After I posted about gifts I realized that I have another creative sister in law that didn’t end up getting mentioned. She is a fabulous gift giver and we are always delighted by her thoughtful gifts. This year among other gifts she sent a fun photo album of all twelve of the grandchildren on my husbands side of the family (my kids and their cousins.) Since it wasn’t wrapped and we have been enjoying it since her package arrived, it slipped my mind when I was photographing the others. We all sent her pictures of our kids. The picture of my son on the right scratching his head was odd, but seemed the most appropriate of all the images we could capture. I was worried about it not looking like a formal portrait and was so delighted when I saw the rest of the pictures that were sent in, and realized we are all part of the same big quirky family! So much fun. I love the way this captures cousin Ellie peeking around the corner of the page with a mischievous little laugh.

Last Christmas we received from this same talented sister in law, a bottle of wonderful homemade port made of blackberries and blueberries and aptly named “black and blue port”. I guess it has been treasured because we could never seem to come up with an occasion that warranted the opening of our one precious bottle. So finally on our 11th wedding anniversary, December 30th, we decided to enjoy it. It was very tasty and inspiring. I might have to see what I can concoct out of all the black raspberries we have growing around here when summer arrives.

I must add a small disclaimer so I don’t feel so old. I always feel shocked to realize that I have been married over 11 years now and don’t nearly feel old enough for it to be true. I was only 19 at the time, but still haven’t regretted it. It’s just been getting better every year! Daniel reminded me that his college photo teacher had told him, “It won’t last!” About 8 years later when she had one of my husbands former students in class she was surprised to hear we were still going strong. So I guess it pays to marry a man with a stubborn streak, if his stubbornness is about the right things.

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