3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

fall

Thankful November: My 30 Day Photo Challenge

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Thankful November seems to be the trend as I’ve been seeing thankful postings on Facebook and on Twitter the past couple of days. I think we should say thank you everyday, but there is something powerful about saying “thank you” out loud and counting your blessings during the month of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving tends to disappear between Halloween and Christmas, the holiday has all but disappeared in the consumerism and holiday hoopla. So yes, I think I will participate in Thankful November.

When I think of all I have, all God has provided, it’s really amazing. Life could be so much harder, and as I look back on my life there have been some years that pushed me to the limit physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I learned to appreciate the little things in life, see the positive instead of the negative and “Let God.”

So the photographer in me is going to merge two projects, a 30 Day Photo Challenge and 30 Days of Thankfulness.  Those who have followed my blog might remember my 365 project. I’ve come a long ways in my photography since then and I’d like to start sharing again. Photography is my way of documenting and recording what is important to me, so in essence, it’s what I’m thankful for in life.

Harvest in Nebraska, Combines in the fields
Day: 1 Harvest in Nebraska (Commute to work)

Day 1: I am thankful for my commute to work every day. The twenty-eight miles takes me about 35 minutes when I don’t stop to take photographs. During the fall the farmers are in their fields picking corn and combining soybeans. Harvest is a reward for a year’s work.

Fall color, red maple leaves in Nebraska
Day 2: Fall Color (Flowers or Nature)

Day 2: I am thankful for the little things, leaves on the trees, the change of seasons, it makes me happy.

My Boxer Leah
Day 3: My Puppy Dog

Day 3: My dogs make me happy, animals love unconditionally and Leah my Boxer is always happy to see me when I come home, she wiggles her tail so hard her whole body wiggles.

Photographing California Beaches, San Diego Style

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While we were in California, for my son’s Marine Boot Camp graduation,  we took in as much beach time as possible. I love the ocean and surf, and my photography bucket list was to take photos of the sunset over the Pacific and the sunrise over the Atlantic, and I have accomplished them both.

The ocean skies remind me of the midwest and big sky country. With the right lighting the sunsets are amazing and it feels as though you can see to the end of the earth.

Father and Daughter at the Beach
Father and Daughter at Coronado Beach

To achieve the golden oranges of the sky and clouds under expose a half a stop, your subject matter will be dark, but silhouettes against the sky can be very attractive. follow the rule of thirds by placing your horizon in the upper or lower third of the photograph, depending on what is more appealing, the surf or sky. Focal points such as people, a sunburst, or landscape try and place in the 2/3rds of the frame.

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean
Sunset on the Pacific Ocean

The San Diego Pier is one of the most famous photographic landmarks in Southern California. We didn’t have enough time for me to hike and get the photograph I really wanted, but this year I will have another opportunity when my step son graduates from Marine Corps boot camp.

My goal is to duplicate the below images.

Scripps Pier 2 (Giclee Art Print), Martha DeanPier in the ocean at sunset, Oceanside, San Diego County, California, USA by Panoramic Images

My daughter and I could both live at the beach very easily, something soothing about the consistency and rhythm of the waves. Although the water was very cold, my daughter just had to go swimming, hey she’s sixteen, she knows enough to come in when she’s cold. Next day she learned to body surf, and did a pretty good job of it too. She was so proud.

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October
Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October, just a little bit chilly

San Diego is a popular location for photographers and there even tutorials and guides to photographing the California coast. I am starting to take trips specifically for photographic purposes and with that quest comes preparation. Such as knowing the time of the sunset and when the lighting is best for certain landmarks, buildings and iconic landscapes. If you take your photography seriously then utilizing such guides is highly recommended.

Tips on Photographing San Diego

PhotoSecrets San Diego: The Best Sights and How To Photograph ThemPhotoSecrets San Diego: A Photographer’s GuidePhotoSecrets San Francisco & Northern California: The Best Sights and How to Photograph ThemThe Photographer’s Guide to the California Coast: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to

Day 288-290: High School Football

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High school football, the central point of every fall Friday night in a small town. It’s the center of the social scene, the place to be seen and to see people and watch some football. Elmwood-Murdock high school has been conference district champions for the past 13 years and make the state playoffs every year I can remember.

