Happy Monday my MARVELOUS friends!
I was just thinking about how long it’s been since I linked up with the Diva and can you believe it’s been TWO WHOLE MONTHS?! I know…crazy, right? Well, I think today is the perfect day to jump back in because at first, all I saw when I thought back over the weekend was countless hours battling insomnia demons, getting maimed by my dental hygienist (how do you make water hurt?!), not getting to see the man-friend since he had a house emergency come up (busted water pipes…eek!), and finally, the discovery of Picture Purgatory…the place where all your photos disappear somewhere deep within the matrixes of your MacBook when you get trigger happy with the delete button. 🙁
BUT then I realized that my weekend wasn’t just that…actually, since I was awake more than I was asleep, it consisted of a whole lot more! Like…
Breaking in the new food processor the RIGHT way!
Let it be known that a higher-end food processor makes a WORLD of difference in the consistency…and the noise level of your kitchen! 😉
A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL impromptu photo session with the beloved spawn of the creamy deliciousness shown above!
Why yes, I am just using this as an excuse to parade more pictures in front of you! You all know now that I have plenty more where that came from! 😉
A trip to the library for some “research” manuals!
Wannabe photographer soon to become a REAL BOY photographer! And umm, maybe I’ll learn how to finally use my camera in manual mode! 😯
Oh and I just want to say I’m SO glad you guys liked my “photo-fessions” yesterday! I’m thinking about putting together a few more posts soon with a little more detail on food-styling and photo editing. Would you guys be interested in that?
A couple of visits to a near EMPTY gym!
Seriously…UNHEARD of at this time of year! Guess all those resolutioners have other things to do at 1pm, which means more time for ME to frolic among all the brand new equipment that came in last month! Oh and the best part…
Progress…sweet, sweet PROGRESS!!
Last month, I made a goal to run a mile without stopping before Valentine’s Day. I’ve been walking on the treadmill for weeks now, building up my speed, but a few days ago, I decided to mix it up and do some walking and some running. Well, without even realizing it, yesterday, I ran a WHOLE MILE! 😀
Cue the happy dance!!
Seriously, it feels SO good to run again. It feels like it’s been ages. I sort of lost interest in running before my knee ever started bothering me, but I swear, after my surgery, it was all I wanted to do…I’m sure only because I couldn’t. Next goal: 5K!
Broccoli Daddy’s VERY belated birthday lunch!
None of us is sure how exactly this happened, time just got away from us, but my dad’s birthday was back in September and we never got the chance to celebrate. He thought we were just having a family lunch, but Broccoli Mama, Sister, and I surprised him with a new desk chair and a pizza party with his favorites: ham and pineapple pizza, bread sticks, and cookie pizza for dessert!
I also picked up a new-to-me beverage on the recommendation of a coworker. It took a few sips, but I really liked it…more beer-tasting with a wine aftertaste. They have one mixed with Merlot and one with Sauvignon blanc too that I want to try next!
And finally, starting a new book and loving on my little fur-man!
After a trip to the pet store for carpet cleaner, a pheromone-releasing collar to help with stress-related behavior, and a bag of his favorite treats and then a THOROUGH brushing (I forgot how much he likes that), I think he is on his way to not peeing on all my shit recovery from his little bout of separation anxiety!
Now if I could just convince him that the Nora Roberts book my mom let me borrow really IS worth the time! 😉
Be sure to head on over to Katie’s blog, gush over her adorable little man, leave her some love, and then check out all the other fun link ups!
Tell me, what was marvelous about YOUR weekend?
Any specific questions out there on food-styling/editing?
This weekend I got to spend some quality time with my mom and my grandma. We had a great girls’ day out at an outdoor mall. It’s finally warm enough to go OUT; last weekend was below zero. On the photography front; I’ll be honest. I have a Canon Rebel T3i that I bought a little while back and I still don’t know how to use it properly! I broke down and bought a “For Dummies” manual for it, so hopefully that’ll give me some good advice on getting started. Best of luck to you too Heather!
