Lost Without My Purse and The Winter Solstice

Forgot my purse at work last night. I work two days a week at my friend's children's boutique since I can bring my 2 1/2 year old to work with me. It is FREEZING cold here, was probably -30C when I left, so of course I just ran out the door, strapped Quin in her seat, and drove off. Urgh! Now I have no wallet, so no money, cards, checkbook, no point and shoot camera, and no cell phone. All I wanted to accomplish today was uploading the rest of the photographs from our trip to see my family in Minneapolis. I already uploaded off my big camera so just had the little one to go. Bummer. Always gives me that sinking feeling when I realize my purse is missing.

On a more positive note, today is the winter solstice! At 5:04 AM, the sun stood still, hung in mid air for a moment, then swung back, so now those of use in the North will see longer days. Yippee!! Although, I must admit, I have never disliked the darkness of winter. I feel it makes it easier to hunker down next to the fire and get cozy when it is dark outside. Of course, I generally don't roll out of bed until after 8:30 AM, so I can feel for those people who have to start their day in the dark.

Happy Solstice :)

Submission to Light Leaks

I Was Here
Polaroid Spectra Double Exposure by Tiffany Teske

Last minute as always, I decided to submit this to Light Leaks, one of my favorite photo magazines. Light Leaks is committed to featuring the work of photographers who work with low fidelity or "toy" cameras: Holgas, Polaroids, Pinhole, Diana, Brownie, Lomo, or Samplers. And if you click on each of those you will have gotten your photography knowledge for the week. I was one day late last time, so I am improving... I got this in with 1 hour 30 minutes remaining. Light Leaks is published in Canada so that is extra cool. The theme of the call for submission is evidence. Should be an interesting bunch of images...

Ten Toxic Household/Food Items You Should Be Aware Of...

I found this article on MSN to be easy to read and very informative. Called "10 Toxic Items" it walks you through some really common but really hazardous items we all own or eat. While I have banished some of these from my home, it will be on my list of New Year's Resolutions to get rid of the rest.

Just a quick list of what is featured in the article:
1) Teflon Pans
2) Air Freshener
3) Children's Toys
4) Dust (I am very guilty of not dusting enough...)
5) Lipstick
6) Nail Polish
7) Shampoo
8) Canned Foods (BPA has been outlawed from cans here in Canada)
9) Tuna
10) Peaches and Apples

Sewing Charity

I have a long and arduous history with sewing. Basically, I wish I was good at it, that it came easily or at least normally to me, but while I try and try I never quite get to the point where I feel confident. I have taken several classes and have been tutored one-on-one by some of the best. But enough about me. I wanted to post about a organization, Sewing Charity, that matches peoples' sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting skills with charities that need them. What a cool and heart warming idea! If you have any of these crafting skill sets go on the website and find out more...

GREAT BIG smalls IV at Cube Gallery

For those of you in Ottawa this month, there is still time to hit this popular show. With over 300 afforable works of original art, create by over 60 artists, it is a feast for an eyes and a joy for the soul. Still looking for something to satisfy the art lover on your list or maybe you want to give yourself something to smile about? The show runs until December 23rd, and is open until 9 PM.

Here are the dets:
CUBE GALLERY
7 HAMILTON AVENUE NORTH,
OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1Y 1B4
613.728.1750
info@donmonet.ca
cubegallery.ca



I have six framed Polaroid transfer originals in this show. They are all centered around the theme of tulips. Very colorful and festive while we are all in a deep freeze.

Ok, Ok, I Am Back to Having TWO blogs...

...you can thank Dan and Alison, two recent readers who emailed and posted comments about the blog. I am about to have more time. And I really feel there are topics I can blog about here that I should not blog about on my other blog, Art & Food & Motherhood. I try to keep that blog uplifting, and while I also think this blog is uplifting I do at times go into political rantings and such posts that don't really belong on my other blog. Anyway, thanks to those of you who have reached out and gotten me inspired to continue this blog...

The Sound of Our Babe...

Today we had our third midwife visit with our amazing midwife, Mireille. Our last visit was three weeks ago, and our babe was a bit shy when we went to hear the beating of its heart. But not this time!! Andre, Quin, and I heard our little bean for the first time. I wish I could share it via audio, I bet audiophiles record that... but I am a visual creator, so no audio for you. It is such a unique and amazing sound to hear the rapid beating of a little ones heart while in utero. It feels like Christmas came early. Both Andre and I remarked that this babe sounds more mellow than its big sis did. Imagine. We should find out in about three weeks whether bean is a boy or a girl...

I Was Away....

...visiting my family in Minneapolis! We had a fabulous time, which I will post about in coming days. I really meant to leave a little note here, to let you all know, but time got away from me. Thanks for being so understanding! More soon, I am just getting back into the swing of things... I also plan to FINALLY design a banner...

The Lake Louise World Cup Men's Downhill

Where does the time go? December ALREADY! Sheesh! Andre, Quin, and I had an awesome weekend at the The Lake Louise World Cup Men's Downhill!! Thanks to all of Andre's hard work and his generous bosses we enjoyed an amazing time at the Chateau Lake Louise. We took in the races, enjoyed food in the VIP tent, went to the Saturday night bib draw and met some racers, and met even more on Sunday.


Bodie Miller, Quin, & Andre

Oh, Bodie, he always seems to be unhappy with his performance, although the past two years we saw him at Lake Louise, he didn't do very well... I have a soft spot in my heart for him, since I taught photography at Carrabassett Valley Academy, a private ski academy in Maine, at Sugarloaf, when he was a student. I always root for Bodie. He is a green skier, who often shuns endorsements, a rebel, and from what I can tell a sensitive soul. On Sunday, the day after this photo, he was going 122km per hour when his ski popped off, and he not only didn't wipe out, but completed a couple more turns on one ski. He is truly amazing. And as he once said in a video of his, these guys risk their lives every time they compete.



Quin, Me, & Hermann Meier

Hermann Meier won the Super G on Sunday. He is from Austria and has a million dollar smile. This was the night before the race. He risked his life, as all the racers do, and won $30,000 for that run.


Andre, Quin, & Didier Cuche

Didier Cuche won third place in the Super G on Sunday. He is from Switzerland. He is super nice, very approachable. Ever time I saw him, he would stop and take time for his fans, with a huge smile. He seems really down to earth, no "people" to herd him from appearance to appearance. He always seemed to be alone. We even ran past us in the hall at the Chateau to get to the bib draw on time. He spoke to Quin, which none of the other racers did, and he and Andre talked trucks outside the Chateau.

Patty's Sky

I created a series of sky Polaroid transfers for my dear friend, Patty. She saw a sky image I had in my Etsy shop and asked me if I could make a series. I knew just which images I would use. I had photographed the sky outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004, and I had been wanting to make them into transfers.


Patty used to rehabilitate birds and wishes she could fly, so I hope these images help her to soar...