Nectar & Light

Just a quick pop in to show you my favorite image from a roll of medium format film I shot with my V-Day/early B-Day gift - a Hasselblad 500CM.  The tones in the photos from this camera make me weak-kneed... and "the last of it" being of course the strawberry shortcake that I polished off.  I will be uploading a few more from that roll on Flickr later today.

Have a lovely weekend friends, I will be back on Wednesday as we are taking a mini-break for my daughter's birthday - lots of fun and photos upon my return!  And if you are looking for some inspiration to see you though, visit Amy's blog - one of my dearest and oldest friends - her ability to continually create and push herself inspires me daily; and Nicole's blog - she is back, and we are all better for it - she speaks to my soul in a hushed whisper - such loveliness...

xoox~jla 

Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with a dear friend I had not seen in what seemed ages.  We took to the open road, cameras in tow and came upon the most delightful of nurseries.  I felt my heart aching for Spring as we crossed the threshold - greenery entangled so tightly - like lovers never wanting to be parted; bursts of pink reminding me that color indeed, will be returning shortly - for she is still rouging her cheeks a bit.  A beautiful day indeed.

Today, I want to thank my friend Matt Armendariz for this beautiful day.  I contacted Matt sometime ago to gush over his blog and to ask him some questions about breaking into the world of food photography - he is the quintessential master of composition and light and his photography is awe inspiring - he is also a wordsmith divine and runs THE most delicious blog on the Internet - Matt Bites.  He asked me some time ago if I might be interested in being interviewed for his blog - I did not really have to think about it - I considered it an unbelievable honor.  So if you are curious as to what makes me tick creatively and what inspires me as of late, you can check out the interview here.  Thank you again Matt - a beautiful day indeed.

xoox~jla

Is it too early for Strawberry Shortcake?  Apparently not according to Adie.  Monday night we celebrated the first of several little birthday celebrations for her {her birthday is actually next week} and she insisted on this summer classic.  It is one of my favorites as well - instead of the sponginess of an angel cake base, I prefer the buttery depth of my grandmother's biscuits.  Enjoy friends:

~ 5 c. flour

~ 8 oz. butter

~ 1 c. sugar

~ 1 T. and 2 t. of baking soda

~2 c. milk

~ 2 c. of strawberries hulled and sliced

~ 1/4 c. sugar

~ 1 c. heavy cream

~1 t. vanilla

~ 1/4 c. powdered sugar

For the strawberries:  At least two hours ahead of serving time but no more than two days - combine the sliced berries with 1/4c. of sugar mix until the berries are covered in sugar and refrigerate.

For the biscuits:  These can be made up to two days ahead of time - they are almost better at least a day old as the butter really settles into the layers.  Mix all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.  Cut in the cold butter and add milk.  Stir until just incorporated and shape into a large rectangle on a greased baking sheet {you will need a bit more flour for this}.  Score the biscuits however you like - it should make at least 12 large squares.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

For the whipped goodness:  You can do this by hand but it is much easier with a stand or hand-held mixer; beat heavy whipping cream with vanilla and powdered sugar - taste to your personal sweetness preference - until semi-stiff peaks form.  Peaks will form much faster if your bowl and whisk attachment is chilled thoroughly.  Be sure not to over beat this as you will end up with butter.

To assemble:  Layer a biscuit at the bottom of a shallow bowl; spread a thin layer of whipped cream atop the biscuit; top with a healthy heap of strawberries and the delicious juice they have created; top with whipped cream.

And in case you were unsure, you can eat this as breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or at any snacking moment in between ;)

Have a wonderful day!

xoox~jla 

Good Day Friends!  It is that time again - to announce the theme for this month's PhotoExchange.  And if you can not tell from the photo above - the theme is... Green!  You are free to interpret his how ever you wish - the first blossoms of spring poking through the thawing earth; your son's first attempt at his tricycle; your efforts to save our dear Mother Earth - it is completely up to you - be creative - push yourself - just remember that the recipient should be able to interpret your idea of Green as well.

If you would like to participate in the swap, please email me at info@nectarandlight.com with the following information:  Your name, website/blog, mailing address and link to your Flickr account {if you have one}.  I will collect names through 7 March - you will receive your partners name by 10 March at which time you will mail them a printed 5x7 or 5x5 of your shot of the month!  I have also created a Flickr group for the swaps in which you can upload the photographs you receive - you are free to sign up there as well.  All items {feel free to throw goodies in and a hand written note of course!} are to be sent by 24 March.

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I have received a few emails asking if you have to be a professional photographer to be a part of this Exchange - no, no, no my dears!  The only requirements are a true love of photography, a desire to push yourself creatively and a commitment to mail your photograph to your partner on time.  Hope that clears it up ;)

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*Whether you sign up via email or Flickr - be sure to send me your address, if it is not included I will be able to provide you with a partner.

