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#5/52: Snow Storm in Nebraska

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Snow in Nebraska

When it snows in Nebraska, it really snows. When the wind stops blowing, the snow settles into the trees, and the sun comes out the countryside is a magnificant site. If it is a wet spring snow it sticks to everything, covering the trees, and making for more photo opportunities than I could choose from, so here are a few more from rural Nebraska.

I always am looking for a good excuse to drive around the country, test out my camera and snow is a good opportunity to learn more about white balance and how to get true whites during snow and not blue.

Right now I’m just going to post the results. All of the photos are SOOC (straight out of camera) with the exception of the top photo, the greenish tinge just kept bugging me so I adjusted the white balance in a levels layer.

Nebraska snowy creek
Nebraska snowy creek
Snowy Farm Tires
Snow covered farm equipment
Minimum maintenance road in Nebraksa
Go Down this road at your own risk

Recipe for Chocolate Covered Cherries that Taste Amazing

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Anything covered in chocolate is divine, and chocolate cherries were my Dad’s favorite candy.

Learn how to make chocolate covered cherries at home. Perfect for a couples Valentines gift to each other. Or make as a special Galentines gift to yourself.

Enjoy my recipe for gourmet chocolate covered cherries in honor of National Chocolate Day, National Candy Day, or Valentines Day (hey you pick, I don’t need an excuse for chocolate)

Even people who don’t normally like chocolate covered cherries LOVE mine. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries. You can leave the stems on, or buy stemless maraschino cherries.

I normally make candies at Christmas, but homemade gourmet chocolate covered cherries are perfect for any special occasion.

homemade recipe for chocolate covered cherries

You don’t rush making these chocolate candies, the process of rolling the cherries and dipping takes time.

So enjoy, I don’t think mine will make it to Valentines Day

The Best Recipe for Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries

Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes.  But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.

The first is buying quality ingredients, which means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.

The first is buying quality ingredients, that means no skimping on chocolate and using “real” butter and sugar.

Ok, this is not my “own” recipe, but one I found on AllRecipes.  But I have a few secrets in making the process faster and easier.

Drink with Cherry Blossom Green Tea

Cherry blossom green tea

Did you see all the sugar in the ingredients above? Oh MY!! Maybe it’s the reason I can only eat ONE chocolate-covered cherry.

Not exactly healthy. Normally, I would say I don’t care, but if I can cut down on “SOME” of my sugar I try.

I created a Sweet Cherry Blossom green tea. It’s sugar-free. This tea pairs well with chocolate.

Secret Instructions on Making Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Ok, there isn’t a secret to making chocolate-covered cherries, just a few tips. First, gather your supplies. You will want to use really good chocolate.

If you’re going to go to all the effort why use plain almond bark. So get yourself some Ghiradelli Melting wafers, and try not to eat them during the process.

The best chocolate melting method is double boiler!

Why, because perfect melting chocolate needs to melt slowly, not under high heat in a microwave. If chocolate gets too hot it then congeals and gets lumpy. You don’t want lumpy chocolate. Put about an inch of water in the bottom pan and set your burner to medium. The water should not boil.

Then when you are ready to wrap and package to it to impress with red candy foils and cute little candy boxes.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers (for Candy MakingGhirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers (for Candy MakingNordic Ware Universal 8 Cup Double BoilerNordic Ware Universal 8 Cup Double Boiler

How to Make Chocolate Covered Cherries

  1. Drain cherries and set on paper towels to dry. (liquid will also lump chocolate
  2. In a medium bowl, combine butter and corn syrup until smooth.
  3. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and knead to form a dough. Chill to stiffen if necessary.
  4. Next, pinch off a teaspoon bit of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten in your palm
  5. Wrap each cherry in about 1 teaspoon of dough. Gather the excess sugar dough on the ends and pinch off. You want the thinnest layer of sugar paste around the cherry without any juice seeping through
  6. Place on waxed paper or parchment paper
    and place in the freezer to chill for one hour or until firm.
  7. Melt confectioners’ coating in a heavy saucepan over med heat. (see above)
  8. Dip each cherry and place on waxed paper lined sheets.
  9. Chill until completely set (trying not to eat them in the process)
  10. Wrap in candy foil wrappers
  11. Lastly, store in an airtight container in a cool place.
  12. Best after 1 or 2 weeks when the sugar paste melts and merges with the cherry juice. (yeah, if they last that long!)
Make chocolate covered cherries at home. This chocolate covered cherry recipe is perfect for a couples Valentines gift to each other. Or make as a special Galentines gift to yourself.

