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1 In Adventures/ Blogging

Illuminate Photography Workshop

This past weekend was the first ever Illuminate Photography Workshop and it was fabulous.  If you have kids and a camera, I highly recommend that you take the time to take this workshop so that you don’t miss out on capturing those precious moments.

The workshop was held in the stunning Truro Library, in the midst of the pouring rain.  But it did nothing to dampen our spirits.  We got started right away, introducing ourselves and talking a little about the reasons why we want to learn to take better pictures.  Then Christine and Morgan got right into it, taking us through the basics of switching our camera over to manual so that we can have more creative control over how we take pictures.

I took so many notes!!  I can’t wait to put some of these tips and tricks into practice.  But wait!  They had it planned so we could get some practice in! They had arranged for some models to come to the library so we could watch Morgan and Christine shooting.  They talked us through what they do, how they interact with the kids and lots of hands on experience for us, too.

While we walked around the library, I couldn’t help but snap a couple quick pictures of the detail in the library….I am who I am, right?

When you are taking a workshop, the course content is one thing.  But Christine and Morgan had planned out so much more than just the information for us! They had arranged for snacks, a tasty lunch and a bag of goodies for us, too!  Coffee, tea, fresh baked cookies, crosssiants from Red Knot Bakery for snacks.  Then lunch was put together by Sylvia of Supper By Sylvia – salad and wraps! Soooo tasty!

Our goodie bags were filled up with lots of local love.  Tassel earrings from Assez DeNoeuds, a scrunchie from West Everly Co. which Hannah has since claimed, a coupon for presets from Casa Presets, a handy notebook and pen, chocolates from Appleton Chocolates and a free 11×14 print from Carsand Photo Imaging { my favourite place for prints!! }  So much goodness and completely unexpected!

If you want to improve your skills in the photography department, I highly recommend following the Illuminate Photography Workshop FB page so you don’t miss out on any upcoming workshops.

I’ve moved my camera to a handy location and hope to snap some of the everyday moments with the girls. Sometimes I need something like this course as a kick in the butt to motivate and inspire!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

February 18, 2019 By
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In Adventures

Illuminate and Decoy Theatre

Learning new things is always fun!  I’m well into my 40’s and I still want to try different things and get experiences.  And this month I’m involved in two different things that will stretch me and I’m pretty pumped about both!

My friend Christine, of Wonkyeye Photography, and her friend Morgan Webb, of Morgan Webb Photography, are putting on their first Illuminate Photography Workshop and I’m so looking forward to going!  I’ve taken classes from Christine before and her skill and ability to capture her life and the lives of her clients still astounds me.  One would think that after being exposed to Christine’s work all these years I wouldn’t be amazed by her talent but I always am.

Totally stole this picture off their FB Page!!

I want to work on improving my own photography skills so this is super exciting!!  I’m looking forward to soaking up allllll the knowledge I can and putting it into practice.  I was scrolling through their FB page and man – I’m going to be learning from the best!  Added bonus? It’s at the gorgeous Truro Library and my other friend, Sylvia, is providing our lunch!

I’m really hoping to get the boost and refreshed perspective to pick up my camera and play more.  I find I’m only ever shooting because I need a picture of this, that or the other thing for the blog and I’m not shooting for fun or to try new things.  And I miss that creativity behind the lens.

There’s something else, too…but let me start by saying…I have zero theatre experience, zero set design experience and yet, here I am, set designer for an upcoming production in Truro in March!  I’m beyond excited and thrilled with the amazing team I am working alongside.

Yep, stole this one, too 😉

The theatre company is called Decoy Theatre and on March 7 & 8th, they are presenting Daniel MacIvor’s Marion Bridge.  No surprise, I had never heard of Marion Bridge before but I’m learning!  I’m currently collecting props for it and it’s fun to read through the script, pull a list together of random things, think about what they would actually be, as far as the time frame and demographic of the characters then go on the hunt.

