WHS senior: Molly, session 2, sneak peek [Wenatchee senior photography]

Remember Molly? A delightful senior with a bright future, I got to meet and shoot Molly last Fall and again this Spring as she opted for a "split session." It's a great way to take advantage of different seasons and moods. A whole school year has gone by and Molly is eager to begin the RN program at WVC this fall. I'm always excited for "my seniors" after spending some time with them. I get to hear about their plans, their hopes and mostly that barely contained excitement of the great unknown, of growing up and OUT; out on their own with new adverntures and opportunities and all that possibility. It's contagious and probably my favorite part of shooting seniors: I always leave with a healthy dose of that optimism.

Perfect spicy chocolate cake [Wenatchee food photography]

Craving chocolate cake after a friend mentioned SHE was craving "warm chocolate cake", I decided Thursday night was a perfectly acceptable time to stop everything and bake one. Knowing it would only be warm for that short time after baking, I decided to give it its own heat with a little kick of spice. I combined my favorite "go-to", easy-peasy, (one bowl!) chocolate cake recipe (Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake) with an uncommon ingredient: cayenne pepper. Often used in a spicy flourless chocolate cake, I figured it couldn't hurt this old-fashioned staple. Not super spicy, just enough to give a little hit of lingering flavor. (And if the idea of cayenne in your chocolate cake doesn't appeal to you, you can omit it and it's still a really good chocolate cake made in one bowl. ONE BOWL. What could be better?) Recipe below image.

Perfect spicy chocolate cake

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne pepper and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Perfectly perfect chocolate frosting (below). 10–12 servings.

Perfectly perfect chocolate frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

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!