Photography Giveaway

During this job hiatus of waiting for my career, I have started getting back into photography. During one of my many-hour internet scours of all things photography, I stumbled upon a new blog called Reverie and it just so happens they are in the middle of a giveaway. Lucky me :)

Here is the link to this amazing giveaway: http://reveriemine.com/inspired-giveaway/

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Update: June 26

1. I have been told at my internship that I may be getting my first full-time job as a forensic chemist. I should know within a week.

2. I have made more dishes that I have taken pictures of, including:

• Lasagna Soup
• Blueberry and lemon mascarpone tart with blue agave
• Curd-filled handmade crepes topped with a mixed berry reduction
• Summer vegetable crepes with baked vegetables

3. I started running/jogging more. Ended up finding a pedometer and started using that. It seems to be a lot easier running that I've ever remembered. I think it's because I normally run on the treadmill and with that I just look at the number of how fast the track is going. When I "run" on it, I hit the number at either 5 or 5.5 . I usually tire and breathe extremely hard. Also, I use "distance" for when I do my jog/walk intervals. For example, I jog 1/2 of the track, then walk the rest and repeat. However, once I started doing this outside, I do not have the luxury of knowing my exact numbers or speed. I can jog at my own pace and know that I won't tire as easily and can therefore run farther. It is really the best I've felt about running. Even though I am only going a bit over 1 1/4 a mile each time, I think it's key to start slow and work my way up.

4. I completed my first custom order on Etsy and received 100% positive feedback and a nice comment from my buyer. Hopefully I get another order soon.

5. I have bought my first jar of Nutella.....only because I see so many recipes on Pinterest with that as an ingredient. Now, what to do with it?

6. Mr. Jewels-Pie and I have just marked six-months of being married. Yay, we lasted this long! lol

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

New Glaze

•  Giada's Raspberry Chipotle Glaze
• Honey
• Salt
• Pepper
• Nutmeg
• Lemon Juice
• Garlic
• Balsamic Vinaigrette

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures and Recipe: French Onion Soup

 the recipe

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures and Recipe: Steak Crostini

 the recipe

Changes I made:

• Topped with Italian Seasoning and Grated Parmesan

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures and Recipe: Lemon Orzo Pasta with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

the recipe

Changes I made: 

• Used balsamic vinaigrette dressing
• Halved the lemon zest as it tends to clump

 Served with Grilled Chicken Marinated in a Raspberry Chipotle Glaze

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures From Recovery Pound Cake

 Key lime pound cake with glaze and topped with lime infused cream; it was AMAZING!

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures From Stuffed Salmon with Creamy Sriracha Sauce

 Soy Glaze

 Creamy Sriracha Sauce

 Sesame Teriyaki & Noodle Side Dish

 Finished Stuffed salmon

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Pictures for Grilled and Stuffed Bella Mushrooms

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Been Awhile

I know it's been awhile, but it's been a pretty busy week. I cooked a LOT though so I will be getting a ton of pictures up soon. xoxo

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Cake to Recover

My sweet hubby just bought me the new 2011 Nike AirMax in black/hot pink. I'm in LOVE with them. I took them out for a test-run today around my apartment complex. They felt great and I didn't feel too skittish about being outside. <---The reason I say that is....the last time I went for a run outside with my dog, I was attacked by a pitbull and had to go to the ER and stitched up. It has been two years since then and this is the first time I've kind of put myself in the same atmosphere. I am by no means a runner-runner....I have no control over my breathing and find it hard mentally to make myself keep going when I feel I can't breathe right. This will take time. However, with it being so easy to just put my shoes on and go outside to run, it might be what I need to be more constant with this exercise.

ANYWAY

As stated in my previous post, I had some horrible news earlier today. With that black cloud over my day and my new-found eagerness to exercise more, I decided to make myself (and give half of it to my close relatives since I obviously can't eat it all by myself) a cake. Not just any cake though. This looks soooo yummy! I combined a few recipes together for this.

 

Key Lime Pound Cake

YIELD: Makes 12 servings                                          TOTAL: 2 HOURS, 45 MINUTES

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice
• Key Lime Glaze

• Ingredients
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Preparation
• Whisk together powdered sugar, fresh Key lime juice, and vanilla until smooth. Use immediately.

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 325°. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
• Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.
• Prepare Key Lime Glaze, and immediately brush over top and sides of cake. Cool completely (about 1 hour).

Lime Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

Servings:

10-12

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons fine grated fresh lime rind

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins

1. Beat cream on high speed until it begins to thicken.
2. Gradually add sugar.
3. Continue beating and add lemon juice.
4. Beat until soft peaks form.
5. Fold lemon rinds in by hand.
6. Refrigerate.

 PHOTOS TO COME!

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Dissapointed

I was picked for my second interview since I've been looking for my career. I had this interview about two weeks ago and I thought it went rather well. In my career field, there is a very rigorous selection process where there are close to one-thousand applicants and only the top fifteen are chosen for an interview. So getting a call for an interview is something HUGE. My interview with this agency lasted about two hours with them grilling me for the first hour and a half and then me taking a 'written test.' I felt confident that I hadn't screwed up too much and my test would have covered up any interview flub they might have noticed. Wrong. I had not heard one word from the agency since and it was only upon me emailing the supervisor to inquire about the position that I was given a generic email back stating that they "chose a candidate who with qualifications that are a closer match to their current needs." That is a load of BS. Every person who was interviewed is more than qualified to do the job. When it comes down to it and they cannot make a decision, it all comes down to personal preference (they liked someone's personality, they liked their answer to a specific question, they liked how someone dressed more). It's those minute decisions that I cannot stand. Yes, I know this is only the second interview I have been on. However, just to get to this stage of being in the top percentage of applicants has taken a lot of money, hard work and time over the last year. I just needed to rant.

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

My Personal Recipe: Tomato Basil Soup

 Now, I don't have a picture of this recipe since I was starving by the time I made it. It's really quite simple and being a cook and not a baker, I try not to measure ingredients exactly. I believe a person knows what they like and you should add/subtract more of each ingredient depending on your taste.

With that said, I will write down exactly how I make my soup. Feel free to tweak it yourself.

- Can of tomato soup (do not put in water or milk to water it down)
- minced garlic
- salt & pepper
- diced onion
- basil
- half and half
- chicken stock
- white rice

Add all ingredients as you see fit. I usually put in 1/2 cup chicken stock and 1/4 cup half and half. You can also use a can of tomato rice soup (if you can find it in the store) instead of the rice and tomato soup.

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted

Recipe To-Do: Salmon Sriracha

the recipe

Each time I post, I am closer to something I've wanted