Canning Adventure: Peppers!

I'm getting a bit out of control with my canning.  My shelves are starting to stock up, so this summer I will be renovating an old bookcase the previous owners of our house left behind, so that I have more storage space. (Squeel!).  

This weekend I tried a roasted pepper recipe found here:

Smitten Kitchen

But given to me by Liz (my sister in law who sends me the best recipes).  We've gone to Atlanta to visit the family a few times and I always come home wanting to can like Liz does.  We can blame her for this ;)

First I washed the peppers and put them on a tray, into the oven at 400 for 50 mins.

When they came out the skins had wrinkled and browned.  The next step was to let them steam in a pyrex bowl.

Then I peeled off the skins, sliced up the peppers and put them into the jars. Meanwhile, I had boiled distilled vinegar with salt and sugar.  Once boiled I filled up the jars, added chopped garlic and peppercorns and screwed the caps back on.

Can't wait to try these in another week or so!  Tonight we're picking out next weekends canning recipe - any suggestions?!  :)

Brenna | 7 months!

Oh Miss Brenna...you are too cute!  She was a bit unsure of me at first, probably because I kept tickling her toes :) 

But after a few minutes she warmed right up (thanks to mommy singing her favorite song!).

Look at those beautiful eyes!

 Her big sister Natalie came along too!  After all of our sessions together, she's become a pro!

 

I am so thankful for all of my clients, but especially for those who continuously come back to me!  Can't wait to see you all for Brenna's 1 year photos :)


Photo sessions for kids: $85
Erica@photerica.com to schedule your session

Canning obsession: Pickled Brussel Sprouts

 MMM brussel sprouts.  They're one of those foods that you hate when you're little and love when you're older.  I love roasted sprouts, and had never thought about pickeled sprouts until I saw this blog post: YUM.

I started out by washing my little green spouts of gold, and then cutting them in 1/2 :)

Then I put them in jars along with dried chili peppers, garlic and all the other spices.

They're just so pretty!!

Then I warmed up the vinegar, water and and salt on the stove.  Once boiled, I added it to the jars and screwed the lids on tight. WHALA!

Then I re-boiled the jars in water for 10 mins and set them on a towel to dry.  When they start to cool, they become air tight and you hear...pop! pop! pop!  the lids sealing themselves (I love it!)

 

Next up: pickled eggplant.  It's amazing, just you wait :)

Newborn Session | JJ

This February I gave away a newborn session.  I was SO excited when I received an email from Marissa asking "DID I GET IT?!" :)  I photographed her wedding and maternity session so it fit perfectly that she won the session.   Here is her new little guy!



Ohhh so cute - look at those eyes! You wouldn't know by the photo above, but 10 seconds before this was taken JJ was not so happy.  On goes Rhianna and suddenly the tears became a smile :)

                                             She was a natural with him every step of the way

We rolled him up into a blanket...I think he liked it!

 Practiced his modeling...he's got it down!

Sleepy time - he earned it!

Loved this session! Thanks Marissa & Jason!

*Newborn sessions are $85 - erica@photerica.com to set up your session :)

My canning adventures...continued!

I loved canning my first week...I waited a whole 3 days to do it again :)

This time - Pears in brown sugar and cardamom!

You can find the recipe here: Food In Jars

This recipe was very easy - recommend it for first time canners.

The cutest jars ever...love them!

I chopped up my pears and mixed them with brown sugar...for a looong time.

After about 30 mins they thicken up and turn a dark brown.  Once this happened I added my cardamom.

Then I jarred/boiled and ATE :D

This goes really well in oatmeal!  Next up: Pickled brussel sprouts :)

Vacation Part 2 - Park City

I realize this post is a wee bit late...by a few months (oops).  I was a bit off track, but here's part 2 of our fall vacation.  Park City, Utah!  It's always nice to go through vacation photos...so relaxing.

 We took an afternoon and hiked in the Wasatch Range.  The hike took a few hours and was worth the sweat and sore muscles.  The colors were unbelievable.  I didn't touch the saturation on any of these...so beautiful!

 

 To celebrate our hike we did what we usually do...go out for SUSHI!  I'm pretty sure I have a sushi addiction.  The best addiction to have if you ask me :)  We had one of the best meals ever...drool.

After a few nights we headed to Bryce Canyon...the drive was beautiful.

Sigh, I love you Park City.  Part 3 coming up - Bryce Canyon!