In December, I purchased the Fujifilm Instax Mini 7s. I have been using it to capture special moments in my personal life and am absolutely in love with the pictures it produces. I usually always have it in my camera bag, but have never pulled it out for a session until Sunday. The pictures couldn’t have fit with them theme of Ezra’s shoot any better. I am so pleased with them. Here are a few:

Kefir (pronounced kef-EER) is an ancient cultured, enzyme rich beverage made from animal milks that contains the friendly probiotic bacteria found in yogurt as well as beneficial yeasts that help to improve the health on intestinal flora. Think of it as drinkable yogurt. It has a tangier taste than yogurt and a thinner consistency. You can drink it plain, season it with spices, or used to make salad dressings, uncooked soups, or fruit smoothies.

But I don’t consume dairy..Enter coconut milk. Coconut has been making headlines over the last few years. Coconut products contains monolaurin, a fatty acid found in human mother’s milk, which has proven antiviral, antibacterial, and fungal properties that support natural immunity. It has a creamy taste and texture that’s similar to cream (with half the fat and calories) or milk (when diluted). It tastes on the flavor of what you mix it with, making it ideal for both sweet and savory recipes.

Benefits of coconut milk kefir:

It’s formulated with 10 active & live cultures
It’s soy free & dairy free
It’s a good source of calcium and magnesium
It’s rich in medium chain fatty acids

Coconut Milk Kefir Smoothie

1 cup coconut milk kefir (I used vanilla)

1 small/medium frozen banana, sliced

3/4 cup-ish frozen mixed berries

I also tossed in a few cubes of canteloupe

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.

Jodi and Lilah made it home from the birthing center on Tuesday and I did her session Wednesday morning- hours before my plane left! I don’t think I have ever completed a newborn session so quickly and with such great results. Jodi and Cory are naturals in front of the camera and Lilah so easily soothed.

They seriously take my breath away!

Look at those cheeks!

It is so easy to take wonderful photographs when you have such beautiful subjects.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jodi. The look on her face is so telling and it warms my heart.

The color image on the left is hanging large and in charge in the office of the doctor who delivered Lilah. Talk about ecstatic!

Jodi and Cory, I am so very happy to have had the opportunity to photograph all of your milestones (so far!). I feel incredibly privileged to still have you in my life even though we are thousands of miles apart. And I am incredibly appreciative of you opening your home to me just days after giving birth and the day after coming home from the hospital. I hope you cherish these pictures always.

P.S. I have film images from my vintage camera that I took in the hospital being developed right now. Fingers crossed!

Ashrayaparavrtti is a Sanskrit word. Paravrtti- is like a somersault, ashraya- is one’s home base. Essentially, it means letting go of everything you have always believed or understood for a leap into the unknown. As Masson writes “Many people become vegan in just that way: a sudden moment, a blinding insight, a turning one’s back on conventional wisdom- in this case- a conventional diet.”

10 days ago, I stopped consuming all foods that come from animals. No beef, poultry, fish, milk, butter, cheese or eggs-and it has gone much smoother than I anticipated. It really wasn’t even a decision I had to make. In my mind, there was no other choice. I’ve had countless people ask me “why” or “don’t you think you’ll miss meat?” if they don’t ask either of those things- they call me a hippie. I want to keep my blog neutral, so I won’t preach about my opinions on this topic. However, if you want to know more, you can read this and this and/or watch this.

So now that I’m not eating meat, what do I eat? Lots of fruit, beans, veggies and whole grains. The key to keeping sane is to not deprive myself. I didn’t think it was possible, but I am more in love with cooking now than I have ever been! Taking a traditional meal or dessert, turning it vegan AND having it taste as good (if not better) than the original makes me jump for joy.

Here are two dishes I made back in January before actually making the transition.

Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Galette

Original recipe courtesy of Sunday Suppers

Savory Pie Dough :

3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
20 twist of a pepper mill
1 cup of Earth Balance, separated in small chunks
1/4 cup ice-cold water
½ butternut squash – halved and deseeded, and sliced
½ red onion sliced with root end still intact
3 tbsp Earth Balance
2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
Handful of pomegranate seeds
4 tbsp chopped toasted walnuts
Salt
Fresh pepper
Good quality extra virgin olive oil

Measure out flour, salt and pepper into a food processor. Mix well. Add the Earth Balance and pulse till butter resembles small pea size pieces. Add water while pulsing processor. Stop once the dough becomes a ball. Lay out a piece of clear wrap, lay the dough on it, flatten to a thick disk (or two) while wrapping. Allow to rest for at least ½ hour. (Dough Recipe by Camille Becerra )
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice the squash and cut the onion into equal width wedges—about ½ inch thick. Mix with Earth Balance, sage, salt and pepper and toss.

