Our life and stuff

Fun with Photos

 

I found this cool site called Shape Collage

I decided to try it out. 

I opened a folder of pics - happened to be Luke's football.

I typed out COBRA for (Tustin Cobra Football) and got this...

 

 

It's free - Shape Collage

Have Fun!!

 

Pancakes 2010

 

It was time for our...

 Annual Daddy Cakes Pancake Breakfast

 

We kick things off each school year with a 'Welcome Back' breakfast at 7am.  I think we are finally getting the hang of it!  The line was actually manageable this year...

Sure, it's terribly early and I could easily whip up a batch of pancakes in our warm house but it just wouldn't be the same.  

Breakfast always tastes better when someone else cooks but the best part is eating with the kids and the families.  Having them introduce you to their little friends and rubbing sticky syrup-y elbows with a few new families. 

 

  
 

 

We actually had a ready to serve supply on hand this year -

 

 

And everyone was fed before the school bell - Always a PLUS and another FIRST.

It's good times...

 

Start this tradition at your school - Daddy Cakes Bakery

  

Even better { banana chocolate chip bread }

Do you ever have yucky old overly ripe bananas?

We do.

On Purpose Even 

So we can make this...

 

(from this)

 

(then you have to wait  F-O-R-E-V-E-R  as it cooks and cools)

 

(to this)

  

I found the recipe  OVER HERE

Don't be scared of the mayo or the shortening.

(we did not add the walnuts though - majority rules)

It's delicious. 

Do your sad over-ripe bananas some justice.

this is a test...

Holy Moly - it worked!!!

and it's awesome.

First, I took a picture

in automatic...

Then, I set the camera to Live Mode

and pushed the SET button

[ the little RED record button appeared ]

Suddenly - it was movie time... 

[ Luke was bewildered by my: retarded expression -followed by 'oh my god, oh my god, that was sooooo easy' ]

 

Monday's Menu & Meatloaf

*to print & post on fridge

Links: Tuesday Thursday Weekend    

 

So ~ So glad that I'm staying on top of this!  I will confess that we skipped last Friday's enchilada casserole.  On the way to Luke's practice that day he asks...

'I like your cooking Mom but are we ever going to eat in a restaurant again?'

 

When we got in the car to go home we surprised him with Japanese Teppan.  I figure if we're gonna eat out, let's go somewhere that's not like home.  It's sad but true... my performance does not come close,  there are no onion steam trains or pyrotechnic shows at home.  So boring I know.

 

Last week~ I did make my TURKEY meatloaf

It's a healthier version and I like lots of stuff in mine - here's the recipe with pics if you would like to give it a try...

 

 

Few tips: 

• Get turkey out of the fridge 20 minutes before you mix it (if you plan on using your hands- brrrr).
• Add sauteed onions and garlic - way better flavor (in olive oil with a pinch of seasoning).
• You can substite or add what ever veggies you want just don't use potato or anything else that will dry out your meatloaf.
• You can double this- prepare in 2 pans.  Pop one in the oven and pop one in the freezer.  Next week - defrost for 1 day in fridge and then bake it for dinner as directed. 

(on with the photos)

 

COMBINE

 

ADD SAUCES & SEASONING

 

MIX & PAN

 

PAINT

 (BAKE)

Wasn't that easy ~

While it's cooking you will need to whip up some real mashed potatoes and a veggie or salad to go with.  Remove from oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

 

Serve on your finest china, just like I do. 

Don't forget the ketchup, it's real good with more ketchup on top.

Enjoy~

  

A week of meals - with links

& here are the links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday

 

I also plan on making a few other things over the weekend ~ and this yummy little something for breakfast.  (psst - I really L-O-V-E all of Gina's recipes.  They are simple, healthy, delicious and look beautiful ~ you'll thank me.)

Is this post heavy on the links or what!?

What's one more... 

This site is pure 'eye-candy' and I love it.  I probably won't make any of this stuff but she makes me want to try! 

Just check out her cupcakes ~

 

{ See what I mean?!  Seriously... too cute to eat!!! }

   

Canon 5D settings

It's been a few weeks/months now and I'm getting more comfortable with my camera.  I'm making an extra effort (as in actually reading the manual) to discover it's capability. 

So far-  I'm in love

Yesturday (yes, on Sunday) we had a baseball game*.  I grab my camera bag as we head to the field- knowing darn well it will sit by my side, unopened, holding my lipgloss.   

We are at the field which happens to have the scorekeepers table (my job for the day) right up to the backstop.  I decide to keep my camera around my neck, handy to snap a quick shot between the chain-link / between pitches.  I realized I had my 85mm prime lens on and not a zoom, oh well. 