Don’t have the patience, or time, or ambition to try them yourself, then you can buy gourmet chocolate covered cherries and no one will complain. They make a great gift for Valentines Day, or just as an indulgent candy treat.

Where to Buy Gourmet Chocolate Covered Cherries

Maraschino Cherries - Belgian Chocolate Covered Cherries - 24 pieceMaraschino Cherries – Belgian Chocolate Covered Cherries – 24 pieceShari's Berries - 20 Hand-Dipped Classic Cherries - 20 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 20 Hand-Dipped Classic Cherries – 20 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsDouble Dipped Chocolate Cherries 1/2 Lb Box Mix- Milk & Dark ChocolateDouble Dipped Chocolate Cherries 1/2 Lb Box Mix- Milk & Dark ChocolateShari's Berries - 4 Caramel Pretzels and 20 Hand-Dipped Cherries - 24 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 4 Caramel Pretzels and 20 Hand-Dipped Cherries – 24 Count – Gourmet Baked Good Gifts

Enjoy! If you make these I’d love to hear how your own homemade chocolate covered cherries came out and if they were as good as you expected.

If you like this then you’ll LOVE my homemade chocolate covered strawberries recipe! It’s even easier.

#3/52: My Commute, Sunset in Nebraska

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Week 3: Project 52 Nebraska Sunset
Week 3: Project 52 Nebraska Sunset

I think I’ve found a theme for my Project 52. My commute to work. Some people hate the commute into work, it’s stressful fighting traffic and dealing with road rage. I love my commute, it’s relaxing and inspirational.  The vista of the open sky throw colors and clouds that can just take your breath away.

The first fifteen minutes of my drive takes me on rural roads and highways where I might see a dozen cars in a twelve mile span of road. When I can see four tail lights in a three mile stretch of road ahead it’s considered rush hour in the country.

In my mental preparation for work I think of the day ahead and at the end of the day the images I’ve seen from various photographers inspire me to look for my next great image. I’m hoping to develop a better eye, and learn more about my new camera.

So, be prepared for lots of Nebraska scenery, wildlife (deer, turkeys), livestock (mainly cows), fences, barns, and some trees (yes Nebraska has trees). Throughout the year I will deviate from my theme, as family activities and events take place. But my goal this year is to improve my photography to the point where I can create framed art and canvases for my new house. 

#2/52: Early Morning Commute, Country Style

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Early morning commute
Week 2: Early Morning Commute

I pass this barn between Elmwood and Murdock every morning as I  drive to work. My commute is about twenty eight miles and takes about 35 minutes to arrive in the parking lot at Hamilton Color Lab. My first fifteen minutes looks about like this before I get to the I-80 interstate.

The full moon behind the barn was just too good to pass by, maybe next time I’ll remember to put my camera setting on RAW.

This is Week 2 of my Project 52, here’s hoping to better and better pictures with my new camera my son gave me for Christmas.

Week 1: Happy New Year 2012

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I’m going to try my 365 project again, but this year make it realistic and try the 52 Week project. I’ll still try and add extra postings in between as I learn more about my camera, have a recipe to post, or food pictures. But I’m setting myself up to succeed, with less stress.

Last year was my first 365 project and I made it to day 312 posting everyday, but then life got in the way. I still consider it a success.  I made some new friends, learned more about my camera and ultimately achieved my goal. I received a new camera. More on that later.

For today this week, it’s a simple Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year 2012
Happy New Year 2012