Before photography, there was a Holly Hobby Oven

Before photography there was a serious love of cooking for me. I think it was probably insired by my grandmother- a chef by neccesity living on a farm with 12 kids to feed! She always had fresh bread baking in her wood burning stove and home-made donuts every time we visited. I loved it- and have craved it ever since. I had my first experience baking in my Holly Hobby oven- I begged my mom for more boxes of things to bake every time we went to the store. So now, when I have a Sunday off- my favorite thing to do is blast the radio- loud music is the only way to cook for me- I now have a real stove and oven, it is beautiful and VERY RED!  I listen to the Sunday Brunch with Kitty Kinnon-she is a serious foodie too- and the mix of her amazing music on Sundays and her interviews with local chefs make my Sundays complete.

So a few weeks ago she mentioned a contest that I couldn’t resist entering… it was a trip to Southern Season in a limo- 25% off shopping at Southern Season and a 5 course dinner paired with Wines at the Weathervane! I won!!!! and it was last night- I can’t tell you how in heaven I was. It was a group of 9 of us who went with Kitty- her surprise friend was one of my amazing clients DJ Mitsch- and I brought my good friend Jill, who owns Catering Works- seriously amazing catering here in the Triangle! I knew she would love it! It was sooooo much fun. The group of people was incredible, the shopping was a blast- we could try anything we wanted. The marketing coordinator, Wendy, was a vegetarian and helped me find some things to try that I have never had- falafel chips, pickled walnuts(crazy but amazing) and some of the most delicious cheeses! Then dinner happened…so many forks, knives, plates of delicious food and wine with each course. Butternut Squash Soup with Rasberry Coulis, ravioli stuffed with cheese and vegetables, my favorite was roasted beets on a bed of sauteed greens, with mashed potatoes, all drizzled with a creamy roquefort cheese sauce- ok, and the dessert, Pots de Creme with sugared beignets. Oops I almost forgot the rattoui with puff pastry! They did my dishes all vegetarian for me- I am still drooling! Maybe I was dreaming???

But today I am awake and she is talking about it on the radio- I wasn’t dreaming! I had a great meal, made new amazing friends, have some new cool things to try in the kitchen, and DJ’s new book to inspire me” Mystic Grits” A Southern Girl’s Journey to Wisdom.

I will post photos soon… but for now a apple cider donut recipe to inspire some kitchen time! Try it on Sunday between 9-12 while listening to 100.7 River Sunday Brunch with Kitty Kinnon- you will not be disappointed!!!

Ok, Now I am off to work and get ready for the Hand Made Market tomorrow! This one is going to be amazing, so many great vendors! 11-5 at Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh!

Fall is here, events and more!!!

I LOVE this weather- crisp cool mornings, really beautiful fall light. It is my favorite time of year to live as well as be a photographer! I am excited about how many things I have decided to take part in this fall- First, I applied for an art space in the Raleigh Wide Open Eventof Oct.24th and was just accepted. It is going to be such a cool, all day… into the evening, event to celebrate the official opening of City Plaza downtown- there will be an entire day of local art, music, food and activities. I will be selling my art photography- Polaroid transfers, notecards, and photography framed in recycled and modern frames. Look for me in the City Plaza!

The next event coming up is our Halloween Special! It is something I started with my first clients 14 years ago when I had my studio in a tiny apartment in Cameron Village. I never had any trick or treaters, so I asked my clients to bring their kids by and I would also shoot a few photos of them in their amazing costumes. It started a really fun tradition. We now have two full days starting at the crack of dawn until after way after dark where we photograph kids of all ages in their costumes every 20 minutes!!!- We charge a special  fee of $40.00 – we are booking this year on Friday, October 30 and Saturday Oct. 31st. There are not many spaces left, so call soon if you are interested!!!

2000!

2004!

2006!

And Last but not least…. The Hand Made Market! I found out this week that I will be a part of  this amazing market on Nov. 7th. This is at Marbles Kids Museum and it is the perfect place to shop for amazing locally made gifts! This market draws super creative artists, it is truly special! I am honored and so excited to be a part of it. Don’t miss it!!!

 

So…. I need to get busy! Yikes! See ya!

 

 

 

Lip Design- and my New Ad Campaign

I am so excited. I have been doing some sweet barter for my business with my client/friend Lori Paquette(www.lip-design.com). She has been so fun to work with- her energy is amazing, and her ideas really meshed with what I was hoping for!  Barter is the best, I wish I could completely live off of it. I recently also bartered with Holly Aiken(www.hollyaiken.com), Bella Monica(www.bellamonica.com) and Pooles(www.poolesdowntowndiner.com) Great food, cool hand-bags and design for my business… it is so wonderful. I wish I could barter my mortgage and utilities- that would be the best… Obama… I believe you would help me figure out a way if you could….

I wanted to post my new ad that Lori designed for me. I choose to use my nephews to show their growth over the years I have photographed them. I love to shoot in this way… day in the life moments. So we are focusing some new ads on preserving history, capturing real life, and honoring the traditional fine-art medium of photography. Let us know what you think!