Rest in peace, grandma.

Born in 1917, she was a teacher and married to my grandpa, a probate judge, the country coroner, justice of the peace, school superintendent, insurance salesman and owner of the title company in town, among other things, in a small town where people often wore many hats in the community. She had a sweet tooth like no other. She passed it to my dad, who passed it to me and when we were together, there was always cake or ice cream or cookies, or all three at once. And, last night I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream and chuckled as I rationalized it was "in her memory."

In this photo from 2012, we were celebrating her 95th birthday and she was funny as she not-so-patiently insisted it was time to cut the cake. Conversation continued and she kept bringing it back to the cake and ice cream.

My grandma Elsie taught me to crochet. Grannie squares her lesson of choice and I remember the multi-colored afghans draped over the couch. She was funny and witty and smart and loved to play games. She made mudpies with me and we played dolls on the river's edge while my parents and brother fished.

She was loved, and she will be missed.

A walk outside [Wenatchee photography + design]

I was recently asked what I did to break up my day. It took no time at all to answer. I am so fortunate to live and work in the Wenatchee valley, where access to beautiful views is as easy as heading down the street to the river, or up the street to the hills. Several times a week you will find me at one of the local PUD parks, even on a 15 minute break, camera in hand, if I need to recharge my brain batteries. Give me a lunch hour and I might be on or near Saddlerock or Sage Hills. An afternoon free might find me in Cashmere, Monitor, Peshastin, Leavenworth , Entiat or Chelan. And with our 4 distinct seasons, it never grows old. Always something to see in a new light. How do I break up my day? I stand up and walk outside.

Explorers enjoying a sandbar exposed during low water on the Columbia river near Walla Walla park.

The wheels, they are a turnin' [Wenatchee photography + design]

FINALLY a turn in the weather! The hint of spring and warm in the air has got me full of ideas. Design ideas. Photo ideas. Remodel ideas. Hike ideas. Food ideas. Vacation ideas. Yadda-yadda-yadda. Just get me through winter and I'm golden for the rest of the year. I must have undiagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder. I so need my sunshine.

Some turnin', churnin' wheels:

Ducks on the Columbia [Wenatchee photography + design]

Another mixed-media piece courtesy of my time spent on the shores of the mighty river.
So many beautiful winter shots, but I really am ready for spring!

Morning on the Columbia [Wenatchee photography + design]

A couple times a week I try to take a lunch hour down at one of our beautiful Wenatchee parks. I bring my camera, wear my rainboots so I don't have to worry about water or mud, and get as close to the water as I can. I'm always thrilled that no matter how often I go to the same few, nearby places, I always come home with something promising. This trip was literally a 15 minute morning break from work. The beautiful, soft morning light whispered "watercolor" to me (few people know I studied/practiced Watercolor as much as Photography in college) and while my methods may have changed, my love of that look has not. I love practicing digital arts as well and this image begged to be "painted" on my screen. No matter what "tool" you choose to use, use it to put your version of beauty out into the world.