This is a blog post I have been meaning to post all week long but it kept getting put off for wedding planning. Its hard to believe its less then a month away now!

I had such a wonderful weekend in St Andrews that I wanted to post some snapshots from the weekend. Every family there had a tent in the backyard which you will be able to see in one of the photographs below, there were so many! Even though it rained a bit of the time we were there, the sun did shine for Saturday- the day we go shopping, to the beach and to the golf course. I can’t wait to go again next year!

Tomorrow morning I am heading to Saint Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick for my yearly vacation by the sea with my family. We go there with about 25-30 other family friends to relax, spend time with each other and to have fun. I always spend lots of time by the beach, in town shopping at all their super unique stores and lounging on the porch swing. I will be sure to post pictures from there when I’m back. Unfortunately, this means I will be without internet and usually do not have cell service there, so I will be answering all e-mails on Monday night when I return home.

Last night, Justin and I bought a couch and loveseat and Maverick just loves them! He has a wooden box he normally passes his entire day in, but he hasn’t ventured into it once today, instead he spent it curled up on the new couch. I think he has found a new spot!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Canada Day with friends, family and bbq’s. I always love Canada Day since almost everyone has the day off work, usually there is some sun and I always end my day with fireworks.

If you’re planning on watching fireworks today or for our neighbors down south on the Fourth of July, here are a few tips for shooting fireworks:

• If you are able, set your camera to shutter speed priority and set your shutter speed to 5 seconds. After, you can adjust the shutter speed to get more or less of the light streaks (I recommend 3-5 seconds).
• Use a low ISO, such as ISO 100 or 200. Long exposures can be somewhat grainy if you use a higher ISO.
• Use a tripod!
• To focus your camera, switch the lens to Manual Focus, and then turn the focusing ring all the way to the infinity symbol.
• Be sure to take lots of pictures. Not all of them will turn out and some will have a lot of smoke in them, making them look hazy.

If your camera does not have these options (like some point and shoots) check and see if you have a fireworks or nightime setting to use.