Kim 365

Went with the kiddos to watch Clay play hockey again this evening - we try to go whenever he's playing early enough to not postpone bedtime too long. I tried getting some action shots, but wasn't happy with any of them. That's an understatement, by the way.
So I looked elsewhere for something interesting...vending machines! These used to be my favourite candy to get whenever I could get my mom to give me a quarter :) I like that you can see my reflection in the corner. Kinda looks like I'm in a bowling alley instead of a hockey rink, doesn't it?

Last day of the point and shoot challenge! I'm very glad I did it, and very glad that I'll be picking up the 'real' camera again tomorrow.

Homemade burgers tonight. Thanks, Jamie Oliver.

I bought these beauties at a community farmer's market this morning. When I was really little, my family had a few chickens, but I haven't eaten anything but store-bought eggs for many years now. As I get older, and am responsible for feeding more and more growing bodies, I am becoming more and more conscious of what we're putting in our mouths, and where it's come from. I'm working through an amazing book called Real Food on a Real Budget, and think that free range eggs are definitely something I'd be willing to pay more for, as I work on paring down other parts of our food budget. They're more nutritious, and the birds live like real birds. Can't argue with that. Now if only I could get my hands on some raw milk...

Designed to resemble a Bavarian castle, The Bessborough Hotel is a historic landmark located on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. The Bess' (pronounced 'Bez') construction was completed in 1932, but due to financial strains of The Great Depression, did not welcome its first official guest until December of 1935. From the day it started taking shape, it has been what defines Saskatoon's beautiful skyline.

My point and shoot delivered today! I did something with it that I would never dream of doing with the SLR - I hung my arm out my car window with camera in hand, and blindly shot - hoping for something good. While I'm not usually big on arbitrary angles like this, it's what I ended up with, and I think it really works! I love how the sky is reflected in the windows.

Okay, so first of all, I really need to give credit where credit is due. Yesterday's photo, while set up on the tripod by yours truly, was snapped by my dear boy Markus (4 years old)! Pulling out the p/s has really sparked an interest of photography in him, and it makes a huge difference for he and his brother to be using a camera that I'm not terrified of them dropping. He's already becoming a skilled assistant.

As for today, he also took this shot! Unfortunately I didn't change the shutter speed before I handed it over to him, so this was terribly overexposed, but I just love the framing, the angle, and the expression on Bailey's face. Such a sweet and innocent little trucker girl :) Making it black and white seems to redeem the high contrast a little, and she's so cute that, in my mind, the overexposure doesn't even matter. What do you think?

Twirling dresses look pretty, but I found out today that I shouldn't be twirling at my age. Hah! I felt sick to my stomach, I was so dizzy. The things we do for a shot...

The quality of the photos from my point & shoot camera always frustrated me, but I didn't know what the problem was. Now I'm realizing all the things that I am able to to do with the DSLR, and have a better understanding of what makes my p&s fall short. It is definitely still possible to get good photos with a p&s, just like it's possible to have a DSLR and take bad photos - it just takes a little more hard work.

"What the heck are these keys for?" That's what we've been wondering for the past few days, since Clay dug them out of his car while we were cleaning it. It was the question running through my mind on repeat the whole time I was trying to get this shot, and by the time I was finished, I think I figured it out. Thanks point & shoot.

My p/s camera, a Fujifilm, takes pretty good pictures outside. Inside, it did nothing but frustrate me - I speak in past tense because I've not used it indoors for almost 2 years! That is when we got our first DSLR and I have not looked back at that dumb little annoying p/s since. Until now ;) I joined a challenge on the 365 project site to put down the DSLR for a week. As much as I didn't want to, I wanted to. The big problem was, I had no idea where my USB cable was. (un?)fortunately I found it. So here we go, day 1. Not too bad, working on full manual here, and pretty impressed with the dof (depth of field) I was able to achieve.

Some friends across the street had us over for a BBQ this evening, and we had a wonderful time eating and visiting. This is their little girl, who is such a sweet and happy baby! She's a few months younger than Bailey, but already walking! Bailey was obviously very inspired, as she was standing by herself again and again for the last hour we were there - something she has rarely tried. It is so cool to see our little ones together, and I imagine they will be good princess pals in a few years!

I love to cook, and find great joy in making homemade, nourishing, meals with real food. I spent the evening making egg salad for sandwiches that we'll be bringing to a potluck for lunch tomorrow, and pasta salad for a BBQ in the evening. Mmmm...the taste of summer!

We have seen more than our fair share of rain already this year. Tuesday night we had what's being called the worst storm to hit our city in three decades, and this afternoon the heavens let loose again. The sky went almost black, the thunder rolled, lightning flashed, and the rain absolutely poured! Here, Clay's holding a handful of the hail that pelted our lawn.