Forgot How Much I Miss It

Photography has always been one of my passions. I am getting out of practice because I work in a studio most of the time. I forget how much I love going out and about on location to take photos of couples. This past Monday, I had the opportunity to grab some girls from work so I could do their photos.

Another thing I love is doing makeup and hair...and now that Ben is gone I don't concentrate on either very much (although on the up side I have gotten my morning routine down to about 15 minutes!). So I told the girls that I would do their pictures if they let me do their hair and makeup too! I had so much fun!

One of my favorite things is doing someone's hair and makeup, and then watching others reactions to their new "look." I wish I could have filmed the boys reactions when they saw the girls (I had kicked them out of the room). It was so sweet. I love seeing couples so in love :)

For photos, we headed out to a pretty park in Belton. There's two couples- April & Henry, and Heather & Exel.

I had so much fun with these two couples. Thanks for allowing me to photograph you.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Goodness

A friend of mine recently hosted a fall dessert party. What an awesome idea, and a great day for a bunch of women to get overloaded on sugar and catch up together! I am getting so excited for fall- this is one of my favorite times of year. Looking through Pinterest did not help narrow down my search. If you look for "fall dessert" it pulls up so many decadent things! After looking through the recipes- I finally narrowed down to two things. Why is it that baking a complicated recipe doesn't phase me, but cooking a simple chicken casserole makes me think I'm going to burn our house down?!

One of the recipes I found combines two three of my favorite things...pumpkin, cheesecake and brownie. At first I was really nervous...chocolate and pumpkin? That can't taste good. But lo and behold, and though extremely rich- they turned out SO good. Here's the recipe. I don't suggest these for the "dieter" and/or people who do not enjoy sugar.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bites

This is for an 8x8 pan.

*The Brownie Batter*

3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

*The Cheesecake Batter*

  8oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp & 2 tsp flour
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 tsp pure vanilla extract
2/3 tsp cinnamon
1/3 tsp each ground ginger and ground cloves

Brownies before the oven

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8" square metal baking pan.

2. Beat together melted butter, sugar, and vanilla, then beat in eggs one at a time. Combine dry ingredients and then gradually stir into butter mixture with a wooden spoon. In separate bowl, beat together cheesecake batter ingredients.

3. Spread about 2/3 of chocolate batter into prepared pan, and spoon cheesecake batter over. Dollop remaining brownie batter over cheesecake batter. Swirl the batters together by running a butter knife back and forth through the pan.


4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack and chill before cutting and serving.
(recipe from beantownbaker.com)



As you can see, they are super good, but really bad for you. If you're looking for a lighter fall recipe...I'd try a pumpkin roll. It's easy to make and lighter on the stomach.

Powdered Sugar Pumpkin Roll

When I say jelly roll pan, you can use a cookie sheet! It's always cute at the end to wrap the roll in raffia and place on a fall platter- adds an extra touch to the dessert.

*Cake*
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 eggs
2/3 cup mashed (canned) pumpkin
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

*Filling*

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15 X 10-inch jelly roll pan. Cut wax paper to fit the bottom of the pan and leave an inch overhang on each of the short ends of the pan. Lightly grease the wax paper and sides of the jelly roll pan.

2. Mix the sugar, flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, eggs and pumpkin in a large bowl. Once mixed, pour mixture over the waxed paper. Sprinkle the walnuts, if using, on top of the mixture. Bake for 14-15 minutes until edges pull away from the sides of the pan and center is done.

3.Lay a large dishtowel on the counter top (it is best to use a dishtowel without any texture – a tea towel or similar towel works best). Spread a thick dusting of powdered sugar all over the towel. When the cake comes out of the oven, turn the pan upside down on the powdered sugar-laden towel so the wax paper is on the top. Gently peel off the wax paper, being careful not to tear the roll. Starting at one of the short ends, roll the pumpkin cake up with the towel to cool. 

4. While the roll is cooling, mix the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar together until it is light and creamy. Once the roll is cool, unroll and with an offset spatula, carefully spread filling in an even layer over the cake. Roll it up without the towel and place in the refrigerator (covered with plastic wrap or wax paper) for about an hour before serving.

There are so many more recipes I want to try! I will keep updating throughout the fall season! I hope I can still reach my weight loss goals but at the same time try everything! :)

  

Mom is here!

I know I'm a big girl now, but throughout my life I have always been very close to my mom. When I'm sick, I don't want anyone but mom to take care of me. Now, she's not just my mom, she's one of my best friends. After Ben left she came up a week later-  what a perfect time for her to come, get my mind off him being away (AND replenish my coffee and splenda supply)! Yes, to the left there, you'll see the 1000 packets of splenda and 7 bags of coffee that she brought me. :) Gotta have some way to roll out of bed in the morning!


I can always tell when mom's in town. My fridge and freezer go from super empty (because we all remember my love of cooking) to packed with fruits, veggies, healthy choices, and frozen meals.

She also taught me a few simple recipes for me to make (without burning the house down). We were so productive while she was here! I was able to get 6 days off...which never happens! It was good to spend some girl time together. I am so blessed that she was able to be here.


While she was here, we decided to redo my office. Being an artist, I am what you would call a "spread outer"- meaning when I am doing a project, that project is spread all over my every room in the house.


Since I moved here, I only had a very small, cramped desk. We decided to brave IKEA for the day to get some new work tables. We packed my little "roller skate" (as B calls it) full of everything we could,We kept a budget of around $200- and now I have a more functional workspace.

 I even have a special table for my painting and calligraphy. All of my books and art supplies are all nicely organized- now I just need to add some pops of color. I want to add a reading chair too...but design can wait. I need to go back and get some more things to organize.

Another thing we worked on...wedding planning! We were finally able to get somewhat of a budget down (HOW do $$ add up so quickly!)

It was harder than normal for her to leave...maybe because I've had to say goodbye to two people I care about in such a small amount of time.

I am so thankful for everyone who has been checking on me! Every time I think I can't miss Ben any more than I do...I miss him even more. But this is just one more week down.