February 2020 Calendar Download - Yellow Rose

It's time for a photo calendar download for the month of February.
Last winter, to brighten up the gloom of the cold, my group of friends created these lovely floral arrangements. I love fresh flowers in winter - they signal possibility of the coming spring. They are a simple luxury that we can enjoy all month long.



To download February's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> February Calendar 2020 - Yellow Rose

20 Recipes in 2020 - Zucchini Puffs

My close friends and I recently made a list of goals for 2020. Not resolutions, but items we would like to accomplish in 2020. The list is supposed to be 20 items long, and while not a requirement, an element of "20" is encouraged. For example, one might set a goal to read 20 books in 2020. One of my 2020 goals is to compile 20 Recipes with photos into the start of a Recipe book. I plan to use the Blurb publishing platform and their Cookbook template.

To get organized, I've gone through my Lightroom catalog and keyworded all my food / recipe-centric photos and exported them to a single folder. I've been recording the recipes on my iPhone's Notes app. Now to marry up the photos and recipes in Bookwright.

I've used the blog in the past to record recipes and photos, so I plan to do the same with the 20 Recipes in 2020.
First up, Zucchini Puffs

These are based on a recipe from Tasty - their Zucchini Tots, meant to be a healthier version of potato based Tater Tots. I adjusted the recipe since I don't eat bread and the original recipe calls for breadcrumbs.

Here is my version of Zucchini Puffs:
1 large zucchini, grated
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1 T olive oil
1 T coconut flour
1/4 C almond flour
3/4 C shredded cheese. I use a Mexican cheese blend
1 egg

Mix onion, garlic and oil in a large glass bowl. Micro cook for 30-40 seconds to soften the onion and garlic.

Shred zucchini onto a thin towel. I use a "flour sack kitchen towel" that I bought from the grocery store. Wring out the excess water from the shredded zucchini. The towel is very thin and allows the water to pass through easily. Could also use a cheese cloth. It is important to get the zucchini as dry as possible.

Add the zucchini and remaining ingredients to the bowl with onion garlic and mix.

Form bite sized logs, like tater tot size onto a metal baking sheet. I line my sheet with a silicone Silpat Mat which is non stick. Could also use parchment.


Bake at 425 degF for 15 minutes, then flip the puffs over and bake another 5-10 minutes. They should be golden brown.



Notes: I use almond flour / coconut flour as a sub for breadcrumbs in the original Tasty recipe. The coconut flour absorbs moisture and helps the puffs stay firm.

The Performance - Exposing for The Stage

The house lights dim and the audience stifles in anticipation with whispered and hushed murmurs. Maybe the stage is hidden by a thick, velvet curtain waiting to open. Maybe the stage is open, revealing a darkened outline of instruments and props. This stage waits, expectant of the life and energy of music; the percussive sounds and artistry about to fill the space, straight to the hearts of the audience.

Such is the atmosphere of the live performance. The performer outputs a rendition of their song, dance. Sometimes better than the last time, sometimes not, but each performance is perfect and imperfect, each unique. Sometimes the performer wonders how he or she could create such beautiful sound even as the music is being created. That’s when you as the performer get back all that you give.

One of my "goals" is to take the time and effort (because I'm old and would rather spend my evenings curled up on the couch with my cat) to get out and enjoy more live music, theatre and dance performances. Back in November, we attended a concert by the a cappella group, Straight No Chaser and their policy on photography allowed me to use my DSLR freely.



From a photographer’s perspective, getting the correct exposure is challenging with the often dark edges of the stage and bright spotlights. These extremes confuse the automatic matrix metering so I always flip to spot metering or manual exposure, erring on the side of under exposing. I look for the silhouettes, the light gradients that create depth on the stage. And try to capture the artist in their element - the essence where the purity of sound fills their soul.

And when the lighting falls flat, convert to black and white!



The best part of the night? When they reverted back to "Old School" a cappella - no mics, no beat boxing, just lush harmonies.


What was the last live performance you enjoyed? Any events on the horizon? We now have tickets to catch violinist Rachel Barton Pine, performing the Barber Violin Concerto (a fave of mine) with the local CU Symphony Orchestra