Carissa Byers Photography

Lucy the Cute

2012-01-30T12:42:00.001-06:00

Second Grade School Performance

2012-01-20T12:41:00.001-06:00

Penn's cub scout troop performed the color guard for the PTA meeting and second grade musical performance.

The musical portion was wonderful and humorous, as these things tend to be. I'll never understand all of that ridiculous choreography that elementary music teachers insist on. Does every word have to have a motion? And if that's the case, can we teach them sign language instead of silly dances? I just can't get that whole lean back cross your arms thing they did out of my head in their "tribute to Dr. King." I am also perplexed that our school has a stage and doesn't use it.

Daniel tended Lucy while I milled about the classrooms and took photos for the yearbook. I love watching him interact with his friends and teachers when he doesn't know I'm watching. I have such a sweet son.

I Used to be Invincible

2012-01-18T19:56:00.000-06:00

On the way to a doctors appointment Daniel and I witnessed a tragic pedestrian accident. A very young teenager was struck by a car. I watched it happen in slow motion. As if the world sped around and traffic lights blinked and then suddenly everything parted in the middle. I felt a bit of tunnel vision where I saw a child who didn't look both ways. I saw it. I heard it. So did her mother, who was standing right beside her.

We stopped immediately beside her and I called 911. Daniel leaped out to help. He just completed a CPR class, too. But there wasn't anything he could do. He told people not to move her. It became obvious that there wasn't anything the paramedics could do either. I sat in the car with Lucy and tried not to see everything. I turned up the music and tried not to hear her mother's sorrow. Perhaps the hardest part. Beyond the shock and horror that everyone felt so deeply, it was her mother's sorrow that filled our hearts. I held Lucy's hand when she started to cry.

I used to be invincible. I heard of these horrible things. I watched the news. But it could never happen to me.

Now I am not invincible.

You are not invincible.

Despite my youth, I've seen more than my fair share of tragedy. I won't make a list for you. It's a mental trench that must be navigated carefully and only when I've packed the proper gear.

I don't have an eloquent way to plead with people to stop rushing around and stop with the texting and talking and makeup application and general distracted driving. Not because that's what caused this particular accident, but because it's so obviously unsafe.

I have the same plea for those drowning in addiction. It's not okay. It's so obviously unsafe. So preventable.

It's just a choice.

Anything can happen and it does and every child I bring in to the world brings with it as much fear as it does joy.

And so what I really want to say, to all of you, even those reading this that I will never know, is that I love you.

Daniel blogs about it here.

The Angry Boob

2012-01-17T14:57:00.001-06:00

Around Christmas time I developed a clogged milk duct. I went through the massaging and draining motions of clearing it out. When I started suffering fever and chills it was evident that the duct had not cleared out and had developed into a mastitis.

The nurse ordered some antibiotics. A whole bottle of antibiotics went by and it got much worse and I was in a lot of pain. Another round of different antibiotics was ordered. The new prescription was ineffective.

I spoke to the nurse and she ordered me to come in immediately. It was official. The mastitis had leveled up to an abscess. I had a very large, bright red, swollen breast that was in a terrific amount of pain. I called her The Angry Boob.

I was sent to a radiologist to have the abscess aspirated with an ultrasound guided needle. This is not only a miserable procedure, but it didn't work. And, as if it were even possible, Angry Boob got angrier. The terrific amount of pain I was in the week before had doubled.

I was sent to Dr. Bourland who felt surgery was our option, and although I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, I was in enough pain to agree with him. But first, he made an incision to drain it. Red, raw skin was cleaned with an unrelenting amount of alcohol and the little knife came out. I writhed dramatically around on the table and cursed while he cut and squeezed on Angry Boob. I went home sad and shaking and in pain. I had to change the dressing frequently as it continued to drain. Really, really gross. In fact, I could easily make you lose your appetite for the rest of the day, but I'm going to be nice and stick to the facts.

I went back a week later with improvement. I went back a week later with a lot of improvement. And although he cut on Angry Boob again yesterday, she is just a little miffed now. Surgery has been avoided. My pain and discomfort are currently minimal. Angry Boob did her breastfeeding duty throughout the ordeal and is working better every day. The doctor predicts two more weeks of healing.

Thank you for letting me drag you around with me via social networks and thank you for your support and sympathy.

Lucy: One Month

2012-01-14T14:43:00.000-06:00

Lucy is one month old. At her 4 week check up she had grown 3 inches and gained one pound. She is enormous in mass and delight. She throws out the occasional smile now and the power of cute that dribbles out stops all activity for a half mile radius. I recently learned that although infants do not yet smile with the sophisticated emotion that we do, they will turn up the corners at certain engagements they find pleasurable.

For Lucy, this is reliably the painting from Lisa Walter and the ceiling fan.

I am reminded regularly of my gratitude to have her in my life. The crying, work, mess, time or money that are babies are of little real frustration. I am so glad she is here to cry on me and fall asleep with her cheeks squished into my shoulder. I'm so glad she is here to wake me up at 4:30 a.m. with her sweet puppy grunts for milk. At my first sign of impatience with the dealings of Lucy or Penn my first private thought is, "I am so glad you are here with me, even though this is annoying." When I am truly steeped in gratitude for my life, I find the outside world loses the power to be very bothersome.

Our children are supposed to make us better people. And we are supposed to teach them how to be better people than we have the strength to be.

I love her.

What's beautiful now

2012-01-10T15:47:00.001-06:00

Lucy is the main subject in my Instagram feed. And while they are just grainy iPhone photos, there is a certain charm because Instagram compels users to share the most interesting and beautiful parts of our lives that are immediate. You get to see what's beautiful to me right now.

Our lives are starting to drift back to routine after the winter and baby break. Daniel has to go to work. Penn has to go to school. I have to figure out how to navigate the world and my identity with a baby again.

Holidays 2011

2012-01-03T13:02:00.000-06:00

The holiday break was refreshingly simple and warm hearted this year. We've had friends and family visit from the three corners of our world (Arkansas, Michigan and Pennsylvania). I turned thirty three.

On Christmas day we waited and waited on Lucy to wake up so we could open the many thoughtful presents that were sent.

Things are running slower here with the new baby and we're not making any attempt to make it go faster. It's guilt-free holding and cuddling first and take-out second.

Click here to see a few more photos.

Lucy's Room

2011-12-21T16:35:00.001-06:00

Lucy's room is still a bit of a work in progress. We painted the walls Graceful Grey from Behr. I searched high and low for a grey that would be a true grey and this is really the one.

It magically matches her Sweet Sunshine bedding from Bed Bath and Beyond. Her bedding magically matches and contains very similar leaves and birds as the print given to us by Kate Mackley for Margot that says "Shine on." We bought a giant shaggy white rug from Amazon.com, but I ended up liking it for the living room better. So the living room rug went into her room.

I made a string orb mobile to go over her bed. I originally made nine white, pink, grey and yellow orbs, but Daniel preferred a "less is more" approach, so we ditched 6 of the orbs and hooks. We bought the mobile from Amazon.com.

We've been slow to actually choose and purchase the art for Lucy's room, but we definitely know it will be Lisa Walter pieces. She most generously gifted this one to Lucy. I love her style. If I were to be a painter, I'd want to paint like her.

I knitted Lucy a baby blanket. It's off white with a yellow border. It ended up being much larger than anticipated. Perhaps it will be a toddler blanket.

Lucy's changing table is the Expedit Bookcase from Ikea with a changing pad strapped on it. I love these shelves. We probably have too many in our house.

There is more art to choose and hang to round it out, but for now it's a lovely room. Basic, but not too minimal. Lucy's room gets a lot of sunshine and I'm happy every time I walk in there.

Lucy Pearl Miller

2011-12-20T19:54:00.002-06:00

Meet Lucy Pearl.

She was born December 7, 2011. She weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Holy big baby!

