only for today

My grandmother would have been 89 today.

I have a small envelope of some of her things. Miscellany, mostly. Notes, a pocket mirror, church brochures, a bobby pin. There's also a small stack of worn cuts of binder paper. You can tell they were held and read over and over-- she hand wrote about a dozen prayers and would read from these throughout the day.

I miss her. Her delicate cursive is so telling of who she was. They make me cry so I try not to look into this envelope too much.

But today, it's okay. Happy Birthday, Mama Hely. Mahal kita.

s'mores brownies

I always fancied myself the family baker and then my cousin's boyfriend, Cory, made these. Good Lord.

S'mores Brownies
adapted from Cory

your favorite brownie recipe
marshmallows
graham crackers

Bake your brownies. Once a toothpick comes out clean, layer marshmallows on top. Continue to bake in the oven for a few minutes or until the top becomes a soft golden brown (like when you toast marshmallows for s'mores!). When the marshmallows are ready, press graham crackers on top and let cool. Bring to a family gathering to impress everyone.

little miss raven

Those cheeks! That hair! Gah, I love her so much.

I can't believe I'm a godmother!

sutro

Having spent the better part of the last four days in bed (read: asleep and/or unable to move from fever or general sickness), I'm anxious to be outside again. I miss the sun and crisp air and the ocean. To me, few things are more calming yet evocative as the ocean.

These photos are from a short trip to Sutro with my nephew, who's recently decided to pick up photography. I'm no pro by a long shot, but I love taking him to my favorite places and teaching him what I know.

mama's frittata

Today is my beautiful mama's birthday. She is strong, clever, and gorgeous beyond words. For her birthday, I'd like to share one of my favorite recipes from her. She's made it for as long as I can remember and I can't think of a better breakfast than a slice of her frittata with warm, buttered pan de sal.

It's simple and easy to make with whatever you have in the kitchen, but I like it with onions and potatoes best.

Mama's Frittata
(thanks, mom)

a pat of butter
an onion, sliced
one potato, peeled and sliced like french fries
three eggs
a few tablespoons of milk or water
salt
fresh pepper

Caramelize the onions in butter over low/medium heat in a skillet. Add the potatoes. While the potatoes are cooking, whisk the eggs in a bowl and add the milk and/or water, salt and fresh pepper. Once the potatoes are soft, add the eggs. Do not stir. As the bottom of the frittata cooks, slightly lift the edges and allow more eggs to run underneath. Once the majority of the frittata is cooked, flip the frittata onto a plate (i.e. the plate goes facedown onto the skillet and then you flip it over so the frittata falls onto the plate). Slide the frittata back onto the skillet with the uncooked side down. After a minute or two, it'll be ready. Serve with warm bread and butter.

happy, merry

Lately it feels as though I don't have much to say. My thoughts are neither here nor there, they just are. And while I'm perfectly content to sit back and watch my family together eating, laughing, and eating again, I never want to pass up the moment to be thankful.

Happy, merry everything to you and yours.

the bermudez family

A few months ago I realized that even though I love working for a company I support and believe in, I'd become lackluster about my own passions and my goals for myself. Mostly in the regards to photography. One Portland morning, I had tea with Leela and she reinspired me to try different genres and constantly challenge myself (along with finally posting my portfolio).

Fast forward to a Saturday in the park, with my sister and her beautiful family as my first subjects while I tried my hand at family portraiture. I've always known that I love taking photos of, well... love, but I'd always limited this concept to couples. Little did I realize that family love is a whole big 'nother kind of wonderful love that is just as heartwarming and rewarding to shoot as the other kind. Love is love. 

italia

I almost can't believe I'm back.

I've been working in Florence for the past couple of days and am so happy, so lucky, so blessed to call this city one of my homes. The best part? Already knowing the streets. Or visiting my favorite gelateria every day for the past three days (whoops). Or speaking (broken) Italian. Or having dinner with my host parents. Or showing David my favorites spots. Or introducing David to my host parents.

Everything is the best part.

3

This babygirl is 3 years old today. I still remember when I made this video with her.

I love that she's adventurous. Her mom calls her "the terror," but I think she's just curious. I hope I never forget how she always insisted on wearing a tutu, and how that tutu has turned into a princess dress. That she calls me "Tita Les" because "Celeste" is too long. And that the second I walk through the door she screams my name at the top of her lungs. It's a great feeling.

It's weird loving someone else's kids this much but it's nice to see how your heart can grow.

Happy Birthday, sweet samu-Raiza. Disney princesses (and Carly Rae Jepsen) have nothing on you.

five

This little big girl is five years old today.

Five years of the chubbiest cheeks, the cutest pig tails, the highest frosting to cupcake ratio (about 100:1 frosting licks per cupcakes eaten), the sassiest poses, and the funniest things I've ever heard.

Happy Birthday, little Raine-drop.

I can't wait to keep watching you grow
(and am having mild panic attacks that you start kindergarten today).

old west cinnamon rolls

I'm not sure what to say except that this is an entire bakery dedicated specifically to cinnamon rolls. And yes, I'd drive 234 miles to have them again. (Thanks, brother, for taking us here.)

peach pickin'

Last weekend my family took a quick day trip inland to pick fresh fruit at some Brentwood farms. Our first, most memorable stop was at a quiet peach orchard right off the main road.


The peaches were so soft that 2-almost-3-year-old Raiza would squish the fruit as she tried to pull them off the trees. They were the sweetest, juiciest peaches I'd ever had and we ended up bringing 66 pounds home with us.

Nothing smells better than the sweet scent of peaches as you hold them close to your nose.

morning on the beach

Central California is something else.