our house

LAST BLOG; SEE HERE FOR MOVE

2008-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

turns out, i'm not so good with the updates. i think i'm going to amalgamate the blogs.

i figure it must increase the volume by at least 50%??? from now on, please see me at

www.freshphotos.blogspot.com

because family is work and work is family

cute things

2008-09-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

. lately, 3yr old Ryder's fave saying: "Hey Mum, youthinkinwhatIthinkin?"
"No Ryder, I can guarantee I'm not!"

. this morning, Anais motioned to my bed-head, saying "I don't like this so much". "I like it much better when you get up and your hair's already pri-tty for me."

. when I asked Anais if she would just stay home with me rather than go off to school, she hugged me consolingly, saying "no Mummy, I have to go and learn now!"

images of summer

2008-09-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

fishing was a reoccuring theme of summer o9

.
hiking KCridge w/ Nova Scotian g'parents

.
first Anais turned 5 on the Ranch!

then it was Ryder's turn for a Cow-theme;

we celebrated summer b'days in Winthrop

Jim & I escaped for a RARE couple of days

Of course we did Winthrop as per usual

Anais' 1st family portrait

Click on any collection of images to enlarge and/or right click to copy (group)

2008-07-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

i am closer to getting it...

grace, that is.

having grown up in church culture, i have been conditioned to do things deemed "necessary" (teaching, studies, kids' programs, general volunteering - you name it), feeling eternally indebted, if i can say that.

but i have been challenged to question (inspired by the reading of yet another provocative book) whether these programs provide spiritual inspiration or whether they are yet another thing i feel guilty about. since we either live in freedom or we do not.

because i believe jesus when he says "we do", i have had to re-think the way i live my life, church included. i'm still in the process - if you figure it out, let me know.

are you still with me?

did i go to church this morning, yes; i was teaching sunday school:)
but last week i thanked god for my children as i pushed them on the swings at the park.

(ps - the author is jake colson - but he's brought me back thee author and perfector of my faith.)

2008-07-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

There's just so much I want to post. It'll settle my mind just to make a running tally, even it doesn't include photos at the moment. OK, maybe never:(
. Anais' pre-school wrap-up & thank you to Ilo. Picture of her sunflowers towering over her.
. Fun party @ friends' log home. Millinda's games kept the kids entertained.
. Winthrop 08: could we ever tire of this place? I'll have to make a slideshow here show you how the families have grown.
. newest FRESHwork - just check the site www.freshphotos.ca

Wedding season is in full swing. I still don't employ child-care. And did I mention the in-laws are coming next week? BTW, I'm thrilled about all of the above because it means our life is full of action, adventure and love.

2008-06-14T19:52:00.001-07:00

a bear was just making its way down my front steps - how civil to take the stairs! - and i chased it away. this is not the life i imagined!

2008-06-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

I pause, to share the most important part of my trip - words on a page - but perhaps the most important shift in thinking I've experienced in years. From my perspective, the critiques & flaws (yes, I thought an element or two was a little hippy-dippy-trippy) take a back seat to the power of "Sarayu".
I have been changed.
I invite you to fight through the "difficult parts" (you know I can't handle gore) to get at the essence of "The Shack". I hope it leads you where it did me - back to my Papa (or, as I prefer "Abba") for I am beloved!
And he is "especially fond of you!"

2008-06-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Road trip! Back to Vancouver for some dental appointments (more on that later). But this time we took our time & took photos along the way. The "pocket cam" is proving very fun! I had some fun with signs and check out the living comedy with the mini dog in the mini car - something you'll only find in Vancouver - with those gas prices!

before...and after dentist:) seems we'll have to cut out a wee bit of our sugar
stay tuned for more of our journey including Ryder and his "duunkey" at the zoo:) and our return trip to the land of sunshine!

2008-05-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

No photo edits on the family blog!

It was that tropical-island looking on our day-trip to Kokannee Lake (just outside Nelson) with friends from the TAC family including Kent & Dannette (and fabulous hat-toting kidlets). We were disappointed the travel trailer's up for sale when this long weekend hit and temp's were in the 30's!!!

Anyone looking for a LIGHTWEIGHT trailer to visit us in the Kootenays? Just kidding, you can buy the trailer and stay in our house for FREE! (Maybe a little light reno work here & there:)

2008-05-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our slight pinkish-hue attests to the fact that we're well into "bragging weather".

We took part in Trail's Silver City parade for Darcee's "Living with Bears" float. The kids were dressed as bears (A. as Winnie, R. as a panda and Jill as the "Care" variety) and throwing candy from the back of the truck where Alexander followed the entire parade route on 2 wheels! We saw pretty much everyone we know downtown. Question is, was there a huge turnout or do we just know few people? Probably a bit of both.

We also saw our first bear of the season yesterday - skinny & scruffy.

A & I are growing flowers from seed this year. I have seen this experiment go badly but have hope that if preschoolers can do it (they're growing sunflowers in A's class) that I can do it too! Back to the white flower scheme. Can I help it that I love the simple beauty of white? I couldn't have my white couches (people - there's color in my house now!) so I have to have it somewhere. Of course A's flowers are a rainbow mix - I'll have to contain those to a pot!