Labor was a mere three hours and absolutely fantastic, as far as childbirth goes. No surprises, no complications, and guided by one Zen Master nurse and our beloved Dr. Griffith. We were in and out in 24 hours. I use a mirror while pushing. Normally, when the Big Moment comes, the mirror is moved to the side to make room for the doctor. But the Big Moment came SO INCREDIBLY FAST that the mirror stayed and I got to watch her slide out. This is too much information for some of you. But for me, it was magical.

Lucy is here and our sighs of relief and adoration for her is overwhelming. She makes me miss
Margot fiercely. They both have this unique double swirl hair pattern that I think is an interesting trait to show up twice. But as Daniel put it, "I’ve never experienced so much healing so quickly."

She is sweet and docile and cuddly and charming and I just love her.

Loughery Family

2011-12-05T13:54:00.000-06:00

The Loughery family is full of adorable , smiley and cuddly girls. I love all of them and it was a privilege to photograph the family for their Happy New Year cards.

Art Conspiracy 7

2011-12-03T12:51:00.001-06:00

On November 12, Art Conspiracy 7 went down in a frenzy of art, charity, music, food and friendly goodness. I am proud to say I've contributed for all 7 years. Coincidentally, I've enjoyed every year with Daniel (except one year, sort of.) My piece this year was a photo of a feather adhered to the 18 x 18 artcon board. On the back I included the feather. Bids start at $20 and it sold for $240.

Erica photographed the pieces on install day and included a QR code with them. On the big day you could scan the QR code to see the artists bio.

This year was the first time I got to take my dad! Penn had Isaac to play with. And we only lost them once.

My favorite food truck, Nammi, was there as was my favorite pregnant woman who is due 3 days before me. And is also still pregnant.

Art Conspiracy was good this year. Calm and organized and a really nice body of work overall. In fact, I think Art Conspiracy 1 and 7 have been my favorites so far.

This video really captures the spirit of the evening.

23 years of friendship

2011-12-01T22:21:00.001-06:00

One of my best friends lived right behind me, growing up in Arkansas. We played together as kids and we really played together as teenagers. She was the first person I ever got drunk with which gives her a lot of status among my memories. It was Boone's Strawberry Hill. Who knows how we ever even got that bottle. In such a small town of 3,098 people we had all the same friends, knew all the same people, had all the same classes and teachers and were cheerleaders together. I can't remember ever having a single disagreement. One of Jeanne's gifts is that she makes people feel comfortable immediately.

Now we're all grown up. She has two sweet kiddos, but her and a friend decided to road trip together from Little Rock, Arkansas to Dallas, with just the daughters, as a birthday surprise gift. We got to visit briefly and I snapped a few photos while they were here.

I loved getting to catch up in person. It was surreal to watch our kids hang out together. It was surreal for Jeanne's daughter to say "yes ma'am" to me. I feel like it wasn't that long ago when our own parents were eyeing us carefully from the corners of their eyes to make sure we were using all of our manners.

This was my first time to be around someone I've known since first grade with their kid. And holy cow, despite all those fun high school and college times, we became adults with our own kids who have manners. And they looked just so exactly like we did when we were little. Little spitting images with sweet Lainey towering over younger Penn, just like super tall Jeanne has always towered over little me.

Stewarts

2011-11-30T13:09:00.001-06:00

If you've been following my social network streams for any amount of time, you have heard of the handsome Stewart family and, at the least, seen Eddie in a few photos. Eddie and Penn met in kindergarten and have been fast friends ever since. They play soccer and baseball together and are in the same Cub Scout troop led by Eddie's mom, Deborah.

Deborah is unmatched in energy and dedication to her family and to Lakewood. There's nothing she can't do and we are so grateful she is our friend and neighbor.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T23:26:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's about giving thanks and family and it's not about presents. There's a parade. I like parades. Although the date moves every year, Penn was born on a Thanksgiving morning and that's always been kind of special to me.

This year is the first time turkey has made an appearance on our table. I made Turkey Soup with Lime and Chille and it was pretty darned good. Very pho like, fresh and modern which suits our palettes more than stuffings. I made Momofuku's Crack Pie for dessert.

I hope, as our family grows and grows up, that Thanksgiving will always be at mom's house.

Today Penn turns 8

2011-11-27T22:34:00.001-06:00

Really I'm a fan of small intimate birthday parties at home with a few of our closest friends and family and some home cooked food. But this year Lucy is due SO close to Penn's birthday that we opted to celebrate early and out of the house.

We went to The Lab, a childrens science lab in Lakewood. IT WAS AWESOME.

The kiddos made gooey things and played with Einstein the ferret. The scientists in charge were funny and in control. And all we had to do was sit back and watch the fun. I made, per Penn's request, Nutella and Cream Cheese brownies and grabbed a bag of veggies and oreos while I was at the store. After the party the kiddos played on the playground across the street. It was a flawless event. Even the weather was amazing.

Big thanks to everyone who came and showered him with gifts and affection.

Penn is eightastic. I like eight. I like Penn. He's smart and funny and reliable and kind hearted. He anticipates the future. He's afraid of the things he should be afraid of and he's proud of the things he should be proud of. He always tries his hardest to be the best. He likes people. He likes to laugh. He likes math. He likes pillow fights and traveling and animals and babies and school and soccer and baseball.

Sometimes he does something totally annoying and I have to groan in my head because that part is me. That annoying part totally came from me. Ugh. On the other hand, Penn and I know one another really well. Our unique relationship is rather close and special. Often I'm surprised because Daniel will understand a situation so much better than I do. He'll know the exact thing that will make him giggle. Like hitting him in the face with a pillow. Or just the right masculine words that will make him feel better when a mom hug doesn't work.

I love Penn. He's the most perfect little boy in the whole entire world. I'm so lucky to be his mom.

Dapper Penn

2011-11-26T19:22:00.001-06:00

I finished knitting Penn's scarf. He looks quite dapper in it.

Cheetah's Earn 2nd Place in the League

2011-11-22T19:51:00.001-06:00

I got to shoot the soccer portraits for Penn's team this year. It was an exciting season with 7 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. The Cheetahs earned 2nd place in the league for their hard work.

Ingram Family Portrait

2011-11-21T20:45:00.001-06:00

The Ingram's were a total cute bomb of boy in the studio for their Christmas family portrait! They even brought in their adorable new English Bulldog puppy. These are going to make some awesome holiday cards.

Erica

2011-11-17T09:36:00.001-06:00

Corporate head shots don't have to be stiff! As graceful Erica demonstrates here. What a fun shoot and great variety of images we got in a short amount of time.

Norah!

2011-11-14T22:21:00.001-06:00

It's Norah! I was so excited to hear of Norah's coming. And then she was finally here. And I got to photograph her again, sitting up and everything. And in between she'll even let me sneak in a cuddle! She's amazing and beautiful, just like her mom.

Happy Birthday Dad

2011-11-11T21:07:00.001-06:00

Today is my Daddy's birthday! Now you can see where the dimples come from.

Red and Yellow, Black and White

2011-11-10T12:38:00.001-06:00

Tye Family

2011-11-09T13:36:00.001-06:00

Meet the adorable Tye family and charming little Aven! My job is full of so much cute.

Private | Social for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-11-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

I shot the new restaurant Private | Social for the current issue of Modern Luxury Magazine. The space is novel in that it offers two distinct spaces, one private and one social. Clever. The menu looks divine and Top Chef Tiffany Derry is a doll! Click here to flip through the digital edition.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T12:50:00.002-05:00

Halloween was filled with festivities this year. Someone made the brilliant decision to not cram a billion children into an elementary gym at night and call it a Fall Festival. Instead it was outside with plenty of room, there was a talent show and a heck of a lot more fun.

Penn is old enough to clean out the pumpkin by himself! Awesome. That's the gross part. We carved a house into it that lit it up really nice.

And then the squirrels ate it the next day. Let me tell you about Lakewood squirrels. They are fearless and organized.

There was a fun classroom party. There were fun games (like a pumpkin rolling race) and Penn and I brought a jar full of 1,116 M&M's for the kids to guess the amount to win it.

