F/Stop | Christian Photography Workshops

F/Stop | Christian Photography Workshops

This is so cool! One day (hopefully soon..) I'll attend...

What do you think about this....?

First of all, thanks so much for all the HONEST feedback!  I really appreciate it!  What do you think about this?  The idea is to have this in various colors, depending on content....leave your comments, and color suggestions are welcome!

Glenn Beck is awesome!

Summertime Yums

I love to cook year round, but summertime just seems to have the most refreshingly delicious treats!  I made these last year, and though more people should enjoy them, so I'm posting this here.  I actually got the recipe from epicurious.com  


Here's the recipe from the site:


ingredients:
For lemon ice cream:

• 2 pint premium vanilla ice cream
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For blueberry compote:

• 2 cups blueberries (10 ounces)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 (3-by 2 1/2-inch) strips lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

For sandwich layers:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Equipment: 2 (8-inch) square baking pans (2 inches deep); a small offset spatula

Here's how to make them:
Make lemon ice cream: 

Transfer ice cream to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30 percent power in 10-second intervals, stirring, until softened, about 50 seconds total (see cooks’ note, below).

Stir in lemon zest and juice. Spread ice cream thinly in a 13-by 9-inch baking dish and freeze while making compote and sandwich layers.

Make blueberry compote:
Cook blueberries, sugar, and zest in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly crushing blueberries with a potato masher, until juices are released and sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes.

Stir together lemon juice and cornstarch, then stir into blueberry mixture. Boil, stirring, 1 minute (mixture will thicken).

Transfer blueberry compote to a bowl and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Discard lemon zest.

Make sandwich layers while compote chills:
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Butter baking pans and line with foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang on each side, then butter foil.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Beat together butter and brown sugar in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, add flour mixture in 2 batches, mixing until just combined.

Divide batter between baking pans and spread into thin, even layers with offset spatula. Bake until golden-brown but still tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely in pans, about 30 minutes.

Assemble sandwiches: 
Dollop tablespoons of blueberry compote all over ice cream, then swirl it gently through ice cream with a spoon. Spoon all of ice cream over 1 sandwich layer (in pan) and spread evenly using clean offset spatula. Invert second sandwich layer over ice cream, pressing gently to form an even sandwich. Wrap baking pan in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.

Transfer sandwich to a cutting board using overhang. Trim edges if desired, then cut into 8 pieces.

Cooks' notes: •If you don’t have a microwave, ice cream can be softened at room temperature.
•Ice cream sandwich (before cutting) can be made 1 week ahead and frozen in pan, wrapped in plastic wrap and then in foil.◊

Here are some of my lessons learned:

If you like a thicker, more chewy crust, double the sandwich layers recipe!  I started to make just the one layer, and that would just NOT do!  I'm an gooey chewy type :)

Try different flavors of ice cream and add stuff!  The last time I made them I added toasted nuts.....yumm!!!

Bon appétit!

My new cam! And them something gross...

So I'm totally stoked about my new camera!  Of course, the first day I got it I was completely trigger happy!  I've waited over a year to get it, and her it is!  More photos to follow....until then, I'm busy learning by doing.
So I love this photo I'm posting.  And now comes the gross part...Here's what you don't see:  Dillon's peeling!  If you look closely at his shoulder, his skin is kinda splotchy....yeah...that's sunburnt peeling.  I don't think that the burn itself is gross, I think the fact that I have this unhealthy obsession with peeling his skin is the gross part.  Is it just me?  Do other people like to do stuff like that?  That's kinda gross, right?  Every time he wears a tank top or wife beater, I ABSOLUTELY MUST peel some of that skin!  And when he takes his shirt of...OVER!  I know it's gross, but I have to do it anyway....Disgustingly fulfilling..... 

Don't say that!

So between the last church sermon and things that I've enountered since then, and the books I've been reading, I've noticed myself becoming more and more annoyed with negativity.  And it's not just any negativity, it's when other people are speaking about negativity, or speaking negatively.  I've been told over and over again by some of my mentors and colleagues, that you speak your own destiny into life.  So when you say "Darn, I'm so dumb, why'd I do that?"  You're going to be dumb and convince yourself that you did something wrong because you think you're dumb.  SO DON"T SAY THAT!  Instead, say "I made a mistake, but I'll fix it."  It may not be okay that you made a mistake, but take responsibility for it, and fix it!

I love k9s

Okay, so anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE DOGS!  Their unfailing, unwavering unconditional love is so gratifying.  It's one of the areas of my life where I'm the most selfish.  I love dogs, because they love me.  In return, I love them back...

For your enjoyment...

Soo....it's been a month

Soo, it's been a month, and yes...I do sorely regret my decision to run a half marathon...kind of....
BUT, that's okay!  Because tomorrow's a new day, and I'll just start over/push forward.  Whatever I feel like doing that day, as long as it's not going backwards!

2010 Will be a great year

So I've decided to run the 2010 Rock N Roll Va Beach 1/2 Marathon! Something to keep me on my toes. I'm sure in a few days or weeks I'll thoroughly, sorely, and painfully regret this decision.....but press on I will!

Steady...

So, it's been a great few months! I've lost a total of 35 lbs, and have kept it off! Totally psyched! Going to do the trim system one more time to get back in the shape I was when I was active duty. Easy does it...

Diet is as diet does...

SOOOO....I recently started my health kick---not really much of a kick...more like a health low-crawl... =P Better slow than never I say!