Well, that makes me feel a bit better! But it’s a bit ridiculous that I’ve had a DSLR for over two years now and still don’t know what half the buttons do! Ha! Here’s hoping SOMETHING in one of these books lurches out of the pages and sticks to my brain! 😉
Sounds like you had an awesome weekend! Nothing like a good girls day of shopping in some good weather!
Good job on the walking and then the running!! That’s a huuuuge accomplishment so, high fives all around! Hooray! Your fur kid is adorable too, btw 🙂 Happy Monday girlie! <3
Woop woop!! High fives! Haha! Thanks lady! Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
YES to more photography posts! I’m currently working on mine, so I need all the help I can get. A trip to the library probably wouldn’t hurt, but I think my card expired like… 10 years ago and I’ve never bothered to get it renewed 😆 Also… I’m horrible at learning from books. I got that Photography for Dummies book for Christmas around 3 years ago, and I have -yet- to crack it open. I much prefer the hands-on approach, even if it meant my pictures were coming out pretty crappy while I was getting used to that M mode…
Ugh, I know…I’m the same way! This is actually NOT the first time I’ve been to the library for photography books. I’ve had them for like five days now and there they sit, on my coffee table, untouched! Ha! I’m hoping to at least flip through them all and get a couple ideas this weekend sometime. I do so much better when I have someone teach me, but alas, I’ve got neither the time or the money for classes (or the kidnapping of a photographer!) 😉
Nice! Congrats on the mile-long run! You absolutely rock my face off. I would absolutely love a food photography post, esp. if you figure out how the hell to adjust the manual mode settings. And once you do, we’ll figure out a way for me to siphon that information from your brain to mine.
Haha! So I take it you haven’t got much out of Plate to Pixel? Or have you just been far too busy traipsing around Mexico soaking up the sun and sipping froo-froo umbrella drinks? 😉
I haven’t even read it yet… Oops! Once I have some time this summer I’m going to read it straight through (as long as I’m not laying by the pool)…
Well, when you put it THAT way! Geez, just mail it to me and I’ll send you notes! 😉
Congrats on the run, my friend! Look at you! 🙂
And seriously, I LOVE when I find the quieter moments at the gym. It always makes me so happy! lol
Thanks girlie! And yeah, I always feel special when I’m nearly the only person at the gym…I like to pretend they shut down the joint just for me! 😉
This weekend, I just started looking into the photography world. Had my first photo session, that also included granola. lol That is quite a large stack of books you’ve got there…Bravo!!
Congratulations on your one mile! Must feel awesome to accomplish something..without even realizing it! Yay 🙂
Thank you, Diana! It really does…especially knowing how just six months ago, I was still limping around and couldn’t run AT ALL! Congrats to you for diving into photography! It’s all about trying new things and having fun with it…you learn as you go! 😀
More food photogs post please! Especially how you make all your pancakes look as scrumptious as they taste!
Haha! Awww, thanks girlie! xoxo
I congratulate on progress 😉 I would like to see more messages on the photo! It is quite boring to study according to books for me and if it is honest, councils help with the Internet a little. I love your photos and it is madly interesting to me as at you it turns out to make them such wonderful 🙂
Oh I know what you mean, girlie! I’ve had these books I got at the library for five days now and haven’t cracked open a single one! I’m much more of a hands on/learn from others kind of person, but I’m hoping to squeeze out at least a little bit of knowledge from these pages. And of course, pass them along to you guys! 🙂
I have GOT to get a good food processor. The poor Oster just- well- he’s just gotta go!:) Luckily, my Blendtec makes up for it, but every girl needs a great food processor. Hey, what brand did you get?:)
BTW- I meant to comment on the food photo tips, but WOW! I loved them! Funny enough, I use shirts and towels all the time in photos. I’ve never thought of the “DIY” tripod with tape and books though, that was awesome. Feel free to share any more love you’ve got in the food photo area Heather:)
Congrats on your treadmill success! Get it girl:)
Thanks girlie! I have to say I’m feeling kinda badass right about now! haha! And yeah, the “tripod” was definitely a stretch of my imagination…but the only way I could do action shots with my chocolate sauce! 😉
The food processor was a birthday gift from the man-friend. It’s a Cuisinart (https://www.cuisinart.com/products/food_processors/dlc-2011chb.html). I’ve only used it twice to make peanut butter, but omg, it’s amazing! She purrs like a kitten! Haha!
