3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

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U.S. Marine in Service Charlies

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Nothing is sexier than a Marine in his BCG glasses at boot camp. Or maybe not, considering the nickname for the standard issue Marine eye glasses in 2011 were called “Birth Control Glasses” as in you look like the ultimate nerd, they cover your face, make your eyes look big and even cause Mom (me) to snicker a bit.

U.S. Marine in Service Charlie Uniform

If a recruit wears glasses or contacts they are issued  standard-issue spectacles, S9s or commonly called  or BCG’s “Birth Control Glasses” because they are so ugly that no girl will come near you. They have been a staple in the military and are tough, sturdy and just plain ugly.

Marines joke about them, raze each other, but they are just as  much as they are hated they hold a certain affection amoung the ranks. I just read on the Marine Corp blog they are being retired for those interested “Goodbye Birth Control Glasses” is a very good read.

This image was taken on Family Day at MCRD San Diego after the MotoRun. The new Marines change into their Service Charlies uniform, and garrison hat, or cover (Marines often refer to it as their “piss cutter”.) and then have their first five hour liberty to spend with their families on base.

I have two sons in the U.S. Marine Corp, one stateside and one in Afghanistan and have come across a Twitter theme #WarriorWednesday. So I thought why not start a new theme and feature on my blog. I don’t know how long this will last, but at least until I run out of photos and images. So it might take a while.

This photo started off as “PhotoShopFriday posting until I thought of the #WarriorWednesday. I adjusted the levels, color selected the blue sky, and darkened the blues, used shadows and highlights to open up the shadows on his face and then cropped for a better balanced photo.

Marine Corps Boot Camp

If you are interested in what Marine boot camp is all about here are some books that come highly recommended by Marine recruiters for new poolees (recruits waiting to ship to boot cam) and parents of Marines.

Welcome to Hell: Three and a Half Months of Marine Corps Boot CampMarine Corps Boot Camp Survival Guide: Everything You Need To Know To Prepare For (And Live Through) Marine Corps Boot CampThis Recruit: A Firsthand Account of Marine Corps Boot Camp, Written While Knee-Deep in the Mayhem of Parris IslandThere’s Always One!: 50 Rules for Surviving Marine Corps Boot CampThe Making of a MarineMaking the Corps: 10th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword by the Author

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Portebella Mushrooms and Onions

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I love mushrooms and there is nothing better than sauteed mushrooms and onions on a steak. Shoot I don’t even need the steak to enjoy this treat. Simple to fix, 1/4 cup butter (what else) melted in a frying pan, (I prefer cast iron) slice mushrooms and onions and slow cook till tender. Season with your favorite flavors, mine include cracked peppercorns (pepper) and garlic salt.

Portabella Mushrooms and onions
Portabella Mushrooms and onions
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Sometimes A Picture is NOT What it Seems

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I have to admit, I really like Photoshop.  I’m amazed at how I can improve a photo that has distractions or just didn’t turn out like I hoped. Most photos I don’t manipulate but some call for just a little more work than others.

My dog Brody, a Jack Russel, is a perfect example. This is a before and after of a previous post from my 365 Project

Jack Russell dog, before and after Photoshop

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#13/52: Sun’s So Bright, Gotta Wear Shades

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Blinding Sun in Nebraska Big Sky Country

Whoever called Nebraska a boring fly over state has never really opened their eyes. I see such spectacular scenery every day driving home from work it takes my  breath away. Made me think of the One Hit Wonder song.  “Futures So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk 3.

Enjoy this video blast from 1986, back when MTV actually played music videos. Can anyone remember where they were when they heard this song?

Simple Apple Tarts

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As I was cleaning out my refrigerator I found some sad, wrinkled apples. Me being me, and not being fond of wasting food I decided to make these apples into a dessert. There wasn’t enough for an apple pie so I scoured my cupboard and found a few silicon baking tart pans.

Apple Tart Recipe

My make do Apple Tart recipe is very easy. Had to be, I was short on time and was feeling lazy. Pyrex glass bowls work just as well for this, I just didn’t have a matching set. Yes it’s all about taking the food photos I tell my husband as he rolls his eyes. 

Ingredients

  • 1 apple per tart (any kind you have around)
  • Cinnamon, Allspice, Nutmeg, white sugar (to tell you the truth I didn’t measure, geee surprise)
  • 1 TBSP Flour  per tart
  • Butter (1 TBSP per tart) GOTTA have real butter
Pie Crust (I do measure on this)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled (again, gotta have REAL butter)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/3 cup ice water

Instructions (Filling)

  1. Slice one apple per tart directly into baking dish
  2. Mix flour, sugar and spices together
  3. Sprinkle liberally on apples
  4. Place a pat of butter on apples
  5. Cut out rolled pie crust and place on apples, cut vent holes in crust.
  6. Brush with butter or egg whites (which I forgot, but it makes the end result look pretty)
  7. Bake on cookie sheet in 350 oven for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown

Directions  for Pie Crust (taken from Allrecipes, red edits on what I really did)

  1. Combine flour and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer. (I used a plain bowl) Cut butter or margarine or butter and shortening into tablespoon pieces; add it to the flour and butter. Use the paddle beater (fork) to cut the butter and flour together. Alternatively, this can be done by hand with a pastry blender. ( I used to have one)
  2. With the mixer on low speed , or while stirring the mixture with a fork, pour in the cold water. When the dough starts to clump, and before it turns into a ball, stop stirring.
  3. Lightly knead (mix and mash with hands)  dough in the bowl until it forms a ball. Divide dough into two parts. Flatten each part into a disk, and chill for about 30 minutes before rolling (didn’t do that, just put out on floured counter and rolled with my Pampered Chef Roller).
Almost forgot the end result. Eat and enjoy
Apple Pie Tart