Photo Friday {Week 1}

The fabulous Miss Mac is undertaking a 365 Photo Project this year, and I thought I'd join up in effort to get better at this whole photography thing. 

Here's week one:

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Amwilli's favorite dessert, the birthday cake his dad's been baking him since forever. This was the first year he attempted to bring some home, and it sort of survived the ride. Oh, and YES, he does celebrate his birthday when we're in CA (even though it's Jan 5th) just for the cake.

This is what it looked like pre-transcontinental flight:

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Chocolate covered cherries (that I have no intention of eating... but they're pretty!)

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Quackers and Kelp, our babies before Tiegan.

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Amwilli's candleless cake, and my first (unintended) attempt at bokeh 

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Sleepy pup

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Clementines are one of the few things I like about winter. Great minds think alike, Miss Mac!

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The Teeb is obsessed with snowballs (my "cold" submission for DPS's weekly theme ).

I was a little slow getting going this week... but I think this challenge is going to be a lot of fun! (And, my goal is to have us a button by the end of this weekend, Miss Mac!)

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Sharing this post with: Miss Mac's 365 Photo Project

Birthday Boy

Mr. Willi turned the big 2-8 yesterday and we had a low key dinner at home to celebrate. Lovely sister-in-law gifted me with an awesome new cook book for Christmas and this was the perfect occasion to try it out!

The recipe was "Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta." Sounds simple enough-- and it was pretty much the only thing I could put together with the limited planning time I had (about an hour). The best thing about it is it's completely clean and healthy. Only 303 calories a serving (including the pasta)!

Here's what it was supposed to look like:

So I got to chopping. [A quick aside-- meals like this would not be possible without quality cutlery. I would die without my Wusthof knives-- although maybe not if I had some sweet Japanese knives, but I digress!]

Back to the good stuff-- mountain of onions, check!

Garlic, check!

Flat leaf parsley, check!

No salt-added diced tomatoes, check! (Only 15mg of sodium-- amazing for something out of a can)

OK, so basically throw varying amounts of those ingredients in a big pan, over medium high heat til it boils-- then let it simmer for a little so the juices can thicken.

Shell and toss in a few of these babies...

Season to taste-- I hit it with some basil, salt, pepper and a little cayenne to bring out the flavor of the tomatoes.

Into the oven on 425º until the shrimp were cooked through-- then I finished it off in the broiler because I really wanted the cheese to brown and the shrimp to sport those blackened edges (I just think it's pretty).

Et voila!

Didn't look exactly like the photo, but the true test is the taste... I served the dish with whole wheat angel hair pasta.

I would say judging by Amwilli's THREE helpings-- and the amount that's missing-- it was a hit.

After dinner, we had cake (naturally). We're still de-chubbifying from the holidays, so I kind of skimped in that department (which, if you know me, is kind of big deal).

Ridiculously charming though, right?

And pretty delicious-- thanks, Smith Island Cake Shop!

To top off the fabulous dinner and dessert portion of the evening, my kiddos made sure to extend their birthday wishes to their "favoritest" classroom volunteer... here's the best card out of the 20 I hand-delivered yesterday:

Cover: "By Dallas Happy Birthday!! Mr. Willi"

Inside: "Your wife is a great teacher you should be proud. Happy Birthday!! Mr. Willi"

(I have them trained well, don't I?)

WELLLL... Another birthday in the books-- between the two of us we've celebrated 15 of them together. Where oh where does the time go?! Who knows-- who caaaaares-- just thrilled to be spending it with people I love.

♡ Happy Birthday, Babe! ♡

Happy New Year!

...and happy resurgence into the blogosphere? Guess you've figured out my New Year's resolution! That's right-- I am going to blog more regularly. Get a little more specific you say? OK, can do. I vow to update at least TWICE a week. I know, sassy right?

We'll see where it goes from there.

I've had no shortage of photos and ideas during my hiatus-- so it's time to get going!

What better way than to share a few of our holiday adventures on the Left Coast with the whole Willi clan.

Although Amwilli grew up in California, his house transformed to a winter wonderland EVERY Christmas. We're not talking just your run-of-the-mill light display. We've got Santas of all shapes and sizes, Christmas villages complete with snow, and a tree with 30+ years of homemade ornaments and family memories.

The beginning of my collection, courtesy of Mama Willi-- I love snowmen!

Warm-ish day, and clear at the coast? Well that sounds like a trip to Santa Cruz to me!

Give people driftwood and they will build. Lean-tos and makeshift shelters were scattered about the beach.

Met some friends...

Had a little conversation...

Don't worry-- they made up.

Amwilli and I managed to fit in a little play time in Carmel... can't keep Californians away from the beach, even when it's 50ºF. I didn't mind-- it was perfect for trying out my new lens!

Yeah, I'm corny.

Did someone say cupcakes and espresso? Don't mind if I do...

All in all a delicious little treat of a trip! Hope you all enjoyed your holidays :)