Posted on November 10, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

What to do with all of those apples Nathan hasn’t eaten yet.

This isn’t my own personal recipe.  Elizabeth sent it to me and it just looked so darn good.  I’ve included the link so you can go see the pictures and such.  I have a bowl of not-firm apples (Nate and I only like the really crisp ones for just eating, so I’m always looking for ways to use the older, softer ones).

Also Green Man Farm is having a farm tour on the 22nd.  Nathan and I are going to try to attend.  Green Man Farm is a local CSA (it’s like a produce subscription).  There are several CSA’s around Knoxville and they all offer different things.  Another local farm is West Wind Farm.  They offer grass feed beef, raw and organic dairy products, and local honey among other things.  Anyway, on to the recipe.

Unfussy Apple Cake (link)

Unfussy Apple Cake Recipe

A big, floppy dollop of boozy, slightly sweet whipped cream takes this cake over the top. Wanting to keep this cake simple, I also had to restrain myself from adding any extra ingredients although I had a block of quince paste (membrillo) that would have been nice cut into tiny cubes and mixed into the batter, or caramel cut into little cubes, or toasted walnut or pecans, or, or, or…..I used a huge, flaked Japanese sugar on top of this cake (you can see it in the photo), but any big-grain sugar will help lend a nice crunchy, sweet, sugar crust. If you don’t have whole wheat pastry flour, unbleached all-purpose flour will work as a more conventional substitute.

2 cups sweet, crisp red apples, cut into 1/4 cubes (peel on)
2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup dark Muscavado sugar (or other fine-grain natural cane or brown sugar), lump-free
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled a bit
3 tablespoons large grain sugar

Preheat the oven to 400F degrees, racks in the middle. Butter and flour (or line bottom with parchment paper) one 9-inch square baking dish or tart pan, you can also bake it in a 9×13 pan but really keep a close eye on it after 20 minutes – it will be quite thin.

Place the chopped apples in a bowl of water along with the juice of one lemon. Set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar and salt in a large bowl. And in a separate smaller bowl whisk together the eggs and the buttermilk. Whisk in the melted butter. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the flour mixture and stir until barely combined – try not to over mix. Now drain the apple, shake off any excess water, and fold the apples into the cake batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, pushing it out toward the edges. Sprinkle with most of the large grain sugar. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until cake is just set and a touch golden on top. I like this cake every-so-slightly under-baked, just barely, remember it will cook for a little while after you remove it from the oven.

Serves about 12.

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Posted on November 10, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Monks, WTF!

Monks brawling at the burial place of Jesus?!  I have to admit, I’m not all about organized religion.  I’ve had some issues with overly pushy proselytizers that left a bad taste in my mouth.  Even so, my general belief with all religions is that they are about a person’s relationship with their deity of choice.  Christianity is the one I have had the most exposure to, being raised Southern Baptist in the South.  My general understanding of Jesus was that he was a swell guy who got along with just about everyone.  He didn’t judge and was very forgiving.  So why on earth are monks following his teachings getting into brawls!!  They’re all worshipping the same guy!  Are they afraid Jesus is going to think the other group is doing a better job and favor them?  I don’t know that Jesus would be down with the brawling thing, honestly.  Here’s my advice.  Go back and read that stuff about turning the other cheek, then sit in your room and think about it until you decide you can be nice and get along.

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Posted on November 10, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Um, Arkansas, WTF!

WTF!  That little link takes you to a page with information on a new law passed by 57% of Arkansas voters.  It denies homosexual couples the right to adopt by denying cohabitating, non-married, sexual partners the right to adopt.  Since gay couples can’t get married, they can’t fit the profile of people with the right to adopt OR FOSTER!!  This was already thrown out by the courts.  Who would rather children be in state homes, which are overfilled, rather than in a loving environment with two people who would care for them as individuals?!  I think Arkansas is a beautiful state.  I have many lovely friends there and have enjoyed every visit.  But seriously, people.  You’d rather children in a group home?  WTF!

