Mmmm....Blueberries:)

If you're paying attention, I'm a week behind, because I didn't post anything last week. It's been a busy one with school starting, but I want to keep my momentum, so I'll try to post twice this weekend. A few weeks ago, Tami, her sister Lori, Lori's husband Jerry, and I went to a nearby blueberry farm and picked about 70 lbs. of blueberries - combined (I can only take credit for 7.5 of those pounds). It takes longer than you think! I thought this post was especially appropriate considering what Tami has been going through lately. She has major eye surgery coming up and on top of that she had an appendicitis - a very bad case. Hopefully, when she sees this post, it will brighten her day:)

Yes, the owners of the blueberry farm last name was Blue...how adorable!!!

Tami - demonstrating the talent and art of picking blueberries...

After picking blueberries for a while, we all went back to Lori and Jerry's house and they made us the most delicious breakfast: fresh blueberry pancakes and sausage...mmm, mmm, mmm! I know I talk about food a lot, but it was too good not to mention:) The picture above and below are of Lori's beautiful garden. I could have stayed there for days taking pictures. I didn't get a good shot, but her hummingbird feeder was swarmed with hummingbirds!

Butterflies are my absolute favorite!

Here it is, the end result! The first time I had ever made lattice for a pie. Actually the first time I had made a crust of any sort. Give me a tiny break on the lattice - my hubs wouldn't;p A few days ago, I made another pie, but the lattice was so much better looking. Unfortunately, I have a sentimental attachment to my first, so I posted this one instead of the pretty pie. In fact, I didn't take a picture of the second one, so I wouldn't be tempted to post it. Very tasty either way!

More for Drew and Meg!

Ya'll may remember Drew and Meg. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was doing newborn/maternity portraits for Meg and the couple's 4 month old, Charli. Charli is a big sis now to Sam - the newest addition to the family! Again, I'm amazed at how well they're doing with the sudden growth of their family and how peaceful their home still appears:)


Sam was a very peaceful baby, and sat calmly for what must have been slightly unnerving at his young age!

Sam is another baby that looks just like his Mommy!

Can't resist cute little footsies!

Charli was awesome through the whole ordeal too! She was still being playful towards the end;)

Photowalk 2010 ~ Cary, Nc

Last year, Holly B. introduced me to Scott Kelby's annual, worldwide photowalk. We had a great time in Southern Pines, but this year, I decided to take the photographers of my family: my Dad and my sister Sara. Both are more experienced than me and I had an awesome time roaming around downtown Cary with them. The best thing about the photowalk is the "license" to go with your camera where you would never go regularly. My family has lived in Cary for over 25 years and never have had the opportunity to capture the beautiful town in our cameras.

Once we took the photos, we submitted only one for the contest...It was hard to choose, but I'd like ya'll to vote on mine (leave a comment!):

Yes, my sweaty self walked in with all of my camera gear and sat down on the floor of this bridal boutique and took forever getting the right light...but I got it and love these!

Sara's hands...

Dad being a kid again:)...

The ones below are Sara's...I couldn't publish this blog without adding hers. She's so talented and has a great eye for things that I wouldn't necessarily see to capture.

What do ya'll think? Vote on hers too (leave a comment):

This is the only one I got from Dad...Absolutely LOVE the cross through the trees. The Lord will always shine through!

Peach Jam Makin' ~ With the Girls

You may remember a few months ago when my Mom taught her girls to make frozen strawberry jam...mmm, mmm, mmm...nothing could be better on some buttered toast! Until of course, peach season. This year we decided to do frozen peach jam too! Apparently, one good thing about living in the Sandhills is their abundance of fresh peaches. Let me tell you - I've never had so many types of peaches to choose from! I had no idea what the difference was, so I tasted each kind until I could decide ;) I'd tell you what these were, but I can't even remember now!

And now the process (the "I was barely paying attention" version) :

Mom, peeling the blanched peaches...

Sara, cutting into the juicy goodness...

Sara has an eye for photos that I don't have...It was her idea to show this vibrance of the seed against the peach as it was opened - love it!

The peaches ready to be mashed...

Sara, working hard - putting a little elbow grease into it!

After adding a few things like sugar into the mix, the jam goes in the jar and waits 24 hours to be frozen...


My "camera-shy" nephew - insisted on taking credit, but came into the kitchen only for this photo;)

And of course, I made a cobbler for my sweetpea when I got home!

Everyday I try to read a devotion from a devotional book that Ruthie gave me. The other day it told me to see Jesus in everything that is beautiful. While publishing this post, I couldn't help but to see the vibrant beauty in the peaches themselves, but also in the time spent with my Mama and sisters. When we're together, we laugh and joke and sometimes delirium comes into play...and it's so much fun that for that time, I'm relieved of the everyday stresses of my life - now that's the Lord creating beauty for me to see:)