3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

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The 365 Day Photo Challenge

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A Favorite from Last year

This is it. I’m officially starting the Project 365 project. That means everyday for the next 365 days I will be taking a photograph representing a day in the life in Nebraska.

Why? Why stress myself out? Add one more thing to my day? Many reasons, and I’m going to list them, just for the simple fact that I’m justifying this project.

  1. I love photography.
  2. Improve my photography skills. (hopefully)
  3. Expand my “daily box” outside of work.
  4. Expand my creativity and eye for art
  5. It will be fun, I hope, … (remind me on day 300)
  6. Widen my social media circle and skills.
  7. I love a good challenge me. (Ask me again at day 200)
  8. Give me a vast array of entries for the County Fair (smirk)
  9. Give me a reason to carry my camera with me all the time (I often miss great pictures, because it’s sitting at home)
  10. Improve my Photoshop skills.
  11. Give me a reason to update my blog and use the quick update function.
  12. Create a calendar theme for next year.
  13. Did I say I love photography?

Flickr has various Project 365 groups and here is my 365 Photos- A Day in the Life, Nebraska Style album. I’m sure that when day 30 hits I’m going to be wondering why I started this endeavor. So, comments, hints, tips and encouragement is welcome.

Project 365: Day 6

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A window into Christmas, that’s what this scene reminded me of as I walked by the house from getting my mail this evening. We decorated the tree this weekend, I love Christmas by the way, and I just love my tree. There will be pictures of that to come, you can count on it!

Day 6: A Window into Christmas

Pet Photography

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Professional photographers bring out the envious side of me. As I have been chronically pet photographers on the Dog411 blog I write for Pet and Kennel Supply, I get lost for hours in the  everyday snapshots of life which are turned into photographic works of art.

I love photography and think I have a pretty good eye, but have resigned myself to still life and landscapes because they don’t move. My attempts at capturing my dog Brody ends up in a session of frustration as he moves too fast for my camera to capture the best candid moments. A better camera would definitely help.

But until then here are a few of my favorites of dogs that make me smile. (Click on the picture for a larger view)

Pork and Beef Enchiladas

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It has been a while since I posted about food, although I have been preparing, consuming and photographing my food all year. The difficult part is remembering the recipe. But in cooking the recipe is only the starting point, I’m all about being creative and flexibility is a must in my kitchen.

I only use recipes as guidelines, and often I just “wing it”, this is one of those times.

Pork and Beef Enchiladas

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 package flour tortillas
  • 1 can Refried Beans
  • 1 Pckg shredded Mexican cheese
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 1 can Green Chile & Pork
  • Homemade salsa
  • 1 lb hamburger (pre-cooked, frozen and thawed)

Directions

  1. Pour Green Chile mixture into sauce pan, add thawed cooked hamburger, and 1/4 cup salsa,  heat and stir.
  2. Using a large pan or cookie sheet, pour salsa on the bottom and dip tortillas.
  3. Stack tortillas on plate and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds. (this makes them soft and flexible)
  4. Spoon meat/chili mixture across the tortilla, spread refried beans on tortilla, top with cheese.
  5. Roll tortilla and place on cookie sheet, flap side down,
  6. Repeat and nestle enchiladas next to each other.
  7. Mix tomato sauce with appox. 1 cup salsa and pour over enchiladas. (add any of the left over “bits” from the dipping the tortillas)
  8. Sprinkle liberally with cheese
  9. Bake at 350F until cheese is melted and enchiladas are heated through (approximately 20 min)

My intention is to freeze leftovers, but they don’t last long enough at my house. Excellent as leftovers the next day.

Enjoy!!

Finished & Ready to Eat!

Veterans Day 2010

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As a new Mother of a Marine, my thoughts take a different turn on Veterans Day.  I think it’s because it’s now close to home and I find myself worrying in advance of what lies ahead. The potential of the biggest sacrifice that can be made for our country is now personal. It’s my sons. Yes, plural. My youngest son, still in high school decided that the United States Marine Corps is his calling.

Memories of my Father are particularly strong now. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korea Conflict. He never spoke of  war, not that I can remember, and his service papers were lost when we arrived home on New Years at Times Square.  So, I have sent to the National Personnel Records Center for his service records to share with his grandchildren. 

I’m also thankful for living in small town community with Midwestern traditions. Unlike other parts of the country, our schools take time to honor our veterans by inviting them to the school and honoring them with celebrations. I attended two such programs today, one at the high school and the other at the elementary.

Lieutenant Colonel Rick Gray was the speaker from the Nebraska National Guard. The choir and band sang and played in honor of those who bravely served in the armed forces past and present. It was very moving to listen to over 125 elementary children sing “Bless Our Troops”.  It’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.

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