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Posted on November 10, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Scarf is done!

In record time, I finished scarf #2! Scarf #1 took right at a year to complete. #2 took around 2.5 weeks. And it’s awesome. So congrats to Nate for getting a new scarf this year. Now I should probably get back to work on Dad’s blanket for Christmas.

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Posted on November 8, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Best hummus ever (aka Claire’s hummus):

Best hummus ever (aka Claire’s hummus):

1 can of chickpeas/Garbanzo beans drained (keep the liquid in a measuring cup, we’ll use it later)
2 spoonfuls of Tahini
a quarter of an onion
as much garlic as you can stand (I used 4-6 cloves)
Cumin (quite a bit, perhaps several tbs, I just shake it in until I’m happy and then shake in a bit more)
Cholula (about 1/2 teaspoon?)
Pepper
Paprika
Chili Powder
Olive Oil

I think those are all of the ingredients.  It varies, so feel free to experiment.

1. Dump the beans, tahini, garlic, onions, cumin, cholula, pepper, and enough olive oil to moisten everything into a food processor or blender.  

Blend

2. You’ll now notice that you don’t have enough liquid.  Start adding the chickpea juice a bit at a time, blending as you go, until you get the desired consistency.  I like a medium liquidity, but some people like thicker or thinner hummus.  Now is also a good time to add other flavors like olives, roasted red peppers, or anything else. You can also add these items later if you want them to be a bit chunky vs chopped up really tiny.

3. Taste it.  Is it everything you’ve dreamed of?  No?  Add more cumin.

4. Once you have the flavor just right, dump it into a bowl.  Pour more olive oil over the top and sprinkle with chili powder and paprika.  

Serve with chips or flat bread (I buy mine in the Kroger deli department and cut into eighths, but for the really good stuff, go to the freezer section at your friendly neighborhood Holy Land Market)

5. Bask in the glory of your culinary genius while everyone showers you with praise.  Be sure to make it sound like a much bigger ordeal than 10 minutes of food processing time.

Happy Hummusing!
Claire

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Posted on November 7, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Wedding Day Photo Advice

As a photographer, here are a couple of words of photo advice.

If you want to move straight from the ceremony to the reception, think about taking all of the portrait shots before the ceremony. Your photographer can stage a special moment where you and your fiancé see each other for the first time. You can do your couples shots and take a few minutes just to talk and laugh and sneak a few early smooches. This is a great idea of you think you are going to be nervous! Seeing him might be just the thing to calm you down.

If you would prefer to not see each other before the ceremony but still want many pictures in various locations, consider scheduling a post-wedding portrait sitting. You can spend several hours with your photographer traveling to find the best locations. An added benefit to a post-wedding sitting is that you won’t be as concerned about the dress. As soon as the session is over, you can take it straight to the cleaners to be preserved.

Some couples choose to schedule a break between their ceremony and reception. You can use this time to do an extended shoot of just the two of you or include your entire wedding party. Usually this is a 2-3 hour block, so be sure to think of something to entertain your out of town guests. Providing a list of local attractions that can be enjoyed in a shorter amount of time is always appreciated. Be certain to let everyone know in advance that the party does not start immediately following the ceremony so your guests are prepared.

Bridal portraits are a great way to see how you’ll look in your wedding ensemble. Schedule the shoot for the same day as your hair trial and don’t forget to talk to your florist about getting a stand-in bouquet. During the session, you will see how it feels to move around in the dress and if you need to make any changes to the fit. You will also see how everything looks together and if you need to rethink your shoes, jewelry, or hair.

An Engagement session allows you to see how you and your fiancé will interact with your photographer. It will give you a feel for her shooting style and what to expect on your wedding day. It will also help your photographer get to know you better, and a good rapport helps make great photographs.

Be sure to hire a photographer who shoots in a style you like. Even if you love your best friend’s photographer, if you want more off-the-cuff candids and he specializes in staged fashion portraits, you may still want to shop around before making that final decision.

