Before I even had a child, the role of mothers and their relationships with others have always touched me. My own mother had collections of friends that I looked up to, and who loved me like I was their own. If were to photograph them now, they'd be laying on fold out lawn chairs with lemon juice in their hair, sunbathing in a line on the hot wooden deck of our backyard pool, eating watermelon all day and laughing with one another while Aretha Franklin serenaded us from the bedroom window. Their style, heart and connection shaped me as a mom in so many ways. Now, with a mothers tribe of my own, I want to hold on to it, celebrate it, acknowldege these ties for what they are: lines from one womans heart to another, clean of judgment and made up of the purest love. I want to champion this mother role through heirloom imagery to remember it always. It's for the mother, the friend, the sister, the child. Imagery of mothers celebrating our love, connection and inspiration in these rich and sometimes trying seasons in our lives.
These sessions are for you and your tribe, however you define it. Contact me for more information about how to get your Mothers Tribe session started.
Katie and Melody :
They have been friends since their youth and their mothering style inspires me greatly. Melody is the brilliant baker behind Sweet and Saucy Shop and her lifestyle and mothering sentiments she shares on her instagram Lifeonloma . She is honest and hardworking, giving her darling littles all of her in a way this working mama can truly appreciate. She blends style, home and health in a way that I love to follow.
Katie and I met at a shoot with her sweet Sofia and later became dear friends while pregnant with our second and braving the waters of toddlerhood. She is kind in a way that humbles me and is supportively honest like only a sister can be. She is an advocate for the mother, the child and the family and I love her to bits. She moved last year to Florida and I miss her terribly.
This journey I'm on, they are on. We are all on. Different paths, shade from the hard days and light in the cold ones, come from these kinds of people. The woman you lean on, weather they know it or not.
What is a defining moment for you as a mother?
Melody:
The times when I hear blake talking about me or what she does with me really make me always step back and realize just what a big role I have in her life and how I effect everything she sees and experiences. Those moments make me realize that the small stuff truly doesn't matter and helps me change my ways so that I really am showing her what is most important in life...loving God and sharing his love with others!
Katie:
Being a Mom has always been my hearts greatest desire. I often feel frustrated with Sofia's three year old defiance and exhausted from staying up all night with Sarina, but more than anything I just feel blessed. Both girl's first words were Mama and while they adore their Daddy they fight over who is going to sit in my lap. On the rare occasion that I leave the house without them when I return, even if it's only been twenty minutes, it's like they haven't seen me in days. Seeing how connected both of my girls are to me has been my ultimate joy.
And, because I just love their cooking and baking as well as a good recipie share, here are two special ones from these two special mamas!
Katie:
This Jam Thumbprint Cookie recipe by Ina Garten is my favorite. I've been making these cookies with my Mom for years. We started baking them at Christmas time for family. I have made them for work parties and as holiday gifts for co-workers and friends. They are always a big hit! My favorite way to enjoy them is with a cup of tea or coffee in the morning...breakfast of champions!
Ingredients
3/4 pound(3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
Raspberry and/or apricot jam (I always use raspberry, but you can use any jam that you )
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until they are just combined and then add the vanilla. Separately, sift together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the dough starts to come together. Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disc. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Dip each ball into the egg wash and then roll it in coconut. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your thumb. Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool and serve.
Melody:
Cacao Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats - GF, VEGAN
1/3 c Peanut butter or almond butter
1/ 4 c brown rice syrup
2T maple syrup
2t vanilla extract
2C reg rice krispies OR cacao sprouted brown rice krispies (thats what I used)
1/3C non GMO mini marshmallows
*melt the PB, rice syrup, and maple syrup in a pot and bring to a boil. Then turn off and add vanilla extract. Pour over rice krispies and mini marshmallows and stir till incorporated.