TIME FOR CARDS [wenatchee art + design]

Tomorrow is December 1st. Say it ain’t so! Yes, time is flying, but there is still plenty of time to get your card orders in. ALL of my art is available on cards of all sizes, so you are sure to find something for any occasion. But with the holidays rapidly approaching, now would be the time to place an order, to give you time to turn around and ship them out yourself. As always, if you can’t find exactly what you want, or would like customization of some kind, please don’t hesitate to ask. I love to help meet your needs!

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.

Happy Valentines Day [Wenatchee graphic design]