Photography 101

Are you interested in taking better pictures? For my birthday last year Reed gave me a new camera. I was so excited because I have always enjoyed taking pictures but this new camera and having Addie have bumped it up to an obsession.

I have taken a few pictures that I really like but I am always interested in getting better. One of my New Years Resolutions last year was to learn more about photography. I haven't done that yet. I've taken thousands of pictures but I haven't really learned how to take good ones.

So for the next 9 weeks, yes that is all the time we have left until the new year, I am going to work on this 12 weeks to better photos class. I am really interested in this class because it is free and you can go at your own pace.

You are all welcome to join me. I'll post the link to the article and at the end of the week show some examples of my homework. I'm really excited about this. I tried to do this on my own a few months ago but I never got anywhere. I think being accountable to this blog will really help this time.

So for those that would like to join in here is the first weeks article. After you read the article you have some homework where you practice taking pictures with what you've learned. If you don't have a camera where you can change the settings just wait until the 5th week, you will be able to do all of the lessons from that point.

I need all the help I can get, everyone should do it with me! I'll post your favorite pictures here or link back to your blog if you are interested. Tell all your friends.

Week One: Aperture Basic Training

Menu Plan Monday 12th Week

Make sure you check out the recipe for this AMAZING pan pizza I just posted. We wont be having it this week for dinner because I just made it two nights in a row.


Monday: Tortellini with leftover sauce (So easy if you use frozen Tortellini)

Tuesday: Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup ( I saw this recipe and really wanted to try it, I love soup)

Wednesday: Poppy Seed Chicken and rice (Family favorite, always hits the spot)

Thursday: Burritos of some kind (I'll make it up with some leftovers)

Friday: In Boise for a wedding

Saturday: Boise

Sunday:Steak and Potatoes


For more Menu Plan Monday visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

If you are interested in learning to take better photos, you can learn along with me. I'm starting a 12 week photography extravaganza. My husband and I are taking the challenge, and so should you!

Best Homemade Pizza

This pizza is soooo good. If you like the pan style pizza they have at Pizza Hut you will love this pizza. I found the recipe a long time ago on this blog. I knew I had to try it but after making it a few times I could never get it quite right. The flavor was amazing though so I knew this recipe would be fantastic.

I have finally figured out what I was doing wrong and now I think it is my favorite pizza dough recipe ever. I made it for my husband last night and he said it made him love me even more. If that doesn't say something I don't know what else will. Here is the recipe with some of my comments in red.

Amazing Deep Dish Pizza Dough

2 1/3 – 3 cups flour I usually used 3 cups, you want a pretty stiff dough.
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp yeast
1 cup warm milk
2 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil

In your mixer combine the flour, salt, and yeast. Mix well. In a separate bowl combine warm milk, sugar and olive oil. While your mixer is on low, slowly pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Let the machine knead the dough for 5 minutes. Put in a greased bowl and let rise. After dough has doubled in size put dough on lightly floured surface and divide in half. Roll each half into a 7 inch circle. Place over your knuckles moving the dough around in a circle so that the middle is thinner than the sides. Place each dough ball into 2 separate cake pans that has 1-2 Tbsp olive oil (or vegetable, whichever flavor your prefer) in the bottom. And press out to the sides of the pan, trying to avoid getting the oil on top of the dough. I probably only used about 1-2 Tbsp. You need enough so that it will fry the bottom of the dough. Let the dough rise 10 minutes. The put on your favorite toppings.

Bake on bottom rack of oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Very Important: Make sure your rack is on the very bottom level in your oven or the curst will not crisp and cook. I usually bake mine 20 minutes and it's perfect.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! From my chick to you and yours.

More fun food

I have seen so many fun Halloween ideas this year. They just seem to keep coming. If we had more time I would make some of these, found on some of my favorite blogs.

1. Candy Corn Cupcakes from Our Best Bites
2. Shrunken Heads from Our Best Bites
3. Brain Cupcakes from Annie's Eats
4. Spider web cake from Armelle the blog
5. Crunchy Doughnut Eyeballs from Armelle the blog
6. Candy Corn Cookies from Bake at 350

Payless Shoes

I might go take a look at these boots.

Today and tomorrow only you can get 50% off your entire purchase at Payless Shoes. Click Here to print out the coupon or get the texting information.

Thanks Slave to Save!

Fast and Delicious Sugar Cookies

As you can tell my little helper also enjoys these cookies. She couldn't even wait for me to take a picture.

I don't make sugar cookies very often because they are so much more work than a drop cookie. This recipe is really fast because it doesn't need to refrigerate before you cut out the cookies. So when you want to make sugar cookies you don't have to wait that extra hour or whatever.

These cookies don't have a ton of flavor by themselves but once you add frosting they are amazing. So soft and yummy. They almost taste like those vending machine cookies that are so soft and have tons of frosting, you know what I'm talking about.

Works for me! For more Works for me Wednesday visit We are That family.

Fast Sugar Cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 t. vanilla
• 7 cups flour
• 2 t. baking soda
• 4 t. cream of tarter

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Sift dry ingredents together and add to mixture. Foll out 1/4" and cut into shapers. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes.

Cute Cards

I love the look of this card. I'm thinking you could make some really cute cards with different fabrics. I'll have to give it a try. To find a step by step tutorial on these cards click here.

Menu Plan Monday 11th Week

My husband and I both got sick last week so the menu plan took a back seat. So this week I'll be doing a few of the same dinners since we didn't get to them.

Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: Sloppy Joes
Wednesday: Ward Trunk or Treat chili cook off
Thursday: Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade
Friday: Halloween Party
Saturday: Homemade Pan Pizza
Sunday:Spaghetti

For more Menu Plan Monday visit Organize Junkie.

Library Book Sale

The Salt Lake County Library System is having a book sale. The sale is tomorrow and Saturday only from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It will be held at the Recreation Center next door to the Millcreek library (2230 E. Evergreen Ave., 3435 South). For more information click Here. Remember they will not accept credit cards, cash and checks only.