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Today’s image is for those of us suffering from the winter blahs. It’s January in the Northeast, which means I’m really missing endless sunshine and greenery. I shot this a few years ago from a balcony overlooking Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma, which is a great spot to visit if you love sparkling wine. I love the simple pattern and how the whole image just feels alive. Happy Friday!
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I love holiday cards. I’ve always loved receiving (and sending) real mail, but seeing cards pour into our mailbox in the days leading up to Christmas brings me an unusual amount of joy. But rather than toss our cards in a basket this year, I wanted a give them a new life as wall displays. We have a VERY long hallway in our apartment (nicknamed the Bowling Alley), and I’ve been meaning to decorate it forever (more on that later this month). Hanging our holiday cards was the perfect thing to jazz up the space for the season. I knew that my daughter would love to see the faces and colorful designs every time she made her way from the living room to the kitchen, and I was right–she squealed with delight each time she passed by, pointing up to the cards and calling out the names of people that she recognized.
Rewind to November, when my friend Kathleen introduced me to the coolest store ever created. Located in the design district on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, CA, SoLo has antiques, crafts, books, glassware, furniture, photographs, children’s goodies, stationary, linens…pretty much a wonderful combination of all things that set my soul on fire. I wanted to buy just about everything in the place. But the warehouse-like space also gave me some great creative ideas. One display caught my eye in the children’s area–some nice brown twine hung simply from a wall with a banner of letters clipped to it. Very Etsy. But what I loved was the string and the mini clothesline pins. With those basics, the possibilities were endless. So I purchased these adorable little boxes of mini clips and “useful string”, and packed them up for a journey back to NYC. When I wanted to easily hang our holiday cards, I already had the tools! Check out the results below. Next year I might use a 7/8″ striped red grosgrain ribbon instead of the neutral string, but I was so pleased with this year’s creation, it’s still up! Stay tuned this month for more ideas on fun ways to hang photographs in your home..jpg)
Happy first Friday of 2013! I shot this in November on Pacific Beach in San Diego. It was my last night of a quick weekend trip to visit old friends, and in a few hours I would be on a red eye back to NYC. It wasn’t warm, but I slipped off my shoes, dipped my toes in the Pacific, and watched the soft patterns of the receding waves. I lived here awhile back and definitely miss it. From my brief time as a resident of Northern and Southern CA, I can attest that West coast sunsets are truly spectacular. On this particular beach at sunset, the horizon is sprinkled with surfers trying to get in one more ride before darkness arrives (look closely above in a few waves and you will spot them.) But no matter if a great wave is coming, at the exact moment that the sun slips down, each surfer stops what they are doing and turns to watch. It’s a cool effect when you see hundreds of surfers saying goodnight to the sun. Then some keep surfing in the fading light (under the moon) and others call it a day.
I saw this couple paddle in and sit together. I loved their silhouette and reflection on the sand. I wondered about their story. What were they talking about? Were they friends? Were they married? Did they come here after work for a few rides before dinner? They didn’t sit there for long, but I was intrigued. Here’s to pondering in front of more gorgeous sunsets in 2013.
At midnight last night, our neighborhood was rocking. Literally. Booming fireworks went on until about 12:20 to kick off the New Year. Was I out in Times Square celebrating? God no. At a trendy club toasting with Veuve? Not exactly. Home in bed with bronchitis? Check and check. Though it went down as my most low-key New Year’s Eve in history (sans fun travel destination or party), my husband salvaged the evening by whipping up a batch of his famous fondue (see below for secret recipe). We opened a bottle of Frog’s Leap (a favorite) and a delicious French Montrachet and watched the ball drop together. And I was snoozing the minute those booming fireworks ceased. A sign we are getting older? Yes. But it was fun.
A New Year is always filled with resolutions. I’m hoping for a year of good health (once I kick this bronchitis) and continued blessings. I resolve to spend more time with my camera–for me–to give myself the time to be creative and see what comes of it. I live in an amazing, vibrant city that I rarely take the time to photograph for fun or Fine Art. I also look forward to meeting and working with new clients as I grow and expand my business, and as always, I resolve to strike a healthy balance between work, family, and life in 2013. Here’s to hoping!
Before I go, I’ll share my unhealthy but delicious way to kick off the New Year. You can never go wrong with wine and cheese. I’ll get in trouble for sharing this family recipe (third generation) but here goes:
Greig Family Fondue
(close this window immediately if your New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight).
