New kicks for the adults! Woot!Last week, when Jamie's mom (Bubie Carole) was in town, she bought us each a few things for my birthday and Jamie's first Father's Day. We both said we really needed/wanted new shoes, and we both happened to choose blue suede for our purchases. Too funny.I wish I had an internet share for you today, but truth be told, I'm under the weather with a terrible cough and fever. And tomorrow I'm flying to Kansas with The Spawn in my lap (please don't worry about his health -- he started this here illness). So instead I'm going to head off to bed to try to heal up before that great adventure. Pray for me. 

This morning, after feeding Ezra as the sun came up, I ran out to the dock to photograph the fog coming up off the lake. It was so still out there -- just lovely. Then we packed up the car and began the journey home.  Three hours in the car with a very nervous dog and a teething baby might just be the opposite of that photo up there.I'm home for a very short period before my next trip -- but man, is it good to be cooking back in my own kitchen and sleeping in my own bed.For your internet share of the day, I loved this interview with a Shaman who uses "magick" to heal people. I also love these dinner plates (although I would likely hang them on a wall and not eat from them...) and this reminds me of my mother-in-law (in the best way).

Chomp!I took this while we were at the zoo last weekend. I know! Another old photo! Sorry, but I was chained to my desk all day today catching up on a gazillion things before I head into the woods tomorrow and lose all my internet access for a few days. So I didn't really leave my office chair, and I love photos of crazy teeth like this anyway, so there you go.And what's this about me heading into the woods?  As I do each year, I'll still take photos and I'll still blog when I return (don't worry, you'll still get that Monday at the Madhouse entry... it might just not arrive until Wednesday or so). But a family vacation (yes, WITH Magda finally) is really needed, and I'm excited to spend four days chasing a crawling toddler attempting to keep him out of the lake and the poison ivy. No really. That sounds like fun.In the meantime, please enjoy these nuggets from the internet. This made me laugh. This made me cry (really). And this made me think. 

 What a week! Today we wrapped up the shoot! Above is a shot of Kate welcoming the morning rainstorm between shots. We have been super fortunate to have had wonderful weather all week, so we have left the garage doors to the studio open to soak in the sunshine. I loved this shot because her jacket looks like a cape :)For your internet share today, you know you want to read about how this blogger adopted a baby squirrel and how that first year of having it in the house has gone. Also? I really suck at saying no, so I loved this piece on how to say no with grace.  

Oh man, these last two days have been so rewarding. I am so fortunate to be working on another amazingly fun and creative shoot with Scotch brand for 3M. The photo up there includes just some of the props laying around on set today (along with my new blue suede shoes -- so comfy).I am working with such a fantastic team of artists and creatives this week. Pinch me, please.Also this month, some of my dog work has been re-published in the August issue of Mpls/St. Paul magazine, so check that out if you have a chance while waiting to purchase groceries. I have two other super fun projects that will see the light of day soon (one of them is the famed toothbrush shoot!), and I'll be sure to alert you to those when they are ready. I really don't mean to come across as a braggart, but it's just exciting when all your secret projects start to surface :)Ok, for your internet shares today! I really, really wish I had been there to shoot this photo. And for something a little meatier, I always love reading about people who love their work and why. So of course, this fascinated me.

 This is one of the images I shot at the zoo last weekend. I hesitated to use an image that was a few days old today, but I'm going to be shooting on location for the next three days (long days, most likely), and my cameras will be mounted for all three days. Meaning I won't have many options for shooting blog fodder.Since tomorrow is Day One, I wanted to give myself a break on the blog front, but I also wanted to share a lovely image. So here you go!And for your internet shares today, the first photo in this post made me gasp. You should take the time to click on that. Also, I'm still pondering this kitchen device (waste of money? awesome dinner-maker? what do you think?) and I am super envious of Taylor Swift's kitchen. But the rest of the place? Meh.

What a week! We had Eloise (my amazing niece and Ezra's amazing cousin) stop in town for a few days at the start of the week with her boyfriend as they are driving across the country. Oh, how Ezra loved them. Oh, how they make us feel so old.They arrived just as Jamie was recovering from a very serious stomach bug, that I then contracted the next day. That was no fun at all. AT. ALL. Then, on their last day in town, Jamie's mother (Eloise's grandmother) came to town. While she was here, we had swimming and zoo visits and tons and tons of fun. Photos are below -- Enjoy!....Oh. And um, I forgot to blog last Friday. Plum forgot. Because I'm old. I apologize.

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to photograph a wonderful wedding over at the University. The couple was gracious and lovely, and it was my favorite kind of intimate ceremony. Here are a few of my favorite shots* -- congrats to these two!  *Very special thanks to the fabulous Erin Mackaman for second shooting this with me! It was her very first wedding, and she did one hell of a job.