A little low ... thankful

Today was a great day - but right now as I write this, I am feeling quite low.  A bit down, a little disappointed. You see I hurt my back some months back, and this morning, as I received treatment for it, I felt that I was nearing then end of the tunnel.  Through intensive treatment, and core exercises, I really thought that I was getting stronger.  

The something twinged and that sharp spitting pain began again in my lower back, like a witches caldron spitting mucus.  As I sat working this afternoon, when it was impossible to find a comfortable sitting position; a little personal pity party ensued, its over now, although I am still in pain and a bit down. I am not feeling sorry for myself because  I know that this pain is only temporary, that everything I have been doing has been building a strong core, and I am on my way to stability in my back, and a back free from pain.

When we feel low, as I do right now, and I wonder how I will run 7 miles on Monday, in the Belfast Marathon. I recall a post I wrote a while back, about being thankful.  So right now I am choosing to be thankful for - 

This photograph - it makes me smile every time I look at it.  Can you imagine being able to jump that high! I AM THANKFUL for the opportunity to take the Robinson's picture, and have such a fun photoshoot with them, they were a joy to photograph - I AM THANKFUL

How I love telling people's stories through my photographs, and how privileged I am to have a career doing something I adore - I AM THANKFUL

Other blogs - the privilege of reading other peoples stories, the writing, the tales, the photographs - what an inspiration - I AM THANKFUL

The sunshine, as it danced on my brother's cat Tymone as he basked in tonights early evening sun, in fact I AM THANKFUL - for sunshine, my brother, Tymone, a comfy chair to work in, even if comfort was a little alluding today

I am thankful to be alive, and to be able to to feel things, even if what we feel isn't always pleasurable, what a great experience to feel, it allows us to truly live - I AM THANKFUL

Painkillers, prayer, hotwaterbottles, Vietnamese muscle rub, my bed & peppermint camomile tea  -everything that brings relief to my back - I AM THANKFUL

What are you thankful to today?

That's it for now.

salt and sparkle = life remarkable

sweet shot tuesday 2 - Michael Deane at his pass

Hey there, it's Tuesday again, and time to link up my favourite pic of the week to Darcy's Blog, My Three Boybarians. Go on guys, have a go yourselves, all you have to do is chose your favourite pic from the lastweek, and link it back to Darcy's blog, this week, there is even a chance to win an amazing canvas print.

Michael Deane @ his pass

Lastweek, I had the pleasure of hanging out at 'Deane's Howard Street' with some of my girlfriends.  We were seated just in front of the pass, where Michael Deane was hanging out, each and every dish that left the kitchen went out under his watchful eye, and everything was perfect.  I looked up from my food, and was just fascinated watching Michael and the food that was passing before him, the bright lights from the kitchen, contrasted by his chef's white's caught my eye, and I just had to capture, that moment, where Michael waits to inspect the food before it is allowed onto the restaurant floor.

Over the past six months, I have been organising ladies nights at Michael's restaurants.  Allain his marvellous manager looks after us - so far we have had a wine tasting, a dinner, a canapes and cocktails evening, and last week we had a tasting menu.  Coming soon is a pudding party!

A menu is specially prepared for us by Michael Deane, and wines are selected by Allain, then the ladies and I get to taste a selection, of fabulous nibbles, and drinks that we might not otherwise have chosen for ourselves. These evenings are a chance to just hang out with the girls, to laugh, and share bread and wine - to chat and take a moment just to breathe and enjoy each others company.

Deane's is Belfast's most famous restaurant.  It has won every award possible, and held the Michelin star for the longest of any establishment in Ireland.  The care and attention that is placed upon everyday dish that is made there, just blows my mind.  This is really clever food, where textures, and tastes match perfectly. Presentation is sublime, and the flavour rich and evocative.  Each item on the menu has been thought about with the passion, and precision, that only really highly skilled chefs like Michael Deane know how to do.

Deane has nothing to prove, but every dish that leaves his pass is a masterpiece, a taste of the sublime. Michael takes the best of local produce, the freshest, the most fragrant and turns it into something so flavoursome, that I am hungry right now just thinking about it. 

These are dishes, that aren't for recreation, in the home kitchen but are to be enjoyed cooked in the ambience of a restaurant, where one doesn't have to ask to have their water or wine topped up.  When you come to Belfast, make sure you make Deane's Howard Street your dining destination of choice.

Favourite Things iii ...

Maria, Fearghal & Daisy

I have been locked in a huge edit this week, and I wanted to share one of my favourite images from that, with you. 

As we have travelled through Easter Week, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of Emily's thoughts at her blog - there are some lovely ideas, and pictures, reading her words, is like a cool glass of homemade lemonade on a hot day.

I have thoroughly been enjoying this blog - it is full of words that make you think, and examine.  Thoughts, and ideas, that help you find the direction you might be looking for, or to question the way you are going.

We are learning this song, at BCGC, and I have been wandering around singing it all week.  It's true isn't it 'All you need is love?'

The first time I watched this movie, the tears rolled down my cheeks.  The story, touched my heart, and I knew that I too want to experience a love like this.  Having read virtually of all Nicholas Sparks's novels, a printed copy of The Notebook had eluded me. I am not sure, why, but somehow, I hadn't gotten round to reading it.  That has now changed and I am so glad it did.  Lastweek I borrowed it from a pal.  She said it really wasn't great, and definitely not as good as the movie. I adored it, and ready it cover-to-cover in virtually one sitting.   As I read of Ally and Noah's love for each other, I look up with hope, that I too will be able to know this, and have a great love story.

Sparks's skill as a storyteller is second-to-none.  His characters, themes, and words are universal, magnificent in their simplicity.  They allow me to get lost in another world for as long as the book is open in front of me.  

Image courtsery of http://thecia.com.au/reviews/n/notebook.shtml

My favourite quotation is '"You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love." (Noah, The Notebook; by Nicholas Sparks)

Are you living your life for you?  If not, what is stopping you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

That's it for now.

Nics

salt and sparkle = life remarkable

Sweet Shot Tuesday

When I was reading the blog roll on this blog recently, I came across another fantastic blog, written by a mother, photographer and graphic designer.  I have really enjoyed everything that Darcy has said, and when I discovered her sweet shot Tuesday - this is a linky blog hop, that allows photographers to connect with their best shot of the week, and share it with others - I knew I had to put one of my photographs forward.  

On Sunday, I had the pleasure, and privilege, of taking the photographs of the Robinson family - three absolutely wonderful people, who all sing like angels.  Philip and Nicole, are from Barbados, but are currently living in Northern Ireland, where their beautiful daughter was born.  Their little girl is simply the most adorable two-year-old I know. She was a joy to take pictures of and absolutely loved the camera.  She danced, and sang, laughed and joked as I snapped away.  

This pic which I have decided to put this picture of her forward for Sweet Shot Tuesday is one of my favourites from our shoot, I hope you like it and that you will head over to Darcy's blog to check out, some of the other wonderful pictures and maybe post your own photo?

That's it for today ...

Nics

salt and sparkle = life remarkable