Perfect for a cold winter night. Best served with a nice Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Or even better…pair with champagne!
Serves 2-4, but easy to double. (estimate about 1 lb of cheese per person)
Ingredients:
1 French baguette, sliced into bite-size pieces. Cut bread a few hours before serving and leave exposed to air, so it hardens a bit.
2 cups broccoli florets (optional), or other veggies that are dunkable
1 lb nice Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 lb Emmenthaler cheese, shredded
1 lb Swiss cheese, shredded
1 garlic clove
1 cup of dry white wine (use good wine!)
1 shot of Kirschwasser (German cherry brandy)
Kitchen Needs:
Fondue pot- (recommend this one so you can start on the stove and then transfer to the fondue base)
Denatured alcohol (to fire up the fondue set)
Fondue forks– not necessary but fun
Get to It
1. Slice bread into bite sized pieces and set aside for at least 1 hour, uncovered
2. Shred all three cheeses (be prepared for a workout!)
3. Peel garlic and rub two cloves on the bottom of the pan, enough to coat. Chop one of these cloves and add to pan.
4. Pour 1 cup of dry white wine into pan, cook on low heat until it simmers.
5. Begin adding the cheese (no particular order) and stir as you go. Make sure the cheese does not boil.
6. Once all cheese is melted, add a shot of Kirschwasser and stir.
7. Transfer pot from stove to lit fondue stand (low heat), and serve with bread/veggies. Stir occasionally to keep from thickening. Enjoy!
8. Go to the gym! (depending on your New Year’s resolution)
Top Image: Stock Photography
…You almost became a Happy New Year card. I was so busy creating other cards this fall that I made it to early December without even thinking about our own. Part of my hang-up was that I didn’t love any photos I had taken of my daughter this fall (true, I’m a perfectionist in this regard), as she is SO mobile and quick that it was hard to capture those quick moments, even with a fast lens. Then in November she developed a love of sticking out her tongue, scrunching up her eyes, and shouting “cheese!”, which didn’t help matters.
Despite the short time frame, I had a lot of fun with the card design this year. I did find a few acceptable photos (sneak peek below) to use. I also tried a new printing company this fall for all of my clients’ cards and am really happy with the paper and print quality that resulted. Then there was the stamp debacle. I always order my stamps online. Not only is the post office a total nightmare, but it is also guaranteed to have the world’s ugliest stamps. I have always loved design and aesthetics, so I like my envelopes to be part of the overall package. While shopping online, I found some perfect black and white stamps of snowy Central Park, but they were $1.10 each…definitely not worth the extra expense. Instead I settled on these cool red “love” stamps that are probably intended for February 14th but I liked their holiday color and message. I also liked that they didn’t have Santa’s Sleigh or the Virgin Mary on them. No offense to either.
The stamps arrived in the mail in early December and I dutifully removed 120 of them from their cardboard/plastic and patted myself on the back for how ahead of schedule I was. Fast forward a few weeks–I finally receive my cards, and I cannot find the stamps. Anywhere. I remember putting them “somewhere safe” in case my daughter found them and thought they were her “stickers”. Turns out they were so safe that they never turned up. Maybe they’ll surface before Valentine’s Day. Anyway, that’s how I found myself in the end of a loony 16 person line at the post office on December 18th, trying to buy holiday stamps. 25 minutes later, I had advanced about halfway when a kind postal worker announced “if any of you are in line for holiday stamps, we don’t have any. You can order them online.” Oh lady. I did. So onto Plan C- buy ugly stamps? Not a chance! I left the line and sent my nice husband to a post office close to his job in NJ. He ended up with ornaments and a few Santa stamps, which I was happy with. At least they weren’t flags. Hence why the stamp photo above makes me smile.
Here are some images from Thursday morning’s 4 hour coffee shop marathon to label, write, seal, and stamp our cards–all fueled by a delicious vanilla latte. I have never mailed my cards so late, but they are now traveling around the country. Phew. And it was all worth it, because I love to send real mail and imagine them reaching the homes of my friends and family. This is the one time of year when we take the time to say hello, give updates, and send love. I enjoy opening our mailbox each day and discovering cards and updates from near and far. This year, we even found a fun way to display each card (more on that later.)
I’m signing out for a few days to unwind and celebrate the season, but wish you all a safe and happy holiday. If you had any holiday card challenges or debacles this year, do share in the comments!!
that inside pic of callie on the bench is ADORABLE! love the card:)
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Breathtaking. You have an impressive artistic eye and ability with a camera.