fine line between busy and oh-so-busy! i get a certain way when i don't get some alone time, time to think, to muddle through my million-miles-a-minute-mind. sometimes i think i don't have the minute but then i see*. i drove into a car park and BAMM! "you have a minute sofie." so i sat and soaked up the minute, the minute of bright yellow, against the grey, quiet. do you see it?

we are looking forward to the crazy little break that we get right after our 'easter break' (the one that happened before easter, but we won't go there...) i help with a little, kids bible study, and sometimes i think i learn more than the kids, but once someone is learning right ;o) i said to the kids, "what do we remember at christmas?" yes, Jesus' birthday. "so what do we remember at easter?" so often, we get caught up in the egg hunts, the cute little easter bunnies and cupcakes and cards... but it is to remember Jesus - His death, the amazing gift God gave us. for all you parents out there, sit for a minute and *see* that - it is powerful.

i do hope that everyone has a special easter - this is the extent of my easter decorating :o) i love my little easter guys <3

a busy one

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:48:06 EDT

i had a busy weekend - anyone else? it was filled with birthday celebrations, easter eggs and time together. i'm happy it is a short week so i can have another busy, fun filled weekend!

phew

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:44:19 EDT

that's just about all i can say right now.

paint

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:02:13 EDT

i have been busy - busy juggling home, work and me - i have had some great photo sessions and don't even mention, school started back. usually i love holidays, but his past break was spent with my mind more on getting our house ready to be put on the market, me struggling more and more with "who am i as an artist" and other heavy questions - questions that cannot be answered while trying to occupy, feed and be present for two growing boys. so anywayyy... time keeps ticking and the 'quiet' is mine again, at least from 8am - 2pm at the most ;o) i spent a little time a few days ago, with a wonderful woman - a mother to three girls and soon to be forth, or maybe a boy? how many of us can say they got to paint their mum's tummy? the connections between them were inspiring and left me thinking maybe i could be a girly girl, maybe.

maybe you'll be inspired to share a creative moment with someone you love <3

quiet*

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:27:15 EDT

sigh* it is the last day of holidays and on one hand i feel as though i have not accomplished much - but on the other, i know i have. this is going to be short because i have a medium sized person standing next to me singing the "can i go on the computer" song. so in order to try and live a quiet life, i will wait to philosophize tomorrow... until then, be quiet.

just can't get*

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:40:32 EDT

enough of this song...

it gives me goose bumps, it stays in my head, i l-o-v-e it. i love the way 'the peas' blend four amazing, talented people together. each bring something different but it always result in the same thing - sweet music. sounds like something to strive for in every day life... hmmm. i read an article by will-i-am a while ago and it brought a new appreciation to the band and their music. i even photo copied the article, i'll have to find it. well, it is has been a bit of a rough week with so much going on, but it's friday! let's see what creativity happens on the weekend and i'll see ya later >

brain*overload

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:49:52 EDT

over the last few years, odd years have brought big changes - i met robert, i married robert, we had toby, we had tye, we moved into our own home, i started my business... hello 2011. i wondered what the 'change' was going to be and looked forward to it, because i l-o-v-e change. i am the type of person (as i am sure has been mentioned before) that will re-arrange my furniture every couple of months, that always wants a new hairstyle, and on and on... well, it looks as though this year will be 'sells house.' yes, we have decided to sell our home and 'make' it somewhere else. i say 'make' because i mean that wherever we move to and live, we will make it our home. i am excited, a little concerned about the boys, sad in some respects but know and feel a peace about our decision. so now we have to make the next step - selling - yikes, yuck, yow-sers. i have no idea, i am totally lost. what do we tell the kids, or not tell the kids, what price do we ask, where do i start to pack up and organize? ugh, my brain hurts trying to figure it all out. not to mention, the other life still goes on - clothes still need to be washed, dinner made, kids entertained... oh yeah, and i have work! yes, i have work to do!!! just a bit if brain overload, how will it all be done - any suggestions?

trying to have pleasant, peaceful thoughts :o) nothing like wispy clouds and blue skies...

someone's birthday

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:41:01 EDT

i wasn't sure if to share the slideshow i made for rob for his birthday but then i just could not resist... hope it inspires in one way or another...

m(*s)

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:06:51 EDT

molly - always happy

march - goodbye

mind-boggling - life

mayhem - in my house

mcdonald's (cheeseburger, fries and chocolate shake) - can only wish for

courage

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:13:53 EDT

well our day yesterday did not follow the well thought out plan, but who cares? it turns out our oil was not the best oil, but at least i did not have to look after throwing it away and the boys learnt a little something about biodiesel. my idea was put on the back burner and we went to watch a movie instead. a very 'boy/kid' movie but at least i love movies enough to make it all okay. so what's in store for today, does it really matter? today the question of self has surfaced and for some reason i think it is going to change the way i do a few things. is it only an artist that struggles with this question? are we the only ones that constantly asks and feels that they have to know who they are? i am trying to be okay, to have the courage to be just me, to just be who i am. on our to do list: my mum is back from her trip, so we'll definitely be going for a visit and then we'll see where the wind blows us ;o)

sparse*

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:14:31 EDT

things may be a bit sparse around here with spring break in full effect! the house is a mess, the mornings are slow and time spent together is welcome. friday felt a bit longer than i had liked, so plans are being made, lists are being written because we have to have some sort of goal so i don't go crazy, anyone know what i mean? today: a trip to recycle our cooking oil, pelican village to investigate an idea of mine and who knows what else may pop up. so much on the mind, so much to do... one step at a time!

always looking for treasure and always finding it! wrinkle-y fingers and beautiful shells <3

sb11

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:35:25 EDT

oh yes, as usual, i don't know who is happier, me, the boys or the working people that can leave home a half hour later than usual! i am ready and geared up for a quality-family-kids-photo-creative-jampacked spring break. i think we may need to start with laundry and a bit of tidying if we hope to be dressed and be able to find anything! spring is here!

you forget*

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:18:14 EDT

i was reminded today how easily, and quickly we forget. i spent a little time with a little one this morning and was reminded of my time, not so long ago, with my own little ones (who are definitely not sooo little!) the feeding, the changing... oh how they grow and change before our very eyes!

and how lucky to have an artistic grandma to make your room special!

so it was a rainy day, but not a gloomy one. it is half day at school tomorrow and then easter break (even though easter is not falling during the holidays - huh?) but we are looking forward to sleep-ins and go-slows. we'll let you know if we succeed in any of our things-to-dos like kite flying and off roading...

toby jack

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:05:18 EDT

dear toby, i was not surprised when you got the conduct badge a few weeks ago at school. i think you were getting a bit worried because you had not received a badge yet, but i explained that sometimes the teachers need to give the badges to the kids that have to try harder at being nice/well behaved. i could see you mulling this over and i guess it was acceptable enough. i love that you mull things over, i love that you ask me questions that i cannot answer causing me to question those same things. i always promise to 'google' it when we get home and hope you remind me to do so. i wish i could record all the things you ask and wonder about. please keep asking and wondering. you have so much going on in that head of yours, i wish i could see inside. you are sensitive to a fault and loving beyond words. you remind me that it's getting late and you should go to bed but you will always stay up to listen to dad read you your chapter books. you shy away from confusion and anything too boisterous, even your diet is uncomplicated consisting of waffles, plain pizza and egg (not exactly, but those are the mains), when are you going to like chili or spaghetti? you would go from the wii, to the ds to a movie if i let you. you remember exact quotes from movies and always ask if i remember the tiniest detail from that movie we watched together a few weeks ago, how do you do that? you have been an old soul from the day you were born. you are sneezy and quirky and you can talk the hind legs off a donkey. thank you for never passing up the chance to tell me you love me and i hope i never miss my chance to say it back to you. love your mum xoxo...

priorities

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:07:48 EDT

it seems as though everywhere i look - on my favorite blogs, the books that have been surrounding me, the devotions that have been sent to me - are all shouting the same thing at me. you know how sometimes you feel a little whisper in your heart, a little nudging of your soul? well this has gone beyond all those things. i now hear a ringing in my ears, a thumping in my heart and i am being all but pushed over in the department of life, priorities and getting on with it! so because i love lists and don't want to bore you with gory details;

proprieties change

we have had to re-evaluate our priorities

right now, owning a home is not one of them

being present for our children is important and takes work

being present for each other is important and takes work

teaching our children that love, family & happiness can make you richer than any dollar figure

me + full time job = not for us

give - more

dance to the beat of your own drum

dream big

believe

with relation to my last post, i had heard about people not being able to continue living the same lifestyle in this financial time that we are in, that people were loosing their houses, having to make big changes. we had felt this burden too, but it was not until recently that, while thinking that our 'work' situation had to change, that we realized something else was being placed on our hearts: believe + give. those are two big words. i had heard before, but now i hear and know… it is different for every-single-person

*being ready

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:19:01 EDT

i have been trying to organize my thoughts, my recent revelations, little light bulb moments, thinking how and if i should share them. "why bother?" i would think, "who cares?" then i decided, as i have said before, this place, this blog (sometimes scary) is to remind me of who i am, write down and look back on journeys and growth and hopefully, in some small way, lighten or brighten someone's day. maybe a picture, or maybe something i finally realize, will speak to you. but what i am fully aware of today, is that you have to be ready. you have to be in a place that you hear - and really hear, not just with your ears. growing up you hear lots of things about marriage, having children and so on, but it is not until you are in a certain place, that you will really hear those things. so today, i am just marinating in the realization that everyone is in a different place. everyone is hearing something different, seeing something different, feeling something different... let's just say, i was ready to hear some stuff and i'm ready!

land of the living

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:10:30 EDT

i feel as though a week of 2011 has been lost - but i am back in the land of the living and i-have-things-to-do! i feel as though i got a lot done today - meetings, bank, deliveries, so on and so forth. i had a great coffee break with 'idea brainstorming, inspirational, get up and do something' chat, thanks lori ;o) so it's back to work and a goal of getting to that list of dreams that is not doing any good being kept inside the pages of my journal.

