Embrace Life

My Best Shot Monday: Turning Leaves

There is a long row of tall sugar maples that divide our property from Tom & Heather's place. These maples turn a brilliant, blinding yellow at the hight of their change. This may be the last sign of green in our yard until next Spring. The temperatures are consistently low, plenty of wind and rain. Now with the time change, we have officially entered the dark days of ... well, dark days. I'll await the bright leaves, they should arrive this week, a final showy farewell to colour!

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :) Looking for another fabulous challenge? Be sure to check out Celebrate Monday over on Flickr.

My Best Shot Monday: Free Skate

My boy, Caden, is forever asking to go to the Appleby Rink for the family free skate on Sunday afternoons. More often than not life gets in the way and I often find I have to disappoint him and we end up somewhere other than where he wants to be. Not yesterday!

Look at that face, so happy! Not only did he get to skate, his cousin Justin met him over at the rink. I sat outside and chatted with my sister while the boys enjoyed themselves chasing each other - forwards and backwards - all over the ice surface.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :) And, be sure to check out Celebrate Monday over on Flickr. So much fun!

My Best Shot Monday: Comfort Food

One of the best aspects of cooler weather arriving is welcoming the food that comes with it. Rainy days often call for my favourite comfort food: tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

More yummy sandwiches I look forward to enjoying, with soup:

• Tuna Melt (tuna, mayo, shredded cheddar, on an english muffin, topped with dill and broiled)
• Salmon Bagel (smoked salmon, cream cheese, toasted bagel with capers)
• Montreal Smoked Meat (on light rye with yellow mustard, heated - sometimes with melted swiss)
• Monte Cristo (ham, turkey and swiss cheese on rye bread - grilled and served with 1000 island dressing)
• Beef Dip (roast beef sliced thin, carmelized onions - served on toasted sourdough baguette with jus for dipping)
• Toasted Turkey (smoked turkey slices with sliced tomato, lettuce and bacon - served on toasted grain bread with mayo and dijon)

What is your favourite comfort sandwich? Alas, with my newfound intolerance for cheese, I will have to amend my list, but only just a bit!

Don't forget to go here and enter to win your copy of the Fall edition of Canadian Scrapbooker. You just have to answer one question: Why do YOU scrapbook? Hey, if you want, answer Why do you NOT scrapbook? That would be great to know, too :)

My Best Shot Monday: Water Drops

Our weather has been typical of autumn - breezy, gray and wet one minute and bright and sunny the next. The skies are always changing and the leaves have just started giving way from green to the more brilliant red and yellow. We've had to pack sweaters and raincoats and t-shirts just to keep up with the temperature changes.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Open My Eyes

Last week, while waiting for Cole at his off ice training, I took a walk around the arena facility - around the outside. For the first time in six years I ventured past the parking lot and into the vast area of wild flowers and weeds that inhabit the space behind the back parking lot.

My best shot is one I've been trying to capture for a long time but couldn't find the plant - who knew I'd find it in a place I visit at least four or five times each week? Clearly a lesson in OPEN MY EYES.

This was my favourite:

Now that my eyes have been opened, I'll head back and take photos at a better time during the day ... high noon does not make for the best lighting, but not too bad.

My Best Shot Monday: Wheel

My best shot of the week is actually Claire's best shot:

She and Louis were on their way down the 400, on their way home from watching Cole play hockey in Alliston, and they saw the sites of the Barrie Fair. Of course they couldn't resist. Claire had my camera with her, and this is the shot she captured. Nice work!

I enjoy My Best Shot Monday as it makes me look critically at my photos and I can choose what is the best of the week. "Best" is subjective, of course. Composition. Balance. Subject. Story. What is the best of those parts. This challenge really makes me LOOK.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

Now, alternatively, you all know how much I LOVE MONDAYS. I really do. To me Monday represents a new beginning and each Monday I celebrate that within one year, I have 52 fresh starts. It is, to me, a very optimistic day.

The savvy and smart Jennifer Wilson over at Simple Scrapper has started a challenge: Celebrate Monday. How could I resist?

Instead of choosing my best shot of the week, I'm using this challenge to take a photo on Monday: an average, everyday photo which would be considered optimistic or light hearted. In keeping with my attitude toward the day. As has been my habit of late, I'm participating in this challenge over on Flickr and linking my photo to the Simple Scrapper blog. If you are interested, check out my submissions from my last couple of weeks. Who knows, this might become a 52-page mini book of Mondays. Or not. We'll have to see!

I'll be looking for your submissions in the Simple Scrapper website!

 

My Best Shot Monday: Siblings

Over the weekend we had a little visitor that inspired Claire to grab her camera and run outside. A very familiar sight around here. She jumped up on a chair and put her leg on the railing. Cole jumped out of his chair and went over to keep her steady.

I am so proud of him, unprompted, showing her that kindness. (Any of you with more than one kid knows how it warms your heart when your kids show that they can be thoughtful toward each other.) I'm also proud of her for not freaking out and shoving him away! 

A bit of context for the shot, what in the world was she looking for in the tree:

Can you see him there? The little owl over her shoulder?

 

This is the photo I took earlier showing our little visitor. IHe's been living in the cedars in the back yard and we've seen him a few times. He comes to visit every once in a while standing on the stairs outside the back door. He's pretty fearless and allows me to open the door to take photos - and Claire was pretty close, too.

I love that we are surrounded by opportunities to take in nature, in it's natural habitat. Now if I could only get a photo of the beaver who spends some time in our back yard!

My Best Shot Monday: Masts

As we were sitting on the deck looking out over the water what appeared?

Claire grabbed the camera and ran to the end of the yard, only to realize there was no data card. Ran back, got the card, and the photo credit. So this isn't my best shot Monday, this is Claire's best shot. In the time we've lived here, I've never seen such a beautiful vessel float by ... many sailboats and freighters, but never this. Gorgeous.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Coaching

DISCLAIMER: Rink shots are hard. The Plexiglas is marred and dirty. The lighting stinks!

Cole attended his first elite hockey tournament, ever, over the weekend. The speed and intensity of each game was not intimidating; it was invigorating. I think he was sad to see the end of each game; he loved every minute of it.

As his mum, the part I loved was watching him come off each shift and have a coach speak to him. His performance was constantly analyzed and critiqued and COMMUNICATED. A completely foreign concept and welcome change. Cole absorbed all of the information and you could see his steady improvement during all five games from Friday through Sunday. 

Heartfelt thanks to each coach for ... coaching:

I was positively giddy with delight the first few times it happened. Then I realized this is a normal part of the game.

An all new game.

My Best Shot Monday: Near Miss

I thought it was funny that Cole looked directly at the camera after this near miss. He was going full tilt at his rugby game and almost squished one of the smaller members of his team. If nothing else, Cole is aware of what is going on around him and aware of his size. He really doesn't want to hurt anyone, even if it would be inadvertent. The look makes me laugh :)

Leading up to the near miss:

 

So, that day, Daniel did not become a pancake! Whoot :)

My Best Shot Monday, on Tuesday: Glasses

As Louis and I were headed out to play Euchre on Saturday evening, this was the site which bid us our goodbyes. This was right before Caden hurled himself down the stairs to give me one final hug. The glasses joined us mid-way through A Week in the Life. After Wednesday I don't know that I have many photos of our boy without them on his face.

At any rate, this photo just makes me smile.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Droplets

We've had a couple of rainy and cold days here. Ah, Spring.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Home Shave

I am still startled by the fact my baby is shaving. This was his first "at home" attempt. I have to admit, he did a pretty good job. It was fun to watch his brother watch him. That'll be the topic of he next shaving photo shoot!

My Best Shot Monday: This little piggy

Every morning I go into Chloé's room to wake her, be it for school or a weekend activity. Every morning she is completely swaddled in her blankets and covers. Except her toes. They are always peeking out at the end of her bed.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: First Park Visit

The first visit to the park since last November. The brilliant weekend weather lured Caden and a buddy to Shell Park where they watched the older kids on their skateboards and BMX bikes then off to the park.

Though I heard from the weather man over the weekend "Don't pack a thread until April is dead" I'm hoping for more sunshine and brilliant days in the very near future. I don't want to have to wait until the end of April! Maybe this is the one year, ever, we don't get snow after Easter!

(I just realized my "best shot" for last week was Caden in Canadiens gear. I'll try to switch it up a bit next time!)

Have a wonderful week :)

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Back to Normal?

Canada won the Olympic Gold Medal in hockey last night: a heart-stopping triumph over Team USA in overtime! We've barely had a chance to catch our breath and Caden has already abandoned his patriotic Canada wear for his much loved Habs (Montreal Canadiens) touque and shirt. He quickly ate his breakfast this morning and his first question was, when is the next hockey game? I looked it up: Habs vs Bruins play Tuesday at 7PM. Guess what we're watching on Tuesday night? :)

My Best Shot Monday: Sous Chefs

There is always so much to do when it comes to making stew. Lots of prep work in order to enjoy the smells that permeate the kitchen for the rest of the day and the delicious results at dinner time. The youngers asked if they could help, and of course, I said "yes" and immediately found a pair of vegetable peelers. I love that they're anxious to learn.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday on Tuesday: Bouquet

(I know it's Tuesday, but with yesterday being a day off school I got a bit discombobulated! I forgot to post.)

As I mentioned here, my boys picked up a lovely bouquet for me for Valentine's Day. The best part of having happy flowers in the house is that they provide plenty of chances to practice taking photos. Different angles and lighting. I took about 120 photos. Of those, this is the one I like best.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Deck in Winter

We've escaped most of winter somewhat unscathed by cold weather and snow. Last week, and maybe that of the week before, was really the first reminder that we were having it easy! I walked out our kitchen door and turned to take photos of the sunrise and realized this one of those every day views I never capture. So here is my real obstructed view :)

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Happy Boys

My heart is bursting with joy for these boys.

