Bokeh is a funny photography term that refers to the blurred, out-of-focus background of a picture where light is distorted. Last weekend I wandered between the cabin and the lake, and allowed my camera to turn towards anything potentially captivating. The sun was setting beyond this little grove of trees (birches, but I could be wrong) and the sparkling light grabbed my attention. What is it about trees and light that is so interesting? It makes me think of fairies and forest elves… and the peace and quiet found around lakes in northern Minnesota.
Last week was a whirlwind of work, housework and packing for Labor Day weekend.
This week involves re-entry into daily life after a wonderfully relaxing and refreshing weekend at the lake with four amazing friends. Before I left, Livia told me she would “focus” on being good for daddy over the weekend. And apparently her focusing paid off—she was great! But I fear I’m paying for my departure now, as my kid is offering up some really, really, really challenging behaviors. Sigh.
It was so good to have a weekend off. It is also good to be home with my beloved husband and beautiful kiddo.
More coming about my girls’ weekend…
I’m locked out of Facebook for the time being. So if you get any weird messages there from me, know they’re not from me at all! I wonder if a lot of people are receiving these security alerts. Jeremy did, and I changed my password when that happened. It’s a tad annoying if you ask me.
So Liv and I took in the final Lincoln state fair yesterday afternoon. (It is moving to Grand Island, NE, next year.) Livia requested her photo be taken in the shot above, so of course I obliged! She was posing and twirling; I loved it. We were excited to be at the fair. I was excited about the following photo.
Mmmm. Funnel cakes with powdered sugar. My body was very displeased with me afterwards, but they were good going down.
We saw a giraffe among other creatures in the exotic animal tent. Liv still recalls with laughter the time Papa tried to feed the ostrich and dropped the animal feed in surprise (two years ago, I wasn’t there but Liv’s recollection makes me laugh)—and we fed the ostrich this time with better results. Still, one gets a bit nervous feeding an ostrich. That bird had some power.
We moved on to the birthing pavilion and got to hold a baby chick. Nothing makes Livia happier than handling animal babies. I had to drag her from the tent. She would’ve held the baby goats and lambs if they had let her.
Sometimes I’m surprised by who I see through my camera lens. Anyone recognize these folks?
We went on Liv’s first ever carnival ride—her choice. The spinning strawberries were just my pace, too. Apparently, you lose your capacity for amusement park rides when you hit 30. I’m glad I rode them all as a kid because I sure as heck don’t want to anymore!
The skies grew darker and the temps dropped as we were leaving the fair. I laughed out loud as I snapped Livia on this bench, hunched over with fingers in her mouth, as there are many times I’ve wished I could do the same thing when I was cold and tired. Five years olds are delightfully free from inhibition (remind me I said that when she’s wailing away in Target).
Sayanora, State Fair!
Yep, this little face definitely charms me! I love my sweet nephew Noah and marvel at his new growth and expanding personality each time I see him. He’s talking now, with baby goos and ah-oos that mesmerize me.
Kristin wears Noah on her chest in the coolest baby wrap (what’s the name of this one, Kris?). It’s amusing to see something similar to a pregnancy shape, only there’s a baby snuggled close and sleeping just inside the fabric. Sometimes I forget Noah is there until I hear his waking cry. The wrap is a brilliant way to keep a little one happy and snugged tight.
I am not one of those moms who cry over haircuts. Or at least, I didn’t think I was until I took Livia into a local hairstyling school last Thursday. Looking for a cheap haircut and an immediate appointment, we waltzed in the college and sat in between a few empty chairs and two chatty elderly women receiving conversation and haircuts.
I told our stylist-in-training to cut Liv’s hair “just above the shoulders” and let’s just say the first slice of her scissors made me recoil in horror. After realizing that Livia was now getting more than our money’s worth, I did the only thing a people-pleaser like me could do in this modern age: I grabbed my phone and furiously texted my shock to my little brother.
And no, I did not tell the newbie stylist that I was not pleased. I kept that part to myself (and now everyone else I come in contact with, ha) because you know what? Liv looks really cute.
Cute cupcakes are only a boxed cake mix away. Liv and I like to put some batter in the oven and move on to icing. It’s simple to mix up Wilton’s buttercream recipe and then tint it to our heart’s desire.
Our preferred icing method is to heat the icing in the microwave, then dip the cupcakes in the mixture. Livia’s task, then, is to sprinkle like a mad woman before the frosting hardens. We get a little crazy, sprinkles go everywhere, but the end result is cute cupcakes every time. Need a quick platter of treats for a friend? Want an afternoon pick-me-up? Cupcakes are the answer. The cuteness is just the (ahem) icing on the cake.
We saw Over the Rhine last night in Omaha. It was a last-minute kind of thing and I’m soooo very grateful we got to go. It was a fun ride up and back with the Koenigs, and of course the concert was great. Oh to sing like Karin Bergquist! That woman has amazing control of her voice, say nothing of her stage presence. (Jeremy asked me where she was from and I’m now reading on the OtR website of her “torchy, devil-may-care voice, brimming with Midwestern soul.” There ya have it, JT.) I foresee more Over the Rhine albums in my future.
Today feels nothing like a Tuesday. Sunday morning perhaps, but definitely not Tuesday. Tuesdays have responsibilities and schedules and chores and so far I’ve polished off a large quantity of Diet Mountain Dew, assisted in DVD playing for Liv, and watched a giant spider wrap up it’s prey in the flower garden. Tuesday, really? Tuesday-after-a-Monday-night-date? Yes, definitely.
Now if only I can squeeze a nap in between reading some Harry Potter and avoiding the dishes piled up in my sink.
