On Monday, I posted a picture and invited you to guess what this guy was doing.
A few of you guessed he was taking a picture. And you were right.
Another photo. Same guy. Same activity.
Now some of you may be thinking,“Well, Becky, that’s all fine and good, but why in the world were you skulking about, taking pictures of a man taking pictures?”
Good question!
The answer is that the picture-taking guy I was taking pictures of is married to another picture-taking person, named Susan. (In fact, Susan is a professional photographer who has more cameras and lenses and equipment than you can imagine!)
Besides being a photographer, Susan just happens to be a long time Smithellaneous reader.
And when Scott and Susan started seeing all my blog photos of Manteo and the Outer Banks, they started thinking that a photography trip to this area (they live in Utah) just might be in their future.
And it was! And they came!
When they got here they said, “Becky, why don’t we go out together one day and take pictures?”
And I thought, “That is a very funny joke. That would be the equivalent of asking a 3-year old to cook dinner with Julia Child.”
But I went along anyway because I thought maybe some of their photo-taking greatness might rub off on me.
See if you can guess which camera case belongs to me and which one belongs to Susan.
Yup. I was outgunned.
But I still had fun hanging out with Scott and Susan and our cameras; later that evening, they took Steve and me out to eat at a lovely, waterfront restaurant in downtown Manteo.
But the story doesn’t end there.
Enter another blog reader. Pamela Doughty.
We actually met Pam several years ago in Atlanta when we had driven there to pick up Nathan upon his return from Israel. Pam and a couple other blog readers joined us for dinner and ever since then, I have stayed in touch with her through emails and on Facebook.
Well. Pam is also a fabulous photographer and she and Susan got to know each other on Facebook through their photography; it didn’t take them long after that to discover that they were both Smithellaneous readers. And since Pam loved the Outer Banks scenery I posted as much as Susan did, she also decided that she wanted to come for a visit. And then she and Susan put their heads together and decided they would come at the same time!
So.
Last night we had Scott and Susan and Pam and her husband and son over to the house for dinner. How fun was that?
This is Pam and her son, who happens to be one of cutest, dearest, most respectful, fun kids I have had the privilege of meeting. I just loved him.
We’d never met Pam’s family before and had just barely met Susan and Scott, but it was such an enjoyable evening despite the newness of all the relationships.
As you can imagine, with two pro photographers afoot, there was plenty of picture-taking involved.
In fact, when we were asking Pam’s son what sort of mustard he wanted on his hot dog, Steve flung open our refrigerator (which sadly I hadn’t cleaned since 1997) and pulled out every single jar of mustard we owned. (And no, I had not idea we had that many mustards around.)
But Pam thought it would make a great picture. And it did!
Summer wasn’t quite sure what to think of all the people and all the hoopla. She stayed put for a while and then disappeared from sight.
When we went to find her a little later, we discovered that she had gone to the second floor (which she has rarely done on her own) and tucked herself into some of Steve’s work clothes on the floor. She stayed up there the entire night, snoozing and taking care of her own sweet self.
Back when we were all in the early stages of discussing the visit and the dinner, Pam had mentioned that she would be happy to shoot a few photos while she was here. Here is a sample of one of the photos she took—me and my favorite gal.
At the end of the night, when we had all said our goodbyes and our good nights, Steve and Summer laid down for a momentary post dinner snooze. I truly think that this picture needs to go beside the word, “contentment” in the dictionary.
Can’t you just feel the “Ahhhh” in the air?
Ahhh… finally a chance to catch up! We were so impressed with the fine start that Steve has for his “International Museum of Mustard”! Adam’s eyes were quite large! And still, he went with the ketchup, my boring little boy. *sigh* We had a fantabulously wonderous time, and the food. Ohhh the food. I may hold some of my photos hostage until I get recipes… just sayin’… xoxox….
Pam, yeah, Adam is like me. Plain ol’ ketchup trumps a mustard collection any ol’ time!
Haha! Tim sounds like me – LOVE to read here and for some reason rarely comment! I guess it’s because others express so many of the same thoughts I have every time I read a post. Just feel like a member of the family making my daily check in! 🙂 I LOVE little Summer. She looks like such a sweet precious little doggie and I think everything just feels right here. She deserves to be in this wonderful, doggie loving family where she’s the little princess! You may remember from my Facebook posts that last August (a yr ago) our beloved little beagle passed away at the ripe old age of 16 1/2 yrs. We’ve spent over a year now, dog-less. It’s been lonesome for sure. Well one of my 15 year old Katelyn’s friends at school has a cute little doggie (Shih Tzu) who is carrying puppies due to be born next month. They also own the daddy – a pomapoo (pomeranian/poodle mix) and both these little dogs are very sweet and cute! I think those puppies will be adorable! Katelyn begged and begged me if we could get one. The family offered to give us one after hearing about the good long life our little Casey led in our care. Well shoot… I walked outside alone one day and stood at my little Casey’s grave and cried. I missed her so… and decided maybe it was time to welcome some new doggie love into this house. So we told them YES! IF everything goes well with the puppies and we visit them and feel one would be a good fit for us – we will be getting a puppy by years’ end. A PUPPY!! It has been nearly 18 years since we had a puppy! Am I ready for this?? 🙂 It’s going to be quite an adventure but suddenly I am so impatiently looking forward to it! I have so missed me some puppy love and dog kisses! Maybe Summer can help me while I’m waiting – enjoying her virtually and readying my own heart and home for a new member!