2008-04-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

here's something i thought i'd never see: my parents IN a parade! they've become such joiners at their retirement park in palm springs (or as mom calls it, sixties summer camp). i love the candid joy on their faces! (and mom looks so pretty); way to go!

2008-04-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

took a break from the camera this weekend but wished i hadn't. we headed off for a little family break. j & i wanted the tropics but settled for spokane. we hit the jackpot b/c it was local and it was also 24 degrees!

. a trip to the park included sunburns

. hotel (or "show n tell" as A called it) w/ pool & hot tub

. kids carnival & mom's 1st ferris wheel (4 yr old A was more brave!)

. good ol American buffet complete w/ ice cream machine

. old old cityscapes for mom

. more bike shops than we could count, for dad

. nature walk under train bridge

. ice creams in the evening

i want to return on a vespa, w/ basket, perusing the eclectic districts surrounding downtown. if i wanted a tattoo, i would get one here! i'll settle for a bad-ass movie at the art deco movie theatre. who am i kidding?? meg ryan doesn't do bad-ass! these great little areas reminded me of that which i love about portland - baghdad theatre and all.

we're able to play tourist again, w/ the kids being that much older...yippee!

We've gone coastal; where in the world is Carmen San Diego?

2008-03-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

Easter eggs & story a la Auntie Jen

playing w/ Uncle on "the ranch"

a little ladybug contemplation

from moss and fern on the coast to driftwood & seashells on the island

in giggle galloshes

little monkeys take II
feeding pigeons @ Granville Isl w/ G.pa & ma

2008-03-17T16:45:00.001-07:00

Because cheese is good for you.
If you're on my email list, you've got my memo. If not, you've got to check out
http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/
I emailed it to all 290 people on my list and I look forward to your comments. My accountant has already responded - who knew??? ...now the local pet store owner, another friendly face, and acquiantances alike have written me to let me know it made a difference.
But don't we all need to know!

2008-03-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

3 little monkeys sitting on the bed - one fell off and ...

we sure miss our friends!

2008-02-27T22:23:00.000-08:00

JMS

Welcome baby Jenna - our new neice! We can't wait to meet your children (plural!) Tracey & Jeff. A. will love being a BIG cousin!

2008-02-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

2008-02-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

It has occurred to me that there are 2 kinds of momma's: the kind that give the glares & the kind that get 'em! You know, when you bring the apple beverage rather than the pure stuff to preschool and you get the looks. This happened to a friend of mine. And I think there's an article here. Email me if you've been at either end:)

2008-01-31T09:52:00.000-08:00

A updates:
. wants daddy to build her a stage to dance upon. I'll be happy to keep her off the tables!
. is talk & skinny; not like the P-side:)
. is now requesting that God take away the snow so we can go back to the beach. Amen!
. said she was going to California to see Grandma & pa
R updates:
. has decided he doesn't want to wear big-boy underwear after all
. doesn't care to play with others - let alone play WELL with others
. has a new fave word besides "no"; it's "NEVER"
hazards of renovating with preschoolers:
*1/2 set drywall mud makes great tracks when a 2yr old drives his train through it!
* pink insulation looks (but does not taste) very much like cotton candy, as our youngest discovered. "Skusting!" he said as he feverishly rubbed his mouth. He's our "stories boy". At this rate, we'll never run out!

the cat-lady in me

2008-01-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

so we've moved in!

after a year in our 109 yr. old (smaller) home, we've finally unpacked. i am so sorry to those that helped us move (thankfully, most exclusively related) because we're "unloading" most of those boxes on new friends here, or good ol' sally.

but a thought came to mind yesterday when jim "encouraged" me to tackle the basement: where would i be without him? likely not rossland but that's not what i mean. more like...who would i be?

i like to keep things...a lot of things...useless things. there's a little cat-lady in me, i discovered. scary thought.

and ryder's starting to potty train

Christmas snapshots

2008-01-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

A. taking part in Rossland's annual Reindeer Prance. We loved sharing our town w/ Mom & Dad who came for a "surprise" visit.
Santa took the opportunity to go crazy with the decorations Christmas eve with twinkle lights fastened to (unfinished) ceiling, curtain rods, fireplace etc, snowflake "curtain" for kids to enter living room, and doo-dads affixed to every square foot of living space. Had to get it out of his system before the reno's done and Mom forbids the sticky tape.

A. kicking back with a little Charlie & Lola after an exhausting morning of present-opening

Christmas brings out the princess in all of us! Check out his earring and Miss America smile!

playschool concert with fellow diva girlfriend M. Seems A. quite likes the stage as demonstrated by both Christmas concerts. She was miffed that she had to settle for being a sheep while the 5 yr olds got to play angels!

2007-12-20T22:28:00.000-08:00

MeRRy ChRiStmaS

fRom oUr HoUsE to YoUrS!

ice skating on the summer swimming lake with beach bonfire for roasting marshmallows, an impromptu game of hockey and a little ride on the snow shovel for the kids!

November skies

2007-11-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

Nov 12:
. first big snow! In one hour, it was starting to accumulate. Uh-ohh! We made the best of it & created our 1st snowgirl of the season complete with orange toque with tassles & purple flower in her hat. Anais named her "Ella" after our neighbor.

. Jim & I celebrated 12 yrs of marriage yesterday at yummy Idgie's - then drove to Nelson (2hrs return) for a Pumpkin spice latte whilst listening to coffeehouse satellite radio (in Jim's new truck). I love him.

. I'm coming to visit you! I'll be on the coast from Wed, Nov. 14th~Monday to pick up my new wheels: a boxy little green Element - so excited. And yes, I'll also be picking up SNOW tires
__________________________

. on the job front: I'm excited that FRESHphotography contributed to Operation Christmas Child this year. Anais & I donated a toy-filled shoebox for every family that booked a photo session in October. Then we headed over to the Trail Alliance Church's parking lot party to hand them in along with 511 other boxes! I hope to make that our 1st annual!

. I'm thrilled to have been accepted to the American Child Photographer's Charity Guild. This is a volunteer role which involves photographing terminally ill children for the families left behind. My involvement is inspired by my neice, baby Sarah

2007-11-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

Letters from the Max & Movie Fan Club
Carmen Adams, freelancer

My four year old isn’t exactly the biggest Max & Ruby fan. In fact, on the eve of the show, when her dad had me check if there happened to be tickets available, she was still calling them “Max & Movie” and hoping aloud that there was going to be popcorn at the show. But we don’t get out much and good ol’Dad, braving the notion of a thousand screechy preschoolers, said “just buy em.” And so they’re driving off into the sunset towards Trail’s Charles Bailey Theatre.

Yes Max & Ruby, an animated comedy series based on the children's books of Rosemary Wells, is making its foray into live theatre and we were fortunate enough to get last minute tickets. For those of you who are not privy to kiddie-culture, each Max & Ruby episode focuses on Max, a determined three-year-old bunny, and his big sister, Ruby, a smart, goal-oriented seven-year-old. Now this smacks of our household, although our elder bunny is 4-going-on-14 and our honey bunny is an equally determined two year old.

Their site describes the show as “offering an empowering message for children by showing Max and Ruby playing together and resolving their differences in ways that are respectful and supportive”. Now that is where the similarities between our households rest. But with the goal of the show to celebrate this brother and sister relationship, in which conflict is as “common an experience to childhood as Band-aids and birthdays,” suggests the author Wells, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to send the elder bunny, even though the tickets cost $20 for a 4 year old!

Elder bunny was so excited with the news that she was going to see Max & Ruby that she emptied a Costco-sized bottle of baby wash into her bath, “to get clean for Max & Movie.” After our slippery exit from the tub, the what-not-to-wear battle began. Her first pick was the multi-colored Barbie Island Princess gown she spent her birthday money on. “But you’ll squish the island wings” I tried to reason (who knew Princesses wore wings?) Her “comfortable” options were equally loud ghosts-from-Halloweens- past, being the elephant (complete with trailing trunk) and sweltering panda bear costumes. We managed to settle for the calmer bright red, toile party skirt, stripy tights and a pink sweater. Much better!

Now that she was squeaky, or, slimy-clean and dressed, it was all she could muster to wait until dad came home. She idled the time away drawing various pictures for “Max & Movie”, arguing with me that they were animals, “but animals can’t talk on staaage” she protested.

“As if they could talk at all”, I mused.

So out came the trusty colors and elder bunny kept herself busy making artwork for the dynamic duo. “I wonder if Max & Movie will remember my name?” she asked. And I can’t help but snicker that, as elder bunny goes off to see the infamous “Max & Movie” in last-minute seats, honey bunny has to settle for watching do-do-do-Dora on the big screen complete with popcorn!

Now there would be no name-confusion if Dora the Explorer came to town.

PS: heard the show was a yawner and Sunday School productions were better executed. Kiss that $40 good-bye & oh so relieved Ryder wasn't feeling well enough to go!

spirit of thanksgiving

2007-10-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

in the spirit of thanksgiving, i'm thankful for the following:

. that elderly neighbor just drove into & not INTO our living room

. that ryder didn't like the taste of the clr he drank from under the sink today

. that trent & jacq have settled in one place long enough to share a thanksgiving turkey with; that they generously offered their dining room for our renovation-zone lacks ambiance; that our good friends are here in the absence of family

. that turkeys come pre-stuffed, with instructions and nearly cook themselves

. if you care enough to read this, i'm thankful for YOU too!

Rossland Top 10

2007-09-14T21:30:00.001-07:00

Top 10 indicators your kid's adjusted to Rossland:

10. she's more excited to see a kittycat in someone else's yard than a bear cub in yours
9. she has crocs in different colors
8. she's stopped asking for starbucks' ginger molasses cookies
7. she thinks lawns are supposed to be brown
6. going to the post office is considered a playdate for all the friends she's sure to see
5. she can hike for as many hours as she is yrs old (without complaining)
4. she takes her camera to nelson, now considered the "big city"
3. she's pet (and probably knows the name of) every dog in the city
2. shop owners are considered close, personal friends (especially liz @ jellybean junction)
1. when looking both ways to cross the road, she indicates: no cars, no bears

true for our 'anais' anyhow! and we've only been here since january.