before my lost week, i was enjoying my new gym. i am not a gym person, i will repeat, i am not a gym person! i love being active and have found recently that i have developed about a million, maybe a million and one excuses as to why i can never exercise. but for some reason, i tried something. the beach has always been there, it has been five minutes away from the boys' school drop off for the last three years that i have been dropping them off, but for some reason, a couple weeks ago, i decided to dress in my workout clothes and i packed my sneakers, i was going walking. i had thought of going on the very popular boardwalk, but for some reason (maybe because i hate wearing sneakers) after dropping the boys off, i was heading towards the boardwalk and suddenly realized i was driving right by the beach i go to nearly every saturday. the same beach that has great parking, bathrooms, a bar (not that that has anything to do with exercising), everything. the same beach that i sometimes wish i could walk on but can't leave the kids just playing on the beach. so i turned in, parked, turned on my ipod (okay, it is not an ipod, but something close to it) and started walking. no sneakers, no crowds. a beautiful view, water hitting my toes every now and then, breeze - are you jealous yet? well this is not meant to make you jealous. for those of you here in paradise, i just wanted to throw the idea out there and encourage you to do it too, and for those of you far away, come visit :o)

the friday afternoon i mentioned a few posts ago (the friday before the 'lost week), i was at the same 'gym' beach and loved these boats... just thought i would keep my random edge ;o) happy monday!

wishes

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:01:08 EST

can anyone guess which era this was taken in, can you say 80's? it is my mum's birthday today - happy birthday mum! the role of a mother is so crazy - your position on the totem pole of life switches around with every changing phase and stage but for me, she has always been high up there. i had often thought that my love for photography and documenting memories was something i kind of fell into but recently, i realized that my mother has been an amazing documenter! her library of photo albums is inspiring and i can only hope to have such a collection to provide my family with such great memories. memories - times cherished but left in the corners of our minds; hairstyles, fashions, boyfriends & girlfriends (some better left as just memories - referring to all of the above), ages, phases and stages, places lived in, visited and re-visited, birthdays, anniversaries, christmases & ole years, loved ones welcomed into the world, here with us and some gone. irreplaceable* thanks mum, for carrying your camera, insisting through the moans and complaints, for providing us with a way to look back on so many great memories. keep it up and i will endeavor to follow suit.

happy friday everyone - don't forget your camera*

p.s. for the time being, i'm just going ignore the fact that a week has disappeared in a haze of sickness...

blah

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:28:32 EST

this was the sunset a few days ago, a beautiful close to an uneventful week however, since this sunset things have been blah. the kids have been sick and i guess one of the hazards of being a mum is catching what the kids get! thankfully dad has been spared and has taken good care of us. we are sticking close to home again today, just to be sure, but there are errands to run, things to do!

awe, such loving brothers! they share everything, even colds :o( thankfully these happy faces are back!

i am hearing

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:19:53 EST

i know some of you like these and in talking to a few people, i wanted to carry on the theme - be still - print them out, post them up... maybe i'll do a collection one day ;o) you know, b.c (before children) i (and others) used sometimes think i was lazy. i loved just sitting still, gazing out, soaking up one thing or another, i did sometimes feel as though i was doing nothing. since children, i struggle to be still. i may sometimes achieve physical stillness, but my mind finds it very difficult to push everything out. i used to love being alone, not because i did not like company, i just felt bad to say, "umm, can you just be quiet and not ask me what i am thinking." so when i had kids, i found it really hard to find time by self, to be quiet and just be. i look at my images now and definitely feel that they are a true interpretation of me, and in a way i find a certain stillness when i am taking them and when i look at them. i want them to be 'simple', 'single minded' (according to one of my great teachers), uncluttered, and just have a feeling of stillness. i hope you find a bit of stillness in them :o)

i am listening

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:24:14 EST

just for the record - i am listening. yesterday i wrote be still and had a hard, reflective, what's-the-meaning-of-life day. after being a bit short with the boys all afternoon and then greeting my husband with, "i'm in a bad mood, don't make any sudden movements" it nearly sent me over the edge to be loved and hugged by my three boys. how could my head be about to explode from ridiculous, philosophies of life and the three of them just be concerned with 'what story is being read tonight?' anyway, i went to the store today to buy a notebook and this little book caught my eye... stillness... i am marinating in a million different thoughts and concepts right about now. after i have soaked it all up you can bet i will have to share, because sharing is caring right!

be still...

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 15:49:27 EST

please excuse me while i try to be still. it is something i find very difficult, my mind races with everything that has been done, being done, to be done... *sigh*

meow

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:02:49 EST

it's monday and after a very busy day, i'm feeling a bit discombobulated. cats never seem to look discombobulated. they always look as if they know exactly what they want...

and sway

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:39:17 EST

it's friday - i love fridays and i love this song, so simple and upbeat. it makes me feel like grabbing a sprakler, tambourine or a guitar (still one of my goals - learn to play the guitar) - i hope it puts a spring in your step! listen to the words:

my head is stuck in the clouds, she begs me to come down, says boy quit fooling around, i told her, i love the view from up here, warm sun and wind in my ear, we'll watch the world from above, as it turns to the rythum of love...

inspiration

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:55:26 EST

i love inspiration, i think about inspiration a lot and am very aware of it. what makes us feel inspired, where does it come from, how often does it happen? i think the thing i love about inspiration is that it is impossible to pin down, to figure out the hows and whys... as it says above, "fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something." i was feeling awful yesterday, tummy ache, head ache and it reminded me of how great i had been feeling - my day of feeling bad, inspired me - it filled me the urge to get a move on when i am feeling 100%, to just get on with it because who knows when i won't feel 100%. on my quiet drive home this morning from dropping the boys to school i was listening to the bbc and again, i felt inspired. all the news and reports from the craziness in the east filled me with the urge to be thankful and aware of this peaceful, beautiful rock i live on. so is that inspiration? i was urged to feel something... just as hearing of someone fighting an illness / loosing a loved one / living in fear can inspire us to love our healthy bodies / hug our loved ones a little longer and tighter / be a part of our community. be an inspiration and be inspired!

dear tye

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:20:39 EST

it is no special occasion that i feel i need to write to you, it is not your birthday, you are not going off to college, i just want to remember, right now, how creative you are, how you push me to to dig deep into myself and come up with extraordinary 'things.' you show me your creativity, passion and determination - daily, and you make sure i get an extra dose of love every night when you snuggle up next to me when you are sure everyone is sound asleep in the house (how do you do that by the way). you are finally happy to go to school with your carrots and grapes, and come home with happy stories and your found treasures. you are such a boy. you love your brother and love to 'love' him in your special way. i hope you keep being so passionate and hope i can help to fuel it and have no one swash it. you are five, feisty and funny and i love you. your mum xoxo...

tye sees this and has to make...

this!

tye sees this and has to make...

this! (thank goodness for glue guns)

we see a crab on the weekend, so we have to make, him

and a good conduct badge at school? he's so proud, as are we... great job tye!

and we start all over again

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:56:45 EST

that's how i feel on a monday... i go over the list from last week, the one i wrote (probably on monday) and did not even look back on, i tick off some of the items triumphantly (like cleaning the bathrooms) and then realize they have to go right back on the list, to be conquered again! but after a great a weekend, i feel ready to tackle another week. it started with a full moon picnic which only saw my camera for the first few minutes - the moon hid from us for most of the night but we soaked it up every minute (second) it came out. fun at home, the police band on the boardwalk, a really fun murder mystery dinner, more home time, a 7k (not for me of course) and holetown festival - i would say it was pretty sweet! so bring it on week (not that i am taunting or anything!)

friday :o)

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:46:58 EST

it is friday - we had off monday but for some reason i am relieved it is friday. the to do list is not doing too bad, bathrooms, laundry (which is truly never finished) and even some work are all seeing checks! thought i would listen to one of my most favourite songs for this beautiful day... so beautiful

rest knowing...

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:20:01 EST

this verse makes me envision a cocoon, a safe, secure place. this world is sometimes scary, sometimes difficult and in those times, we rest knowing that He will hem us in, He will lay His hand upon us and usually in an unfathomable, most amazing way. my heart goes out to any and everyone who is scared and in a difficult place.

leaning

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:20:44 EST

ultimately, my help does come from the Lord, however, i would not mind some help from my internet provider! are you getting tired of hearing about this? because i am getting tired of glancing over at my modem, checking to see if certain little green lights are blinking or not blinking. anyway, i felt like i got lots of things crossed off my 'to do' list yesterday so i am striving for the same today. the trouble with my current 'to do' list is that a lot of the items don't have deadlines and i work best with deadlines. i am trying to give each one a deadline, but there is only so much self trickery you can do! some of the items are not work related, like putting together picture books with the million digital pictures from eons ago! and cleaning the bathrooms is way down on the list, along with preparing dinner and doing a load of laundry... "my help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth"... and strong toilet bowl cleaners, rice cookers and washers & dryers, thank you Lord ;o)

what day is it today?

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:08:56 EST

*** this post is being edited from a remote location - internet troubles persist - grrrr! *** does that happen to you? the kids have holidays, there's a bank holiday, you sleep in, and for the rest of the week you feel dazed and confused? well we had a great half term and i think it because we started it off right with a little island exploring (our favourite thing to do together) and then it was spent with a bit family, friends and just us. i am still smiling at our pictures from friday, so here are a few and maybe a few more later on, just to remind me another time :o)

doesn't this face just say, "muuum" in that harrassed sort of way? too bad is what i say to that! and below, the usual camera ham was not himself, dodging the camera the whole day. nevermind, i'm happy with the ones i got to remind me of our great day!

be mine

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:15:10 EST

this image became my favourite photograph when i was at boarding school. i was doing a photography course and we had to find a picture that spoke to us, i actually can't remember the exact assignment, all i know, is that i have loved this picture for a long time. i stop and stare at it whenever i see it. everything about this picture strikes a cord in me - do you have a picture like that?

we are still on half term holidays and i am enjoying every second of it. and today is valentine's so there's a lot of love going on around here... although the above is the 'earthly' definition of love i like to think about love the way i looked at it when i got married, and like the first image above says so much to me, the following speaks to my heart; love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 ...happy valentine's...

half term

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:34:48 EST

happy friday! i know i am posting late, but we are on half term holidays and we went out and about this morning. i love nothing better than going on our own island safari! we visited one of our favourite country spots - redland plantation and then we just went driving. it is a glorious day and the boys (all three of them) enjoyed the off roading, the east coast air and all. we drove past a goat farm (i guess that is the best name for it) and we had a good laugh at the goats - they always have the funniest expressions and they looked very taken with us!

so it has been a good start to the long weekend, hope we can keep it up! have a great weekend :o)

life & lurve

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:49:24 EST

*edited* i think i have gremlins living in my blog! there have been some strange things happening while i'm editing... my original text seems to have disappeared and was replaced with a copy of what's below, oh well... i was saying that it does not have to be valentine's day to say/show you love someone. the little book above says: 347. never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. i could not agree more! (now my font size is all weird - doo doo doo doo)

i was definitely feeling the love yesterday and i want to thank all those who continue to be my cheer leaders, it always means so much! a couple more things from that same book: 401. don't ever watch hot dogs or sausage being made. and 410. send a lot of valentine cards. sign them, "someone who thinks you're terrific."

