Last night I returned from four days in Virginia (more on that later) and then this morning, Sarah and I we were up early for a photo shoot for the magazine article that Duke is doing about us in October.
After the photographer had gotten shots of Sarah and me together, he got some of just Sarah. I couldn’t resist the chance to take pictures of him taking pictures.
Ray Matthews, who took the pictures, is a local photographer who Duke hired for this project. After our shoot was over, he showed Sarah and me this coffee table book he has just published. To stay we were stunned by his work would be an understatement.
You can actually leaf through the book right on the computer; I highly recommend doing that if you want to spoil yourself and take a 4-minute vacation. Your soul will be filled with the glory of the local beauty he has captured.
What about you? What do your Labor Day plans include?
Or maybe even more importantly, what is on the menu for your Labor Day cookout? I’m wondering if different parts of the U.S. and Canada all celebrate with basically the same type of menu–burgers and hot dogs on the grill.
We are going to throw some hamburgers on the grill tonight. My plans for the rest of the day are to do absolutely nothing of any importance.
Those photos reinforce my dream to vacation on the Outer Banks! Labor Day activity was working with my 7 year old grandson creating a chalkboard wall in our home! Oh …. food? Ummmm … steak and stir fry veggies … I think!
Guerrina,
It is TRULY a gorgeous place. Except, of course, when a hurricane is pending!
Steak and stir fry veggies sound like a winner.
Wow! His photography is absolutely stunning!
Our Labor Day consisted of going to a funeral and a wedding on Saturday, to church on Sunday and then to the State Fair and a golf tournament on Monday followed by a pool party. Whew!
The favorite group meal on Labor Day is cooked in a cream can on a propane burner…..brats, potatoes, carrots, onions, turnips, cabbage and corn on the cob and the liquid is beer. It is covered with a lid, brought to a boil and then turned down to steam the contents for about an hour. Everything is so tender and oh my goodness…..SO, SO GOOD!! Some of the accompaniments were grilled jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon and grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus as well as chips and dips, pickled green beans and fresh tomatoes. Yum!!
LeeAnne,
Well, after reading your menu I have just decided that need to invite US next year. That sounds amazing!
And a funeral, a wedding, a church servce, Sate Fair, golf tournament, and a pool party all in one weekend? Hopefully you have some rest time built in somewhere!
WOW!!– this guy’s photos are wonderful!!! He captures the colors and light with beautiful skill and an eye for unusual scenes! A real treat to see this. So exciting that you guys got to be with him and experience it all firsthand. Thanks for sharing and I know your photo-shoot will come out well. Keep on seeing the world around us as an amazing gift from God, every day we have breath and vision to behold His awesome works. I know you do. Ruth
Ruth,
You should have seen the photos in person, full sized in that book. It was almost enough to take my breath away. Absolutely stunning.
And yes, the world around us truly IS an amazing gift. I love how nature changes from day to day and never repeats itself. Always something new to see.
We did our celebratory meal on Sunday at my in-laws. We had a fish fry with our catch from a deep sea fishing trip this summer. We had so much fish, we knew it was more than our family of 5 could eat so it was a great meal to share with our extended family. There are still 4 gallon freezer bags of fish left, so we will have to do it again!
Heidi,
A fun change of pace to have fish instead of burgers for Labor Day weekend! Sounds like you caught a walloping amount of fish. Good for you!
I looked at the book of pictures and it was lovely. But I just want to say that I think the pictures you take are every bit as beautiful. You are a very talented photographer!
Love, Deb
Deb,
You lie very beautifully. 🙂 But thank you for the kind words.
Great pictures! We were at the NYS Fair again today so I did not cook.
Michele,
That fair sounds like such a fun place to be. I am glad you and your family take so many chances to enjoy it. And not having to cook? Bonus!
Haven’t looked at the coffee table pictures, but the ones he has taken of Sarah were, well they only could be great – look at the subject matter!!!! We have been at Silver Dollar City for the Southern Gospel Picnic, hearing wonderful uplifting music from great musicians. So Labor Day was spent at SDC!
Sharyn,
I have never been to SDC but I’ve heard such great things about it. And getting to listen to good music is the best way to spend ANY day! Enjoy.
We have been cleaning out the garage and working in the yard. A start preparing for winter when we may want to park both cars in the garage. We will BBQ steak for dinner along with fresh corn and salad. Sarah looks lovely as usual, and I love the new curtains!
Cindy,
Yes, you definitely want to have inside parking for both cars when the Minnesota winter comes to call!
I know you the two of you always eat well since you are such an amazing cook. BBQ steak sounds wonderful!
Pictures of Sarah are awesome as usual. Looking forward to the magazine. We usually get information from Duke. I hope to cook a small pork loin for tonight. We are having hamburgers Saturday so was not sure about having them tonight, too. I volunteered this morning from 9-1 so may not do anything else except have to go to Walmart. Enjoy your day.
Ann,
I love that you are still volunteering so many hours, even with all the medical things you have going on. That is truly a picture of your heart–living your life for other people.
Hugs to you and Jim.
Deb,
Yes, when we repainted the kitchen at Thanksgiving, we put up new curtains since the old ones didn’t look so great with the new paint.
And yes, Sarah truly is a RCS!
Becky
I was going to ask the same question about the curtains!
Marylea,
Wow. You guys are really observent; several of you mentioned the curtains. I’m impressed!
Really fun to see the photos of the photographer and the Really Cute Subject! And are those new curtains in the dining room? Very pretty!
❤ Deb