Sam Madore and Jennifer Johnson are the amazing women behind Decoy Theatre and I’m thrilled to be working on this with both of them.  I’ve already learned so much and I can’t wait to see the production come together!  I watched a run through of the first Act and even though I know what happens, I still cried!!!  The actresses are just so incredible!

I hope you’ll consider booking into the Illuminate Photography Workshop, I hear there are a couple of spots left for Saturday, which you can book HERE.  And please come out to support this amazing theatre group in March, you can snag your tickets HERE.

I hope you stretch yourself and learn something new!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

February 13, 2019 By
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In Adventures/ Blogging

Beauty And Balance

Blogging is an enjoyable experience, but having blogging friends and a supportive network of people who ‘get it’ makes it all the more enjoyable.  And if it involves an evening getting spoiled at a spa, then you can count me in!

Two of said blogging buddies, Colleen and Laura, head up the best bloggers support group called ECM Media.  And part of what they do is organize workshops and find amazing sponsors who believe in what we are doing.  In the past, I have the privilege of attending a workshop at Oceanstone Seaside Resort, which you can read about HERE, as well as flower workshop at Dean’s Flowers, which you can read about HERE.

Last night’s workshop was at Mudwraps to Manicures and the theme was Beauty and Balance – something I think I can safely say we all strive for?  The spa owner, Lisa, created such a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere for us.  Low-lighting, candles, soft music – it was perfect!

Upon arriving, we were all given a lovely set of pyjamas from Take it Outside, so we all got comfy and had a chance to do some visiting.  While we chatted, we were offered wine or sparkling water and FID Kitchen catered us with some tasty snacks, including these delicious wraps!  They were even tastier than they look and they look goooood!

After our mingling, we all gathered together and listened as Anna Townsend spoke to us about finding balance and making sure we take care of ourselves in this busy life.  She lead us through a deep breathing exercise which was so relaxing – apparently I need to breathe more!

Once relaxed, we headed down the hall for facials.  Lisa and her staff, Priscilla and Fiona, took us step by step through a cleansing and moisturizing routine that left us feeling fresh-faced.  There was lots of laughter at our lunch-lady hair nets!!  But I have to say, I’m not sure I’ve ever felt my skin feel so soft!  I’ll be the first to admit I think my skincare routine, or lack of, leaves a lot to be desired!  But, fear not, Lisa sent us all home with a Yon-ka kit to get us rolling on taking better care of our faces.  Because no one wants to look older than we actually are!

When the conversations about this event started in our group, Sarah, invited me to stay with her for the night so I didn’t have to drive back home alone that night.  I debated, checked in with the family and then made my plans to spend the night.  The best was when Sarah and I were given matching jammies!  How cute are we??  And see why she’s ‘Little Sarah Birch’??  What she lacks in height, she makes up for with her beaming smile!

Sarah gave me a house tour of their lovely home, then we settled in for some good conversation!  We paired a delicious red wine with some DQ Ice Cream cake, just because we’re classy like that and proceeded to talk until late into the evening. We covered all the topics from social media for kids, the last time we rode a bike, hot topics that aren’t black or white, to birthday parties.

All in all, it was such a good night!!  I’m so appreciative of our leaders in the ECM Media group and for the sponsors they get on board.  Lisa, FID Kitchen, Anna, and Take It Outside – thank you!!

Moral of the story?  Take care of you, whether it means meditation, good, healthy food, a great skin care routine or an evening out with friends in snuggy jammies, do it!!  Your well-being will thank you!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

I was gifted this workshop and all the goodies from the various sponsors, but my take on it all is just that 😉

 

 

February 12, 2019 By
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In Adventures/ Country Life

My Daily Commute – Abandoned

I live in one county, work in another.  My drive is about 40 minutes in good weather and just over 50km.  Some people find it surprising that I drive that far each day, and thankfully I don’t mind the drive at all.  I pop on a podcast and cruise home. 

