It was a good weekend, went by fast though.
+ friends on friday
+ denny's run at 2 am
+ doubles tennis match
+ planning the first camping trip
+ early quiet mornings
+ fruit baked to sweetness
+ backyard adventures
+ super duper weather
+ making the best steak sandwich around
+ pizza and cheese sticks!
+ i love food
- missing plans to go into the city at night because
i fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.
- leg muscles aching from intense tennis volleying
- falling behind on emails and chores
Much to do, much to do, and much to share. Creative work has slowly been taking over my life when it can. I have some new pieces to share soon once I get around to scanning.
Hope everyone else had a sunny and happy weekend!
Much Love,
Mae Jane
P.S. All daily photos will be listed in the top right sidebar in corresponding sets on Flickr, I may or may not post all of them here on a daily basis, I don't want to overload the interweb with fur! Though, the sets will always be updated. :)
If you haven't become aware recently, I've started a new quest to take daily photos either in the morning or evening of the day. I aim to capture one photo of ordinary objects/life as well as one photo of Littlebones every day. It's my way of visually documenting a year (granted I started this in April) and capturing daily life, as well as, yes, my fluffy kitty cat. What can I say? She's a great photography subject and you know you love her face too. Typical behaviors and things is all it really is, though to comprehend these subjects as a whole over the course of a year is fascinating to me. Being able to portray the growth and progression of style and perspectives in a matter of three hundred and sixty five days is also abstractly artistic. I like it. It challenges me to look at life and daily actions in alternate perspectives, I actually take the time to study the essence of the subject within the camera frame. Truthfully, it causes me to look at almost everything with a sense of "newness" while trying to define it without labels but by it's own nature.
Overall, it was a nice weekend. Saturday was incredibly warm and beautiful outside, so naturally that's where we were for part of it. We splurged on Chinese food one night and cooked up some yummy tacos last night. I say we weren't too creative there in the foodums department, though we did run out of our favorites in the house since it was the end of the week. Speaking of, I need to run to the market today and stock up. Let's see if I actually make it there though. I do have plans today to hang out with my cheesecake Nikki and her loverman. Recently they became engaged, and I couldn't be happier for them. They're an incredible couple who've been together for longer than I can imagine. They're like family to me. Last night we were gabbing on the phone about all her ideas and plans for the wedding, and then she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! Aww, I was thrilled, of course I would accept. She then gave me this big speech about what I mean to her and I just about started to cry. I've realized that the older you get, the more you weed out the crummy "friends" and value the true friends and she's a keeper for sure, even her beau, he's like a brother to me.
Speaking of true friends, the gang came over Friday night for some usual silly fun. We often get together at the end of the weeks to relax and catch up, and generally just have a good time after working all week and going to college. We're a tight group. Sometimes we don't even have to plan anything, because we just know they'll be coming over. I love that. Most of them came over this time plus three extra new ones and it was a good time. I didn't get to take too many pictures since I was running around and mingling. Here are two I managed to capture though. I know my Leah took a ton but they are most likely all a bit funny faced and goofy. :)
I'll never get tired of nights like that. Can't wait to move them to our new apartment though! Which is still a few months away. :( :) Bittersweet I tell you. Other than having a relaxing and super weekend, I took some time to create some new art pieces, which I shall be sharing soon soon. I'm starting to explore the idea of series, which I've realized I inadvertently do in some of my work already, I guess I tend to go through phases of themes and mediums. It's all part of the journey and process though.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Much Love,
Mae Jane
Much Love,
Mae Jane
Oh, the little things, they're most often my favorite things. Whether it be the cracking paint on an old window, or the hue of an ordinary object, or perhaps a broken antique skeleton key. Whatever we label these things, whatever we have been conditioned to call them takes no precedence when it comes to observing their natural beauty, manmade or not. Sometimes I'll look at an object for so long that I'll find myself wondering why we simply call it the name it's been given and accepted over time. Sometimes I feel that the labels we use don't do the items justice. Everything is so much more than it's outward appearance, it's exterior. Everything has an essence, a purpose more than it's intended function, abstractly put, everyday items are simply beautiful to me.
It's been brought to my attention that I should share my creamy onion soup recipe from my previous post. I did make it from scratch, with a combination of two recipes I found online. I always alter any recipe I come across, and I hardly ever stick to measurements when cooking (unless of course, baking). I'm one of those people who season as they go and season to taste. This works well for me, though it's not necessarily easy to outline into a recipe. However, it's relatively simple so I shall share my method!
Yummy Creamy Onion Soup
[this recipe was created for 2 servings, though alter as you wish]
You Will Need:
1 sweet vidalia onion (thinly sliced)
2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
butter and oil
1 can of chicken broth (15 oz to 19 oz)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup milk
thyme
marjoram
garlic salt
bay leaves
pepper
salt
To Cook:
- Melt a little bit of butter in pan with oil to lightly coat
- sautée onions and garlic till brownish and gooey (about 25-30 mins)
- i also added a wee bit of chicken stock to help coat the pan here too
- once onions are cooked tender and luscious transfer to pot
- add chicken broth mixed with flour (no lumps!)
- add milk and rest of seasonings to taste (add based on your preference)
- slowly simmer for 25-35 minutes depending on desired texture.
And that in a nutshell is how I made my yummy soup. If you want to serve more people just double the recipe accordingly. To be honest, I didn't even use all the milk either, just added till it was to my liking. I cook a little chaotically but it always gives me yummy results so I stick with the madness. Hope you guys like it, I made mine a bit on the salty side because that's how I roll, but this recipe is so basic that you can basically take it either way. Enjoy!
;Mj
My first attempt at creamy onion soup. And it was a success! It came out so creamy and thick and yummy. I'm quite proud of myself. I'm not sure where I got these cooking skills from though. My mother was never one to cook and my father always made rather simple dishes being a single father, working full time and raising me. But once I had to start cooking for myself, a world of possibilities opened up. I understand cooking and actually enjoy the process, even the prep, and especially the eating aspect. I can even bake too! Sometimes I daydream about going away to school to learn superb culinary skills. I think, how fantastic it would be to open up my own little restaurant, a cafe with, out of this world lunch and breakfast creations, re-invented home style dinner favorites and the yummiest pastries and desserts around. Alas my belly and the bellies of my loved ones will do for now though. Besides, I want to study too many darn things in this life. I want about five degrees and a Ph.D. Wouldn't that be nice haha.
Yum & Love,
Mae Jane
I've been on a serious food kick lately. Or perhaps just taking photos of the things I eat. But the truth is I cannot help but notice the beauty in the colors and textures of these edible items.
Yum yum in my tum tum! Sweet, salty, spicy, I'll eat it all. It's important to me that what I eat tastes incredible, is aesthetically appealing, and mostly good for me. :) Last night I cooked up the yummiest stir fry. The sauce was perfectly sweet and had just the right teriyaki tang. Tonight though my friends, tonight is taco night! I heart tacos. I need to make a big time food run within the next week and stock up on some of our old favorites. For now though some cheese and triscuits sound ace.
