Showing posts with label Snappin Pics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snappin Pics. Show all posts

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Freckles and the Super Hero

This is my boyfriend...


okay, maybe 22 years ago.

Don't you want to just pinch his little freckled cheeks?

Don't you want to just help him with his science project?

Little did this young man know, he would one day partner up for life with a superhero...


I bettcha didn't know that all of the super-est of super heroes wear giant white velcro shoes.

Anyway, I share these totally awesome pictures with you because today I took some new pictures of My Love for his business website.

Usually, when asked to be in a photo, he freezes up like he is getting his mug shot taken. His beautiful natural smile turns into something of a grimace...Eeek! 

But today was a magical day (perhaps because a superhero was taking the pictures?).


I just had to share this momentus occasion with all of you.



My Love is a graphic designer.
We wanted to take some pictures of him that would show how sweet and friendly he is.
Which picture would look best on his website?


Awwww....



Which picture should he use?

Friday, January 20, 2012

Snowpocalypse 2012 and Avocado, Spinach and White Bean Enchiladas

Day #3 of "Snowpacalypse" in the Pacific Northwest.

The snow has finally stopped, but the roads are still frozen solid.

I guess you could say the cabin fever is setting in...



We took a break from the jigsaw puzzles and movies to take a long walk through the winter wonderland.



Our town was blanketed with 6" of snow.


It was so quiet. So peaceful.


With no cars braving the roads, we danced in the middle of the street!





Cadence brought her tennis ball. She always carries it with her no matter how long the walk. 


The beach was abandoned, but beautiful, covered in snow.



After the cold walk, we had a hankering for spicy Mexican food. 

I made Avocado, White Bean and Spinach Enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce. 

This dish is totally vegan, but can easily become a carnivore's delight!

Please forgive my food photography skills...this dish tasted much better than it looks in this photo. 

Avocado, Spinach and White Bean Enchiladas (Vegan)
Adapted from The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen
Preparation time: about 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves 4

½ cup fresh lemon or lime juice
3 medium-sized ripe avocados, diced
1 cup cooked white beans
1 cup frozen corn thawed
1 cup packed fresh spinach
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced, plus more for garnish
3 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
6 scallions (both green and white parts), diced
tortillas of your choice (I used organic corn tortillas)
Red Enchilada Sauce (see recipe below)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. If you are using frozen tortillas, defrost them first--fully wrapped--to prevent their drying out.  
3. Prepare the sauce (see below). 
4. Place lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. Peel and pit the avocados, cut them into small dice and add them to the lemon juice. Toss lightly. 
5. Add remaining ingredients and mix gently.
6. Moisten the tortillas. Katzen has a great summary of the three methods:
   a. Sauté them briefly on each side in a little oil ("Very briefly" means approximately 10 seconds.).
   b. Dip them briefly in the sauce ("Briefly" means a dunking, not a bath). I used this method.
   c. Dip them just as briefly in water (least desirable, however easiest).
7. Assemble the enchiladas by placing a few tablespoons of filling on one side of each tortilla and rolling it up. Pour a small amount of sauce into a shallow baking dish, add the enchiladas and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Cover with foil, and bake for about 30 minutes.

For the Red Enchilada Sauce

5 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
1 large red bell pepper, minced
1 tablespoon salt
5 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat, partially cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. 
2. You can leave it chunky of puree in a food processor or blender (I used an immersion blender). For extra smooth sauce, pass the puree through a fine strainer or sieve (I did not do this).




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A Change of Heart

(Note: This picture has been edited. No, I was not stuck in a hurricane and no, this is not another dimension or the World of Narnia. Next photo is the original.)


This evening I was disappointed to find it too dark to throw the ball for Cadence by the time we arrived at the dog park.

I became frustrated.

I realized that winter's long nights are quickly replacing the extended hours of summer sunshine.

Grumpily, I decided to hike down to the water anyway, primarily because Cadence had already smelled ocean and had her heart set on the visit.

Boy am I ever glad I did.

Sure, it wasn't the warm summer sunset I was expecting, but the sky was a turbulent and swirling navy blue. I felt no wind. The dog beach was mostly empty.

The silence, in combination with the intensity of the sky, and the twinkling of the distant ferry lights, was breathtaking.

How often does life end up as you expected?

How many times does life surpass your expectations?


Thank goodness the world isn't left up to my imagination!

Here's to more surprises like this!