Berkeley Rose Garden

The Berkeley Rose Garden is in full bloom. If you have never been, go. Any time between now and September. Go play a game of tennis, there are four courts and always at least one open. Take some kids to explore and splash in the creek (there's an enormous cement slide across the street at Codornices Park). Go to read a book, meditate, exercise. Or go to smell the roses.

My grandmother introduced me to the garden last August when I took her portrait for my photography class. It was the first time I had ever taken anyone's portrait. Taking that class was one of the best things I've ever done. It pretty much blew my world open. So much good has come.

P.S. She also modeled for my photography class final project. You can see those images here.

Visiting Mount Tam

A couple weekends ago, Jeffery and I decided to drive to the top of Mount Tamalpais. It is somewhere neither of us has been, which is crazy because it really is so close to the city. I can't stress enough how incredible it is that we finally have time off together and are able to have adventures on a whim. It's fun checking things off the list, which is getting shorter and shorter. Time to come up with new ideas. Any suggestions?

We counted over a dozen varieties of wildflowers. Even though there was fog below us, it was surprisingly hot at the top, and there was no wind.

I love those fog fingers creeping in.

We drove around the mountain to the west and were rewarded with views of Bolinas and Stinson Beach, then down through the redwoods to Alpine Lake, eventually regrouping with civilization in Fairfax. California, you are so beautiful.

We ended up in Petaluma and had dinner with Marina. Shrimp and chicken paella, salad picked from her garden, and a strawberry and homegrown rhubarb tart. She really is a class act. And I have never seen happier orchids (except maybe in Hawaii).

Taking Steps Towards Happiness

In the last year Jeffery and I have made some changes that have directly influenced our overall happiness.

We moved from San Francisco to Oakland. We traded a tiny, expensive apartment in a crappy neighborhood for a larger, less expensive, brighter apartment (with a washing machine!) in a less crappy neighborhood.

We both changed jobs, and no longer serve the public. Before, we both worked retail, had to work late hours, never got weekends off together, and had to deal with disgruntled adults. Why are there so many unhappy adults out there treating other people poorly?

Less crack heads. I went from dozens of daily crack head interactions to zero.

I started nannying. I get to spend my days in sun drenched living rooms and lovely neighborhoods. I take my girls on walks and to the park and the zoo and the rose garden and I get to point out the beautiful things in the world as they remind me of the beautiful things in the world. And I get to have a big impact on a few lives rather than a small impact on many.

We adopted a kitten. Our intention was to give Batman a friend. And it worked. The little guy is a constant source of entertainment and affection. I have always wanted a kitty that comes to me for lovin, and this one never quits. The boys roughhouse constantly, and as a result Batman is skinnier, less languid, and more frisky. It was watching Batman roll around on the ground last night that made me realize how much happier we all are.

We are making more money. So we can afford to take vacations and stay in nice places. We can eat out with our friends. And buy expensive cheese. We can purchase cool grown up toys. We can save towards our future.

I am working less hours with no commute and I have more time for photography and more time for me. I am making my dream a reality.

This blog just turned two, and I am really glad I have it for a place of reflection. A place to share our adventures. It really is amazing how much can happen in a year. Thank you for your readership.

(The photos above were taken on walks around Oakland and Berkeley. That pretty Siamese isn't ours. The red gingham dress belongs to my beautiful friend, Nicole.)

Temescal Farmer's Market

Open Sundays year 'round, from 9 to 1. Live music, hot food. Affordable local and organic produce, beautiful flowers, and I can walk there.

I can't get enough of those little carrots. They are really nice roasted whole with parsnips and a protein of choice. Also, right now cauliflower is amazing. I made cauliflower mac 'n [three] cheese[s] tonight, which was a hit.

Jeff is pretty excited about basketball playoffs, the Warriors are putting on a show. We went into the city Friday night and caught the game at Yancy's Saloon, the sports bar where I celebrated my 21st birthday, and it was packed. Pizza, beer and donuts for dinner. It was really nice spending the evening in the city, I think we're going to have to do it more often.

This weekend was really beautiful. Feeling blessed.

Turning One

Miss C turned one last week, and her momma asked if I would bring my camera over to get some shots of them together on her birthday. I feel so lucky to see them every week. She is such a good baby, and I have loved watching her grow these past few months. When that little face lights up when you walk in the room, it doesn't get much better. Happy birthday sweet potato!

East Bay Roses | Looking Forward

These roses were blooming down the street from the house of the girls I watch in Berkeley.

And these were blooming a block away from the little girls I watch in North Oakland.

Ombre garden roses, dark wooden fence, white picket fence, it doesn't get much better.

