Two beautiful people very much in love, a gorgeous day, a grandfather performing the ceremony on a balcony overlooking the Chateau Morrisette Winery; what more could make the perfect wedding day?

The dress was gorgeous, the bride a picture of beauty and poise. The groom, as verified by his brother the Best Man, is one of those people everyone loves, and it was easy to see why. The family was gracious and absolutely wonderful to work with.

The bride and the Maid of Honor started out at Zee’s Salon…….at 8am! So much for a late snooze.

It was a bit of a ride to the winery from there, and things got just a tad behind but with a day like this…..is there REALLY anything to be concerned about?

The bride was cool as a cucumber…LOVE IT!!

and it shows……Beautiful………

Then things got under way….. and it was a GREAT day.

The Ring Bearer did an outstanding job, sometimes a little coaching goes a long way.

details…details…

then they released the butterflies…..cloud timing was awesome!

then into the reception….. lot’s of love…..

but we sneaked out for a little photo session…this one seemed right for a little vintage fun…..

then back to enjoy a great reception dinner with some delicious Chateau Morrisette wine…

and of course, the first dance

and some fun with the kids….

……this one has made me laugh all week…

Finally, Andrea and Nadeem were off to enjoy a little time by themselves before rejoining friends for an evening in Roanoke…..

Andrea and Nadeem, I hope you were able to hook up for a fun white water day on your travels. If not, the New River isn’t going to dry up anytime soon…..or will it? (We need some rain….just not on Saturdays!)

Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your day. Here’s to a great couple and a great family. Best wishes for a happily ever after!

Kemper

Nothing seems to shout summer louder than a sunflower. Hooray for those hot summer days….I LOVE it!

My eye has always been attracted to them wherever I go, and at my house they’re game for front of the house planting as well as out back where most people like to put them.

Nowadays, they make them in awesome varieties. Some giant, some tall, some only 18″ high. All different colors. I must say, the old fashioned giant sunflower is still my favorite.

It won’t be long before the Cardinals come chomping on them as the seeds start to ripen. But, I can wait as the end of summer won’t be far along after that.

What is summer without a trip to camp!? When I was just a pup it was the highlight of my summer to go off to camp. That meant a week of semi-independent freedom and plenty of new friends and some old ones, too. Of course water was always a big part of any camp experience whether it was the pool at church camp or the lake at 4-H camp.

Fortunately for me, I still get to go to camp every summer. It’s just not exactly filled with activities like making beaded Indian headbands or the Womanless Beauty Contest (second runner up in the 4th grade). But it still has plenty of water and lots of old friends, and every year a few new ones make it up there, too.

So for the past few weeks I have been at Camp, which for the uninitiated southerner is the Yankee term for a shack, cottage, or house at the lake. You see, they would never say anything like “We’re going to the lake house for the weekend” but rather “We’re going up to Camp”. Means the same thing, but I suppose it takes some of the pretentiousness out of the former. Ours happens to be right on the lake, but a camp doesn’t have to be and lots are built behind the main lake front camps, and those are called “backlotters”. It all makes for a laid back and relaxing atmosphere that seems uniquely Adirondack life.

Camp is located in South Broadalbin, New York and it is right at the southern tip of the Adirondacks. It is on The Great Sacandaga Lake which just happens to be one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. Camp is located at the widest part of the lake so it is around 5 miles from shore to shore at that point. The Adirondack mountain range makes for a scenic back drop to our beach, and there is also a small island appropriately named Sand Island about a half mile off shore which lends itself to the recreational charm and beauty of Camp as well. Here’s a shot from the beach…

Camp was built in 1932 and is nothing short of perfectly charming and homey. It is vintage and authentic, inside and out. The large wrap around porch filled with rocking chairs, games, card tables, and an icy cold 1930’s GE fridge are almost all you need. Add to that a huge lawn, private beach and gorgeous view….you just can’t go wrong. Anyone interested in exploring beautiful New York state couldn’t go wrong with a stay at Camp, and it is available for rental all but the two weeks we have in July. Check it out here if interested.

Well, getting back to our stay this year, it seems everyone had a great time. The weather was a little crazy (seems to be a New York thing this year….snowstorm in the middle of April should have been a warning) as I don’t think it got up past 65 on July 4th, but there were some awesome summer sun-filled days as well.

Didn’t get out to other locales around Camp for exploring as much as I would have liked but there was plenty going on around Camp for entertainment. Around the Fourth, lot’s of friends and family started showing up to spend the holiday with us and we had a spectacular fireworks show that thrilled the kids and scared the dogs as usual.

So now I’m back and actually enjoying all that is going on in Roanoke, too. Great friends and a great city make for a great Life. Lot’s of nice clients and potential clients are making for a busy end of summer, but I suppose I will get in a short trip or two before fall rolls around.

Life is good…..but does it ever fly by. So make the best of it and don’t wait for retirement to enjoy it all and get out! Here are just a few shots from my trip. My family, my friends, the places and things that make my Life great.

Hope you’re enjoying your summer!