Crimson Heights

The mountains majestic and bathed in green from an abundance of Spring moisture beckon us. 

Morning chill shivers across my arms but will soon melt away into mid-day summer heat.

Powerful and relentlessly plunging down, spring run off from heavy winter snow plows through the mountainside to find an exit in the river below. Ordinarily this is a slight stream, but not today.

The boys and I stretch our calves upward along the switchbacks of Crimson Trail.

Some wonder why we hike.

Why do we struggle against steep incline with loose gravel and winding paths.

Only to descend once the peak has been summited.

How is one to know what lies on top of the mountain...

if one is always on the bottom only looking up.

Often...when you have been in the deepest of valleys, the top of a mountain is significantly more beautiful and peaceful...with infinitely more meaning.

Especially when we are with our favorite people.

And now that we've been on top of that mountain...

tomorrow when we are back in the valley, the memory of being up there will sustain us.

We've seen the view from up there and know we will see it again soon.

Wuv, Tru Wuv...

"Mawage, Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday."

" Mawage, dat bwessed awangment,"

" dat dweam wifin a dweam..."

" And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva..."

 "So tweasure your wuv."
And then Prince Humperdink says..."Skip to the end."

" Have you the wing?
And do you, Pwincess Buwwercup..."

 and the Prince again... "Man and wife. Say man and wife."

"Man an' wife!"

Courtney and Skyler, true loves! And this was their wedding day. Marriage, that blessed arrangement that dream within a dream perfectly orchestrated, brought us all together on this day.

Over the years the sisters of the groom have had a lot to say about the girls their brother Skyler dated. But Courtney is exactly what Shara and Carrie were hoping for in a sister-in-law.

 It seems that this brother and sister... Max and Lola were feeling the love today too.

But a daddy and his girl...there is nothing like this love! Watch out Ryan...before you turn around this gorgeous baby redhead will meet her true love.

 But for now...it's Daddy!

Kari, you will not find a sweeter mother of the groom. And she has finally married off her last child.

My brother, and the father of the groom. Another one of his offspring has found their soul mate...this must explain the happy expression on his face.

I had lots of time to photograph the little ones while waiting for the bride and groom to join us.

It is so much fun to photograph the little ones...they giggle and  frolic about, making merry wherever they go.

Lola Grace....I finally found the catch lights in those deep brown eyes. I've been trying for months to capture her eyes.

 But the shot of her toddler feet are pretty sweet too.

Khloe discovered ants crawling across the marble steps and stopped playing immediately to observe them.

 A Mother's love...knows no end. It even reaches into the heavens...this I know!

And finally the happy couple emerge...triumphant grins across their newlywed faces.

Many members of the family would tease Skyler about being single at "his age." Something about being a menace? .

As for me, I never worried. I just knew he hadn't found the right one yet...the one that would make a smile dance across his face like this.

Courtney...she's the right one! The incredibly beautiful right one.

It's mostly all about the bride on this day...you know that, right? Maybe it's a little bit about the groom too...but mostly the bride.

Oh and her gown...a simple beaded bodice with ruffles and more ruffles. Did I say how much I loved the ruffles!

 And her smile...intoxicating.

And the bouquet...so Courtney.

The first time I met Courtney I fell in love with her, as did the rest of the family. I just knew she would be perfect for Skyler.

Skyler adores everything about Courtney you can tell...look at his hand placed softly in the small of his bride's back. Just the right amount of touch to say... I'm right behind you while you soak up this moment in time with your sister and your girlfriends.

 And soak it up she did...her smile seems endless doesn't it?

Today a new family was established...Courtney and Skyler.

If Courtney's mom has her way, they'll be increasing that family soon, as she certainly has been dropping more than a few hints.

Probably my favorite shot of the day. Her hair...amazing! His look into her face...absolute adoration and complete ignorance of the paparazzi in front of them.

The Garlick Press couldn't be more ecstatic for the marriage of Skyler and Courtney. They found true love and are perfect for each other...just perfect!

And may they live happily ever after...

Bummerfest

Ah Bummerfest...there is nothing that signals the beginning of summer in our fair town like Bummerfest. Officially...the Summerfest Arts Faire...features live music, fabulous food and art of all mediums. The Garlick Press has been attending Bummerfest for as long as we can remember.

The first item on my list is usually a new honey pot from one of the pottery artists. However, we have gone the entire year without even so much as a crack in last year's pot.  But those garlic pots on the top shelf caught my eye as did the French Butter dish.

Because I seem to have a chicken thing going on now..these guys cracked me up!

 I often wonder what inspires artists when they begin working with different mediums.

 Perhaps it is the delicious smell of leather...that inspires this artist.

 Oil paints...oh I wish this were a medium I had talent enough to work with.

Dean found these intriguing and brought one home on his wrist. The artist uses horsehair to braid into handsome bracelets. I passed...it's a horse thing remember.

You'll find the classic outdoor festival food at Bummerfest including wood-fire pizzas, Navajo tacos, corn dogs, kettle corn, and so on. Are you hungry yet?

 Dripping with butter, we both opted for a roasted corn on the cob.

Delicious, warm and crispy funnel cakes...I'll take one for The Teenager please.

The festival sits on the grounds of the old tabernacle on Main Street. Trees surrounding the timeworn building reach skyward and music drifts up and dances through the old pines.

 Classic face painting delights both children and their parents.

Bummerfest activities include a children's art yard where little ones can create a variety of art projects themselves.

As we began to wind down Bummerfest 2011, we strolled by this woodworking booth. The craftsman takes antique wood items and re-purposes them into new pieces of furniture.

Turned topsy turvy on it's side, this old door becomes a magnetic memo board.

I can't explain it...somehow this clever door is now hanging on the wall of my home. My plan...fill it with some of my most favorite photos.

The gorgeous colors, textures, sights, smells and sounds of Bummerfest...imprinted in my creative soul for another day.