Photography Station

I've experimented for years now on the best place to take blog photos and usually end up just snapping them wherever I am, like the work table, my desk, the kitchen counter...the lighting and background isn't usually great but I do it anyway.

 I recently changed my craft room around and set up a dresser with standing lights and a backsplash using an old beat up shutter cut to fit across the back of the dresser. I'm very, very happy with this new set-up and hopefully it will help me take better photos now that I can control the light, and it's already set up for me to just set the item down and take pics instead of hunting around for a spot. Can't guarantee that all of the photos will be taken here hahha, I'll still be too lazy to walk upstairs for every one, but it should make things better overall!! 

1.10.24: creamed new potatoes and peas 

1.10.23: tip-sy tuesday: clear light fix

1.10.22: car air freshener 

1.10.21: 🔥 week 2

1.10.20 - sweet and sour cabbage

1.10.19 - watching for happy moments

1.10.18 - savory monkey bread

1.10.17 - kitchen tip, date your spices 

1.10.16 - bean and vegetable soup

 

Tiramisu Cake

Made this tiramisu cake over the holidays and everyone loved it - light and fluffy, great flavor. It seems like a lot of ingredients and steps but it wasn't hard or terribly time consuming. I'm copying and pasting the recipe from The Pioneer Woman, and I lost my photo of the finished cake so I'm borrowing her image as well until I make this again and hopefully remember to get my own picture!

 

FOR THE CAKE:

• Baking spray with flour

• 1 cup 

  all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp. 

  baking powder

• 1/4 tsp. 

  kosher salt

• 5 

  large eggs, separated

• 1 cup 

  granulated sugar, divided

• 1/3 cup 

  whole milk

• 1 tsp. 

  vanilla extract

FOR THE COFFEE SOAK:

• 1/4 cup 

  hot strong-brewed coffee or espresso

• 1/4 cup 

  granulated sugar

• 2 Tbsp. 

  marsala wine

FOR THE WHIPPED MASCARPONE CREAM:

• 1 

  (3.2-oz.) box instant vanilla pudding

• 1 3/4 cups 

  whole milk

• 1 

  (8-oz.) container mascarpone, softened

• 1/4 cup 

  granulated sugar

• 1 tsp. 

  vanilla extract

• 2 cups 

  cold heavy whipping cream

• Cocoa powder, for dusting

1.         For the cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with baking spray with flour                         liberally until coated.

1. 2In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. 3In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of sugar on high speed until the yolks are pale yellow, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the milk and vanilla. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir, very gently, until combined.
3. 4Beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. With the mixer on, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until the egg whites are stiff but not dry, 3 to 4 minutes more.
4. 5Gradually fold the egg white mixture into the batter, very gently, until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and spread to even out the surface.
5. 6Bake until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. 7For the coffee soak: In a measuring cup, whisk together the hot coffee or espresso, sugar, and marsala wine until the sugar is dissolved.
7. 8For the whipped mascarpone cream: In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk until well combined and thick.
8. 9In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix the mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla on medium-low speed until well combined. With the mixer running, slowly add the heavy whipping cream, mixing until well combined. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and beat the mixture on medium-high until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually fold the whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture until well combined, being careful not to over mix the cream.
9. 10Cut both cakes in half horizontally to form 4 layers. On a serving plate, place one layer, cut-side up, and brush with 2 tablespoons of the coffee soak. Evenly spread with 1 cup of the whipped mascarpone cream. Repeat twice. Brush the fourth cake layer with coffee soak and place it on top. Refrigerate the cake until set, 1 hour, or freeze for 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate the remaining whipped mascarpone cream.
10. 11Spread about 1 ½ cups of whipped mascarpone cream on the tops and sides of the cake until covered. Dollop the remaining 1 to 1 ½ cups on top. Allow the cake to chill until set, 1 hour, or freeze for 20 minutes.
11. 12Dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder. Slice and serve. Store leftover cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
12. 
13. 

1.9.24: TT: abv vs proof

1.9.23: clear marble notecards

1.9.22: 🔥 week 2

1.9.21: pub soup

1.9.20: TBT: pear salad

1.9.19: tuna noodle casserole 

1.9.18: how to make a wedge-shaped paper box

1.9.17: I organized my garage craft room

1.9.16: bloody mary (and a 2019 update)

Bean Burritos

LeDonna made bean burritos for dinner and brought the leftovers for lunch today - I've never made them and they're so good I wanted to share what she did. Dave doesn't like onions and peppers so when I do make these for us I'll leave them out, although I really liked the texture of adding them (she doesn't cook the veggies first so they retained some of their crunch). I only have a picture of what I ate for lunch but you get the idea. 

• 8 flour tortillas
• refried beans
• chopped onions
• chopped sweet peppers
• sliced black olives
• chopped tomatoes
• colby jack cheese, shredded
• salsa

Put the refried beans in a bowl, add a little water and stir them until the texture is smooth. Spread each tortilla with the beans; sprinkle on the onions, peppers, olives, tomatoes, and a little cheese. Roll up and place in a 13x9 casserole dish, cover with salsa and a generous amount of cheese. Bake at 350' for 30 minutes or until heated thru and the cheese is melted. 

You could use corn tortilla if you prefer, also feel free to add in whatever you'd like! She served them with spanish rice. 

