Miss Me?

I know...it's been ages, this blog has been so neglected. My passion for cooking- neglected, (I do miss it so and am back into full swing now that the weather is turning cold), the house cleaning- neglected, husband- neglected (at times), family & friends....well, you get the point.

I do have good excuse, I swear I do. Want to know what it is? Photography! I have fallen in love, and most of my free time has been going there. I have so enjoyed exploring this new found love and don't see myself slowing down!

Adding to the list of things that I really miss is blogging. It is therapeutic, and so much fun and I am getting back to that too. Decade Three will be resurrected in a new way starting the first week of January. I have a little project up my sleeve, so stay tuned.

In the mean time, check out some of the work that Peter (you all know his passion for photography has been around much longer than mine) and I have been doing here and on Facebook and let me know what you think!

Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

I'm Back up and "Running"

I had given some thought to moving my blog. I wanted a place to make it super cool looking, new, exciting, fresh. I did some research and then started another project, a photography business....more like hobby, but photography none the less. If interested you can check out my work (as well as Peter's) at www.luluphotos.com. The website is still a bit under construction.

Because of this new found love and several other things (more to come on that soon) I 've decided to stick with the tried and true and continue my blogging here.

Oh......and I've decided to run a 1/2 marathon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!!!!! I know, I can't believe it either!!!!!

Lot's to share, but not enough time right now, I've got to run....litteraly. More very soon!

I'm Moving!

But not too far....stay tuned for a new and improved location for Decade Three!

Wishes

I have many, but really, who doesn't?

• I wish I could be a fantastic cook (not chef...way too formal) with skills worthy of the Foodnetwork. Although I don't really want to be on TV, I just want the skills worthy of TV. :)
• I wish to be an interesting photographer. One that has style and beauty.
• I wish for the people that I love to feel that love and to be truly happy in their lives.
• I wish for one more conversation, smile, hug, meal and laugh with my sweet Mother.
• I wish I had a knack for interior design.
• I wish to end world hunger.
• I wish for..................................................................honestly, this list is never ending.

Wishes are healthy and inspirational and often can turn into reality. When I wish I try to make them realistic so that they are obtainable, but alas some wishes will always be just that, wishes.

So, why all this talk about wishes? Well, this morning I plugged in one of my favorite gifts ever, I mean EVER. My Sony Reader.

When I do this the software always brings up their book store (and why wouldn't it, any way to get you to spend money, right) and every time I find myself spending at least 20 minutes browsing and wishing I could by them all. We would be in the poor house if I did, I love books, I can't get enough of them.

There is a saving grace though, Sony has conveniently added a "Wish List" tab so that I can keep track off all the books I pine for.

Now here are some wishes (in no particular order) that will become a reality very soon. I like that thought, it's a good way to start a Monday! :)

Sources of Light~ by: Margaret McMullan
Save Me~ by: Lisa Scottoline
Gone With a Handsomer Man~ by: Michael Lee West
Two Kisses for Maddy~ by: Matt Logelin
Heaven is for Real~ by: Todd Burpo
The Lincoln Lawyer~ by: Michael Connelly
Unbroken~ by: Laura Hillenbrand
Sarah's Key~ by: Tatiana de Rosnay
Under the Banner of Heaven~ by: Jon Krakauer
All That is Bitter and Sweet~ by: Ashley Judd
The Art of Racing in the Rain~ by: Garth Stein
The Pioneer Woman~ by: Ree Drummond

A New Blog....How will I keep up?

Peter and I have had many discussions about how to get the word out about his photography (and mine.....OK, you can stop laughing now) and have decided that a blog would be a great way to get started.

Check out Kallos Photography for our first post and let me know what you think!

Beautiful Weekend Mornings

This weekend was nothing short of perfect, spring may have finally sprung! I was fortunate to spend both Saturday and Sunday morning photographing some of the sweetest little girls in the land- my niece Paige (LOVE her) and my coworkers precious little girl Emily.

