3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

project365

Day 193/365: Texas Longhorns in Nebraska

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Texas Longhorn Cows in Nebraska
Texas Longhorn Cows in Nebraska

The grass is as high as an elephants eye….oh sorry that’s from the musical Oklahoma, wrong state, on both accounts. Spring grass in Nebraska is like candy to these cows, I love seeing them belly deep with calves by their side hidden. Can you see him to the left of her?

This was taken north of Syracuse Nebraska which is located about 30 minutes east of Lincoln and 45 minutes south of Omaha.

Photoshop Notes: The background was a little blurrier than I liked so I accentuated the edges in the artistic filters and set opacity to 30%. Seemed to make the tops of the trees a little crisper.  It was an overcast evening with no sun what so ever.

Day 192/365: Cats Paws

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Kitty Paws
Kitty Paws

Meet Tom, like any typical cat  he’s stoic, independent, and does that funny little thing with his paws when he purrs and is happy. I was being lazy and randomly pointing the camera at various locations while we were on the couch. He didn’t like the lens right up in his face, kept batting at it, so kitty paws is what we have today.

Day 191/365: CraigsList Anyone?

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Anyone want to buy an iPod shuffle. My fiancee’s son won it at an end of the year party and he inherited his sisters iPod touch, so he doesn’t need it. for only $40 it’s yours, even comes with a $10 iTunes gift card.  Never been used or out of it’s case. I’m selling in on Craigslist in Lincoln NE.  If you’re local I can deliver it, if not I can mail it and arrange for PayPal payment.

Day 190/365: Summer Wardrobe on A Budget

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New Summer Wardrobe
New Summer Wardrobe

I love getting new clothes, especially when they are such a bargin. What’s the damage this time?

  • 5 pairs of shorts (two brand new from Casual Corner with tags $29.95)
  • 2 shirts (one with new tag $34.95)
  • 2 skirts
  • 1 purse
  • 1 summer book
Bargin Price!!
Bargin Price!!

A grand total of $21.50, juts the clothes with the tags were $96.00 retail. With bargains like this I can get a new summer wardrobe every year. Where did I find everything? My favorite thrift store, Bits N’ Pieces in Elmwood. Why would I ever shop retail with prices like this? I’m so spoiled.

Day 189/365: Lemony Sunshine Cupcakes

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Amazing Lemon Cupcake Recipe

I love the tart taste of lemon in any food and this amazing lemon cupcake recipe quickly became a favorite. It’s rare that a Food Network recipe doesn’t turn out good, and this delicious cupcake recipe will have people asking for more.

Lemon Cupcake recipe
Lemon Sunrise Surprise Cupcakes

Lemony Sunshine Cupcakes from the Food Network as just as good to look at as they are to eat.

This recipe and resulting cupcake is actually from my friend Shelli who made these for her co-workers and favorite customers on her last day at Hamilton Color Lab in Omaha. I inherited her job and am the point of contact for all customers and help photographers, artists, and businesses get the most out of their images.

All the customers that came in that day were sad to see Shelli leave, there were calls, hugs, and well wishes as she heads back to school to continue her next life journey. But for the two of us it’s not good bye, it’s just see you later as we were Facebook friends before I found the job.

Recipe was found my her daughter on the Food Network.

Ingredients

For crust and topping:

  • 1 1/3 cups shortbread cookie crumbs, (22 Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (Shellie suggested to reduce to 2 TBSP)

For the batter:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 small box (3.4 ounce) instant lemon pudding
  • 1 (18.25 ounce) box lemon cake mix (recommended: Betty Crocker Super Moist)
  • 1/3 cup lemon curd

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two standard muffin tins with 16 foil cupcake liners; set aside.

Place shortbread cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl; stir until well combined; set aside.

In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time and mix just until combined. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Add vegetable oil, water, and the box of lemon pudding. Mix until combined. Add cake mix and beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes. Batter will be on the thick side.

Place a slightly heaping tablespoon of shortbread cookie crumb mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use your fingers or the bottom of a small glass to firmly pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining shortbread cookie crumb mixture for topping.

Use a 1/4 cup spring loaded ice cream scoop and place a level scoop full of batter into each muffin cup.

Load the lemon curd into a small sandwich size resealable bag, removing the air from the bag before sealing. Squeeze the curd to 1 corner of the bag and use scissors to snip a 1/4- inch piece from corner of bag; set aside.

With a damp finger or the end of a wooden spoon dipped in water, make a shallow indentation into the center of each cupcake. Pipe 3/4 to 1 teaspoon lemon curd into each indentation. Sprinkle tops of cupcakes evenly with remaining shortbread cookie crumbs.

Bake for 21 to 23 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking, until edges of cupcakes are lightly golden brown.

Serve cupcakes warm from the oven or at room temperature.