Gigi's Blog bio picture
  • Welcome to the Gigi Blog!

    Mother to six Little Women and Two Little Men. Married to a Happy Mortician. Caretaker to goats, chickens and many, MANY bunnies. Photographer. Homeschooler. Lover of Jesus, coffee & tea and all things pink & vintage.

Love & Sunshine.

Sundays are a relatively peaceful day for my family. 
Despite the mad dash to church in the morning, the bomb that goes off steadily every Sunday in the process of getting five people ready for church (why does that happen?! It’s insane!), and then the fact that hubby usually works Sundays and there’s very little groceries left from a fantastic-food-filled week … yes, but I still love Sundays. I love raising our girls to know Jesus and to spend our Sunday mornings at church together. It’s amazing. Even if it means I spend more time between Sunday School classrooms, the nursery and the stage (for band) … it’s still so wonderful to be with my church family …

 

One recent random Sunday, we were all ready with plenty of time to spare … so we sat on the front porch, snacked on tea and English muffins and waited for the 10 a.m. service. Little did I realize, I was on band that day (I play piano at church and am supposed to be there for 8:15ish a.m.) and I was actually SUPER LATE …. but in the ignorant bliss of the unknown, we had a relaxing morning … (My sincerest apologies to our band leader!!!!) …

 

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No, I don’t force Abby (hubby) to wear pink – this was his own choice! Hey. Real men wear pink. Right? Yes, right. 

 

I don’t remember snacking before church as a little girl, but  for some reason, my kids can’t go a whole church service with a little snack to tide them over right beforehand. Hence the plastic cups with fishie crackers. 

 

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We have fun at church. They have an awesome kids’ program and Lyla, for one, LOVES it … here she is pre-church … (snacking)…

 

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…….. and post church. Note her hair.

Yes, she definitely has fun at Sunday School. 

 

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Once church is done, anything goes … swinging in your bare feet in your pretty church dress ….

 

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Sundays. All about love and sunshine. And Jesus. It really does make all things grow. 

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Hope your Sunday was filled with love, too.

June 8, 2010 - 6:12 pm

Vanda Love the picture of daddy kissing one of his little girls and others watching and waiting their turn, like it’s the most precious kiss they’ll ever receive. It’s so beautiful.

June 8, 2010 - 12:12 am

Tabitha LOL, I love the post church hair!! And the matching dresses! Great family photo Gillian!

June 7, 2010 - 11:50 pm

~love you’re all so beautiful, but especially your heart! i adore sundays for the same reasons. i LOVE lyla’s before and after. matt totally wears pink voluntarily now, too. and i totally can see more kiddos packing on that swing with you. =)

June 7, 2010 - 11:43 pm

Michelle Garyfalakis We LOVE having Lyla in Sunday School 🙂

June 7, 2010 - 6:45 pm

Melanie What a great post Gillian! I’m sure your girls LOVE sunday as well. And will remember the good times when they get older as well, which is super nice.

June 7, 2010 - 3:36 pm

Anushya I love this post and the photographs! It’s wonderful to see God working through your talent and also to see you raise your children to know the Lord!

June 7, 2010 - 11:26 am

Nancy love the family pictures…beautiful!!

June 6, 2010 - 10:47 pm

Mom Awh, this warms my heart and makes me smile! I love the family swing picture! Your dream is coming true, Gillian! <3

June 6, 2010 - 10:04 pm

Frances Boniface I think that was the nicest tutorial of family that I have ever read! You have a beautiful family and an incredible amount of true love for one another….brings a smile to my face 🙂

June 6, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Lori Beautiful photos! Awesome 2 see parents taking the time to raise their children to know who Jesus is and how they can grow in his love! Happy Sunday to you & yours!

June 6, 2010 - 8:26 pm

Charlene Real men DO wear pink! I know mine does. I think more would if they realized it’s such a flattering colour. Your hubs looks very handsome en rose!

June 6, 2010 - 8:19 pm

Jen I just love Lyla’s after hair picture. made me laugh out loud
I heard a song today called “Let them be little”. You sure live by that and I love that.

June 6, 2010 - 8:10 pm

Tara C love it! love that your hubby wears pink, love that you have a before and after pic of Lyla’s hair…so true! and even more I love that you are such a REAL Mom (rushing to get everyone ready for church on a Sunday and then forgetting that you’re on for a certain activity that day and being late. that happened last Sunday and this Sunday with us! haha!)

June 6, 2010 - 8:06 pm

Grandma Gerr LOVES these photos!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

June 6, 2010 - 7:30 pm

Tanya @ Life in 3D I love this post 🙂

Treasure.

A few months ago, my husband, Abby, told me about this old bed or crib stowed away in our “barn” in the backyard … our home is over 100 years old so sometimes, there are strange things left behind by previous owners … but when he told me about the crib, I kinda forgot about it and never bothered to look. 

Well, we finally pulled it out of storage & washed it off. And I’m so glad we did.  I’m in love.

Erin, a mini sneak peek for you … 

 

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June 8, 2010 - 12:12 am

Tabitha Snug as a bug 😀

June 6, 2010 - 1:10 pm

juice beautiful pictures!!!

