Cheese Curds Anyone?


In Wisconsin we have a delicious cheesy snack called cheese curds.
Cheese curds are small nuggets of cheese.

They are salty and best when very fresh. They squeak when you bite into them if they are very fresh.
Our local grocery store brings in fresh cheese curds on Tuesday and Friday.

On a small table in the deli section you will find the cheese curds are piled high in their little baggies with a plate in the middle for samples. A plate and some toothpicks for sanitary sampling.

Last week I filed past the cheese curd table and carefully picked up a toothpick to sample a curd.
After tasting the first salty curd, I turned my toothpick over to use the other side to pick up a pepper jack curd.

Yum.

I looked down to toss my used toothpick in the discard container when I realized that....

I had picked up the toothpick FROM the discard container in the first place!

AGHHHHH!









I am happy to report that I did not catch the flu or any thing else.


That I know of.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Favorites.

Old and New.



Every once in a while you see a picture that you have never seen before.

And you fall in love with it.




Or your take a picture that exudes sweetness...and it becomes a favorite.




And you succeed when you thought you failed.

This little guy is shy and I did not think I captured a good picture of his eyes.
And I was wrong and even got a kiss on the way out the door.





And the fact that even when I shoot in the bright sun and it is thirty degrees...

this happens....

And I say....thank you God for helping me....even with my photoshoots.



Sometimes the hardest things to do are your favorite things to do....in retrospect....

cause you finally figure out how to meter a black dog on a sunny day.






And in the end, it's about love and relationship and remembering....and those are all my favorite things....



I wish for you today....


your favorite things.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Happy Friday!

How was your Thanksgiving?

Did you try to make anything new this year?

I stuck with the basics again this year and look forward to a nice lunch of leftovers.

Yesterday was our 29th anniversary! It kind of got lost in the holiday...but Patrick and I enjoyed a few extra hugs and kisses throughout the day.

We choose us.


*****

I have been finding a few minutes here and there to edit some of Hannah's Senior pictures.
Gosh. She is a delightful, beautiful girl!

Not only that. On Thursday night, last week, she won a wonderful award at her sports banquet.
The award that goes to the spiritual leader and all around great girl.

She really does deserve it! She is awesome!




Can you believe it? Another gorgeous red head???

Our mom would be in her glory with all of her red headed grandbabies.















We laughed so hard and had such a good time. Can't wait to get a few hours to really work on her gallery!

Such a busy time of year!


Now...tell me about your Thanksgiving hits and misses!


Encourage one another,
Donna

O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare


Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
~Wilbur D. Nesbit


I am thankful for you, dear Internet friends.

I wish you hearts full of thanks.

So much stems from gratefulness.
So much good stuff.

Big Love stems from Big Thanks.

You can quote me on that ;o)


Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Donna

Where were we?

Ah yes.

I do, I will, I have.




Carrie. Waiting.







Here she is with her dad! Ashley was really very excited to get up to the altar and marry her beloved.






Marriage Bells by Emma Lazarus

Music and silver chimes and sunlit air,
Freighted with the scent of honeyed orange-flower;
Glad, friendly festal faces everywhere.
She, rapt from all in this unearthly hour,
With cloudlike, cast-back veil and faint-flushed cheek,
In bridal beauty moves as in a trance
Alone with him, and fears to breathe, to speak,
Lest the rare, subtle spell dissolve perchance.
But he upon that floral head looks down,
Noting the misty eyes, the grave sweet brow--
Doubts if her bliss be perfect as his own,
And dedicates anew with inward vow
His soul unto her service, to repay
Richly the sacrifice she yields this day.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~1 Corinthians 13

When my life is thru and the angels ask me to recall, the thrill of them all,
then I will tell them I remember you.


Lots of memories of our parents over the weekend.

Cindy wore mom's big purple ring and Janice wore mom's mink stole.
Nancy wore mom's diamond ring, which mom got after 21 years of marriage.

But this song. This song is dad's song. He always brought the records home.

Gosh, I miss my parents. I am thankful that they were such loving, fabulous people because my memories are many and very vivid!

Love big, dear ones.

It's the love we remember and keep.



Encourage one another,
Donna

I am thankful for.....



singing in the car while driving with my sisters...

This is Janet. Do you like her microphone?



Laughter. Yes, it really is the best medicine.

Cindy is always making us laugh. She has a funny way with words and cracks ALL of us up!

Here she is saying, "I'm a fan of that."

Facebook talk.




"Not a fan."

She is fabulous.




I'm thankful for Janice too! Her humor is a little more sly. She is not flashy, like Cynthia. She is cerebral.

And is not a big fan of the camera.