Nebraska, High school football
Nebraska, High school football, obviously doesn't want me to take his picture
Class C2, Nebraska Football
Class C2, Nebraska Football
High School Football Cheerleaders
High School Football Cheerleaders

Day 287/365: The Best Caramel Apple Dip in the World

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The Worlds Best Caramel Apple Dip

Found this Caramel Apple Dip recipe several years ago, and it’s the best I’ve every had. I should know,  I’m a caramel apple addict. Every year I lose my index card and have to dig for it again, but it always turns up in a drawer, or my recipe box, in the wrong section.

So I’m posting it here for posterity, then I can always do a search where ever I am. Yes, the recipe is at the bottom and I did eat all the apples on the plate and the 1/2 cup of dip in the bowl. Yes, I’m a pig, oink, oink, smile.

Caramel Apple Dip
Caramel Apple Dip

The fastest way I’ve found to slice apples is obviously with a STURDY heavy duty apple slicer, don’t get the cheap variety, but the ones with big handles for lots of leverage. If you’re slicing lots of apples, say for a Fall Harvest Party or a Halloween get together then you will want to treat them so they won’t turn brown.

How to Keep Sliced Apples From Turning Brown

Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer

You can soak your apples in a bowl of water mixed with either citric acid and water  (found in canning supplies) pineapple juice, lemon juice, or a salt water bath. The choice is yours. Here are a few suggestions

  • Honey and Water: 2 TBSP per cup of water
  • Salt Water: 1/8 teaspoon per sup of water
  • Lemon Juice and Water: 1 Tablespoon per cup of water
  • Fruitfresh: 1 teaspoon per cup water
Caramel Apple Dip recipe
Caramel Apple Dip recipe

Caramel Apple Dip Recipe

Here’s the recipe as I found it in Taste of Home’s Simple & Delicious magazine 2006

Ingredients & Directions

  • 1 package (14 oz) caramels
  • 20 large marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted (mmm butter)
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (full octane cream, mmmm)
  • Apple slices
  1. Place caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute.
  2. Add marshmallows (which in my opinion don’t count as sugar) ;
  3. Microwave for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted, stirring occasionally.
  4. Whisk in butter and cream until combined.
  5. Serve with apple slices. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield 2 1/2 cups

I have made this every year and every year it is a hit. The last time was for a football and harvest moon party and I made a double batch and kept the dip warm in a small slow cooker. Seriously, there were kids filling cups of caramel to and scooping it out like candy. I’m the same way, my husband asks me, “Having some apples with your dip”, yup, this apple dip it THAT good!

Oster TSP100 Serving Platter with Center Warming PotHamilton Beach 33416 Party Crock Set, Red

Apple Recipes for Fall

My neighbor has apples and I’m looking for good apple recipes I can fix and freeze, or even can. Something besides applesauce, maybe even a good apple pie filling recipe. If you have one please share. In the mean time I’m going to be scouring Pinterest and some recipe books.

Apples Cookbook: 101 Recipes with ApplesThe Apple Cookbook, 3rd Edition: 125 Freshly Picked Recipes

These Are the Best Apple Recipes For Fall

Just as blockbusters leave movie theaters to make way for award-season films, so too must our summer produce pack up and leave stores. But fear not, because for each and every peach, plum and berry recipe we must bid goodbye for another season, …

Sweet and savory apple recipes for fall

It’s officially apple season. If you’re inundated with the fruit of fall, here are some sweet and savory recipes that can put your apples — and your stomach — to work. Click on the link in the slides for each recipe. Dutch apple pie. If you’re a fan …

5 irresistible apple recipes to bake this autumn

To get you in the mood for fall 2015, we’ve assembled some of our favorite apple recipes from the PennLive files. Apple Pound Cake. Ingredients: 4 medium-size tart apples; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour …

The Apple Recipes That You’ve Been Waiting For All Year

We’ve found 26 apple recipes to make sure you take advantage of fall’s greatest gift. And they’ll also help make sure you’re spending time in the kitchen, because there’s no better place to be in the fall than cozied up next to a warm oven with the …

14 Apple Recipes To Make With Your Orchard Haul This Fall

Labor day has come and gone, meaning it’s only a matter of time before warm days cool to sweater weather, and leaves begin turning. Autumn’s arrival brings a new batch of outdoor activities, and with orchards reopening to the public, apple picking …

Autumn appeal: Recipes for the bounty of apple season

I’ve reached into The Journal recipe archives for some easy ideas from the women who were helping run local orchards back in 1986. Because when it comes to apple recipes, local growers have some of the best. Other recipes come from 2006 and 2011.