Today I took a quick break from work to meet up with a friend for lunch over at The Kenwood. This neighborhood spot is among my very favorite places to dine in the Twin Cities both because the food is fabulous and because I can always be seated right when I walk in. It's never too crowded (but never dead), and it's always quiet so you can hear your companions easily (which is becoming more and more of a rarity here in the metro).Nicole, my buddy, got the beet salad above (I've had it before -- amazing) and I was freezing cold due to the rain and got the oatmeal. You guys, I never get oatmeal at restaurants, but this concoction is so warm and rich and comforting with the perfect textures and ... well... you get the idea. You can see my oatmeal below.And speaking of going out to lunch for oatmeal, I'm getting so old! Last night I went to a new yoga class I signed up for through Community Ed, and there were so many other fun classes going on! Japanese! Water color! Pilates! Zumba! Tap dancing! I seriously just want to retire, watch birds all day at my feeder and then attend community ed classes on the evenings I'm not home sipping wine and watching PBS. Who knew old age would come on this fast!?For your internet share of the day, I loved this interview with a Sommelier and learning what all is involved in this talent. I don't need to become a professional (and frankly, I love wine as it is), but it's still fascinating.

I haven't had Magda on the blog in a bit, and she's been such a great coworker this week. I think she's enjoying the lack of construction happening in the kitchen (even though it's driving me bonkers -- we are on hold until early May when the counters are cut and installed). She's also enjoying the brief walks I've been able to take her on lately.I love her position on this chair. Kiss the hand, she says.For your internet share of the day, I love this list of the most underrated spots in each state. I grew up in Kansas and had never even heard of that one!

I had another head shot session last night, and frankly, I think I'm going to stop calling these head shot sessions. The term "head shot" makes me think of just the face and the black-and-white photos actors used to send out. I prefer to think of these as portrait sessions, and since I began thinking that way this year, the sessions have become much more fun and engaging for me.Case in point, above.This lady here? OMG do I love that hair. Am I right?And what a pleasure to photograph! We had a blast and my only regret is that I didn't have time to just grab a glass of wine after and discuss our favorite books. Now, let's have some internet shares of the day:+ I know I keep linking to the Atlantic photos of the week, but they are SO GOOD again this week!+ A great lesson on how to get all that cooked on brown gunk off of your sheet pans.+ I have been coveting this jacket since November. It still is not on sale.

Last week, I met up with a friend of mine and we headed downtown to take some photos of her for a book she has coming out.Does that sound like no big deal? Because it's a very big deal.This lady BLOWS MY MIND with her talent, her tenacity and her work ethic. She has just finished up three books (maybe four? I can't remember) for Paisley Park to sell at the many, many celebrations they are hosting this week (the anniversary of Prince's death), and she has another book coming out this fall that has required years and years of research and interviews. And she's done all of this while hosting podcasts and DJing her weekly radio show and working as a reporter/blogger for The Current. She is a MACHINE.And I am so, so proud of her.Anyway, I'm not done with her images yet so I don't want to spoil anything by putting them here, but I did want to share the view from one of our locations. Pretty nice eh?And for your internet shares of the day:+ I've linked to this Blind Date column before, but I'm still enjoying the hell out of it and so should you.+ This website is creative genius.+ Some photos of Easter fashion from the late Bill Cunningham. Amazing.

Have you ever wished you had a photographer with you on vacation to capture fantastic images to treasure forever (or just use on your holiday card)? Have you ever looked at my photos of trips up north and wished you could be there? How about we solve those problems.This fall, on Oct. 7 & 8 to be exact, I am going to be up at Lutsen Resort, and I'm hoping you will join me with your loved ones.Besides sipping hot coffee and watching the water, I will be offering mini photo sessions for $200*. For that price, you'll get a 30 minute shoot (either at sunrise or sunset), resulting in seven final images. And if you want more than seven, the option to choose more will be there -- it will just cost you $20 for each additional shot.I need to tell you that I sent this offer to my clients on Monday, and already spaces are filling up (Saturday night is all booked, for example). But I still have room available for more people, and I'd love for you to join me.If you are interested, you can book a session and pre-pay right here. After that? You might want to book your room at the resort (tons of options there from cabins to rooms and even pet-friendly spots). I also want to mention that they are not paying me in any way to promote this, I just love this resort and all of its Minnesota charm.And if you're not sure of how pretty it is up there, just scroll down to see photos from my trip last fall.