the other side

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:05:41 EST

...of the camera. this morning has been... interesting? it started off with being woken up by husband (like i do every morning because i am convinced you are either a morning person or you are not! you can love the mornings, but that does not mean you like seeing them everyday - but i digress, we can discuss that in length at another time...) no unusual incidences, drove the boys to school and then went by my mum, and that is where it started... i had to get a picture of my self for something and i had exactly what i wanted already thought up and everything. well i have had this experience a few times in my life before, those times where you know e-x-a-c-t-l-y what you want / you know how it is going to go / you have it all planned out, so why does it come as a surprise when 'it' doesn't? so i was on the other side of the camera today and was reminded to get those preconceived notions out of my head / be open to changing things up / expect the unexpected... when i got home and looked at the images, i was like, "um - no!" so i went at it again and spent way longer than i probably should have, but that is what experimenting, learning, exploring is all about.

okay, because i'm a bit shy, we'll start off with some studio pix. i am trying to keep my creativity going and part of that is surrounding myself with 'creative' pieces and elements. i love shells, twine, wire, wood... i attached chicken wire to the back of an old frame and use it as 'whatever' board above my computer...

this sign (given to me while at university) hangs from the top of my 'whatever' board and i love everything about it, the rusty pieces, the cloth, the words... it is so much more than just a sign.

nobody said self portraits are easy! this is a nice one of my... shoulder ;o) i included this because it portrays what i feel about pictures - it is not always about the perfect pose, the rule of thirds, the rules for that matter... i love the colours, my freckles on my shoulder, my necklace which was made by a friend with my grandmother's old turquoise beads, the fact that i love wearing tank tops & hoops at the moment, the natural light in my breezy studio...

and yes, finally - the one i chose --- *me* --- so there you have it - a crazy, random and all over the place blog post today... that's just how i roll :o)

request

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:08:42 EST

dearest internet provider,

you have made me happy for so long however, you taunt me now. i hold my breath when i look for your little green lights all in a row with one winking at me - only to see two. you get my hopes up when i see your lights, i jump on and start to surf only to crash to a halt of disconnection. oh how i beg for you, i call with sincere concern only to be told they do not know... i wait for you my powerful internet provider but it will only be a matter of time, a matter of time before you find me in the bands of another.

your ever hopeful surfer

* can you tell how i am feeling? there is nothing like feeling disconnected! *

more than just pictures

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:23:47 EST

as i hold my breath for my internet to hold a connection, i wanted to share something that means a lot to me... i think we all know that there is something about pictures that means a lot to me, it is not just about a pretty picture, they say and mean so much more. well, there is something about music too. i do not know about musical notes, bridges and so on, but i do know that a song has the power to bring me to tears, to make me dance, bring me to sing aloud (and that is not always pretty) and more. so when i see pictures, with a bit of motion (without having to tap my keyboard arrow) along with music it is like adding salt to food, putting whipped cream on top of ice cream, finding shoes to go with that perfect dress (whatever floats your boat)! i think it is pretty cool. i hope you do too!

this family is so amazing! not only good looking, they were perfect, just hanging out at home, we baked some cookies, got acquainted with 'spot' and played in the field next door. i hope when they see this, they see what i see - love, happiness and togetherness <3

easy

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:22:45 EST

oh weekend, how you breeze by so gently... we had a nice, easy kind of weekend. i love weekends that are not jammed packed with planned activity after activity, just smooth and easy :o) well it is february, the month of 'love' and sunday would have been bob marley's birthday, so i had his tunes in my head all weekend (which is actually not out of the ordinary) but i was thinking about him and his amazing music a bit more than usual. this island girl is not complete without a bit of bob in my life ;o)

i hope everyone had an easy, breezy weekend.

finally friday

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:20:50 EST

in case anyone was wondering what exciting new thing i was going to share, you'll have to wait 'til monday - sorry! but you know what? its f-r-i-d-a-y * yay! two sleep ins, possibly a kiddie movie night, family beach day and who knows what else! the little pooch below belongs to friend of mine. i love her little face, full of expression and anticipation. can't you just hear her, "pat me, pat me, pat me - love me!"

little miss bella

look at that little nose <3

have a great weekend - woof!

wishes

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:28:32 EST

my step daughter lives in florida and turns seventeen today. there are a couple of things in that sentence that make it heavy. you would think that it has been enough time that she lives away that we would be used to it by now, but anyone who has family away knows that is not true. there is nothing like a birthday, a birth, illness, and so on, and so on, to remind you how difficult it is to be apart. the busy-ness of life eases the uncomfortable edges that comes with that compartment, the long summer visits too, but every now and then, the sharp corner or the tight edge wears on you.

so yes, i am "sofie warren photography" however, i just could not find an appropriate photograph. just as sometimes we cannot find the right words, the right actions, the right feelings, to sit right with us.

so the skies have started out all gloomy today however, that seems to be no indication to what the rest of the day holds - it is crazy! one minute rainy and blustery, sunny and clear the next. but you know what, i think it is a bit better than cold today, cold tomorrow, cold the next day... :o) i have lots on my plate today, something a bit different and exciting and hopefully i can share it tomorrow! stay tuned...

waterworks

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:09:19 EST

it is the middle of the week and i kicked my sore throat to the curb, take that! so i'll roll right along... i thought i would post a few more images from my weekend, this time, the watery side. the north east side of this beautiful island is rough and rugged - which gives me the contrast i love so much - and talk about *water*works. sunday started out as a drab kind of day but transformed into a gorgeous, clear day and the sea was crazy! you could hear the explosive crashing of the waves against the rocky coastline and feel the salt spray well before getting near the edge.

the night may see fire works, but we had a spectacular display of *water*works. i was mesmerized, the booming, the explosiveness, it was awe*some!

and then i went up and around part of the bay because i know that there is this... calm. you have to be there to really get the full effect, the full contrast and amazing-ness of the way the rocks create a barrier that forms an amazing, calm pool. little bay, you are wondrous! have you been?

simply monday...

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 05:31:31 EST

coconut(y)

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:42:47 EST

oh hello tuesday - my soar throat no longer feels like a monday soar throat and more like a tuesday soar throat, so that's good. i like getting monday over with, it feels like things have started rolling and that's a good thing. i like waiting a day or two before looking back on images i have taken, so here are some weekend shots. there is always something about coconut trees that makes me smile. their simple design, their colours and especially the texture! there is texture in every inch - the trunk, the leaves, that burlap(y) stuff that forms around the branches, the branches... okay, you get the 'picture'

have a textured, nutty tuesday ;o)

just a quickie...

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:16:33 EST

can you believe - the internet is giving trouble again! apparently there is an 'environmental' issue and they are 'investigating'. you know what pops in my head when i hear that, "who you gonna call? ghost busters!" so until further notice, posts will be sporadic *blah*

whispers

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:53:16 EST

ha ha, i thought ahead this morning, uploaded the pictures i wanted for this post and am now in a 'remote' location - don't you just love the world wide web? anyway, my thoughts are in this field. have you ever passed somewhere and it whisper to you? i drove by this field quite a few times and each time, i wanted to pull over and go running through with some kind of awesome music playing while my hair blew in the wind... okay, back to reality, two boys in the car that did not want to stop on the way to or on the way back from where we were going. so this time, it was me and all three of my boys so i said, "pull over!" i then got this look like, "do we have to get out too?" whatever - i walked into my whispering field, felt the wind and the sun and snapped a few, all the while trying to forget that three boys sat in the airconditioned car waiting... pfft, whatever, i love 'my' field and am so glad i stopped. the next time you hear a whisper... stop :o) happy friday!

request

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:10:21 EST

yes, me. i am not in the sunniest of moods today and i thought, maybe i'll skip making a post today. but then i stopped myself. my blog is an expression - an honest, real, not always up-to-date, reflection of me. i look back on it as encouragement, a reminder of where i have been, and how is it supposed to do that if i hide from it when things are not all sunny and breezy? i want to look back and see the whole rainbow of myself, not just the light and cheerful colours. so what image expresses me to today? the first is from a field i visited this past weekend - i'll show you some others that came from that same field at a later date - and the second is a page i tore out of a real simple magazine. i love the quote so much!

"there are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. one of these is roots, the other, wings." hodding carter, journalist

silly love

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:27:10 EST

oh tuesday, what are doing to me? first a lost debit card, then the power goes out so i cannot enjoy my super, speedy internet, oh and it is pouring! anyway, the power is back and i can try and recall the words i was in the middle of typing not so long ago in actual time, but many thoughts ago :o) yes, this lovely family that when asked what word described their family best they said, "silly & love." well i think both words sum them up perfectly and this little flash back brought sunshine to my day. it was a bit of an overcast, windy, rough kind of day, but that's okay when you can still be silly and fun and full of love <3

internet is...

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:53:52 EST

f-i-x-e-d ! can you hear the excitement in my voice? ;o) i am doing the happy dance right now and want to web surf all day long. it will have to wait though, parent-teacher meetings await and i am crossing my fingers that it is nothing but good, good, good reports!

so this is how i started my day, like i do every morning - coffee made by my sweet husband as i try to warm up to the day ;o) i think i will have to end the day with a celebratory drink - ha! "to you internet - cheers!" compliments the awesome technician from telebarbados who, after being completely baffled, sat, pondered and tried something 'out-of-the-box' to come up with the solution!

seeking...

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:36:45 EST

... the right path

pass it on...

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:42:51 EST

one of my all time favourite comic strips! i think it would be slightly more accurate if it said "happy morning" - i am just so not a morning person, even though i find it one of the most beautiful times of the day.

now that you know my feelings about mondays, let me just say that it is not that i had a bad day or anything. i just really wish i could get my butt out of bed in the morning and start the day with a good blog post. instead... i barely have enough time to drink my coffee and get the kids out the door (notice i do not even mention anything about me getting ready because what i do does not qualify 'getting ready') and then i struggle all day to squeeze in a blog post as if i have some fictitious deadline that needs to be met. anyway... here i am, just wanting to share things that inspire me in hopes that it may inspire another... i like to just pass it on!

"Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, the way to do it becomes clear." Oprah

after being inspired by oprah, i went down to my 'old' studio to see what else i could move to my 'new' home studio and these are two little projects that just kind of fell together...

i have had so many odds and ends in my studio for y-e-a-r-s. i have no idea why i would just keep things, not wanting to use them in case i had some 'project' that i would need them for. no more of that - it is either make something or throw it out! well, that may be a bit drastic! materials: flat canvas board * torn out maps from an old atlas

magnet notice board. materials: corrugated aluminum * magnets * circle mirrors

pass it on :o)

f f f friday!

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:29:42 EST

okay, last entry i was having some issues - internet issues (mainly) - and goodness only knows when they will be resolved, but w-h-a-t-e-v-e-r!!! moving right along, it's friday! not that the week felt long or anything, i am just looking forward to a little bit of a snuggly, sleep in two days in a row :o) today was not one of those, "yay, let's do that again" kind of day. nothing bad or major, just hopefully a short lived tummy bug for one boy and a free day by default for the other. so it was a tent making, movie watching kind of day for them while i struggled to concentrate. the life of a mum :o)

i am trying to set up a space for me at home and right now it is a mixture of home-office/toys-in-every-corner kind of room, but that's okay. i took this today because the light is just so yummy in this room, as is the kid, as is the lens! yum x3!

okay - i was feeling a bit one sided and i got toby's cooperation so i had to update. there is something that comes from having a close sibling, let's just say there needs to be balance... p.s. my boys do sometimes wear shirts, on occasion, just not often :o)

and i can't leave out my other two boys :o) bedtime has been exciting with dad reading chapter books. i love to listen in while i do my own thing (aka tidying). dad is the most awesome reader and the excitement in the boys is contagious, and i don't even know what is really going on! so the month is breezing along, let's hope it keeps up!

life in the tropics

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:44:43 EST

internet troubles

laid back attitudes

lost whole post

i give up

good night

k & m

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:37:07 EST

october to yesterday (okay, maybe last week) has been a blur! it has been one thing after another and my mind has been in a complete spin for over three months - i am dizzy! anyway, i wanted to look back and kind of catch up with what has been going on however, in my single-minded sort of way, i'll look back one 'event' at a time... this couple is so special - easy going, fun loving, not to mention kevin is my cousin. when they asked me to capture their wedding, i think they thought they had some persuading to do as i had said, "i don't do weddings!" a few things came together all at the same time of them asking and i was ready to take the leap! how could i say no? i knew that they were the perfect, laid back type for me. i flew to florida and visited them at home just a couple days before the big day. it was bizarre seeing my 'little' cousin in his own home, with his fiance - where does time go?

their home is amazing and right on the water, which is perfect for mr. outdoors!

michelle is a nurse, so we just had to have a bit of a check up ;o)

barbados columbia = "the perfect combination..."

we hopped on over to a cute little park - so south florida chic. always smiling, so relaxed! such a special couple! <3

resolutions

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:07:50 EST

when i think 'resolutions' i envision something like this poor little hermit crab. a rocky road, a road to where? big boulders to crawl over, no path to follow... i have never really been one to make resolutions as i usually think that i do not need the first of a year to initiate a change and i am constantly making lists of things to do, goals to meet, things to change... and what happens? the lists get lost, slipped into a book i don't look at for years - pfft what a waste right? well not exactly. giving these things thought writing them down - it is important. i know those boulders to climb over will reveal an amazing sight on the other side, the road less travelled is the most exhilarating on reflection, character is built, memories are made and that is life. its the journey not the destination (i know someone else said it and i believe it). so i resolve to be... is that considered cop-out? i don't think so. i resolve to be - me. to be true to myself, to be the mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend that i am. not try to be more this or less that. so i'll remember the hermit crabs, the wild animals, the presidents, the a-listers. all different paths, some boulders bigger than others but i am me.

okay enough poetic blabber - back to your regularly scheduled programming.

spinning

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:01:26 EST

i'm not going to pretend that i have some glorious post to write, that i have witty things to say at the beginning of this new year... there are always a few days when the school holidays are coming to a close, the 'season' is changing and i feel like my wheels are spinning. it is always a time where i have all these ideas that come from daydreaming while being with the kids and great, long morning discussions with my husband but i just can't start just yet - i have to wait - i h-a-t-e waiting! i am a do-er. when i want something in the house rearranged, i do not wait for someone to help move the couch from one room to the next, oh no - i make it happen. i usually scrape and scratch and damage things while doing it, but hey, that's me. so right now, i am trying my best to patient. to hold my horses back until i can do it properly. so while my hands sweat with anticipation, i'll post a few more clicks from our little tribe hike.

i hope 2011 is starting off well for everyone - i hope it will be shiny and bright for all <3

coming to a close...

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:10:52 EST

i have been walking around for the past two months composing blog post after blog post in my head. i will be doing something and thinking up ways in which it would be a great, creative, witty post... *sigh* whatever! i am closing out 2010 and happily waving it on its merry way. it has not been a bad year, just a 'ho-hum' kind of year. unfortunately, 2011 has a-l-o-t to live up to. as i look back on the last say 10 or so years, there is a pattern of major/significant things happening on odd years and i am pinning some high hopes on the same happening gosh darn it! so ta-ta 2010 and come on 2011! and with that - here is my little tribe, all together for the holidays, at river bay on our 'hike.' these are the times i would like to multiply...

christmas spirit

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:57:53 EST

i think i am finally feeling the christmas spirit - about time right! it usually takes my birthday, four days before christmas, to make that happen, and it has. i still have gifts to buy (yes, you read that right, to b-u-y) gifts to wrap, sandwiches to make, reindeer food to package... yes, the list goes on! 'tis the season :o)

we had to have a pancake breakfast to celebrate jade being home for christmas. suddenly two batches just does not go as far as it used to ;o) we are so happy to have jade home and the boys were overly excited to have her sit in between them and talk her ear off! what is a teenage girl to do so early in the morning with two talkative brothers?

we got together with our great neighbours to bake and decorate christmas cookies. it has become somewhat of an annual activity and it is really special. we had a few dough issues, but that's not what is important right!

the kids love the idea of sprinkling 'reindeer' food and glitter on the front lawn on christmas eve - another christmas tradition that has developed! just to get the darn food packaged and given out to our friends!

and these little books - the story of christmas book set that you hang each little book on the tree. i love these books. they tell the story in a way that i had not read before and the boys love hearing each story and then fight to hang it on the tree! (boys! what are you to do with them?)

so the christmasy spirit is getting there, and if i can get everything ticked off my list tomorrow, i will be a very happy wife, mum, daughter and whatever else, because right now, the cheery-ness is not exactly shinning bright! i'll get there ;o)

34 revelations & admissions

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:33:55 EST

1. i am a dreamer

2. watching a child can teach you so much

3. i cannot live without my morning coffee

4. bunnies do an insane amount of poop

5. i still walk into things like an awkward/clumsy teenager

6. having deadlines is imperative

7. being under time pressure cramps me

8. i need to be more thoughtful

9. i forgot how old i was going to be

10. i'm still going to be getting zits when i'm 104

11. having a tidy house puts me in a good mood

12. i like the idea of being a vegetarian

13. i h-a-t-e money

14. giving blood does not hurt

15. i wake up every morning snuggled up to … my 5 year old

16. i cry in every disney/pixar movie

17. i love bing.com

18. i can't keep cash in my wallet

19. having someone cook dinner turns a bad day right

20. i wish my kids came with their own manual

21. i feel blessed to be a photographer

22. i will always wait 'til my needle is under 'e' to go for gas

23. the warmth of the morning sun gives me goose bumps

24. i still feel silly 'talking' to God

25. kids don't care if it's your birthday, a bad mood is a bad mood

26. the colour of the afternoon sun makes me smile

27. it's difficult to think of 34 things

28. i will never be organized for christmas

29. when i see a rainbow, i can't help but be in awe of all God's creations

30. there is something about airports and traveling

31. i will never be martha stewart, and that's ok

32. there are less than 34 lines on a note book page

33. my family is the most important thing to me

34. i have a lot to learn

all that christmas brings...

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:49:54 EST

christmas school plays * parties * excessive amounts of candy * a little extra mail in the post box * shopping * wracking my brain to come up with original, useful gift ideas * appearances from santa * "if you don't ____ you won't get any presents!" * spending excessive amounts of time at school * "santa's watching you!" * a reminder to be thankful * extra traffic * excitement * pretty lights to see * everyone needing everything now * making the extra effort to spend time with family & friends * * * the list goes on...

my little sea anemone!

my wise man bringing gold

sisters

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:32:28 EST

i love facebook, i hate facebook, then i love it a little again, and then i hate it all over again! i am coming across as a real flip-flopper aren't i? well, one of the reasons i love it is for the quick connection, the feeling of keeping in touch in small ways that are important ways. my sister and i live across the seas and it always makes me smile when she posts a comment on my blog, knowing that she is 'checking in' and interested, when i see a picture pop up on facebook *sigh* so different in so many ways, but yet so special and dear to me. long summers with our kids spending time together, short trips up to her, whatever and wherever, it is always cherished! thanks for always encouraging and inspiring me! love you. wish we could be together this christmas!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

when it all comes together...

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:14:45 EST

okay, a break from the in-depth, heavy, complicated stuff... just some images from a recent family that made my heart sing when we decided to include the car! i love when a plan comes together - beautiful family (plus) awesome car = heart goes thumpity thump!

does this face not say, "am i cute or what?"

look at those eyes!

may you have a joyous and happy christmas brooker family!

'tis the season

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:12:48 EST

there is a kind of confused, mixed up feeling going on inside me and it happens e-v-e-r-y year, at this time of year. i have an internal battle of emotions: i love this time of year. i love the cool air, something special in the air that causes a little extra cheer. my birthday falls close to christmas day which makes it that much more special. holidays. get togethers. yes, the list is long. but... then there is the other side and this i where the battle ensues! the hustle, the bustle, the chaotic list making. the eagerness to 'get it all done' and never getting it all done. the wanting to make all my gifts like martha stewart and not making one. a constant knot in my stomach, what is the perfect gift for ______? how am i going to pay for what i would like to give? how can i make my children understand the true meaning of christmas? what is the true meaning of christmas? we all have our thoughts, our definitions but do they hold up? do we really follow through with what we say it is really all about? i am struggling... struggling to come up with my own definition that i can follow through on. just trying to think about it is another thing added to my to do list, another thing to try and do. so just to add to my over stuffed mind, i will be mindful and here is where i will start, as stated in the thingumajig christmas: by irene keller 'presents and parties are fine for a start, but christmas is really a place in your heart. be kind and be loving. do the best you can do, and each day of the year will be christmas for you!' what's your definition of christmas?

run barbados 2010

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:31:56 EST

i really want to write a really long post all about how proud i am of my husband and my friends who took part in the run barbados this past weekend however, i am running, literally, i am writing this standing up!!! i did not want this day to go by without having expressed how inspired and amazed i am at these people who run and really seem to love the fact they are running. it is amazing how it takes on more than just being exercise, more than just an action or a race. i am not there, running is something i think of doing when i am trying to flee or something, it is not yet that expression, does not have that meaning... not yet ;o) so here are a few of what i 'saw'... great job guys and a special congratulations to my husband, keep up the good work!

so many...

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:18:15 EST

yes, so many images to share! i prefer to keep to chronological order and post from last week and slowly get up to date... these are just a few of many from two family sessions i had last weekend.

we had a great time covering up crab holes, finding sea fans and digging in the sand - this family has such a calm, quiet bond.

these girls are the centre of mum and dad's world - it was a great day getting to see such strong bonds and love. two wonderful families in one day - how blessed am i?

tickled

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:57:59 EST

a fabulous event - tickled pink came off at the crane hotel, barbados november 13, 2010. for a great cause, the gift foundation, which supports breast cancer, got the girls together for an evening of fun! the photo booth was a first time for me and i would definitely do it again! a few improvements would be made, but it was a hoot!

order your 5x7 print for $25 * email sofie@sofiewarrenphotography.com * 25% of all proceeds will be donated to the gift foundation * order by December 3

wedding

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:09:13 EST

we had a beautiful weekend - a welcome change from the nasty weather that passed by recently! bright sunshine and clear skies to bless this lovely couple...

mother & daughter

thank you for asking me to be a part of your beautiful day!

so many things to do, so little time! i am still trying to find my way to the surface to take a deep breath - so i'll keep my words to a minimum... for now!

when the lights go out...

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:10:45 EDT

there is nothing like loss of electricity to make you thankful for the things we take for granted. after our recent brush with mother nature, storm tomas (because it was just a storm when it passed us) caused a whole lot of damage and left us in the dark for a few nights too many! we tried our best to make the most of it, playing games, telling jokes and playing with alternate light. anyway, we have postponed halloween to this weekend and i am still feeling a bit of lingering cabin fever! anyway, here are our best scarey faces to keep us in the halloweeney mood until saturday...

and i had to try and let my light shine in just the way i wanted - it has been feeling a bit dim recently *sigh* but i'll keep trucking on...

phew

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:26:40 EDT

there is nothing like a little one being sick to put things in perspective and halt my life as i know it! hearing them moan and groan while you sit by helplessly :o( hopefully we are on the mend and i am spared with just one getting sick and not the other, or all of us for that matter!

well, it has taken me nearly a week to recover from a shoot last weekend! i love the ocean, the sea air, all that stuff but there is something physiological that does not line up with with my psycological daydreaming! i felt battered and bruised after my cruise and worried that i got nothing with my camera! thankfully, i recovered and found a few good shots ;o) i hear there are a few shots of me - yikes! who said photography was glamorous?

nighty...

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:59:03 EDT

...night

pause

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:17:27 EDT

i cannot find the pause button - any suggestions? thankful for the busy-ness but feeling a bit like i'm free falling... i'm just trying to slow down and smell the 'roses' (i know these aren't roses, whatever) because that's how i like to be - cool, calm, breezy. i have wanted to blog, but it just kept getting smothered by the other 'to-do' items. i'll see how this week goes - blogging is therapy - total, selfish therapy :o)

a little break...

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:30:08 EDT

from the my creativity workshop - one part because i have not finished the assignments (yes, still) and one part because i really wanted to let my happy bride & groom from the weekend have a little peek - i am working hard, i hope you guys are relaxing! just a few from the preparations...

yes, there was a groom! there is definitely more to come... enjoy!

creativity 5 & 6

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:14:37 EDT

just because i like order - i'm going to post ideas 5 & 6 from my creativity workshop. idea 5 was about reinventing - recreating - not becoming stagnant. this concept was easy for me. i love change, i love looking at things in new ways, changing up the order of the things i do and so on. we had to do a little picture self portrait and i decided not to get out the nice camera, just use the laptop, try and have some fun, a little flower, some sunshine and a little brady bunch tribute...

looking at the collage makes me feel a bit vulnerable - but hey, that's the journey i'm on, its uploaded and put in my post order, so whatever! idea 6 was slightly similar and just looked at doing familiar things, comfy things, patterns that we create and get ourselves into. as much as i like change and the unknown - i hate a ledge, i hate being pushed to a place where i am uncertain and don't feel confidant! we had a little brain and drawing exercise to do (which i won't worry to share) and then we had to create a little pattern from a single drawing, so here's what mine looked like:

so there, i kept to a pattern even though i am dead tired. i keep thinking that i will catch up, i will be on top of everything i have to do, but sadly, i'm not there yet - maybe tomorrow :o)

creativity 3 & 4

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:01:51 EDT

my creativity workshop ideas 1 & 2 took up a lot of space in my head. i felt a little dazed and confused to be honest. for some reason i tend to think of my brain as loads and loads of file drawers (thanks to an old cartoon of some sort) and all i could picture was a total mess of file drawers opened or turned over and a complete mess of papers everywhere. thankfully ideas 3 & 4 were a bit more staight foreward and did not cause another brain tremor! idea 3 was just taking a look at our space - what's in it, do we have what we need, do we have too much of what we don't need and so on. here is my interpretation of my space:

idea 4, although not a new concept, was difficult. *play* i don't know what it is but i find it difficult to think about the last time i have *played* i mean, i have played 'go fish' with my kids, i even played bowling with them on the wii, but really played? when i try to imagine play like this, i remember my step daughter's mother. i remember being in complete awe at the way she played with the kids around her - it seemed so easy, so natural and you could tell it was not like "i know they are having fun so i'll keep doing this." it was pure, belly laughter, uncontrollable giggles, sparkles in everyone's eyes. how did she do that? in this ted talk, it reinforces that you can learn a lot from kids. i often think that i take myself too seriously, i worry too much about what others will think, that i'll look silly. if you listened to the previous ted talk, ken robinson says that it is exactly that that holds us back - just have a go, take a chance and something *creative* may happen - "frank sent this!" when's the last time you played?

our assignment was to scribble - scribble, scribble, scribble

creativity 1 & 2

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:42:50 EDT

okay, i'm fired up! maybe because it is friday, maybe because my kids have the day off, there could be a lot of reasons, but i think it is about time i share about my creativity workshop i did. i have said before, i like to marinate, sit with an idea, let it simmer. i still have not even completed all my assignments, but that is what happens when life happens, but i will get to them. i have shared the ted talk that rocked my world already (listen if you have not already) and our 'idea 1' was thinking about our definition of creativity. i had always thought creativity was all about art and being able to create something 'pretty' - so wrong! my kids have taught me otherwise, along with reading and learning and opening my mind! so this is mine:

idea #2 was about being *bulletproof* - this is definitely my biggest hurdle! (note i said "is" = ongoing!) the 'why's-who do you think you are's-anyone can do that-is it good enough'. these things take up space in my head, they eat away at my creativity, they create the 'box', they stifle the 'being' and 'thinking' that should occur outside the box. so how can we bulletproof? how do we protect ourselves? everyone has their own way but right now, today, my mantra is just telling myself to *be bulletproof* be who i am and not who someone else is, or wants me to be, or thinks i should be - simple but difficult. my reminder is my shield, my piece of galvanize that says it for me:

so what is your definition of creativity? think about it. how can you be bulletproof? think about who/what keep you in that box, come up with things that empower you and build you up and then repeat them to yourself, write them out and look back it often - be bulletproof! create something!

shine tea

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:29:40 EDT

blah - can't think what to write, which is happening more and more lately. too many things taking up space in my head, confusing my words and thoughts... i wanted to share some pictures from a 'tea' that we had a little while ago. i want to write more about it and share a bit behind the stars and so on, but for some reason, it won't be today...

*sigh* i need to do some daydreaming - that's just who i am!

october 2010

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:07:38 EDT

ahhh, friday. a busy week, a busy month!

*sigh*

another week

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:50:35 EDT

another week has begun, another month almost done - i can't keep up! 2010 and where have you gone? does everyone feel this way or is it just me? i fell behind in my creativity workshop, which is now finished, but i am determined to finish all the assignments and to continue creating... my 'to do' list continues to grow, which is a good thing (right?) but things just keep hovering. i like to tick things off, cross things out and mark d-o-n-e! anyway, no whinning *sigh* yes, i have pictures i could share but i am supposed to be doing other things, so i'll put up just one. an early morning on the south east coast - me, my camera, the sand, my best friend - oh, and quite a few exercisers! who would have thought?

new nephew

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:55:57 EDT

well i think a few weeks is still new! baby b was too cute with lots of yawns, funny faces and eyebrow raises! i was a bit clueless trying to 'pose' him, but who needs to pose such a cute little bundle?

the creativity is still flowing. i have fallen a bit behind in my workshop but i'll catch up one way or another and i'll be sure to share. just trying to stay focused and keep my eye on the important stuff - happy monday!

squeezing in a little daydreaming

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:12:12 EDT

yes i am busy, but i had to sqeeze in just a little daydreaming... there is something about coconut trees that inspires me. explain? why? just because!

creativity

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 07:43:07 EDT

i have made reference to the ocean and beach just a few times on here, i just can't help it. well once again, i feel a connection... the topic of creativity has been a major one of late and when i saw that one of my favourite bloggers was putting on an online workshop to "nurture your creativity be bulletproof" i said, "ah, yeah!" this talk: sir ken robinson hit me like a tsunami! it was huge - it has changed my landscape, made a permamant mark on me. and just like after a tsunami, something called a tsunami wave train, wave after wave of new thoughts, new ideas, inspiration keep hitting me. i am exhausted on one hand from the bombarding thunderings in my head but at the same time, buzing from the adreline that comes from the situation! so i'm riding this wave and i know i will have lots to share - my workshop is ten days so in between and after - look out for an altered, hopefully more 'comfortable-in-my-own-skin', slightly banged up me! *be creative*

rain, radios & rhinos

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:54:44 EDT

rain, rain and more rain! i was drenched from head to toe yesterday and today is looking the same! my umbrella broke this summer (some critters playing in the car were responsible for that) so a new one is on the top of my *must get* list! anyway, when it is all rainy, i like to look at sunny, kind of images...

