May 2014 Favorite

     This month has been full of baby, baby, baby. I don't think I've actually slept in 7 weeks. Our bodies are amazing that they adapt to a lack of sleep in order to take care of these new little beings! Kind of a gamble on mother nature's part, if you ask me haha... but it seems to be going mostly in her favor so far. I admit I miss going out and photographing freely, but I'm learning to look at the familiar and everyday in a new way. I ordered the Hoya close up filters for my Contax/Zeiss lens and was pleasantly surprised to see they fit my Canon 50mm as well!

     I ventured into my backyard with my new filters attached for the photo on the left, I love tri-colored sage and have it growing in bunches all over my yard, it makes a great low filler for a garden bed and is so pretty blooming or not.  

     The only thing I can say about the photo on the right is - WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT BABY'S ELEPHANT KNEES?? Ridiculously adorable. One (of many) of my very favorite parts of baby Jack at this stage. He's losing those elephant knees now that he's 7 weeks old and getting a little filled out, so I'm glad I captured them before they were a distant memory. 

     I hope you've had a wonderful May so far. The summer is right around the corner, hot weather, bar-b-q's and lot's of activities! It will be an interesting one with new baby in tow! 

     Until next time...

Erickson Ranch May 2013

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     Jams and jellies and preserves. Erickson Ranch takes the fruit from their trees to make the most delicious condiments. They also locally source certain fruits, such as berries, if they aren't grown on the ranch. Last May I photographed Victoria and Ray making their Meyer Lemon Jelly. They make each batch by hand, from juicing the lemons to the final stir before pouring the hot contents into jars. To watch the process you know they've been perfecting the art of preserving for some time. They have a skillful system down and to watch them work together is to witness two people who have a common love and pride in their fruit, their product and the art of the handmade. 

     Erickson Ranch is part of a larger community of Solano County & Suisun Valley growers. They utilize the commercial kitchen at Il Fiorello Olive Oil to make their wares. It's such a humbling process to watch the simple, natural ingredients that make up a jam such as their ranch grown Blenheim Apricot and then to taste the finished jam a few days later. My personal favorite is a good ol' peanut butter and jam sandwich! (I would have said jelly, but I've since learned the distinction between a jam and a jelly!)

     If you haven't tried their jams, head out to the Ranch (2482 Cordelia Rd. Suisun Valley, CA 94534) on Sunday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m for their season opening event,  "All Things Apricot". There will be jam tasting along with other local makers and it is a great day to explore the ranch! 

Hope you're all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 

To see all months from my 2013 year long project click on the month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Erickson Ranch April 2013

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     April at Erickson Ranch brings on a proliferation of activity and blooms. Fields are tended to, vegetable crops are planted, garden crops begin to pop up and the apple trees begin to explode with their beautiful blooms. There is also a feeling of awakening on the ranch. A feeling that the land, the plants, the animals, the people all are stretching their arms, basking in the sun, taking a deep breath of fresh, warm air and preparing for the upcoming season of growth. And all the while the pretty purples of spring put on a show, from iris' to lilac to wisteria; it makes for a beautiful display to the start of the season! 

April 2014 has been an eventful one, so this particular post will be short but sweet. Hope you all are enjoying the spring! 

To see all months from my 2013 year long project click on the month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptember