Check out my new blog at
I’ve come to discover that moving a blog is as much trouble as moving a house (which I’ve been renovating since June.)
There will still be plenty to unpack (like my photo gallery) so sign up and stick around for the adventure!
I’m excited- hope you are too!
Cheers!
Jen
Written for Sunday Whirl.
Thanks, De 
Not a chance.
Couldn’t happen to us.
We are too strong to entice!
SMACK
One sip over the top
Down goes the guard
In comes the sucker punch to the left.
Left me in shock
Threw me right to my knees
By faith I rise-
We lock arms-
Each day is new.
Savor small goodness to reveal
His great goodness.
And I am all Right.
Written for 3 Word Wednesday
A little word art… from old travel books and my photos…inspired by an article I read in Florida Weekly about an artist named Austin Kleon.
In between preparing to move and renovate a new home, homeschooling and keeping our family running, I’ve been following along on a 15-day writer’s challenge from a friend and mentor, Jeff Goins. Last night, I made this collage, titled Paris Page, from a copied page in a travel guide, one of my favorite photos of my family, Sharpies, and memories of Paris. I’m sure there are more to come….documenting in some form our countless miles, photos and travel guides, and incorporating my passion for words, wisdom, photography and art.
Today, the challenge was to steal. Austin’s book is Steal Like an Artist. Hmmm.
Seems like I may be on to something… and it’s good- at least for me. Hope it is for you, too.
Would love to hear what you think. Post a comment below.
Cheers!
Inspired by a friend who was giving too much of his time to his church “job” yet ran out of time for God, I wrote this…
I’m highly valuable
That’s why I’m worthless
Seems like my life is such a mess
Everywhere I turn,
They expect a yes
Arms split
Pulled in all ways
How can I give my best
To the One who gives me everything?
To the One who gave His everything?
Lord, help me say no
So I can say Yes
Thankfully, he’s got that all balanced out now and the Lord is faithful! He and his wife have welcomed a baby into the world!
From a prompt from good friend De’s collaborative site…
Standing (daily) at the crossroads of
patience and frustration,
I realize that a slight turn to the right
will lead to
sweet and salty fruit
of Heaven
hypothetical?”
This past weekend, I attended the Oregon Truffle Festival (the underground fungus, not the chocolate) with my camera in hand for four days of fun work, new friends, and forest foraging. A fellow guest I met while shooting Friday night’s One Big Table awards dinner said, “I bet not all your jobs are this much fun.” “Actually,” I replied, ” they are!” Because of our involvement in the food & wine industry, I have fabulous times, memories, and countless friends all met around the table with a toast. That’s where I thrive shooting. Give me a plate of gourmet and a glass of glee, and my Canon 7D sings! If you’ve been following my blog at all, you know I’m a devoted wife and homeschool mom, and that is my primary “job.” And, through Luis’ amazing career, I’m blessed not to “need” to work… but something inside me lately has been so clearly showing me that I have to work. If I don’t shoot, write, and create…move, I feel as if I’m dying. Standing still. Stuck. And, I hate that feeling. I thrive on momentum. And, this momentum seems to be gaining supernatural speed since I’ve clearly identified that who I am must write (thanks, Jeff) must create, must share… and must toast!
Something in me experienced a paradigm shift before this weekend’s event. I was there to shoot, sure. Write for an awesome new publication- Latin Connoisseur- cool! Learn about scent training our truffle dogs, the lagotto romagnolo. But mostly, I was there to connect. Make friends. Experience authentic community around a passion (cuisine) and a table. And this event if truly where my greatest passions merge. Food, friends, wine, dogs- and the pursuit of the undiscovered. The food was art: full of the sensuous seasonal Oregon truffles from morning’s hot cocoa and eggs to evening’s main course and desserts- and everything in between. Amazing chefs including Josh Feathers from BlackBerry Farm and winemakers (like friends at Big Table Farm) gathered to share their art as I created some more. Food, photography and faith, and of course, our truffle dogs were the topics of my conversation.
I discovered something with each artful bite. In the crafting of the masterpiece on a plate lies the difference between gourmet and glutton. It truly takes a team of committed and passionate people, and a few miracles, to feed the masses with style. I was blessed to glean from renowned authors, and now good friends, Molly O’Neill and Kathy Gunst. I tasted everything from Merry’s award winning parsnip and celery root soup with shaved oregon white truffles and pomegranate arils to Chef Josh’s two-day roasted white truffle beef short rib with white truffle purée, and finished nothing. Yet, savored everything. People, places, experiences, and tastes.
Stay tuned for interviews with some of the amazing people I met this week, recipes (tomorrow will be wild mushroom and truffle risotto after our dinner tonight) and more photos. If you were there- or wish you were- post a comment below!
Business cards, phone numbers, and emails exchanged. Friendships formed. Pass the seconds, please.
Cheers!
“The most learned men have been questioned as to the nature of this tuber, and after two thousand years of argument and discussion their answer is the same as it was on the first day: we do not know. The truffles themselves have been interrogated, and have answered simply: eat us and praise the Lord.” Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870)
Molly O’Neill, one of the greatest food writers imaginable, shared that quote on her blog today. Tomorrow, I’ll be working with her and folks from the Oregon Truffle Fest and renowned truffle-dog trainers from Blackberry Farms here in Eugene, Oregon learning about truffle dog training while I capture some authentic moments, and hopefully a few delicious bites, from the annual Truffle Recipe Contest.
Food and wine events fill the soul with inspiration, the hunger with unique flavors, and the iphone with new contact information with friends made around the table. I was fortunate to enjoy a studio tour and simple lunch today with a new friend, and amazing photographer, in Portland- John Valls. The friendships, food and photo fun will continue throughout the weekend- so be sure to stick around!
The only thing missing is my love, Luis. I’ll raise a glass for us both
I see things differently.
“A photograph takes the mind hostage in its quest to free the soul” ~ quoted from my new Blog template site.
Where will photos take you?
Coming in 19 days-WordTraveling.com
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