When did she become a big girl? It was only yesterday that I was holding her and her cubby little cheeks in my arms.

This is Paige through and through- Sassy! :)

I just think this one is pretty

When Miss Emily hopped out of the car in these boots I could hardly contain myself! So precious.

She loved that she got to climb all over these fences.

This one is probably my favorite of the weekend. Peter helped me figure out how to get it slightly overexposed so that the sun would flare in a pretty way. Emily was having so much fun with all the attention on her, I think you can totally see it in this one.

Oh....and I have been cooking too....I swear it! :) Stay tuned for a post on Orange Chiffon Cake!



Sweet Baby Kate....."Baby" is now a relative term.

Last Sunday, we had a house full of good friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Gilbertson Baby # 3. I was so excited to have the opportunity to take a bunch of great photos but the weather did not cooperate. It was storming and dark so our plans to be outdoors were foiled.

I managed to get these two sweet photos of our friend Meg and her daughter Kate. We have all lovingly refered to Kate as Baby Kate since her debute 3 years ago but on Sunday it became clear to me that she is certainly no longer a baby......but in our hearts she alwasy will be Baby Kate. Presh!

Around the House

I am still trying to practice photography everyday. I've gotten some critiques from the fantastic instructors with Click Workshops as well as Peter and although I think I'm off to a good start, there is a long way to go. Focal points are what I am working on now which I am finding a bit challenging, especially when photographing children- they are constant moving targets! So I've set out around the house to find things that don't move to give it a go. Still challenging but easier.

I moved this small vase of flowers all over the house, took literally 100 photos of it and decided this was the best of the lot. 

Our beloved "child" Lucy. Although she too can be a constant moving target she is also a supreme couch potato so it was easy to get this shot, but not many more....as soon as she saw me getting down to her level she jumped off Peter's lap and onto the back of the couch to play with me! :)

This is our foyer table. It's small and I think it should be a bit larger for the space, but I love it and can't seem to bring myself to go hunting for something more suitable. I also took far too many photos of this trying to get the right framing, angle, light, etc.

Meet Zeke. He's really not our style, but we were both drawn to him at a booth in Ashville, NC while walking around an art fair. He reminds me of something my Mom would have had in her home, and therefore he will always have a place in mine.

After this round of photos I've learned that I may now understand the functionality of this Fancy Pants camera, but I have a long way to go before I produce a photograph worthy of being hung on a wall. I'm up for the adventure, and can't wait to get back behind the lens. 

Best Buddies~ Young and Umm.....Older

I'm a lucky girl for so many reasons but one of very best things is that we have family that are our best friends and best friends that are just like family. We spend a lot of time with the Kallos' and Gilbertson Clans and I am so very grateful that they allow us to be so very close to their precious children as well. I'm getting a little choked up as I am thinking of the words to adequately express the love I have for both of these families. We've shared so many good times and have seen each other through some very rough patches. Peter and I are so very thankful each and everyday that we have such wonderful people to share our journey with and I have no doubt that their are many more adventures to come.

The latest outing we did as a group was last Saturday when we attended Presley's very first softball game (photos and more details on that in my next post) and while there I caught these images of Riley and Merritt playing. These two are rough and tumble and for reasons unknown to us they feel the need to constantly be touching or "wrestling" at all times. It is of course all in fun, they love each other, can't wait to see each other, and chatter non-stop about everything and anything that pops into their little heads.

Whatever Riley is saying here is very funny...

Hey guys, can I get a sweet picture? Can you guys smile for me? Almost.....thanks Merritt! Riley, you're a hamhock! :)

Perfect! I love that you guys are sitting right there next to each other, can we get a nice picture? Just one? Oh OK, I guess.....let me see your muscles instead!

Gotcha! This one is perfect and totally captures their friendship and their young spirits. Love them both more than words can say!

Practice, Practice, Practice

I am trying to take photos everyday, no one ever got good at anything with out practice, right? Here are a few shots I took last night before our neighborhood ladies night.