(We spent a good amount of time driving between Glendale and Phoenix, hence the car shots.)



This is Ashley, the bride to be.

She is a sweetheart. She was calm and happy and not a Bridezilla at all.
Such amazing eyes!

I'm a fan of that :o)







This is Dani! She is Janet and Dave's daughter. Middle child.
She is thankful she got her braces off just in time for the wedding.



Janet is thankful to go a few months without a braces bill.

Dani rivals Katie in natural modeling talent.





I was so thankful to get to know Janet's only son better.
The last time I saw him, he was only about 11 years old. He has grown up to be such a great guy!
He was interested and engaged in what was going on with all the family.
No sullen teenager, here. He was friendly and sweet!

He also gave up his bedroom for me.

Thanks James!




This is Sarah! Her blue eyes are really this blue. I did not photoshop them at all.
She and her sibs were all so friendly and sweet. She helped me find things. She and Lauren were my little go-fers.

I'm a fan of go-fers.



After a relaxing Friday afternoon, we dashed back to Scottsdale for the wedding.
Janice, Cindy and I went early so I could take some engagement photos. We needed to be there before we lost the light.

The wedding was at 5:30.

I peeked thru the gathering crowd and got a sweet picture of the groom, Joe.



He was so thrilled to be marrying Ashley.
They were very ready to be married...and feeling so blessed.



Carrie waits for her big sister to come down the aisle.



to be continued.....



Encourage one another,
Donna

Happy Monday Blog-Sistahs!

Sorry I didn't post over the last few days.
I know you understand. With all the children and dogs and family and events,
and computer logistics and the dry air.....
I just couldn't get in the blogging zone.

I need peace and quiet to write for Quiet Life, don't cha know?

:o)


I adore all the hustle and bustle of a family wedding weekend. Love it!
It just doesn't go well with blogging.

However, I took enough pictures to post till Kingdom come :o)
Woo.


And just to drive home the point that I am a portrait photographer....




I took over 1500 pictures and this is the one of four pictures that are not of a person.



Or a dog.

The first morning I work up at Janet's house I took my camera out to the back yard to see the dogs.
No one else was awake yet.

Yet.

I knew their names. Dylan and Cosmo. Cosmo and Dylan.

And the Golden was very friendly and happy and acting like a Golden.

So I was snapping away at Dylan and trying to make him look at me and be a good little model.
And he was wiggly and hyper.

"Oh Dylan. Good boy. Hey Dylan. Common' buddy. Look here. Dylan. DYLAN."

I don't have a lot of experience with dogs. But you know, I love em.

So It was time to take Cosmo's picture.

Hey Cosmo!



Hey Cosmo! Look at me! Good doggie! Common' buddy. Hey. Cosmo. Cosmo. COSMO!!!

And Cosmo was not really interested in looking at me.

But Dylan, who was standing behind him was going WILD.

Dylan was barking and wagging his tail and putting up a huge fuss.
Yes. Dylan has jealousy issues.

That figures. Goldens.



(See him barking?)

I decided to wrap it up and go inside since it was before seven am and I was afraid I was going to wake up the whole neighborhood and household!!

So I go inside. And tell Janet that that sassy Golden, Dylan. was going to wake the dead.

And she says.

Cosmo is the Golden.


Oh.


Oops.


Never mind. :o)




Encourage one another,
Donna

I am leaving in a few hours for Phoenix, Arizona.

Patrick and Katie are staying home for this trip.
I will miss them and wish they were coming. Really.

But I know I will have a blast.
I am staying with Janet and her busy family.
It's been a few years since I have seen her whole family.
And Janice....it feels like forever since I have seen her boys.
It hasn't been. But it feels that way because children change so much in three years.
Huge changes.

All of the Glyman kids will be there. We will have been together twice in one year.
How amazing is that?

And why are we all headed to Phoenix?

Our niece Ashley is getting married!

Ashley and Joe.

I can not wait to meet Joe. I hear he is a wonderful man.

So much to take in and enjoy.

I just can't wait to get there.

But, I have one thing to ask?

Do you get sick when you land in Phoenix? Every time I have flown there, I get real queasy.
Something about dropping out of the sky over the Camelback mountains that turns my delicate tummy.

I arrive sweaty and nauseous.

Nice huh?

I am just a delicate little flower. On the inside.

:o)


Look at these precious pictures of Ashley and her parents.
I took these pictures with my Minolta SRT 201 in Minocqua Wisconsin, Bolger Lake. 1978.



Ashley with her mommy, Nancy.



Ashley and her daddy, Bink.

What wonderful memories!





******


And I read something last night that I thought was interesting and most likely true.
But it blew my mind to hear it put like this...

