Photo of the Week

Time to get my creative juices flowing again!  Since our move I've been stuck in a bit of a creative rut. I haven't taken my camera out nearly often enough and that needs to change.  To kick my butt into gear I decided to join Jessica Rodgers' Photo of the Week challenge.  Jessica is a friend of mine from college and a brilliant photographer! Each week she publishes a feature on her blog called Photo of the Week. Anyone can enter - it is an exercise in staying creative - exactly what I need!

My submission this week was taken at Mission Trails Park in San Diego.  Les & I went on a four mile walk/hike last weekend and enjoyed the crisp winter weather, gorgeous scenery, and a bit of rain.

Bluebird

Here are a couple of other shots from that day:

I'm looking forward to having a reason to shoot each week. Thanks, Jessica!  Hopefully I can find the time and motivation to join more challenges, but for now I'll start with one and see where it goes.  If you'd like to join Jessica's Photo of the Week challenge check out the guidelines for participation.

A walk in the park

Last weekend a friend and I took her kids to Balboa Park.  We had a great time enjoying being out in the sunshine and watching the koi (and a turtle) in the reflecting pools near the botanical gardens. I brought my camera with me and captured a few great shots of the kiddos.

Love those kids!  Their mom is pretty awesome, too! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Two dozen roses from my hubbie - I'm a lucky girl!

World Nutella Day!!

Are you ready for some yummy goodness?  Pull out your Nutella and a spoon because today is World Nutella Day!!

My contribution to World Nutella Day this year is a Nutella Cookie - yes, you read that right Nutella yumminess in a cookie!!  I actually found the recipe a little while back from the blog Culinary Concoctions by Peabody and was planning to take it for a test run before the big day but life has gotten in the way so today I tried the recipe for the first time.  I think they are a hit!

Nutella Cookies
Adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
½ cup Nutella or other hazelnut chocolate spread
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cream butter and sugars in a mixer on high speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl often. Beat for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.

With the mixer on low, add the egg and vanilla. Then add the Nutella and mix well.

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix on low speed until all the ingredients are incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and mix just until the dough is smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a small ice cream scoop (or a teaspoon) form the dough into balls and place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool about 5 minutes and transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy with a tall glass of cold milk!

If you'd like to participate in World Nutella Day visit their website for instructions.  A big thanks to Ms Adventures in Italy, Bleeding Espresso, and World Nutella Day for a great excuse to try a new recipe, and of course eat Nutella!