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.