Please do a post on food styling and editing! I definitely need more tricks to up my photography prowess.
And yay for running one mile! I’m actually thinking about doing a couple of races this year, which makes me question what on earth is going on in my brain right now.
Oh wow, really?! I didn’t even realize that you enjoyed running! I’ve never run a race before…even when I was Miss Super Runner a couple of years ago, but if I can get my “mojo” back by the time the weather starts getting nicer, I might just think about it. Oh yeah, I’m definitely a fair weather runner! 😉
Photo posts coming SOON!!
Congrats on the mile triumph girl! I swear the mile mark is the hardest to hit..
I couldn’t even do 20 minutes on the treadmill last year and now I’ve worked up to 5 miles!
Keep at it!!
That’s awesome, Tatum! And thank you! I remember when I first started running a few years ago and one mile was killer…then after I got into it, 3 was a warmup! Haha! I’m definitely excited to get back to that point soon! 🙂
Dude you ran a mile! That is phenomenal news. I’m so super stoked for you. Tough Mudder training here you come.
I love Tiger, even if he does bad things. I bet it was the separation anxiety combined with the mouse. He was all kinds of freaked out, although I’m glad to hear he’s back on his best and snuggly behavior.
Mmmm bread sticks….I can’t remember the last time I had a cheesy bread stick. I should really learn how to make those.
Yes please to more food styling photos. I have one of my own up my sleeves, but I am no master and could use all the education you have to give me.
My marvelous news is the braces came off today!!!! Like 15 minutes ago and I can’t stop lisping (I blame the retainers) or smiling. Holla!!
Awww, I just got your IG comment as I started to read this one! I just can’t get away from you woman! ARTICHOKES!! I have GOT to make your soup this weekend….oh and some breadsticks would be fabbbbbbbulous with it! I’m on it! Just pray for me that I don’t get called in on Saturday!
I’m so freaking excited for you and your demetalment! Yes, that’s a word…trust me! I’ve never had braces but I can only imagine…I’d be licking my teeth non-stop I’m sure!
Woah, I am so surprised the gym is empty! Personally I prefer it when the gym is empty, that’s why I am steering clear of it in the afternoons here at school for the next week or two. People go nuts at the new year and we only have so many machines!
There’s really not a whole lot better than pizza, wine, and a big cookie. Love that celebration!
Oh I know! It usually stays crazy until about mid March when people just decide to be “fat and happy”! Haha!
I have a question (And would love some more food photography posts!) what camera do you recommend for food photography and close up photos? I have a fairly new camera but in a few years I may want a new one! Something marvellous about the weekend was finishing my book; it was a Nora Roberts as well called Bed of Roses, it was probably the best Nora book I’ve read and I wasn’t as disappointed as I thought I would be!
That IS a good question! I don’t know a lot about cameras, but I’ve learned a bit from my dad…who is a self taught amateur as well…only a couple degrees higher than me! 😉 He told me of the importance of investing in a VR (vibration reduction) lens…it makes HUGE difference when you’re shooting without a tripod!
When I first started, I had a Canon Rebel XS. They don’t make them anymore, but I believe a T3 is the comparable one now. I think Canons are some of the most user-friendly cameras out there and since I had worked with a Canon point-and-shoot for years before, I didn’t even look at the manual. I own a Nikon D3000 now (my poor Canon died a bitterly harsh death a couple of years ago) and while I sometimes wish I still had my Canon, I just couldn’t pass up the Black Friday deal I got on it. I work with the 18-55 stock lens mostly, but I do have a 55-200 lens that I need to play with.
I’ll definitely have to add that book to my (ever-growing) list of books to read!
I’m working more on my photography skills this year too. Always working on food photography, but Kirk also bought me a full day session in June with a photographer in Breckenridge to work on my outdoor skills. 🙂
Oh WOW! That is awesome! I’d love a chance to work with a photographer since I’m more of the hands-on, do-it, see-it, teach-it type learner.
I feel shame reading about food styling. I have now gotten to the point where every picture on my blog is taken with my iPhone. Then, I edit them with an app while I’m warming up on the stairmill. Reaching new lows every day over here… 😉
Awww! Well hey, as much sleep as I have lost over my photos in the past, I’d be MORE than happy to start an IG-only movement! Lol
A big YES to more photography-related posts!!! 🙂
love learning from others about photography as we always find ways to improve 🙂
One of my goals for 2013 is to re-learn how to use my good camera (it’s a step down from point and shoot) and get a DSLR. I’m a designer. I have no excuse not to take good photos. I art direct like a pro, but lighting always kills it for me. Let me know which photo book you think are the most helpful because I am not about to take another photography class. 🙂 have fun!
Ugh, right there with ya…lighting (and my ignorance of how to work with it) is the bane of my existence when it comes to photography. Just hearing the term “white balance” is like nails on a chalkboard! Ha! Here’s hoping at least ONE of these books can explain it all in a way I can comprehend!
Run Broccoli run!!
Bringing the baby to one of the local breweries was a highlight of my weekend. I think he liked it! haha
Yes! I’ll take all the photo help I can get. I’m just terrible with my camera, which is sad since I’ve had it over a year.
Aww, yay! He’s such a little cutie! That little bear hat…omg, melt my heart!
I had the same thing happen to me at the gym today! It’s been SO jam packed lately but I went today at noon and it was an empty wasteland. I loved every second of it hahaha.
Naw I hope your furman is now on track to not stress pre anymore 😉
Congratulations on running that mile!! Woohoo!!
Yes to more photo posts, I still need to read the one you did yesterday but I need all the tips I can get. I also need to learn to take my camera off manual…I’ve been meaning to do some reading on it for ages but still have not done anything about it, oops!
And since I haven’t said it yet Happy New Year! I took your suggestion of taking extra time off and it was amazing how much less focussed on food it helped make me.
Ahhhhh! Oh Jan, that’s AWESOME! I hope you had a great break…how have you been? Oh and happy New Year back to ya!
Glad that your furry little man is feeling better… and back on track to not peeing on all of your stuff – that is definitely something marvelous to celebrate! He is just so darn cute too! 🙂
You ran! Asslap! I’m so happy for you! I want to be better with photography, but seriously, I can’t take much more on. So happy to see things moving in the right direction for you friend! xoxo
Oh Sarena!! Thank you! And I COMPLETELY understand…honestly, I have no idea how you keep it all together! Super mom for SURE!
Heck yes to that progress!! I may workout everyday, but I’m not sure if I could run an entire mile without stopping… I just get too flipping bored lol
And seriously, my in laws have gotten rid of two cats because of their incessant peeing in their shoes. So hilarious. Like, what cat pees in someone’s shoes ALL.THE.TIME?!
Yes! I would love to read more photography posts. Your pictures always look amazing so any tips you would share would be nice. Congratulations for running a whole mile, hopefully it was a pain free mile! Glad your fur baby is returning to his usual self, hopefully some feline cuddles will help that insomnia go away.
Aww, thank you Nicole! You are SO sweet! I’ll be putting some thoughts together soon and hopefully I can get a post up with some tips and tricks sometime next week!
Hmmm, good thinking with the kitty cuddles…maybe his ability to fall asleep anytime anyplace will rub off on me! Haha!
Awesome job with the mile and with like a month to spare 😉
Pretty pretty please share more photo tips, you always have such good ones!
Thanks, Sarah! And I will most definitely be collecting some thoughts over the next few days…I hope to get a post up with tips sometime next week! 😀
Sounds like an awesome weekend indeed! Is that homemade nut butter I spy? That alone makes for a pretty fabulous weekend in my opinion. Especially if said nut butter was eaten in copious amounts. 😉 Also damn, I’m jealous of that empty gym. Every time I go lately it’s packed!
My weekend was marvelous because I got to spend time with the boy, went for sushi with my sister, and went to yoga with a friend.
Yes and YES!! Most of it went into my PB&J granola, but the rest was fair game with some dried apple chips, crackers, and…a spoon! Haha!
Sounds like you had quite the weekend yourself, lady! And um how did I not know there was “a boy”?! Aww, yay! 😀
It’s newish (like 3 months) so I’m keeping it off the blog for now. 😉
Awwwww! Well, congratulations lady! I’m so happy for you! <3 <3 <3 😀
I have made a goal this year to learn more about my camera and photography so you will have to let us know which books you liked the best! There are so many out there that it’s a little overwhelming! Glad you had a marvelous weekend!
Oh I know! I was hoping to find From Plate to Pixel while I was out and about the other day, but no such luck. I’m either going to have to go into one of the bigger cities around here or order it online, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it!
Ugh. Dealing with emotionally disturbed kitties is the WORST. Glad your baby is back to almost normal.
LOVE the empty gym! It makes me want to run, jump, and moonwalk in between all the machines just because I can. Kudos on the progress, lady!
I gotta find that Blue Moon drink–the Sauv. Blanc sounds incredible!
Happy Monday!!! xoxo
Haha! Omg, moonwalking! Best mental image ever! My coworker said she tried the sauvignon blanc and liked it even more!
Ohhh I just got a few food photography books, too! Now I just need to actually READ them 😉 Have fun breaking in that food processor!!
First WIAW and now this…you are obviously just getting your party spirit back ;-). Ugh I went to the gym at 1 today and it was packed. I literally couldn’t even park in the parking lot. And congrats on that mile, missy, happy Monday!
Haha! I know, right? I’m bringing the noise-makers and silly string! 😉
More photo posts please and thank you! 😀
Those research manuals look like my kind of night time reading. Oh, who am I kidding, last night my night time reading consisted of supply chain and management practices. Whoop!
I’ve never read a Nora Roberts book, although my cousin recently referenced them as a way to “flush her mind” in preparation for reading other books? Haha. I think that was a slam, but they’ve always intrigued me because they’re so popular!
Hahaha! I honestly didn’t know anything about the author or the books until I started reading them. They are definitely of the “take your mind away” variety…kind of like a Lifetime movie for books! But what surprised me was the couple of “steamy” parts toward the second half…yeah, TOTALLY wasn’t expecting that when I was at the gym the other day! Lol
Photo posts…coming right UP!
That is the best way to break in a new food processor. 😉 *Peanut butter addict talking..*
Congrats on running the one mile! Me and cardio? It just doesn’t mix. I support you with the 5K! 😀
I would love for the gym to be nearly empty when I go, but hey, positive vibes are also great to be around as well. 🙂
That’s a GREAT positive attitude! I’m going to remember that the next time I go to the gym and it’s packed out! Love it!
And yeah, I totally feel ya on the peanut butter addiction! I tip my spoon to ya! 😉
A food styling/photography tute or the like would be GODSENT…not that the broccoli self in itself (wait, does that make sense?) isn’t Godsent enough…but still.
Congrats on the running!!!! Stoked to hear things are up the upwards 🙂
I have a million and one questions that I have no idea where to start, but I know whatever you provide, it will be beneficial!
Hahaha! You goofball! Thank you SO much…you seriously just made my day!
I want your fur baby… 😉
I can’t believe your DH was so bad.. come to me!
Right? I totally would if I could, deary! Oh and I’ve been meaning to email you back for DAYS now!!! Hugs and kisses and EVERYTHING to you my sweet sweet friend! I LOVE YOU!
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