why we choose rossland; our visitors too

2007-09-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

august was the month for visitors and another 4 wks of summer that hasn't quit yet (now middle of sept!) i love this place! you can see why for all the beautiful friends, stunning views and the fact that cotton is the fabric of choice - except when you're going hiking where princess dresses are standard practice for 4yr olds!
we got a little education when darcie, forester extraordinaire, taught us about the pine beetle that's ravaging our bc forests. pine is not as prevalent here as, say, the okanagan, but we still see the effects as the "denim wood" and beetle holes attest too.
i even shed tears while i put this show together: for many a mother (whose children are pictured), for my own children and for those that aren't close enough to share our everyday.
and cat, consider the missing last slide, your lovely face, that could have been in my slideshow had you turned @ that rossland sign instead of yelling "hello" from the highway. that does not constitute a visit, if you're wondering!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-08-31T22:43:00.001-07:00

oh neglected one

2007-08-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

neglected the blog this summer with the addition of facebook in my life. darn that timewaster! loved all the company. will update w/ pix of all the lovely kiddies. sorry adults, i neglected you too.

fam holiday

2007-07-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

sweet

2007-07-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

2007-07-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

Anybody-BUT-Mom’s Mini Roadtrip; from Red Mountain to New Denver
A Weekender (Kootenay's Georgia Straight) story - they sent me on another assignment when I also came up w/ this one...on the road, alone!
(this one's for you, Cat!)

So appreciative, was I, to be sent “on assignment”, miles from my Mommy-mundane and straight into the heart of Kootenay living. It seemed time stood still this Saturday as I ventured down the mountain, through the valley, at the mountain’s edge and back again. (Or at least still in comparison to the guys - with full heads of hair under helmet - speeding by on motorcycles; the guys - with less hair – speeding by in sportscars.) I forgot how fast my own vehicle could corner; or maybe that was the special effect of open windows and fresh air. Since the car-seats where added, first one and then another, I’ve forgotten what it was like to drive with windows down.

Like the effect of a wind machine at a photo-shoot, my life felt glamorous as I drove the mountain’s edge, from Red Mountain to New Denver. Isolated thoughts crept in as to where my family was: my husband, chaperoning our preschooler and toddler, solo at a birthday pool party. But with wind tousling my hair, thoughts of domesticity seemed farther away with every passing mile.

Besides, on the road I was not Mom but adventurer and travel writer extraordinaire, locating treasures like: the healing center (The Bike Hospital), the ritualistic eating spot (Panini’s), or that rare art (Peter Corbett’s exhibit at the Cedar Creek Café, across from the “Sleep is for Sissies” coffee house).

I embarked from my quiet house in Rossland; quiet only because the family was still - bless their hearts - sleeping. I tiptoed my way around, navigating around the bathroom without lights lest I wake one of the sleeping giants. And sleeping all of Rossland seemed to be doing, for mine was the only vehicle on the road.

My first stop, (excluding the – not so glamorous – cold beverage at the local gas station) was Endless Adventures where, in Crescent Valley at 8-something on a Saturday morning, adventure enthusiasts were already gathered for some type of no-doubt extreme activity. It all looked good; meanwhile, I was there to drop off some promotional material.

My adventure was inspired by Barbara Wilson who, when I pulled into her Winlaw artist loftspace, was offering strong coffee and ultra-sticky sticky buns to a group of painters about to embark on a good old-fashioned barn painting. While I had imagined some large-scale mural project, I soon discovered that they were painting portraits of the barns for historical significance. Ahh, I’m glad I didn’t just run-along ahead and get an eager start on that one!

After some time hanging out on picturesque Slocan Valley farms with Wilson, who proved to have a warmth and charm as magnetic as those sticky-buns, I hopped back in the truck, hugged the lakeside road until I happened upon another kind soul. Signs advertising Peter Roulston’s, Bike Hospital drew me to his highway property located on the out-skirts of New Denver. Although my mode of transportation was not a bike, but a truck; and I needed not a healer but a GPS, Peter – who offers superior customer service doctoring broken bicycles on his shaded front porch – was more than accommodating and steered me in the right direction, which happened to be in the direction I had just travelled.

So that’s New Denver. Beautiful!

Whilst partaking in the panini ritual (my choice: a delicious shrimp and pesto) in downtown New Denver, I found myself seated between some of those motorcycle enthusiasts and sportscar-driving types. I looked fondly over one shoulder, to the youth and freedom and then over the other, to the experience and the freedom. Sadly, my freedom was as long as the afternoon was short.

And my freeway to freedom was beckoning. (My father was a truck driver, so I come by it honestly).
Yet how ironic, that my plight for freedom might follow the same path as the interned were transported over in cattle trucks. After studying about the historical injustice of Japanese-Canadians during WWII, my arrival in New Denver and discussion with a formerly interned Canadian was awe-inspiring.

Sakaye Hashimoto was born in the camps at New Denver and has chosen to remain in that gorgeous spot, serve as the President of the Memorial Centre, and make education his life’s work. His mere presence, in that historical spot, gives me an education.

As I leave the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, I feel sheepish. Maybe crumb-filled car seats, ear-splitting birthday parties, driving with the windows up, and using the road as a freeway to freedom aren’t so bad! Especially when I can experience Winlaw bakery, Fomi’s, handmade hazelnut truffles on the journey home (and some more of those ultra-sticky sticky buns for a peace offering to my husband).