the same mentioned 'critter' was also responsible for accidentally knocking my radio off the shelf in my studio a few days ago and i have been suffering in silence! another 'must get' to add to the list however, my oh so sweet dad came to my rescue! that seems to happen a lot around here... "oh mum/dad/nana/papa, can you believe _______ has broken/gone missing/is still on my wish list." and then *poof* "it was in the cupboard, i was in the store anyway..." thanks guys, i don't know what we would do without you ;o) well it is off to *school pick-up* i wonder if an umbrella will magically appear? were you wondering about the rhinos bit? i thought it just sounded good...

mail

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:40:51 EDT

*argh* just lost everything i wrote for this post - just like that, *poof* it was gone... anyway, i was saying, i had a long list of things i wanted to blog: first days back at school snap shots before we headed out the door, some more 'redland' images from my project that i'm doing there, a little, yellow flower that caught my eye (random) however, when i looked in my mail box today, i was so excited!

i was just coming to grips with the fact that september has begun and is in full swing but now i'm thinking, 'november is just around the corner!' i'll admit, my palms start to sweat, the idea of shooting this wedding, traveling without my boys, shooting this wedding... so many great thoughts come to mind too, so it's all good! can't wait michelle & kevin ;o)

this week

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:54:54 EDT

my boys go back to school this week - i am in denial. i am holding on to every lazy morning, sea soaking day i possible can. however, for those of you who know me, i am more productive when i am busy, so i am looking forward to getting into the swing of things, old things, new things, super things! i can totally handle this... in a few days ;o)

castles

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:21:34 EDT

i just love how things come in waves - it makes me feel like everything is connected. just as the oceans have currents - pulling us, tugging at us - so does life. the ocean comes ashore in waves - sometimes as small ripples, other times, huge, crashing, rollers - life? ahh, yeah! right now i am feeling a surge - creative, optimism, love, acceptance *sigh* i'm building sandcastles on the shore, trying different techniques, and i'm fine with the waves washing in, breaking down what i tried, making way for another design. "try it this way, now this way, how about this." i'm fine with the temporary, enjoying it while it is there, until it is washed away, letting the sand stick to me, making me a part of what i'm building - or is it that, what i am building be a part of me? *sigh*

mothie

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:11:22 EDT

we had a nice surprise yesterday - caddie (not sure i'm spelling it right, but the caterpillar's nick name) emerged from his cocoon! we felt that we had to rename him mothie though, you know, it just did not suit him anymore! the kids found him a few weeks ago and were very excited when they found him all snug in his cocoon! however, our cousins had to leave before he had emerged, so we were on strict 'cocoon watch!'

so we took mothie out, took his picture to report back to the cousins and he flew off to the next big adveture of his life - *sigh* nature!

sunshine

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:29:52 EDT

okay, stretching my creative, technical and a bunch of other skills here and trying out this video

thingy. why do my eyes have to feel like they are going square though :o( lights, camera...

friendship

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:09:11 EDT

what a back log - between my own summer pictures and clients, i have a bit to catch up on! as for all the other images still in my head...! these six girls got together at a special restaurant and it was so great to see the friendship that they share. their lives have gone in different directions, taken them to different countries and all, but their familair friendship shines through. i had a great time girls and look forward to being there the next time you gather together again!

surrender

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:40:10 EDT

i have given up - i have surrendered myself to the chaos and indiscipline that summer brings *sigh* the boys still have just over two weeks of summer holidays left, but with the departure of my sister and step daughter (today :o( ), it feels like i'm free falling towards the end of what we know as summer! so yes, the lists are getting longer, the excitement of structure and routine are building (for me, which won't last long) and everyone in the house has a nice, healthy, brown glow! so, who knows when i'll post again but somehow, i think in two weeks i'll have to catch up with some sneak peeks! and of course i can't say hello without a picture...

photo walk 2010

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:59:12 EDT

the title of this is photo walk 2010 because that was the name given to it - a neat idea for people all over the world to get together, walk around and take pictures and then share. ours however, should really have be called photo hike! it was a spectacular morning and of course i was reminded of the beauty that surrounds me in this little island, but wow was i pooped! i don't do so well taking pictures while on the move - i'm more of a wonder around, marinate kid of girl, but these are just a few of what i caprtured... until next year!

summer afternoons

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:47:47 EDT

just hanging out with cousins after some sea swimming... summer is just being, well, summer! their skin has browned nicely, there is sand in their hair... all is well!

* weather*

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:40:35 EDT

well, the weather is feeling a bit skitzo today! we started out nice and bright and sunny, then a few light sprinkles while the sun was shinning, then the big, dark clouds rolled in, made a little noise (thunder) and looked as though they decided to stay awhile... whatever! the boys are actually playing well and gave me some time to actually look through what i had taken, play a little and post - wow, crazy weather = crazy behaviour! hopefully the sun prevails tomorrow - have a good weekend!

* nine*

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:21:32 EDT

just a little part of me... a special, encouraging partnership was made official nine years ago and i am thankful and happy for every day spent together...

fishy business

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:25:09 EDT

*oh* the business of trying to get work done and have the kids on summer vacation - i think it is safe to say i have only gotten the bare minimum done thus far and really don't see much changing! oh well, what is a girl to do? i'll continue to marintate in the island vibe and, according to a little book i have, "...allow the moments to stick to us like sand...[and] our lives will become sandcastles." so get going, roll in some sand! p.s. please note, the fish in this picture was returned to his home after a brief stay in a little red bucket for observation, and happily swam away!

random...

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:26:05 EDT

i know this is totally random... but the other day i took this picture of this black bird and when i look at it i get the same thought every time - why do these birds have such a crazy look in their eye all the time? it is almost as if they have had too much botox while they were in a crazy, angry mood and now their expression is stuck like that. i am not sure which is more strange - the fact that they are like that, or my thought process!

just another random image... :o)

show me your serious face...

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:36:56 EDT

my little...

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:42:50 EDT

we don't see this guy too often as it usually takes a bribe or two to get him infront the camera - and when i do get him there, he is full of silly faces and can't sit still! i just had to get this one though! it is just too funny how those two front teeth fall out at the same time. hopefully he won't be singing 'all i want for christmas is my two front teeth!' (i'll have to put up the one of the *ham* tomorrow - you know he insisted on taking his picture too!)

peek-a-boo

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:40:41 EDT

i see you! i had a fun session with this little one and her family (more to come). it was an over cast, windy, can't-make-up-its-mind, sort of day, but what does a two year old care about that? she wasn't bothered and just had fun playing on the beach, running on the shore and playing hide-and-seek with her dad!

i'll try to squeeze in a few more from this session if i can... i spent the whole day in bed with a cold yesterday - thank goodness for super dad! but i feel as though i am still working in slow motion today so it may take me a little while to get up to speed! why is it that my four year old had a sore throat one day and was bouncing off the wall the next day, the sixteen year old in the house is blowing her nose and going through a roll of toliet paper a day and can still go out and party but i get hit with the sore throat, runny nose and congested head and feel like i want to die? why, why why? that's okay, i'm tough. i had my day in bed - the laundry is calling and life goes on ;o) here's to a sunny day!

pinchpunch*...

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:10:50 EDT

first of the month!

i am the mother who loves being at home with her children. i can't wait for school to finish so i can laze around in the morning with them, not have to rush around begging them to finish their breakfast, brush their teeth, get dressed, "what do you want in your lunch box?"... i love having time for their silly questions and listening in on their crazy conversations. we have time to stay in our pjs past lunch time, play outside until the sun goes down - i love summer! however, we are still in the first week of summer holidays and i am asking myself, "when does school start back?" maybe i am just out of practice, maybe it's because my youngest has a cold and now i have a soar throat, maybe it's because i have my mind stretched between business and kids... i have always found that when i am pre-occupied with un-kid stuff, i find it more difficult to deal with kid things. does anybody hear me? well, july is here and we have two whole months of these glorious, lazy days - so i better get into the grove! i-can-do-it! can you? happy july!

a sunny sunday

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:51:15 EDT

sun sunday friends = a great afternoon! i had fun spending time with this family. it is not unusual for us to be together becuase they are my neighbours, but it was different as it was just me and them - thanks for the great afternoon guys! i promise i won't take too long getting you your gallery ;o)

finally

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:11:27 EDT

i am not sure who is more excited - me or the boys!

beautiful girls

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:42:40 EDT

my beautiful, sixteen year old, step daughter got a few friends together (which included her twin cousins) and we had some fun, creating some memories which will hopefully remind her (them) of their beauty, friendship and just good times.

there is really nothing like being sixteen!

let's go to the races...

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:28:10 EDT

there is an annual event that always makes me think of family and legacy in a bit if a different way... the val gale cup is an annual horse race in honour of my great grandfather. when i think of my grandfather, horse racing is a part of who he is however my love and interest in horses was more in the way of riding and jumping them rather than watching them race! i have not ridden a horse in ages (not because i have not wanted to) but once a year at the val gale cup, i feel a connection, an understanding of the admiration of these amazing animals and the thrill of watching them race.

we have taken the boys around the track and watched a few races but we had never watched in this kind of style! being in a box was a treat and everyone really enjoyed the view, along with the yummy drinks and snack!

it was a muddy day and there were a few spills - but we had a big winner in our box ;o) , a great time together and another year keeping the memory of the past alive.

different

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:49 EDT

i have been looking forward to sharing an image of these lovely blocks i had made for some great friends. i had to deliver them before i could share them as i did not want to spoil the surprise! they asked me to take a few pictures of their home before they moved, and what fun it was. a place they made home for quite some time, shared many special times together, a place many people gathered. i love li's style, her artistic flair everywhere and of course big p's surfer, calm, quiet personality shinning through so subtly. they have moved to a bigger place so they can continue without walls to divide a growing gathering and their laid back style of welcoming people. so i hope these blocks will remind them of their special place back at 'andrews cottage' - blocks that built a firm foundation!

and i can't forget the dads! we had a very rainy, wet father's day yesterday but nevertheless, it was spent together.

you have taught me so much by demonstrating integrity and just the most amazing philosophy in everything you do - love you dad!

and another amazing dad! keep up the good work - we love you very much!

new playmate

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:31:21 EDT

this is what we (mainly tye) is always hoping to see when we look in to our backyard - our new playmate - brandy!

my youngest is an animal lover. he got two miniture bunnies for his third birthday, fish for his fourth birthday and now, when asked the conversation goes kind of like this - mum: "tye, what would like for your birthday?" tye: "a puppy." mum: "if you could not have a puppy?" tye: "a dog!" mum: "if you could not have a dog?" tye: "a hamster!" mum: "if you could not have a hamster?" tye: "stacking turtles!" (he means those little water turtles) *sigh*

so welcome to the neighbourhood brandy and we are so happy to have you right next door!

wonder

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:27:02 EDT

there is always a sense of wonder when i see someone expecting. i hate to admit that i did not enjoy being pregnant - i felt so sick all the time i just wanted to curl up in a ball and wish it would be all over as quickly as possible. as time goes by, my memory fades slowly (i still have some time to go) but i look forward to the day that i only remember the great sense of wonder i had - is it a boy or girl, what will they look like, will they have lots of hair? there are things you can be sure of however... you will love them more than you could ever imagine and they will be in your heart forever!

i'm wishing this beautiful couple the very best and i know they will be amazing parents! i can't wait to meet him/her this summer ;o)

connection

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:13:10 EDT

there is something about this place that draws me in. i am not quite sure what it is, but i feel it every time i am there. i love the ocean, the beach, the salt air - but there is a part of me that also loves the quiet country, the greens, the organic feeling. i always struggle between two extremes and this is no different.

pop

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:25:02 EDT

...and just like that, the weekend is done! i think it is a monday thing - i feel like i don't have anything to say. i am not a morning person, it takes me a while to warm up and get going - maybe that is how i am on a monday too. maybe by wednesday i'll have more to say ;o)

sibling love - so sweet!

june too soon!