We live next to one of THE trick or treating destination streets. The cars are parked to the edge of the neighborhood. The streets are shut down and blocked off with policeman and flares. Everything turns into a sea of tiny creatures and sugared hooligans. It's insane. Especially if you hate Halloween as much as I do. So it was a welcome invitation to go with our friends in the neighboring neighborhood which is totally normal and calm and totally full of candy.

Yay, Halloween is over!

Key Ring

2011-10-27T12:02:00.001-05:00

I got to shoot Key Ring recently. Key Ring stores all of your loyalty cards ON YOUR PHONE. Brilliant idea and super fun team!

34 Weeks

2011-10-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

We've had our 34 week Baby Lucy checkup and all is healthy and well. Lucy is head down and clocking in at an estimated 5 pounds! Our doctor exclaimed, "I think this is going to be your biggest baby yet!" This is exciting and daunting, from a natural labor standpoint. Penn and Margot were 7.3 lbs. and 7.7 lbs, respectively and I am a 4' 11'', normally 90ish pound mom! Mmm, I do love me a fat baby. Yesterday I couldn't decide between size 0 - 3 months or 3 - 6 months. "Newborn" sized items do not last long around here.

Her size is obvious by the way she feels as she squirms around. The ninja kicks are gone as there's no more room in there. She feels like a bony octopus.

I am booked through November 1st. Then I'm taking those last few weeks to deliver what I've shot and finish the nursery and the fun remodel project we have going on in our bedroom.

I'm tired. There's still so much to finish. I can't wait.

Scardellos in Modern Luxury

2011-10-18T09:54:00.000-05:00

I shot one of my favorite stores, Scardello Cheese Shop, for Modern Luxury Magazine to illustrate an article about packing a decadent food basket for a trip. Everything here is delicious and I learned you can buy or rent one of these beautiful baskets!

Lakewood PTA Raises over $40,000

2011-10-12T22:55:00.000-05:00

Lakewood PTA raised over $40,000 this year without selling any of that darned wrapping paper! That is a ton of money and we haven't even had the Fall or Spring Carnival yet. To celebrate, the whole school got a snow cone party.

I never thought I'd be a PTA mom. I don't think I knew what a PTA mom really was. These moms work hard. It's not a cookie baking volunteer position. I'm talking grant writing, fund raising, wall painting, landscaping, lunch monitoring, teachers aid, reading, copying, assembling class materials, room decorating, teacher appreciation and building an entire outdoor learning area of trails and ramps through nature. There are meetings upon meetings to work with the principal. They pay attention to curriculum and schedules and work to achieve the best balance for the students. They work around their multiple kids schedules and "real-world" jobs. They care about all of the students and work with the public school system to make it the best it can be. I'm most impressed at how they work with the system instead of just throwing up hands and complaining a lot.

This is a society where so many communities give up on or don't believe in their pubic school and opt to pay pricey tuitions for private schools (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm so proud to have such an encouraging and smart and involved community of parents who work all year round to make our school a great place to be.

Since I'm on the yearbook staff you can look forward to lots more photos of these school events.

Dough Pizzaria for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-10-12T17:48:00.000-05:00

I shot Dough Pizzaria Napoletana for Modern Luxury. The first line of the website homepage explains the greatness of this restaurant:

...is to date one of an elite 54 restaurants in the United States and #292 in the world to receive the prestigious certification from L'Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana for serving authentic Pizza Napoletana.

Happy Anniversary

2011-10-10T10:44:00.002-05:00

Today marks another year of being in love. Happy Anniversary to the most amazing and wonderful man in the world. Marrying you is one of the most important things I"ll ever do.

*photo by Dylan Hollingsworth

Apple Fritters

2011-10-08T17:54:00.004-05:00

Apple fritters fall towards the top of my nommygood list. When this recipe swept through Pinterest I thought YOU MEAN I CAN MAKE THEM AT HOME? These are too good and easy not to share. Mine were best right when the glaze turned into a sugary hard shell.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and start cooking. Pajamas and eye crust make things taste better. Since Penn didn't have school Friday morning, this was an ideal occasion.

1 heaping cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
dash salt
1 tsp.
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 T. butter, melted
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 - 1 1/2 cups chopped apple, your favorite kind for eating, peanut sized or smaller
oil for frying
milk and powdered sugar glaze for dipping or just powdered sugar for dusting
(About 1 cup pwd. sugar + 1 T. milk or more)

Mix all dry ingredients together. Slowly add the wet ingredients, minus the apple. Carefully mix until well combined but not overly beat. Gently fold in apple pieces. The batter should be the consistency of a light cake mix.

Once the oil is ready (when a test drop of dough floats to the top of the oil) then using a cookie scooper or soup spoon, place a few balls of dough into the oil. Be careful not to overcrowd and watch carefully for the underside to turn golden brown, then gently flip over and continue frying until done. I cooked mine about 45 seconds per side, but they were the size of golf balls. Adjust cooking times based on size of fritters and temperature of your oil. It is always a good idea to test one to ensure it comes out like you are expecting.

My first knit hat

2011-10-03T12:02:00.001-05:00

I am pretty adept at crocheting, but knitting anything besides flat objects is still a relatively new endeavor. I recently knit my first hat for Lucy! It's a soft yarn and salmon pink and while my new knitting-in-the-round skills make for imperfect products, it's still adorable. Unfortunately I didn't turn out a newborn sized hat. Good thing I have the cutest niece, LilaMai, to give it to! Look at those Korean blue eyes. That's ridiculous. How can anyone compete with that?

*LilaMai's photo by my sister via iphone.

Beautiful Lifestyle Portrait

2011-09-27T11:14:00.001-05:00

I shoot Lifestyle Portraits. When I first started this was a relatively new niche for mainstream portrait photographers. Its intention is to describe a non-traditional portrait of people in the moment and without poses. When photographers started latching on to the idea it was often because not posing people sounded easy. People are not posing all day!

But I've seen a lot of photographers produce mediocre prints claiming to be "lifestyle" and looking a lot more like Uncle Bob's snap shots at the park. Just because a kid isn't looking at the camera, doesn't make it a lifestyle portrait. If you are going to commission a portrait it should be something that you cannot achieve on your own with your Nikon Coolpix. It should evoke a feeling.

Lifestyle portrait sessions involve a variety of photos to tell a story. They require a meaningful location and are easier with a comfortable subject. I prefer natural lighting for a truly natural portrait and it helps me focus on people and not cords. And they involve direction.

Just because I know what a good portrait is, doesn't mean I can always achieve greatness. Sometimes it works better than others. This session was one of those times. I could have hung around and played with these girls all day.

30 weeks

2011-09-26T14:49:00.003-05:00

Today we went in for our 30 week checkup. Lucy and I are both healthy and well! And growing rapidly, as you can see. I asked how much I weighed at 40 weeks with Margot's pregnancy. 118 pounds! Here I am at thirty weeks and already 115 pounds! Ohmy. And I haven't even gotten to the root beer float portion of this trimester.

This is the time when the outpouring of love and support manifest themselves in babyshowers and offers to host a "Sip and See."

I hate to disappoint you, but I don't do baby showers and I really hate passing my baby around a group of folks. I don't even like going to them as a guest. I hate "stuff" and often dislike colors and I am obnoxiously picky about the stuff we do have. Worst candidate for a baby shower ever. But I'm so grateful to have such thoughtful and generous friends.

We do have an ongoing list for Lucy on Amazon for the ones who are interested. Gift cards and books are gold.

I love the home stretch of pregnancy.

On the Domestic Tip

2011-09-25T10:48:00.000-05:00

This is going to be awfully mundane to the most of you, but managing the domestic portion of life well is challenging and necessary to balancing the other parts of my brain.

Penn has school from 8:15am to 3:15pm. I have to make breakfast and pack a lunch for him every morning. He has soccer practice on Tuesday and Thursday until 7:30pm and on Wednesday until 8pm. He has math, reading and spelling homework to do every day. His bedtime is 9:00pm. He usually has games on the weekends. Throw in the various Cub Scout activity and other friend and social events plus the fact that Daniel and I have jobs and we all require clean dishes and semi-unwrinkled clothes and you are talking about a full week.

Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table becomes more challenging every year. I always have some sort of menu and list planned for the week somewhere on something. But lately I'm enjoying the simplicity of the Mac Sticky Notes. I use these often to take notes for phone calls and make reminders, but having an ongoing menu and grocery list also work out really well. Right before I hit the market I print out the list and am generally able to have what I need to complete most of the meals on hand.

I'm also finding more quick recipes. My top two quick favorites are making veggie sliders on King's Hawaiin Rolls and my variation of this Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice dish.

And for ideas I LOVE Pinterest!

Melissa Woody at One Kings Lane

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

I shot Melissa Woody's collection for One Kings Lane recently. She has such spectacular and unique finds. I can't wait to see the sale later in October!

Cheetahs Win and Win

2011-09-19T21:28:00.002-05:00

Penn's soccer team won their game Saturday 3 - 1 and Sunday 6 - 1!

Their coach awards 2 team captains for each game based on sportsmanship, paying attention and working hard that week. Penn was delighted to be captain for Saturday's game and wear the yellow armband.

He felt personally responsible for the goal made against us last weekend. I don't know if he could have actually prevented the goal and certainly nobody else put the idea in his head. But I liked the way he was okay with criticizing himself and handling it. He mentioned often, "I know why they scored and I'm not going to let that happen again." So rather than beat himself up over it, he was self-motivated by the mishap.

It's fun to be on a winning team, for sure, but I can't help but be curious as to what would happen if our superstar player missed a game since he scored 8 of the 9 goals made!

Chet Phillips

2011-09-19T09:21:00.001-05:00

I had the great pleasure of shooting Dallas artist Chet Phillips for Mail Chimp. Mail Chimp is a great email marketing newsletter company and Chet will be a featured user for them. His work is bold and compelling and funny. Check out his Etsy shop here.

Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread

2011-09-17T23:32:00.000-05:00

I made Joy the Baker's Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread. It's delicious! I thought the amount of butter and sugar was a bit much. Turns out I was wrong. I can't wait to make it again, full flavor!

If Unicorns and Pandas got together for a party, this is what they would eat

2011-09-12T21:58:00.002-05:00

I made a batch of Cream Cheese and Nutella Brownies for the first time last week. It won't be my last. They have a well deserved following now. One calls them Evil. I call them Celebrate-Elastic-Waistbands-Brownies. If Unicorns and Pandas got together for a party, these are the brownies they would eat. Possibly they could cure your ailments if you eat one facing East and really believe. It's worth a shot.

This photo is of the very last two. They were corner pieces I had to wrestle away from Penn.

I found the recipe on Cookin' Canuck.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (12 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 1/2 cups (packed) brown sugar
2 large eggs
4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)
1 egg yolk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan with foil, with foil edges hanging over the side. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined. Add white chocolate chips and stir to combine.
In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, Nutella and egg yolk until completely combined.
Transfer blondie mixture to prepared pan and spread evenly. Drop the Nutella mixture by tablespoonfuls over the blondie mixture. Using a butter knife, swirl in the Nutella mixture.
Bake, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few crumbs, 25 to 28 minutes. When testing, be sure to insert the toothpick into a section with blondie, rather than Nutella.
Cool the blondies, in the pan, on a wire rack until completely cool, about 2 hours. Holding the overhanging foil, lift out the blondies. Cut into squares and serve.

Cheetahs 0, United 1

2011-09-10T23:48:00.000-05:00

Penn's 2nd soccer season started today. He's a Cheetah now and we switched from the YMCA league to a new (and seems like better) league. Seven year old soccer playing boys are just flat out adorable. They're all sporty and athletic out there but they still giggle when you tickle them and cuddle and want bedtime stories. It's like the best of both worlds.

The Shopping Bag Six

2011-09-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

The Shopping Bag Six puppies had a frolicking reunion at my house last weekend. They first came over at 8 weeks and my how they've grown! Since I saw them last they have been featured in a JC Penny ad and will soon be featured in a new book! There are still a couple pups who need forever homes. You need a puppy. Puppies are soft and irresistible and yes, they go through some annoying stages (just like kids) but (just like kids) they turn into beautiful and capable friends. Friends who sometimes eat your trash, but whatever, who doesn't have one of those?

In the meantime they are learning their manners and house training skills in loving foster homes.

Many thanks to the families who are enjoying their new additions, and to Paige and Carrie for their bottomless hearts.

Click here to see the puppies Facebook page, story and more cute photos! Spread the word.

Panna Cotta with Rasberry Lemon Sauce

2011-09-08T12:44:00.000-05:00

Labor Day came and we didn't have plans. So we invited some friends with their kiddos and cooked up yummy beer battered fish tacos and corn salad. I decided Panna Cotta would make a light dessert after a fried fish meal.

I had no idea how easy this custard is to make until I started searching for a recipe. It always looks so complicated and elegant when I order it at a restaurant. But. Really. Easy. Normally I avoid things that require gelatin, but decided to get over that. When looking to add a new food to the rotation I try to master the very basic recipe first so I know what the foundation should taste like before branching out or tweaking it. So the following dessert and sauce are super basic but made with nice fresh ingredients. I prefer using a bean in things like these both for the rounder flavor and the pretty black vanilla specks. There are at least 8 billion variations out there and I can't wait to try every one.

4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, or 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 packets powdered gelatin (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
6 tablespoons cold water

1. Heat the heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan or microwave. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. (If using a vanilla bean, scrape the seeds from the bean into the cream and add the bean pod. Cover, and let infuse for 30 minutes. Remove the bean then rewarm the mixture before continuing.)

2. Lightly oil eight custard cups with a neutral-tasting oil.

3. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a medium-sized bowl and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Pour the very warm Panna Cotta mixture over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

5. Divide the Panna Cotta mixture into the prepared cups, then chill them until firm, which will take at least two to four hours. (I let mine sit overnight.)

6. Run a sharp knife around the edge of each Panna Cotta and unmold each onto a serving plate, and garnish as desired.

For the Sauce:

2 cup of raspberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of water

Combine all 4 ingredients in a small saucepan and let simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, until raspberries are cooked down.

Baby Bronwyn

2011-09-07T14:26:00.002-05:00

Baby Bronwyn is the sweetest baby. I'm in love with her feet and peachy soft skin.

Zodiac at Neiman Marcus for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-09-06T11:06:00.003-05:00

Due to a mixup on my part, I discovered that not only does Neiman Marcus have a restaurant, but there are two in Dallas! The one downtown is exquisitely decorated. The other is located at Northpark Mall. Pictured here is the gluten free shrimp, asparagus and quinoa salad.

Chocolate Cake Doughnuts

2011-09-03T16:10:00.000-05:00

These are the best chocolate cake doughnuts ever. I swear. You should make them and go impress some people. I did not have enough powdered sugar for a glaze so I used India Tree's Golden Bakers Sugar which made a nice molassesy glaze. The middle one is plain and the bottom is coated in white powdered sugar.

These are full sized doughnuts baked in a doughnut pan. They go well with a cup of strong coffee or milk.

Click here for the recipe from Laura Ferroni.

The French Room for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-09-02T11:05:00.001-05:00

I shot the French Room for Modern Luxury Magazine. It's located in the Adolphus Hotel and exudes luxury and service at every turn.

Colorado Rack of Lamb

House-Smoked Atlantic Salmon Carpaccio

Chef de Cuisine, Marcos Segovia

Cafe Pacific in Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-08-31T14:16:00.000-05:00

I shot the restaurant Cafe Pacific for this month's Modern Luxury Magazine. The food is delicious and Chef Bill Trevino is a wonderful host.

Pepper steak.

Cafe Pacific Classic Trio

Warm Apple Crisp

Chef Bill

Jon Tesar's Haters Party

2011-08-25T10:31:00.001-05:00

I photographed Jon Tesar and his restaurant, The Commissary, for last month's Modern Luxury Magazine. He pops up in the foodie news often and today he's making a D Magazine Headline as "The Most Hated Chef in Dallas." To commemorate (?) the occasion he's throwing a haters party next Monday outside of The Commissary. Free tacos if you bring in the article.

