Friends | Maddie + Claire

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. —Jim Morrison

You may recognize Maddie, who I recently took photos of for her senior session. When her mom texted me about fall pictures of Maddie and her friend, Claire, I was more than happy to meet up with them again. They are simply the nicest people.

Lori and Maddie, it was a perfect Sunday —obvious by the number of photographers at the park! Props to Pat for his leaves-throwing skills. :) THANK YOU all for contacting 2Rtist again — we had such a great time, and I hope you all enjoy these special memories. xo Ren

Hey HUE!

I have this friend who I will refer to as Jenn HUE – because she is such a colorful person in spirit, work (she is also a designer) and personality. She is embarking in a big change which will take her east, and I’m both happy for her and sad to see her go. But it’s the kind of friendship that I know will remain intact despite the distance. We recently met up for one, last happy hour feast at Barcelona Tapas. It seems I always segue to food, but there is nothing better than good food and company, especially when you are pondering over big changes in your life. Side note: I was dizzy from the amount of delectable choices … we finally ordered GAMBAS AL ALIOLI – Garlic shrimp; QUESO DE CABRA AL HORNO – baked goat cheese in tomato sauce with garlic bread; chicken and chorizo skewer with cumin alioli; and CAPIROTE – warm bread pudding with caramel sauce (not shown). All were exceptional. Yummy yum yum.

Godspeed dear Jenn. When I come to visit {and you know I will}, you will have to take your directionally-challenged friend through the coolest hangouts in DC. ♥

instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

lake holiday

It was a perfect Saturday at lake holiday acres.

Stessie and Barkley

Tillie, Beau and Shaylyn

me and Konig

It was wonderful seeing and hanging out with the Bill crew again. Thank you, Sherry and Jim, for sharing your pretty lake — it was great fun!
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Day 18. Favorite food

I have too many favorite foods. However, one of my favorites is brunch — even better, with good friends at a new eatery. Ryan, Jenn and I decided to go to Cafe Berlin this fine Sunday morning. It was my first time at this hipster dining haven and our waiter confidently predicted that I would be amazed (with the food). I ordered “the Southern,” which consists of two scrambled eggs, fresh organic sausage, and a half bowl of B&G {biscuits and gravy with an herbal flavor I could not pick out}. It was amazing and divine. Check it.

Jenn and Ren at Cafe Berlin

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Day 6. Friendship

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} marchphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

During college, I made my first best friend. For any of my friends from high school reading this, please don't take offense. High school was a lot of growing pains and cliques/posers/fakes, and I sort of went along for the ride. But college {for me} was the first glimpse of making friends with people who had similar tastes or I enjoyed being with. Mary from Chicago was my best friend. That girl made me laugh, and I will never forget her odd habits, Judy Garland obsession, and her immense, artistic talent. The last I heard was she was in Cali married to a musician/chef  with three kids … I lost touch with her a few years ago and I pray it’s nothing serious, and that we'll meet again. {Mary Zukowski-Hoy, if you’re reading this, drop me a line!}

I think I’m more open to strangers, knowing how to be friendly without giving it all away. My friends now, I’ve had for years and a couple I know, I’ll have for a lifetime. Why? Because I’m older, hopefully wiser, and I see and appreciate the true value of having genuine friends.

How To Be An Artist #13

Play catch-up. It’s not on Sark’s list but it is on mine. This past weekend was catch-up time. You know when you finally break down and do that annual overall house cleaning? Did that. Then we had friends over for a barbecue, to test out Matt’s new grill, catch-up and {sadly} say good-bye {for now} to my creative friend, Jen, who will be starting an exciting adventure in St. Louis.

Matt’s delectable corn tortillas.

Beau’s “Better-than-Bump and Grind-cake.” Chocolate, caramel, Heath bar, whip cream ... delish. {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

ren and jen.

We caught up on romantic comedies. Ok, so I’m always watching movies, but these two were light, fun, and perfect for summer break.

crazy stupid love

friends with benefits

I caught up on naps. 

Next on my list is to catch up on reading. :) 

How To Be An Artist #11

Make friends with freedom and uncertainty. I did just that when I met Kat and her friends, Rhonda and Marian. Kat and I worked together years ago, and she was getting ready to move and start a new job in Oregon. That’s a far cry from the small town of Macon, where she’s leaving. She was a bundle of energy and I was glad she asked me to come along and see her off. Marian is newly single and looking for a fresh start. I don’t doubt she’s going to bloom like that lotus drawing she kept showing us. Rhonda is a sister soul mate. We talked about things that shouldn’t be heard out loud, though I’m sure the waiter at bleu got an earful. I’m going to blame the absinthe. It’s not called “Death in the Afternoon” for no reason. Invented by Ernest Hemingway, it’s Absinthe and a flaming sugar cube drowned in champagne.

The ladies were still going strong as I walked barefoot to my car to go home. Freedom and uncertainty definitely has its charm. Good night, bullet, b-toy, liberator — rabbit.

How To Be An Artist #9

Get wet. Perfect summer weather with good friends, family, barbecue and drinks at the lake. Add tubing, jet-skiing, good conversation, lazy Saturday on the pontoon, and a beautiful sunset. Thanks Jim, Sherry, Lloyd, Karen and all, for good times. {Ren Reiske© All Rights Reserved} It all started here.

Bowl-a-rama

We took a cue from one of my favorite movies, Dan In Real Life, and spent a late evening bowling with friends and family. I discovered that 1) I am married to a king pin, 2) it’s fun to just experience the atmosphere {says the girl who can’t bowl worth spit}, and 3) bowling shoes are cool. Check out how stylish I wear them! :)

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Yours, Hal Holbrook

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge fan of Robert Pattinson. Seriously. Since last year, when I received a copy of the Water for Elephants script — read the book twice — I have been highly anticipating the movie, which opens on April 22.
My good friend Ryan is a rock star. He had the good fortune of meeting Hal Holbrook (read about it here) who plays the older Jacob (Rob’s character) in WFE. Ryan recently corresponded with Hal and received a few nice things … including this signed poster for ME: Ren, Yours, Hal Holbrook. That’s right. Rock STAR. Thank you, Ryan!

{Ryan Murray}