any time is a good time for pie

Now that I have, say it with me now, HIGH SPEED at home, I'm able to do all sorts of neat things like download movies. My friend Alison gave me a link awhile ago that allows me to do just this that I was finally able to take advantage of. So I downloaded the movie Waitress for a friend who hadn't seen it and we watched it on my lovely widescreen monitor. If you haven't seen the movie, understand it's bound to inspire some pie making in you even if you don't bake. Siobhan (pronounced sh-von) doesn't do much in the way of baking so we started off with something simple just for her and we named it, "Siobhan's First Chiffon Pie" (with a play on the two words since many people hearing her name for the first time pronounce it like the pie). In the movie Keri Russell names all the pies she concocts, like Bad Baby Pie and Naughty Pumpkin Pie. And I'm happy to say the pie was a success and sad to say I don't have any pictures of it, but I can show you an empty pie plate if that would suffice! It had been awhile since I'd done any baking and I sure do enjoy it. I like baking things that can all get dumped into a pan or plate all at once, you know, not like cookies where you have to play with each bit, space it accurately, fiddle with getting them off the sheet, washing the sheet, it's a pain in the neck. I'd much rather indulge in cakes, brownies, pies, shakes, custards, flans...you get the idea. A friend gave me a fantastically indulgent chocolate cookbook recently. I have only looked at the pictures and read the recipes so far, but I'm feeling inspired to roll up my sleeves and dig in to some pastry making! Which reminds me, my sister's mother-in-law, Lucy, made the most heavenly ricotta pie for Easter that I have ever had the joy of tasting. She comes from Italy and her love of cooking has followed her here to a shared dinner table with me. My sister and I want to learn how to make this heavenly delight and we were told yes we may, but first, we must watch how it's done. Apparently some of her ingredients for this pie come from Italy. We must take extra care, stand close and watch a masterpiece unfold.

bring it

I am very ready for a season change. I can almost say I'd be willing to skip Spring and head right on into summer. I don't remember a time when I have been as eager for a new season, but it's been a long winter, yes it has. First, understand the ferry has been located at "the winter dock" since October...that's six months, half of one year people! And when the ferry moves to the winter dock, it essentially marks the beginning of winter if you will. You must drive to the winter dock, it's bleak and exists in the middle of nowhere. The summer dock on the other hand sits in our village where there are stores, shops and neighbours to visit while waiting for the boat. I can also walk and ride my bike to it within minutes. It's been raining since last night and this morning's ride to town lacked the usual crunch of the ice beneath the boat. So I'm hopeful. Hopeful that soon I will see that beacon of light in the form of a notice on the bulletin board of the ferry that reads, "Ferry service will be moving to the Village as of Sunday 5:45am." Then you will hear a loud whoop as I do a little jig to proclaim the island's rebirth into a truly new season.

high on speed

ohmygodohmygodohmygod I am for the first time ever downloading sites, utube, music at great speed in the comfort of home. I can't believe it. Why oh why did I hold out for so long? I'm going nowhere today, I'm gluing myself to this chair and enjoying the ride for as long as I so choose. I'm tickled, I'm giddy, I'm watching amos lee on utube...they look like my kind of folk. god bless those who made highspeed. amen.

ps (I'm writing this about 10 minutes later than this original post). I just had to say that I've now downloaded an entire album in a few short minutes when it literally used to take all night to do this. I'm so happy I feel some tears comin' on.

matters of the heart

"You split me, tore my heart open, filled me with love. You poured your spirit into me; I knew you as I know myself."
- from the Song of Solomon

I don't normally feel comfortable writing on matters of the heart, however a friend has been going through some emotional heartache for the past couple of months and I have been her main confidante. My role has primarily been of listener and offering support. She read me the quote written above and it resonated with me. It brought me to a place where I have felt these words from my own past experience and it made me want to ask you, have you felt something akin to this expression? Was it recent? A long, long time ago? Maybe never, and maybe it's still to come. Or perhaps you are lovingly engaged with this feeling now and forever more.

A blog I read often reveals an intense loving relationship between a couple of friends so much that it reminds me of a "love life." I experienced this feeling when I was at photography school. The friends I met and made there became for me that summer, my love life. I was completely fulfilled by their friendship and pursuing my dream - it was a wonderful place to exist.

I'd love to hear your own experiences of 'love' in all of its many forms.

dialed in

And yes, I am literally dialed in b/c I still haven't received my modem for hs...apparently it was lost in the mail. However my phone service was reinstated to me as of this afternoon so here I am...ready to post!

I trust you all had a splendid easter holiday. I am going to be posting some images from this w/e on my photoblog so please head on over there for some eye candy.

the lowdown

Ha! From hs to no speed. I am currently without phone and internet service until sometime Monday, (I'm at the library typing this), so happy easter everyone! I'm busy using up my first roll of film in my pinhole camera so I hope to have some new and interesting images to show you soon!

ps. I've had some images sell at my show that's currently running and can I tell you how much it thrills and floors me that other people, especially strangers, see something in my images that makes them want to buy them?! It is this complete acknowledgement to me as "a photographer" from the outside world that stuns me. I feel it inside me all the time, but to have this feeling outwardly acknowledged is fulfilling in its own right.

a thing of the past

Well folks I'm finally stepping it up, that's right, I'm getting highspeed internet. Hard to believe I've held out so long I know, but there it is. I'm excited to say goodbye to those all nighters downloading music files and to now have the ability to listen to music clips or utube without 15 minutes of downloading time. Generally I don't surf the net at home b/c it takes too bloody long, and to be honest, I don't like the idea of being on the computer a lot at home when I can think of plenty of other ways to spend my time, but I decided the dial up was taking up too much of my photo business time uploading images to galleries, etc.
So there you have it folks...goodbye frustrating dial up and hello EVERYBODY.

it's show time!

Thanks to those of you who came out for our little soiree last night at l.s.p. designs. The images displayed very nicely in this cozy spot. Leanne and Marty (owners) were wonderful hosts and the best news is we both made some business last night and I hope it continues. My show is up until April 5th so go take a peek if you're in the area. Leanne's working on a groovy new website with a blu domain template which may not be live just yet, but her old site is still active for those of you wanting to see her work. She has a great eye for design.

chanelling elvis

For those of you who don't me well, I love to dance. Always have. Dancing equals freedom for me, a different outlet to express myself. As a kid I and a friend, my sister, or just me alone, would put on one of our favourite albums and create dance routines in the basement. This went on and on for years and well, I guess it's never stopped. I dance in the kitchen, hell I was dancing in the shower the other day when I heard sexy back playing. Yes, I admit to dancing to mr. justin timberlake. I'm not a snob when it comes to what I will or won't shake my booty too. As long as I like the rhythm and the beat, I'm all over it.
So this morning I was once again playing robert plant and allison krauss's latest cd, raising sand. If you don't have it, rush out and buy it right now!! It's just plain lovely. I can't seem to stop singing the song, "please read the letter". Anyway, the one song called gone gone gone has a hint of elvis in there. I dunno. I can just see and hear him in plant's voice...am I crazy, or does anyone else hear it? So of course this leads me into my latest elvis impersonation much to the shagrin of my napping dog. She is my constant one member audience whether she likes it or not.
My parents talk about the days when there was a hall dance every Saturday night. Now that's what I'm talkin' about. I've been thinking it would be some fun to rent one of the halls on the island for a dance party. What say you? Are you a dancin' fool?