Fish tacos and photo tips

Tonight was fish tacos. Sometimes it's just wine. Sometimes I just can't take making another meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner I get over it. But I do believe in the family dinner.

So back to the tacos.

I usually use Cod, Talapia or Catfish. Use whatever you like. You can also make this dish with hamburger, add cheese, or chicken, no cheese. The tip with chicken is Lawry's seasoning salt. Get the fish breading in the fish department, bread and fry your fish. While the fish is frying you can cut up cilantro, jalapenos and Serranos. Put them in dishes. Then make the coleslaw. Buy pre-made coleslaw and mix with a little mayo and some lemon. Put all those things on the table. I like to use a bunch of different hot sauces and salsas. Get soft corn tortillas and warm them up. Then serve. It is easy, fast and delicious. I usually eat way more than I should, but that's the mid western girl in me. Big families, fear of not having enough food. Like I said I love food. So eat and enjoy.

Now a photo tip. When taking a portrait people generally try and turn their subjects so there face is towards the sun. The problem with that is that they squint, have shadows under the eyes and generally are unhappy because they can't see. The trick is this. Turn them around. The sun will be out of their eyes, you will get a great hair light and everyone will be happy. And you must put your flash on for a fill light. If you forget the flash, the face will be underexposed. That is key in this lighting situation. Try it and see. Let me know how it worked out.

Daily recipe and photo fun

Today I am working on a couture dress made entirely from recycled stuff from Resource in Boulder. I will be having a show of some of my fashion work on May 13th at Boulder Blooms on the hill. Please come. Jerrica Park, florist extraordinaire and I decided to have some fun first. We wanted to shoot a few more models with a floral theme and decided to use the recycled product for our outfits. So far so good. Although sewing window screening into a gown is a little dangerous. Lots of holes in my fingers. But we are having a blast and I can't wait to shoot the dresses. I'll post them when we are done.

Now for my recipe of the day. This is for busy moms who are somewhat health conscious but busy to boot.

Hamburger pie.

2 lbs of hamburger

1 small bag frozen mixed vegetables

2 cans beef gravy

mashed potatoes-you can use instant or I make my own.

brown the hamburger and drain. mix in the frozen veggies and the gravy and mix well.

put the mixture into a baking dish

top with the mashed potatoes, usually about 4-6 cups, I usually wing it

bake at 350 for one hour.

The kids love this and it is dairy free if you make the mashed potatoes with olive oil and water.

Very yummy.

Enjoy.

Daily Musings

Today I decided to run with my little point and shoot. One thing I always notice on my runs is the beautiful colors. The blue of the sky, the yellow hue of the tall grass, it always takes my breath away. There is something about being outside that opens you up. I feel like it allows the collective stuff to float through my being. I can still my mind and open my heart to all that is good around us. I kept thinking about this need to rush around everywhere, and today I wondered what am I rushing towards. My death? What about all the things in between now and then? I never want to forget to go slow and enjoy the now. I do a lot. But when I am out running or mountain biking, I remember the now. Go out and breath the air. Or very simply, just breath. Life is so important to live, not to just manage. Then I started thinking about last night. The wind was blowing and I kept hearing this thumping against my bedroom wall. It was driving me crazy and I knew that I would fixate on the sound and never get to sleep. I went downstairs to see if any windows were open, I checked out front to make sure all the gates were closed and went into the backyard to see if any of the chairs were hitting the house. Nothing, not one thing. And the banging continued. Then I started thinking about ghosts and freaked myself out completely. Not that I believe in Ghosts but I couldn't find any other reason for the banging. I was progressively getting more freaked out. I finally fell asleep and first thing this morning I went outside to see what it was. I am telling you NOTHING. I couldn't find one thing that would be hitting the house like that. Now I have to move. I will probably never sleep again.

Me and my dog Willy. My other most lovely dog, Hoss has finally given up. He is almost 13 and his poor hips just don't work anymore. He still has the power to guilt me out but that's about it. He just stares at me as I climb in the car with my other dog. Sorry Hoss.

Met up with my friends Shaun and Tim from iSupportU. They are having their ribbon cutting/grand opening today at 4pm. I'm sure they would love to meet you and more importantly you will love meeting them. If you need any computer help, anything, these are the guys to go to. Their new shop is on 18th and Pearl. And they have beer.

I walked into this Pearl street book shop and fell in love. What Chaos. I love it. And he had a fake black crow on his desk just like me.

Had a cup of coffee and work support with my dear friend Barb.