Chix-Pix

Chix-Pix!!!

Easter came and went quickly-  but we were able to catch a few sessions with the baby chicks before they went to live on my friend's parents farm... so many adorable faces... and the answer to the question,

"What's up?"

is

Chicken-butt!!!

Sorry couldn't help myself.... baaaahaaaaa....

Easter Sunday

I was trying to catch some snaps of the girls before we left and they were cutting up, blowing bubbles and throwing the football WHILE I was trying to shoot....annoying but very funny all at the  same time

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Easter Sunday was flat and grey outside- but we certainly managed to have fun!  The Easter Bunny was very creative and generous to our girls and they had a ball hunting for treats and treasures.  We had to scurry around and get dressed and ready to roll and we met up with Ron's side of the family for brunch in Kirkland.

Later in the day we had our friends the Mc Neeleys join us for supper, egg dying and some hoops games.  It was good day for sure! Gabbi and Steve are the jesters- always wrestling or messing with each other.  Trey and Oni are the quiet cerebral ones- reading or playing board games.  We grown ups- cooked, chatted and watched hoops.  We feel very blessed that we were all brought together- the families fit so well.

 *I Counted our blessings- as they are many*

Chix Pix

 You know- it all sounded good in theory....

One dozen little fuzzy yellow chicks. Check.
Giant plastic Easter Eggs. Check.
Easter Baskets. Check.
One dozen small children (and oodles of excited parents) booked to have photos taken. Check.

Permission to invade the yard of a neighbor, who has the perfect "little old lady"  house with soft dappled sunlight through enormous old growth trees, on the unmanicured lawn that is largely comprised of moss- and it was perfect for my giant Easter eggs, baskets and bunny ears.... and lots and lots of children..... Check.

But as I rose early on that completely dreary Sunday morning... it was pouring sideways rain, sleet, hail and snow greeted me when I opened the front door.  I was praying to all spirits who would listen to bring me sunshine- or at the very least- make it stop precipitating!  But the weather continued to get worse as the minutes ticked by and I took the weatherman's name in vein a number of times while contemplating whether or not it would make me a terrible person if I took up drinking at 8 AM.  I was relatively confident that I may have a heart attack- I was positively nauseous.

I began taking inventory of what I did have... (I had left two of my old studio lights burning over night to keep the garage warm for the fragile little chicks and consequently killed both bulbs....) I knew I couldn't shoot indoors in the garage studios with only one soft box and that many moving subjects. (lesson learned... ALWAYS  have a back-up on hand....) 

Gabbi and I began to brainstorm (she is the best little assistant some days!).  We realized that our front porch- was pretty good sized and with the overhang- well shielded from the rain.  Our house is boring old plain white with white trim... which acted like a natural light deflector and bounced around what light we did have.... so she and began running around gather props, light poles, clamps and back drops and set up a studio set on the front porch.  It was definitely more commercial than I tend to work, but it would have to do!

Thank goodness that my friends and new clients had faith in my craziness- because we got some cute stuff- and as the morning moved along- the sun came out and we had a glorious afternoon.

And I absolutely could not have pulled this event off without my two built in assistantants- Oni & Gabbi you were rock stars!  And a huge thank you to LSHS Senior and fellow photo-geek, Kaitie Jacobs.  It was certainly not glamorous work- but it was essential to making it all happen.

And so- with out further chicken scratch {pardon the pun}... enjoy the cuteness that is kids and baby chicks!   Happy Spring! xoox Didi V.

Move over Martha...

That's right- I said it.... Move over Martha. 

Ok- I'm not really that crafty anymore- altho- I did turn out some pretty darned cute hair pretties for some darling girls for portrait sessions this spring, and I cooked up a storm this weekend...and not just my easy go to basics... I actually- wait for it...... used a recipe this weekend!  I know,... I know- my family was stunned... and rewarded... the braised beef short ribs in a garlic-red wine-balsamic reduction over heavily garlic-buttered smashed potatoes was dare I say- criminal... it was ridiculously good.

Tonight I turned out stuffed pork chops and pan fried zucchini w/ buttered bread crumbs, sprinkled w/ parm s&p, and a dollop of ranch sour cream dip... comfort food to the inth degree on this cold cruddy wet day.

I spent some needed down-time resting and relaxing with my family this weekend- we were sad that Oni's basketball tourney was canceled for her age bracket but happy to have some rest.  We've snuggled, laughed, watched movies, hung out with friends and took a deep breath.. and it was a very good thing.*wink*

And this photo montage- really is my house- inside and out- if you've missed it somewhere in all of my ramblings... I L.O.V.E to decorate for the holidays.....ALL of them actually....  My friend Alicia laughed at me yesterday on a quick visit and told me that she no longer needs to buy a calendar- she just needs to drive past my house to tell what month it is... (I think this is a good thing...)

Anyhoo........I hope you take a big breath and hang out with your family- really listen to your kids and kiss your spouses this week. Keep checking back- I promise to be bringing you all sorts of new photos to oogle and hopefully write something that will make you smile.  Till next time Cio! xoox Didi V.

Easter Bunnies

Happy Easter- Happy Spring!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I know- I'm two weeks late on that one (I've had drama....forgive me please????)

Here are just a few snapshots (shot on the run Easter morning) from our trip to Anthony's in Kirkland with the whole Miles Clan. What a gorgeous day- we even went for a walk afterwards... almost got blown into the lake- but it was gorgeous!

The gaggle of girls is growing up so fast- first Easter in 10 years that we didn't need a high chair or a booster seat!

Hope you all had a gorgeous and happy Easter! xoxo Didi

Sweet Treats

HoppyEaster y'all!

I hope the Easter Bunny brought everyone something sweet! He was sure good to the Miles girls!

We met for brunch in Kirkland with the family earlier today. (more pix on that later...) And for the first Easter in 4 years- it was nice out- so it was fun to set up a little table outside and show off my handy work... a cocktail that screams spring, some sweet treats and a fun center piece.

I hope you all had a great day! Cheers! xoxo D

Oh! and how divine is that serving ware??? Made by my girl Trishy!!!

Easter...monkeys????

I had gorgeous weather and permission to invade the yard where this magnificent Magnolia tree resides.... so I wanted to update my pix of my girls- and drug a few of their friends with me on Saturday.... I'd like to say it was easy- warm and fuzzy kids with little bunnies.... the reality is... it was a lot like herding cats or monkeys...... but we did manage a few pretty shots of each kid- so I'm happy.

I love the way it looks like we were someplace tropical- the color wash makes it look like a postcard from Hawaii circa 1953...... it was a cocktail worth experience afterwards- but all of us mommies will be happy with a few new snaps of the offspring. :)