I love having fresh flowers in the house, it just makes me joyful.

The ladies and I got a jump start on the St. Patty's day celebrations and you just can't do that with out green beer! :)

Wine of course.....always have to have the wine.

I'm really enjoying my time behind the lens. I am anxious to get better and actually start producing some quality photos worthy of being hung on the walls of our home. 

Tacked to my Bulletin Board

When I created my own little "office" space is one of guest rooms at the first of the year I decided I had to have a bulletin board. I wanted to hang things right in front of my face that would be inspiring or that needed remembering. It's starting to fill up. There are a couple of magazine clippings of paint colors and a gift wrapping organizer that I want for the back of a closet door. There is a super cute baby photo of my mom that I think captures the wonderful spirit she carried with her her entire life. Also scraps of paper that give quick reminders of things that I think are important to remember every day, but do you see that in the top left hand corner.......

Can you make it out? It says ticket and has a brochure hanging right next to it. That is the most exciting thing tacked to my bulletin board right now. What is? It's an awesome gift from my amazing Aunt Cathy. For my birthday she sent me two tickets to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden and I can't wait to use them!!! I have been an Atlantian for nearly 10 years and have never been. I just know it is going to be beautiful and I am dreaming of all the photos I can take there. Soooo excited!!!

Thank you so much Aunt Cathy- I love you more than you know.

Another year of Decade Three has come and Gone.....Looking forward to 32!

The second year of Decade Three has come and gone. There were ups and down, no doubt about that, but I think I've grown as a person and may be a little closer to perfecting this "grown up" thing after all.

This years birthday was made very special by family and friends. Here are a few snaps shots from brunch with some of the "March Babies". There are so many people, both friends and family, in my life that have March birthday's and I love it.

At brunch we celebrated with a Doughnut Cake from Dutch Monkey Doughnuts. A tradition Peter started for my birthday last year. We love this locally owned shop and as always the doughnuts were amazing and enjoyed by all.

All the birthday babies gather around to blow out the candles. This celebration was for myself, my nephew Riley, our dear friend Mandy and her son Ethan.

Peter caught this moment of Riley and I blowing out our candles perfectly. This is a keepsake photo for sure, I think I may be in love with it! :)

Ethan is taking his turn with the candles here. Look at that sweet face.

I couldn't have asked for a better day. Surrounded with loved ones, making memories we'll have forever, doesn't get much better.

Here's to 32.......it's going to be a great year!

You outta be in pictures.....or taking them

When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always say photographer. I thought it would be so cool to create the beautiful images I saw in my mom's Vanity Fair magazines. But, as little girls grow, things change and we don't always grow up to be what we dreamed we would be. Instead, I married a photographer figuring it would be the next best thing....just kidding. His love of photography was always there but he didn't really get into photography for several years into our marriage.

When Peter really started getting into photography we bought a camera for me. A "starter" Cannon Rebel T1i. When it arrived I was thrilled, loved the idea of finally trying my hand at the art I've always enjoyed from a far and knew very little about. I took it out of the box, set that bad boy to "auto" and took approximately 10 photos. Then, I retreated back to my familiar and easy to use point and shoot and forgot about my new found toy. That was a year and a half ago.

Then one early October morning before heading to the office I checked my email, only to find a Groupon (BTW, I love Groupon, check it out if you haven't already) to take an introduction to digital photography course with Click Workshops on a whim I bought it, I figured it was time to really introduce myself to this "starter" SLR. I took the course a few weeks ago and wow am I addicted! First I must say that if you are in the Atlanta or Birmingham area and have any interest in learning to use your SLR please consider Click Workshops. Jody and Elizabeth were amazing and I can't wait to take their advance course. Since taking the workshop I've been out shooting almost everyday. I am loving every moment of it.....perhaps I may be able to say someday that when I grow up I will be a photographer.  

I found a quote that I think sums up how I'm feeling right now....


