Ruthie is doing much better. It took a few days, a frantic call to the doctor, some saline drops and a lot of booger-suction, but she's herself again. It's a relief to see her smile again, and a joy to notice that, hey, she's smiling a lot more!

I've been having strange dreams and paranoias lately; things about cars exploding and strange characters approaching me deleriously. It's all probably a result of Ruthie's illness, and the realization that I'm so much more powerless to protect her than I knew.

Moments that make my heart leap include the times when she discovers how delicious her fists are. She holds them near her face like two tiny ice cream cones. I know she's found them when I hear delighted squeaks and cooing noises from wherever she's situated. I know that her hands have deftly evaded her when the delighted squeak turns into a frustrated squawk.

She's got such an intense look about her. I hope she'll be an astute observer of human nature. Like her parents, she'll probably have an opinion on everything once she figures out how to express it.

While washing dishes the other day (a lengthy task, as we do not have the luxury of a dishwasher), I reflected on the unspoken principles of food that I have nurtured for goodness knows how long. I write them here because they interest me, and I'm curious if others have similar principles by which they conduct themselves and their kitchens.

1. Food Tastes Better When Prepared by Others

This is a general truism, and I think it stems from a heightened sense of eagerness and anticipation when you get together as a group to share a meal. Possibility and mystery reside in the occasion, especially if one is eating out. What will I choose to eat? What will others choose? What will we talk about?

These questions can, of course, be a source of anxiety on a first date or the first time you bring home a significant other. But for the most part when you indulge in the luxury of having your food prepared by another, the ease, relaxation, and anticipation it encourages heighten the enjoyment of the meal.

Even when one participates in preparing food at another person's house, a sense of mystery remains. You are communing with the person, with their unfamiliar kitchen, and entering into a world that closely touches on the way they sustain their existence.

2. Coffee: Not Just Another Caffeinated Beverage.

Coffee is a complicated beverage surrounded by an almost magical ritual--pouring hot water over roasted beans hardly seems like an activity that could provide comfort or excitement. Yet for me, it does.

What I enjoy so very much about coffee (and even tea) is the gentle but daring combination of flavors that can be brought about through different roasts, adding varying quantities of sugar

Some may abuse coffee for its caffeine content. That is understandable, but in no way detracts from coffee's sophistication or dignity.

Therefore my working principle is that coffee is among those items (like good-quality shoes) that you should never skimp on.

3. Satisfy Chocolate Cravings with Darker Varieties

Never one to pass up an opportunity to consume more chocolate, I confess to being rather rabidly addicted to the bittersweet varieties. Those who stand united with me in craving chocolate should heed this principle: it is wiser to consumer darker varieties instead of "milk" chocolate, because it's the cacao you're craving, not the sugar.

Julia Lewis is on her way.

Mother Stephanie is relaxing while awaiting her arrival.

Joe, the proud father, joins her.

By far, this shot is my favorite from the session. Joe and Steph had relaxed a bit and were playfully teasing each other.

We're all very excited to finally meet Julia.

The weather here in Baltimore has been swinging more wildly than a moody teenager. Last week temperatures were balmy and spring-like; even some of the local forsythia bushes were tricked into budding.

But yesterday we had ear-biting cold, light drifting snow, and icy stoops. "Winter storm warning," said the radio.

Today the snow is melting. The sky is cloudy but the temperature is warm. Everything is early-morning damp. It will be spring soon.

The above photograph is of a homemade windchime made from salvaged chimes, twine, and a chopstick.

As my niece, Hannah, gets older and older, her tastes continue to evolve. Just a year or so ago, her room was a flood of pink, princesses, and sparkles. When her birthday rolled around, she declared, "I'm not into that anymore," and with the help of her mom, redecorated her room.

She may not have a "princess bed" anymore, or any trace of pastel, but it still screams little-girl-magic to me. Our little Hannah is still growing up.

This Sunday, I will be participating in a bridal expo in Columbia, Maryland, put on by Britton Events.

Never having worked an expo before, I bought myself a nice 6' table, and set to work on getting some new samples and albums together (you may remember my brag books and proof album).

I must say that Cypress Albums offer the most elegant and high-quality products, by far. I am proud to introduce some new studio samples: folios!

Here we have a deliciously wonderful 5"x5" folio with a CD sleeve that I will be showcasing.

And here is a lovely 3-panel folio that holds 5"x7" photographs!

So please, come see me this Sunday, if you can:

March 2, 2008
Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Hilton Columbia
5485 Twin Knolls Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045

After the expo, I'll post photos of my table and the rest of the goodies I've put together!

Last Saturday, my two friends (both coincidentally named "Nat") and I went out to Druid Hill Park in Baltimore to have a little fun. After a stop off at Vogue Revisited for some fun accessories, we ran around!

I learned a lot during this shoot; a lovely warm-up for the wedding season. For one thing, the overcast sky made for beautiful light bouncing from all over. And although the clouds threatened rain, they made for wonderful dramatic skies. We didn't get to spend as much time as I'd have liked, seeing as how it was freezing cold and my hands stopped working after an hour and a half. But we had a blast, and I ended up with some very nice shots.