Roll out dough on lightly floured surface into 12 inch round and transfer to baking sheet. With each wedge beginning at center of the dough, fan squash and onions into pinwheel shape, overlapping and covering entire center of the round—leaving a few inch border. If you are making a large galette, you can form an outer row of veggies. Gently fold remaining dough over the edge of the filling, forming a freeform tart crust. Beat egg with a splash of water and brush over the crust. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until crust is golden brown and squash pierces easily with a fork.

While tart cools, sprinkle toasted walnuts and pomegranate seeds over top.

When ready to serve drizzle generously with very good extra virgin olive oil. Crack fresh black pepper and sprinkle coarse sea salt.

*While this tart was fairly time consuming to make, it is TOTALLY worth it. I can honestly say it is one of THE best foods I have ever tasted.

Next up:

Vegan German Chocolate Cake

• Cake:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups cold water
• Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together into a 9 x 13 inch ungreased cake pan. Make three wells. Pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour cold water over all, and stir well with fork.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean.

Icing: (recipe from here)

1 cup plain soymilk
1/3 cup coconut milk (may use lite coconut milk)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water until smooth
2 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

In a medium saucepan, mix the soymilk, coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla together. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Cook for one minute after it boils. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and pecans.

Allow to cool for about 10 minutes (mixture should still be warm) before spreading on cake.

Makes enough for one 2-layer 8-inch cake. (I used a cake slicer and cut the 2 layers into 4 layers)

Tell me those dishes don’t look delicious!

I love photographing Megan- she is so expressive. Her excitement here makes my heart happy.

Catching a tender moment during the ceremony while the guitarist played “I Will Be Here”.

Mr. and Mrs. Spurling!

Megan was such a classy/elegant bride.

We braved the rain for a short while…

before taking cover inside the hotel to stay dry and snap a few more romantics.

To me, these images feel like they could have come from the viewpoint of another hotel guest.

A delicious brunch reception

Two of my favorite food shots, ever. OMG- the waffles were too good!

As were the cupcakes- probably the BEST I’ve ever had.

I quite like all the laughter and facial expressions going on here

Fave!

One of the best parts of this wedding? Guests who ACTUALLY danced- and boy did they dance. Enjoy.

Thank you Megan and Eric for letting me a part of your beautiful wedding. I wish you two nothing buy happiness in the years to come. Hugs.

I arrived at Megan’s historic Casa Marina suite before the sun even come up on a rainy and very dreary day- perfect for a wedding at the beach, yes? There wasn’t much natural light available with the combination of a one-window room and clouds blanketing the sun- but it ended up creating a really great mood for the photos.

No Bridezilla here- just a sweetness.

Megan’s dress was STUNNING. It sings (there’s no way it could scream) elegance. This was an example of a dress that was just meant to be worn on its bride. I am in love with the colors and slight grain (due to the darkness) of the left image.

Getting ready shots are my favorite part of the day- the way anticipation reveals itself in each bride is different. The next several images show it better than I can put it in words.

Her expression in these really says it all. These next 3 are some of my very favorite bridal portraits, ever. These pictures were taken in a near dark room, with the sun just rising up over the ocean and diffused by the clouds.

Can’t forget the groom- a handsome military man.

Sand dollars as place cards-genius.

More to come soon- stay tuned!

Makayla was the smiliest baby ever!

How can you not “AWW” at that face?

My favorite from the session

But this one is a very close second

I love all the “smiles” I got during this session, the hair and the rows back rolls. What a little dumplin!

Anywho,

Meet Grant.

sweet little half- grin

cute little eyebrow raise

And his brother, Grayson

baby yoga

Ecstatic that this hangs as a 16″x20″ print in their home

Yet another beautiful family

Thank you Jen!

I especially love the connection in the right photo.

My absolute favorite thing about newborn sessions is catching their “smiles”. I think his little grin completely makes the left picture. And the same with the exhausted baby face in the right one.

Bringing it in tight. I don’t do it often, but I should.

I don’t know the whole story, but I believe Keller is named after a dear friend of his parents who passed way. The tattoo is connected with the friend, so Rebecca and Jeremy requested a picture incorporating the two.

Itty bitty baby parts.

Isn’t Becca beautiful?

The last shots that we waited FOREVER for. He did not want to be placed in the basket, but finally succumbed to la-la land and we got our way.

Thank you Jeremy and Becca for being so patient! I hope you agree that it was totally worth it.

Seriously Linds? This chickie needs to get into modeling.

Love!

Hayden did SO well dealing with me and having a camera in face. I absolutely love the one of him trying to cover up his smile.