“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst". – Henri Cartier-Bresson

But hey...you've got start somewhere right? Here are a few I think have turned out fairly well, so much room for improvement but it's a start.

My Sweet nephew Riley, and his beloved Bunny

Miss Presley who is like my niece. I actually entered this photo in a contest Click Workshops is doing to win a more of their workshops. Pretty good but you should check out their Facebook page to see the competition, such amazing talented people out there!

Presley & Merritt- Sibling Love

Took this one with Peter's guidance during sunset, I am also playing with editing as you can see.

The Cherry Trees are starting to bloom, can you believe that this little "meadow" is part of my office park?

Peanut Butter Pie for a Dear Friend

Our very good friend Jeremy and his friend Ben own an audio production company called Tunewelder Music Group they had some great success in 2010 and were nominated for 3 Addy awards which are given by the Atlanta Ad Club. At the awards ceremony they took home a medal for each of their nominations, a Gold, Silver and Bronze! I think that this is something to be proud of and should be celebrated with something sweet and homemade! So, I set out to find something fun and different from what I would usually make. I found just thing on Baked Bree's blog- Peanut Butter Pie.

Peanut butter anything is different for me. All of you that know me well know that I have hated peanut butter for close to my whole life. I think that this stems from eating 5 whole Butterfinger candy bars (I swear I'm not exaggerating) in one sitting when I was about 3 years old. As you can imagine my mother had a very long night. But, last night I tasted the filling to the pie I'm about to tell you about and I have to say, it was fairly tasty! Now.....calm down everyone. I will not be dipping a spoon into a jar of peanut butter any time soon, the texture and smell of it is something I can hardly tolerate. However, when mixed with sugar, cream cheese, and whipped cream it's pretty good!

Here is everything you will need to make this light (as in texture- not calories) pie. Note- You sure don't need sour cream.....just noticed it in the photo. That was used in a totally different recipe to be discussed at a later date. :)

Crust
1 1/2 Sleeves Ground Graham Crackers
1/3 Cup Sugar
6 Tbls. Melted Butter

Filling
2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
4 Oz. Room Temp. Cream Cheese
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
3/4 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

To Make Crust
Pulse Graham crackers in food processor until finely ground. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the ground Graham crackers to a bowl and combine well with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into pie tin and bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

To Make Filling
Whip the heavy cream until it creates stiff peaks. Reserve for later.

Cream peanut butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together. It will be the consistency of peanut butter cookie dough.

Then gently fold in the whipped cream. You will need to sacrifice about a quarter of the whipped cream to get the mixture going.

Finally fold in the miniature chocolate chips (reserve a few to garnish the top) and pour into the cooled crust.

Chill for several hours or overnight before enjoying.

Love Day Presents from the Kitchen

Say what you will about Valentine's Day....it's a Halmark holiday....you should show people you love them all the time not just because you have to...blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!! I personally LOVE this holiday and not because I have a sweetheart to share it with, but because it celebrates the one thing that I think matters most in life.....Love! And I think that you should share the love with everyone, not just your romantic partner!

This year I made two yummy treats in the kitchen. The first was Peanutella. A homemade peanut version of Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread that so many love, including me. My friend Colleen posted a link to this recipe from Smitten Kitchen on her facebook page. Although I am not fan of peanuts or peanut butter I saved it because I know that the combination of peanuts and chocolate make the rest of the world very happy.

This was very easy to make, who knew that peanuts would liquidify in a food processor?!?!?

And here is a shot of it all packaged up for delivery. I am a firm believer in if you are going to take the effort to make something homemade as a gift you should make the presentation as cute as possible.

The next tasty treat I made was Cookie Dough Cupcakes....yes, you heard me right. I got the idea from a blog that I frequent called Baked Bree (save this one to your favorites, it's awesome). She sent out a Valentine email with the recipe which must have been a special gift to her followers because I can't find it on her blog, but she said she adapted the recipe from another blog, called Kevin & Amanda here is a link to her recipe. I've not spent a lot of time reading this blog, but did poke around a bit and it looks fun too!

The recipe did not disappoint except for the frosting. The cake portion was moist and fluffy and the cookie dough center.....OMG....OMG....OMG, delicious! The frosting however was WAY too sugary. I was thinking when I was making it that it had too much sugar (3/4 cup brown sugar and 3.5 cups of powdered sugar) but I always try a recipe for the first time as directed and then I tweek it later. So next time I will use a regular buttercream icing instead.

Here is a shot of a cupcake sliced open. It is divine! This is probably going to become my new go to "it's your birthday so these cupcakes are calorie free" gift!

And one more shot of the cupcakes all packaged up for delivery. Like I said, you've got to make it cute!

Happy Love Day everyone. Be sure to make it a great day for all the special people in your life!

Two Leaves and a Bud

My latest tea obsession is Peppermint from Two Leaves and a Bud.

Please, do yourself a favor and pick some of this up, it is divine!

Coconut Cake- Attempt # 1

Last weekend I had the urge to bake a cake. I posted this on Facebook and got a ton of comments, people apparently do not eat enough cake! :) I wanted to make a classic cake so was debating either chocolate, vanilla, or coconut. I decided on coconut and choose a recipe from my Baking Illustrated cookbook this recipe was a bit complex but I was up for the challenge.....and oh boy did the challenges reared their ugly heads.

First, I only had whole wheat pastry flour. This apparently does not make for a light and fluffy cake. I had it on hand for muffins and breads which it is great for, learned my lesson and will not use it again in a cake like this one.

Second, my sister and niece stopped by for a quick visit while I was mixing the batter. Instead of paying attention to what I was doing I was chatting away and forgot to add the sugar. Remembered this at the very end as I was pouring the batter into the pans. Had to transfer it back into the mixing bowl and add the sugar. This caused too much mixing and the batter was not as light as it should have been so we had a fairly dry cake when it was all said and done.

Here is the finished product. Pretty, but not as wonderfully light as I wanted. The coconut flavor shined through and the frosting was AMAZING!

So, what I've decided is that this is a great recipe and I need to tackle it again. Next time (which will be soon) I will use regular pastry flour, will be sure to not be distracted and will remember the sugar!

2011 Winter Weather- Atlanta

Today is the fourth day of "snowmeggedon" as it is affectionately called on the news. What a mess. The snow is the least of our problems, it's the ice that is causing all the issues. It's everywhere and the city is just not equipped to clean it all up in a timely manor so we wait for the thaw to come. This thaw is predicted for Saturday (fingers crossed) but most Atlatians are fed up and will brave the roads today. From watching the news it appears that these road trips to work are challenging at best. Yet, I will brave them too, leaving for work in about two hours.....wish me luck! :)

Oh how I can't wait for spring and days like these!

Learning to Can, I may be hooked! :)

For holiday gifts this year I found a recipe in my Everyday Food Magazine for an Apple Pear Butter that you make in your slow cooker. The recipe instructs you to jar it and then keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I made up a couple of batches and had a little left over for Peter and I. OMG, delicious! We both loved it. I wanted to make more but making the whole recipe would make too much for just the two of us to eat in 3 weeks. So I thought, surely I should be able to can this. Sure enough I could and I did! :)

I read several websites and watched many online videos and really canning something like this is not hard to do. Here is a link to the video I found the most helpful.

Of course I was making Apple- Pear Butter and not Blueberry Jam but the progress is the same. It was a bit time consuming, but not difficult. I am proud to say that all but one of my 10 jars sealed! So gratifying and yummy!

A year has passed......

Happy New Year to All. May 2011 be the best year yet, full of blessings, good times, and healthy loved ones.

I can not believe a full year has passed. It feels like yesterday, I can remember every moment of January 1, 2010. I celebrate you today and am taking comfort in all of my sweet memories of you. I miss and love you so very much Mom. Enjoy your Angel Wings.