It has been a tough season with Caden's team dwelling in the bottom half of the rankings in his local league play. The Knights have a bunch of individually talented players and it has taken them since October to get it together and gel as a team. They have been improving bit by bit, each week through the season. The change is so lovely to watch. Their growth. Their enthusiasm.

Over this past weekend they participated in the 27th Annual Humber Valley Winter Tournament and won the championship vs. a very good team from Georgetown. For those who know hockey, this is a select tournament and our boys are a house league team. They did very well for themselves and are now the Minor Atom champions.

Sunday was also a bit of a test for me as a mum.

I let Cole head off to his first playoff game, in Orangeville (90 minutes away) with a teammate and that teammate's dad (thanks C and A!) so that Louis and I could be at Central Arena in Etobicoke to support Caden. It was so important for my little guy to know that his tournament was just as important as his brother's playoff game, probably more important.

It was a weird day. I know I'll continue to have weird days. I can't believe we've not run into a conflict like this before now. Now that they're all getting older and as much as I want them to have their independence, I want to be with them every step of the way.

I am so happy I was able to watch him. So overjoyed at his huge smile. He is so enthusiastic, and today, that is what made it such a joy to be there with him.

Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Champions

So exciting! Two victorious games on Thursday. Two victorious games on Friday. By lunchtime on Friday our team had 21 goals for and 3 goals against entering the Quarter Final which ended in a 13-0 victory. The boys enjoyed a semi-final victory on Saturday with a tough game and more reasonable score of 2-1 over the Huntsville Chargers (what a wonderful team and a great game).

All of those high-scoring, 3-pass third periods can work for or against any team. Fortunately teams were in the same situations with many blowouts met with a really tough team in the semi's. This journey set up the finals on Sunday.

What a nail-biter on Sunday. The Oakville Rangers PeeWee AE team won over the Whitby Wildcats with less than a second left in overtime. The final score: 2-1.

Wow, what a weekend! I know the boys are both physically and emotionally exhausted. The parents are wrung out. Hundreds of photos were taken and uploaded. Much gas was used on our repeated trips up and down the QEW. We wouldn't trade it for anything, except maybe some time for homework to be completed. Nah.

Enjoy your week!

My Best Shot Monday: The Best of 2009

I managed to amass over 7,000 photos last year! I suppose the number is directly in proportion to the number of children I have and the number of hockey games we attend :) Which means a lot of second takes due to non-cooperation and blurry action shots.

Of those, I have a few favourites. More than a few. I've uploaded the best of the best, to Smugmug (you can always use the link in the navigation bar above). Of those, for many reasons, these are my favourite, my top 10 of 2009:

 

okay, top 11:

It looks like I take a lot of photos in the summer. I suppose I do. I prefer shots taken outside, that's for sure. Natural light, it's all about the light, baby!

I'm also having a ton of fun with my 50mm/1.4 lens I got from Louis last Christmas but I have to say, if you're trying to get a candid shot of your father-in-law, use the zoom lens and look like you're talking to a bunch of people. He'll never suspect and you'll get a great shot! Oh, before I forget, there is a wonderful tutorial over on Karen Grünberg's blog with much insight into the virtues of owning a 50mm lens. It is rarely off my camera.

I'm always learning more about my equipment and looking for new places to take shots. Do you have favourite settings? lenses? venues? Share with me!

You can find all of My Best Shot Monday photos here and here. Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Christmas Eve

I try to confine Christmas to one room so it doesn't take over every part of our lives in December. This was a fun shot as I got it all in: Nativity, Nutcrackers, Tree and Stockings. The kids did all of the decorating this year, without any input from me, and no corrections were made while they weren't looking. Things may have been a bit askew, but Christmas is for kids, right? You'd never know it from this shot, one of my favourites this holiday.

Caden's favourite?

He's a raw meat kinda guy.

Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Nutcrackers

I collect nutcrackers, all shapes and sizes. Up until this year I've taken only one photo! I fixed that by taking a whole bunch over the last week, but I'll share just one:

Do you have any prized collections? How did they start? Where do you find your treasures? What decorations do you display each holiday?

Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

My Best Shot Monday: Still No Snow

It's wet, but still no snow. Well, no measurable snow. No snow my kids label as "fun".

So we're waiting.

My kids are anxious for a white Christmas. I only remember a couple when growing up. I do remember how special they were.

I hope they get their "fun" snow for Christmas.

ETA: Head over to my friend Char's blog: here, and enter to win some goodies! Today is your LAST CHANCE!

My Best Shot Monday: Team Photo Out-take

What a great bunch of kids! Cole's hockey team is at that on-the-cusp-almost-teenage stage of life. They are almost exactly the same as a group of four year old boys with more size, strength, noise and smell. Nothing makes a teenage boy laugh harder than watching the goofy antics of another teenage boy. I love how they horse around and get along so well - especially when I'm not the photographer! 

Don't you get that feel from this photo? Love this shot. Love it, love it.

Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)