Sweet Georgia Take II

2011-08-23T12:06:00.000-05:00

I sweet pink little baby feet are among the most beautiful things in existence. It was such a pleasure to get to see baby Georgia's at her second newborn shoot. She wasn't very pleased with the two hours of torture at her first shoot. But on this day she and her brother were sweet and happy and all sparkly big blue eyes.

First Day of School

2011-08-22T22:23:00.001-05:00

The first day of second grade is behind us. He said it was fun but uneventful and thinks his teacher is going to be a great teacher. We visited his first grade teacher, Ms. Wooley, and the way he tilts his head up at her still, his eyes all aglow, is truly beautiful.

I am so thrilled and lucky that Penn loves school so much.

First Day of School Cookies

2011-08-21T22:26:00.000-05:00

Penn and I decided to make a tiny treat to give to his homeroom teacher, principal and his still beloved kindergarten and first grade teacher. So I whipped up my new favorite cookie recipe, Rosemary, Sour Cream and Sea Salt. The recipe was a compromise between me and Penn last week because he wanted sugar cookies and I think sugar cookies are boring. So I threw in some other stuff and ended up with this satisfying and somewhat sophisticated cookie.

I found these free printables to make the gift tags. The whole thing is kind of adorable!

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus extra for sprinkling
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- rosemary leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer on medium-high, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla. Beat well to combine.
With mixer on low, add half the flour mixture, followed by sour cream, then remaining flour mixture and a bit of rosemary. Mix just until smooth. (Dough will be stiff; you may need to finish mixing it by hand with a wooden spoon.)
Roll dough into balls and flatten with palm or fork, onto parchment covered baking sheets. Sprinkle with sugar and rosemary. Sprinkle with a TINY amount of sea salt. Like, 10 grains per cookie.
Bake until edges of cookies are just firm and tops are barely beginning to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

Cutest Family Evers

2011-08-21T10:55:00.000-05:00

I LOVE the McClard's. They are adorable and sweet and thoughtful and funny and smart and amazing. Even the dog. The Misses is also one of the best pediatricians in Dallas. I should know.

Professional Headshots

2011-08-19T23:39:00.000-05:00

Tis the season for professional headshots these days! Typically these shoots are crammed into peoples professional lives and the key is to get something good and natural and quickly from people who don't like being in front of the lens. These photos tend to get a lot of air time on the web and in the press and the audience will spend a half second more time looking at the photo before they read the information.

Talk about pressure! I embraced simplicity with this recent group using natural light and a bit of fill from a bounced flash.

Adorable Hagers

2011-08-17T22:07:00.000-05:00

I shot the Hager's a while back and forgot to share. Aren't they adorable?!

The Law

2011-08-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

I recently photographed a lovely law office in Bedford for a new website overhaul. Stay tuned, I can't wait to see the new site!

Vanessa Peters

2011-08-11T16:45:00.000-05:00

I had the amazing honor to photograph the lovely and talented Vanessa Peters recently. She has the prettiest eyes and the prettiest voice. Go to VanessaPeters.com to listen!

The Fowler's

2011-08-10T22:48:00.003-05:00

The lovely Fowler's came by for a family photo shoot before they moved away from Dallas. Sweet Evan was slow to warm up to me, but that doesn't take away from his adorableness one bit!

On another note, it wasn't until after we were done that I realized Amy was one of the doctors with us and Margot at Children's Hospital. She was memorable and intelligent and kind to us then, and I am embarrassed that I didn't make that recognition sooner. My many thanks and what an honor to photograph her family.

Bronwyn is Here!

2011-08-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

Now, don't get too excited. This isn't even the official portrait. This is just a trip to meet the new one with the camera in tow. But my, isn't she lovely? Well done, Vaughan's!

"My trip to Oklahoma" by Penn Smith

2011-08-07T23:13:00.001-05:00

Last year Penn made a book recapping our Vacation. I scanned it in here, although it's only in the right order when printed and folded. I loved it so much I decided he should do it again for Oklahoma!

Click here to see it. (This one is in the right order.)

Cauliflower Curry

2011-08-05T23:27:00.000-05:00

Curry always sounded intimidating to me. I thought the spicy complex flavors would be difficult and time consuming. But with Daniel's love for curry, I've since found some staple recipes that rotate through our dinner repertoire and some of them are ridiculously easy. Like this Cauliflower Curry. It's made even more simple since I discovered red curry paste. This stuff is genius! All the delicious spices ground into one and saves at least 10 minutes and some cash.

1 head cauliflower, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, diced
olive oil for sautéing
one can coconut milk
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1/3 cup water
salt
sriracha sauce (hot)
fresh cilantro
salt
1 cup jasmine rice, cooked

Sautee the onion. Add the coconut milk, water, curry paste and cauliflower and simmer until tender. Serve over jasmine rice and topped with fresh cilantro and sriracha sauce.

You can jazz this up to your tastes easily. Add in ideas: shrimp, fish, tofu, peas, potatoes...

This is a Maternity Portrait

2011-08-05T13:05:00.001-05:00

The Vaughan's were expecting their second little girl at the time of this portrait session. I had to show you right now because the little one just joined the outside world and adorable baby photos are due soon!

This is the sweetest family evers and little Rossalyn is going to be the best big sister! Despite it being a maternity portrait, I have a lot of photos of Rossalyn. She's irresistible!

It's not burlesque, it's lunch.

2011-07-31T21:26:00.005-05:00

I didn't choose to breastfeed my children. I just never thought there was another option. My body can grow a complete and perfect person and is thus fully equipped to feed that child. It all works, just the way it's supposed to. My milk is the perfect combination of nutrients and is always sanitary and at the right temperature. It cannot be denied that breastfeeding is the way Nature intended for us to raise human babies.

Somewhere along the way, science came up with a way to fake it through with powdered formula and plastic receptacles and rubber nipples. Humanity embraced it for reasons I'll never understand and now, the most natural and perfect way to raise a child, requires laws to protect mothers in public.

There are lot of judgement worthy options out there. Can't you go pick on something else?

Breastfeeding is not sexual. It doesn't feel sexual and it doesn't look sexual. It doesn't hurt you to sit next to a breastfeeding mother. It shouldn't offend you to see a child eat. Whatever strange stigma that makes people feel uncomfortable with breastfeeding must be changed. In a world of synthetic everything, we must at least let our mothers give our babies the milk they deserve in peace.

I've breastfed two children exclusively, past one years old, often in public. Often sitting in a booth with a baby eating in one arm and my own fish taco in the other. Or on a plane. Once at Christmas dinner in a fancy hotel. Frequently on a bench. Etc. I'm currently pregnant with sweet Lucy who I will also breastfeed. I'm pretty good at not showing you my boob. I'd wager a large lump of cash that most nursing mothers have no desire for you to see a boob. But for those who are still working on it, or find it more difficult, or have a wiggly baby, for goodness sake, give them a break. It's not burlesque, it's lunch.

I've recently been introduced to the idea of nursing portraits. Love it. Many thanks to Cassidy for letting me post this one.

*Note: I'm quite aware that there are many good reasons to bottle feed a baby. This post is not about that.

Oklahoma Summer Vacation

2011-07-29T11:54:00.004-05:00

This summer we vacationed in Oklahoma with Daniel's parents and sister's family. Their family own a beautiful plot of land with a large "Farm House," and ponds for canoeing and fishing and trails for riding atv's or taking a stroll. It is pastoral and relaxing from any vantage point, even under the hot hairdryer winds of Oklahoma.

Grandpa Miller treated us to pancakes one morning.

Penn was extremely hesitant to swim in the pond. It reminded me of when he was extremely hesitant to step into the ocean on our trip to the beach in 2007. He is slow to explore the dirty and unknown. Exactly as before, he watched from the sideline and waited for someone to say the right thing to get him in the water. And then, of course, he had a blast.

