yule

austin

sweet river 

eighth notes hey

tue closed, wed closed

river and boots on red

succulent foreground

patio through shudders

Texas icicle Tail

'pick up'

on your right

1x4

live mannequin

one block down

brooks seat

baby bamboo foreground

contemplative smoker background

leave

lincoln logs/cameo with river

scout II

untitled

Greetings From Austin

thankful

Thanksgiving

Thank you to the muted view

through a burlap curtain

out of the window by our bed

cedar trunks and the scitterings of squirrels

Thank You for the postcards

with quotes that I love

and candy left in 

the boots I always wear

Thank you Jesus

Thank you Wendell Berry

Thank you coconut oil popcorn

Thank you Red Sox fan on Frankfort Avenue

who always looks alarmed

who we see everyday on our walks

Thank you to the Earth for turning

Thank you Sojourn

aliens and trespassers

in a foreign land

Thank you past

you were our constant companion

you are done

Thank you future

Thank you new heartbeat

You're welcome.

Self Portrait

Kate 

Over the past year I've had the privilege of getting to know Kate.  

I am inspired by her & her amazing ability to bake unique foods by using rare & local ingredients.  

She is an amazing photographer with her sweet husband Lang, they have the warmest & most

welcoming home, & I am encouraged by their love for the Lord. 

She's seriously so amazing! 

Kate Leichhardt

Age 25

Chicago, IL

***

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I become particularly nostalgic this time of year, so surprisingly this is somewhat easy to answer. My family isn’t very big on traditional gift giving (presents stacked under the tree, gifts from Santa etc…); instead we would always get one or two gifts from my parents and anxiously wait for December 26th. On that day, we always stopped at the Barnes & Noble in Gurnee for the West family free-for-all. We could pick out whatever books we wanted with the approval of my parents. We would spend hours there—perusing every aisle, sharing our finds with one another, deciding which Klutz craft book to buy and squeezing into an overstuffed armchair with my brother to begin our read. When Jonny and I felt ready, we would then begin our search above the rows of books for dad’s head. Upon finding him, we’d have a quick conference regarding our selections and then check out. The next few hours in the car were always silent—nestled into our books, getting lost in the words on the page.

If you were an animal what would you be?

A large dog that belongs to a loving and outgoing family. Dogs in those types of situations have it made.

What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

The one I can’t stop thinking about dates back to when I was in 2nd grade. I went through a phase where I would wake up around 1:00AM and freak out about being the only person awake on the earth except for the people in China—and that was simply too far. Second grade logic can be both freeing and dooming. I would pace up and down my 12 x 12 bedroom holding my guinea pig, Velvet. She had a soft nose.

Never longer than 15 minutes, my dad would wake up and find me in my room. In order to get me out of my anxious state, he would put me to work. The first couple nights I remember being assigned to re-organize junk drawers and the hall closet and then moved onto mopping flours and sweeping the patio. My dad would sit on the couch and read. I would eventually come and tell him that I was ready to go back to sleep and he would tuck me in. It only lasted a couple weeks. Apparently it worked.

What are you obsessed with?

My husband. The past three months have been incredible. I love the freedom that exists in marriage and stretching and learning that takes place. Lang is so fun, outgoing, encouraging and loving—not to mention he’s been given this incredible gift and is a mad-talented photographer. He’s the best. So thankful he’s my husband.

Most poignant goal for the next five years?

To listen well. I want to truly hear and digest.

What is your favorite item of clothing?

My husband has labeled my style as “Grandma chic” and I take pride in that. My answer is also a prime example of that look. I have a bomb-dot-com gray cardigan with incredible pockets for fun things like paperclips and almonds.

If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Child abuse. There is none more innocent than a child and none more deserving of guidance and love.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Don’t chalk up a “lame point,” but I would say Louisville. After living nowhere longer than 3 years since middle school, I long for a home base. All my family is near and I love the idea of having a hometown. I hope Louisville becomes that.

What is your favorite thing to chew?

I would say gum because I chew it most frequently, but I most enjoy chewing a stick of venison jerky—preferable shot by my best friend, Slim Shady. She a babe and a hunter. Chew on that.

If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

Cook for people. There is a matchless fellowship that takes place over a shared meal. It’s truly beautiful.

