sunday

hello i hope you are well. it is sunday morning i am sitting by the fire as snow gently falls outside. the smell of scones baking in the oven begins to fill the house. everyone is sleeping and although i have been up for hours i feel as i too can crawl under the covers and sleep once more.

I think a morning of falling snow is such a promise for the rest of the day, walks through the forest, kettles and firewood. Promise of bread baked, soups made and audio's that take you somewhere you have never been. this will be my sunday here on the hill, were happiness is  possible.

although i have taken some snow and hill photograph this morning i thought i would share one of the shots i took in montreal of the Westmount library conservatory. i often went there when i needed an escape, the smells and warmth underneath this incredible beautiful glass structure still has that effect of calm on me.

Story Telling in Basque, registration open's this morning.

styling by me

photograph 1,3,5 & 10 taken By Tracey Ayton Photograph 2,3, 4 and 5 Taken By Kimberly Taylor.  photograph 9 taken By Aran Goyoaga

Aran Goyoaga

I am so very excited about the opening of registration at 9 am eastern time this morning for the Story telling in Basque workshop. To be able to teach long side my very talented friend Aran in the country she grew up in, is such an honor. We are excited to explore, create and share with you in this beautiful part of the world.

The workshop is sold out (in just minutes) thank you! If you would like to be part

of a mailing list for upcoming workshops please go here and fill contact

form. 

So if you plan on joining us registration opens at 9 am eastern time.

Go here to register 

You can read about the workshop here & here!

Hope to see you in Basque!

nesting time

Dear friends, i hope you are well and that february is being kind to you. My camera is fixed and i hope that i can begin posting regularly, the last few month have been iphone photographs and i am grateful to have been able to capture  what has been going on this winter on the hill with it, but i am glad once again to hold something that requires a little more thinking. I have spent the last few weeks at home, nesting with animals and as they say finding my center.

I am happy though to be going to montreal for a few days to spend with family & friends, we will celebrate christmas and new years on saturday since during the holidays everyone was under the weather. Sunday will be just my immediate family and we will make all our favorite foods and hang out and no doubt reminisce on times past. I have a need for family time, there will also be good coffee drinking and if i am lucky i hope to find a canele or two.

wishing you a wonderful rest of the week, hope to take some photographs to share with you soon.

a bientot,

nadia

Announcing a new Food & Lifestyle Photography worshop in....

I am really excited to announce that Aran Goyoaga and I will be teaming up for a food and lifestyle photography workshop in Aran’s homeland, Basque Country. 

This has been a long time in the planning and i honestly can not wait to be in the breathtaking landscape that Aran has so beautifully shared with us so often on her blog through her stunning photographs. I have listened to Aran as she recounted stories from her childhood and her travels back home and knew that i must visit this beautiful part of the world one day. What better way to do so than to invite you to come along and join us for this special workshop.

We will be staying at the Astei estate surrounded by forests and the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai. In this 5-day workshop, we will explore the natural surroundings and farms, while learning about food styling and photography. We will visit visit local organic growers and artisans, prepare a sundown dinner on the beach, a tour of the best pintxo (tapas) bars in the area, and a visit to San Sebastian and the French Basque Countryside.

Please visit Aran's post about our workshop, it provides more details told in
such a lovely way.

Registration will open on Thursday, February 21st at 9 am eastern time at the Food & Lifestyle Photography Shop.

When: September 5-10, 2013

Where: Astei, Ea, Basque Country (about 45 km/25 miles outside of Bilbao, which is closest airport)

How much: Fee is $2,550 (single occupancy) and includes:

5 nights at Astei where the students will get to stay in different houses within this magnificent country estate. Single occupancy rooms.

3 days of technical and practical instruction with on-location shoots.

1 full day of sightseeing to and back to the French Basque Country.

5 breakfasts. Each house has a fully stocked and equipped kitchen. We will stock the pantry with breakfast items for your convenience.

4 lunches.

4 dinners including a tasting event of some of the best local wines.

Reception cocktails and appetizers on the evening of the 5th.

Transportation to our workshop activities (it does not include airfare).

Snack and refreshments during workshop hours.

Deposit: $1275 for registration to be confirmed. Final Payment of $1275 due May 15, 2013.
There will be no refunds for this workshop – please know you can make it before your registration.

The workshop is limited to 9 people.
Please note that the last two students to register will have single occupancy rooms, but will have to share a bathroom in this completely remodeled farmhouse.

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* all images above taken by Aran Goyoaga

i love the hill.

i want to tell you how much i love the hill, i know that is not a surprise to you since almost every post is dedicated to my love for it.  today i looked at the trees through moments of clouds, sunshine, and snow and thick fog they made me feel safe and loved. i lay on the floor with sophie and grace and we stared out the big window unto the hills. i wrote emails with the warmth of the fire and gathered eggs from the hens, i threw hay to the horses and watched them run and play, I am lucky. i spoke to my dear friend, till we both cried happy that our ships did not sail seperate ways but side by side. I listen on the phone as k used words of wisdom to calm me down, to remind me who i am and who i should be proud of, i always seem to forget.

i love the hill, love who i am here and love that no matter where i go i remember where i come from.