Project Landscape the House has commenced.

We had it professionally designed by the good people at Wiegand’s Nursery in Macomb, Michigan (trust me, it wouldn’t have been pretty had we done it alone). Not only was Charmaine (the designer) very professional and super nice, she also rocked out the design. She delivered on everything I asked for. I couldn’t be happier and am looking forward to implementing her design. Happy gardening!

Addictive personality or irresponsible company?

I never considered myself to have an addictive personality, but the older (and wiser) I get, the more apparent it is. For instance, I cannot put this bag of mixed nuts down, no matter how many times I look at the caloric intake on the back of the bag. As the contents disappear, I keep reaching for more. Does one bag really need to contain the ability to nourish you with 1800 calories and still call itself a “snack”? Then I think, “well, maybe it’s not so much of a personal fault as it is an irresponsibility of Germack to make the most amazingly-tasty nut mixture”. I mean, come on, cherries, cranberries, roasted almonds (my favorite), cashews and shelled pistachios! All in one freaking bag!? If ignorance is bliss, consider me Donald Trump. I’m eating the whole damn bag!

Jack and Grandma.

Taken with the Fuji X-Pro1 with the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens.

Storm cloud this morning.

Taken with the Fuji X-Pro1 with the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens.

Messy toddler means dirty bath water.

Leah in her sundress.

Waiting to start our Memorial Day barbecue.

Peanut Butter Blast.

My morning go-to drink for some quick, healthy energy:

1 cup of skim milk
2 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 tbsp Hershey’s chocolate syrup
2 bananas

Blend on high for 30 seconds. For a healthier smoothie, substitute agave nectar or honey for the Hershey’s syrup.

Growing up so fast.

The night she was born.

Last week, playing with her blocks.

Everyday she learns something new. She’s almost 15 months now, which I still can’t believe, and is able to communicate by broken-baby-babbles and body language. Not relying on child care and taking care of her ourselves has also been a blessing. We’ve been there for every milestone and will continue to be surprised each and every morning when she does something new and different. Here’s a list of words she says right now:

Puppy
Hiss (what does a snake say?)
Bampa (grandpa)
Re-rah (Rayla, our dog)
Ma (more)
Mama
Dada
Nana
Blub blub (what does a fish say?)
Rawrrr (what does a lion say?)
Yeh
Hot
Brrr (are you cold?)
Bike
Baby
Beep beep
Leah
All done

Bath time.

Porch light.

The first shot taken with my Fuji X-Pro1. I can’t wait to have a few days off work. So far, I’m in love- warm and fuzzies.

By the way, this was shot at ISO 200, f/1.4 and 1/60.

Mostly Leah.

Taken with my very manual Olympus OM10, Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 lens and Kodak Portra 400 film.

Leah with her walk-along toy.

These are the first few shots with my Olympus OM10 camera. This manual focus stuff takes some getting used to! My Nikon F100 has spoiled me.

"Hot, hot, hot."

Today I failed as a parent.

Leah was saying “hot, hot, hot” all day. Normally she doesn’t do this but when she does say “hot”, it’s because something is either hot or cold (she has a hard time differentiating for some reason). Well… I thought she meant she was cold because she had goosebumps and I had the windows open. Not once did I think she might not be feeling good. She napped abnormally long, she was very cuddly and not so outgoing, she had a runny nose and cough and she winced every time she swallowed food- I know, “duh!”, right?

Fast forward 6 hours and Haley gets home from work, checks her temperature and it was 101.9°.

Crap.

Maybe I should start listening to my 14 month old when she tells me she’s hot.

Southernmost Beach, Key West.

Taken with a Nikon F100 using a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens with 35mm Kodak Portra 400.

Haley and Leah.

Taken with a Nikon F100 using a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens with 35mm Kodak Portra 400.

Duvall Street, Key West.

Taken with a Nikon F100 using a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G lens with 35mm Kodak Portra 400.

Our little girl.

Paradise at Southernmost.

Leah on 1600.

A really dark room and Fujifilm Natura 1600 in the Nikon F100.

Key West on Portra 400.

Taken with a Nikon F100 using a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens with 35mm Kodak Portra 400.

Terri and Kristina, Key West.

Favorites from the Fujifilm Natura roll in Key West.

At the Butterfly Conservatory in Key West, Fl.

Taken with a Nikon F100 using a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens with 35mm Fujifilm Natura 1600 film.