1.8.24: three cheese potato gratin

1.8.23: 🔥 week 2

1.8.22: candy bouquet

1.8.21: creamy tortellini with sausage and veggies

1.8.20: steak gorgonzola alfredo

1.8.19: mini trees

1.8.18: crocheted clutch

1.8.17: chicken enchilada suizas

1.8.16: dog on a diet

Tip-sy Tuesday: prepping Brussels sprouts

I shared a really good recipe for Brussels sprout, squash, and sweet potatoes - I don't like brussels sprouts so have never bought or prepped them before so for today's tip I thought I'd share how easy it is to do in case you're like me and have never bothered with them!

Wash them, then cut off the bottom end that is dry or woody and remove any leaves that are damaged. Then cut in half if you are cooking them. That's it! If you want them raw for salad (I prefer them this way!) cut them crosswise into thin shreds. If you want to air fry or roast the leaves (I also like them this way - so I don't actually hate Brussel sprouts haha, depends on the prep!), peel the leave apart and spread on a baking sheet. Toss with a little olive oil and seasoning and bake until crispy, some pieces will probably turn black but I like them a little burnt like that! 

1.7.24: 🔥 week 1

1.7.23: poke brownies

1.7.22: cauliflower pizza

1.7.21: no bake cookie bars by Brooke 

1.7.20: Tip-sy Tuesday: wrapping paper filler

1.7.19: the short-lived segment of Man-day Monday

1.7.18: breakfast egg muffins

1.7.17: grocery store bouquet

1.7.17: fruitcake squares (don't be afraid, they're good!)

Chicken Stir-Fry

I made a quick chicken stir fry loosely following Jiji's recipe for beef and broccoli and we loved it! I sautéed sliced mushrooms and broccoli florets in a little olive oil until the mushrooms were cooked and the broccoli was still a little crunchy; added bite-sized pieces of chicken and continued to sauté until the chicken was cooked thru.  Then I did my shortcut to Jiji's like I did for my beef and mushroom post and added soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, a bit of raw cane sugar, salt and pepper (all to taste like Jiji does, just add a little of everything and taste it - then adjust if you want more of anything). 

1.6.24: January 6th

1.6.23: pumpkin bars

1.6.22: alligator pear salad

1.6.21: povitica (apple cinnamon bread)

1.6.20: crocheted cowl

1.6.19: 🔥week 1

1.6.18: Hawaiian inspired jewelry set

1.6.17: spicy crumb coated broccoli

1.6.16: washi tape lampshade

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 1)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

12/29: 🔥 week 52

12/30: hasselback potato gratin

12/31: January challenge - no sugar

1/1: happy new year!

1/2: thru the years

1/3: thru the years

1/4: words (I will drink wine)

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

1.5.24: January 5th

1.5.23: three cheese chicken or pork chops

1.5.22: gym equipment (funny)

1.5.21: TT proofing dough 

1.5.20: 🔥week 1

1.5.19: unstuffed chicken cordon bleu

1.5.18: Brooke made a hanging ribbon hoop thing

1.5.17: t.p. holder

1.5.16: freezing meals tip

  

 

1/4 ~ Words

1.4.24: January 4th

1.4.23: crocheted pocket scarf

1.4.22: TT past tips

1.4.21: marinated pork steak 

1.4.20: recycled Christmas card garland

1.4.19: paper mâché reindeer

1.4.18: cookie sheet hack

1.4.17: grilled turkey ruebens 

1.4.16: scrabble tile keychain

1/3 ~ Thru the Years

Yep, got behind this week - it's been busy! Here's a look at what happened on this date in years past:

1.3.24: January 3rd

1.3.23: everything bagel seasoning

1.3.22: hemp dog necklace re-run

1.3.21: black-eyed pea jambalaya re-run

1.3.20: ornament storage

1.3.19: removing wax from candleholders

1.3.18: chocolate birthday cake for Noah

1.3.17: monthly bill log

1.3.16: black-eyed pea jambalaya

1/2 ~ Thru the Years

Busy week and I got behind again! Let's take a trip down memory lane:

1.2.24: January 2

1.2.23: everything bagel pigs in a blanket

1.2.22: 🔥 week 1

1.2.21: hot buttered rum (re-run)

1.2.20: dear resolution...

1.2.19: diaper fold gift holder

1.2.18: resolutions

1.2.17: storing gift wrap

1.2.16: hot buttered rum

Happy New Year ~ 1.1.25

Other than the 2025 image I copied this from last year - I like it and figured I'd repeat: 

Resolutions? Here's some ideas I saw at Country Living :)

• Order every drink on the Starbucks Menu.
• Flamingo a friend’s yard for their birthday or an anniversary.
• Perfect your charcuterie board skills.
• Stop drinking your morning coffee AFTER you brush your teeth.
• Exercise…your right to Taco Tuesday! 
• Host a chicken party!
• Wine down the day with a glass of vino…oh, wait, you’ve already perfected that resolution. 
• Treat your car to regular disco carwashes.
• Be on a first name basis with your regular Door Dasher.
• Perfect your favorite celebrity impression.
• Work “Time will tell” into conversation at least once a week.
• Stay in more interesting Airbnb’s
• Drink your coffee while it’s hot
• Got a little “junk in the truck?” Find out what’s in there…literally: see what treasures are hiding out in your car’s trunk.
• Host a Sunday supper for your friends at least once a month.
• Learn the "Thriller" dance by Halloween
• Break your New Year’s Resolutions…and don’t feel guilty, one bit!

Happy New Year!

Here's wishing you an amazing 2025 full of only good things :)

Cheers 🎉

1.1.24

1.1.23

1.1.23

1.1.22

1.1.21

1.1.20

1.1.19

1.1.18

1.1.17

1.1.16