Pulled Pork Soup [Wenatchee design + photography]

For some reason we always end up with a lot of leftover pulled pork. This soup is the perfect solution. Would work equally well with shredded chicken or beef.

PULLED PORK SOUP

1 large, cubed (1”) Butternut squash
2 T. avocado oil
1 t. cinnamon
8 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 can chopped green chiles
3 T. tomato paste
1 heaping T. smoked paprika
1-1/2 to 2 lbs. pulled pork
1/4 C. apple cider vinegar
2 T. Molasses
2 14 oz. cans diced, fire-roasted tomatoes
4 C. chicken stock
2 C. water

1. Toss to coat: squash with oil and cinnamon. Roast 400º for 35 mins on greased cookie sheets.
2. Cook diced bacon, onion and garlic.
3. Add to pot with remaining ingredients and squash, simmer until hot.

This is such a versatile recipe. You can sub sweet or regular potatoes. Add a can of corn or beans. Throw in your other leftover veggies. Anything goes in this easy, filling, tasty soup!

23 days [Wenatchee design + photography]

My husband went in for surgery on October 23. He was able to come home on November 14. Twenty-three days came and went, filled with worry and sleepless nights, but also joy and small improvements; there were life-saving measures, blood and iron transfusions, PICC lines, multiple surgeries and multiple NG tubes, several catheters, ostomy bags, skilled surgeons, amazing, kind, dedicated RNs and CNAs, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, wound care nurses, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists and a Rapid Response Team that changed everything one very scary night. And I'm sure this isn't even all.

There were also family and friends: coworkers who selflessly donated their personal vacation time to us both and spent their own weekends raking up our leaves, neighbors who hauled away garbage, co-workers who carried the work load (for both of us) (and still are), cousins who stayed nights at the hospital when I had to leave to sleep, who brought me food, who sat with my husband so I could step out, friends who ran errands for me, Knights of Columbus who donated home medical equipment, daughters who worried just as much but stayed strong and listened to me wail, online friends who rallied to support me mentally with uplifting messages, a father-in-law who stepped in to do a little electrical repair on short notice and even a local business (Sav-Mart) who helped us immediately and free of charge, when they were under no obligation to.

We can't say this emphatically enough: thank you.

Storm coming [Wenatchee photography + design]

We haven't been able to get out much this year. My husband was diagnosed with Chron's disease earlier this past Spring and because of the complications he has, life has been mostly indoors for months. I was missing what I call "Vitamin N" (nature) and so was going through my photo archives. The piece below was from our last trip to Lake Chelan, in that brisk time that is not quite Winter, not quite Spring. I remember the tease of knowing warmer weather was coming and the incredible blues and greens that only seem to exist in a lake as deep as Lake Chelan. We'll get there again, but for now, I'm glad I always stop to document so I have images to pull from for inspiration.

Iris [Wenatchee photography + design]

I'm not sure if there actually are purple and orange Irises, but today there are! Better get one while you can.

Original is 9"x12" watercolor on 300gsm paper.

Prints and other merchandise available by clicking the image.

Painting from life [Wenatchee photography + design]

A little different subject, but one I was involved with 100%. I baked the biscuits. I photographed them. I ate them. And now, I painted them. While I can't serve them to you, I can share them below.

Prints and other merchandise available by clicking the image.