I had the rare privilege of having my best friend Inge, over for the weekend!  Inge and I attended the Robert Provencher seminar on Friday night at Tec Voc in Winnipeg.  After the excellent seminar we went to Pasquales Restaurant for dinner.

We spent hours chatting on Saturday and I had the privilege of cooking for her!   Now you probably wonder why I say that – as if it is a big deal.  Well, it IS a big deal – as she is a gourmet cook!   Quite intimidating cooking for someone so adept at cooking.  But I got quite a few raves from her – but I really must thank another great friend (and fellow photographer as well) Patty Boge.  She cooked this meal for me a couple of months ago and she gave me the recipes.  She also introduced me to the traditional Brazilian drink of Caipirinhas.  In fact – the entire meal was thanks to Patty!  Thanks Patty – the only thing missing last evening was having YOU here to enjoy and share this with us!  Maybe next time.

Today we took our cameras and wandered throughout my yard and to a field just 150 steps from my backdoor.  I use this field for family portraits quite often – but never this early in the year – but it afforded me some great images.

Here are 4 of my favorite images taken today…

Many of you may know that I love working with shadows and silhouettes – I really love this image – you won’t see that till the leaves fall off the trees in fall!

Who says you need to have leaves on the trees to get a great photo?  I love the colour of this building with the shrubs against it!

Inge says… Come look at this ‘pond scum’ in the field and I found the colours and green bubbles made for a great shot!

Tomorrow Inge goes back home – to Brandon.  I miss her already!

This is taken from her blog post… (with her permission, of course!)

At my best friend’s house…

Every once in a while I have the opportunity to visit my BFF (Best Friend Forever) at her place in Mitchell, MB, just outside of Steinbach. Although Marlene comes to Brandon frequently, when I go to see her it is I that gets spoiled and pampered – great conversation, superb food and wonderful wines!!! I feel like I have had a vacation after I return home. It’s so wonderful that we are comfortable enough with one another that we can each be working on images our individual computers and not have to worry about ‘making conversation’. It’s all about photography – and Africa and/or Disney – when we are together!

Here are some of the photos I took of Marlene preparing dinner last night. Absolutely fabulous food and drinks! (Patty, we were thinking of you and toasting  your health!)

Here is Marlene starting supper…

As pre dinner drinks we made Caipirinhas, a Brazilian cocktails, made with limes, a couple of tsp of sugar, ice and Cachaça, a Brazilian Rum to die for! Boy, what a kick! Thanks Patty for the recipe!

The main course was also thanks to Patty…

Would you believe this excellent dish was made with canned tuna?

Peas, and celery and onions, plus tuna… Yum!!!

Plated and ready to eat! The side was a Tomato, Onion, and Cilantro Salad.

Oh yes… how could I forget the wine to accompany this meal – a Gewurztraminer from Germany.

Thank you Chef Marlene for a scrumptious meal!!!!