June 6, 2010 - 9:41 am

shelleyk these images kind of take my breath away, they are stunning and so serene :o)

June 5, 2010 - 8:16 pm

Tara C So cool that you have these random antique finds! Man I wish we had an old house!

June 5, 2010 - 6:27 pm

Patty Wow – LOVE the crib!!!

June 5, 2010 - 5:35 pm

Jenn Wow, I am in love! Absolutely gorgeous 🙂 You know what they say, “Someones trash(or in your case left behind) is someone else’s treasure”. What a wonderful find.

June 5, 2010 - 5:17 pm

Vicky Waring That is one of the most gorgeous baby shots I’ve ever seen!! Wow!!!!!

June 5, 2010 - 5:11 pm

Rachel PRECIOUS!

June 5, 2010 - 4:50 pm

sharon v Love that crib! you have the best props 🙂

June 5, 2010 - 4:50 pm

Michelle S. Wow, that is so lovely! Your work is fabulous. I love checking out your new posts!

A {Secret} Garden meeting …

Through the help of a friend (thank you, B!!), I stumbled upon Orangeville’s perfect, whimsical secret garden recently … it truly is a hidden treasure and I was in awe when my friend opened her back door and whisked me into a world of fancy all within the boundaries of her gorgeous backyard ….

 

And it was the perfect setting for a session with two sisters, a fun-loving mom and a tea party in the making …

 

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Anne, thank you for driving the distance to meet up for your photos … your girls are absolutely precious and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more magical session. 🙂

June 8, 2010 - 12:14 am

Tabitha Gorgeous garden, and I love the curly locks!!

June 5, 2010 - 8:49 pm

Bethany Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

June 5, 2010 - 8:31 am

Grandma Gerr Oh such cute girls, and a lovely garden!!

June 5, 2010 - 12:53 am

Kristi beautiful shots Anne of your girls!!!! Mike will LOVE them! Glad you and Gillian connected.

June 4, 2010 - 9:27 pm

Mich Gorgeous pics and a gorgeous location. Her girls are just so precious..love the bridge shot..it looks like Tinker Bell would be flying through the garden at any moment!!

June 4, 2010 - 8:03 pm

Hilary C Wow! Another incredible shoot!

June 4, 2010 - 4:45 pm

Lita beautiful girls and beautiful curls!!

June 4, 2010 - 4:38 pm

Tara Beautiful!!!!

June 4, 2010 - 3:06 pm

Barb Mason So beautiful!

June 4, 2010 - 3:04 pm

Chris Bright I just LOVE the dirty toes overlapping the silver tea set!!! So cute.

June 4, 2010 - 1:38 pm

Sherri Love that bridge picture, and the one of the blonde-blue-eyed cutie. What a gorgeous venue.

June 4, 2010 - 12:42 pm

Nicole I love the picture on the bridge–wouldn’t it be divine to have a bridge like that in your own garden?

June 4, 2010 - 12:07 pm

Anne The tears running down my face are pure joy, Thank you, Thank you for capturing such beautiful pictures of my daughters and a huge THANK YOU to your friends for allowing us to use their beautiful garden!! I am so excited to see the rest!!! You are soooo talented and I feel blessed to have found you MUAH!!!!

June 4, 2010 - 11:16 am

Sandra Gigi these are gorgeous!!!! So pretty! Your work is always superb!

June 4, 2010 - 10:37 am

melanie disbrow I love all of these. The colors are amazing : )

This Cat CAN Cook.

Something as simple and tasty as her banana muffin recipe has made her famous (and yes, I mean famous!)  but her love of creating simple recipes for delicious and healthy living is what keeps her going.

Meet Catherine Robertson … aka. Cat Can Cook.

 

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Oh, and her awesome assistant, (her cutie daughter), Gwyneth. 

 

 

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And man … can she cook! Catherine resides in Guelph and I had the pleasure of watching her whip up some magic in her kitchen recently …

 

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And can I just say that I tried this muffin recipe out at home (and her apple muffin recipe – soooo delicious!)  and they were fabulous! In fact, my mom gave me the Cat Can Cook recipe book a few months ago – little did I know our paths would be literally meeting to work together!

 

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Oh, and if like salsa, oh my goodness …. you must try this one out!  Catherine made some while I was there and then ever so graciously allowed me to take it home to share with my family … I just have to say that I actually had to pull over on the road on the way home, rip open that tupperware container and eat my share of this salsa! Seriously. It was like a summer explosion of amazing tastes in my mouth.

 

The best ever. 

 

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… and let’s not forget her Carrot Ginger Soup …. 

 

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Catherine’s simple way of whisking around the kitchen and creating healthy meals for her family is very inspiring. If you find yourself in a bit of a food-rut, I would suggest picking up a copy of her cookbook and to start browsing through her awesome recipes …

 

And you’re in luck! Catherine is offering a giveaway for you lucky blog readers …
And this time, TWO winners will be chosen!