"The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is this:Life is a story about me."

"No rut in the mind is so deep as the one that says I am the world, the world belongs to me, all people are characters in my play.
There is no addiction as powerful as self-addiction."

Don Miller/Blue Like Jazz



Think about it.
It's provoking.

What do you think?
You may disagree. Just be kind.


I should be able to blog a little from Arizona.

Love ya lots!

Encourage one another,
Donna

MFEO




The best part of my day.

I had a long list of tasks to accomplish yesterday.
Longer than usual as I am leaving on a jet plane tomorrow.

When I picked Katie up for school she was tired.
She did not talk much on the car ride home.
A little while after she was home I yelled to her,
come upstairs, let's take some pictures,
it's getting dark.

And so she trailed along behind me up to my bedroom that has a large window.

I blew a fan right in her face.
(Annie Leibovitz lists a fan as one of her main pieces of equipment.)

And we just goofed off for five minutes.

If that.

And it was the best part of my day.

To her, it is just a blip.
It's a favor to me.
Like opening the door or carrying a package.

No big deal.

We two.

We were MFEO.

Made for each other.





Another day with a long list and an ultrasound.
I think they like me over at the hospital.
They keep asking me to come back.

Happy hump day!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Say Hey!





My mama told me, don't lose you
Cause the best luck I had was you.
And I know, one thing.
I love you.


******





On the way home from school we stopped to take pictures.

I had noticed these trees earlier in the day, out of the corner of my eye.
They looked like they were covered with Christmas ornaments. I thought they might be fun to shoot around.

When I saw this picture of Katie, I couldn't help but think of Dorothy and the apple trees.
They were scary trees, weren't they?







****

I have to vent a little bit about Dancing with the Stars.
It is so obvious that the Karianninaba prefers Kelly to Donny and I disagree.
So I called and voted as much as I could last night for Donny.

This has been the most boring, uninspired season of Dancing with the Stars ever,

My fingers are crossed for Donny. He is the only one I like to watch dance and I really won't bother watching if he is not in the finale.

Any one else care?


And another thing...I haven't really ever shared with you my devotion to All My Children.
I have been watching since the 70's.

Last week I wrote a letter of disgust to the show.
And I think I may write one every day until someone notices.

Currently the show has been dragging out two storylines that I find so horrible and offensive and lame that I can not stand it.
Yesterday the David and Amanda scene was so disgusting, I could not watch.

I only know of one other reader who has watched this show from time to time...but I'll bet she has abandoned it all together now. And I think I shall follow suit.



***



I think I will think about this instead....


My mama told me, don't lose you
Cause the best luck I had was you.
And I know, one thing.
I love you.



Encourage one another,
Donna

“Patience is a key element of success.” - Bill Gates



"Don't pray for patience. Be patient."
Miz Boo




*****




I made a mistake. After turning the heel, you will have 20 stitches.
32 minus 12 equals 20.

I'm sorry about the confusion. I thought I edited that sentence out of my youtube...but I see it is still there.
I need a tutorial on how to make imovies.
Oh yes. I do.


*****

Emma needs out help. She has a survey about Social Media and the Church she needs 100 replies for.
She asked if I would post it on my blog.

But.

I can't seem to do it.

So. If you would be so kind, look in the comments and watch for Emma's survey.

It honestly took me 15 seconds to answer.

You will be asked if your church has a Facebook or a Twitter.

That's all.

If the link Emma puts in the comments does not work let us know. Please.

Thank you.


****

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
~John Quincy Adams



Encourage one another,
Donna

Donna Boucher Photography






I never thought I would be a business owner.
Really, I never really thought I would work outside the home.

I am happy in my little house, taking pictures, cooking and teaching, blogging, loving and watching tv.

But 90% of the tasks I need to do as a business owner, I like.
I love the photoshoots and editing the pictures.

Getting lost in the editing is my second favorite part.

Look at this lovely girl. She is honestly the most beautiful girl inside.
She is brilliant and helpful (she saves her sister on a regular basis) and creative.
After I uploaded her families gallery to my website, I went back and played with images in black and white.
I just had a feeling.....




It's the whole money thing that stresses me out.

I need an agent and a business manager.
Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than selling myself.

I am at the point where I either need to amp up the business or close up shop.

Thoughts and plans swirl in my head constantly.
Do I press forward with branding and price adjustments and take the chance?

No one really knows the answer to that. It is a gamble and business risk.

See.

One of those things I am not comfortable with.

Risk.

I am all about happiness and beauty and love.

hehe

Business risk.

Ick.

But I do know I have value as a photographer.
I believe I am on this unexpected path for a reason.

Patrick has been my biggest support thru it all. He encourages me to spend in order to grow.
This does not freak him out. He is a business man.

