Josephine at dusk

Apparently I cannot use this camera below a 7.1 fstop...I'm not sure how the camera makes a difference but my depth of field is absolutely tiny when I really open up the aperture, which didn't use to be a problem with my old camera (same lens).  This was shot at a 5.6 and I didn't notice til after that her face is slightly out of focus.  Which is annoying.  Obviously needed the wide aperture so I wouldn't have to crank the ISO way up.  Well...that's what this is all about I guess...learning my camera and this photography thing.  Have been shooting everything fully manual lately, used to stay in aperture mode but I find now I want total control.  And tonight Pinky...tonight we will take over the world...

Coleus at dusk

Lilac at dawn

Fun with robots

Old friends

Totally singing the Simon and Garfunkel song to myself while shooting this.

I wished for more wishes...

Ghost in the garden

Would like to try this technique again sometime when we have more time to play around, only had like 5 minutes before bedtime.  My poor child is going to be so sick of being my model by the end of the year.

Kefir takeover!

My kefir grains have multiplied so much I had to move them to this embarrassingly large jar.  I'm starting to worry they are going to become sentient and kill me in my sleep.

Best...thing...ever....

There is nothing better than being a parent.  Yes it's hard work, and I can understand logically why more people my age are choosing not to have children.  But...it's the greatest thing in the whole world.  It's what makes life worth living.  I'm not writing this to convince everyone to go out and have babies...I'm just saying that if you're lucky enough to have children in your life, for God's sake enjoy the hell out of them.  Laugh with them, read an extra bed time story, build a frickin blanket fort, let them be silly and loud and wild when you can.  They are your ticket to a second childhood and a lifelong best friend, and you are their chance to have a safety net of love and acceptance that will teach them not to accept less in other relationships.  Don't blow it, and don't forget to enjoy the ride.

The right path?

Straw fight!!!!!

Mushroom macro

Roots

nerd girl and the super bedtime comic book

an open book

Baked

Meg's lemon bars

Shortbread crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salted butter at room temperature and cubed
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Lemon layer

4 large eggs
2 large egg yolk
2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar, or to taste

1. Place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350. Grease the hell out of a baking 9 x 13 pan, these suckers like to stick.
2. Place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back a fork or your fingers until thoroughly combined. Mix in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like crumbly cookie dough.
3. Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.
4. Bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 18 - 22 minutes.
5. Beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl or in a stand mixer with whisk attachment; whisk in white sugar and flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour lemon custard over crust.
6. Bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, about 25 minutes. Cover with foil for the last few minutes if the top starts to get brown. Let cool completely and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before cutting into bars. Dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into squares. Dust cookies with confectioners' sugar.

Watch your step

Movie night

Hey, sometimes you have to veg out.