Elemental Stitches

Spending Time at Home

Tom came home this week and we have spent the last several days catching up.  We found ourselves spending our time in the garden, baking in the kitchen and visiting friends.  I made more no knead bread.  My favorite kind to make so far.  It is such a basic recipe that I can alter it however I want.  I add a little olive oil here and rosemary there for something Italian or some flaxseed and oat flour for more bulk.  I am testing out this recipe in bread pans instead on the cast iron pot.  So far I have lowered the proofing and cooking time with decent results.  This loaf proofed for too long and spilled over the sides.  I piled it back in and stuck it in the oven.  It came out great anyway.

I harvested some beautiful Bright Lights Swiss Chard from the garden that is going into a quiche later this weekend.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

A Standing Ovation is Needed

A little applause please...  My husband has quit smoking!!!  After 15 years of being a smoker and 6 years of trying to quit he did it!  I am so proud of him!  He has been trying so hard for many years.  I have quit twice and will never go back.  I know how hard it is. If you are trying to quit smoking keep at it.  One day you will drop them and never look back.

Independance Day Festivities

When I woke up yesterday I fully expected to be spending the evening with Brae, at home, wishing Tom was here to spend the holiday with me.  Luckily a friend pulled me out of my "missing Tom funk" and we went to a local fireworks show.  I was amazed by the amount of people there.  A live band was playing all American classics, vendors were selling hot dogs, hamburgers and lemonade.  At least a thousand people were sitting on blankets, lawn chairs, sleeping bags, in tents and on cots.  Children were running around high on adrenaline and sugar.  It swept all my blues away. 

The fireworks were great.  Brae wasn't as impressed as I thought she would be.  She was all smiles for about 3 minutes then she turns to me and asks if we could go home now.  We finished the show, fought through waves of migrating people and cars, and within minutes of climbing into her car seat she was asleep.  Hope you had a lovely Independence Day.

Weddings in Film

The warm sun has been wonderful the last few days.  It is hard to imagine that it was raining only a couple weeks ago.  I love looking out toward the bay to see what the water looks like as the day goes by.  I have noticed that throughout the winter and spring the bay is often clouded with mist, but on a clear summer day you can see tiny buildings on the beaches in Monterey. 

I wish I had some crafting to report but other then a hat in progress for my friends new baby I have been too busy getting ready to move. 

I do have something fun to share though.  A while back, I posted photos of a wedding that I had taken last year.  The bride liked film photography so I decided to take a few of the photos with film for her.  I recently was able to get the film photos I had taken converted into digital files.   Here are some of my favorites.

As a last little note, I got a job interview in Sacramento next week.  Wish me luck!

Rough Waters

Whew!  This week has been intense!  I don't want to get into the grimy details, but life has gotten a bit more difficult this week.  Tom had to unexpected leave town for a couple weeks and for the first time in years I am living on my own, with a 4 year old, without a car and looking for a job before my lease runs out in August...  needless to say I am frazzled.

However, I have learned something unexpected since Tom has been gone.  As much as I love to cook, I need to have someone to cook for other then myself.  I have barely cooked anything in four days.  I am living off of fruit and leftovers.  Of course I am making dinner for my munchkin but she has been spoiled with her choice of dinners this week.

The second thing... I have some really wonderful friends who have gone out of their way to help me.  I have felt so thankful for all the generosity that has come my way in the past week.  I hope that one day I can pay them all back for their kindness.

I hope my next post is more cheerful and decorated with pictures!  That would be nice!

Portrait Practice and Graduation Pics

I have felt so lazy now that classes are out.  Reading books, gardening, visiting relatives, making food...  its been a nice week.

I have been catching up on some photo editing.  I did a mini shoot with a friend's baby girl, Rose.

She loves to cuddle with her mommy!  She was a doll to work with.  We had so much fun!

There was also Chia Pei's shoot.  A soon-to-be new mom who is just about to pop.  She was a bit shy about showing her bare belly so we worked with some blankets.  I haven't done very much pregnancy photography so I was happy to get some practice.

Can you believe that this belly is at 8months!!  Not a stretch mark in sight!  Lucky Lady!

Oh and here I am at the Student Family Graduation

It was a beautiful event.  Several of the graduating parents chose not to spend $80 to rent our graduation gowns for 2 hours, so that is why I am not wearing one... In case you were wondering.

Back soon with garden, book, summer food and crafting updates!

Free Shipping June 10th-14th for the YART Sale

Hi Everyone!
I am almost done with finals!  Yea!  Summer vacation is one day away. 

I am participating in the YART sale on etsy.  I have free shipping worldwide on all of my prints in my shop, all sizes until June 14th!

Back with crafting updates soon!

Little Bird - Vintage Embroidery Design

I finished this napkin last week, but I haven't had a chance to share it.  I should be back in the crafting and blogging saddle after next week.  If I haven't responded to your comments yet I will be getting to that this weekend!

Study, Knit, Study, Knit, Study, Knit

I am cramming for finals, the final finals!  Haha!  To keep myself from going insane I have been knitting baby hats for Liz's new Studio and Shop.  Here are the ones I have finished so far this week.

Aren't they cute!!  I think the two on the bottom are my favorite.  I love how the orange one shows the stitches so clearly.  I am off to class again.  Back in a few days!

All in the Eyes

Another black and white for today.  I have been working on my children's photography portfolio, so you will probably be seeing more of those in the next couple months as I work on them.  I also have a photo blog where you can keep up with all my photography.