you KNOW it's hot...

when he comes in from outside and even his bed directly under the AC vent isn't cool enough! He's decided he's now lounging on the wood floor because it's just that much cooler than his bed:

i heart faces photography: week 26 - pet photo challenge

I've decided to enter one of my favourite photos of our younger Dobe, Milo, for the photo challenge at i heart faces this week... since the boys are my primary photo subjects, I have hundreds thousands plenty to choose from, but this one is a favourite:

Yes, he has slobber on his ear from his recent romp with his 'brother', and no, he's not looking at the camera, but this is Milo.  Milo is quite laid back & easy going, and he just likes to chill with his stick (as long as someone is watching him chill - he HAS to be with us!). He has beautiful brown eyes and is such a loving addition to our family... we are so lucky to have found him!

Don't forget to head on over to i heart faces to check out the gallery of submissions for this challenge - so much cuteness in one place!!

a not-so-quiet Sunday afternoon:

a sunny day...

happened this weekend, so we took the boys out for a nice long walk along the waterfront. I think Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places in the world - I love living here!

As you may remember, I am taking The Photographer's Workshop with Karen Russell... it is only the end of Week 1 and I feel that I have already learned a ton, both from Karen's lessons as well as from interaction with other students on the message boards.  (Not that I think the KR will ever read my little ol' blog, but Thanks Karen - this class is $$ well spent!)  Anyhow, now, more than ever, I take my camera with me everywhere.  I bought a new-to-me 50mm f1.4 lens this past summer, and Karen said that would be the perfect lens to use for the class and then, after I better understand my wants / needs & how I will primarily be shooting, I can look at what other lens(es) I may wish to purchase.  This week was all about understanding, experimenting and playing with the rules of composition (Rule of Thirds, leading lines, framing etc).

I can't say that any of these are stellar examples of anything I've learned, but liked them, & I loved hanging out at the beach with my boys on a gorgeous mid-winter day! (I also love that Milo will actually come when called, unlike a certain older dog of mine!)