I am a big scaredy cat. (apparently one who can not spell)

Artists and business....it's a old tale isn't it?

I guess that is why the term 'starving artist' was coined.

Fortunately I am far from starving. Far. Far. From starving.

a-hem...

I think what is nagging at me is I want to be excellent at what I do. I want to take pictures that are up to my standard.
Which is quite high. And I feel I am succeeding in this. But the business end, I don't really like not being an excellent business woman.
I think I am feeling that I had better go all in.
Or cash it in.

I am leaning toward all in.




But if I do give it my all....
and it doesn't go as I have planned.....


I will still be the happiest mom photographer in the world.


Encourage one another,
Donna

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

By William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.




****


I just read that last night and loved the peaceful tone and beautiful word-sounds.


"And live alone in the bee-loud glade."


I can't express how wonderful I think this poem is.



****


Friday Fill in.


1. The last band I saw live was _____________.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is _________. (if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is __________.
4. Thoughts of _____________ fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear ______________.
6. Bagpipes ________.


Have fun with those!



Encourage one another,
Donna

Wisdom found in comment boxes....

Maybe I had that year so that I could sympathetically pray for your dear Katie!
~Di

I believe in this, Di.

I believe God uses our experiences to minister and comfort one another along the way.

Donna, the Lord will give her the understanding and clarity and focus she needs as we continue to keep her before His throne.
~Aunt Barb

How I needed to be reminded that I was not alone, that God cares and wants to bless us.
Thank you.

Everyone has different ways to keep track and you'll have to help Katie figure out which way works for her.

You are right, Tracie.

It's like the blind leading the blind.

But I am determined.

It is my belief that (some) challenge is a good thing even though it might not seem like it at the time.
~Holly

That's a good one, Holly!

Must. keep. positive. attitude.

Some kids just need more prodding and then eventually they become totally independant and own it themselves.
~Janet

Yes. All children are different.
I am thankful that she cares and is willing to work on it.

I would say, relax and let Katie figure it out her own way.
~Janie

I am too uptight.

Where did my gentle spirit go?

She will learn how to organize it all, though. It's great she cares about getting it right. These are skills and work ethic principles that will serve her very well when she's all grown up.
~Ariana

Love and patience, she's a bright girl and will be fine.
~Hundewanderer

You are right. She will get it.

This is an important skill and she WILL succeed.

There is nothing better than a positive attitude.

I like that kind of thinking.

Hang in there. Katie will be fine. She has parents who care for her and love her. God Bless you all
~Beckie

We do. We really do.
Thank you.

mostly, it takes time and the loving support of her mother - which she has.
~Dawn

I get so riled up. It is more like nagging support than loving support.




****

Here is the plan.

I will keep a calendar along with Katie.
We will make sure together that she has her books in her back pack.
We will sit down together right after school and make a checklist of what needs to be accomplished before bedtime.
I will check to see everything that has been remembered before she goes to bed.

I am determined and I will let you know when she has mastered this and is the Queen of Organization.


Thank you for every one of your prayers and comments and stories about your own children~


Love
Donna


You have given me courage and direction.
Thank you.




Yesterday afternoon.
A portrait and a love note.

Yes. I know. She really looks grown up in this picture.

But she is still such a little girl and to tell you the truth,
this has been a really hard year for her so far.

She is having a very hard time keeping all of her assignments straight.
The work load has increased so much that is really more than her little brain can hold.

She works long and hard on homework every school night only to find she has done the wrong work or forgotten this quiz or that test.

I have been working with her on this since Oct. 1 and we are slowly making some improvements but again this morning
she mentioned an assignment that was due today that she pretty much forgot about until the drive to school.

She says it is a group assignment and they have been working on it but she is not sure if everything is complete.

When she tells me this I want to scream and cry and homeschool her.

I miss making my own schedule and knowing that Katie is learning and understanding.
I like that we were done with school during the day and that we did not have to work for four hours in the evening.

I am proud of her that she does not complain.
She has a wonderful attitude and continues to try.

She has a lovely spirit.

When she does study for the right test on the right day, she does well.
And that is good.


But I am pretty much at my wits end as to how to help her keep everything straight.

(We have internet 'teacherease' and an assignment notebook.)


Perhaps a prayer.




Let nothing disturb thee,
Let nothing affright thee.
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patience gains all things.
Who has God wants nothing.
God alone suffices.

-St. Theresa of Avila


Dear Lord,

Thank you for our little girl, for her beautiful spirit.
Please grant her clarity and focus and understanding.
Help us guide her in every way.
In Jesus name we pray.

Amen




Encourage one another,
Donna