I've been nursing a pretty nasty cold for a week now. I had to miss my soccer game today, which is a bummer. But after breakfast Jeffery and I might take a drive up to the top of Mount Tam, I've never been before. And my parents will be here in a week! We're having a Russian Easter celebration with family and friends next weekend, and the weekend after that I am photographing another birthday party. The niece of one of my best friends is turning one! And then it's mother's day and Jeff's birthday and then we might go camping for Memorial Day. After that we're off to Grass Valley for our friend's wedding, and then up to Willits for Jeff's ten year high school reunion. I get some time off mid June, and I'm planning on taking a road trip to Colorado with a friend. Time is going by very fast, and we have so many things to look forward to in the next few months. I'm also thinking about getting a new lens, which would probably make all of those experiences even better. :)

Turning Four! | Bay Area Birthday Party Photographer

Here are some photos I shot at Dinah's birthday party a few weeks ago. The girls beaded necklaces, made crowns, and ate vanilla cupcakes with strawberry icing. It was a pretty killer party. And a lot of fun to shoot. Welcome to four, Dinah! You're going to be great.

My Second Family Shoot | East Bay Family Photographer

These two sisters are so cute I can't believe it. I've been babysitting them a couple mornings a week for a few months now, and it is so much fun seeing them grow. I was really excited to take my camera over there a couple Sundays ago. Watching a family go about their weekend routine is such a beautiful thing. I loved being a fly on the wall while they made juice and picked flowers in the back yard. These parents are such good parents and these girls are such good little girls.

Thank you, Rachel and Kevin, for welcoming me into your home and being so amazing!

Getaway

Over the weekend, Jeffery and I drove to Mendocino County to celebrate my 25th birthday in Anderson Valley. On the way up Friday night, we stopped in Healdsburg and had dinner at Campo Fina. The restaurant had great ambience with an outdoor pizza oven, bocce ball, and really beautiful landscaping. The staff was super friendly, and the food was pretty good. The meal was mostly small plates, and they didn't have to a cook much, instead it was finished with a lot of of pickled garnishes and arugula. But it was overall a satisfying meal.

We stayed at the Boonville Hotel, which we had heard good things about. It far surpassed our expectations. The staff was amazing, the rooms are beautiful. As soon as we arrived we were upgraded to a suite. And the food...wow. More on that later.

Flowers in every room.

On Saturday morning, (after a breakfast of homemade granola, local strawberries, yogurt and scones), we drove through the redwood trees to the coast, stopping for a trek to the Navarro river.

I finally got a good shot of him. No awkward face.

It was so beautiful inland, and then when we got to the coast it was windy and cold and the water was choppy, but there was still sun and the fog was lifting.

We came back to the valley for lunch and picnicked at the Philo Apple Farm, which pretty much stole my heart.

Next stop: Toulouse Vineyard. We were glad to have just eaten, because they were generous with their pouring. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They waived the $5 tasting fee with purchase (some bottles were on sale for as low as $16!). We left very happy with a bottle each of pinot noir and pinot gris, both tasty and affordable.

We parked back at the hotel, and with a frisbee in one hand, ice cream cone in the other, walked to the Anderson Valley Brewing Company Brew House to taste some beers. We tried all the ones we'd never had and Jeff was extremely fond of the Bourbon Barrel Stout, which is aged for three months in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels.

Arms full of bottles in brown paper bags, we walked back to the hotel for eats.

We dined at Table 128, the hotel's in-house restaurant. It was the best meal of my life.

It started with a bite of shiitake mushroom in puff pastry and a complimentary splash of rosé...Then there was a curried cauliflower soup with savory bread salsa crumbs and romesco sauce drizzled on top...A mixed baby green salad with slices of blood orange, ricotta salata, savory candied pecans and an apple balsamic vinaigrette...Roast duck leg over shiitake, farro grain and black olive topped with a fennel and fava bean tapenade...And lastly, early strawberry and rhubarb shortcake with warm cream sauce and orange caramel.

All of the flavors were so clear and developed. The soup was simultaneously subtle and surprising. I wanted a whole lot more of the salad, and I could have licked my duck plate clean. The textures were spot on, everything was cooked to perfection. And my shortcake came out with a candle on top.

I went to bed feeling filled to the brim, filled with delicious food, with love, beauty, peace, all those cheesy things and awoke Sunday morning to birds chirping. Great weekend. I'd do it all again.

Birthdays

I've been busy.

I photographed this little one's birthday party on Sunday, after a family shoot I had in the morning. I am really excited with how the photos turned out. I loved being a fly on the wall surrounded by four-year-old girls in costume. It doesn't get much cuter. Little hands and faces and curls everywhere. So much pink. I took over 1,800 photos in six hours and the following two days my eyes were shot. Occupational hazard, but so worth it.

Also, Jeff and I bought a new car! And we're going away this weekend to celebrate my birthday. We're headed up to Anderson Valley and are staying at the Boonville Hotel. Looking forward to great food, quality beer and wine, touring an apple farm, driving through redwoods, being in the country again, and taking lots more photos. I'm really excited for 25. I am where I want to be, and it feels good.

Happy birthday to all my fellow Aries! xxx