Communication is key. Photographers are not psychic (sadly), and we need to know what you want. If you must have a picture of all of your sorority sisters, be sure to include that on your list of must haves. Your photographer is there for you. Let her know up front if you don’t want to break for an hour long shoot before heading to the reception.

Pick a photographer you like. That doesn’t just mean liking her pictures; you need to like her, too. This is the vendor you will spend the most time with on your wedding day. She will follow you everywhere. If you find her irritating today, you will definitely find her irritating on your wedding day! You may not need a new best friend, but you need a photographer who will get along with everyone and make great images at the same time.

Claire Presnall

Rebecca Claire Photography

www.rebeccaclaire.com

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Posted on November 7, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Asian Chicken Salad?!

YUM!!  I just went by Holy Land Market yesterday to pick up my favorite Curry Chicken Salad and some of their fantastic Bread Pudding (they were out last time but had made a double batch.  I bought a BIG container.)  While I was looking around, Denise asked if I was interested in trying her newest Chicken Salad creation.  Um, yes!  She called it Asian Chicken Salad because she couldn’t think of a better name for it.  It has toasted sesame seeds, caramelized onions, and a sauce that tastes kind of teriyaki-ish (thus the Asian, I assume).  She wouldn’t tell me what all was in it, but I can tell you it is FAN-FRIKKIN-TASTIC!!  One little taste (first one’s free) and I was hooked!  I bought some (just a little container, I already had a lot of bread pudding and curry chicken salad to eat), and it did make it home.  But I finished it off today.  That stuff is like crack!  I want to go back and get more.  I was the first guinea pig for her new concoction, and she was so pleased at my reaction.  I swear, if you haven’t tried this place yet, get over there!  And please, leave some chicken salad and a bit of bread pudding for me.  🙂

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Posted on November 6, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

So Nathan wants a rant

It’s funny.  I’m generally a pretty animated “story teller.”  My mom used to call me a drama queen which always irritated me since I’m not a huge fan of drama (or at least, not my own drama.  Other people’s drama can be deliciously naughty and addictive, I must admit).  I just read a hilarious run down of the election on rollingstone.com.  It had me crying in its sarcasm and just beauty of words and descriptions.  I wish I wrote like that.  But I don’t.  After I read the whole thing aloud to Nathan (seemed unfair to sit and laugh alone), he said he wanted a rant.  Really?  I know I’ve ranted to him about all kinds of things.  We have friends and family members and complete strangers who behave in ways I just don’t understand.  The world is full of ridiculously stupid events.  But a rant?  In public?  On the internet where anyone could read it?  I dunno.  While I’m very outspoken and not shy about sharing my views, I’m not so certain I’m up to ranting for all the world to see.  I mean, that’s why I have a husband, right?  Plus, this is supposed to be a “business blog.”

Ok, are you done laughing now?  It’s not that absurd to hold on to the idea that this is a business blog.  It’s got advice on weddings and pictures I’ve shot and links to other professional sites.  Of course it also has political commentary and pictures of giant vats of squash…  Hmmm…

Ooh!  Here’s a quick rant.  Why does my cat Rupert think it’s a great idea to jump on me (and my computer) and walk all over the keyboard while I try to blog?  THEN he just walks on over to Nathan’s lap and curls up to watch him work on the computer.  He doesn’t love me!  He’s just using my slightly shorter lap as a bridge to Nathan’s lap.  Rupert is technically MY cat.  India is Nathan’s cat.  Shouldn’t he love me best by default?

Was that ranty enough?  It was about my cat which automatically makes it lame.  Damn.  

