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Photography
Did you know photography is fun?? Crazy! I know. But it is in fact fun. Here is a teaser of some shots that I took a couple of weekends ago. It was a sunny weekend, and it was nice just to go and take some photos for fun. You should try it sometime. For realz.
If you have never been to the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN then you are missing out. Not only do they have a fabulous new penguin exhibit, but it's my favorite place in the world to just watch the jelly fish. They are so relaxing and just beautiful...in the tank.
Here are a few of my favorite shots.
Thanks to a fantastic Christmas present, that I'm not sure I deserved, I've had the privileged to play around with the new photoshop! Here are two of the images that I've played around with using the HDR toning setting.
In the first image I hardened the details and in the above image I softened them. They both gave a surreal quality that I like in different ways. As I play (and learn!) this new version, I'll be sure to share my findings. Until then, I'm going to have a good time getting creative.
It's been a surprisingly cold winter here in Tennessee. Usually we don't get snow, or ice, or snow and ice together. But a few weeks ago, just as the Christmas season was kicking off, we woke up to this.
Speed Racer gave me the out to not go to work, but I could see the gleam in his eye...he wanted to try out the Range Rover in the snow. So as I put on layer upon layer of electric underwear, it's toasty, Speed Racer braved the snow and ice to take a couple photographs. I can't say we really sacrificed a lot. I road to work in a truck with heated seats, a very warm heater, heated windshield, and heated steering wheel. Needless to say, I got to work early.
It's black, it's shiny, it's BIG, and it creates amazing delicious food. Meet our new grill. With a lot of help from a few elves, Mrs. Claus was able to surprise Speed Racer with this beautiful monstrosity...he didn't even see it coming.
As I lugged Christmas presents up the stairs from the lower garage, having just arrived home from a lovely Christmas at my parents house, I heard a cry from upstairs. "What's this??!"
"What's what??" I asked, trying really hard not to grin like a Cheshire cat.
"There's a big box in our house....it's...it's...a grill??"
It's not often I get to truly truly blindside Speed Racer and I was enjoying every minute of it. I began to grin remembering how he had "seen" the box of his decoy present (a poster tube, inevitably containing a rather cool poster, but pretty obvious) and had bragged for days before that he knew what it was.
He kept just looking at me, then looking at the grill, then looking at me. After several more gapes, and silences as he let it sink in, I explained my evil plan and how many of our family members had been involved.
So last night, after setting it up the night before, Speed Racer treated me to a feast on his new grill. And I have to admit folks, he showed me up. It was AMAZING. I may have to change "Dish-o-the-Week" to "Speed Racer's Grill of the Week." I rather like the idea.
The New York Strips marinating...
Mushrooms filled with red pepper, mozzarella, and garlic filled green olives.
That's the love of my life right there.
The smell was out of this world I tell you.
The button on my jeans just popped at the mere memory.
Our delicious delicious meal, AND one of our awesome Christmas presents this year...
awesome beer glasses.
Now with my stomach rumbling, I'm going to have to go start dinner. If only we had more steak.
I woke up this morning to freezing rain, super icy conditions, and almost busted my bum when I decided to "test" the road. It's still pretty gross out there and since I live on a back road, it's taking a little while to clear up. So while I enjoy my hot coco and snuggle with my kitties, I thought you might enjoy the beautiful sunrise that I experienced yesterday morning.
Last week my good ol' pal Stephanie and I did some Christmas baking. It was such a great time! We baked, we mixed...we washed lots of dishes.
My messy kitchen...
Wonderful peanut butter fudge. Mmmm. We accidentally forgot to check how much the recipe made, so we doubled it. And we made 6 lbs...you heard me 6lbs of peanut butter fudge. If you need a fudge fix, stop by my house.
Stephanie working away.
These cheesecake cookies are fantastic, like unbelievable!
Cashew Brittle!
What's that Stephanie? Your apron is amazing and it's only been 6 hrs since we started cooking? Whew. I need some peanut butter fudge.
I have had the song titled "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros stuck in my head now for weeks. There is just something about this song that absolutely moves me. The connection between singer Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos is very June and Johnny Cash-esque. I am also in love with Jade's voice. If you haven't listened to it, you should check it out.
If you check out Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros you'll also see the amount of very cool art that accompanies a lot of the songs. All the videos have an older feel along with the photographs as well. This really inspires me to not be limited to a time with photographs... but to create a story.
Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma & Pa Not the way that I do love you Holy moly, me, oh my, you’re the apple of my eye Girl, I’ve never loved one like you
Man, oh man, you’re my best friend, I scream it to the nothingness There ain’t nothin’ that I need
Well, hot & heavy, pumpkin pie, chocolate candy, Jesus Christ There ain’t nothin’ please me more than you
Chorus: Ahh, Home Let me come Home Home is wherever I’m with you (2x) La la la la, take me Home Baby, I’m coming Home
I’ll follow you into the park, through the jungle, through the dark Girl, I’ve never loved one like you
Moats & boats & waterfalls, alley ways & pay phone calls I’ve been everywhere with you
That’s true
We laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night Nothin’ new is sweeter than with you
And in the sticks we’re running free like it’s only you and me Jeez, you’re something to see.
