21 years

This past Thursday it was 21 years that Jay and I got married. I remember the day like it was last week. It was soooo hot. Jay and I drove up together to Skylands Manor that morning- never being one to follow conventions. We put signs and balloons along the way to let people know they were on the right track. The caterers were so great and had put together a platter of fruit and bagels for all of us since we were getting dressed and ready there before the wedding. My friend from the hair salon got lost and arrived very late- I thought I was going to have to do my hair myself. Jay went out, borrowed a back pack blower and blew dry the lawn where we were to be married. He always wants to make things perfect. We had the photographer take our formal shots before the service- turns out it was a good choice since it was so hot that if we waited I would have looked like a wet bedraggled mess in all my photos. The service was so special, the pastor was a friend of Jay's and so everything was so personal. Afterwards we had a party, not a typical reception. Everyone had been told to bring shorts to change into and a lot of people took us up on it. Mark, Jay's best man was wearing bright red Bermuda shorts when he gave the toast. Now I know that the type of reception we had would not be for most people, and the sight of her groom wearing white shorts with his tux shirt tied over his belly and a napkin tied around his head would bother a lot of brides, but for me it is one of the images of Jay that I cherish from my wedding day. His energy, and joy was so evident then and it is now too. I think the best thing I can say about this man I married is that now, 21 years after the fact I still adore him. I know that I am truly blessed to have him in my life and to be able to feel the way I do about him. Bring on the next 21 years, I can't wait!!!

Gonna Go to Ghana

It has been almost 5 years since I have been to Africa. Every day since I got back I have prayed that I could return. It looks like the time is coming. If all goes as planned I will be heading to Ghana at the end of October for about two weeks. My friend Lisa's father in law is heading back to a little village he has been involved with and I am going to be going with him. He has helped to finance the building of a few buildings, one of them a school, and in November the village will be dedicating a new building and invited him to be there. The way things are working out is nothing short of miraculous. I will be able to meet up with someone our Sunday school has been praying for over the past few years. He is from Nigeria, was imprisoned in Egypt for being Christian, went back to Nigeria when he was released but had to leave the country as his family wanted to kill him for being Christian. He is now living in Ghanna, in Accura, which is where I will fly into and out of. I am also in contact now with a woman who is serving as a missionary in Accra too. It is amazing to me that two weeks ago I never thought about going to Ghana and now I not only have a photo project in a small village but I have two contacts there. I am looking forward to seeing how things progress with this. If you are given to prayer I will ask that you pray for me and that all will go according to God's will.

Something to do this weekend

Now Jay and I have a full weekend and can't join in on the bandwagon in California but for those of you who are free to head out there and join in. You have to love a country like ours where this can become a scheduled event. If you go make sure to send me some pictures

http://www.moonamtrak.org/ 

just a few more

just a few more pictures from Janet's house- She has such a beautiful home


 

Visiting with Janet

Today dad, Shelby and I went up to visit Janet at her house and have a late birthday celebration. We brought lunch up with us and spent some time talking and just enjoying eachother's company. After eating we went outside to tour her beautiful gardens. Then we ended up with an emergency visit to Janet's hospital as Shelby had some weird allergic reaction. Thankfully Benedril works wonders and she is doing just fine now.


 

Barbara's Birthday

A few weeks ago my friend Barbara called me and said her *0th birthday was coming up on June 28th and could she come and play mah jongg at my house to celebrate. I have missed having Barbara at our weekly games and was excited to get to play for a whole day with her. We set things up and even surprised her with a few other friends from Bible study stopping by. Barbara thought that this was all for her but it was also for us. These women are some of the people I love the most and to spend the day together with all of them was a gift to me too. I just love this photograph of the whole group of these special people in my life. Happy birthday Barbara, thanks for having a birthday! 

Roses

Last night I took some photos of my roses. Jay planted these bushes for me and the blooms this year were wonderful. The roses are old fashioned roses with that beautiful heavy rose scent. There are only a couple more buds coming and then I will have to wait until next year for them to bloom again. I guess I will have to burn a scented candle and come back and look at this post when I am missing them.


 

That waskily wabbit

Cody is Shelby's rabbit. She brought him home from summer camp 4 years ago. Sometimes I am confused that if he is her rabbit why am I the one always feeding him, giving him water and cleaning his litter box? But I don't really mind. He is so sweet and he helped her make it through the seperation that first year at her camp. Every morning as I head out to do my prayer journal and Bible reading I stop and visit with Cody. At first he jumps all over the place and is hard to catch hold of but before long he will settle down and nuzzle my hand to be pet. These pictures capture some of our morning moments.


 

My Biker

Jay left this morning for one of his annual motorcycle trip. Today he is heading up to Americade at Lake George with Ira, George and Tom. They'll stay there overnight and then head up to Laconia, NH for a weeklong bike event. He is so cute right before these trips...like a little kid on Christmas eve. He was up with me this morning at 5 even though he didn't have to meet the guys until 6:45. He just couldn't sleep, he was way too excited. He wanted me to go outside with him before he left and get his picture. Somehow I have a feeling that if I can capture his picture when he comes home he will look a lot different- not so bright eyed and bushy tailed. Please keep Jay and his friends in your prayers this week for great weather, and a safe return.
Being outside this morning made me realize I hadn't taken any pictures of the house recently. We are almost done! Today the guys come to pave the circle of the driveway. My neighbors will be happy- a few of them have been complaining about all the construction noises. Anyway, here are two views of the house, one from the north end and one from the south. Jay's new plantings look beautiful!
 

Photography class favorites

Today is my last day for my photography class. I have enjoyed it and will miss heading up to the Stone Barns each week just to shoot. Today we are meeting at Todd's house to put together a book of our photographs from this class. I do not know which of mine will be picked but here are some of my favorites from the class. Some I have already posted so you might recognize them. Which would you choose?




 

 

 

Iris Gardens

I love finding special little places that I never knew existed before. I just found another one in Montvale. Its called Gray's Iris Gardens and is on a side street. You would never know about it unless someone told you. This family has filled their yard with Irises of every shade and sort. The majority of them are in bloom right now and I took my dad there after dinner to check it out. My mother loved irises- her favorite were the chinese iris. I didn't see any of them there but I just know she would have loved this place.


 

Cignets

Spring is such a great time at the Celery Farm. Almost everyday there is something new to see. Birds are nesting and eggs are hatching. The mute swans had 6 eggs. Five of them hatched and unfortunately one of the babies did not make it (Snapping turtles are deadly.) The little cignets that survive are adorable- little bundles of white fluff. The other day I came across them feeding with their parents. At some point the turtles must have noticed too because I could see the disturbances in the water marking their progress as they headed towards the swans. As my anxiety started to rise the swans must have also noticed and the 4 little cignets quickly climbed onto their mother's back and the family swam away. I know that it must seem like something so small but to me it is a magical moment.