People fishing at sunset in Kerala, India (© Anders Blomqvist/Lonely Planet Images)

www.TheStaaten.com

Aor is from Thailand and is so thrilled and happy to be marrying  Paul that she is always busting at the seams with joy and that kind of love is contagious!

They picked a lovely day in January and had the ceremony at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brooklyn and the party was at Li Greci's Staaten.

Continuing in a tradition of elegance, exquisite cuisine, and exemplary service, The Staaten provides the perfect setting for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

For nearly 50 years, the LiGreci family has dedicated themselves to making each affair at The Staaten a treasured experience. From intimate gatherings to lavish celebrations, they have the expertise to help you create an affair that reflects your personal style, taste and budget. The Staaten’s long-standing reputation of excellence reflects this experience and commitment.

The LiGreci family takes pride in making your special occasion an extraordinary and memorable event. As a family owned and operated business, there will always be a family member available to fulfill any individual need and ensure your special day is given the attention and dedication it deserves.  When planning your affair, visit www.TheStaaten.com then call

Jack & Gary LiGreci and Family

at (718) 448-6000 to experience their brand of unbeatable service.

Great Horned Owl in Alberta, Canada (© Wayne Lynch/Corbis)

FFF8 - MONTBRETIA IN OUR GARDEN

Montbretias belong in the the Iridaceae family of bulbs, the Crocosmias having originated in Southern Africa. Montbretia is a hardy member of the Crocosmia group and is very easy to grow. Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora (Montbretia) is a garden hybrid of C. aurea and C. pottsii, first bred by Victor Lemoine in 1880. The variety illustrated here is ‘His Majesty’.


The orange flowers are trumpet shaped and appear alternately along the stems. The leaves are long and narrow.This is one of the few summer flowers in our garden that make a pretty display and can grow wildly. Some people call this a "wild gladiolus", but the wild gladiolus is pinkish in colour.


Please join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below.

Ian & Sonamwit E-Session

Ian & Sonamwit contacted us shortly after they saw Lydie and Jaime's engagement photos. We've known Sonamwit for a few years, so when she contacted us to tell us about her engagement, we were excited. For their engagement shoot, they wanted a more casual feel so we headed down to Queen East by the water tower. Their wedding is in March and we can't wait to capture their special day.

Skeins of fabric hung out to dry in the dyers' souk, Marrakech, Morocco (© Peter Adams Photography Ltd./Getty Images)

www.RelaxOnCloud9.com

Want the best massage in Staten Island? Look no further than Relax on Cloud 9 -- Staten Islands premier massage, spa, and yoga studio.  694 Clove Road  Staten Island, NY 10310-2707

(718) 448-3412

1 Google review

Relax On Cloud Nine was founded in 1995 when opening Staten Islands first dollar a minute massage store at the Staten Island Mall. In 1998 it opened the first Day Spa on Staten Island offering massage therapy, facials, vichy shower, sauna/steam, mud/seaweed wraps and hydrotherapy mineral bath treatments. It has been highlighted in "Time Out NY" as "homey, peaceful and unlike anything you can experience in Manhattan." "I felt as if I was in a Berkshires bedroom. The massage itself was expert. The therapist paid careful attention to my concerns and used a good deal of pressure." The Next Wellness Event The Next Wellness Event is Friday, January 13th, 7-9pm RSVP: doreen@relaxoncloud9.com 718-448-3412 The owner Doreen is one of the officers of the BUCKS BUSINESS NETWORK (www.BucksBlog.net) I see her weekly at the breakfast meetings and recommend her wholeheartedly. My videographer Mike (www.MjVideoProductions.com) was just there on Saturday Relaxing, Rejuvenating and Restoring and my chief photographer Sara (AliceAusten.org) has plans to go there soon.

Encounter Restaurant in LAX International Airport, Los Angenles, California (© Tom Paiva/Getty Images)

Female green ringtail possum with a joey in her pouch, Queensland, Australia (© Dave Watts/Visuals Unlimited, Inc.)

Sunrise over the walls of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China (© Travelasia/Asia Images/Getty Images)

Unterfallengrundhof farmhouse through the morning mist near Gütenbach, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (© PS Belenos/Huber/4Corners)

Skier making turns on a ridge near Valdez, Alaska (© Wink Inc./Footage Search)

Shawn & Courtney 2nd E-ession

We wanted to do a second engagement shoot with Shawn and Courtney that was a little more casual and that showed off their personalities. We truly love these two and can't wait for their wedding in 3 weeks.