spring special...

sprung again...

check out my photography blog here!

my az kids...

love them.

her hands...

These hands are the reason I am me.

honey wheat bread...

..just like Outback's Honey Wheat Bread..

as in:

light, soft, moist, and chewy with a light crust.

3 c. room warm water (100°-110°F)
4 T. butter, margarine or vegetable oil
2 T. caramel color
1/2 c. honey
3 1/3 c. wheat flour
3-4 c. all purpose flour
2 T. cocoa
2 T. active dry yeast
2 T. vital wheat gluten
2 t. salt
cornmeal/rolled oats

Combine first 4 ingredients (water, oil, color, honey) and mix well.

Pour wheat flour on top of wet ingredients.

Add cocoa, yeast, gluten and salt. Stir until well blended.

Allow mixture to sponge for 10 minutes.

Add all purpose flour, one cup at a time,

until dough clings to hook

and almost cleans the sides of mixer,

about 3-4 minutes.

Allow to raise in the bowl,

covered with plastic wrap,

until doubled, about 20-30 minutes.

Divide into 8 piles,

cover with plastic wrap

and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Shape into loaves

and dip bottom of loaf in cornmeal,

and dip top of loaf into oats.

Place on greased cookie sheet,

greased mini loaf pans, or regular loaf pans.

Allow to rise till double, about 20 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

HDR...

golden spiral challenge...

I'm part of a group of Sony Photographers that help out

and challenge one another.

here is the current photo challenge

"Golden Spiral Rule"

looking into my 70-200mm lens

focusing on the aperture blades

with a lamp reflecting off the different layers of glass.

lights at temple square...

lights...

pinnin'...

Lately I've really been into Pinterest.

I've tried a few recipes and a few DIY projects I've found from the site...

so I decided to post a recipe I love..

for you to pin if you want:)

This is really a GREAT recipe.

Let me know what you think if you make it!

Ingredients for Tortellini Soup:

1 - 16 oz Package of Tortellini (I love the Three Cheese)

1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage

3 Tablespoons Butter

1 Diced Onion

3 Diced Carrots (I get the precut 8 oz bag of Matchstick cut Carrots and dice from there)

1 Green Bell Pepper Diced

2 Cloves Garlic Minced

2 - 14 oz Cans of Italian Diced Tomatoes

1 - 14 oz Can of Tomato Paste

6 cups Chicken Broth

2 Teaspoons Basil

1 Teaspoon Oregano

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

1 Bag Fresh Spinach (Chopped Coarsely)

Cornstarch for thickening (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook Sausage and set aside.

2. In a 8-10 qt pan: Saute Onion, Carrots,

Green Bell Pepper, and Garlic in the Butter.

3. Once Vegetables are softened, add Broth, Sausage, Tomatoes, Basil, and Oregano and cook for 30 minutes.

4. Add Salt and Pepper to taste

(I add 1/2 Teaspoon Salt and 1 1/2 Teaspoons Pepper)

5. Add Tortellini and cook for 6-8 minutes,

or until Tortellini are done.

6. Optional: Add Cornstarch mixed with Cold Water

to pot and allow to thicken

(I ALWAYS love my soup thicker).

7. Add Spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

best coach...

Toni, one of mike's many

high school and club soccer players

plays for the

BYU MEN'S SOCCER TEAM

and mentioned mike on his online profile.

I love the influence mike has on all his players

on and off the field.

sunday evening...

california dreamin'...

moon...

dee see...