When I first met Katya and Vasken I remember thinking they were fabulous.  They strolled in fresh from a date at Ciprianis Soho full of excitement and a general aura of class and European sophistication.  I was a little worried my raw loft and the unbridled attention from our Rhodesian ridgeback would not appeal to them....but they hired me on the spot to photograph their wedding.  They said they loved my work, but actually our dog really won them over.

Their wedding was an amazingly beautiful event at the Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown... full of love, warmth and fun.  I was honored to be there.  I've done some cool things as a photographer but witnessing true love truly is one of the coolest.  We have stayed in touch over the years and now I know how fabulous Katya and Vasken really are.  They have created a beautiful family and life and their sweet affection and general enthusiasm seems only to have grown.  It is an incredible pleasure to be invited back into a couple's life and see their dreams have become reality. 

Check out Vasken's salon in Westchester...

http://www.vaskendemirjian.com/

Our au pair, Marine, flies home to France in a few weeks and I'll be on my own again.  I'm not sure if I will look for a replacement.  Her sweet personality and quiet way with our kids was just right....could we be so lucky again?  She arrived as an extra set of hands and became a part of our family.  She is young and smart and I wish her many great adventures.  I imagine visiting her one day in a small town in the south of France....perhaps she will have a home and family of her own...a little girl with a mischievous smile and a twinkle in her eye whom Ava will entertain while we sip wine and remember this time in New York, where she landed as a stranger and will leave as our friend....Aurevoir pour l'instant Marine....merci mon amie.

Children love to bake and everyone loves warm cookies and a glass of milk.  I've learned to give in to the flying flour and sticky fingers.  The goods may not be perfect and the kitchen is not pretty, but it is a small price to pay for so much sweetness.

Cranberry, Chocolate, Coconut Cookies:

2 cups white flour

1/4 cup whole oatmeal

Small pinch salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cups unsalted softened butter (1 1/2 stick)

1/4 cup raw coconut butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 large eggs (room temperature)

10 oz bittersweet chocolate chips (I like Ghirardelli)

Large handful dried cranberries

Large handful dried coconut flakes

Stir flour with salt, baking soda and oatmeal.  Set aside.  Beat butter and coconut butter with brown and white sugar until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix on low speed until incorporated.  Fold in chocolate, coconut and cranberries.  Spoon half the mixture onto a piece of parchment pepper and roll into a log.  Repeat with the second half.  Refrigerate for 24-36 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut log into large 1 inch thick pieces and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes or until nicely browned.  Time changes according to size.  I think the cookies bake better when they are bigger.  I also like to sprinkle mine with a few flakes of Maldon sea salt.

There is nothing more delicious than a baby.  I had the pleasure of photographing my friends beautiful children this week.  The little one reminded me so much of my Ava....she smiled and laughed and knew just how to work the camera.  As a mother, I'm sure I'll always dream of spending just one more day holding my babies....it was not always easy, but what a great and beautiful adventure.