I usually travel ‘the back way’, which means nothing to some, but over Nuttby Mountain, through Earltown.  Part of the reason why I don’t hate my drive is because the roads I travel are very scenic.  I thought I might share some of the views that catch my eye.  And I thought I might start with some of the old, derelict buildings that sit, lonely and for the most part – unloved on the side of the road.  Most people don’t even see them, but I love them.

You may have seen my post over on Instagram of this beauty the other day.  A lot of people have photographed this house.  In fact, during the warmer months, it isn’t uncommon to see people pulled off the road, snapping pictures of it.  And the best was when someone taped a red paper heart to the front of it.  It made me smile every time I saw that fading heart, to know someone else loved this place, too, enough to stop and leave their mark in a subtle but meaningful way.  Eventually time and weather removed that heart, but I know it was there, like a gentle kiss.

I’ve shared this house quite a few times over the years on Instagram.  It begs to be photographed and shared.  So that we don’t forget.  At some point, people lived their lives here, did their day-to-day routines within these now weathered walls.  I’d love the hear the stories they could tell.  But bit by bit, those walls are coming apart.

I have no idea what this little round building is.  But I so enjoy it.  The laid-over tin roof, the weathered shingles….sitting alone.

Technically, this isn’t abandoned.  I know the owners so I could ask a few questions, but I don’t.  I drove past this place everyday on the bus route as a kid.  I don’t remember it.  The trees grew up around it.  But recently, the trees were cleared away and the building shored up.  So someone still cares!

That’s it for the abandoned buildings that I’m going to share.  I have a few other ideas about my drive to share so another day when I leave home a couple minutes early, I’ll snap some of the homes I love and community spaces that are along the drive, and maybe some pretty rivers, too!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

PS I took these pictures yesterday – today’s commute was slow and slippery!

February 8, 2019 By
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In Adventures/ Thrifting with Farm Fresh

Thrifting with Farm Fresh – Update 1

I love the response to the challenge I put out for a new thrifting challenge to help get us through Winter.  Even my Hannah decided she wanted to join in!!  Although I couldn’t convince Lena…

The challenge is to take $20 and send me a selfie with it, then shop your favourite haunts and see what you come home with!  Then send me a picture of that!!  Easy peasy!! HERE’S the original post.

So, here’s my selfie with Hannah before we hit a couple of thrift stores that were new to us yesterday afternoon.

And my friend Alena is doing the challenge, too, and sent me this selfie!  Isn’t she the cutest??

Hannah and I spent very little yesterday out of our respective $20.  I love her purchases.  Valentine’s decorations for an upcoming dinner she’s planning with Lena and their Oma, a painted horse and more yarn for weaving.  { She’s a great weaver and has her own stash of yarn….partly thanks to Alena, in fact! }  She set up a little display for me to take a picture of when we got home last night.  She spent only $4 so far.

I spent even less, I only spent $3 on a new basket for my ever-growing, ever-changing basket wall and some decorative spoons to make cuffs with.  Nothing earth shattering, but fun all the same.

Then this afternoon we hit Value Village in New Glasgow.  I’m not going to share what Hannah bought – but it is something else!!!  { Can I just say I love that kid’s spirit!!??! }  I bought a few things and spent another $7 bringing my total spent up to $11 now. I bought yet another table cloth for my expanding collection and some long necklaces – two that are made from paper beads and a pretty little green beaded one.

I have a list of names!!  But so few selfies!!!  Send me the selfies!!  I want to see your smiling faces and the cash!!  Show me the money!!!  And don’t forget to use the hashtag for this challenge – #thriftingwithfarmfresh

And then get shopping!! You have until February 18th to send pictures of your thrift-store scores to me!  Let’s see what you’ve bought!

Cookie cutters? Woven wall art – ahem – you know who you are…. Clothes? Shoes? A mug or three? Brass candlesticks? Plant pots? A wooden tray? Skis? Let’s see!!!

Colourfully yours,

Lori

 

February 3, 2019 By
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