Garden Update: What's blooming now

I missed giving an update on my tulips which are now fading and were oh so lovely. (I accidently deleted the photos off my card - Yes shame on me). And I had so many pretty varieties and colors.  Also I missed the Aubrieta which I have in pink and purple in my garden and is quite lovely too. I only wished it bloomed more than once - it only shows it beauty in April into early May. Most people have it in their gardens as border plants or in rock gardens. You have to watch it though because this plant can quickly spread and it will surprise you how much it has grown come the spring.

Aubrieta courtesy of Freefoto.com

However, it is iris season right now and my big beauties are starting to bloom. I have three colors - white, purple, and pink. The white are most abundant in my garden since they are the only iris variety that I have that blooms twice. (I believe there are some non-white varieties that are twice blooming but I have only seen the white.) My landscaper turned me onto them over 8 years ago. They bloom now in April- May and then will bloom again in August and sometimes in September. I love them because they are so low maintenance and require little work and are strong hardy plants. The leaves of the iris will remain green through out the summer and not die down or fade, however, I have planted other flowers such as lilies and coreopsis around them so that part of the garden still has lovely flowers and colors outside of their bloom time. I am thinking that next year I may actually have to divide my irises so they don't completely dominate the spots they are in.  Also my pink lovelies are taking their time and have yet to bloom.

I also have this little beauty which I don't know the name of in both white and purple. If you know what this flower is please leave a comment.

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I feel like a superstar

This was not my planned post for today, however, I was so pleasantly surprised to see my engagement session from last year  featured on  The Fab Bride.

I feel like a superstar ;)

Go on over and check it and the beautiful work from Onada Photography.

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Crate and Barrel Lust

I got to see these in action this weekend at a bridal shower I shot this weekend and now I want them more than ever. They are definitely tres chic and stylish in person.

Crate and Barrel Swoop Bowls $7.95-17.95

And I want to throw this onto the list as well.

Crate and Barrel Agave Bowl $66.95

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Heavenly Dishwasher (and its earth friendly)

I know I am a little late with an Earth Day post but what the hey.

I wanted to share with you a great product that I have been using for the past month which I just happened to come across at Marshall's. (My gosh you never know what you will find in that place.)

Mrs.Meyers Clean Day Dishwashing Liquid is made from essential oils, biodegradable, and a cruelty free product. And OMG the lavender scent is the most heavenly thing. It fills the whole kitchen and dining room and then the dishwasher has the scent for days. It makes me want to run the dishwasher just so I can have the smell. I was also surprised that I noticed that our dishes are cleaner and have fewer streaks and spots than when we were using Cascade.

I have definitely been won over by Mrs. Meyers. Not bad for $4.99!








Photo taken with a 50mm lens (f/1.4 , 1/25 sec , ISO 200)

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Black Bean Soup

I developed a taste for black bean soup late in life. As a girl I would not touch beans swearing that kidney beans looked just like thumbs and totally dismissed all beans as disgusting. When I lived for a year in New Haven, CT and discovered Atticus Bookstore Cafe up the street from my apartment I became enchanted by black bean soup. They served a hearty black bean soup with fresh pieces of white bread with sides of butter and jam. YUMMMMM.

Ever since then I have been recreating my own version here at home making a different variation each time. However, I keep the basic ingredients the same chicken broth, rich black beans, onions, and carrots. From that foundation I build and make  a rich hearty soup. But the great part of it is that its 1) a healthy source of protein,  2) low calorie, 3) can easily be made vegetarian with the use of vegetable broth, and 4) can be made more hearty with the addition of meat.

Black Bean Soup

* Goya canned Black Beans (1-29 ounce can & 2- 15.5 ounce cans)
* 32 ounces of chicken broth (can also do half chicken/vegetable or all vegetable broth)
* Olive Oil
* Half a large onion diced
* 1-2 Diced carrots
* Garlic
* Smoked Paprika
* Chili Powder
* Ground White Pepper
* Kosher Salt
* Fresh Chopped Cilantro
* Southwestern Salsa

Other great additions that work well with this soup:
* Andouille Sausage
* Shredded cooked chicken breast
* Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
* Corn (fresh or canned)


Directions

• Heat about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in large soup pot or dutch oven. Add in onions, garlic, and carrots. Cook until onion slightly translucent.
• Add in paprika and chili powder to taste. Cook 1-2 minutes more.
• Add in chicken broth and beans (undrained).  Cook for 10-15 minutes.
• Add in salsa (if adding tomatoes and corn add in now), salt, and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes.
• Take half of beans from pot and process in food processor to puree. Add back into soup and cook for 10-15 minutes more. (Additionally I take a potato masher and mash some of the beans in the pot as well. If doing so would also add in meat at this time).
• Taste and add additional seasoning if necessary. 
• Add in hopped cilantro.
• Serve with sour cream or shredded mexican cheese topping.

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Also in an effort to give more info on my photography here is some information on the pictures in this post.

Photo 1 : Taken with 50mm, f/2.5, 1/80 sec

Photo 2 : Taken with 50mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec

Both photos were taken in RAW format and edited in Lightroom where they were adjusted for white balance, sharpness, contrast, and given a color boost.

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Random Act of Kindness

I did a random act of kindness for a complete stranger this morning and it felt great!

It really made my day.

When was the last time you did a small gesture of kindness or generosity for a complete stranger?

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My Wedding Featured on The Fab Bride!!!!!!

My good friend Bola just launched a terrific new website geared towards Philly brides. In her own words TheFabBride.com is:


TheFabBride.com is an idea that Bola Onada Abodunde came up with to provide Philly brides with a resource that will help them learn who Philly's amazing and talented vendors are as well as inspire them with ideas for their own weddings. As a wedding photographer, the #1 complaint Bola received from brides was that there were no fun blogs out there solely dedicated to Philly brides and it was so hard to find the great vendors in the area. Being a bride-to-be herself she felt it was the perfect opportunity to put a resource together for all the Philly brides that shared the same frustrations and so TheFabBride was born!

I am so excited about her new endeavor and so happy that someone decided to fill the much needed gap here in the Philadelphia area bridal market.

And guess who is the first real wedding highlighted on the website : Moi - lil ole me!

Go over and check it out and all the great inspiration, info, and  wedding prettiness The Fab Bride has to offer.

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