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:59:15 EDT

as the hurricane season states... 'june too soon' how does the time go so fast? it continues to baffle me. well i am trying to get back into blogging - i know, on a friday? that's a bit silly, but it is true. i have not had much to say or show, so i thought i would take a blogging break - it's good to take a break every so often. i still don't have too much to say but i have been dreaming big and am feeling a bit ambitious, so hopefully i'll soon have lots to share!

this beautiful home will be hosting a wedding in october and i am so looking forward to capturing the festivites!

goodbye may

Mon, 31 May 2010 16:20:13 EDT

i must say, i am happy to see may come to a close. we are eagerly awaiting july so i know we have another month to get through, but i'm hoping june is busier for me and the excitement makes it more bearable. when i am busy i'm happiest and productive! may has been filled with games of 'go fish' and junior scrabble, reading james dobsons' 'dare to discipline' and a lot of reflection. i have been reading a lot of photography/art blogs recently talking about hearing and listening to your own voice. about doing what is truly 'you' and not what you think you should be doing. i am constantly struggling with this and this blog is really the place where i vent these feelings and try to remind myself: i am on a journey, where i have come from and where i want to go.

so long may - hello june!

garden time - bug hunting

duck weather

Fri, 14 May 2010 17:33:03 EDT

i enjoyed the weather today - a nice change from the usual! the perfect kind of weather for these guys. have a good weekend!

mulberries

Tue, 11 May 2010 13:12:30 EDT

mums

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:26:46 EDT

this morning, as i struggled to come up with healthy, substantial, acceptable lunch box items, i thought i would show my youngest some motherly love and make little, heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 'who could resist?' i thought. my youngest has the widest variety of lunch time snacks that he likes but one can never tell what mood he will be in on any given day, so deciding on what goes in there is like setting a booby trap, it just may explode in your face! so he trots into the kitchen (today is one of the better mornings where i got him up early so he has worked out most of the grouchiness) and he asks what i am making. so i happily show him the cute little heart shaped bread and tell him what i am lovingly making and *boom* that's all i'm going to say. so i had a tasty mid-morning snack which i enjoyed thoroughly. thanks tye... (insert little symbol face with a tongue sticking out) happy mother's day everyone!

wrinkly...

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:22:46 EDT

...toes! ahhh - friday! the bank holiday we had on wednesday has turned my week totally upside-down. today feels like tuesday and yesterday felt like monday, but surprise, it's friday! it has helped the boys make it through the week of school though, this term is feeling like a long term (already!). yesterday my youngest insisted on a tub. i would not have a problem with him having a tub if it meant that it got him all squeaky clean and calmed him down for the evening however, this is not so. he insists on having it soon after getting home from school which means he will be running around outside, bare foot which means he has to have another bath after dinner. his tubs do not usually involve soap either, so really, it's like having a dip in a pool, just inside and smaller. oh well, who can rsisit those wrinkly little toes?

starry eyes

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:24:10 EDT

i'm having a great week - not very productive mind you but very rich! my three boys have been making me practically burst with happiness! thanks guys ;o)

afternoon love

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:43:20 EDT

evening sunset x weekend beach = fresh routine

i hope eveyone had a great weekend! i tried my best to keep things fresh as we did not really have anything 'special' planned for the weekend, but that doesn't mean special things didn't happen! we almost always go to the beach on the weekend (unless someone is sick or something) so it is very much part of our routine but i changed it up abit and took the boys down to the west coast beach late on saturday afternoon - the warm afternoon light is one of my favourite times of the day, and the calm of the west coast just makes makes it all the more magical and makes me feel dreamy.

we are always looking for special rocks & shells!

just us three :o)

happy monday!!!

keeping it up

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:26:46 EDT

can you see what this is? this is our quick way of doing something fun & a little exciting - roasting marshmellows. i don't really like it as it really just burns one spot on the marshmellow and the whole thing just does not have that gooey, yummy, toasty taste however! my boys don't even really like all that, they hold it over the flame for all of two seconds and then pop it in the mouth. so they get the excitment of fire and the yummy-ness of marshmallows and i get the warm, fuzzy feeling of watching the flame flicker in their eyes and the beautiful smiles on their faces.

roasting marshmellows (fresh) x dessert (routine) = fresh routine

well, back to work - i have a very eager teenager waiting to see her pictures!

just a peek

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:11:37 EDT

hope these satisfy, even if just a little!

one little skip

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:48:43 EDT

fresh (change location) x routine (dinner together) = fresh routine

it was a small change, but this is not about moving mountains. the change in our location for dinner together last night brought a different feeling to dinner, a bit of playfulness - you could see it in their eyes and encouraged some good ole knock knock jokes. it's like i sometimes feel like a hamster, running around and around on my little wheel (wake-up, make lunch boxes, the morning madeness, the drive to school, here and there during the day, pick up, drive home, "i want a snack", me saying, "get off the computer/wii/tv and go outside", dinner, bath, bed, "tye, go back to bed", "tye, go to sleep", "tye, just lie down for five minutes and you will go to sleep", finally my bed, and then do it all over again! the little changes i am striving to make are an effort just put a little skip into my crazy circle, to be conscious of life and take note of the special little things that, in the end, mean the most. change does not have to be huge and scary, time consuming and expensive... let’s see what today brings!

fresh routine

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:38:26 EDT

as someone who loves the newness of change, i am baffled by my love (and need) for routine. change = new experiences new perspectives discoveries / routine = calm order comfort. so, my challenge is to make my routine - fresh (is this an oxymoron?) feel free to share any ideas, i’ll let you know how i do & let me know how you do!

weekend 'work'

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:32:44 EDT

i only just got around to updating my screen calendar - better late than never! it's saturday and i'm short on words... reflecting on the fragility of life - my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones that have to say goodbye.

global

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:50:45 EDT

i think the time when we used to ask "where is your family from?" has just about gone. where one person was born does not mean the other was, just because one went to school in one place may not mean that their sibling followed close behind... our families have become global! so as would be expected, this could cause some confusion within a family - where is home? i am sure it could be debated by each individual, and maybe each person has their idea of where home is, but i think the most important thing is to be together, no matter where that may be and, home is where the heart is. as someone that loves experienceing different cultures and places, it was so wonderful to photograph this global family, the different accents, experiences - it was lovely! thanks m family!

preparations

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:37:03 EDT

yes, prepararions are being made to go back to school. term three, the beginning of the countdown, the final stretch before summer. i am not sure who enjoys the holidays more - me or them? but i am not dwelling on that, i'm trying to organize myself, the house, the meal plan... ha! no matter how much i think about it and plan and have great ideas, they seem to be just that - ideas. but you know what? how boring would it be when everything goes just as planned, at the very right time, all in the very right order? so this makes me wonder - is the plan to not have a plan? would that mean that making the plan to not have a plan make whatever happens be 'according to plan'? what's your plan?

holiday

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:28:23 EDT

yes, i have been on holiday! the family dashed off to an island quite close by called bequia. it is one of the islands that make up st. vincent and the grenadines. it was full of excitement, fun times with cousins (which nearly sent my boys into orbit as it was all a surprise) a fun, short plane ride and a ferry ride! i do not do well with motion, but i survived and now that we are back i can say it was great. the sulcking, the tantrums due to change and newness are a distant memory and all that remains are pictures of smiling faces and happy memories. looking back on the holiday makes me ask though, "is a holiday really a holiday whith two young kids?" i feel like i need a holiday now! what do you think? i think maybe it is a different animal of a holiday ;o)

memory trigger

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 08:38:22 EDT

i know that smell is one of the most powerful triggers of memories, but taste must be a close second! my sister flew into the island and surprised everyone for my grandfather's 90th birthday - it was great - and she surprised me with my favourite treat - two glazed, chocolate, dunkin donuts! (i would have taken a picture of them, but i ate them before i could get my camera out, so the bag is all you get!) these donuts do remind me of lots of things, but the main memory is my dad! he does love his donuts too, and yes, the fact that they are chocolate, and anything that is chocolate reminds everyone of my dad, but the main memory is that he would bring them for me on return from his travels. sometimes in a white paper bag, sometimes in a white box. not always all in one piece but always, melt in my mouth, wish it would never end, goodness! i love when a memory comes out of no-where and surprises me, don't you? thanks for the yumminess nik, but more so, for reminding me. sorry i didn't share them dad, next time! love you ;o)

pink

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:43:47 EDT

the bougainvillea have been inspiring the easter colours in my head - they are just beautiful! *sigh* it's tuesday. then it's wednesday. then it will be thursday - easter holidays!

ews

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:02:28 EDT

it was the craziest thing to see an add in my local newspaper for a reception held by my old boarding school in new england! the ethel walker school was an amazing experience and it was great to re-visit my yearbook and memories. it was so nice to meet the head of the school and hear that the campus and people there are still as amazing as they were sixteen (yikes!) years ago! hopefully i'll be able to visit in person one day!

no, there is nothing wrong with your vision - the words are backwards (was that a reflection of the yearbook staff i wonder?)

no, i will not point myself out - if you can figure it out, good for you!

i heart fridays

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:53:56 EDT

i {heart} fridays so much. this week has dragged on, friday took forever to get here. it feels like it has been a long term. i am so ready for next week thursday - late mornings, no lunch boxes, no long drives to & from school, hanging out at home, a break from routine! *sigh* i hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend and the holidays as much as me!

afternoon snack

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:59:09 EDT

does anyone else have/know this type of eater? "mum, can i have an apple and two chocolate kisses? on the same plate - at the same time!" i love that my youngest eats carrots, red sweet pepper, grapes, apples... but he is also the greediest candy eater i have ever met! aye yi yi!

