Tag Archives: food

Jammin’ Out

I have recently started working on a new avenue of my photographic business: FOOD! It’s been a long time dream and true labor of love. I am in the beginning phases of photographing my first cookbook for local chef Lela Cross of Capitale, Cielo Blue, and most recently Dillingers. I love her approach to food–focusing on local and fresh but done with a rich flair. I can’t wait!_DSC0963

 

More recently, I spent a lovely morning with my friend Melissa,  who has a side business in the cottage foods industry called Otis Beach Jams–these treats are low sugar, organic and locally sourced little pots of magic! She made blackberry lavender jam and you wouldn’t believe the way the kitchen smelled, absolute heaven. Check her out on Facebook, and if you would like to order a pot or two, hurry… they go fast!_DSC1043 _DSC1012_DSC1066_DSC1075_DSC1069_DSC1094_DSC1099_DSC1109_DSC1134_DSC1140_DSC1060

 

Savoring Simple Fare {Weeknight Chuck Roast, Homestyle Food}

_DSC4717Spring has, apparently, arrived. The weather lately has been incredible!  I have been excitedly planning my garden–both veggies and flowers–I am planting a cutting garden this year. I’ve always wanted one and can hardly wait to bring armloads of gorgeous flowers to make bouquets to share with my friends.  We are also bringing in a new flock of chickens.  Philip has been masterminding the Taj Mahal of chicken coops, I just want something that is safe for the girls, easy to clean and collect the huevos. But of course, I also want it to be adorable…  All of the domesticity has my mind wandering from my workload, to dreaming of dinner meals.  So while there is still a nip in the air, I figured a weeknight chuck roast was in order.  We don’t eat a lot of meat, but when we do, I like to source as locally and fresh as possible. I like the Painted Hills grass fed meats._DSC4726_DSC4728

After seasoning with salt and pepper, sear the roast on all sides in a bit of olive oil. Once it has browned, in goes a handful of freshly gathered herbs–rosemary, sage and thyme (sing if you’d like), a few cloves of roughly chopped garlic (leave the husks on, who cares) and one quartered yellow onion.  Add 2 cups of water with a beef bouillon cube, cover and pop into a 350 degree oven for 3 1/2 hours.  Now, back to work while dinner simmers away…  Let me know if you make this and please share photos : )

My Baby Bro's Getting Married! Engagement Portrait Session, Olympia, WA

#6679This was a kid I lugged around on my hip—I was 16 when Zach was born, so I thought of him as my baby too.  He was the cutest, cutest little boy, soft blond curls and a devilish smile.  At age 5 he’d perfected the Zackie Special–a rice cake with a slice of cheese, toasted to sheer perfection–and he was always happy to make one for you.  The first time he met Philip, (Zach was maybe four) his first comment was “Nice khaki shorts”  — I’m not sure Philip even knew khaki was a color, to him they were likely tan shorts… but hey, it felt good to be complimented : )

Well, little Zackie has grown up, WAAAAY up to nearly 6’3,  graduated from UW, and has perfected many more culinary masterpieces. He’s no longer that sweet little boy, now he’s a sweet young man. A sweet man who has met a very sweet woman.  And in June they will become a sweet family with her son Keevan.  That’s a lot of sweetness.  I am so proud of him.  I think I need to make a Zackie special for lunch…#6618#6646#6565#6459#6652#6491