30mm for 30th

Hello friends. Let me introduce you to my new favorite camera lens- the Sigma 30mm F1.4.
See, I had a rather important birthday (back in the whirlwind that was December) and my good husband decided that a fine gift for a girl with a camera would be a sweet lens for taking prettier photos. Actually... he probably just said "what do you want for your birthday darlin?" and then I replied by ordering myself the Sigma 30mm off the net. That's how we work, and it's good.

Be that as it may, this lens is a keeper. It makes photographing for me much more enjoyable. If I remember correctly, it hasn't left my camera since I ripped it out of its box. Yup, that good.
Unfortunately, I dont know all the technical camera/lens/photography jargon, so I probably cant talk it up all you would like to hear. But believe me, it's a winner.

I hope you enjoyed the photos above (taken with the Sigma 30mm F1.4 on the Canon 550D). A few firsts in there- first ripe tomatoes off our vines, first gappy grin for Grace, first family holiday to the South Coast. So many special memories made.

my mum

This is a photo of Mum, me (10 days old) and my brother on his 2nd birthday. Taken back in the early 80's. She then went on to have another 3 children, so there are five of us. I think she is nothing short of amazing! Not a day goes by without me wondering how on earth she did what she did. I often think of her during the difficult moments with my 3, and imagine adding an extra 2 children to the mix. I always remember her as being calm and having everything under control. I am sure she would probably tell you it was anything but! She said she did all she could at the time, and trusted God to do the rest. Good advice Mum.

Here we all are 9 years later. That's me on the right sporting the awesome fringe. Mum always cut our hair. I think the first time I ever went to a hairdresser was when I was about 16. She also use to sew a lot of our clothes. The outfit I am wearing was one she made for my 8th birthday. She also made my sisters sweet little dress. She use to go to TAFE on Monday nights after my sister was born to have sewing classes. I remember her learning to sew stretch and quilts. She taught me to sew when I was five, and in later years helped me get started on knitting and crocheting. She is such an inspiration in so many ways. I am so blessed to have her.

I hope you wonderful mothers out there have had a very special day with those you love. Those in my household who I love the dearest, totally took me by surprise today by... a brand new Cannon 550D is now mine to play with! I know, pretty good hey!! Lets just say I had no idea, none whatsoever! Totally stunned and feeling very spoilt. Now I have to work out what to do with the thing. Nicer photos to come once I get my head around it all!