::handmade holidays::

It's been too many years since Mom and I have spent Christmas together. This year I'm back in Hawaii for 2 weeks in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. On a blustery cold Sunday afternoon Mom and I decided to get to work making a Vinetarta. It's a traditional Icelandic Holiday cake we've been making since I was very young. A good handful of my relatives in Blaine, WA were of Icelandic decent.
It's a bit of a lengthy process that usually starts with boiling down the filling that consists of dried Prunes, dried Currants, Brandy and/or Rum, (just use both, it's Christmas after all!) Cardamom, Lemon juice and Vanilla extract. The Prunes may sound a bit off putting but it's surprisingly really tasty.
The next step is to make around 6 or 7 large sugar cookie sheets that will divide each layer. Basically Eggs, Flour, Sugar, Vanilla and Almond extract and an overly generous amount of Butter. I guess that's really more of a Short Bread.
This may not be true to the traditional recipe but it's extra good to put a thin layer of a Powered Sugar icing with a bit of Almond extract mixed into it on the very top cookie layer of the Vinetarta. Let sit for at least a day before cutting into it, so the Prune filling can sink into the cookie/short bread layers and soften them a bit.
This cake is pretty rich and small slice is especially nice late at night with a bit of Guava desert wine.

::Only as the day is long::

"Lordy Lordy, I feel 40" as my mother often says. Though she is 56 and I'm 28...
Anyway It's been a long busy day battling exhaustion and a lingering head cold that won't let up. I showed up to a small shoot this morning and quickly realized all of my camera's memory cards were on my desk at home. That's been one of my biggest Photography assignment fears, and today it came true. Thankfully it wasn't a huge deal but I was extremely embarrassed.
Later in the day I threw together some very over rip Figs, a Cigar box I bought the other day and an antique Sea Chart recently given to me. I set up a reflector disc on the kitchen table and took maybe 10 shots with my 5D all of which I wasn't super excited about. Before I put the Figs in the fridge and called it a day, I shot this with my phone. I was pleased.

::RGB::

I'm totally smitten with this new Seattle company making some fantastic Ginger/Lemon soda entirely by hand and about to open up a brewing/bottling operation and bar (Montana in Dec 2011) on Capitol Hill. These folks are sure a pleasure to work with. I'll be documenting the bottling process this coming Tuesday.

::Sunday morning at the House of T&A::

It's always a treat to attend a party then sleep over at Adam and Tasha's house. My surrogate older brother and sister always treat me to a great breakfast.

::eating well with others::

The meals, conversations and good company never cease to disappoint.

::Matcha green tea simmering in the sunshine::

My stomach, head and body as a whole finally feel okay again. In the past week i've probably consumed my weight in Kale.

::Specimens::

This past week I've been staying up late studying all the fascinating 'heirloom/heritage' seeds and plants offered in the Seed Savers Exchange Catalog and reading the article, "Food Ark", in this month's National Geographic.
"Agriculture isn't just about growing food; it includes trees, and other plants that produce fiber, control wind erosion, and shade livestock"


figure I. Dried Jalapeno Peppers + heirloom Trout Beans


figure II. Barlett Pear core + saved heirloom Lemon Tomato seeds to send off to Mom


figure III. Indian Paint Brush picked in Roslyn, WA + Ball Moss airplants that grow off Live Oaks in Texas

::Sunday market never ceases to amaze::

::my brain in overdrive::

Whoa shit, still cant get over how cool this lady is:: What if I AM good enough?

::I'll bring my heart, I'll bring my face, you name the time & place::

I dont get "star struck" that often. We are just who we are, everyday human being folks. Thats what I constantly tell myself & what I hope for.

When we are trying so damn hard and studying everyday it gets a little complicated and convoluted sometimes...

It felt very amazing today to have the chance to converse with (and genuinely hug) this woman, I admire & ask her what makes her tick, and keeps her going...
Today I sat face to face to Penny De La Sos Santos. I've been soo charged by her work for years now, and it's hard to explain what struck me in the beginning about her photo work, be it the warmth, the humility, but it sticks in my mind every time I go out and create a new image, for an assignment or for simple longing of creating.

I've had some amazing schooling, and amazing advice drummed into me for which I'm grateful for... BUT! What I need is to be there with my head and heart more often/all the time.

We are perhaps at the hardest point ever $$$ wise, but I'm so glad I'm alive right now and absorbing this as it happens.

This is such a perfect glimpse at this lady; this is from a magazine I happened upon while I was in Austin 3 weeks ago.

(photo by: Michael Thad Carter for L Style)

::Tasting Texas::

The found, and the savored.

::Austin, as I see it, part I::

Hot days, warms nights outside, buzzing bugs, barking dogs, right in my element.

::off the map::

Postcards from the Big Island
::north end::









::south end::