3C Ranch - the people

Don't worry, there won't be a test at the end of this post. But I'm going to sketch out my family and how we all fit together in these photos. Some background might give some of the pictures their proper perspective.

My grandparents Forrest Sr. and Emilie had three kids: Forrest Jr, Connie and Martha. Here they are (in reverse order just to keep you on your toes) Martha, Connie and Forrest.

Between those three kids, they have five kids. So my grandparents had five grandchildren: Cherie, Kerry, Trevor, Emi, and Joe Ben.

This is Trevor (my brother), me (Emi) - we're Forrest's kids. Trev & I are here with Joe Ben, Connie's son. Not pictured because they weren't there for Thanksgiving this year are Martha's kids Cherie & Kerry. Still with me?

These are the Outlaws

God bless 'em they married into the Clark family. They look fun don't they? Trust me they are. They share a bond not unlike soldiers in arms....

This is Erin and her son Blake. Erin is not an outlaw, technically, but she is one of us. Her Dad is married to Martha. Which puts Erin in a unique and special category all her own.


This is Erin's Dad Gary. Also Martha's husband. Come on, follow along now. He's pictured here with my Dad Forrest. And quite frankly Gary is married almost as much to my Dad as he is to Martha. These two are best friends and dream and hatch plans for the farm on a continuous basis. They do a tremendous amount of work together. I count on Gary to keep an eye on my Dad and thankfully he does.

This is perhaps my second most favorite photo. Gary looks like he's said something a little racy to Martha, which would not be a stretch to assume. What I love about the picture is how much Martha enjoys him and what he whispered in her ear.

Connie was without her boyfriend Randy this year as he was at his own family reunion. I was glad only because Randy is 900 feet tall and I was a little nervous about how to fit him compositionally. We missed him though and I wish we had a picture. But I do love this portrait of Connie, one of the most well read, civically minded people I've ever met.

Connie and Martha are sisters and couldn't be more different. And yet are also profoundly alike. They have a way of combining their strengths to produce incredible results, especially where gardening is concerned. I've always loved watching their relationship as sisters and they model the best that word means.


My Dad takes his role as big brother very seriously and serves as a gentle guide for our entire clan. He has a presence about him that inspires peace and togetherness. It is through his vision that we all gather together in love at the farm. And my Mom supports him unflailingly. I've never witnessed two people more devoted to one another. Their awareness and acceptance of one another is masterful and incredibly kind. There is no better example I've seen of how to be married. Their love for one another is the greatest gift I've ever received.


This is my Mom's step sister Dana, who once was lost but now is found. Literally. I met her for the first time after I had already had my kids. But she and her brother Stephen felt like family to me immediately. I love the stories she tells from the old days and she has a great spirit of playfulness about her that is mesmerizing.

I'm veering off course just a touch to introduce Elizabeth, David, Coan and Grayer. Elizabeth's Mom is a cousin of Forrest, Connie and Martha. And when you're a Clark that's not just family, that's kin. Elizabeth has been such a blessing to us! She lives near the farm and she and David help us out whenever we need it. Plus she is a baker extraordinaire. Getting a picture of all of them was a challenge so here's the best of their family in bits and bobs.

Elizabeth and Coan

David with his boys, Grayer and Coan.

We all made a point to take portraits this year so here's what we've got in the family album for 2008....

Joe, his wife Jamie, their daughters Sierra (standing) and Naomi.


Trevor, his wife Kim, their daughter Emilie. These are the three people I would take with me to a desert island by the way. Most days they'd be selected before my own family.


Now do you see why I'd take my brother and sis in law over this grumpy crew? Pictured are yours truly, my darling husband Mike and our two charming children Collin and Sadie. I couldn't resist sharing this photo because it cracks me up! What you see here (rather obviously) is the remnant of a major meltdown and a total unwillingness to take a family photo. Mom is still optimistic however that the kids will flash a smile for the camera and is doing her best to look READY! Oy.

That's my family. The people who have shaped me into who I am and who I cherish and treasure. Boy, you really worked hard to follow along. Great work! Now you can stop reading and just enjoy the eye candy.

3C Ranch - the place

Clark Street is still blogging about the Texas trip. Once we left Houston we drove to Shiner, TX, home of Shiner beer. Which is apparently a great place to drink and shop....

Wrapping up our Texas collection is my love letter to the Clark family and family farm, the 3C Ranch just outside Shiner. I'll start with the farm itself. An important character in the story of my life. We've had the place since I was a little girl. It is in its prime at the moment, lovingly cared for by an army of skilled family members, determined to keep it that little slice of peace we retreat to as often as we can.


I know I usually do people, and I promise I will get to them. But I can't help pausing to share some pictures I took while wandering around the place. This is in no way a complete collection of all the farm has to offer, just a few things that caught my eye this trip. It truly is a place of beauty and serenity.









It was Thanksgiving after all and we had a lovely feast. Those of you I grew up with might remember the blue plates. My parents extensive collection moved to the farm several years ago.
This is the 9 bedroom farm house built mostly from scratch. The foundation and parts of the first floor are from an old house we moved onto the property. The rest dreamed up by my Father then executed by the Clark army. We each have our own rooms and my aunt Martha keeps it all so well decorated.

This is my favorite picture of the 700+ I took while we were there.

The Schultz Brothers

Also in Texas I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon (once Sadie's pink eye cleared up) with my dear friend Kathryn. She lived in Evanston for 3 years while her smart and handsome husband Jay got his JD/MBA at Kellogg. Kathryn moved to town and joined our play group when Thomas and Collin were just babies crawling on blankets at the park. We went through so many things together and she's commonly known in playgroup as the nicest person on the planet. She was also that friend I could call any time to rescue me from isolation and loneliness. She hasn't been replaced. That's just not possible.

Lucky for me she moved not only to Houston but her house is on the route between my parents and my in-laws. Making the drop-in play date as easy as it once was. And I'm thrilled to report we just slip right back into our routine when I'm there.

In addition to being the nicest person on the planet we also joke that she is from the prettiest family on the planet. We refer to them as "Kennedys", they're all gorgeous and warm and inspirational looking. I got to snap a few shots of her 3 boys during our much too short playdate.

We'll start with the oldest, Thomas. Kindegartener and life long pal to my Collin.



Then there's Griffin. Tough, strong and scrappy. Future suitor of my lovely Sadie.



And then there's Spenser who just turned one. He's a shameless flirt and so much fun!

The Lambert Experience

Ever since I was a freshman in high school and I saw her on stage in our high school production of Once Upon a Mattress, I've wanted to be Kate Huston (now Lambert). She was a Junior and I worshiped her. As fate, good letter writing, and extreme generosity on her part would have it, we actually became good friends after she left high school. Now, all grown up and thousands of memories later I consider her among those closest to me in the world. And really, if I'm being honest, I still want to be her. Or like her. My admiration and love for her is endless. To my amazement and happiness she married Scott who is better for her in a million ways than anyone I could have designed and he has enriched my life completely. And then they had 2 charming, brilliant, precocious, theatrical children, Ashton (8) and Duncan (5) who simply have my heart. Together the 4 of them make up one of the most enthusiastic, passionate, dynamic and captivating families one could ever hope to meet. But the Lamberts aren't just a family. They are an experience. Seriously, they could charge admission.

They were so gracious to get all coordinated and cute and fall so naturally into loving family poses for me. It was clear they put effort into their shoot and I can only hope I've done them justice.