Pretty/Strong

I loved this portrait setting. Denise hadn't had her portrait made in years-but she'd been a model in high school. At six feet (and then add the heels!) she still holds herself like a model. She had some specific ideas about the "look" she wanted.

What I most enjoyed about the session was the conversation-we talked about how all women deserve to feel beautiful. Denise is beautiful-and strong and wise.

I'm not 18. And I'm not a size 6. And I often hesitate to have my photograph taken ( and I dread that 3-sided mirror in a dressing room). And as we discussed the stereotypes of women, Denise reminded me that no one has to fit into the media-ideal body type to pretty. Not a bad lesson.  Thanks Denise.

Digital Doorbell Ditch-Valentines Day

When we were little we spent hours addressing cards to every kid in class. And hours making our Valentines boxes to bring ours home in. (My favorite was my fifth grade box that was covered in aluminum foil and had three-dimensional hearts all over....it was amazing that anyone could figure out where to put the cards.) Then, when we got home from school we would make cookies and pack up Valentines cards with those nasty, chalky conversation hearts and head out into the neighborhood.

If we loved you (or our Mom told us we ought to include you) we put our treats on your doorstep, rang the doorbell, and ran like hell. This is how I thought everyone celebrated Valentines Day. I have since learned that this is not the case-but it hasn't stopped me (actually, quite far into adulthood) from doorbell ditching Valentines treats.

So. How do you doorbell ditch your loved ones scattered across the world? Dave and I made had so much fun making our Christmas cards this year in the studio we decided that we would make Valentines cards too. Happy Valentines day! Consider this our digital doorbell ditch to all of our friends and family.

Ok...last one. This is for my jaded friends who are not exactly thrilled about an entire day celebrating the artifice of love. 

Invincible Summer

"In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."  Albert Camus

Yesterday I turned the compost into the beds that will be home to our tomatoes this year. (What a delightful chore; rich and loamy soil has a wonderful feel and smell.) And every time I am working in the garden in January or February I can't help but be amazed. For a girl from Utah, February is the depths of winter (and yes, I know that isn't exactly what Camus meant, but I can't help but think of this time of year as my invincible summer) And yesterday, on February 5th, the apricot tree bloomed....and is already teeming with bees. 

What an amazing gift. To be able to spend almost every day of the year outside. Even though I have lived here for 12 years, I have resisted calling myself a Californian; I wanted nothing to do with the smog and the traffic and the strip malls and the suburbs and the suburbs and the suburbs. 


But I was wrong. There are suburbs and strip malls everywhere. And also apricot trees.