*note* i wanted to write aye yi yi because it is what i would have said but when i went to write it, i paused. "how do you spell that?" i thought. so good ole google and urban dictionary! they even explain it like this: an expression used to show frustration, hopelesses, sadness, annoyence and so on and so forth. pronounced eye- yii- yii. cool, nuh?

happy

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:29:59 EST

so i haven't captured much while looking up the last couple of days however, i have been thinking about two people i look up to! my mother's birthday was yesterday and now her mother's (my grandmother) birthday is today - talk about a nice birthday present for my grandmother! i am so happy to be with both these ladies for their birthdays, just to wish them well and take the time to let them know that they are special and inspirational to me. happy birthday mum. happy birthday gran! ©

look up

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:00:52 EST

how often do we look up? so often we look ahead, we look out, we look back, we look down, but do you look up? i have been trying to look up a bit more...

hey

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:58:36 EST

i pass this plant nearly every day and every day i notice it - so today, i got out my camera and as i stooped down to click, i noticed this little guy. funny how you may notice one thing and on closer inspection you discover something more - an added bonus! (i realize some of you may not see this guy as a 'bonus', but not all bonuses are seen as equal.) so don't forget to look, not just glance, and you may see something more!

happy friday

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:41:06 EST

i was so excited about my underwater camera, i had grand ideas and visions! instead, i have been totally frustrated! it would probably help if i went under and looked at what i was doing, but instead i just plunge the camera in the water and hope for the best - hence the mostly off centre subjects! (i'll term that as artistic) another challenge is that one of my main subjects does not like putting his head underwater and the other can only stay underwater for about one second, and that is about how long it takes the camera to take the picture after i have pressed the button!!! i thought the images were going to a bit clearer too, but maybe that has to do with the water, sun and so on. i'll get the hang of it... well, it's friday, i'm excited! hope everyone has a great, fun, relaxing... weekend!

typical afternoon

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:11:10 EST

ouch, my brain hurts trying to come up with something to write! i have been known to talk more than i should but sometimes, when i look at pictures, i don't want to say anything. i just want to look at them, want you to just look at them, with no slant, no story, no background, no reasons behind the subject/object/the reason why i saw it, why i pressed the button at that moment. of course there are other times i want to write a book about just one image... think about your typical afternoon, what does it look like?

perception

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:19:00 EST

i received this from a friend who always sends me the best, most inspirational messages! this one really struck a cord, it is something i am always striving to do...

PERCEPTION. . . Something To Think About. . .
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
The questions raised:
      *In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
      *Do we stop to appreciate it?
      *Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made. How many other things are we missing?

another monday

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:05:29 EST

i know you have seen her before. i was going though this session again and wanted to share these. well, it's monday, i am short on words on mondays...

nature

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:15:36 EST

i have not been doing too many portraits this past month but been busy with a few projects here and there. as much as i enjoy faces, expression and movement, there is something that always draws me to nature. on one hand it can be so simple and on the other, quite the opposite. and isn't that the case with life too? on one hand it is so simple and on the other - hello complicated! well, i will continue to strive for simplicity however, just because something is complicated it does not mean it is bad, maybe that just makes it interesting!

ahoy!

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:10:27 EST

pirate party! someone was happy to get some new dress up gear from the birthday party we went to - the earring takes it to a whole new level! it was a fun afternoon of jumpy tent, pizza and pinata! aargh! (i think my computer is playing tricks with my skin tones... this looked totally different before uploading??? i'm think a change needs to be made...)

cannon ball

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:15:54 EST

we were exploring last weekend when we came upon this crazy looking flower. thankfully there was a little sign next to the tree saying 'cannon ball tree.' of course there was a fancy latin name too, but cannon ball was easier to handle! we were all in awe of how alien like this flower looked, in every stage of its life too. i could not resist capturing it! try finding one for yourself...

monday

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:59:36 EST

happy friday

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:55:36 EST

i'm feeling a bit creatively inspired this week - it's been a long week in some ways, but nonetheless, i am trying to keep focused on shinning my way. i sometimes struggle with what is my way, but every now and then, i feel a strong sense of self and when that happens, i try to marinate in it for a while - so i'm marinating. i hope it continues through the weekend... i'll let you know

HAM

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:56:34 EST

yes, he is a complete ham! I won’t say it happens 100% of the time, but maybe 90%, when i ask him if i can take his picture, he gets himself ready and gives me a smile. recently he has been wearing these old sunglasses of mine. they have been around for ages, but i think he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and realized he looks as cute as ever in them, and he does notice these things, so he has been a bit attached to them. the most hilarious part is that (as you may have noticed) they don’t have any lenses in them, but he still takes them off and pretends to clean them. isn’t he a cutie?

sweet...

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:24:12 EST

there is nothing like a birthday to remind you how time flies! she was just five years old when i met her and now she is turning 16! she has grown, matured and, at the same time, stayed just as sweet and loving as when i met her. prepared to be the 'evil step mother' she lovingly accepted me and christened me 'mim' - happy birthday jade - we love you!

february

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:56:07 EST

its february already! where did january go? unfortunately, we have started out the month with colds... but hopefully we will shake it off quickly and be back on our feet in no time! i have some exciting products coming soon - i can't wait to get my hands on them and i'll be sure to share! hope everyone is happy & healthy!

outing

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:44:58 EST

just a few of the many images from a fun, relaxed shoot! feeling very short on words today - it's monday...

discovered

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:55:33 EST

isn’t it funny how some things need a lot of attention in our lives and others just... happen? discovering these bananas in our backyard the other day made me think about that.

we have plants in our garden (namely our lime tree) that were chosen and planted carefully, watered regularly, fertilized, the whole shebang and - nothing. then we have the banana tree. taken from a piece that the neighbours’ gardeners had cut down, simply planted in a hole behind the fence and left!

some things in our lives need that careful, thoughtful attention and others just happen. take time to notice those that may be taken for granted because they did not need us, they just simply happened – they are beautiful too – naturally beautiful, without needing us to do anything.

awareness

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:29:39 EST

it’s a world of laughter, a world of tears, it’s a world of hopes and a world of fears. there’s so much that we share that’s it time we’re aware. it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, there is just one moon and one golden sun, and a smile means friendship to ev’ryone, though the mountains divide and the oceans are wide, it’s a small world after all!

play

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:54:46 EST

still catching up on christmas pictures! this collage is from my boys' Christmas play at school. i was a bit miffed that they did not do a true Christmas play and chose 'alice in wonderland' instead, but the kids looked as cute as ever and had a great time. in case you were wondering, my youngest was a turtle and my eldest was a mushroom! too fuuny!

arrows

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:49:08 EST

i was just looking through some pictures i took at the end of last year. pictures that were downloaded and quickly put in a folder to look at later.

these ones are of the cane arrows - i had noticed them as they had started to come out and i kept saying that i needed to go and photograph them, but as usual, the 'to do list' was too long and i snapped a couple toward the end of their 'bloom' - do you say bloom?

oh well, i'll have to get them this year!

differences

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:39:32 EST

we all know girls and boys are different and i notice it so often when i am photographing groups of one or the other! to get the girls to relax and try to forget about the camera, i blow bubbles, ask them to show me their ballet moves, tell a secret... boys on the other hand, they love competition! run a race, who is tallest, and their most favourite... who can jump the highest!

i get some pretty funny expressions when they are jumping and i don't think i have ever had everyone jump at the same time! but hey, we're having fun!

how high can you jump?

canadian sunshine

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:11:08 EST

we have some great friends who have been coming to barbados from canada for a long time now. it is great to see them and catch up whenever they come. these are just a few of my favourites from the time i spent with them... i hope you like them guys! we will make it to canada one of these years (and hopefully get some pictures of us in the snow)!

ch ch ch changes

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:57:11 EST

welcome!

there is something about change and new-ness. i love moving my furniture around, getting a new hair style, the beginning of a new year. i also find that change can bring a new perspective, a change of attitude... when i move the boys' toys around, they suddenly discover an old favourite that had been forgotten or, develop a new fondness for something that was just cast away at first - it is like they have new toys all over again!

i have been struggling to find the right layout for my blog. i kept asking myself, how did i want it to look, what did i really want it to say... well i hope i have found the perfect fit. 2010 started off a bit bumpy, but then again, isn't that what makes things interesting? it may take me a little while to settle in, i have so many things i want to share. it may get a bit messy as my head has been a bit of a melting pot these last few years (yes, years!) with ideas and images coming together and hopefully, now developing into something interesting, explorative & inspiring.

i'm a laid back kind of person, can only think about one thing at a time, a bit of a procrastinator, sensitive and even a bit shy at times. check back often and see how those things reflect!

make a change and see if you notice something new / find a new meaning in something old.

sofiewarren photography blog

sports - round one

forget me not

hazy

it's been a while

where...

oh hello...

so where have i been?

simple

sorting

transport board*

unsettled

thankful

a dog named...

is it okay to start with a sigh?

new

our tree

3-5

effort

blah

into it...

smile

reminder*

november...remember

the obsession continues

symbolic

the sun sets

why is it not possible...

happenings

happy birthday*

learn/play

i am a wanderer

trick/treat

treasure

always pausing

its monday*

the delicacy of...

introvert

travel

more moisture

filling my cup

haze*

pause*

endless

i think...

*sigh* note

brain overload

ready, set, start

paths

saturday morning...

magical

l.i.f.e

guest *

just trust*

pretty places

barbadiana

balloons

omg *

grow

finally *

i think i'm in...

summer time*

together *

a little *

i *heart*

i am *

full

break in transmission

one word*

time...

*disclaimer* - heavy post

always...

enough already?

explore*

magic moments

six kids, three courses, one happy birthday

just ask

chaos

uninvited

hello - goodbye

sigh note

i heart

disclaimer - heavy post

and sway