So far, since the beginning of June, I've lost 25 pounds on top of losing 30 lbs of baby weight. How'd I do it? Why, diet and exercise of course! I think back to a certain doctor I saw about one year ago. He had the gall to suggest I start the diet program he offers in his office. The program was called Releana. The doctor sat me down and diagnosed me with PCOS that day, and said that Releana would solve the problem. He said that with this program, and a 500 calorie diet every day, I could lose up to 40 pounds in one month and I'd be good to go! I asked if there were certain types of foods I needed to be cautious of. The answer was that it didn't matter. He said "You could just eat a large snickers bar every day and that would be your 500 calories. It doesn't matter..." Wrong answer. Any doctor that tries to sell me a diet program that extreme is not someone I want to consult with.

So, I started the Trim Body system instead (link on sidebar of blog page):


There is supplementation involved, but it's designed to be a reasonable diet and excercise program that you could adapt to relatively easily. I think that with my schedule (work 14 hours days at the office, self employed, AND attend college courses), anyone can do it! It takes a little effort, but the results are quite rewarding! Since starting the program, my PCOS is gone, because one of the supplement is a glucose metabolizer. Since PCOS is a metabolic disease, it's helped me to lose weight and control the glucose in my body. I just started my second month of the program, and have also started integrating regular exercise into my schedule. Again, it's all about how bad you want it! If you want it bad enough, you'll find time. I owed it to myself and to my family to get healthy again....15 more pounds to go! I feel great! =) More updates to follow...

I Dream of Cake

So, we all know I love pretty things... I came across a beautifully marketed company called I Dream of Cake. Definitely worth checking them out at idreamofcake.com
And guess where they're from? One of my favorite cities....San Fran ;D

The Car...The Dream Builder...The Legend...

My car....the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. The little knowledge I have of cars can't do it justice. All I know is this:

" With its 16-cylinder four-wheel drive, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 may well be the most sophisticated production vehicle of all times.

Most of the components tucked beneath its hood are ingenious innovations that were formerly only deemed possible by visionaries like Ferdinand Piëch.

Boasting a maximum speed of more than 400 km per hour, the Veyron is unmatched in the super sports category. It offers a total of 1,001 HP, and its ample power reserves even at high speeds are the fabric of dreams for luxury-class limousines: for a constant speed of 250 km/h, the Veyron only needs 270-280 HP. This means that the seven-gear clutch transmission works with a torque of up to 1,250 Newton meters. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ensures the necessary flexibility and maneuverability at any speed. The Veyron reaches velocities that would literally lift the car off the ground – if it weren’t for its ingenious aerodynamics, which keeps it firmly on the road even at full speed. Adjusting the back spoiler, reducing ground clearance, opening and closing the lids – it all adds to the perfect balance between propulsion and downforce. Such a super sports car may not seem to be brought to a halt easily, but the Veyron’s ceramic brakes slow it down faster than it can accelerate. While it takes this exceptional car only 2.5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, it needs even less time – a mere 2.3 seconds – to come to a standstill from 100 (reference point). To reduce the risk of injuries in accidents, Bugatti had a Formula 1 safety concept adapted for the Veyron. All these technical details combine to make the Veyron a truly exceptional super sports car. -Bugatti Press"

That mean's it cruises at 150 MPH, using only about 250 HP out of a total of 1001....which means it maxes out at around 600-610 MPH
What does it take to own one of these? Only $1.2 million, if you can get your hands on one of the 300 manufactured...... I know I will, how about you?

Beaches of the world

To start...
peter island, bora bora, grand wailea....need i say more....

My Brand New Travel Favorite!

Take along just what you need with this mini travel trio.
Sure to become your new favorite travel companion, the essentials balancing system travel set is perfect for all your skin care needs on-the-go! Keep up with your daily routine no matter where you go. Go ahead and toss these minis into your travel bag because they meet airline standards for carry-on luggage. And with every essentials travel set you purchase, you’ll also receive an essentials travel bag, free! (via BeautyZone)

What else do I like?

Clothes! Duh! Now this could go on forever....so I'm just going to start with Anthropologie. I don't think there's anything from any of their lines I wouldn't wear. Besides Ny&CO and other faves, this one tops the list!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I almost forgot... >;P
Happy Valentine's Day!

Vosges: one of the most richest, indulgent chocolates I've ever enjoyed. The box came with instructions on how to savor your chocolate! No, Really! It told me to fell the chocolate, smell the chocolate, take a nibble and savor all the flavors in the chocolate. Each chocolate had its own comprehensive ingredient break-down......and the texture...Mmmmm....

Stuffs!

I love pretty things.....and luxurious things. Why? Because having pretty and luxurious things means that you've accomplished your goals in order to get them (if your priorities are straight, that is)
What are some of the most beautiful, luxurious and sensual things out there? FOOD! I love love good food. This includes, but is not limited to: Deserts....Mmmm.....nothing better than a rich, gourmet desert.

One of the things I am bound and determined to experience during my travels is the famous LaDuree Macaroon.
With celebrity fans all over the world, it's rich French history spans back into the 19th century. Seasonal flavors, creative packaging and presentation.....delish! (Or I imagine it to be)

What I do...

I'll start by sharing what I do through a series of blogposts that will show you what's out there when it comes to the best of the best in skincare. So here's what I do, and I love it!

First, the essentials. My O-So-Easy to use 3-step system. I used to use Clinique, but this is much more effective, and prevents my adult-acne. Besides that, it smells better (I personally think Clinique's stuff smells like medicine and soap, and has no aromatic qualities at all), and it's packaged better. Artistry definately lives up to its name of prestige!
Found at BeautyZone

Then there's my awesome blemish control spot-treatment. Great stuff, without the harsh burn. Twice as effective as me previous off-the-shelf treatment, with long lasting preventative ingredients...
Found at BeautyZone

My First Post!

Hi Everyone!
Now, I'm a new blogger, so I don't have a formal way of kicking things off, so I'm just going to tell you why I'm compelled to do this:

To help build your dream! To expand your lifestyle by sharing my likes, dislikes, and worldly findings....enjoy!

-The Cster