mom's sewing machine

My mother was an incredible seamstress. There wasn't much she didn't sew & she always made it so well. As a kid I wasn't always happy with what she chose to sew for me but there were numerous times I requested a certain pattern in an effort to stay current with fashion. (Stuff we'd all laugh at now.) Mom loved Bernina sewing machines. She thought they were reliable. So my sewing machine is a Bernina. Mom's old Bernina still sits just as it did the last time she used it. The empty ashtray sits off to the side. The dust continues to accumulate but somehow cleaning it all up would feel like finally wiping her away. Even Dad cannot seem to part with having it there. It's the closest we can come to actually still having her with us.

garage sale

Ashley organized a garage sale on Saturday as another venue to raise money for the Alzheimer Walk next month. There was the usual stuffed animals, Barbies, kitchen gadgets & clothing.



















We also had more Lola bags on display to sell.





When things got slow Laura spent some time painting Jayden's toenails. That's the longest I saw her sit still all day . . .

















The garage sale was a success! Thank you to everyone who donated or helped in some way!

Jen & Ryan's family

Jen & Ryan have a home that also has an empty country school & a playground on it. A photographer's paradise! I had a great time. Unfortunately, Ryan was unable to join us.







Ellie is the oldest. She is beautiful & already displays the calm, assertiveness of her mother.







West. Cool name. Cool kid.







Tasha. Spitting image of Drew Barrymore. Has her mother's beautiful curly hair.







Dane is four & is a busy little boy! You can see the ends of his hair wet with sweat from him running around all over. He has a gigantic smile!







The kids all wanted to be photographed with their cats . . .









Thanks, Jen!

cats & a dog

Earlier this week I went out to Jen's home, a coworker, to photograph her kids. I arrived early to scope out the place (she lives out in the country) & found the cats to be quite entertaining.





































Charlie, the lone dog, was set free when we were finally finished.