Except how do I explain the sticky steering wheel?

And although I am not “Mom” on this roadtrip, I am thrilled to return to her as I open my front door, especially because the kids are - once again - asleep!

2007-06-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

I actually had a Starbucks the other day. I find out there was one in the Nelson Safeway and I just happened to be going by for a wedding job in Kaslo. Kaslo is amazing (whole other entry!!)

THANKS MOM & DAD FOR THE B.DAY GIFT - HERE'S MY NEWEST TOY: a new lens with a "sweet spot" of focus. I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this one!

2007-06-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

people are actually reading this? cat let me know she's checking up on us via this site. i have to say, we have much more of a life than i relay here...really, we do. i'm so bad with the updates, so here it is in point form:

. we've moved all moved into our new bedrooms and feel royally spoiled! "after" pictures to come as soon as i can get the curtains up.
. anais did her first swimming lesson today and put her face in the water (made momma proud!) we're getting ready for the beach at winthrop (beginning of july). she's still extremely "spirited" and also enjoys riding her 2-wheel/no pedal bike at the park with her dad.
. ryder is proving to be at a "difficult" stage complete with tantrums and other disagreeable behavior. good thing they're so cute..otherwise...
. jim's business SILVERTIP VENTURES is up and running. the projects he has on the go include framing, large-scale renos, and new construction. he's had to pull the reigns a bit because there's more work than he can possibly accept and it all seems to find him without pursuit. i guess it's a good problem to have.
. we all adore our new little hometown. the weather, the people, the lifestyle, the nature, the peace. thanks for the support of our amazing friends and family. you have been invaluable and we still miss you dearly!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO OUR DAD, OUR GRANDPA'S AND OUR UNCLES OUT THERE!

backyard bears

2007-06-15T23:04:00.001-07:00

neighbors captured these cubs wrestling in our back yards. perhaps the ones anais & i saw crossing the street directly in front of us last night! a bit of an adrenaline rush - for me - i'm afraid the bears are quite used to us rosslanders!

caity & anais

2007-06-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

merry month of may

2007-06-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

. where to start?

i made it to colleen's very surprised 40th party. it was touching to see colin put so much effort into this affair and pull it off with such remarkable success. i mean there was catering, a housefull of friends, a limo, a midnight trip to mexico. and i think my sis-in-law, not unlike myself, is probably a hard one to surprise! most memorable moments have got to be colin's prayer, thanking god for giving him colleen. and, in turn, colleen's choked-up "thank you speech". you could just feeel the love!

. i also kicked off wedding season on the coast, photographing a spectacular wedding on whonnock lake. see feature: www.freshphoto.smugmug.com i could go on and on about this elegant affair! i look forward to my next bridal shoot on an old ship in kaslo.

. a great visit with my nephews and neice while cory & jen "honeymooned" in cuba. i called jim to tell him how i was having a wonderful time, 7 kids and me, because they had a fence, a trampoline and a sandbox. i also got to drive the "institutional van" (as jen calls it), singing shrek tunes all the way across maple ridge. do you think jen's still singing along to shrek, after all these years? little did i know i would return to my rossland house to find a fence, a trampoline and yes, a sandbox! it's now my little piece of paradise (and no shrek tunes here-just that mcdonalds burping ogre toy).

. was a bit sour to spend the may long weekend in the cold. (although it was nice to just loaf around with the fam for a change!) when the weather finally turns in rossyland, i don't think i'll be fleeing it. jim has been wearing shorts since april when we began to get: maybe slight snowfall in morning but 20 by mid-afternoon. (it's now early june and it hit 40 just down the mtn) the recent climate has helped me proclaim my love for my new hometown. besides the sunshine, we're making good friends, we've got new old friends (in trent & jacq who just joined us here) and with the assurance that we're where we're supposed to be.

. i'm feeling ultra-blessed with my work and personal life, still. on assignment, i spent yesterday with slocan valley artists, painting historical outbuildings in the area. there's definately an encouragement one gets from being around fellow creative-types. it was a bit dangerous perhaps, for even before the wine, i felt like i could go skinny-dipping in the river with these new stranger-friends. no mom, i didn't!

. stay tuned for a photo pictorial on my blog at my site address and a potential story on this "mom's mini-roadtrip from red mountain to new denver".

. and have i mentioned jim has more work offers than he can possibly accept?

green day

2007-04-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

anais here is going to grace the cover of a "georgia straight" style paper, the weekender, here in the kootenays. and it's the relaunch of the papers new format. very exciting!

i've been having some recent success with freelance journalism and photojournalism. i'm working for 3 papers that send me out to cover rossland activities/events. no way to get rich but a great way to get out there and meet some people!

The View From Up Here: Celebrating Earth Day in Rossland
By Carmen Adams

Green is in! It’s in the movie theatre, on magazine covers, in car commercials and now on Oprah. With an international platform on Friday’s show, Oprah Winfrey challenged everyone to implement one green idea to help combat global warming; with national news of Ontario’s ban on incandescent lightbulbs within 5 years; and with local awareness peeked with Rossland’s attempt to go plastic bag-free, the stage was set for an Earth Day like none other. But was I ready for the assignment?

