McKittrick Wedding

Last Saturday, my friends, Michael & Heather were married. I did some of the wedding photography. Here are some of my favorites-

The bride getting her hair done

flower girl

Reception table

the cake

the bride and groom's first dance

me & Joey enjoying cappuccino punch :)

It was a lovely wedding!

A Fish for Baby

I just finished knitting this fish toy for my new baby cousin- due to arrive this Monday! I can't wait to give it to him. I found the pattern here-http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/81106AD.html?noImages=

All finished! This was a quick-knit project..

I can't wait to meet my new baby boy cousin!

Chocolate for Breakfast & a Picnic Lunch

Yesterday, I went on a little baking spree. For breakfast, I made an "Oven-Puffed Pancake with Chocolate & Berries" (taken from the book "Enlightened Chocolate") Recipe below ~

It was SO good!

OVEN PUFFED PANCAKE WITH CHOCOLATE & BERRIES

2 Tbs Powdered Sugar

1 Tbs Unsweetened Cocoa powder (not Dutch Process)

1 ounce Bittersweet Chocolate, finely chopped or grated

½ C all-purpose flour1/2 C fat-free milk

¼ tsp salt1 large egg1 large egg white1 tsp vanilla extract1 Tbs unsalted butter

2 C assorted berries (I used strawberries)

1. Preheat oven to 425. Sift the powdered sugar & cocoa powder into a small bowl; stir in chocolate and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, milk, salt, egg, egg white, and vanilla until blended. Melt the butter in a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Pour batter into skillet and cook 1 minute (do not stir)

3. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 16-18 minutes or until puffed and golden. Sprinkle with the chocolate-cocoa mixture and bake 1 minute longer. Cut into quarters; serve immediately with fresh berries.

Makes 4 servings

I was planning to go on a picnic with my husband yesterday for 

lunch,but the weather wasn't cooperating. So, instead, 

we had a picnic on the floor in the living room.. 

I made panini & pizza bread using the Cibatta 

recipe I made the other day.

Our picnic lunch

Pizza bread (just add sauce, tomato & shredded mozzarella. Heat it in the oven)

Bleeding Hearts from the garden

It was quite a spread!

Joey

Me

Kobe joined us too..



That was our little bit of creativity for the day!

Wedding Gift

My good friends, Michael & Heather are getting married next Saturday. I just finished this drawing for their wedding gift ~

All finished & framed

Close up detail

This is the original photo

I'm so happy for you, Mike & Heather! I pray that God will bless your marriage :)

Bread Baking Spree

Yesterday, I went on a bread baking spree. I made two kinds of bread (Focaccia & Cibatta). They were so good~ I have to share the recipes :)

Cibatta loaf

Panini on the grill

My panini with ham, mozzarella, marinara & roasted red peppers

Cibatta "Slipper" Bread

Makes: 2 loaves

2 packages active dry yeast

1 ½ C very warm water

3- 3 ¼ C flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp sugar

1 T olive oil

1. Stir yeast in warm water in small bowl & let stand 5 min. Meanwhile, mix 3 C flour, salt & sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir yeast mixture into flour mixture, stir in oil. If you have a mixer with a hook attachment, you can knead in mixer for 5-7 min. Otherwise, knead on flour surface 5-10 min until dough is smooth & springy (dough will be slightly sticky)

2. Place dough in a greased & floured large bowl. Cover & let rise in warm place about 40 min, or until doubled.

3. Push fist into dough to deflate. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half, & shape each half into a ball. Cover and let rise on surface about 40 min, or until doubled.

4. Spray & lightly flour 2 cookie sheets. Stretch each ball of dough into an 18x6 in rectangle by pulling the edges away from each other. Place on cookie sheet, gently flatten with fingers until about 1 in think. Cover and let rise 30 min, or until doubled.

5. Heat oven to 375. Dust loaves lightly with flour. Bake 35-40 min, or until golden (sound hallow when tapped)..

ENJOY!

Focaccia bread right out of the oven.

Focaccia Bread

Makes: 2 flatbreads

The Mafia

I did this drawing for my husband for his birthday. He had requested it awhile ago, so I thought I'd buckle down and do it for him.

It is a mafia picture. I incorporated my family in there. From left to right, my grandfather, my brother Nick, my dad, Uncle Rocco, my husband Joey, my brother Anthony & my father in law.

Joey

Happy Birthday!