I wanted to post when Snowy died and in the days following when you posted so many poignant memories and feelings… but it brought back so many tears remembering that event in out lives just a year ago and I cried so hard every time I tried to comment – I just ended up leaving the page every time. I’ve shed a few tears reading about Summer’s coming into your lives – but they are happy tears! And they are the promise of joy to come in our home as well.
Wow Tim… see what you did?? Now I’ve made my annual post here! (I’ll try to do better, but know I’m always here!)
Love ya Smith family and WELCOME sweet Summer!
Lynn, so nice to hear from you! You left such a great comment; I hope you decide to do it more often.
I am thrilled to know that you are getting a new puppy. Even though we were only dog-less for a month, the house seemed to incredibly quiet and sad without a canine friend under the roof. The tears shed over our beloved pets’ graves are necessary and important, and they help to clear the way for the beloved doggies yet to come.
And I can certainly understand why you didn’t feel able to comment during Snowy’s illness and death; you just had too many memories of your own to wade through.
Looking forward to hearing from you again . . . and happy puppy choosing!
Thanks Becky! At first glance I thought your last line was “happy puppy chewing!” Haha… I have a feeling a lot of that could be in our future around here! I’ve already been looking at toys but my husband says I don’t need to buy any until the puppy arrives! Personally I see nothing wrong with getting a little head start! 🙂
What a wonderful time you all had! Super pictures but…I didn’t see any mustard with horse raddish.
OK…it’s making me crazy. Please note that I wrote the above comment in the middle of the night (couldn’t sleep because I fear the end is near for my sweet Fritz), so I’d like to correct my spelling of “horse raddish.” It should be one word, one “d.” HORSERADISH!
Jan, happy that you got your spelling corrected; sad that you are getting ready to say goodbye to a dear friend. My heart is right there with you.
It looks like Summer has found her new forever family. I just love how God tends to the big and not so big details in our lives. Blessings for your new family member and special friends with whom to share life.
Lisa, that is so true. I was talking to my sister the day before we got Snowy and said I didn’t know if God cared about such a detail small. She said that He certainly did and she strongly encouraged us to go ahead and get her. (I’d almost changed my mind and decided not to get her.) So glad we made the decision to go ahead with her; she’s a wonderful fit.
Did you notice your little slip there? “the day before we got Snowy” He’s still in your heart. I miss him too. 🙂
Lisa, good catch! 🙂 Yes, he IS still in my heart and I will always miss him. Thanks for missing him with me.
there must be a chill in the air.., at least for one of the Smiths. love Summer and Steve’s aaah photo!
Golly, you all must REALLY, really love mustard!!! too funny! I have a great egg and cheese casserole that has a heaping t. of the fancy mustard with the brown dots… as you can see, I can’t remember what it is called…. maybe something with the word “stone” in it.
Mrs. Pam, yes, it was a little chilly in the house that night and Summer had gotten a little shivery. I didn’t think Snowy would mind if I loaned our new girl his old coat. Your recipe sounds great although I can’t think of what kind of mustard has “stone” in it. If you think of it let me know!
Mary, thanks, I love that photo too. I’ll be posting more of Pam’s photos as I get them.
And yes, I guess you could say I am the (inadvertent) condiment queen!
As a lover of mustards, I am very envious. I will have to seek out the wasabi variety very soon.
Looks like it was great fun, Becky! I have to laugh over Summer…she has picked out her “person”! I found with my dogs through the years that boy dogs picked me (female) and were my protectors and the girl dogs loved me, too, but they always made my Dad their “person”! Is it just me or has anyone else seen that behavior? Of course, whoever had food in their hand was loved immediately at that moment!
Guerrina, that’s an interesting concept! We haven’t had Summer long enough to truly put it to the test but she does like hanging out with her dad, that’s for sure!
I forgot to mention before, I got so wrapped up in Summer, that I love the photo of you and Sarah. It is beautiful. I also like the mustard photo. Great selection of yellow condiments in your frig.
Mary, I love that photo too. I’ll be posting more of Pam’s shots as I get them.
So….which camera case belongs to you? LOL Is it the black one because it’s smaller, or the back pack because it’s not as professional? (My elder years are catchiing up with me 🙂 )
Wonderful shot of you and Sarah!
I wondered the same thing and I have the exact same black case, I am guessing the black one is yours!
Kathy and Lesley, the picture didn’t really do the comparison justice but the black case (mine) looked tiny next to her HUGE backpack case. So yep, hers was the “biggie.” 🙂
Is that Snowy’s sweater that little Miss Summer is wearing? If it is, he will be happy it is being put to good use and is keeping his little sister warm. My greyhound Wanda has “hand me downs” from her predecessor Grey. I think Summer is a little attached to Steve now because he was the one who bonded with her first and brought her to her new home where she has nothing else to do but be a beloved pet but it won’t take long for her heart to belong to her Mama Becky also. Summer is just trying to sort out all the family dynamics now. So glad she is with all of you. She is such a cutie.
Mary, you have a good eye! Yes, that is Snowy’s sweater. Summer got so cold last night that we put her in the sweater for an hour or two; she loved it! And as for her heart belonging to me, she and I have had many, many cuddles since she got here. I just don’t post pictures of it because I’m the picture taker! 🙂
You know shes daddys girl now
I agree with Tim!
Tim, can it be? A real comment from my big brother? I’m stunned! 🙂