Upstate New York / Woodstock

Without fail, every time I go to upstate New York, I wonder why I don't make the trip more often.   In just a short train ride, you can arrive in a place that is such a huge contrast to New York City.  And it's this contrast that makes the experiences so special.  On this particular trip, we took detours, explored foggy roads and ponds and the woods behind our house.  We ate icicles like popsicles, sat in front of the fire for hours, and made huge meals together, all eleven of us.  It was peaceful and refreshing and incredibly fun - just what we all needed.  Below are just several snaps from our weekend in Woodstock.

At Home in the Kitchen

I don't typically find myself shooting food.  But being at home with a mom who is an incredible baker and so fun to witness in the kitchen makes it hard not to pull out my camera and catch her in the act.  Christmas cookies have a pretty special place in both of our hearts, as it's the one thing we always look forward to doing together this time of year.  And while we have a fleet of recipes to choose from and normally end up spending an entire day baking, this year, specifically due to the 70 degree weather that is forcing us to enjoy the outdoors, we decided to keep our time in the kitchen minimal and went with this simple ginger cookie recipe. 

Low Country

These images are from one of many morning walks at home in South Carolina, when the tide was rolling out and the quietness makes you wish you could stop time.  Living on the water has consistently been a part of my life.  At one point it was a beach, at another a pond, and then a lake.  And while all of them have served a different role in my life, I am particularly fond of and taken aback by how much I love living on a marsh now.  The high tides and low tides, the abundance of shellfish, the presence of spanish moss, the tall grass, and most notable, the serenity and stillness of it all.  The peacefulness of it all is really unlike anything I have experienced before.