Favourite Things Friday

The other night Darren and I watched Julie and Julia.  I was convinced I had already watched the movie on our flight to Greece, but I must have dozed off or just be losing my marbles because after a few minutes into it I knew I had never watched it before.  I thought it was an adorable movie that just reaffirmed my love of food.  I have chatted on here before about my love for food and I am sure I will again on more than one occasion.  I really love seeing other people who are incredibly passionate about food and this movie was all about that.  Darren doesn’t share the same passion for food.  I mean he likes it.  But I could probably count on one hand the number of times I have seen him really excited about something he ate.  For me that happens all the time.  I am convinced that I must have a superior sense of smell and a million more taste buds then him, because I get SO much enjoyment out of food that he sometimes looks at me like I have lost my mind.  I think he’s just jealous 😉

So where am I going with this post?  Well I thought I would dedicate it to a few of my favourite food blogs.  I follow them like it’s an addiction and it makes me want to just cook and bake all the time.  Unfortunately that doesn’t happen, but regardless they constantly inspire me and give me the courage to try new things in the kitchen.  I have pasted the links below and if you love food as much as I do you have to check them out !  If you have any you would like to share, please leave a comment below with the link for everyone.

http://smittenkitchen.com/

http://sunday-suppers.com/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

http://sproutedkitchen.com/

http://annies-eats.com/

I thought it would be fitting to post pictures with this post of some images taken at my mom and Don’s property.  This is where Darren and I were married.  I didn’t post really any images that would give a good idea of how truly beautiful their property is, but instead I focused on my mom’s incredible garden, (her organic produce is insanely good!) and some of their barnyard animals.

Sidenote, I did post pictures below of my mom’s rooster and her chickens.  I have overcome my fear of roosters after being attacked by one of theirs two years ago.  I am still traumatized, but getting past it day by day 😉  Trust me NOTHING is scarier then having a huge angry bird with freakishly long talons / claws flying at your head.  NOTHING!

Organic Garlic

Organic Garlic 2

Organic Garlic 3

Organic Garlic 4

Peas

Babe

Poppies

Poppies 2

Rooster and his ladies

Madonna

Rooster and his ladies 2

DawnMarch 9, 2012 - 12:40 pm

I had the privilege of enjoying Kim’s moms fresh, delicious garlic and let me just say, not only is it the BIGGEST garlic I’ve ever seen, it’s without a doubt, the most flavourful garlic I’ve ever tasted!!! DEEEEEELICIOUS!!!! P.S. Billy and I are moving in! ..seriously! 🙂

[…] about getting attacked by one of my mom’s roosters a few years ago (I refer to the attack in this post too) you might have been surprised to see that chickens have made it as one of my favourite […]

JenelleSeptember 10, 2010 - 10:19 am

oh they have gorgeous property, must be amazing to spend time out there! these shots are fantastic…..and yes, good food is so worth being excited over!

stephAugust 27, 2010 - 10:57 pm

great shots kimmy! i too love the pea shot.. no surprise there im sure.. its my kind of shot. oh, and your mums hard work… so enjoyable to see all those home grown treats. i didnt know you and darren were married there. how did i miss that? was great to see you this week. and i look forward to seeing you again soon. thanks for sharing. xos

juliannaAugust 27, 2010 - 10:04 pm

OOOPS! http://www.honeyandjam.com , she is one of my Flickr contacts and has a great food blog and she is only 19!

juliannaAugust 27, 2010 - 10:03 pm

This post excites me. We are just starting to build our “dream house” on 16 acres in the country! I LOVE the tone of the B&W garlic shot it is amazing and I have a thing for “hand held” shot … the pea shot is fabulous.

Kim SpearsAugust 27, 2010 - 7:57 pm

Shelley you are adorable !! Thanks Carrie 🙂 Anna I am going to check out that site right now !!

Anna ElenaAugust 27, 2010 - 6:22 pm

orangette.blogspot.com!

so many delicious things.

Carrie HassonAugust 27, 2010 - 5:30 pm

LOVE the colors!! I have to agree, that garlic shot is pretty amazing!

ShelleyAugust 27, 2010 - 5:26 pm

You are so amazing! I don’t know anyone who can make garlic look as beautiful as you do!

Travel Snaps Tuesday – Curiosity

Do you ever find yourself looking at something, perhaps an odd object, something that catches your attention for one reason or another and your mind starts wandering.  Maybe it is even something you see everyday.  Or perhaps it’s a person you are drawn too and you can’t explain why.  Do you find yourself curious and wondering, asking yourself questions and wanting to know more?  Wanting to know the story.  Where is it from?  Why is it the way it is?  Who does it belong to? What is its purpose?  How was it made?

