LA Chinatown

Went up to Los Angeles with some friends last week - Guess where we went for lunch?

Yep.  Chinatown



Wendy - our driver, and planner EXTRAORDINAIRE, mapped out a walking tour of Chinatown....



And brought along a little guide to read as we came upon interesting things (Like this wishing pond dating from 1939)



And a statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, founder of the Republic of China






Everywhere we looked we saw beautiful colors, architecture and decorations.




Check out the detail waaaaaayyy up on that building!

We also noticed the neon lighting around the buildings - bet it is beautiful at night.




Wendy also discovered that our most recent book club book "Shanghai Girls" was set in this area - lots of history to be found!



In the Central Plaza of Chinatown you will be enchanted by the quaint walkways and tiny shops. The sound of clicking mahjong tiles can be heard from upstairs windows where many of Chinatown's family associations hold their social meetings.

Chris: San Diego Child Photographer

Meet Chris.




You met his little sister Caitlin a few weeks ago.  HERE They have both been bitten by the acting bug and needed audition portfolios.




So we met in their beautiful front yard for a session of head shots.



Couldn't you just drown in those eyes?









He's been called back for a follow up audition - so stay tuned!







"Acting is happy agony." Sir Alec Guinesst

Rehearsal....

Every Wednesday night you will find 200 band members, color guard, teachers and marching techs on the field REHEARSING.

Had the opportunity to help out our wonderful historian by snapping a few pics of the Hawaiian themed rehearsal.



Tiptoed around during their warm up/stretching time....





So refreshing to have teens who WANT you to take their photos....!  (cuz my Matt HATES it!)






Then it was time to start playing, marching, and working on the field show....













And let me tell you, it's lookin' mighty fine!




"Marching band today isn't your grandmother or grandfather's marching band where the band walked out onto the field, stopped and played a couple of songs and walked off the field. These students are moving thousands of steps at high tempos all the while playing an instrument or using a piece of color guard equipment during one show." John Mashborn

Amazing Abbey: Class of 2011 San Diego High School Senior Photographer

I was lucky enough to be asked to capture the senior portraits of Abbey.  What a beautiful young woman, wouldn't you agree?



She's as sweet, kind and smart as she is beautiful!



We had a beautiful sky - lucky us!







And on the hike back to the car, I just couldn't resist this brick wall. 







Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

True Love! Debbie and Tom San Diego Engagement Photographer

Guess what I'm off doing today while you are reading this?

I'm photographing the beautiful wedding of Debbie and Tom!




Packing up my gear yesterday I realized I FORGOT to show you their engagement photos.

So here they are.



Taken from their own beautiful backyard!







So wish me luck - and I'll show you their wedding photos as soon as I can.





Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. ~Michael Leunig

Fudge: Not just for Christmas

Aunt Nancy came for a visit recently and happened to mention she loves peanut butter fudge.

So I decided to whip some up as a special surprise. 

You do know it's okay to eat fudge year round, don't you?



I use the standard ole marshmallow cream, sugar, stir, stir, stir recipe...



A candy thermometer is a must!





Spread it in a buttered, foil lined pan and try to wait until it cools.

(This is VERY hard to do because the peanut buttery aroma has filled the kitchen!)

No worries though, I make due by licking the spoon.

Then it's ready!


DIG IN!

By the way, what's YOUR favorite flavor of fudge?  Mine is peanut butter HANDS DOWN!




Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~Author Unknown ...

Newborn Madeline: San Diego Newborn Baby Photographer

Isn't she sweet?  Meet two week old Madeline.



She wasn't interested in sleeping, so we got to enjoy her big beautiful blue eyes.



Met her big brother....



Don't you love this blanket?   Mom said it was a baby gift - wouldn't mind having one myself!










And if we're telling a story, of course we have to include the WHOLE story.  :-)