 

The first prize will give you a copy of her awesome (pink covered!) cookbook where you will find all sorts of delicious recipes to excite you, a custom-made Cat Can Cook apron annnnnnnd  … did I mention Catherine is also very talented in the jewelry making business, as well? So this prize set also contains one of her amazing, awesome necklaces …. (I’m kicking myself for not having a photo of the necklace – it’s been ridiculously/amazing in the studio lately and I didn’t take a picture yet – but I will try tomorrow and will post it online tomorrow!)

 

The second prize contains a Cat Can Cook recipe book along with a custom Cat Can Cook apron!

The Cat Can Cook Book

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on the blog! Easy as pie. Speaking of pie …

Need an awesome, simple pie recipe? Click here for Catherine’s easy pumpkin pie recipe!

 

See? Simple, easy, healthy. Completely awesome.

June 8, 2010 - 12:15 am

Tabitha YUM!!! That salsa is so colourful! De-lish!!

June 6, 2010 - 4:37 pm

Margaret The banana muffin recipe is the best bar none! Going to try the enchiladas next. Thank you!

June 6, 2010 - 4:02 pm

Tiffany The food looks so yummy!!

June 5, 2010 - 6:49 pm

Liana That soup looks fab! Well, all of it does, but I have a thing for soups!

June 5, 2010 - 5:34 pm

Darlene O’Rourke Gosh do I luuuuuve Salsa! This is sounding scrumptioulisious! if that is even a word!!! I love to make it as well but this fresh salsa sounds wonderful!

June 3, 2010 - 10:38 pm

Rose:) Delish!!!! I can’t wait to make the salsa this weekend!!

June 3, 2010 - 9:52 pm

Debbie VanWyck The picture of the salsa makes me want THAT recipe…I would love to get a copy of the cookbook…where can I buy it?

June 3, 2010 - 9:00 pm

Kim I am inspired… and I am drooling over the salsa recipe. The plan is to make it tomorrow night! Thanks for sharing Gillian!

June 3, 2010 - 8:58 pm

Kate Stevenson Every thing looks soooooooo delicious. If ever there was a contest I could benefit from winning it would be this one. I am so not domestic but I must say I have really been wanting to learn to cook easy healthy recipes. I do after all have my own own and two children I think it bout time. lol
fingers crossed.
thanks
Kate

June 3, 2010 - 8:07 pm

Meghan Oh wow, I can’t wait to try all of those yummy sounding recipes!!

June 3, 2010 - 5:14 pm

Jen Oh am I ever in a cooking rut. IT’s the same stuff over and over…

June 3, 2010 - 1:20 pm

Catherine Honestly, the recipes in my book are all SO SIMPLE, anyone can make them. 125 easy recipes all in a great little book, fun food quotes and little stories to go with the recipes. It’s perfect for keeping on your kitchen counter plus, it’s pink!

Goodluck everyone! The apron is also great, as is the jewelry! I’m a tad biased, but all in all, some nice prizes! Gigi does GREAT giveaways!

June 3, 2010 - 1:13 pm

Julie Donohoe I have never even attempted to bake till I joined the CatCanCook website, her recipes are so simple and easy to follow i must say i really enjoy baking now…A big thank you Cat from all my family

June 3, 2010 - 10:16 am

lori Love, love all the delicious pics and the recipes sounds awesome.
would love to win the book!!

June 9, 2010 - 3:35 pm

{Rain} » Gigi Blog […] Oh, and speaking of scrumptious food, I think we shall draw a winner(s) for the Cat Can Cook giveaway! […]

Crazy in {Love}.

I LOVE it when clients let me lead them into deep ditches, fight off crazy ants that cover everything you leave on the ground and swat giant mosquitoes all while smiling and still having a great time during their session. 

 

Yes, that is how this session went …. we were attacked by crazy red ants that wanted to go home with Jenn & Frank *inside joke- sorry, Ryan, I couldn’t resist!* and mosquitoes that wanted to eat them for dinner …. but they – Jenn, Ryan & baby Ainsleigh – not the ants and biting bugs – were awesome and didn’t seem too bothered by any of the mishaps … thanks, guys!

Seriously. Your session was awesome. 

 

So in love with this image ….  

 

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Okay, I’m in love with all of these images from this session …. 

 

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{…and a big thank you to Holly for this awesome, amazing, gorgeous cradle, all the way from India! I am so in love with it!! Thank you for thinking of me!!! It’s PERFECT!!!}

 

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And as promised, let’s draw the winner of the amazing Laptop Lunches giveaway …. wahooo!

healthy lunche ideas for kids

 

 

I love these little containers. With two of my littles headed off to school this fall (sniff, sniff, not ready for this big moment!), these awesome containers are definitely the way to go …

 

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And the winner – using random.org to pick a number is:

 

#3 Karen who wrote: – love the new photo’s and the tub is an awesome addition!!! And the giveaways! LOVE THEM! I can totally see 2 new purchases in my future! what an awesome way to do litterless lunch, and keep everything organized all at once!

Thanks to Laptop Lunches for offering such a great prize on the blog! Don’t forget to join them here on facebook, as well. 

Congratulations, Karen! Just e-mail me (gillian@gigiphotography.com) and we’ll set you up wtih your prize!