When Darren and I were travelling in Syros, Greece, I became fascinated with all of the amazing doors on this island.  The intricacy.  The detail.  The age.  The texture.  But more so I wondered, who lived behind these doors?  What is their story?  What do they look like?  Have they always lived here?  Are they happy, sad, generous, angry, hopeful?

I love how when I travel I am able to step outside of my ‘normal’ life and everyday worries or habits and start to really see more of what is around me.  I start to see more beauty in the everyday and little things and I love that.  I stop to smell the roses (or notice beautiful door knobs).  And I start to nurture my curiosity.  It makes me feel so balanced and relaxed and I feel good about myself.

I could do an entire post dedicated to the doors of Greece and Turkey, and maybe I will.  But for now, just one.  I think it’s beautiful.

Door in Syros

[…] bought one of the door prints for her home and has inspired me to do the same.  I will be printing this beautiful door for my home, just not quite sure where to put it yet.  Thanks for the idea […]

JenelleSeptember 10, 2010 - 10:24 am

ah, curiousity…..it’s beautiful how your reflect on your travels with words and photos! I so hope that you’ll post lots of door shots too…..this one is really neat.

MikaelaAugust 27, 2010 - 5:33 pm

Oh, please post more of these someday 🙂 Love the textures and details…now my mind is off traveling…

juliannaAugust 25, 2010 - 11:00 pm

Love this – well seen!

Gemma & Steve {Married}

Gemma and Steve are probably in San Francisco right now enjoying their first day of their honeymoon. How fabulous!

I am blessed to have a lot of brides and grooms that are really into the photography for their wedding.  They aren’t just hiring me because it’s a wedding, and well having a photographer is just one of the ticks off the list.  Nope, I have amazing clients, and for most of them photography is right darn near the top of their list.  Gemma is one of those wonderful brides 🙂  Don’t get me wrong, I am sure Steve is super stoked to see them too, but Gemma is a woman after my own heart and the wedding photography was a very important part of her day.  LOVE that !!

I know these two are internet savvy and juuuust might check their Facebook while they are away, so I wanted to get a quick teaser up on the blog to surprise them!

Please leave some comment love and let them know what you think 🙂

PS – I was incredibly obsessed with Gemma’s GORGEOUS Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City wedding shoes, just ask Steve.  Obsessed!  I love it when bride’s incorporate their style to make a fun fashion statement.  You really can’t go wrong with HOT shoes !!

Fan Tan Alley

St. Anne

Isn’t her dress beauuuuutiful ?!

Love Stare

Hello Lover !  I am huge Sex and the City fan, can ya tell ?!

[…] you missed Part I of their photos you can view them here.  I’d love to hear from you!  So feel free to leave me a comment […]

Gord FishAugust 26, 2010 - 12:26 am

It’s talent like yours that convinced me to channel my skills to a different area of photography. To say these shots are amazing is an understatement. You have done justice to the love they share. Thank you!

HannaleeAugust 25, 2010 - 4:13 pm

Beautiful, Kim. Can’t wait to see the rest. And those shoes are to die for yes!

PaulAugust 25, 2010 - 3:42 am

Love the “love stare” very nice Kim.

Kim SpearsAugust 24, 2010 - 10:16 pm

WOW! Thank you for all the amazing comments 🙂 Gemma and Steve brought their top model, that’s for sure!

Brittany (bridesmaid)August 24, 2010 - 9:19 pm

WOW! Gemma and Steve you look absolutely amazing!! Such beautiful pictures Kim – you are a fabulous photographer 🙂 I can feel the emotion oozing out of both of you! Can’t wait to see more….

Jevon (Best man)August 24, 2010 - 7:04 pm

These pictures turned out wonderfully, great job, steve and gemma looked fantastic!!

Carolyn (Auntie)August 23, 2010 - 11:35 pm

stunning photos!!! The mood is captured extremely well!!! Thanks for getting them posted so quickly!!

JadineAugust 23, 2010 - 8:59 pm

WOW! Those are some stunning shots! I love love love the shoes!

GemmaAugust 23, 2010 - 7:51 pm

Hahaha Kim you were right!!! Day one on our honeymoon and we’ve been peaking to see if any photos were up! We LOVE them!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see the rest 🙂

JodiAugust 23, 2010 - 6:44 pm

Love the photo’s Kim!! This day was soooo special and so excited to already see pics up!!! Gemma and I got engaged on the same day last year ( i married in september) and to see her wedding day come together like it did was just lovely! Again great shots that you have up already as a teaser.