At Earth Day festivities at the Miner’s Hall, I was pleased to meet novice green-people and find out they’re not as ‘alien’ as I may have imagined. In fact, they’re kind of like me. Although I am no eco-campaigner, I am a recent emigrant from the big city. And living in Rossland, I can’t help but think green…er. I’m living in a natural wonderland, having seen wild turkeys, big horn sheep, Canadian geese, Blue Jay and bear in our mountains within a matter of weeks. I’m surrounded by eco-enthusiasts whose desire and actions for positive change is infectious. I can’t help but feel like I am back in some version of high school where it is actually cool to make a difference.

And then it happened. I found myself starting to notice the plastic bags strung in trees lining the highway, noting how many plastic bags I was given for even the smallest grocery order, and just how much my children like to drink out of pre-packaged juice boxes. Is this what they refer to as “raising awareness”? Can I ever, in good conscience, go back? and would I ever want to?

Before I even got to the Earth Day celebrations venue, I saw dozens of kids collecting trash…willingly. I saw families picking up garbage together. The 4 year old exclaiming he was participating “so animals won’t die!” I had to ask myself, am I smarter than a 4 year old?

What struck me, over the course of these Earth Day events, is that no matter ones’ religious persuasion, political aspirations, or record of charitable givings, participating in Earth Day ideologies throughout the year benefit us all. Since when can taking such small steps contribute to the welfare of individuals, a community and the global community simultaneously? All this and make you look cool too!

joy: the inspired life

2007-04-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

i'm happy to present my first gallery showing -"joy:the inspired life" - on april 12-beginning of may at the old firehall, rossland. i only wish you could all be there with me to celebrate!

for those of you wondering about the theme, you need only read my new year blog entry to understand! and for a write-up, see "events" on my site www.freshphoto.smugmug.com.

i've even had newspaper coverage, including this image featured in one of the papers as the arts page photograph!

easter treats

2007-03-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

.ryder saw the easter bunny @ the park & gave it an affectionate hug; anais said "no way, i don't like no bunnies!"

.i recall last year, when we were trying to teach then 2yr old anais the meaning of easter; to which she replied "thank you Jesus for the chocolate" amen!

.we are so thrilled to have jim's dad here on a working visa! ryder calls "papa?" around the house all day but has nothing to ask when he answers. his favorite words so far are "du-rty", "stinky" and "blast off!" yeah, he's a boy! anais, on the other hand, refused the teachers her cubbies (kids' group) vest because it wasn't "pritty"!

.we loved seeing the peters' family over our webcams easter sunday. we've gotta use that more often! and get the adams' online too! we'd love to see our cousin evan for the first time.

happy easter, love, our house

spring has sprung - new pix here

2007-03-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

. well, 2 bridal fairs under my belt, a few weddings and a lot of contacts made! some days i get discouraged but today was beautiful & sunny and we had a playdate! life seems good today! i am excited about a showing soon here @ the Old Firehall wine & tapas bar. i'm also working on a new site, still under construction @ www.freshphoto.smugmug.com i invite your comments, as long as you give me grace about making the changes! this html stuff is a slow-go.

. today was a social highlight. we had ~5 phone calls this morning, when days go by w/o hearing it ring; i talked to mom & dad who sound like sunshine agrees with them!; a new friend delivered appliances to our doorstep (from kelowna) - and that was all before our playdate down the road! i did a little painting in the kids' rooms (anais' will be pinky w/ chocolate polka dot accents & ryder's will be a retro garage theme - i'll get ya the after pictures soon; we have to finish first!) old neighbor brent then dropped by outta the blue and, finally, we're making arrangements to fly jim's dad here this week. 3 cheers - a visit w/ dad & papa & help w/ the reno - we're psyched!

. come to think about it, that's a lot of testosterone; i could use a little female companionship, so if any of you girls want to come visit the canadian alps, i'll try to guarantee no snowfall but there's still a blanketing in our yard. though i have seen the odd crocus or 2!

. i didn't want to believe cory & jenn were coming until they were actually here in rossland a while ago. they came w/ the 3 youngest with whom we enjoyed some still-winter sport: sledding & ice skating. we enjoyed a relaxed visit and i shed some tears watching them pull out of the yard. i love my family!

thanks for reading my rambles. i'd love to read your comments!
happy spring . carmen

rossland rec & 1000 thanks!

2007-03-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

top back deck - potential spot for hot tub!

Well, if you can't beat em, join em! Not a good philosophy for life - but recreationally speaking, it works! Especially if it gets my sorry butt in gear.

I've just bought my first x-country skiis and went out yesterday in the sunshine. Guess I'm joining the ranks of the super-fit around here (definately not there yet). I thought walking the hills, pushing 50lbs of kid was enough!

I don't know what I appreciate more about the skiing: sunny skies, gliding through snow, or being absolutely alone with my thoughts (well, me & God alone together). Actually, I know it's the latter, but the other parts are alll good!

Jim's also got himself snowshoes and has trekked the local mountains. We won't be going out together anyhow - w/ small kids - so we needn't coordinate our outdoor sports quite yet.