Yes. I made it to 12 miles. Well, Robert and I made it to 12 miles. Robert and I serve with AmeriCorps together and have formed a rather unusual and unexpected friendship through running. I always look forward to our runs together- in fact, I know I never would have made it this far without him there to push, encourage and motivate me (and I for him). We decided a few weeks ago that we would run the Donna half-marathon for breast cancer on February 21st, and I am confident in saying that I know we will be able to complete it. There’s even casual talk of a full marathon…. (but just talk right now)

After burning 1300 some odd calories, I’m off to stuff my face.

That cute little black fur-ball is Samantha Jean. We call her Sam-bo or Sammy for short. I think she is half blind and half deaf by now, but I love her to pieces. She pretty much goes nuts every time I go home for a visit.

Couldn’t resist.

The second pose was his idea. So we went with it.

My favorite 2 of the bunch.

As my friend Charisse would say, “Ohhh, what a little dumpling”.

The little smile is the result of me acting like a complete goofball.

We did most of the session in the family’s spare bedroom- it had the most gorgeous light! Just look at the catchlights/reflection in her eyes. Her adorable little face also helps.

The color one on the right?? One of my favorites. Her little grin is just too cute.

As is the way she is so intently listening to her daddy.

All together now: “AWWWW”

Of course, the foot in the mouth shot.

During the session, we stopped to give little Avery a snack. Avery would tug on her daddy’s face and he would calmly tell her “gentle, Avery, gentle”.The intimacy of these two makes my heart smile.

Don’t let the sweaters fool you. We had one semi-nice day amidst the Florida humidity.

Picture perfect

From the moment I learned Jodi was pregnant I was plotting a way to be able to shoot her maternity pictures– and then I learned of Jenna’s wedding in October. Perfect. I was able to to knock out my brother’s senior pictures (coming soon), attend (and sneak in a few shots at) Jenna’s wedding AND do Jodi’s maternity session.

Jodi’s belly was just blossoming and the leaves were just turning. I couldn’t have asked for a better setting to photograph a more in love couple.

I’m pretty sure we were illegally trespassing on private property for the next 5 pictures with the yellow leaves. So worth it.

And then more trespassing at a pumpkin patch that we found while hiking to shoot with the red-leafed trees you’ll see further down. Jodi and Cory just ooze love and happiness AND they’re naturals in front of the camera. Not that I can really pick favorites- but I do really love these two.

The interaction and smiles in the next two really get me as well

A beautiful, glowing, happy mommy-to-be. Sweet or what?

I’d say “beautiful” again, but I don’t want to be repetitive.. so I’ll say “gorgeous”.

These two make me giggle. I hope they make you giggle too. Cory got plenty of practice catching- lets hope he gets to “catch” the real thing VERY soon.

Again, not that I can pick favorites..but I do love this one an awful lot as well.

Note to Lilah: Please be kind to your mommy and I-and don’t arrive too late. You already have your first photo shoot scheduled and it just won’t be acceptable for you to miss it. Thanks.

We started in my (now old) neighborhood at a REALLY old apartment complex.

And then stepped across the street to my FAVORITE park. Ever. Ever ever. Heather’s expression in this one make me so happy.. I can relate to having felt that way before.

Oh! I heart the colors in these two. all the green and then the pop of purple from Heather’s dress. For the longest time I though Florida was the ugliest place in the world for taking pictures because of the palm trees. Palm trees (unless on a fancy schmancy resort) are really quite shaggy things with browning fronds-that give me a really bad taste in my mouth. But then I discovered how beautifully spanish moss photographs–and it makes me happy.

And then there’s the majestic Southern live oak trees… almost forgot about those. This specific tree is estimated to be around 250 years old– and may be the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, predating the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart during the 1820s (how do you like that history lesson?). That left image is hanging large and in charge in their home.

Though this one, personally, is my favorite. The octopus-like branches of the Quercus virginiana make me swoon.

Beautiful. Heather sporting my vintage headpiece–scored at an antique store in Yoder, Kansas. The shallow DOF with the trees just brings me to my knees.

I absolutely LOVE when clients (I mean new friends..) come to me with ideas to make their sessions unique. Heather and I share a love of all things old and I was MORE THAN happy to help incorporate some of her favorite pieces into the shoot. When scouting out this location the week before, the grass was long and flowing. We arrived to it having been cut short. We made it work.

Heather, you rock. That is all.

A picnic with romantic pictures, anyone?

LOVE!

Or how about a picnic with a record player streaming love ballads? Note to self- find boyfriend who won’t think I am crazy for wanting to have a picnic in the woods while wearing my prettiest dress.

Heather and I spent way too much time and energy trying to find tan suspenders. It was worth it.

Saving more of my favorites for last. These are the last images from our shoot.

Can’t you feel the love? I can.

It warms my heart. Thank you for sharing your evening with me, Heather and Jerry, and letting me witness your beautiful relationship.