Vertical plants!  Flora Grubb in San Francisco makes these walls of succulents.  I’m known as The Cactus Lady to my friends, so this wall had me in awe.

Oh the excitement!  Baby swans!  Notice how Mom and Dad are keeping a sharp eye on us, foiling my desires to take a little birdie home with me.

Noah assured me these were fantastic pancakes and they did look extremely delicious.  In fact, yes, I snuck a bite and it was indeed heavenly.  Then the repercussions followed.  Really, people with gluten problems should not eat pancakes.  There, lesson learned.  But…it truly was yummy.

Here’s a play by play of an agave century plant blooming in my front yard.  We were told by the city of Austin to remove this agave.  We begged for more time (because we love how beautiful the agave is!).  And then nature kicked in and took care of the deed, all the while putting on a quite a show.

First, in mid-March, a giant asparagus sprout appeared. 

Then in late April, it bloomed (with many happy bees having a feast). 

Finally end of May, we noticed the blooms had faded and the leaves are wilting. 

I don’t know if it will topple over, but I will be sure to document it.  For now, here’s a combo of iPhone and Contax photos (hi and low tech!).

What does this photographer do when she needs a day off?  Eat and eat well.

Hubby took me out for a brunch date to El Arbol.  It was swankier than I expected (me in my cargo shorts and flip flops, feeling a bit ghetto) and thus very easy on the eyes.  I was too tired to haul out the real (film) camera, but my beloved iPhone did the honors.  I had two eggs, garlic mozzarella grits and not just a couple of strips, but a big pile of house cured bacon.  An amazing taste and texture that had me raving and rhapsodizing for the rest of the day.

Yes, it’s been a little known secret, but I’m actually a world famous snake charmer.

Gotta love those rounded corners on the snapshot…so 1978.  I don’t know who took the photo, but it’s charmingly off-center, just to capture a little bit more of that stunning beige fence.

SUZI Q | QWEDDINGS Wedding Photography Austin, Texas

Today is my dad’s birthday.  I can’t recall the date when he died, but I always remember his birthday.  We were a lot alike.  I still can’t believe he’s gone.  I even reached for the phone to call him when the Red Sox won the World Series.  Or when Ray Bourque finally won a Stanley Cup. Or when we decided to move to Texas of all places.

People wonder how I could photograph his funeral, but it was my only way to get through such a day, doing the one thing that  keeps me centered and fulfilled.  He enjoyed watching me grow as a photographer, so I know he’d be honored to be remembered through photos. 

SUZI Q | QWEDDINGS Wedding Photography Austin, Texas

Noah celebrated his 11 plus 29 birthday while we were in Los Angeles last month.  I was shooting a cookbook, and Noah decided to come out with me, to hang out in our old town, seeing friends, eating in all our favorite restaurants.  Yvette, Fred and I decided to make it a little party.  Noah blew out the candles and got his wish, a nice bottle of Balvenie.

SUZI Q | QWEDDINGS Wedding Photography Austin, Texas

Zachary, 10 weeks old.  He is the bubbly, smiley son of Erin and Mike.  I photographed their wedding at the Driskill Hotel in 2007.  It’s always amazing to see my couples progress through life.  I am on a lot of email llists, I like getting those birth announcements!

Erin and Mike assured me that Zachary had a huge repetoire of faces and they were right.  Even when Zach was sleeping, he was obviously thinking hard.

SUZI Q | QWEDDINGS Wedding Photography Austin, Texas