Chorus
“Jade?” “Alexander?” “Do you remember that day you fell out of my window?” “I sure do, you came jumping out after me.” “Well, you fell on the concrete and nearly broke your ass and you were bleeding all over the place and I rushed you off to the hospital. Do you remember that?” “Yes, I do.” “Well, there’s something I never told you about that night.” “What didn’t you tell me?” “While you were sitting in the backseat smoking a cigarette you thought was going to be your last, I was falling deep, deeply in love with you and I never told you ‘til just now.” “Now I know.”
Ahh, Home Let me come Home Home is whenever I’m with you Ahh, Home Let me come Home Home is when I’m alone with you
Home Let me come Home Home is wherever I’m with you
Ahh, Home Yes, I am Home Home is when I’m alone with you.
Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma & Pa Moats & boats & waterfalls & pay phone calls
Ahh, Home Let me come Home Home is wherever I’m with you Ahh, Home Let me come Home Home is when I’m alone with you
I woke up this morning to snow. I'm sure many of you did. Snow in Knoxville, Tennessee though is a big deal. People freak out a little bit about it, and not just like, "OOO snow!" more like, "We may get stuck in our houses forever." There was not even an inch this morning, and by this afternoon it had all melted. There were still hundreds of cars in the grocery store parking lot...no joke. However, it was very pretty this morning and put me in a great holiday mood.
This is what it looked like on my walk to work...
...I'm a very fast walker, but the guy in front of me was movin'. It was really cold.
And of course all the morning commuters.
This is one of my favorite statues. It's of a man rowing a boat, but the way the sculpture is done he is rowing it into pavement, and it looks almost like he is sinking. The irony of this is that he is right outside the building where I work, and sometimes when I walk by I feel like I'm sinking in there too. Ahem, in a non-emo way of course.
When it was snowing on Sunday, Speed Racer and I were tackling our Christmas decorations. It was pretty perfect, Christmas carols were playing, christmas lights were not working, and the fire was beautiful and warm.
Ah, perfection. I mean, the lights, not the handsome redheaded man right....there. But I'm getting distracted. It does puzzle me how every year you can buy new Christmas lights, when they are done put them into a safe, dry box, and then the next year half of them do not work. What is the deal?? I want answers Christmas light industry. In the end we went out and had to buy some more...these were gonners.
Now we just need the star!
These cute little owls are some of my favorite ornaments. I got them at Le Target when we first moved here and I just think they are adorable. They make me smile every time I see them.
Speed Racer on the other hand...
...thinks they are weird and creepy. It's Christmas by gosh and it's not Christmas without...Christmas owwwwwllls??? As I say with most things, "Whatevs, I do what I want." Le. End.
I don't know where you are today, but where I am, it's snowing. And it's COLD. I don't like the cold, in fact I really don't like winter all that much. I'm more of a beach and sun kinda gal. But all complaining aside, I do love a day where I can curl up with a good bowl of soup. And this soup my friends, is awesome.
This recipe was given to me by my friend and fellow blogger, Renee. For adventures of motherhood, money and everything else, you can check out her blog HERE. One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it's all to taste. If you like your soup with a kick, just add more...if you're a little more on the mild side (ahem, certain members of my family) then just leave it out or add less.
What you need:
1 lb. diced chicken breast
1 each of onion, red pepper, yellow pepper and jalapeno (I used dried jalapeno) cut into long strips.
28 oz of Fire Roasted Canned Tomatoes (Mine was just regular crushed tomatoes because my grocery store did not have the fire roasted. BUT if you can find the fire roasted it is definitely worth it for the flavor. Also depending on what consistency you like it's up to you if you want crushed, whole, diced...whatever floats your tomato boat).
32 oz of Chicken Broth
Coriander, Chili Powder, Garlic, and Thyme
Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avacado, and Tortilla Chips for the Fixin's. Fixin's are very important.
First, cube and saute the chicken in a large stock pot. Then cut the onion and peppers, and add to the pot. Saute until the veggies are tender. Next add seasonings to taste. For this I started with a teaspoon of each and then added as I liked it. I think I ended up with 4 tsp of garlic, because garlic is da-bomb. I also added some cilantro, paprika, and pepper. Then Speed Racer came in and added several tablespoons of hot sauce...he loves his with some kick.
Stir in tomatoes and chicken broth, and let simmer until soup reaches desired temp.
While your soup is simmering, get your fixin's ready. Do not go without the avocado, I believe very firmly that the avocado makes it. I'll know if you eat this without avocado...I'm watching...me and Santa. Think about it.
Finally, FINALLY! Ladle this deliciousness into bowls. I like to put my cheese and tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowl so it gets all gooey quick. Then top it with the sour cream and avocado.
And there you have it, Chicken Tortilla Soup for a chilly night. Hope this warms you up!
