User Posts : The Southwest Voice

Biking in Bakersfield

Two years ago, my Mother's Day gift from my wonderful husband was a pair of bikes for our family to cycle around town. We had the best summer exploring our neighborhood together. We're looking forward to many more family adventures on our bicycles.

'Take The Voice on Vacation' - Disneyland

The SW Voice at the Happiest Place on Earth

'Take The Voice on Vacation' - North Carolina Zoo

The SW Voice really pachs a punch! Get it? Because there's a pachyderm in the photo? Oh, never mind! :)

Rock-a-Bye Baby Photo Contest! - Baby Ben

This is our baby boy, Ben, sleeping in his big sister's papasan chair. He was less than a month old in this photo. We love this baby guy.

Community Photo: Beautiful World

This is a photo of Windsor Park in Bakersfield on a crisp winter morning. It reminds me that there is beauty everywhere if you just take the time to look.

Dog Days of Summer Photo Contest: Waldo, the Wondermutt

Our dear friends, the Sperbers, have a great dog named Waldo. He's part Golden Retriever and part Basset Hound which means he looks like a big regal dog with short little legs. He's a favorite among our kids. He's not much of an athlete and is quite lugubrious most of the time, but we love this Notorious D.O.G.!

Mother's Day Photo Contest: Mary, World's Best Mom

My mom Mary is not only the best role model I've ever had, she's also my best friend. She is strong, smart, fun, and fearless. I grew up thinking that she was the most beautiful woman in the world and I still think that to this day. She keeps our family together and she made me who I am. She's the mother of three kids and grandmother of four girls and one boy on the way. Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! We love you.

Easter Photo Contest: Best Friends Forever

These are this year's Easter photos of our daughter Ashley (left) and her two best friends since birth. Ashley is almost 2, her friend Lucy is nearly 2 and a half, and their GQ friend Conrad is almost 3. I like to call them the Terrific Three! (Photos courtesy of Leo from the Picture People.)

St. Patty’s Day Photo Contest: A Piece of Paradise

If a wayward leprechaun, carrying his pot-o-gold, happened to cross my path, I would use his riches to buy some prime real estate in Hawai'i. Our family just returned from a week-long trip to Honolulu to visit some friends and soak in the sun. There's something about the land of Aloha that just replenishes you and restores your spirit. I could watch the sunset everyday from a little porch on the beach and never get bored. After buying our dream home, I would send the leprechaun a postcard and say "Mahalo!"

Who Do You Love? Photo Contest: My Niece Paris

My amazing husband, Ben, and our sweet baby daughter, Ashley, have my heart and they always will. And my nieces Aspen and Sydney have melted our hearts for six and three years respectively. However, there's also a new charmer in town. Our three-month-old niece Paris is so easy to love. Her gentle nature, quick smile, and curious personality has everyone in our family ooh-ing and ahh-ing over her... especially her grandparents. Whom do we love this Valentine's Day? Sweet baby Paris!

From the Kitchen of Nina Ha

Nina and her husband, Ben, have enjoyed living in the Southwest for the past three years. They have a 1-year-old daughter, Ashley. Since Nina is not known for her culinary genius, she is sharing her sister Sarah's easy and delicious shrimp bisque recipe. If Nina can make this bisque, anyone can!

Succulent Shrimp Bisque Recipe

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 jar (26-ounce) Five Brothers Summer Tomato Basil Sauce
1 jar (26-ounce) Five Brothers Alfredo Sauce
1 can (13 3/4-ounce) lower salt chicken broth
Tabasco sauce, to taste
12-ounce fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
parsley for garnish

In a large saucepan, sauté onion, celery, red bell pepper, and butter until tender over medium high heat. Add pasta sauce and Alfredo sauce, and stir to mix well. Add chicken broth and Tabasco sauce, and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add shrimp, and cook until it turns pink. Serve bisque garnished with parsley. Serves 6.

(Feel free to substitute lobster in place of shrimp for a different, yet tasty bisque!)

My Favorite Ornament Photo Contest: SuperBear

This is a photo of our very first family Christmas ornament given to us by our friends the Sperbers. We met them a few years ago when my husband and I moved to Bakersfield from the Los Angeles area. We didn't really know anyone here, but our new friends made us feel so welcome. Three years later, we're the best of friends and our daughters are growing up together like sisters. We've expanded our circle of friends and we now call Bakersfield home. To me, this SuperBear ornament represents the enduring power of friendship during the holidays.

Thanksgiving: Capturing the memories

The meaning of Thanksgiving has changed so much for me over the years.

My parents were the adventurous types who didn't believe in tradition per se. So, as a child, Thanksgiving meant fun family trips to Las Vegas, turkey dinners at the Pink Pony buffet, and long car rides in the back of our van with my big sister and kid brother.

Much to my delight, our family gatherings during Thanksgiving have evolved into more conventional fare.

In recent years, I realized that my loved ones were getting older and I wanted to take as many photos as possible of our family during this annual time of thanks. So, I started setting up my tripod and capturing images of my kin –– with new faces appearing each year.

However, this year a familiar face will not be returning. My grandmother passed away two months ago, but the pain is still very fresh for all of us. She was one of the most beautiful human beings I had the privilege of knowing and she leaves behind an incredible legacy of love. We'll all miss her warm hugs and easy laughter this Thanksgiving.

However, I know that she will be smiling down at us this year as we take new photos of our growing family.

I now know that the true meaning of Thanksgiving is love.

Great Hat, Baby! Photo Contest: Cowgirl Ashley

Our daughter Ashley was just 4 months old when this photo was taken in Houston, Texas, but it's one of our favorites. The hat is actually a teddy bear prop from the Build-a-Bear Workshop! :)

Halloween Photo Contest Entry: Supergirl

This is our Super daughter Ashley diving into her bucket of Halloween candy. She's only 18-months-old, but she already loves chocolate! :)