inspiration for the week

Lately my big pleasure in life is definitely my photography. I am pushing myself to take images almost every day. If I don't photograph something, I am on the computer trying to push my photoshop skills forward. I have been studying my photos this week and noticed a nice progression - that makes me ridiculously happy. I am also getting interested in film photography and want to slowly move in that direction. Through this photo-learning journey, I have stumbled on some blogs and flickr accounts that really inspire me. I thought I would take time to share some of the new places I have been frequenting. This is a good chance to practice my html links - I hope some of these inspire you as well.

For positive inspiration and stunning photos I go to Maddy's journal, my favorite photo from her is here.

When I need inspiration to be a better photographer I peruse Leslie's page. Does this photograph want to make you reach in and pick those peonies?

....and, for a dose of fabulous moods, links to great music mixes and just plain wonderful photos, please visit the Blue Hour.

Happy weekend all.

the weekend of redemption

First I will confess that it has taken me an entire night to execute this post between all the staging of raw materials, cooking of raw materials, staging of cooked materials and much cursing in between all those steps. Secondly, I do hope you enjoy the polaroid photos above because the cost of the film could feed dinner to a family of six.

So yes, Babe is away this weekend hence this is perfect timing to cook healthy, vegetarian food for myself for the next two days. As I mentioned last week, gummy bears have somehow instilled themselves into my food plan so this weekend I am redeeming myself to the goddess of healthy living and as such, I will share one of my favorite recipes with you. Whenever I am low on the vitamin scale and feel I need a boost - I eat kale. Lightly steamed kale is delicious, it does not go mushy like spinach and if you don't like garlic or if you are a vampire, I would stop reading right here. This recipe comes from the cookbook 'Vegan with a Vengeance' by Isa Chandra Moskowitz.

Have a happy weekend all!

Garlicky Kale

5 or 6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch kale, well rinsed and coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Tahini dressing (see below)
Lemon wedges to serve

Sauté the garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Add the kale and a few splashes of water. Use tongs to toss the kale around, coating it with the garlic and oil. Stir frequently for 4 to 5 minutes.

Serve with a drizzle of Tahini dressing. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Tahini Dressing
Makes 2 cups (you will have lots left over - use on salads or as a veggie dip)

8 teaspoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup tahini
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1 lemon
Several dashes fresh black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh parsley
1/2 cup cold water

Heat the garlic in 6 teaspoons of the olive oil in a small saute pan over very low heat for 2 minutes, just until it's fragrant.

Place the heated garlic and all the other ingredients except the parsley in the food processor or blender, and blend until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse until the parsley is very finely chopped but not pureed.

Refrigerate at least 1/2 hour in an airtight container (I actually don't follow this rule). You may need to mix in a little extra water once it's chilled.

Notes: Once it has thickened I sometimes use it as a spread on pita bread with roasted peppers on top.

just in time for valentine's day

pattern: rusted root by the Zephyr Girls

yarn: pink cashmere

needle size: 4.0 mm and 4.5 mm

size: xs

I finished my pink knit just in time for Valentine's day. When I see it on the photo I don't dislike it quite as much as I do in real life. The fact is...it makes me look fat. Something about the chunkier cashmere is not doing it for me. Trust me when I say that I post-processed the heck out of the photo to make it look blog-worthy :) I tend to like my knits finer - this would be a good pattern for a bamboo yarn or a lovely cotton of some kind or other.

Sigh! The reality is that I was knitting this at my busiest time of the year and was not running my usual big runs and ... well, eating way too many gummy bears! That sweater reminds me of these rather unhealthy transgressions.

...but, on the absolutely bright side of life, you have to agree those pink flowers are the cat's meow!

Happy, happy Valentine's day to all of you! If I could, I would send you all real flowers - these virtual ones will have to do.

when time is precious

This is my busy time at work - I come home tired, I make supper, eat and then sit on the sofa and look at things...all kinds of things. Lately I am obsessed by old cameras. The kind that take film. The kind where the camera costs $10 and the film costs $30...if you can get the film that is. Having never really shot film cameras to any extent, I am intrigued by the concept. When I was little I got a Polaroid camera for Christmas. I don't know what happened to it - but I found this old SX-70 on eBay and had to have it. Now, I just need to get film.

I also longingly gaze at my basket of yarn and my 'pink' project that just needs two little, very little sleeves. I can't seem to get to those sleeves. Maybe this weekend.

And on an absolutely irrelevant point, the Babe dropped food on the cowhide on the floor and said he cleaned it up - the cat has been licking the cowhide for the last 15 minutes....I am guessing that the Babe's cleaning needs some work :)