Ok, here’s another one.  The Black Eyed Peas song “My Humps” is the stupidest song ever!  “Humps” and “lovely lady lumps?”  I don’t think I have ever heard the female anatomy described in less attractive terms.  And yet we’re supposed to think about how hot Fergie is while she sings about a derogatory descriptor for oatmeal?  When has the word “lump” been sexy?  And “humps” makes me think of speed bumps which piss me off.  I think Nathan listens to it just to annoy me.  And the real killer is that it’s got a good beat.  What the hell!?  Could we take the song and just put different words in there?

Nathan is now qualifying his request.  Apparently I’m supposed to go rant in private.  So just ignore all the rest.  Nathan is not a whiny bitch.  He does sigh a lot.  Usually when I’ve grossly misunderstood something.

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Posted on November 6, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

I love Babies (of the “other people’s” variety)

2009 is looking like the year of the baby.  I have what seems like at least a dozen friends who are pregnant, and several others who would desperately love to get knocked up.  It seems like only yesterday that most of my preggo friends had “oops” moments to get those little feet, but now everyone is trying and excited.  That’s great!  But why are you people looking at me?  I love babies!  I really, really do.  And children are great as well.  I love holding them and taking their pictures and talking to them because they always have something interesting to say.  They smell neat (when they aren’t poopy) and their little toes are so cute!  And sure, I’m turning 31 in a few months, so I’m a prime victim for this “baby fever.”  But I have friends with babies and cousins with babies and complete strangers call me up to photograph their babies.  I work with schools to do their portraits, so I get to hang out with children of the older variety as well.  I’m sated when it comes to babies.  My mom is disappointed, I know, but my little brother wants babies (if he’d ever get to work on that!  I’d love some nieces and nephews and Nathan’s sibs seem as far from that road as we are–or farther).  I have to say, we seem barely capable of caring for the dog properly (when is the last time Alfred got a bath?  I don’t know, but he sure does stink!), and the cats are on self-timing feeders.  I work all the time, and we both hate to clean.  We just don’t seem like prime baby candidates.  

Top that off with the whole pregnancy thing…  Not really interested.  My pregnant friends (or formerly pregnant friends and family members) describe it as really cool.  An experience not to be missed.  My mom stands by the tale that child birth didn’t hurt (you’re welcome, mom), but I’m not buying that one.  My wanna-be-preggers friends all think it sounds great.  Really?  You swell up to ginormous proportions, you can’t see your feet, you have to wear those silly pants.  Not to mention the weird cravings, odd dreams, hormones and the fact that you pee a little bit every time you laugh or sneeze.  Then there’s the baby growing inside thing.  I hear it’s really cool.  You can feel their little heads under your rib cage or their little feet kicking your kidney.  I’ve even seen a picture of a pregnant belly with a cute little foot print pushing against it from the INSIDE!!  ACK!  Can we say Alien?  It just sounds like a parasite, alien creature that twirls around and kicks or punches or sits on very important internal organs.  You can’t sleep on your tummy (since you don’t want to smoosh them, I suppose), but they can sleep wherever they want, including your very comfy bladder (see the laughing and sneezing issue).  Then, to top it all off, you have to push it out of a very small opening (one they often cut so nothing rips!), and I hear nothing ever goes back exactly the same.

Anyway, I don’t judge those who want babies.  I think it’s great!  Bring them over to play (Alfred prefers children to the cats anyway).  Call me up to take their pictures.  Just please don’t ask when we’re having one.  🙂

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Posted on November 5, 2008 by rebeccaclaire

Cassie & Russ

Cassie & Russ got married three years ago today.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!  Cassie and two other friends got married within six months of each other, and all three hired Rebecca Claire Photography.  Cassie was the first wedding of the three, and her wedding was fun and traditional.

Georgia Strings played as Cassie and her dad entered.

The ceremony and reception were at the Academy of Medicine.  The ceremony was in the theater which was an interesting ceremony set up.  Sort of church-like, but with cushier seats.

Awesome Blossom did a great job with the flowers!

Cassie wore her grandmother’s bias cut silk dress.  It was beautiful!

The caterer was Affairs to Remember.

Any Occasion DJs kept the party rockin’!

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