Boots McBlog

You never know what you’ll find when you stop by my little blog.   I’m one those kind that likes to have several irons in the fire.  I’m thrilled that Belle Vie Artistry – a wedding photography partnership with Heather Owens –  is one of those irons.   Meet our latest Belle Vie Couple.

She’s an outgoing sales rep.  He’s a quiet IT guy.   They have two precious puppies ( which you can see over on Heather’s blog).   I really dig these people!

Margaret and Zack were so much fun to shoot last weekend.   They were such troopers battling the summer heat wave and racing all over the countryside to beat the setting sun.   We laughed so much that I can’t wait until November when we get to see them again and shoot their big event.  For now enjoy a sneak peek of this  spunky couple in love!    Oh what a beautiful life.

Now scoot on over to Heather Owens Photography Blog and see the amazing shots she captured.

Cheers, Y’all!

One of my favorite summer side dishes is this colorful coleslaw. The rice vinegar is a “family secret” which gives the slaw a smoother flavor with less bite than cider or white vinegar.  Opting for canola oil instead of mayo makes this less prone to illness inducing bacteria such as salmonella and perfect for picnics.    Not to mention, the monounsaturated fats in the canola oil are great for your heart.    Some of you may wonder why I didn’t use olive oil.  While olive oil is definitely another great monounsaturated fat source,  the olive flavor may overpower the cripsness of these summer veggies.   The goal is to keep this crisp and refreshing!   Chopped yellow squash, zucchini, or any other veggies you have fresh from the garden or farmer’s market would make this dish even more vibrant and nutritious.    Crazy coleslaw is crazy delicious  alongside steaks or burgers fresh from the grill.   Add this salad to your celebration this weekend for a little colorful fireworks on your plate.  Your taste buds and your family will thank you.

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup Rice Vinegar

1/2 – 2/3 cup Canola Oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1-2 tsp celery seed

1 tsp salt

fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

1 head of cabbage, shredded  or 1 bag of coleslaw cabbage mix

1 bell pepper, chopped

5 green onions, chopped

1 cup of grape tomoatoes, halved

1/2 jalepeno, seeded and sliced thin (optional)

Whisk the  sugar, vinegar, oil,  garlic and spices together.   Combine cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes.  Pour dressing over vegetables and toss well.   Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Bon Appetit, Y’all!

It seems like yesterday,  I would dash to the neighbor’s pool with a beach towel and a brown bottle of tropical oil.  You know the one …  no spf but full of the yummy scent of summer.   Every now and then,  I’d sneak a few sprays of my friend’s Sun-In for those golden highlights.    Classic Rock – which was considered “classic rock” even back then –  played on the radio.   Ahh.    Summer.

Today, I still enjoy lazing by the pool when I get the chance.  Although, my sun-loving accoutrements, I must say,  have multiplied.

Let’s start with the bag.   There are a myriad of cutie patootie bags out there in at all price points.   Mine happens to be this fab oilcloth bag.  Pick your pattern.  I’ve added a monogram to mine…because I’m southern and we do that to EVERYTHING.     I love that the fabric is durable and doesn’t get soaked when the “can-non-ball!”  madness ensues.

www.maryjanebags.com $40

How supercute would it be in this fabric:

bobbie brown spray sunscreen

On my lips,  I opt for kiehls lip balm spf 15 in hue 30.

Its a far cry from  sun in,  but my highlights now cost a wee bit more and I try to take care of them.     Which means, I also  keep a wide tooth shower comb and biolage sun hair conditioner in my bag if I do decide to take a dip in the pool.  Most of the time, I’m less about splashing around these days,  I take a wide brimmed hat to shade me from the sun and opt for that hollywood mystique.   Lets face it – Since nothing about a swimsuit leaves much to mystery, I can at least try to hide my identity.

www.anthropologie.com $28

bed bath and beyond $12

Roberta Roller Rabbit $70

Nothing is better than when poetry meets a melody.   Royal Wood is a Canadian singer -songwriter who  knows exactly how to make that happen.   A fellow thirty-something whose life has taken a few unexpected turns, he has set his experiences in life, love, and loss to song.   His music is soothing and thought provoking.  His sound has been likened to Ron Sexsmith and Rufus Wainwright.   iTunes hailed him as one of the best new songwriters.   I think you’ll agree.  His “Lost & Found” EP available on iTunes is a steal under $7.   A bargain when you consider, he is often in a repeat loop  on my iPod.     “Don’t  fall Apart”  is one of my faves.   Not mention  ”Sway” from his Tall Trees EP which can be heard by hitting the play button above.   For more of his amazing work take a listen at his mySpace page.    (His new album “the waiting” is not yet available in the US, but can be purchased through his website)

Of course, his Don Draper looks aren’t too shabby either.

our family tartan

Favorite things that remind me of my Dad -

Riding shotgun in his pick up truck.

Singing “high hopes” at the top of our lungs.

Mixing salted peanuts into glass bottled coca colas.

And this poem~

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out–

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown