Trout season in Missouri starts on March 1, which is a big deal for anglers but also happened to be the day after a pretty large snowstorm this year. I waited for the roads to clear up a bit, then headed over to Maramec Spring Park outside of St. James to check it out.
The last Christmas Eve at grandma's house
A few personal snapshots from Christmas Eve at my Grandma Franks' house that I’m just now sorting through. Grandma had just died two days earlier at the age of 94 and had managed to live at home almost right up to the end, except for the last couple of months in a care facility.
My mom’s side of the family is large and close but Grandma had long since stopped hosting family gatherings at her house, which my grandpa built and my mom and her four siblings grew up in. Five kids, 11 grandchildren, spouses and oodles of great grandchildren… it’s more than a nonagenarian should have to deal with in her own home.
But since she wasn’t living at home anymore, the family had already planned to have Christmas Eve at her house for one last time this year. This was one of my favorite Christmas traditions when I was a kid (partly because the number of gifts grandparents and four sets of aunts and uncles can give you is astounding.)
In a very cool way, the house itself hadn’t changed that much since the 1950s and was always like walking into a retro furniture store or 1950s museum. As I hit my 30s, I grew more and more amazed that Grandma Franks still lived there and I could walk around my mom's childhood home. The house always felt like a character in the family as much as anyone else and was a perfect backdrop during the holidays. It had been more than 15 years since I have seen this much family in the house and it felt very natural and wonderful, even if it was for the last time.
The most prized possession of Grandma's: the amazing painting of a lake with a light inside. Apparently, my Mom and her sisters (including Aunt Trish, right) used to kiss boys under it during dates.
Red cups and paper plates are staples of our gatherings.
And a few pictures that I took at Grandma's house back in 2012.
Public House Brewing Company
I had the opportunity to photograph the grand opening of the Public House Brewing Company in St. James, Mo. last weekend. Whole hogs were cooked, the beer was flowing and live music filled the air, so do I need to say how awesome it was? This is a great spot with amazing beer, so check it out if you find yourself cruising by on I-44.
Springfield's Bella Donna getting ready to perform.
Back to Missouri
After 14 great years in the Bay Area, I have moved back to my home state of Missouri. It's been a fantastic place to live and I'm going to miss it like crazy, but I thought it was time to shake things up while also being closer to family. Look out for updates from the Show Me State, but for now, here are some pictures from the trip out.
View from my roof
Sunset and the blue hour in Oakland, Calif.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Always a fun place for some pictures.
On break
At the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
Boot Camp
I made pictures of and for some of my new favorite people, my Boot Camp instructors Jack Holleman and Kym Sterner, at Jack London Square. Not to mention my fellow Boot Campers! This is my 5:30 am wake-up crew.
Jack and Kym.
Point Reyes
Saw a few elk and made a quick visit to Pierce Ranch.
The Grand Lake neighborhood in Oakland
Moved here in June and it may be my favorite neighborhood of all time. I really like it.
