There are things that work out and sometimes things don't.  We took the top down in my car and headed out on a beautiful summer day to Whidbey Island. There is something about an island, a convertible, blue sky that just calls to me.  We parked on this the mainland side of the bridge and hiked down to the water.  The trail led us over a ridge and then around it until we came to a secluded beach where we could lay out and enjoy the view. What really got me though was that I thought I brought an extra battery but I didn't and these four photos was all I got. 

A beater of a boat, a gorgeous day, a large lake and a teenager that wants to wake board. All ingredients needed for a summer day on the lake. Our first outing for the summer. We needed to test the boat to make sure that it all runs, a bit rough but it started. Agate Bay is our favorite wake board and ski spot. The water tends to be calmer there and the lighting is phenomenal. We had purchased a newer board at the end of summer and that needed to be tested as well. We rounded the corner, pulled out the rope, attached it to the back, and grabbed the wake board. These days my job is spotter and photographer. Lona, putting on the life jacket sat at the end of the boat dangling her legs in the water. She strapped on the board, taking a deep breath, slowly slipped into the cold water. We threw her the rope, pointed the boat in the correct direction and waited for he to call out. As soon as John heard, "Hit it", he punched the throttle and she popped right up. A turn or two and she was right back crossing the wake looking comfortable and confident on the board.  We went around and around until she was tired and was ready for a break. Cutting the engine, we drifted while we snacked, talked and swam in the lake. It was time for another go and the engine didn't work.  We looked under the hood, checking all the the usual stuff and realized there wasn't oil in there. That left us on the lake without a way to get to shore. We called our neighbor but their boat was in the shop. We called the dispatch but was informed that they were out on a different lake. Then we called a soccer teammate who lives on the lake. They came to our rescue towing our boat to Blodel-Donovan take out. We hauled it out of the water hoping that it would e an easy fix. And it was. It was just that the oil plug had rattled loose and fallen into the bottom of the boat where it and all of the oil collected. Taking care of that problem, we could confidently put our boat back into the lake. This is only the third or fourth time needed to be towed in.  The life of a boat owner.

Blueberry scones, croissants, chocolate and plain, cardamon spiced plum ice cream, strawberry tarts and more have been coming out of my kitchen for the sole purpose of having something to photograph. I purchased a book a book about french pastries called Baking Like a French Pastry Chef. Then there is the British Baking Show that turns out one amazing dessert after another. All this has me going to the kitchen, throwing flour around, mixing, rolling, pounding, cutting, and baking.  All so that I can have a subject to photograph. I want to make a cookbook that has family favorites not to sell but for my kids.  I realize that they will develop their own tastes and preferences and their spouses will have opinions as well. However, there maybe something that they may want to recreate as well. 

So this girl turned 17. Her choice of restaurants was Lux Thai with the family and her boyfriend and his mother.  Birthday tradition.
In the 17 years I've seen her do some amazing things such as work hard.  She started at age 11 being a soccer referee. Then became a hostess at a restaurant when she was 16.  Work her way to making salads and then QC and running food out to customers. I've seen her play soccer and dance. She has an amazing ability to be social no matter where she is or if she speaks the language. She can be stubborn but also determined. I am excited to see what she does in her life.