Anais & Ryder like their sled Auntie Mary. Many thanks to Aunt Mary & Uncle Vic for our first snow-toy as well as for helping us sell our house, and so quickly yet! As well as to Jeff (Canadian Car & Truck) for helping us sort out our vehicle "issues"! We are so grateful for your help! While I'm thanking, I can't forget my Dad (whom nobody else has done more for us! Mom too) and Cory, who we can't thank enough! Colin & Colleen you were so amazing to let us crash your Christmas. We enjoyed our time together and want to reciprocate. I am so thankful for my amazing family! When I feel a little isolated here, I remember that I always have my family, near or far!

Thanks Cat, Julie K & Kirsten for being so supportive and making our crazy adventure seem a little less, well... crazy. Jenn - you made it so difficult to leave in the first place - because of our friendship - but thank you for praying and being my lifeline!

Consider yourselves all invitated to visit us in the Kootenays - just don't come all at the same time - our house is kinda small! Love you!

shock value

2007-03-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

front view

side view

for shock value: can you see it? - there's a house in there somewhere and some kids too (in middle of front walk)! the drifts have reached above our heads in areas. we've just had ~3' in the last week which was the most accumulation in the shortest time (since our arrival after Christmas). what we appreciate is the lack of wind and horribly cold temps. it hovers just below 0. january was much sunnier than february. i'm hoping march is a return to the blue skies; that's what keeps me going! i can't exactly take off skiing - with kids - so jim & i walk into town in the evenings w/ kids in backpacks. it's quite the workout with all the hills in rossland. i'm definately still adjusting to the snow!
we think our home is 109 yrs and it used to be a beauty, with large dormers over the 4 upper windows. i was definately swayed when, during the open house, i saw images of its former self in a history book. it has been interesting to pull layers of old wallpaper off the walls and retrieve hockey cards & newspaper insulation from every couple of decades. our plans for the outside include wood-look siding, beefier posts, shutters, window boxes and general charm. we'll have to live with the grey metal roof and dormer-less windows. hopefully the hot tub off the back top deck will make up for that!
i look forward to using the decks (1 covered front, 2 back). even when the "big thaw" hits - can't imagine! - we'll be able to bask in sunshine & out of the muck. better still, i'll throw the kids out there and let them play outside. right now we just use the large back deck for materials storage & BBQ area. the front deck is (can you see?)...a garbage disposal. how pleasant; hope neighbors haven't pegged us as white trash! oh well, we don't entertain much! not at all, for now. i won't even have playdates over yet.
unfortunately, we live in a wee bit of a hole (not the living conditions but the lot itself:) the snow piles in around us until 3/4 of our livingroom view is white! people talk of spring but i don't know whether i will experience one again! these were taken March 1. i have white hyacinths in my window so at least it is spring in my sill!

2007-02-22T19:08:00.000-08:00

sno bunnies

baptisms, birthdays & candy

2007-02-21T21:03:00.000-08:00

ummm, candy

candy wasn't the only treat we enjoyed on our trip to see you. sorry it wasn't ALL of you that we got to connect with...this time!

devan & drew were baptized on cory's birthday. I can't think of a better gift than to know that your kids are following God! That also gave us the opportunity to celebrate, twofold, with jennifer's "happy birthday & baptism" cake. i'm so glad so have witnessed my nephews' special event.

a huge "thanks" to the people that fed us, namely julie & dan, cory & jen, colin & colleen, chris & kirsten.

more irresitable faces. euan (kirsten's), paige (julie's)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH TO CORY, JULIE K, DAD (THE BIG 6-0!), COLE & AUNTIE CLAIRE. WE WISH WE COULD CELEBRATE WITH YOU ALL BUT KNOW WE ARE CELEBRATING YOU THIS MONTH!

while we were out!

2007-02-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

"Daddy's l'il helper"

Jim installing a window in Anais' room @ the front of the house

We came home (Rossland home) to a more level floor - level is outta the question for our century-old abode! - and Anais's now also without a room. Ryder's deal is have-playpen-will travel. I'm even thinking of sticking him in the dark basement if he keeps waking me up at night! But Anais' now rooming w/ us; Jim (strangely:) is making hers top priority to finish. Thankfully, we still have an intact bathroom & kitchen. For now...

New 6-paneled doors are installed upstairs, kids rooms ready to mud. Jim's now going to turn his attention to the big honkin woodstove (installs like a fireplace in the wall:) With all the boxes I picked up from the Lower Mainland, I think that's gonna be a big job!
He's keeping perspective and learning a great deal. He's working very full days, now 6 days a week and enjoys what he's doing. I'm strangely OK w/ the chaos. Divine Intervention for now and one day soon we'll get to do "design intervention".

