Photography Homework

 I got a new toy for my anniversary, a Sony camera.

 It has 18 megapixels, 30 digital zoom and lots and lots of fun features.

I thought this picture looked like he was balancing on a wire.

 It will take 10 shots per second, that's like a movie mode to me.

 To help me learn more on photography, which I love I took another photo class and one of our assignments was to take pictures in motion and "freeze" them.

It is hard for me to believe these were moving in full motion.

 As luck would have it there was a bike show this day right outside of our class.

 I have never been very good at moving photos and I was thrilled when I saw how clear these were.
His back tire looks like it is on the building.

We also had the greatest teacher, she knows here cameras and was extremely patient with our class.  

I had a great time and learned a lot about my new toy, now I just need to remember it all and get out there and play with it.
Why couldn't homework in school have been this fun, I might have done it all if it was.

Thanks for visiting my moving part of the country,

Jana

Good Morning

Blue, Pink and Green.  I took this photo back in the spring when it was still green around here,
and in the morning just to prove that I can get out of bed before noon.

Cooking in Bulk

 Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't like to clean up dishes and I like to be able to cook a meal fast and for a lot of people if I need to.

 I have done this for years.  I will cook a lot of hamburger (about 20 lbs today) at one time.

 I try and do this when I have a little extra time so that when I am short on time (which is often it seems) I have part of my meal already cooked.  I let it drain completely so that it will not have any extra grease in it.  

 Sometimes I cook it with the onion and garlic so it will already have it in for the recipe.  I also like the fact that I clean the dishes only once for all this hambuger and not 20 times. (deep down I'm lazy)

 I then put them in freezer bags and label them, those of you who follow me know I love to label.

 Put them in a container.

 That way they store great in my freezer for later.

I do this with sausage and bacon as well.  For sausage I just do it the same as for the beef, but for bacon I cook it and then just layer it between paper towels and then freeze.  When I need the bacon I just take out what I want and crisp it up a minute in the microwave...easy and fast.

Let me know if you do this, or am I the only one? 

 I have had friends say they have never heard of this before...who knew?

Thanks for visiting my bulky part of the country,
Jana

Wedding Shower....

 This is my soon to be son-in-law Macy and my daughter Kayla at their wedding shower.

 Here are all the ladies who gave them the shower.  This is another reason I love a small town.  All of these women have known both of my children since they were born.  Among them are Sunday School teachers, Aunts, Cousins, Mentors, Prayer Warriors and yes Great Friends.  

This kind of love for your children you can not buy.  

They said it takes a village to raise a child and this is part of our village.

 This is Cheri my BFF.  She has known both of my kids all of their lives and was even a boss to Kayla for several summers when they worked together.  She has volunteered to help with both of my kids wedding showers......Thanks Cheri.
 I have to be nice to her she knows all my secrets and has some
"colorful" pictures of me I have been warned about. 

 The cutie in the middle is a friend of the family. 

 Macy has already said she is his "backup" bride if Kayla backs out.

 Kayla with her Great Grandma Frances and Grandma Carolyn.   Frances is a young 92 years and is the pride of our family.  I truly don't know if they make them any sweeter than her. 

 MY KIDS!!! 

 I have got to be one lucky Mom, I love them all.

 Yep the same Cutie, can you tell my family just adores her.  My husband wants to adopt her and her parents say that he would bring her back...his reply....TRY ME.   

Randy loves kids and can not wait for his own Grandkids.  

 Me and my Hubby.  Yes he came to the shower......only Kayla could get him to do that.

 Me and my girl. 

Only yesterday she was a Tomboy and had pigtails.  She has became a beautiful woman.
 I have gained weight, wrinkles and some grey hair.
Being a Mom....isn't it great. LOL 

Thanks for visiting our part of the country,

Jana

Wedding Cards

 Did I mention my daughters getting married?
This is one the cards I made for her (well it's really the envelope).

Yes, I lined the envelope to match her card....what we won't do for our kids.

This is one of 3 cards I made her....yes 3....can we spell S-P-O-I-L-E-D???

This one was for their couple shower....

Is my husband and my son and my son-in-law the only men who act abused to go to a shower? 

 It is like pulling teeth.

This is the last one and it was for her "personal" shower....a little teddie.

Thanks for visiting my daughters card party in our part of the country,

Jana

Cinnamon Rolls...

 I wish I could take credit for these, but I can not, I got the recipe from 

Pioneer Woman and they are GREAT.

  I do not make bread, well not good bread, but this recipe is so easy and they are so good.

First mix milk, oil and sugar and "scald", then turn off the heat and let cool for 1 hour or until mixture is lukewarm, not hot. 

Sprinkle dry yeast over and let sit for a minute.  

Then add 8 cups of all-purpose flour.  Stir together.  Cover and let rise for at least 1 hour.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!  This is a good thing.  Now add 1 more cup of flour, baking powder, soda and salt.  

This step is different from her recipe, but I like it better.  My daughter started mixing the butter, sugar and cinnamon together ahead of time.  After the melted butter sits a while it starts to get a little thicker from the butter setting back up.  

Sprinkle your work surface with flour.  Take half of the dough and roll out to form a rectangle.   

Mixing the butter, sugar and cinnamon makes this step a little easier because the butter doesn't run off the bread.   Spread half of the mixture over dough and roll up dough, keeping tight.  Pinch the seam to the roll.   I also use less butter and sugar than she does and it is plenty sweet enough for our family.

It doesn't look like a shortage of calories does it.....

Spread 1 tablespoon of melted butter into foil cake pans, then cut rolls about 1" thick and lay in pans.  Let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes then bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or more.

Frosting:  This is liquid gold.  This is thick, but pourable. 

 I spread this over the rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.  

My daughter and me have made over 65 (and counting) pans of these recently, I would love to know how many calories that comes out to....no on second thought I don't want to know. 

The recipe will be posted under the cooking tab of my blog.

Thanks for my sweet part of the country,

Jana

Windmill

Love my windmills.

Thanks for visiting my part of the country,

Jana