Thank you so much Friends - Happy Swaping!

xoox~jla

p.s.  I just want to thank Marta for her lovely words this morning - she is such an inspiration and I am so honored she enjoys Nectar & Light.  Marta, please join us for scones and jam - Adie would love to make you tea ;)

p.p.s. We should be seeing the photos from the first swap in the Flickr group soon - thank you again to everyone who played this last month!

p.p.p.s. and be sure to check this out - from the queens of inspiration.

Hello Friends, I hope you had a beautiful weekend.  We have undertaken a huge project that I hope to share with you in the coming weeks - but for now I can say that I am exhausted as we spent the weekend knee deep in it.

The photographs above are from our Saturday morning.  Our life is full of ritual - it is a holy word in our home.  One such weekend ritual is a big family breakfast - pancakes, waffles or challah French toast is the usual fare - always with chicken-maple sausages.  Adie has taken to helping her Dad with this and it is one of her greatest joys.  Another favorite weekend ritual is Dip & and Movie night; either Saturday or Sunday night - instead of sitting down to dinner - I make my Baked Crab and Goat Cheese Dip - we eat it with a chuck of crusty French bread and perhaps a bowl of ice cold shrimp - and watch a movie with the girls.  We love the informality of this ritual - like a secret winter picnic in which requires a special invitation.  Do you have rituals in which complete your everyday life?  I would love to hear them...

Have a lovely day - I will announce the new theme for the PhotoExchange tomorrow and hope that everyone has had fun with last months Exchange...

xoox~jla

I could not help but stop in quickly and drop this gem in your lap.  This is my idea of heaven on earth...

{photo above taken this evening after seeing above link - i was inspired to say the least.}

Enjoy your weekend friends!

After a quiet morning with the girls yesterday, I spent the afternoon playing with a new toy - an old Polaroid 230 Land Camera.  I bought it appease my mind as the peel apart film that this camera takes will continue {for now at least} to be produced by Fuji.  It is fun - the images are hauntingly nostalgic - but lack that wonderful soft light that I love from SX70 so much...

This week I wanted to share some of my favorites links that I have been visiting for years - these women are a constant inspiration and I am continually awed at their vision:

~ one of my favorite jewelry designers, EVER;

~ a daily reminder to journal;

~ Susan was the one to motivate me to start Athena Says {Juniper Designs at the time} two years ago;

~ and I still love everyting she does...

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

xoox~jla

p.s.  I will be adding a new recipe next week and announcing the new theme for the March PhotoExchange {see the PhotoExchange link to the right for details on the last exchange}!  See you then...

Good day Friends!  Thank you all so very much for the warmth and welcome you bestowed on Adie Fey!  She was beyond delighted to hear all of your comments read aloud this morning and the first thing she said to me when I finished was "I have to show them more pictures, Mama!"  So thank you - we are so looking forward to this little project...

Above are simply some images that I am trying to put together for a "focus project" as I like to term it.  I am trying to train myself to look at objects - pieces within the same family - differently, yet somehow unify them through how I shoot them - just a training exercise for me in another way to slow down and see beauty everywhere.

For more loveliness, visit Amanda's blog {new to me!  thank you Amanda!}; this wonderland for children and craving this and these.

Have a lovely afternoon... see you on Thursday!

xoox~jla

p.s.  gooorgeous {via matt bites}

p.p.s  this was going to be updated just once a week - but her enthusiasm is presently boundless... I think I might have a future prop stylist on my hands...

Adie Loves Polly - a photoblog by my daughter - yes, that would be my almost four year-old daughter.  She could not keep her precious little paws off of mama's Polaroid camera - so we adopted Polly.  Polly is cute, quiet - though a bit tired - she needed a good home and a lot of love.  Combined with the fact that Adie loves to sit on my lap and go through Flickr with me - and the aforementioned attempts to squirrel away mama's camera - this seemed a natural solution to her new found desire.  She wants to share her photos with you and of course tell you what she thinks of them in the process.  I hope you enjoy her little journey...

I have decided to take Fridays off {as in off-line}.  So my weekend posts will now be a day early - but still full of wonderful link love! 

~ This week I found that no matter how I try, there are some things that will never change - such as my obsession with notebooks. I bought these, these {I am inspired to draw on the covers} and of course, this and this.

~ Looking for some new artwork for my girls {they all share a room} and I am loving this and this.

~ I just can't seem to stop listening to this  - and I shall do so while reading this wonderful new find.

~ Get lost in loveliness here and here.

