She may be the littlest ballerina, but I am sure she has the biggest personality. She may have crooked feet like her auntie, but that just adds to the cuteness. Last Friday I met my family up in Vacaville so we could all cheer on Priya in her very first Ballet recital. She was pretty darn cute... and hilarious actually. She would try her hardest to pay attention and then would catch site of Nona in the audience and sneak a little wave. It was well worth the drive through the rain.

Yes, it might seem a touch cruel to have such darling critters frequent the blog...and then speak about eating them. But, I think that this image is the perfect one for this recipe for several reasons. First, I think that it is important that we acknowledge that the food that we eat is indeed coming from once living, breathing critters, and they are darn cute. We need to come to terms with the fact that another creatures life had to end to help sustain our own. Second, not only is it better for that critter to have lived a happy healthy life, but it is better for us as well. Doesn't it just make sense that animals that grew up on fodder that they were intended to live on are going to produce meat that is much healthier and full of nutrients than the poor creatures that were brought up via industrialized methods? I think so. If you disagree, do a bit of research and get back to me. Finally, beef jerky is just not that pretty to look at. While taking a photo of a bunch of dried meat might be a fun challenge, I like to look at the living cows much better. And finally, the beef jerky is just never around long enough for me to photograph it. It goes that quickly.

So, with all of that said here it is:

Ingredients:

2 lbs meat (I use grass fed beef or bison)
1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 TB liquid smoke
3 minced garlic cloves
2 1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp salt and black pepper

First, if at all possible have your butcher slice your meat for you into 1/4 in. slices. If this is not possible, stick your meat in the freezer  to firm up and then attempt to slice it yourself. I have never had to do this before so the only advice I can give is: don't cut your fingers. It hurts. I did this once and it left me without feeling in one of my fingers. I wouldn't recommend it.

Second, I would reccommend starting the second part of this recipe at about 2 in the afternoon.  Mix all of the ingredients together (except the meat)  in a bowl. Add the meat to the marinade piece by piece being sure to coat each slice of meat as you add it to the bowl. When you have added all of the meat to the bowl, cover it and stick it in the fridge to marinate.

Third, before you go to bed put your meat in your dehydrator. There should be a single layer on each rack of your dehydrator. When you wake in the morning it should be mostly finished drying. Pull out the dry pieces and flip the ones that need to finish and check on them every couple of hours, pulling them out as they finish.

Try not to eat it all in one sitting.

*if you do not have a dehydrator you can dehydrate in the oven at 150 degrees for 6-8 hour turning meat once during drying time.

The only problem with having a wedding  in late October is that there is no telling what the weather will do. We managed to be stuck in the middle of the storm. It was certainly a challenge to shoot in the rain (I had never had to deal with a steamed up lens before). It also added something special to the day, I especially loved the rain boots and the umbrella.

Chrystal and Mikey decided that they wanted to see one another before the ceremony. It was a perfect way to start the day. Chrystal was beaming and Mikey was full of pride. They shared a few special moments under the covered bridge before heading over to the train (that's right, they got married on a train!)

Chrystal couldn't fit through the little walkway in her dress, so the boys actually came down and lifted her onto their shoulders to bring her down the aisle. So much fun!

Chrystal and Mikey, thank you so much for including me in your day. Despite the rain (and the man in the yellow jacket) it was a perfect day. You two look so happy together and I am thrilled to have been there to witness it.

If you would like to see a slide-show of a selection of images follow this link: SLIDE-SHOW
At the end of the slide-show click on the button to see all of the images from the wedding. Use the access code 'Calderon'

I have been wanting to start an 'Outtakes' file on facebook for a while, Phin solidified that for me. This shot a had me rolling. As it turns out, Phin is quite the multitask-er.

And the thing about portraits with two year-olds is well, they are two year-olds.  You can't exactly ask a munchkin to go to the park surrounded with things to explore and play with and expect them to just sit and smile for a picture. So, you let them decide that they WANT to be in the picture. This shot we were trying the, 'mommy and daddy are going to take a picnic, don't you want to join them?' trick. As you can see, it didn't work out exactly as planned. I do love this shot though, especially mom and dad's expression in the background.

And finally, one of my favorites. The expression on Phin's face here is just priceless. I am pretty sure this is the point in the day when the cute little doggy passing by transformed into a vicious attack animal (or at least in Phin's eyes). Poor kiddo.