{Nie Nie Auction}

If you haven't already heard about Stephanie and Christian Nielson you need to read their story here and here and here.
This completely breaks my heart. The longer I live the more I realize that life does not happen the way you think it will. I feel like I've seen and experienced more heartache in the last 2 years than I have the previous 28. I pray that the recovery will go well for this family.
I have decided to help in my own small way. You can check out what I'm auctioning off on my green apple blog here. There are lots of fabulous things being auctioned off. Please go and check it out. I am amazed at the power of the blogging world. I love how a community of strangers has pulled together for this family.

Please help me pass the word along. Lots of people don't have access to this story and it is really a worthwhile cause. There are so many great things being auctioned off, from jewelry to a signed Maroon 5 guitar. I have to admit, after I heard this story I have been reading Stephanie's blog. She is such a beautiful person.

Thanks in advance for all of the help!

{Maybe No One Cares}

But I'm continuing on with the favorite foreign films segment of this blog. Although interest was lackluster last time, it still makes me happy to revisit these films. So, despite a fear of generating yawns, I'm moving forward with another all-time favorite. It was a triumph when I was able to finally (FINALLY!) convince Scott to watch this and this with me.
I have loved these two films for years. I cry and cry and think deep thoughts about relationships. You should really, really, really rent these or, even better, buy them. They have all the goods; love, betrayal, crazy people, family secrets...seriously, go watch it. But watch them together. They are really one story, and Jean de Florette won't be as moving without Manon des Sources.
I should probably warn you the second film has full frontal female nudity (OK, for some that may be more of an endorsement). It is tastefully done and isn't raunchy or anything. It is part of the story (from the book) and is more about innocence than anything else. Of course, it is a foreign film. Maybe I should just issue a blanket warning.

THESE ARE FOREIGN FILMS. AT TIMES THERE WILL BE SOME NUDITY AND SOMETIMES A LITTLE S.E.X. AND IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO WATCH PAN'S LABYRINTH YOU MIGHT WANT TO CLOSE YOUR EYES DURING THE VIOLENT PARTS BECAUSE IT IS REALLY, REALLY INTENSE.

Anyway, I'm proud to say that even Scott even liked Jean and Manon. We made a night of it. We cooked a French Pot Roast and made apple crepes. So yummy! Thinking of which, it might be fun to do a foreign food/film night. Maybe cook some Chinese and watch "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Anyone interested? Too nerdy?

{Tahoe Blur}

Tahoe came and went in a blur. I was up until to 1am (kind of like right now) on Friday rewashing and repacking and then got up at 5:30 am Saturday to catch my flight. There was an hour drive to Squaw Valley, a couple of hours to eat and weasel our way into a room (the beer and Jazz festival made early check-in difficult). I was all like, "look I'm shooting a wedding in 2 hours, I have been traveling all morning, I have been living out of a suitcase for a week, I haven't slept in 3 months and I need a shower right now!" We then photographed from 3-midnight and I couldn't wind down afterwards (kind of like right now). I kept talking, and talking and talking. I get like that sometimes.
Lindsey and I had a few hours the next morning to check out Tahoe and I'm so, so, so in love with it. I can't believe I have never been before. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the 50 or so rafts coming down the Truckee river. I wanted to go rafting. I wanted to go rafting really, really bad and then get an ice cream cone from the cute old-fashioned parlor next door. The river was all lazy, and everyone was just hanging out and it looked so fun and refreshing
Then I saw the lake and really, really wanted to go boating. Then I saw Emerald Bay and really wanted to go boating there and hang out at the cute little island. How much does it cost to rent a boat anyway? Then I saw the beaches and was so sad we only had two hours to get back to the airport.
Lindsey and I had a impromptu photo shoot on the beach (ok, lets pretend we are taking picture, but we will look off in the distance like we are big deals). I'm pretty sure people thought we were professionals, because, you know, we totally are. I only shot Polaroid and Holga, so I don't have any pictures to show (still need to get a scanner). I was seriously stalking this cute family on the beach who had red and white stripped umbrella. Hopefully they didn't notice the crazy lady behind them. Their little girl poured her bucket of water on my shoes and we bonded a little bit.
So, there you go. That was my weekend. I love this picture from the wedding. It looks like a Polaroid to me, but it isn't. I didn't even tweak it. It just looks like that.

{Here and There}

Here is the proof that Scott and I went on vacation. I like this picture. I think it is funny that I'm taking the picture and I still blinked.
Silly Lindsey.
I did manage to get super focused on my pores though. Ouch! Those babies are crystal sharp.
Anyway, I have been frantically unpacking, washing and repacking for my wedding in Tahoe tomorrow. I need to be at the airport at 7. Second ouch! The Tahoe wedding will be fun, but I'm really tired. So, on that note, I'll say goodbye and finish packing. I'll be back on Monday!

Christian the Lion

[Lookey, Lookey}

What I'm working on here.

{And We're Off}

Finally. Tomorrow Scott and I are taking our first vacation of the summer, and it couldn't happen too soon. I need an intervention of sorts to help me relax and take a break from work. Thank goodness for Jackson Hole. We are so excited to go and spend the week with Scott's family. We go every year, and it is such a special place for me. This year I especially need the break. It has been an emotional summer for me (my heart is sad) and I need the time to actually start taking care of myself and find a little peace. I think I have stayed up past 2 am now for over 2 months. Scott thinks I am crazy. The late nights and cocoa puffs for dinner haven't left me feeling too peachy. I'm planning on reading, sleeping, reading, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping, and maybe a little hiking in-between. Usually Scott and I are all over the place, but this year being mellow is the itinerary.
Poor Oliver has to stay at home. We considered sneaking him into the condo, but thought maybe that wasn't the best. He is so cute right now, by the way. We finally got him into swimming and he loves it. It is funny to watch him dive for rocks.
So anyway, if you don't hear from me for awhile that is why. Have a great week! I hope to come back with lots of bear sighting stories. Close, but not too close, though. I love bears, but am super freaked out by them too. Did I ever tell you my greatest fear is to be eaten by a wild animal? Yeah, that would be worst.

{Wow}

No matter what you think of the Summer games being in China, you have to admit that this and this, was pretty breathtaking. Scott and I were blown away while watching it.

{Sweet Music}

So, I'm having a hard time coming up with music for my website. Some of the songs I like I can't find out where the copyright is held and I haven't really found "the" song. I'm looking for a female artist (I'm a girl so I want a girly sound), something slightly folk, indie, unique and something that makes you happy. I'm trying to find something that hasn't been over-used on the radio or on other websites-so no Regina Spektor or Feist. Oh, and it also needs to work for the portrait side and wedding side, since I'm poor and can't afford to buy different ones. Whew! Where or where is my perfect song? I know you exist.
Since I'm struggling I thought I would pull in the reinforcements and ask for a little help. To make it more fun, I thought I would make it into a contest. So please, pretty, pretty please, put a song you think would be absolutely fabulous for me in the comments. The winning song choice will win a major award. A super awesome major award. See, isn't this fun?
Here's a few songs I have toyed with to give you an idea of where I'm going,

Just Like Heaven

Modern Nature (I like this one a lot, but can't figure out where to purchase it. There is a Danish website, which I can't read.)

Love, Love, Love

I'm Yours (almost there, but not quite)

New Soul (I know this has been used, but still so fun)

Thanks in advance for all of your help! Which means, seriously, put some comments in there.