Foodie Photos

My last post - Baked Ziti - I posted a picture of the food on a plate. I normally take about 10 different photos of food (on the plate, on the counter, in the pot), but they have never turned out like this one.



As I have mentioned before, I love reading Ree Drummond's "The Pioneer Woman" blog. She has an awesome Nikon, and takes some of the best shots. I don't. But, she also gives some basic blogging advice on pictures. Use natural light (I did - kitchen window), get close the food, use a tripod or elbows to stabilize the camera.

This is one that I tried...



As you can see, the angle is wrong, light is darker, and it just doesn't look as good. I actually think I moved.

But this one...



...it just worked, and I had to brag about it. Now if I can only do that again! ha.

Happy cooking.

Baked Ziti Rigati

This is one of our go to dishes.

Pasta - really any kind - I prefer ziti or spaghetti - boil per directions but not all the way. It will cook more in the oven.

Meat sauce - brown and drain 1 pound hamburger and sausage. Add your sauce of choice - we prefer Ragu thick and chunky, but any will do.

Cheese - mozzarella, Parmesan.

So, cook pasta, drain. Add to meat sauce. Mix in 2 cups of mozzerella. Top with some of the sauce, and more cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cheese browns a little and is bubbly.



We had fresh snap green beans. Served with gentle sprinkling of Parmesan.

Yummy.

Enjoy.

Psalm 37

Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong:
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good:
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:1-4 NIV

Really? Do not fret? Do you worry? I worry. I tell myself I don't worry. I believe that God is in control, and that so long as I continue my walk with Him, everything will be fine. But I bring it back in and try to control it.

Desires in my heart. Really? My desires are to be healthy and debt free. Really? I need to refrain from anger and turn from wrath (Psalm 37:8).

Wait for the Lord and keep His way (Psalm 37:34). Wait.

Don't fret.
Trust and do good.
Wait.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

But really? That's it? There should be more in getting the desires of my heart. But where is my heart? Is it where He thinks it should be?
Where is your heart?

Are you fretting?
Are you trusting and doing good?

Waiting, trusting. Amen.

School

First day of school. Ugh.

Why is it so difficult to sleep well the night before the first day? I tossed and turned the majority of the night, and when it was time to get up and get going, I was ready to sleep. Oh, well.

Carmen - my junior in high school.



My young lady.

Stephen - my 7th grader...oh, my.



And, yes, he did have his hair cut, although it does not look like it this morning! Good Grief. My boy.

Happy school days.

Birthdays

Birthdays are nice, aren't they?

At least they are to me. August 22 is the date, Saturday was the day.

I was able to spend it with family and friends (at least for a little bit). Carmen had to work during the day, and I wasn't feeling great. Shana was in town, and we need to go over to Pensacola to get her computer back to her. So, at least I got to visit with her. She got me this wonderful box of birthday goodies...and I forgot to wear the one thing I was supposed to have on a pink and sliver plastic crown (that lights up).



This year was a little sad for me.

For some reason, I have been missing my Mom more this time around my birthday than other times lately. She always made chocolate cake. Duncan Hines box mix, and chocolate icing, but she made it. She also used to write with some color iced tube "happy birthday, Jerry Ann" somewhere on the cake, and it was never even.

School always started around my birthday. I used to have swimming parties when I was younger. I love to have friends around and give me lots of attention. Growing up we didn't have a lot, and since it was around the school year starting, my presents always seemed to be the clothes and shoes I got for school. But, I always had my cake, and sometimes even flowers.

But, this year, I just wanted my Mom, and maybe her chocolate cake.

Kiss your Mom, tell her you love her.

"Perfect People" - Natalie Grant

"Perfect People"-Natalie Grant

~

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking

Never let 'em see you when you fall

That's how we live and that's how we try

Tell the world you've got it all together

Never let them see what's underneath

Cover it up with a crooked smile

But it only lasts for a little while

~

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God

~

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted

When you hear the words that you are loved

He knows where you are and where you've been

And you never have to go there again

~

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God

~

Who lived and died to give new life

To heal our imperfections

So look up and see out let grace be enough

~

There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart and be amazed

And be changed by a perfect God

~

By a perfect God

Be changed by a perfect God

Be changed

Anniversary

My wedding anniversary is today, August 20. It has been 3 wonderful years being married to my life partner. David was a friend that went away, and then came back just at God's beautiful timing in my life.



We have had our moments of bliss. And, moments of severe pain. We are struggling with finances, as most newly marrieds do. But we are on the road to recovery. We don't argue. I think that the most we have disagreed is 3 times. I am sure that I have frustrated him more than he says I do, and vice versa. But all in all, it is a good marriage.

Having two children in the mix, I thought it would be more difficult of a transition, but it hasn't been. David and the kids getting along better than I could have ever imagined. David is normally the first one home, and the kids spill out their day to him, then by the time I am home they are done spilling.


Gifted we are. Blessed. God blessed us with David. He is an encourager, diplomat and the majority of the time a friend.

I thank God today for His gift of this marriage. I am blessed.

I wish you a beautiful day.

Dinner Out

Friday night ended up being a wonderful night out with my hubby.

We went to Destin Commons, and walked around a bit. I went and drooled on some charms and handbags at Brighton. Love that place. Reconnected with Mary, a sales associate, but I believe the beginnings of a nice friendship.

After some walking, we ended up at Sushi Siam. A great, all around restaurant.

David got the sweet and sour scallops Rock & Wok.



I got the chirashi (assorted sashami on rice). Loved it. Their spicy tuna (in the martini glass) was addictive. The flavor of the tuna and lemon came through first, then the heat. Wonderful. Had enough to bring some home for Carmen to have after work. It was wonderful.



These pictures were taken with my iphone, and somewhat dark. I do apologize.

Thursday's

Thursday is a good day. It's after Wednesday, and one day away from Friday.

It is a day that I get to have a date (most of the time) with my hubby. The kids are on tap to go to their father's on Thursday. Carmen is working, but Stephen will still go and get some time in with Paul.

But, for me...it is 2 hours of quiet. Two hours of just drop on the couch time.

Two hours to go to dinner or just spend some time with the hubby.

Thursday.

It's a good day.

Enjoy your Thursday.

Dirty Rice

Dirty Rice...

This was a staple for me growing up. Ground beef, rice, and tomatoes. It was wonderful to have as leftovers, and you could cook it year round.

It is a comfort food for me.

Start cooking your rice (I use Jasmine Rice), and I cook it in the microwave.



Then chop 1 medium yellow onion (or any other kind of onion that you like), and about 4 stalks of celery. My hands were hurting, so David (my wonderful hubby) did the chopping for me.






Start browning hamburger meat, celery, and onions until hamburger is browned and the onions are translucent.

I add in some spices, and soy sauce.

I add this to taste --really not sure how much. Sorry.

Once meat is browned, add in cooked rice.



Slice some tomatoes (my plants have grown and have yet to produce fruit) so these are store bought, but still good.



I chopped up a couple of sliced tomatoes, and stir in to the dirty rice.



Yummy - enjoy.