Yesterday was my father’s 70th birthday. And that sounds like he’s elderly. Or at least a bit of an old man. And that’s weird, because if there’s anyone that’s young and very fit, it’s him. So he didn’t receive oldfashioned presents. His kids gave him a few different presents. Like an Airport Express, so he can play everything in his iTunes library over the different soundsystems in their home. And a wireless keyboard, so it’s faster for him to write emails on his iPad. A photo printer with webconnection, so he can print images on his home printer from where-ever he is. No way he’s old, on the contrary, he’s very modern. And very busy with his new carreer as a sculptor. Marco made him a website so that everyone can admire his sculptures on the internet!

And eventhough we celebrated his birthday until the wee hours of the morning, the alarm clock woke us early this morning. Marco took this gorgeous image of the sunrise.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Last Sunday we celebrated summer. It has become somewhat of a tradition that we throw a party each summer. Just because it’s fun and festive. And because we never really have birthdayparties. And because we don’t spent enough time with our families, friends and neighbors. And just because we can. We were lucky, as last Sunday was actually pretty summer-y. It wasn’t very warm, but it wasn’t raining and it wasn’t too cool to be outside. Over 60 people, a meat-filled barbecue, lots of French bread and salads and colored led-lights in our party-tent. I think there were at least 8 professional photographers and 5 keen amateurs and this post has al the images taken that day: exactly zero! So I’m posting a festive photo of Marco, who’s always a willing subject when I need to test my lights and my settings when we do a mini-studio at a wedding. I’ll post more from this fun Dutch/German mini-studio soon, but for now I wish you all a warm, balmy summer. And a big thanks to everyone who was at our Summer Celebration last summer!

Yesterday was a very special day, because the Exhibition 2011 of Mrs. Sylvia Boogh’s Beeldentuin De Booghgaard had it’s grand opening yesterday. Sylvia owns a beautiful 1.5 acre garden in the beach town of Callantsoog, where each year she organizes an exhibition with many

Daisy got so warm all the time. And her coat had been trimmed before, but yesterday I told the girl at the dog spa to ‘cut it nice and short’. I thought I had been clear about keeping the Papillon-features: flowing hair on her ears, hare feet, a nice long tail… When Marco went to get her, I got a shocked text message: “Uhhmmm…. is this Daisy? Are you sure?”. Oh well. It will grow back. And until then, I will start laughing uncontrolably every time I see Daisy. Followed by her looking at me hurt and accusingly and turning her back to me. Can’t blame her.

Two images from a while ago. This is what it used to looked like.

Sometimes I’m ‘stressed’. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always plenty to do around here – in the studio, outside the studio, at home, you name it. Usually I’m fine with that, but sometimes I get a bit antsy. Last Sunday it was a bit like that. It was cold outside, but nice and sunny so on a whim I decided to take the doggies to the beach for a long walk. It was great! Flo found a tennis ball and she wasn’t gonna let go. She chased the ball like crazy. Miss Daisy calmly followed us at her leisure. When you’re her age (she’s twelve), you don’t need to show off anymore. It was awesome to get some fresh air!