Once again I've been driving all around and I am just now starting to catch up with everything. Last week I had the honor of speaking in the Alumni Roundtable at Hallmark Institute of Photography. I graduated in 2003 and it was interesting recounting the path (with the many detours) my life and career have taken since then. I really had a wonderful time listening to everyone else on the panel. We all have had such different journeys, which is what makes photography so great. I hope that my contributions to the discussion were worthwhile to the students in the audience. If any current students are reading this - thank you for having me!
The next day I drove home to Boston to begin the Thanksgiving pie making. My Grandmother was a dessert expert. She would make (in my memory at least) ten different deserts - cakes, pies, cookies - a smorgasbord. I make two pies - apple and pumpkin, but...with a homemade crust, which is the only way to do it.
I feel very connected with my Grandma as I'm making the crust. It would be wonderful to make them with her and talk and listen to her tell stories. Losing the voices that make you "you" is sad, but I make sure to think of them often. My mom always prepared the apples - mostly because I'm not very good with the knife wielding. So, this year I was careful and felt she was helping me along the way to not cut myself.
Here's a little hint that I picked up somewhere (maybe Real Simple):
If you don't have a rolling pin handy - use a wine bottle. It works really well, especially if the bottom is curved in a little.
This is my piece (mmmm...), along with icebox cake that my cousin made. My Grandfather always loved his icebox cake. Dan continues with the tradition, which is great because I get to eat it!
I have a very small family. These are my 3 cousins and my brother and me - probably around 1992. Yes, I'm the only girl. When I say this now my Aunt gets upset, but you know what I mean, right? It would have been fun to have some girls around when I was younger. No one was really up for Barbies.
**Actually my closest second cousins are girls. They'll be in a post soon - along with some very cute kids.
And this is us now - minus David. If he knew this was on here he would most likely be very happy that he left before I had thought to take the photo.
