I took this picture of Bradley on the day before the first day of seventh grade. I keep telling him how handsome he is and he just dips his head and sweetly says, “Moms are supposed to say that.” Maybe so, but it’s true. My little boy is so CUTE! Ok, he’s like a foot taller than me now so I guess I have to stop calling him my little boy.
He’s almost as tall as Mike!
Deep exhale.
Bradley’s growing up.
Coming tomorrow: Gregory’s first day of first grade!
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 11:59 pm
Ornamental pear trees, like this
Aristocrat Pear, are not recommended as a good shade tree to plant for many reasons. I won’t go into all the reasons in this post, but
one of the reasons has always been that these trees do not provide food for wildlife.
That’s a bunch of bunk! I have observed on many occasions this summer the squirrels up in my pear trees munching on the little pears. It’s hard to get a picture because the trees are so dense. (That’s one of the reasons the trees aren’t recommended for planting — the density turns the tree into an umbrella. What happens to umbrellas on particularly windy days? They blow away.) So anyway, back to the food discussion. Today, I pulled into my driveway and was pelted by falling pear nuts. The squirrel up in the tree (above) was ripping open the nuts and eating the fruit in the middle, then throwing the rest away.
From the looks of all the pear litter under the tree, the squirrels have been feasting for WEEKS. There are shells EVERYWHERE!
To all those arborists who swear up and down that squirrels don’t eat pear nuts, feel free to come study my trees. Squirrels DO eat the pears in ornamental pear trees. Now, about whether or not a tree that provides food for SQUIRRELS is a worthy tree is another
Tree Grower’s Diary post altogether.
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 6:28 pm
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 10:39 pm
THE SHAVER FAMILY PORTRAIT
Summer 07
Typical. Gregory is backwards. So what else is new? There’s less than half of a Bradley, which, unless you can talk Legos all day and into the night, is about all you get of him these days. Mike hates the picture because the mirror makes him look fat. (He’s NOT fat!) And I love it because — OH YEAH! — that mirror makes ME look like a BEANPOLE (a beanpole with a camera for a face, that is). Well, I am always looking for a new picture that tells the story of my family. Here you go. That’s us. Location: Grounds for Sculpture. (As Jennifer calls it: “New Jersey’s Best Kept Secret.”) More pictures coming soon! I LOVE that place!
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 5:44 pm
I don’t want school to start next week. We’re all having SO much fun driving all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Today: the Sculpture Garden (assuming it’s actually open today). Pictures coming soon. Happy Labor Day! The weather is GORGEOUS!
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 9:21 am
It’s official: I’m completely booked through the end of 2007! Yay!
I am still taking appointments for newborn sessions. If your baby will be three weeks old or younger in November or December, give me a call!
I am so grateful to all the clients who have booked me this year — we have lots of cards to design! And you all KNOW I love designing cards!
But, what if you really want to send one of Julie’s adorable and unique holiday cards. Well, here’s an opportunity for YOU to get some much needed REST in December. The big idea — DON’T send the standard holiday card. Instead, do what Christian and Danene did last year. They sent Valentine’s cards!
Danene said everyone just loved getting the card in February showing a day in the life of our sweet little Lia.
Think about it: you book a session in January, we design a card together, and you spend the quiet month contemplating the design and addressing cards to your family and friends. And, your family and friends will be delighted to receive a card in the peaceful winter when the influx of holiday cards has died down. I can guarantee everyone will LOVE it! It’s a win-win!
Weekend sessions in January are already starting to book though, so call soon!
Thank you to ALL my 2007 clients for spreading the word about my photography. I love you all!
posted by Julie Walton Shaver at 10:31 am