New Years New Eyes

2007-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

- an article I wrote to document our "big move"

When I recently moved to little Rossland from the Lower Mainland, I didn’t know I would be ringing in the New Year watching CBC in my new long underwear! Is this exerpt from rural Canadiana really the life I signed up for?
To be truthful, sleep beckoned and wooed me in by 10, thereby rendering me asleep for the big event. And did I mention I have two “kidlets”, 3 and under, so my hubby and I haven’t exactly danced in the New Year for a while.
Despite its lackluster quality, January 1, 2007 proved to be a memorable eve. My husband and I had just moved our little family here to accomplish resolution #1 – to live intentionally and I threw in #2 – to live with joy.
Resolution #1 was inspired by an intentional and welcome maternity leave. It was all the nursing, playing and cuddling of a newborn that reformed this once “type A” city-slicker.
Frustrations mounted, however, when the pace of life seemed to dictate otherwise. That pace grew frenetic with a return to the workforce, adding a second baby and single parenting in the absence of a stressed-out father.
But then that stressed-out dad dared suggest a lifestyle change.
Except my husband, from small-town Nova Scotia, was born snow-worthy and had already made one great pilgrimage in his life. I, on the other hand, was a native mild-climate city-dweller. City people like me don’t dare leave for small town life; it’s those small towners that move to the big city!
Funny how most of the people I’ve run into in my new small town have come from places like Victoria, Vancouver or Calgary.
Funnier still is the irony of “hipster” girls in mild Vancouver wearing their knee-high, fur trimmed boots to the mall (yes I’m guilty), while the “hipster” girls in the Kootenay mountains wear their low-slung, lace-up skate shoes in 3 feet of snow. So when I could once deceive myself into thinking I was “cool” I am now considered “practical”!
Despite my initial resistance - only to be overcome with divine intervention - we played the game of “spin the map of BC” and landed here. Here to a snow covered mountaintop with no jobs, family or friends to justify the move.
How am I going to live up to resolution #2 – to live with joy?
Easy!
I have my husband home all day while he renovates, infusing heritage charm back into our heritage home; my kids benefit from a dad who is now present, introducing our daughter to ice-skating and our son to sledding; my knee-high, fur trimmed boots were extremely functional for the 110th Rossland Winter Carnival this weekend; and “Kootenay time” affords us the luxury of intentional living. To live with purpose and let that purpose dictate our daily life will be the source of my joy in 2007! And I take it as a good sign that New Years was comedy night on CBC and I laughed my butt off in my fur-trimmed boots, thus fulfilling resolution #2!

2007-01-26T21:37:00.000-08:00

we're here . we're hooked up (finally connected!) . we're fired up (work offers pouring in!). we're thrilled to be in rossland! there are so many updates!
we were just out viewing the street parade (w/ kids in backpacks, sipping hot chocolate) to open the winter carnvival. we look forward to the home-made bobsled racing & flowriders (mntn biking) tomorrow. (you've got some experience w/ the gt snow racers [aka bobsleds] don't you cory?)
it may sound too good to be true & not every day has been so glorious - especially considering we're in a demolition zone here (notice the lack of pictures of our home) - but we're feeling very blessed to be here! seems as though we're just another young family that has recently migrated to this region for a lifestyle overhaul. while in vancouver we may have been considered "crazy" to leave, here we're the norm! that's promising for our social life (not active as yet but we'll have faith) and that of our children!
i could not have predicted my response but thank God for it! i still miss my friends & family! speaking of which...

...I EXPECT TO BE IN LOWER MAINLAND THURSDAY 31ST w/ the kids to let jim work w/out interruption for awhile. (#433.5434 call for an appointment :)

should i just give you pix of the kids - isn't that what you really care about?

Ryder is no longer quiet & content but physical & pesky. Jennifer was right - he changed! His smile & fun-loving nature still bring us so much joy!

Anais loved opening her Christmas Kitty @ her new house. She seems to like mountain living & ice skating w/ Jim.

displaced Christmas

2006-12-13T14:29:00.000-08:00

Hi & Merry Christmas to friends . family

I thought this blog a convenient way to keep our loved ones - that would be you - in the loop now that we're Kootenay bound. I plan to include family photos w/ my new camera & give you the befores & afters of our renovation. You can check all this out @ your leisure.
Please excuse the lack of Christmas contact & cards. Yes, I did state "Kootenay-bound" we're not there yet! So much for all those "good-byes". I've even been back to a MOPs group I was supposed to have abandoned already.
We've found ourselves temporarily displaced & are "camping out" w/ my parents until further notice. GONE NOW - SEE BELOW. We're waiting for Jim's new truck which we hope will arrive soon. Except now it's 12 days away from Christmas & we don't know whether to stay . go . come back? Ahhh! WE'RE STAYING FOR CHRISTMAS & WE'RE WITHOUT A TRUCK STILL. THE ONE FROM THE STATES (THAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR WAS "NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED". BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!
What am I going to? I have to ask myself. On one hand, it's a house brimming w/ unpacked boxes. On the other hand, it would definately be a white Christmas. And likely quaint and memorable for its Charlie Brown Christmasy quality.
If we stay, we'll be @ Colin & Colleen's. HERE NOW. Thanks to them for their very generous offer! It would be so nice to have all of those little cousins together to open their gifts. (Anais' new thing is to preface her speech w/ "by the way...". "By the way, Mommy, I don't think I feel like taking a nap just yet" etc. I think I've procreated another word-lover.)
If we go, our Rossland # is 250-362-7068. Start memorizing it now! I haven't quite figured out how to retrieve our messages but promise to learn soon! Thanks for checking out our "Rossland Home" site! More Christmas/move updates to follow! C MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !