So I know this blog is supposed to be about photography, specifically mine, but I just HAD to share with you the greatest recipe that I have been making lately! Its probably one of the yummiest things AND healthiest things I have eaten in a while! PLUS!!! it is super easy! It's called Lentil-Bulgur Salad. You can have it as a vegan meal or add meat (I love it with shrimp or grilled chicken) for a protein rich delicious dinner in a bowl!

Chilling out in the fridge... the finished salad will have tomatos and lemon wedges

Lentil-Bulgur Salad

1 c dry lentils
2 c water

1 c dry bulgur wheat
1 c boiling water

1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c lemon juice
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh oregano
2 Tbls freshly minced mint

2 to 3 Tbls freshly minced dill
fresh black pepper to taste
1/4 c freshly minced parsley
1/3 c finely minced red onion
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 stalk celery, finely minced
1/2 nicoise olives ( I use Kalamata since they are easier to find)
1 tomato, diced
1/2 c chopped toasted walnuts
lemon wedges for garnish

Place the lenitls in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down to med- low to simmer for 20 - 25 min, until tender, but not mushy. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl

While the lentils cook, place the bulgur in a small bowl, add boiling water and cover with a plate. Let stand 10 - 15 min while getting other ingredients ready.

Add everything to the lentils, except the tomato, walnuts and lemon wedges. Mix gently but thoroughly. Cover tightly and refrigerate

Just before serving, top with tomatoes and walnuts. Garnish with lemon

I usually will make extra of the olive oil - mint mixture to use as a marinade for what ever meat I am adding to the dish. Cook the meat through and you're done! Easy pie!

flower child

For as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with flowers! My parents had to constantly remind me that I shouldn't pick the ones out of other people's yards. The house that I grew up in had 3 overgrown azalea bushes that were so heavy with blooms in the spring that the whole porch smelled amazing. Now that I am grown I am slowly building a flower garden. One of my favorite things about my Grandmom's house has always been all the flowers she has planted everywhere. Her favorites are her rose bushes, but I simply can't get enough of all the different things she has everywhere!

congrats grads!

Happy graduation to all the seniors from Northside Christian School! Go big and do great things!

 

 

abi hodges turns 2

A little curly haired princess had the bigest 2yr old birthday bash I think I have ever seen! There was presents and people and cake and glitter. Everything to make it perfect! 

whoop whoop!

just ordered my first photo book from Blurb.com through Adobe Lightroom 4. It was pretty much a breeze to make. I like to have total control over my layouts and page design, and, even though there are tons of layouts to choose from, not being able to modify them much became a small point of frustration.... Over all, I think the process could use some tweaks, but for now I think I will be very happy with my finished product. If you want to check it out, click the pic!

aloha!

It's been a week since we got back, and I am still a little bit messed up with the time diference. Looking at these photos makes it feel like the trip was just yesterday and a million years ago, all at the same time! We had a blast and I am so thankful I got to go! Hope you love the pics as much as I do! 

If you would like to check out all the pics from the trip, just follow the link!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150811487261017.393690.500191016&type=1