My choice for Mother's day [Wenatchee food photography]

I fell in love with the man who would become my husband over a meal I never even ate. I never even saw. We first became aware of each other over a Compuserve chat room and bantered back and forth for nearly 3 years. When it became apparent to both of us that we wanted to meet in real life, I asked him to drive to Seattle to meet me, about 3 hours from where he lived in central Washington state. The first day I suggested meeting he informed me he couldn't come because it was his mom's birthday and he was going to grill her some steaks to celebrate. I thought it sweet that he was doing this with his mother. It was a "good sign." Fast forward several weeks and I was in his town on a warm early summer evening. We picked up T-bone steaks and grilled on the patio, again, at his mom's house, and I have never tasted a better meal. Steaks are what we return to when celebrating or enjoying a beautiful day. Forward again fourteen years later and when DJ asked me what I wanted for Mother's day, this was it. Charcoal grilled New York steaks with Idaho bakers on the side. So simple. So good. Happy day to all those amazing women I know mothering their children and doing a damn fine job at it to boot. You inspire me.

Apple Blossom Parade [Wenatchee event photography]

I love a parade! The first Saturday in May is always Wenatchee's biggest event, the Apple Blossom Festival Grand Parade (the event lasts all week and culminates with the parade.) It's just the best time to be in the valley and the thing that 14 years ago led me to return to my job in Seattle on a Monday and give my two-weeks notice. No job lined up, just divorced and two little girls of 5 and 3 and yet I know this was the place I wanted them to grow up. It all worked out, as things usually do ("things always work out in the end, if they don't, it isn't the end.") I found the best job I've ever had, got remarried, we had another beautiful daughter and raised the three of them in this valley (and are still raising!)

Anyway, the Grand Parade is always an awesome way to reconnect with friends and the community. We call the royalty by name, shouting it as they drive by in the fancy cars or ride by on trick ponies. We cheer loudest for any friends we recognize on floats and also for the "clean-up crews", who follow the horses, and, well, clean up after them when necessary, by giving them the most attention for what has to be an unpleasant job at best. The color and pagentry and general goodwill renews my sense of small town pride and community and always lasts just long enough until the next year's festivities.

Class of 2011 [Wenatchee senior photography]

Carsey, I still remember the night you came into the world. You were 9 days late, not surprising to know now, because you can be late with the best of them. As soon as we parked, your Dad realized he'd forgotten the camera and insisted he could go home to get it and be back before much of anything happened. I wasn't so sure, knowing you couldn't get ANYWHERE fast in Tacoma. So I checked-in and he headed home. Despite taking your own sweet time to get the ball rolling, you had no problem deciding that when you say now, you mean NOW. I was getting desperate because your Dad hadn't shown up and it was time to push. Then he walked in and you came out like from a slingshot. The doctor almost dropped you! Not one minute before I had been thankful for her "little hands" (someday, you'll understand why) and then I was wishing for big, steady, sticky football-catching-while-running-on-the-ice-hands. But she managed to hang on, or you did, and after a cleanup you were handed to me. Flash forward 18 years and you are getting ready to graduate from high school. You have worked so hard this year, realizing past mistakes are not roadblocks but detours, and that you can always find a way through with a little hard work. I'm proud of you. Proud for you setting your mind to something and then going for it. In the end, that's really what matters. Love you Bug!

Brownie milkshake [Wenatchee food photography]

Also known as use-what-you-have milkshake. I had two small squares of these brownies, about 1/8 cup of this chocolate sauce, some coconut milk that was getting close to expiration (not too close, but I wanted to get it finished) and some Tillamook french vanilla ice cream. Blend it together and share with someone you love.

Someone who, a few days later, will tell you he didn't love the brownies in it, because it "made it too rich." Apparently I have a much more cultured palate for chocolate and sweets because I thought it was AWESOME.

Beer bread by request [Wenatchee food photography]

I had a couple requests for the beer bread recipe I blogged about recently so thought I'd pass that along. It's so simple, and has been part of my family for so long (I learned from my mom) that I kind of forget not everyone knows this by heart already. You'll see how simple it is, make it once, TASTE it once and be forever hooked when you want a fast, hearty, flavorful bread. You can taste the beer a bit (I hate beer and it doesn't bother me) so use something lighter if you don't want so much flavor or try something stronger if you're an afficianado of all things beer! I also used the last two pieces to make a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich, so save a bit for that! Recipe below image.

Beer Bread

3 cups sifted, self-rising flour (important to sift with this recipe to keep bread from becoming hard like a brick!) 

1/4 cup sugar

1 (12 ounce) bottle of beer

1/2 cup melted butter, divided in 2

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1. Mix self-rising flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter and beer and pour/spread into a greased loaf pan. It will be thick.
2. Pour remaining ¼ cup melted butter over top of dough.
3. Bake 50-60 minutes, let cool in pan about 10 minutes, remove from pan and cool at least an additional 15 minutes.

Beer Bread

3 cups sifted, self-rising flour (important to sift with this recipe to keep bread from becoming  brick!)

1/4 cup sugar    

1 (12 ounce) can beer

1/2 cup melted butter, divided in 2

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1.       Mix dry ingredients, ¼ cup melted butter and beer and pour/spread into a greased loaf pan. It will be thick.

2.       Pour remaining ¼ cup melted butter over dough.

3.       Bake 1 hour, remove from pan and cool for at least 15 minutes.