What is your manifesto?

You’re made for more.

When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

Being lost and putting forth a great effort to find your bearings.

soup

Check out the Lacinato Kale in this video!!! #yes

lately

lots of fly fishing. 

traveling all over.

hiking in the redwoods.

so much trout goodness.

fall walks, everyday.

watching my girl finish her first 13.1

ryder loves pumpkins & leaves

homemade pumpkin waffles.

sweet gestures from my dude.

slinging clay with my best on a saturday morning. 

scotland

 

 

 

 Maybe it's the rainy cold weather but I haven't been able to get Scotland out of my mind.
I remember being so pleasantly surprised by the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
Highlights include:
meeting amazing people--locals & fellow backpackers.
staying in the best hostel in all of Europe.
eating fried snickers for the first time.
hiking to the top of Arthur's Seat.
laughing at the most entertaining free walking tour.
looking at old castles.
playing in the rain.
sharing strangers' laptops over the community breakfast table.

conversation

a discourse between mountains

spiced pumpkin bread

Yield

Makes 2 loaves

Serve one of these loaves the day you make them. 

Wrap the other in foil and freeze up to one month so 

that you'll have it on hand for unexpected company.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions. Mix in walnuts, if desired. 

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

recipe

Self Portrait

Philip

Over the past few years I've had the privilege of getting to know Philip.  

I am inspired by him & his amazing music, his ability to make 

the perfect cup of coffee & train all of the baristas at Quills, & his love for Christ & 

his servant's heart for the growth of our local church, Sojourn.

He's seriously the coolest! 

Philip James Revell

Age 24

Wantagh, New York

***

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I think back to growing up in south Florida and spending every afternoon after school with the rest of the kids in my neighborhood. We did everything together-ride bicycles, play baseball, go to the park, play street hockey, go to the gas station for a Coke, climb trees, build club houses, and buy baseball cards. All from the hours of 3:30 to 7pm, Monday through Friday. We didn't get bored.

If you were an animal what would you be?

A fox. Foxes are sneaky, subtle, and clever (at least the cartoon versions). They aren't dominant or aggressive, but are able to take care of business when necessary. They have quiet strength. I love everything about them.

What is your favorite childhood memory of your dad?

For some reason, I always think back to the time when I tagged along with Dad to run an errand on Christmas Eve. He had to pick something up from his office, and somehow I convinced him to take me to Sbarro for lunch afterward. A homeless man with a $30 guitar approached us outside of Sbarro and said he was looking to get some money to pay for a hotel room on a cold Christmas Eve. In exchange, he'd play "La Bamba" for us on the guitar. Dad gave him a dollar, and he played "La Bamba". Then he went on, wishing us a Merry Christmas, and we went into Sbarro and ate lunch. The owner's kids were there, watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as their father baked pizzas all day for the twelve or so patrons who would likely end up eating in a downtown Nashville pizzeria on Christmas Eve. Then Dad and I went home, back to the Christmas music, back to the rest of the family, back to traditions, back to the anticipation of the morning to follow. There wasn't anything special in particular about that trip, but it's always been vivid in my mind. It was just one of the countless times that Dad made it a point to use mundane, ordinary events to spend time with me. And that made it special.

What are you obsessed with?

Country music. Old-time country music, that is.

Most poignant goal for the next five years?

Start a family, make records, serve the church.

What is your favorite item of clothing?

I have a pair of boots that I really enjoy.

If you could stop only one injustice what would it be?

Sex trafficking. It seems that evil is put on display most vividly in this industry, and it devalues human life on multiple levels.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Kentucky. Have you ever been here? It's the greatest place on earth.

What is your favorite thing to chew?

Food, of course. Most recently, one of my favorite things that I chewed was a slow-braised beef cheek from a restaurant called Decca.

If you could only do one thing every day for the rest of your life what would it be?

Be present with those I love.

What is your manifesto?

To be a steward of what I've been entrusted with.

When you think of adventure what comes to mind?

Traveling across the country, playing music for folks

Disclaimer:

This post is part of a series. The questions are designed to provoke

memories and thoughts that will expose the subject’s sense of self, 

and the pictures are always going to be self portraits, contributed by the subject, 

therefore showing them just as they wish to be shown.