Zavala family [Wenatchee family photography]

Our fourth (of what will be 8 total) sessions, this one we spent in a lovely Wenatchee park. Morning warmth and a perfect, light breeze made the session even more enjoyable. The boys got to play and I got to visit with my friends while we captured another slice of their life. They're moving soon (if you want a cute little house in Quincy, let me know) and I'll miss seeing them as easily as I can now. But we're hoping for yearly visits in their new hometown of Austin, TX and I look forward to seeing this little, vibrant family grow together.

(Making) Red Velvet Whoopie(s) [Wenatchee food photography]

We spent the weekend in Seattle, registering my oldest daughter into the Seattle Culinary Academy where she wants to earn her AAS in Specialty Desserts and Breads. While there, we had to stop into Williams-Sonoma, OF COURSE, to, you know, "research." We ended up with a few things, demererra sugar, a beer can chicken stand (for my husband, who swears we NEED it) and a few new cookbooks. One entire book on chocolate cakes and the adorable "Whoopies!" by Susanna Tee. How can I resist an entire book of whoopie pie recipes when they all look so good and so fun? And my secret? I've never even had a Whoopie Pie--of any kind. What drew me to them is they remind me of a cupcake sandwich, which is really ideal, if you think about it. The portability that cupcakes bring to cake, whoopie pies bring to cupcakes. The frosting is in between the cake layers so you can just. eat. it. No frosting trying to go up your nose. No paper wrapper to discard. Just hold it in your meaty paw and enjoy its delicious cake and filling, bite after bite. With so many recipe choices, I needed to start somewhere, so asked my daughter what flavor she wanted and she picked Red Velvet with cream cheese filling. Uh, OK, that sounds good, let's start there.

[ETA:] My recommendation on the pan is this: I have the "whoopie pie baking sheets" and I don't think I love them. Yes, the cakes are all uniform in size, but they end up having a bit of an edge to the top of the cake (you can see it in the photo below) that they don't if you just bake them on a flat cookie sheet. Next time I plan on just using a measured cupcake scoop to keep them uniform and skip the special pan. Wish I hadn't bought two of them...

Congrats 2011 Wenatchee Seniors!

Especially to my middle little (the blonde with the sunglasses, below.) Carsey, we are SO PROUD of you. You had to work very hard this year to pull off what seemed almost impossible last Fall. You are awesome. You ARE amazing.

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.

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.