* What is that asterisk? It's just a reminder that the $200 fee covers up to 5 subjects. After that, it's an additional $25 per person/pet/whatever.

  And are some of you wondering about Phone It In Friday? I'm gonna be honest. I can't stand the photos that phone takes. And I'm not bringing my real camera with me on the weekends because of that feature, and then I'm missing cool images of my kid. So I'm ending it (sorry!). But here is one shot from last week that was fun -- our first bike ride of the season!

Oh man, is this little girl adorable or WHAT?I photographed her way back when she was a week or so old, and this week I got to swing by and see her again. What a cutie!But the best part, for sure, was seeing that huge, toothless smile. Kids at 6-7 mos are just the best.Below are more of my favorite moments from our time together. Enjoy! For your internet shares of the day:+ Some of my most recent Scotch work is featured right now on the Wit and Delight blog (one of my hometown favorites). You can read more about our shoot over there.+ I love this barn renovation.+ Fascinating comparison photos of the drought in California in 2014 vs. the rainfall they've had this year.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was taking photos of elementary students in Minneapolis. Well, today the project has launched, and I'm excited to share it with you!I partnered up with that fantastic team over at Superhuman to work on some branding and website work for Ed Allies. This is a group who works to bring amazing educational opportunities to all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Their mission statement is this:

EdAllies partners with schools, families, and communities to ensure that every young Minnesotan has access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster and inclusive conversation about what's possible for students.

With our current administration and education secretary, I wanted to help in any way I could. So I spent a few days taking photos, and man was it fun! Any time you want me to take photos of 5 and 6-year-olds? Count me in. The adorableness was fantastic. And the schools I shot in! They were amazing!The first school I shot at was KIPP Northstar Academy. This is a charter school with a fantastic staff (seriously, the enthusiasm was contagious!), and one thing I loved about this school was that they offered dance class for all the kids. What a great way for them to burn off extra energy! We keep reading how recess time is getting stripped away at schools, so I loved this solution. Watching the kids dance to Can't Stop the Feeling was a pretty rad start to my day, I must admit.And then there was Northeast College Prep! This is an elementary school that uses the International Baccalaureate framework and teaches kids reading and writing in English, Spanish AND ARABIC. You guys, have you seen those letters? Wow, was I amazed.To see the final website with my images, you can go here. Below are some of my favorite shots from the project. And for your internet shares of the day:+ This house belongs to a friend of mine and it's rad and if you're looking you should buy it.+ One of my weddings was published on Minnesota Bride today! Check it out.+ I think I'm even more amazed that Spicer actually admitted he was wrong than I am that he claimed Hitler didn't use gas on his people.+ This paper art is pretty. Come on. I had to have something pretty after that last one. 

I had planned on a different photo for today, but then I woke up to a fresh blanket of snow. Don't worry, I'm sure it will be gone by 5 pm (at least I hope so).It's pretty common for us to get snow in April, but I was pretty surprised after the warm winter we've had. In fact, I think I only shoveled the walk 3 times this year! That's incredible!For your internet shares of the day:+ The photos of the week by the Atlantic are superb.+ Did you know about this kid friendly home rental site? I did not.+ I stole that link from this fabulous article about how to have fun traveling with kids.+ This cake looks amazing and easy, and I want to make it for Easter.+ I enjoyed this article about the United Airlines treatment of passengers.