tradition

My friend, Joan, gets together with her family during the holidays to make tamales. The ingredients are prepared ahead of time so when they are all together they only have to assemble & cook them. Joan invited me (and my camera) again this year. I brought along my recorder too as I wanted Joan's mother, Marie, to talk a bit about the making of tamales.  Joan's sisters, Gina & Lisa, are helping along with Joan's daughter-in-law, Sara. (And I made tamales too!)  I really enjoy documenting events like this. I appreciate having a recording of this generation's voice.  I hope you enjoy it too.



On a side note, today a favorite business of mine is closing: The Photo Shoppe in Piedmont. If I have ever sent you photos with a white frame they came from The Photo Shoppe. Just not enough business to keep it going.  I gave them all of my print business. I will miss them.

a farm alphabet

I helped Nancy & Jean with alphabet books for Christmas presents. I wanted to get in on the fun so I made this book with Dad's help. He did a great job without a script. I enjoyed capturing his voice on tape. Merry Christmas!

why we don't have a cat

calendar

Late in the year I was inspired to make the ranch my calendar theme. I send one to Don's brothers every year. I'm not sure his oldest brother, Rex, has ever been to the ranch but I hope he enjoys the calendar anyway. Most of these photos were taken this fall. The deer crossing the driveway was taken a few years ago; not too many deer spotted this fall. Don took the springtime photo in the trees. I finally opened the door to the small red shed & found saddles & tack stored there.  It will always be a beautiful place to visit . . . and photograph.

scraps

I've been spending some time sewing Christmas gifts. That means time spent in fabric stores picking out fabric. I discovered this collection of fabric at a local quilt shop & bought a few yards (The designer is Malka Dubrawsky if you're interested.). I was told that usually the fabric companies do not continue to print collections unless they are extremely popular. So of course I'm making a few things for myself with this too. After the holidays.

Travis

I've been working on a Christmas project with my sister-in-law, Jean. She has had to take quite a few photographs. Without giving away anything I just wanted to share one of my favorites. This is Travis, her son. Gene, my brother, is in the background. This makes me think of a Norman Rockwell painting. So I used a Photoshop filter to make it look more like a painting. I enjoy the photo of Travis but I also love the background activity. Even the small detail of the American flags along the sidewalk.

family photos

Last weekend was Thanksgiving. We had a great time with our family all together. But it also meant that it was time to photograph Mary's family for the seventh year! The weather was spectacular. Elizabeth, Erin's daughter, is the new addition this year so she got some extra attention (and couldn't run off like the other kids did). Adam's girlfriend was also able to be there this year. I also made sure to include Slick the cat. His years are piling up & I like including pets in photos when possible. Don came along & Mary treated us to a piece of homemade pie afterwards. I had pumpkin & Don had coconut cream (his birthday is the end of the month, Mary). On another note, my uncle Butch awoke from his coma & is hoping to return home tomorrow. But with hospice. We are grateful for each day.