We learned that bears like to eat dandelions

My daughter discovered the most fascinating animal at the zoo

I spent a little [...]]]> I’m still learning to use my new camera, but I sure got a lot of practice with all our adventure this year. Here are some of my favorite photos.

We learned that bears like to eat dandelions

My daughter discovered the most fascinating animal at the zoo

I spent a little time in our back yard capturing ducks and lily pads

my daughter showed off her fashion sense

I trespassed in a beaver family’s back yard

I listed my 10 favorite places to be 

I got up close with some Poppies - I had no idea they were so hairy

I tried out the macro lens chasing down raindrops

My daughter and I explored Turnagain Pass in Alaska

I went tourist at Pike Place Market

I got all deep and philosophical about a Foggy Day

and I can’t finish this post without including another picture of the sweetest little girl in the world

Monday was our seventh wedding anniversary. Seven years, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. I know I’m lucky to spend my life surrounded by so much love.

Now that we’ve risen to the challenge of sickness and [...]]]> A little color bling for this end of the summer post.

Monday was our seventh wedding anniversary. Seven years, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. I know I’m lucky to spend my life surrounded by so much love.

Now that we’ve risen to the challenge of sickness and poorer, I’m looking forward to experiencing some richer and health.

Any day now…

In the meantime, we’re just trying to soak up the beauty we find all around us.

To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.

                 ~Walt Whitman

And now, from around the interwebs…

TV: yes! really! I was on CNN! So here’s the [...]]]> All the benefits of a robust metropolis and yet, nestled between the mountains and the Salish Sea, it takes no effort at all to let nature envelope you in Seattle.

And now, from around the interwebs…

Me: As Seen On…

TV: yes! really! I was on CNN! So here’s the deal: I got an opportunity to say thank you, and help tell the story of a woman who was there for me while I was going through the worst of my cancer treatment. Debbie Cantwell created The Pink Daisy Project to pay it forward after her own bout with cancer. She helped me at a time when the expense and exhaustion of getting through cancer treatment was really wearing me down. She sent gift cards so I could get food, diapers, and gas, and she hired some people to come clean my home.  It’s hard enough to keep your home clean with a toddler – add the side effects of cancer treatment, and it’s overwhelming.

From what I understand, out of the 25 heroes highlighted throughout the year, CNN will be selecting 10 finalists  for the awards ceremony. Web traffic and buzz are considered in their selection criteria – so the more you view and share this story, the more you like or recommend it on Facebook, and the more you comment on the story there on the CNN website, the better the odds that Debbie will be selected as one of the finalists.  As a result of the story so far, Debbie has already received an increase in donations to help more women. She also received a significant increase in requests for help.  As we get the word out more, Debbie will be able to help more and more women. And that’s the whole point.

There is also a second video; this one is even longer and shows more of my family.

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Darrah Parker Photography: We met up with Darrah at Ravenna Park on a sunny afternoon, and she took the most beautiful pictures of us.  My little family was hot and tired, and bordering on cranky, but Darrah found the best in us. We had a grand time posing for photos, and the results are just lovely.

Awesome stuff I found while I was pretending to be busy

It Matters: Mama Wants This explores the unexpected ways her life has has been enriched by blogging, and the unexpected ways in which she has been hurt by blogging.

The Aums: a discussion of that emotionally charged issue of, gasp, body image.

Dog Days of Summer: Northwest Mommy hosts guest blogger, Diane LeBleu, and her discussion of starting a business, getting a dog, breast cancer, and other bad ideas.

Peanut  Butter in my Hair: finding beauty in unexpected places

The Days Pass: Susan of Toddler Planet is one of my heroes. She’s battling her fourth cancer in four years; this time it’s metastatic. She writes so beautifully about balancing her pain management so that she can tolerate the pain, yet still savor the moments with her husband and young children.

Poor daisies – loved to pieces…

but loved by the sweetest little girl.

You’d think after all those years growing up in the land of the midnight sun, I’d be used to this. But no, I had to stop and take a picture.

In the few short days [...]]]> I took this photo at my friend Dee’s house in Chugiak, Alaska, on Friday night. It was midnight.

You’d think after all those years growing up in the land of the midnight sun, I’d be used to this. But no, I had to stop and take a picture.

In the few short days since I returned home from Alaska, the summer solstice passed and the days are getting longer again.

A few minutes at a time.