janice's mash-up

simple things: brothers walking along the beach

Once again, I took multiple photos of the boys on the beach while we were on our trip to Oregon. They always seem to find so much to talk about. 

I can't always help but think of the song lyrics...I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Looking at my boys who are now so big to me, and thinking of those words, puts things in a different perspective.

We are so grateful that the boys are such good friends and seeing a photo like this, even though I have MANY like this, still makes me smile.

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

simple things: tea and a book

One evening this week, I escaped the heat of the house and sat on the deck in the backyard to read a book. I took out a lovely cup of tea and enjoyed the noises of birds at dusk and being surrounding by the calming green of our yard.

As I was sitting there, I thought that really, I could be anywhere in the world enjoying this simple pleasure - a cup of tea and reading a book. I somehow felt connected to women I don't know in other parts of the world that might take a brief respite from their days in the same way.

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

 

the simple things: fathers day flower

Neil's first fathers' day as a father was in June 1997. Adam was almost 6 months old and we were living in Ladner. Our garden was new and I searched for a background in our yard to take the classic father and son photo to capture the day. The only flower blooming and with any height was my new jackmanii clematis. I still remember Neil holding up Adam in that corner of our garden and taking the photo.

And since that day, whenever my jackmanii blooms (it was one of the first plants I planted at the house we are in now), I think of that very first fathers' day we celebrated as a family.

This is a The Simple Things photo.

 

simple things: tulips in bloom

On Saturday, the boys helped Neil cut the grass while I was out doing errands. When I came home, I went out into the backyard to have a look around and noticed that the warm sun from the past few days has helped to open up the tulips that had been keeping so tightly closed up. I love most flowers but tulips are up there in my top three and I love having them in the garden.

Tulips are just such a happy flower...how can they not make you smile?

 

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

simple things: coming home

We flew into Vancouver on a brilliantly sunny morning. The snow was glistening on the mountains, the ocean was sparkling and our city really looked like the jewel it is. 

We love traveling. We also love being at home. At about the 8 day mark of our holiday, Colin mentioned he was getting a bit homesick and was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, having his own cereal, and who are we kidding, getting some time on the Xbox!

We all loved being away but we all agreed on Friday that it was nice to be home. There's nothing like that feeling of getting closer to home as you drive down familiar streets, turn the corner and see your home. The simple pleasure and comfort of coming home...

Seeing our mountains, ocean, bays and river from above was a very beautiful homecoming!

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

simple things: shave ice

One of our favourite treats in Hawaii is shave ice. It comes in all sorts of flavour combinations and the ice is so light and fluffy...not like snow-cone ice at all. We happened upon a place advertising "shaved ice" which made us all laugh because we had just had this conversation with Glenn before we left on our trip...whether it is shave ice or shaved ice! From what we can figure, the traditional term is shave ice but some places here seem to call it shaved ice, probably so the tourists will know what it is. We noticed that Alton Brown from the Food Network also had enjoyed this place (photos up in the windows). The boys enjoyed strawberry and I had coconut with fresh coconut on top and vanilla bean ice cream under. Yum-o.

Love the traditional treats of travels to special places.

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

simple things: getting ready

Rituals are a comforting thing. We all have them and they tell us something about ourselves. The night before every soccer game, Colin gets out his soccer uniform and gear. Sometimes he lays it out piece by piece on the floor so he can make sure he has everything ready for the morning. Other times, he just piles it on his chair or on the kitchen table. Colin is like this with his homework and backpack too. He likes to know he's prepared and ready to go.

I love these little reminders of the boys' unique personalities.

 This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

simple things: a sign of love

The boys got me a big bunch of colourful tulips for Valentine's Day. They are sitting on our little table by the front door which is the perfect place for flowers. They catch the beautiful glow of the afternoon light coming in through the stained glass windows. I see and feel what they represent as I walk down the stairs each morning and as I pass by them numerous times throughout the day.

They warm my heart.

 This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

 

simple things: our first creme brulee

We had a delish vanilla creme brulee at a restaurant for Adam's birthday dinner and Colin has been talking about making it ever since. It's been on my list of "desserts to try making" for years but I just haven't got around to it. Colin's desire and a kitchen torch gift from my brother-in-law made the timing right for our first attempt. Colin steeped a cut vanilla bean in heavy cream, made a custard with sugar and egg yolks and baked the filled ramekins in a hot water bath. This evening after dinner came the much anticipated torching of the sugar crust.

We all loved cracking into the creamy custard through a sugary crust. So delicious and as Colin said, "Not bad for a first attempt!"

I love being able to fuel the boys' interests and seeing them proud of what they've done.

This is a The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

simple things: the gift of friendship

This has been a tough week for me for a variety of reasons. Deadlines, pressure, stress...a lot going on. It is during times like these when the gift of friendship is especially appreciated. It is amazing how much a simple thing like a phone call or a drive-by with tulips can really make a difference.

 This is my first The Simple Things photo for 2012.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.