Daily Photo Challenge (February 2011)

Day 01 - A picture of a tradition you have.

Sunday lunch, doesn't sound like much, but it's a tradition that
we've grown up with and that has been carried on through
the years and as our family has grown.

Day 02 - A picture of a crazy night.

This was just one of the places I was on June 15, 2000. Yup, I
turned 25 in Amsterdam and had a good time while I was at it.

Day 03 - A picture of the house you grew up in.

This is an aerial view of the property the way it looks now.

Day 04 - A picture of your currently most played CD.

Day 05 - A picture of your favourite place to eat.

It's all your fault Mikol - I totally and entirely blame you for
introducing me to my favourite restaurant in the area.

Day 06 - A picture of something you’re excited about.

We're celebrating my brother's birthday today. I made him a bucket
of home-made vanilla ice cream. I can't wait to see his reaction!
Update: Although it was intended as a surprise, my mom told him
about it during their birthday call :(

Day 07 - A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.

Whether all together or individually or in smaller groups, these
are the people I spend the most time with.

Day 08 - A picture of the best part of your day.

Meeting Art and hanging out with long-time gal-pal, Marianne.

Day 09 - A picture of your favorite movie.

A classic movie that has it all - fantasy, adventure, drama,
comedy, pirates, romance, violence, tragedy and a happy ending.

Day 10 - A picture of your favorite Disney character.

Click HERE to see "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers" song.

Day 11 - A picture of your pet.

Day 12 - A picture of your dream house.

My dream house... hmmm... this changes pretty much
on a daily basis. So here is one I've been kinda eyeing
if I ever got the opportunity to build one from the ground up.

Day 13 - A picture of making Valentines.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you’re told you look like.

Day 15 - A picture of your room.

Nope, you're not getting a picture of my room
because it's not cleaned. Too much stuff and
not enough space to put it away in.
Oh well, maybe someday...

Day 16 - A picture of where you wish you were right now.

Some beach, some where.

Day 17 - A picture of your favorite place to shop.

I can spend hours browsing in a store with scrapbooking supplies.

Day 18 - A picture of your favorite actress/actor.

Well, I guess, if I have to pick just one?!?!

Day 19 - A picture of a random item that you own.

At Christmas, one of the gifts that was opened looked like this weird metal whisk- like object. Then my sister said, "You have to try this!" It ended up being this crazy head massager that left me with the most amazing relaxed feeling.

Day 20 - A picture of your most frequented place.

but only because I'm a student there.

Day 21 - A picture of your dream car.

\

Day 22 - A picture of your favorite sport.

Day 23 - A picture of someone you think is hot.

He's more than just a pretty face and a sexy accent - he can cook too!

Day 24 - A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.

The Watercone is a solar powered water desalinator that takes salt
or brackish water and generates upto 1.7 L of freshwater a day.

.

Day 25 - A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.

Day 26 - A picture of something that makes you happy.

Day 27 - A picture of your favorite holiday.

In 2000, I went on a European holiday with a good friend of mine.
This is a map of the different places we went to while we were on the tour.
The numbers indicate the number of nights stayed in the city.

Day 28 - A picture of your favorite animal.

I find these fish beautifully mesmerizing.

Happy Birthday, Munchkin!

a Valentine's Day Wedding

I don't know John and HeatherAnn, but when my friend, Marianne, asked me if there could be a wedding in the vineyard on Valentine's Day, I thought "why not?"

As I got more details, I got more excited and into the whole thing. Art and Marianne needed to find a way to Ontario and a place to stay. John and HeatherAnn needed a way from Scarborough area to Niagara and back again and a place to stay in Niagara. The groom's attire was taken care of (some one gave him a tux!!), but the bride needed a whole outfit. As the list grew, so did my excitement and my frustration (lack of communication). But once Art and Marianne arrived, the ball began to roll. I met John and HeatherAnn at the airport when I went to pick up Art and Marianne. We had a quick coffee and then I was headed back to Niagara with my friends, but left the bride and groom behind. And now that Marianne was here, the wheels that were already turning, started to fly into warp speed.

Through kijiji, we were able to get the perfect dress and veil! Aimee's Forget-Me-Not Photography was having a special promotion which included a photography session, hair and make-up for the bride and 20 images.  On the day of the wedding I planned to pick up a bouquet from the grocery store which was to be transformed into a hand-held bouquet. And we booked a room for the bride and groom. So with the major details taken care of, we were feeling pretty good. If only the weather would co-operate.

The wedding was to be on Monday (the 14th) and on Saturday night we got a strong, warm wind blowing. Normally I wouldn't complain, but the snow started melting and the wind didn't let up until well into Monday. The previously snowy and frozen fields were now muddy and slushy - not ideal when the bride is wearing a white, floor-length gown.

Thankfully, I had my brother on retainer, not only to plow the location if necessary, but also to scout out the best possible location on our vineyards. He was able to give me a good one that was still pretty much covered in snow and we were able to have the ceremony out in the vineyard despite the fairly frigid temperatures.

We then moved the party to the base of Brock's monument up in Queenston Heights where the photographer was able to capture some intimate moments before we headed to the world's smallest church for a few more shots before taking shelter in the heated vehicle.

Through out the week, I had been trying to find a location where the 6 of us could have a nice dinner, but it was to no avail - every place I called said they couldn't accommodate us. So I was brainstorming some more as we were driving back to Niagara-on-the-Lake and voila! We went to the Old Fire Hall in St. Davids for a nice, quiet and yummy meal. The atmosphere was perfect and the food was wonderful. And after our meal and dessert we headed back to our "homes" for the evening. It was a day filled with joys and blessings and I wish John and HeatherAnn a life filled with amazing things to come.

For a bit more of John and HeatherAnn's story, check out Art's blog post of John & HeatherAnn's history and Art's blog post of the big day.