I've noticed all three of us tend to have a different sort of "fun" than others. I can't quite put my finger on it. It's not as boisterous or evident when we are enjoying ourselves. Sometimes people have to ask if we're having a good time, just to make sure. We'll hold our nose and smile and jump in for the photo, but left to our own devices we'd probably spend more time on the dock with our ankles in the water. It's good to have people to push us past our boundaries.

We played a lot of board games. Apples to Apples, Sequence, Rummikub and Chess were high on the list. Aunt Jan got Penn the game Blink and even as I type he is beside me begging for another round.

There was fishing! And fish caught! What you should know about the above photo is that the children are ages 6, 7 and 9. Penn, the very shortest by a longshot, is the 7 year old. The Millers are all giants.

Daniel and I managed to get some work done despite having no internet or signal which is basically "roughing it" for us.

We took a drive through the country and discovered that Oklahoma backroads are home to the most bizarre collection of mailboxes.

We visited the National Cowboy and Heritage Museum which is totally worthwhile although I'm still disappointed the gift shop didn't have mocassins in my size.

Daniel took this photo of Penn and I looking unmistakably related.

On our last day we ate dinner in town with Daniel's enormous family and then celebrated "Aunt" Virgina's 94th birthday. Daniel is 100% correct that she is at least as healthy and energetic as we are. No kidding. It's truly remarkable. She has been a thoughtful and generous inspiration to me since before I even met her in person.

These cousins are the spawn of only 3 couples and there are MORE where they came from. (Four, if you count Penn.) The little boy standing next to Penn is FOUR YEAR OLD. I repeat, these people are all giants. Smart, beautiful, kind giants. They played a game of Capture the Flag with ping pong guns on the rolling back yard of the fun and hospitable Aunt Kay and Uncle Tom. Watching the children, it is obvious this family is also highly organized even at a very young age. It must be genetic. Score.

I don't remember having the standard Family Vacation growing up. But Daniel, Penn and I have been somewhere once a year since even our early dating stage. I love it! It's important. I have entire future vacations planned out in my head. And I feel fortunate to have this extended family with children that can all come together once a year, despite our homes in Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Click here to read Daniel's account.

Click here to see all off the photos.

Happy Summer.

The Phan's

2011-07-27T16:26:00.001-05:00

Jackson and Cassidy and sweet Evelyn are so amazingly perfect I can't stand it. They are the calmest, most down to earth couple. Smart, funny and generous they all perfectly compliment one another in enviable ways. And that little Evelyn, I could just eat her up!

Melissa Woody Interiors

2011-07-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

Melissa Woody is an awesome interior designer who required some new headshots for her website and the press. It was a treat to get to shoot them in her beautiful home.

Five Months Pregnant

2011-07-19T16:44:00.000-05:00

We are five months into our pregnancy. I am a whopping 99 pounds and Lucy is 9 inches tall and moving all abouts. The placenta has moved off of the cervix so we had only one short and non alarming month of previa. I'm beyond excited that there are no activity restrictions and that super slight potential for a c-section is now off the table. I feel great!

We've painted the hallway and the kids rooms. I'm looking forward to finishing up all of our home improvements so I can show you!

The Shopping Bag Six

2011-07-18T00:51:00.003-05:00

Six pups, thrown into a shopping bag on a sweltering summer's day by a kid who had a price on our head ($10 each). We were hot, sick and panting...darn near dog-gone dead when we crossed paths with a rescuer named Paige. She took us in, took us to the vet and we're getting fat and happy in our foster homes but we need permanent places to put up out paws.

Read the whole story and visit their Facebook page here.

I couldn't resist this story, much less the puppies. When Dog Rescue Extraordinnaire (and awesome Lovie musician), Cari, was looking for a good photo of the pups I raised my hand super high on the internet for the opportunity. Today the pleasure came to pass and the studio was filled with puppies!

These puppies are soft and sweet with little waggy tails and full of puppy breath perfection. I think they're about 8 weeks old and they are ridiculously delightful.

They've had their shots and now they need a forever home. Having raised Ringo from a very young and adorable puppy, I can tell you that it's quite a special experience. Please contact Paige at paige@agentbeast.com if you would like to adopt (in order pictured) stoic BB, feisty Vincent, silly Turtle or chilled out Jules.

Click here to see more photos.

Marcarpone and Lingdonberry

2011-07-15T14:20:00.004-05:00

I recently took two days to eat one slice of tiramisu cake after dinner. For those two days I was up until 4 and 5 in the morning and now believe I underestimated the power of the espresso in that dessert. Then I remembered that Marscarpone is one of the main (and caffeine free) ingredients and decided to bring a tub of it home.

I like it on wheat bagels with lingdonberry jam.

Dee's Bubble Bar featured in Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-07-13T10:45:00.000-05:00

I shot Dee's Bubble Bar for Modern Luxury Magazine. It is sparkly and glossy and beaming with super high end, ritzy lounge decor. The surprise is they also serve fantastic food!

Nesting

2011-07-10T16:27:00.002-05:00

While leading the Phan's out into the magical field for some sunset portraits, we stumbled upon a momma bird and her eggs. Of course, we backtracked quickly and let them be.

There is something undeniably magical about a nest filled with eggs.

Blueberry Pancakes

2011-07-09T18:34:00.000-05:00

I love pancakes. I'm a bit of a purist, though. I like them buttermilk or honey wheat topped with butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Please no bananas or berries or distractions and I can't stand to see a perfectly wholesome breakfast ruined with chocolate chips.

But this morning I threw in some blueberries. Mostly for Penn because Central Market had been out of blueberry muffins and he didn't care for the Pear and Ginger muffin he chose instead. Sadly, he doesn't want anything in his pancakes either.

But I thought they were delicious! Seared in butter with crispy edges and explosions of molten blueberry and the sprinkle of sugar, it was divine!

I swear, this is the best pancake recipe ever:

1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 pint blueberries (optional)

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Use approximately 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Brown on both sides in buttered pan over medium heat.

The Commissary for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-07-08T12:06:00.001-05:00

I shot The Commissary for this months Restaurant Issue (my favorite!) of Modern Luxury Magazine. I really love the ambiance of this place. There are lots of seating options, but it's still very intimate. There are high ceilings and the decor is casual, but coifed. I can't speak for the food yet as I haven't eaten there but it sure is pretty!

Chef John Tesar

Caviar Deviled Eggs

Cornmeal Fried Oysters
The Farmer Burger with fried duck egg

Baby Shopoff

2011-07-07T10:22:00.000-05:00

I first met the Shopoffs in March of 2010 when we had a big family shoot during that unexpected snow. Now that little one is much bigger and I got to shoot the new baby!

Un croissant entre amis

2011-07-06T21:20:00.002-05:00

When now Husband Daniel and I were just two friends hanging out and working on computers together, he made two memorable snacks at his cute little Oak Cliff apartment. This croissant is the second one. I remember us both coming to a stopping point on our projects and being hungry. He brewed a pot of Chock Full O'Nuts and then stuffed two croissants with muenster cheese and craisins and nuked it for about 25 seconds.

I sat on the skinny grey linoleum countertop waiting for my first cup of this canned coffee and my first bite of muenster cheese. It's delicious and memorable and great for breakfast. For full effect, I recommend finding the most buttery, greasy, fattening croissant you can find.

Sweet Georgia

2011-07-05T13:53:00.001-05:00

Sweet Georgia is here and came in for her first official photo shoot! But she wasn't as in to it as we were. I got three whole photos of her not screaming at me. I got some cute ones of her brother though. And I got to hang out with Lisa who is one of the most top notch women I know. Her example of love and hospitality is certainly one to follow. Stay tuned because as soon as Miss Georgia's ready, I'm trying again!

Banana Ice Cream

2011-07-04T19:13:00.000-05:00

After I read this article about banana ice cream I had to make it right away. It's kind of a miracle. I'll let you click over to get the details, but basically, you slice bananas and freeze them, then blend them in a food processor until they turn into a super creamy, silky whip. It reminds me of how heavy cream or egg whites transform into a new substance when whipped long enough.

