Some of our favorite people are in the crowd! Hi Geri and Joe, hi Timoney family, hi my friends in the back left!
More fab folks -- hi ho in the back row to Lisa and Louis! I'm fairly certain I haven't seen girls on crutches looking as stylish as the two in the front.
me with Lia, Ryan, and Susie. Thankfully I only messed up lyrics a couple times yesterday, so I didn't need to read Ryan's lips for assistance. :-)
Thanks, Susan, for your excellent Baby Wrangling. We couldn't have done it without you!
Christopher and I after the show. Thanks for the really kind feedback, CJB.
Mark and I with Brad Paisley after the show at Usana on Saturday night. Awesome show! Thanks again, Kim! Hopefully we'll see you guys next week!
At the SLC Airport, returning from Europe, in a duststorm. I had just realized that I'd packed the car (and house) keys in my luggage. Which had been lost by the airlines (for the first time ever). No pics of us later breaking into our own house.
my own sweet little American Gothic. : )
Before Daisy's second day of Montessori school. Don't worry, Mark, I've cleaned off my camera lens. But I do kind of like the supa-natural effect!
If you knew how long it took me to get this braid into her hair, you'd know why I had to post the shot.
Me and Daisy on the beach at Boca Grande. Oh, sweet Gasparilla Island, how I miss thee. : )
Working on the book in St. George in February was a family affair. Lillian brought me the best chicken salad croissant sandwiches ever. Chet brought me Chai lattes. Mark helped with awesome brainstorming and feedback. Daisy, your sweet self is gift enough. Not pictured: the 800 sticky notes I printed out to put everything in order. Thanks for the tip, Samantha Bennett!
Daisy and my darling brother Billy. Daisy looks a little dangerously delighted. What are you showing her, Billy?
FACES IN THE PANCAKES!!
I found myself having a hard time when we'd returned home after the trip. Finally, Mark asked, "What the matter....why are you crying?" There was no other reason. It was: "Because I MISS LAS VENTANAS...!"
This is the Normal Rockwell picture of idyllic family life that we are. Yep, every single moment, every day.
Watch out Mickey Hart. Daisy's on the scene. The kitchen floor scene, that is.
Ali at our girls weekend at Maison Felisa at St. Laurent des Arbres, France. Not pictured: the gorgeous Isa and Phillipe, the fab food and bevies, the lovely linen linens passed down by Isa's grandmother, and Ulysses, the big fluffy white dog.
Spontaneous t'ai chi on the beach. The kid does have boundless energy. Maybe I should follow her lead.
With Mark, at Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec. (Our relaxed appearance does not reflect our having just seen two tough-ass girl street performers duke it out in a territorial war out front.)
In Covent Gardens in London, after a complete splurge on Lush bath bombs
In the Gaspe Peninsula in Canada. Three words: Salt Cod Museum.
Two little sweet birds in a shop in Vancouver, right before we checked messages and found out Mark's U2 Fanclub Membership that I got him for his birthday had PERKS! We got to go and be in the filming of the video for "City of Blinding Lights"! It was really cool!
Mark and I on the porch at Lake Barkley, on our family vacation. I think it was about 106 degrees here, at 7 p.m. at night.
Playing the piano in one of the big open marble ballrooms at the Banff Springs Hotel in Canada
At the Carneros Valley Inn after Mark and Lily's wedding in May. I'm still salivating over our lunches at the Boone Fly Cafe.
Mark bringing Daisy home from the hospital. I suspect this picture will be accompanied by the comment, "nice HAIR, Dad" by Daisy in the future.
One of Daisy's early crooked smiles. Now her smiles are straight, but she has these great big teeth -- seriously, as big as corn nuts -- so it's still a little goofy. So cute though.
dear musician friends Joslyn Petty and Craig Poole on their wedding day. True love never fails to surprise, delight, and amaze. I'm so incredibly happy for you two.
With Dax Bauser at the Durango Songwriter's Expo -- one of the best conferences around for emerging songwriters. I love Dax. When I asked what he was up to, he said, "I don't know. I'm figuring that out." You and me both, Sweetheart.
With Melissa Manchester at Sundance. She is such an amazing, beautiful, gifted writer and performer. It was my honor to spend time with her.
With Jimmy Webb at the Johnny Mercer Weekend. He was so nice -- full of supportive words for me and giving me great help with the song for Trisha Yearwood. It was wonderful to get to hear him play and share thoughts on process. Get his Ten Easy Pieces record if you have a chance. It kills me, just as Fred Mollin said it would.
With Margaret Whiting at Sundance. Margaret was the first person to record "Come Rain or Come Shine," and is a grand dame of the American Songbook. Now in her 80's, she can still deliver a lyric with heart, humor, and incredible presence. It was such an honor to spend time and learn from her.
Alissa Moreno and Felice Keller, having stopped for a swanky lunch on the way to Santa Barbara for a music event. We later played at SoHo, which was a blast, and got to write and play with other terrific songwriters all weekend.
Mark shooting on the North Shore of Hawaii. We had taken a surf lesson that day and were useless. I am quite surprised he was able to hold up the camera. It turns out there had been sharks out on the day we went, but luckily no one told us. They concentrated instead on building up our confidence by focusing on the razor sharp coral we could easily nail ourselves on.
Paul mind-melding with Daisy. His glance is quite powerful. I remember the time Paul came with us to swing dance class. I didn't want to have to pay for him to attend the class, so I told him to 'keep a low profile, will ya?' I kid you not, it was within twenty seconds that the cute swing dance girl instructor was responding to his earnest attentive look at her by marching over and asking, "and who are YOU?" I'm fairly sure he charmed his way out of having to pay anyway.
At the awesome quesadilla stand in Cabo. I gave up trying to eat healthfully and just went with the insanely tasty local favorites. Awesome.
Visiting Ali and Joe at their favorite Gastro-Pub in London. Delish!
"Yes, dear, something cool would be a divine. And a fresh towel please. Lovely. Ta!" (sunglasses provided by Aunt Dena.)
With Billy and Daisy on her first trip to Chicago. Billy let Daisy suck on his arm and she gave him a hickey. :-)
Daisy on her first Halloween. She was a BANANA.
Ahhh....beHOLD the Christmas POLE!!! The Magic of the Christmas Pole is not to be understated!!