PSE 10 Actions

August 28, 2012 The Gathering Site

When I decided to roll with Photoshop Elements, I was certain I would loose the availability for actions. I was wrong! Even MORE of a reason for the novice photoshop-er to roll with Elements.

They aren't 'actions', they are 'effects' - with about a thousand different tutorials online (this one is my favorite) to help you install them (I might be hyperbolizing...slightly...). Not only that, but there are some sweet free ones up for grabs all over the net. The example below are from Coffee Shop Photography. This is a great site with tutorials, actions/effects, and simply - fun ideas for all levels of photographers. There are also actions/effects packages that you can pay for - and should to support the photographer enthusiasts willing to share precious effects that sometimes take hours to create.

Have fun! and get creative!

Egg Muffins and Art

August 27, 2012 The Gathering Site

What do egg muffins and art have in common?? More than you think! Today, I was a refrigerator survivalist. Since we cleaned out the fridge before vacation and we have a constantly feasting toddler - our fridge is a blinding sight of white walls and shelves, so I had to get creative. On a pinning quest on pinterest last night, I ran across this recipe for Egg Muffins. Since we are vegetarians - Chorizo sausage is kinda out of the question (although I fondly remember the flavor from our meat eating days... Oh, Kroeger & Sons, such delicious Chorizo!). So instead - I used some of our All American Veggie patties form Amy's Kitchen and threw in a shallot and garlic - which you could say resulted in a piece of art.

But that's not the art I am talking about. While I was preparing dinner - our little man was at the table coloring. Yes! coloring.... didn't really see this day coming! You know, me in the kitchen making food with Soren in the other room, mumbling toddler speak (which sounds like fluent Russian), while creating a Crayola marker masterpiece. I feel like the evenings we spent with him in his high chair (because he could barely hold his head up...), listening to podcasts while I fixed dinner were just yesterday! This time is so fast and fleeting - grab it before it disappears! As soon as I put the muffins in the oven - I ran over, gave him a smooch on the cheek, told him how beautiful it was and snagged one more snuggle.

...the muffins weren't bad either, Soren ate two whole ones by himself!

Veggie Patty Egg Muffins

Ingredients:

2 All American Veggie Patties from Amy's Kitchen (really any veggie patties will do - but these ones are extra delicious)

1 1/2 cup broccoli florets

1 tbsp olive oil

1 shallot

1 clove garlic

8 large eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tbsp grape seed oil

1/2 tsp baking powder

salt & pepper to taste

Grated Colby Jack Cheese (what I had in the fridge - feel free to use parmesan or whatever you fancy...)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook shallot, garlic and veggie patties until patties start to crispen on the outside. Stir and break up the patties to create more of a ground mixture. About 5 minutes.

3. Whisk together eggs, milk, grape seed oil and baking powder. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Lightly oil, butter or use non-stick spray on a 12-cake muffin tin. Spoon out the pattie and broccoli mixture evenly into each cupcake.

5. Ladle the egg mixture over patties and broccoli.

6. Sprinkle with Colby-Jack cheese.

7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

when to draw the line

August 27, 2012 The Gathering Site

Moving into another week and a another season. Feeling a bit overwhelmed with work since we have been back from Tybee. We've been trying to narrow down my position here at the station and simplify a few things so the job isn't so chaotic. Let's see how it goes. For the time being - I have to duck out of a few projects and let some things go to get a bit more time to breath. I guess that is what vacations are good for - reminding you to take those moments since they are so precious and fleeting.

This weekend was filled with some good, casual family fun. We spent some really amazing, quality time with Rick's folks on Saturday and busted a move at Linwood Playground (aka Lunken) on Sunday. Here's to a week filled with answers (I hope!).

when do you say , enough is enough! ? where do you draw the line?

happy weekend!

August 22, 2012 The Gathering Site

And we're back! Oh, I miss Tybee!!! ...and I'm not the only one.

Yesterday morning Soren pulled out his shovels and grabbed his truck and beep, beeped his way across the apartment ready for the beach. Big sad face! In leu of the ocean, he started the faucet in the tub and jumped in! Diaper and all! Love that little man.

But still, it is SO good to see the pup - missed her so much! And it's good to be back to our kitchen - with our food. The weekend will make for a good re-set before a very busy season. Here's a wrap up of Tybee. This is a great vacation spot for families, couples and singles. I highly recommend it. Not to mention Savannah is only 20 minutes away!

Enjoy!