I read that you can eat it straight away, "soft serve" fashion, but I'd suggest freezing it. It's really a different (and better) dessert when frozen and scooped like ice cream. Some people added peanut butter and cocoa or berrries. I added Nutella. In hindsight, I think I'd prefer just a bit of vanilla and maybe some pecans or walnuts on the side.

This dessert is so sweet without ANY sugar added and so creamy without any kind of cream. What you see above is 100% bananas and a bit of Nutella.

Cisco Banner

2011-07-03T23:21:00.000-05:00

Kevin will be featured on some Cisco banners for his work and I got the pleasure of photographing him. I think he could double for a menswear ad.

Grapefruit

2011-07-02T15:58:00.001-05:00

I really love grapefruit. My Nana used to cut one in half, cut around each section and sprinkle it with sugar. I'd eat each sweet, sour, bitter and juicy segment with a spoon. Now I have to cut my own grapefruit and it takes longer to prepare than it does to eat.

Worth it.

From Fearings Restaurant for Modern Luxury Magazine

2011-06-30T11:21:00.003-05:00

Here is a full page featured in this months Modern Luxury Magazine. It is a Highly Marbled Arkansas Pork Chop with Red Chili Rabbit Empanadas on Chipotle Sweet Potato Puree, Shaved Vegetable Cole Slaw and Black Bean Sauce. I think they are currently serving a Tennessee Pork Chop. The reduced black bean sauce is a work of art.

I also shot a Grilled Shrimp and Pork Belly and a plate of Crispy Two Bite Tacos with Mesquite Grilled Shrimp and Avocado Relish. The tacos are served in the Rattlesnake Bar at the Ritz-Carlton in Uptown and I think that if you are a guest of the hotel THEY ARE FREE for a short happy hour.

And, of course, the popsicles. They are a creative and gluten free treat of Orange/Basil, Meyer Lemon/Thyme and Grapefruit/Rosemary with Fresh Fruit and Honey Yogurt Sauce.

Fearings Restaurant impresses me. I've been in twice for work, but never as a diner. But I've overheard the waiters meeting and the chefs talking in the back and I've seen them setting up before you come in. They care. They care about you and your experience and their food. Seriously, everyone from the valet guy to the head chef is both down to earth and committed to doing their job well. My host put it best saying, "They try to make everyone feel like a rock star."

I couldn't resist grabbing lunch to go. I thought I'd get a large dish and share it with Daniel. I got the Mesquite Grilled Wild Bay of Fundy Salmon glazed with Apricot Barbecue Sauce, Black-Eyed Peas and Living Watercress Salad. It was ready in minutes. Although we were sitting over the same plate, I pretty much hogged it all and he had to go get a "second" lunch.

Normally I'm pointing you to local hole-in-the-wall dive places, but just this once, go to Fearings. The menus are very meat-heavy, but vegetarian menus are available on request.

Modern Luxury Magazine COVER PHOTO

2011-06-29T15:37:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled to tell you that this month, a photo I took of these delectable popsicles at Fearings Restaurant, MADE THE COVER of Modern Luxury Magazine! I love the annual restaurant issue of this magazine and to actually make the cover is a true honor.

Charlie

2011-06-28T23:55:00.000-05:00

I love Charlie. I first met him when he was three months old. He's happy and sweet and gave me a fantastic hug to start off our last session. Charlie and his family are moving and wanted to get one more sitting in before they moved. I'm so happy we did!

The Stoneleigh for Dallas Brides Magazine

2011-06-24T14:30:00.001-05:00

The Stoneleigh got a food makeover and I got to shoot some of the new people and food for Dallas Brides Magazine. It looks like a stellar place to have a reception!

Dallas Brides Magazine

2011-06-23T23:17:00.000-05:00

I had the great pleasure of shooting these monochromatic bouquets for Dallas Brides Magazine this month. And big thanks to Extra Sauce for letting me use their location!

100% Girl

2011-06-22T12:55:00.000-05:00

Today we went in for our 4 month baby appointment and got a peek at the gender. It's a girl! Here you can see her profile and her little legs and feet sticking straight up. She checks out with a strong heartbeat and development and I feel great.

The sonogram showed that I have placenta previa, which means the placenta is too close to the cervix. While hearing any news besides, "everything looks great," is terrifying, our doctor does not seem alarmed and notes that it is likely the placenta will move up, much like the words "Happy Birthday" on a balloon would move up as you continued to fill it with air.

He thinks normal activities are okay but nothing too vigorous. That sounds a lot like the average rules of safe pregnancy to me and my fingers are crossed that our next scan in 4 weeks shows the placenta migrating to the top.

Right now the important thing is IT'S A GIRL and I am 3 for 3 on gender guessing. :)

Extra Sauce

2011-06-21T00:27:00.001-05:00

Daniel now works with the exciting design, development and etc. company, Extra Sauce. They have some fancy new digs in downtown Dallas and I had the total honor of photographing their headshots.

Father's Day

2011-06-19T18:16:00.001-05:00

I find myself extremely lucky to have such wonderful fathers in my life. My dad raised me on his own, which could not have been an easy task. He deserves a lot of love and credit for the unselfish sacrifices and support he has always provided. I have always felt loved and protected by my dad and at the heart of parenting, these are certainly two of the strongest bricks in the foundation.

I don't recall playing the lottery, but that's often what I feel like when I get to tell you that Daniel Miller is the father of my children. All "step" words aside, this man is here every day, at every ball game, teaching Penn how to ride a bike and making sure we are all provided for. Penn adores Daniel, misses him when he is gone, needs him at bedtime and longs to impress him.

Daniel is beautiful and amazing and I look forward to a long and happy life of raising our family.

Penn and I made cards and took Daniel to lunch. We'll cart him off to a well-deserved massage tomorrow.

Father's Day is bittersweet without Margot. We will push through and forward and stay delighted in our current pregnancy.

"It is not flesh and blood but heart which make us fathers and sons." -- J. Schiller

Come share the Zen with me

2011-06-17T21:01:00.002-05:00

Zenfolio is my most favorite hosting site for photographers ever. It offers beautiful sites, galleries, customization, shopping cart and unlimited storage for the cheapest price. I tried the other two big hosting sites, Exposuremanager and Smugmug. Paid them money and everything. They honestly don't compare to the ease of using Zenfolio. And I don't want to call names or anything, but the first thing you'll notice about Zenfolio is that it's way hotter than the other girls.

I'm really excited to announce that Zenfolio is touring 12 major cities, including Dallas! There will be experts on hand demonstrating how Zenfolio works and industry professionals presenting on topics related to site design, marketing and more.

There will be a morning session and an afternoon session and, the real kicker, yours truly will be speaking!

And there will be prizes and swag from Mpix, Borrow Lenses, Shoot Dot Edit, Pro Show Web, Tether Tools, Imagine Your Photos and fotoflot!

So, click here for the details and register and come see me talk about photography on September 15th!

Go ahead and sign up for Zenfolio now so you'll know what the hype is about. Use my name as a referral!

Rado

2011-06-16T00:16:00.000-05:00

I had the sincere pleasure of photographing the Rado family and new baby recently. I could shoot baby feet all day long.

Homemade Melon Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker

2011-06-13T22:52:00.000-05:00

I love checking out cookbooks from the library. There is one I've renewed so many times (I'm allowed up to 99) that I'm seriously considering buying it. "Kitchen Seasons" by Ross Dobson is filled with fresh and easy recipes that are knockouts every time. It's also beautifully designed with simple, gorgeous food photography.

Yesterday I made Melon Ice Cream. I think I should have whipped it more while it was freezing, but overall it turned out extremely well. I'll definitely make it again.

1 large cantaloupe, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
fresh rasberries, to serve (optional)

an ice cream maker (optional)

Put the melon chunks, sugar and lemon juice in a food processor and process until chunky.

Let the mixture rest in the processor for 30 minutes, then process again until smooth.

Put the cream in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring often. Don't bring to a boil.

When the the cream is bubbling around the sides of the pan, pour it into the food processor, with the motor running, until well mixed with the melon mixture. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Put the mixture into an ice cream maker, if using, and churn until firm. Spoon into a container and freeze overnight.

Alternatively, put the mixture in a freezerproof containter and freeze for three hours, or until the mixture begins to set around hte edges. Beat well. Repeat this process every 2 hours until the mixture is firm, then freeze overnight before serving.

Baseball Portraits

2011-06-13T11:24:00.002-05:00

This our first year in the world of organized sports. Penn played soccer last season and then launched right into baseball. Both, of course, come with a need for a portrait. The YMCA schedules the teams automatically with TSS Sports Photography. During soccer season I looked this company up and their work is really bad. Really. Bad. Overpriced and worse than your grandmother and her expired disposable camera with her thumb halfway over the lens. I am very serious. I think they are a total sham.

So I volunteered, if the parents would have me, because I certainly wasn't going to show up or pay them any money. I'm not even charging anything. For as quickly as we ran through them I think they came our quite cute.

When we were done with photos we played a great game and won! Seven year olds improve from game to game so quickly!

Creampuffs

2011-06-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

The first time I made cream puffs, four of us and the neighbors finished them off in one sitting. I've filled them with the pudding as called for, a homemade custard and a cream cheese filling. You can also fill them with whipped cream and berries or ice cream. Served fresh they are impressive and tasty. One day old, they're still worth it.

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs

Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F .

In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry.

When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.

*Note: I had better puffing luck by baking them in a greased mini muffin tin and better drying luck by piercing each puff to allow steam to escape. The puffs pictured are cream cheese filled and topped with melted semi-sweet chocolate.

Balls

2011-06-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

Penn's team played a double header tonight. They suffered one loss and one tie. The rules of Little League are held together by silly putty and I don't quite understand their flexibility. I'm still struggling to stay on the high road and not tell that one coach and kid to shove off with their we-won-it-wasn't-a-tie-because-the-umpire-picked-us business.

Good thing I'm easily distracted by how cute the boys are in their uniforms.

Not just a swimming metaphor

2011-06-07T10:30:00.002-05:00

Penn started swimming lessons at the YMCA this week. It's amusing to watch him wear his new suit and goggles all day long and eagerly bolt out the door to get there. But once in the water he becomes apprehensive and hesitant and pretty nerdy. That last part might be the goggles.

Penn wants every aspect of the world explained before anyone leaves the station. If a teacher doesn't deliver that and, for example, makes him jump right in, he becomes visibly uncomfortable. This is not just a swimming metaphor. He won't give up. He'll give it his best. He won't complain too much. And for that I am proud.

But I can see the panic in his upturned eyebrows and tight lips and strained eyes and I can hear it when he says over and over, "Wait wait ..."

When his lesson is over he hops out of the pool and drips over to me, smiling from ear to ear. "I CAN SWIM! DID YOU SEE ME SWIM? I PUT MY HEAD UNDER THE WATER! I CAN TOTALLY SWIM!"

He'll brag all the way home. "I need to call my dad and tell him because he doesn't even know I can swim!"

And I am torn. Do I bust his bubble? I want him to be confident. But not overly confident in an ability he does not yet have. I mentioned to him the phase "Delusions of Grandeur." Maybe I've watched too many episodes of "American Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance" tryouts. I don't want him to be that person who "...used to be a striiiiper and thas wur ma booty poppin' be comin' from." I want him to be okay with the reality of his talents. Because he's actually a very quick learner and usually ends up pretty competent at his endeavors.

I don't like swimming. I don't like swimsuits. But today, in all my pregnant glory, I'm going to buy a swimsuit and head to the public pool with Penn. I think he's going to need more than Coach Anthony.

Lemon Icebox Pie

2011-06-06T17:24:00.002-05:00

I made a lemon icebox pie last night. It was about the easiest dessert I've ever made. I love how few items it takes to put it together. I've never cooked with condensed milk before. I've heard a few rumors that it was "gross." But the ingredients read: "milk, sugar." There are no preservatives or corn syrup or dyes, etc. I don't see anything gross about that.

Penn whipped up the cream for topping because we are a fresh cream family. I do think there is something gross about "Cool Whip" and it's long list of unpronounceable items.

1 can condensed milk
3 egg yolks
4 oz lemon juice
graham cracker crust (or baked pie crust)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat egg yolks until smooth. Gradually blend in the condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour into pie crust. Bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 1 hour. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours. Top with whipped cream.

"Even umpires make mistakes."

2011-06-05T22:52:00.002-05:00

Penn's little league team, the New York Yankees, played well in the blazing Dallas noon heat. Penn's hit was called out for "throwing the bat" when he ran. Even though he didn't throw the bat. At the end of the game the Umpire came into their dugout and apologized for making the call and said, "Even umpires make mistakes." So I say this game was "loseish 4-3," but I'm not going to call it a loss because we had a sweet oldish guy running the game, but they'd never let that man out of little league.

We tried out our shade tent for the first time and I'm a little bit in love with it. Folds up into the smallest bag but held three of us comfortably.

Ms. Wooley is magical

2011-06-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

First Grade is officially over. We started the school year with sadness and apprehension. Penn had to begin first grade after his sister had passed only two weeks before. We spoke with the principal and the counselor and his teacher and they seemed to have everything worked out before we even showed up. They were warm and understanding and genuine. In fact, as I walked down the hall to approach our principal and ask her for a moment at a pre-school-in-session social-like thing, she just embraced me and said, "I know. Your teacher is Ms. Wooley. The counselor is going to call you."

Ms. Wooley is the most amazing blessing. When we told anyone who Penn's teacher was, both children and adult's reply was, "Oh, you're so lucky." Some people were born to be teachers, and she is, without a doubt, leading that pack.

She's the teacher who dishes the fewest cheap, chintzy or sugary bribes and treats, but rewards instead with genuine attention. She never raises her voice and maintains control and respect over the class. She connects with each child, even in these very small moments of individual recognition at getting an answer right. She remembers the important things about each child. She takes them outside to do school work. Parent-teacher conferences involve the students so they know what the grownups are thinking and expecting. And she cares about every single student. Even the difficult ones. It's evident in so many ways, including the tears that came as she read a book the kids made for her.

And I don't know if it's because I'm full of pregnancy hormones or because I just adore her that I shed two tears too and was grateful I was sitting in the back of the room.

We get to end the school year on a more hopeful note with the impending Baby Miller. I emailed the news to Ms. Wooley and Penn said in the middle of class she called him up to hug him, but he didn't know why. (She didn't know if he knew and didn't want to spill the beans.)

Ms. Wooley is magical. I will miss her. She is always surrounded by older students who have stopped by to say hello. And now I get it and have every intention of randomly stopping by to say hi to our most favorite first grade teacher. She certainly made a difference to our family.

Yankees

2011-06-02T20:12:00.000-05:00

Penn played in his first baseball game last weekend. They lost 14 - 11, but he did get a hit at every turn to bat. It's going to be a long hot summer.

Danish time

2011-05-28T18:38:00.003-05:00

Cream cheese is my weakness. When I found a recipe for cream cheese danishes that involved puff pastry and not hours in the kitchen I had to try it. These took 20 minutes and are absolutely delicious. I folded them two ways both for experimentation and because my baking sheet wasn't big enough.

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
2 sheets (1 box) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and cream them together on low speed until smooth. With the mixer still on low, add the egg yolks, ricotta, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest and mix until just combined. Don't whip!

Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured board and roll it slightly with a floured rolling pin until it's a 10 by 10-inch square. Cut the sheet into quarters with a sharp knife. Place a heaping tablespoon of cheese filling into the middle of each of the 4 squares. Brush the border of each pastry with egg wash and fold 2 opposite corners to the center, brushing and overlapping the corners of each pastry so they firmly stick together. Brush the top of the pastries with egg wash. Place the pastries on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry and refrigerate the filled Danish for 15 minutes.

Bake the pastries for about 20 minutes, rotating the pan once during baking, until puffed and brown. Serve warm.

from Barefoot Contessa at Home