Here is a picture of Luke at bat, taken with different settings-

This one is on Automatic:

{ 12:25pm f/6.3, 1/400, ISO100 = 6.97MB }

 

This one is on AV:

{ 12:26pm f/1.8, 1/8000, ISO400 = 2.57MB }

 

Picture #1:  Darker, all in focus, not much contrast - also a 'ball'

Picture #2:  Bright, sharp/blur combo - also an 'F8' (Fly out to center)

I like bright contrasty pictures.  I appreciate those blown out spots, even if that's not acceptable.  This is probably why my camera is typically set for aperture priority.

I'm proud of myself for really getting to know more about my camera.  During the game a gentleman asked me...

"So, how do you like your 5D?"

(He had just inherited a 20D from his father who also purchased the Mark II)

We talked about its low-light capabilities (high ISO), video feature etc.  I could actually participate in this conversation, shocking, I know.  I still have a lot to learn- but its a start. 

   

*So I posted about our 'last game' over a week ago.  We got suckered back into a 'do-or-die' game to enter a tournament.  We died, I think we're done now. 

[I think = I hope] 

better brag books

 

 

have you heard of BLURB?

I mentioned them earlier.  This was my first purchase.  I read the FAQ and a few message boards trying to decide between Shutterfly - MyCanvas - SmugMug ...

The negatives with BLURB : Little to no customer service + Not 'professional'.

I went ahead with them. 

I'm not a professional, remember, so it was ok there.  Also, customer service is a 'personal opinion' that I couldn't form until I tried.

My review : LOVE IT

 

• The templetes are easy to work with and the final product uploaded in no time. 

• I was promised shipping to be within 5-6 business days.  However... I ordered on a Sunday and it shipped on Tuesday (way FAST). 

• I upgraded for 2-day air and it arrived on Thursday - as promised.  

I ordered:  a 20-page 7x7 hard-cover bound book with an upgrade to premium paper and dustcover jacket.  (In the future I would do the image wrap on the book, no cover.)

The total cost including tax, 2-day air and all the extras =  $44 bucks 

who can complain about that?    

I couldn't buy frames for less...

 

NOW, more than ever, I'm excited to finish up my 1-yr blog book.  

The best part is once it is made you can order as many as you'd like... one for your office, one for Grandma etc. 

Just wanted to  SHARE THE LOVE 

     

Stuck on Pancakes

Since returning with a fresh supply of pancakes capable of putting me in a carb-comma...  I've had the opportunity to get creative.  

Today we had cinnamon pancakes for lunch.

Why Yes - those are real bursts of cinnamon goodness

 

The Ultimate Combo:

Flaky Cinnamon Cakes - Whipped Cream - Real Maple Syrup - Fresh Sliced Banana

Wouldn't it be yummy to layer different fruit in each layer - banana, kiwi etc.  

Oh goodness - just thought about the Criminal Chocolate Chip ones layered with strawberries... that may be dinner.  

*   *   *   *   *

ALSO:  See this cutesy girly princess hair thing-

- Instructions are posted over HERE if interested.          

        

Let's take a tour...

    It's not everyday....  you visit a pancake warehouse.

I brought this sassy girl with me.  I threw up the camera to see if it was charged - she struck that pose in all of .02 seconds :

   

 

I pulled up, relieved to see a big familiar sign to let me know I'm in the right place:

We've exchanged a few e-mails.  I had shared our experiences with their product and they were always SO super nice.  

I spoke about ideas - how I think they would make for an awesome fund-raiser.  Who wouln't want to buy a wholesome, organic, reasonable product.  Something you will actually USE and even better - ENJOY. 

I mean, it's a redi-made family experience...  just add water.   

 

So here we are meeting... I think he understood me and what I envisioned.  Typically my mind is racing and I stumble over my thoughts, leaving important stuff out. 

(It doesn't help that I must be mindful of my 3 year old as she is about to scale the warehouse rolling ladder or stuff her face with courtesy cupcakes. ) 

I was SUPER IMPRESSED.  I am a sucker for a fresh and fun presentation.  Oh- did I mention the space... it was tidy, bright and orderly. 

It's obvious they take great pride in their dreams -

 

How cute are their baskets and tins! 

Much better than some Costco salami/cheese/wine thing that people will NEVER eat. 

We were fortunate to leave with some goodies - I'm excited to try the Vivacious Vanilla.  Thank you SO very much DAN for your time, the treats and listening to me ramble on and on.