Have a weekend full of sunshine & daydreams!

xoox~jla

p.s. I am featured on the Film is Not Dead, it Just Smells Funny blog today!

kiss someone+hug someone+tell someone what they mean to you+tell someone you could never live without them+smile at a stranger+hold hands+tickle someone+draw hearts all over the paper in front of you+sing your favorite song outloud+smile at the mirror+love him+love her+love you.

With nearly our entire house under the weather, the last thing I want to do is cook - and truly, there is no better time to do so.  In need of "real" nourishment - {ie. not Jimmy John's turkey sandwiches another night in a row}, I am determined to cook my tired, drained family a meal tonight.  Where do you turn for inspiration when you want to try something new?  I love my old {and new} cookbooks - I keep stacks of them everywhere - but there are some new titles beckoning me as well:

~ I love everything she does - she is beautiful, full of grace and good eats;

~ cover art always seduces me - this looks like a true delight;

~ highly recommended by a certain wonder foodie I know - see here;

~ this has nothing to do with what I need to be cooking, but I am sure the photography is sublime...

Have a beautiful day and stay well!

xoox~jla

Here are some things making my happy today:

~ this lovely spot of beauty;

~ these are beyond gorgeous {via hoping for happy accidents};

~ I am hoping to use this very soon;

~ and this wonderful project.

Have a beautiful day friends!

xoox~jla

draw more+paint more+color more.

Today I am inspired by the beauty and delight  here and more Polaroid love here.

Have  a lovely day...

Have  you ever had your heart broken?  Not shattered, but broken - maybe torn a bit, maybe bruised?  After reading yesterday about the confirmation by Polaroid that they will cease production of all instant film, I felt as if a lover had just abandoned me.  We were just beginning to get to know each other so well - to create beautiful light and soft loveliness.  Am I waxing a bit dramatic here?  Maybe - but I am so saddened by the news.  Needlesstosay, I will continue to shoot and have some exciting news of a project on the horizon - but every time the shutter sounds my mind uncontrollably whispers, "one less."

Friday!  Above are a few new prints that are in the shop today. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has signed up for our first PhotoExchange.  If you have not emailed me your mailing address, please be sure to do so by tomorrow as you will receive your partner's information on Monday.

A few places to visit this weekend:  Loving Amanda's set inspired by one of my favorite movies; a beautiful shop by a beautiful friend; dreaming of these via Alyson; and thinking this is the cutest thing ever.

Have a lovely weekend friends - I wish you all sunshine & love...

xoox~jla

What is it about an old photograph that stirs such deep emotions?  I look at this photograph my father took of me and I am overwhelmed with love for him and for my eldest daughter - because he took a moment to capture this delightful scene and because I see her staring back at me.

Today I am falling for this; getting lost in beauty here; would love all of these; and thinking she is magic.

Have a lovely day friends...

xoox~jla

it makes me think of a dear friend+it makes me smile+it makes me want to find yellow 'hunter' wellies for adie & ayla+it makes my heart ache for rome+it reminds me that I will one day return for good.

{photos from J.Crew catalog/February 2008}

Hello Friends!  I would love to share one of my favorite recipes with you today - we are buried in snow once again and Adie and I felt no better excuse to bake yesterday.  I do hope you enjoy - these do not last long in our home!

And thank you for all of the lovely comments this first week back - I LOVE hearing from you!  And through you I have discovered some delightful new wonders to browse - loving this {via Little YellowBird; this Cup of goodness and this delish little find.

Have a lovely day! 

xoox~jla

~ 1 c. butter {room temp}

~ 1 1/4 c. peanut butter {preferably smooth Jif}

~ 1 c. sugar

~ 1/2 c. honey

~ 2 organic eggs

~ 1/2 t. vanilla

~ 2 1/2 c. flour

~ 1 t. baking powder

~ 1 t. baking soda

~ 1 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Smooth butter and peanut butter together - add sugar and mix until well blended.  Add honey and mix.  In a small bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla - add to butter mixture and incorporate well.  In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and baking powder together - slowly add to wet mixture.  Scrap the bottom of the bowl several times to ensure all of the dry is properly mixed into the wet.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Place the dough in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.  Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.  Using an ice cream scoop {or tablespoon}, create {somewhat} equal sized balls of dough - spacing them about two inches apart on the baking sheet.  Return the dough to the fridge between each sheeting.  Do NOT flatten the dough with a fork or any other means.  Bake each sheet for 12 minutes or until edges just begin to turn gold.  Pull from the oven and let the cookies stand for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

*These freeze beautifully and defrost quickly if you really must have one right away ;)

 

that she was the greatest surprise of my life+that she never stops smiling+that her presence is what reminds me to slow down and remember what the most important things in my life really are+that she squeals and stuffs her hands in her mouth whenever she sees someone she loves+that she lets her sisters kiss and cuddle her without fuss+the perfect little curls atop her perfect little head+that I could never stop writing this list.

{for "to photograph love"}