TaviaAugust 23, 2010 - 5:44 pm

Wow, these pictures are more gorgeous then I expected (and I expected great things with those two beautiful subjects!) Can’t wait to see the rest!!

DawnAugust 23, 2010 - 5:37 pm

I have no words… except ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
You are the most incredible photographer in the world! I can FEEL the emotion in your photos! I wish I could hire you to document my life! Just beautiful Kim!!!!

HeidiAugust 23, 2010 - 5:22 pm

Kim! These are beautiful! Great work, as always. The second to last is my favorite! What a gorgeous bride Gemma makes!! I think I am almost as excited as Gemma and Steve are to see the rest of! P.S. I am equally obsessed with the blue shoes!!

KristaAugust 23, 2010 - 5:16 pm

I’ve been waiting for these! They are AMAZING, Gemma you look fantastic, and I have basically those same shoes for our wedding!

Amber & Justin {Married}

Any wedding ceremony that starts off with a soccer cheer is good in my books.  Before Amber was walked down the aisle by her dad, he led her and her bridesmaids in a rowdy soccer cheer that had the guests howling.  Amber and I grew up playing soccer together (along with most of her bridesmaids) for over a decade and her dad Lou was always involved in our coaching.  So with soccer being such a huge part of Amber’s family, it was completely fitting that this cheer kick off the ceremony.  Pardon the pun 😉

Justin and Amber were married at the Mt. Newton Seed Orchard which is a gorgeous piece of property.  The view of lovely farm land surrounding the area and the orchard below was a perfect peaceful setting to share their vows.  It also holds extra special place in their hearts as this is the same spot where Amber’s dad and step-mom were married.

Amber has a one of a kind laugh – and snort – that is the cutest thing you ever heard.  We heard it a few times during the ceremony which once again had everyone laughing and smiling and kept the ceremony feeling really relaxed and well, fun.  Justin and Amber were married by the incredible Tami Heywood.  I may be a bit biased as Tami also married Darren and I, but I truly believe she delivers the most touching, personal and beautiful ceremonies.  Her passion for what she does is always so evident and it is so great to witness.

I know Amber is very eager to see more of her photos, so here are just a few more to tide her over 😉

Amber and Justin it was a true honour to document your love and the start of your married lives together.  I wish you nothing but the best. xo

Here comes the bride

Father daughter hug

Mt Newton Seed Orchard

Bouquets

Kiss

Forest love

AlisonAugust 23, 2010 - 11:53 am

AMAZING!! Beautiful photos Kim! Congrats Amber and Justin!

AlisonAugust 23, 2010 - 11:53 am

AMAZING!! Beautiful photos Kim! Congrats Amber and Justin!

seanAugust 23, 2010 - 5:17 am

love that image shot of the bride with her flowers. gorgeous shot in the forest too 🙂

s h e r r yAugust 23, 2010 - 12:13 am

Gorgeous photos! Loove the outdoor ceremony! 🙂

Favourite Things Friday

Friday is my favourite day of the week.  Not only because it is the beginning of the weekend, which I am a huge fan of, but because it is a night that Darren and I choose to spend together for some quality time.  It is our ‘date night’.  We started having date night over a year ago and I think it is one of the best things we have ever done for our relationship.  It is a chance to connect or re-connect after one crazy busy week after another, really talk, have fun together and to just enjoy each other.  Whether we are just lounging on our ridiculously comfy couch with a glass or wine, or if we going out for a lovely dinner or a stroll along the breakwater, I just love this time that we focus 100% on us.

Lives quickly get filled up with things to do, errands to run and before you know it years have passed by.  Having a night dedicated just for us is a way we choose to stay grounded.  It helps us keep our priorities in check and I think it makes both of us feel even more valued.  Time is such a precious thing and I think how you choose to spend it in your life speaks volumes about who you are and where you are going.  I know that I want to live my life more simply and really focus on what truly matters.  Darren is the most amazing thing in my life and spending our date night together always makes me feel like I am the luckiest lady in the world.

Love you babe and can’t wait for you to get home!

No post is complete without a picture, so here is another shot from Alicia and Skye’s amazing wedding and the beautiful love they share.

Amber HughesAugust 20, 2010 - 8:13 pm

You’re so right! Bryn and I don’t have an official date night but this definitely makes me want to decide on one! 🙂

MikaelaAugust 20, 2010 - 7:53 pm

I like and agree with what you said about how you spend your time 🙂 Have great night! Love the dreamy photo too..