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May 11 – Out & About

Before I knew it was common terminology up here, every time I would catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier on a clear day I would exclaim, “Look! The mountain is out!” Turns out that’s a thing up here—saying, “the mountain is out today.” This is a photo of the gorgeous mountain that keeps watch over our beautiful city, out and about.

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May 12 – Mom

I would have loved to buy flowers for mom’s day, but we happen to have a monster with a taste for flowers. So photo flowers are the best I can do.

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May 13 – Blurry

I took this picture a few years ago of the Seattle skyline at night. The tallest point is the Space Needle. I just love this one. It’s one of my all-time favs. It just makes me happy.

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May 14 – Sweet

I have had a craving for maraschino cherries for like, a year. But it’s just not something I ever remember in the store! So to me, the definition of sweet, is Husband bringing them home for me when I least expected it.

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May 15 – Idol

I have no idol. I own no idol. I really had no idea what to do for this prompt. … sorry.

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May 16 – I Found It!

We wandered a little last weekend, outside of the city, and found this. The ‘flaming geyser’ at Flaming Geyser State Park. Less impressive than it sounds. More impressive than I imagined since I truly thought there wouldn’t be a geyser here in a million years. … well maybe a million years.

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May 17 – Green

A surprise we came across last weekend! A waterfall over the Green River in the Green River Gorge outside Maple Valley, Washington. Pretty impressive actually. This picture in no way does this scene justice. Maybe I’ll post some better photos next week.

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In the meantime , that’s this week in Instagram!

Remember, you can follow me on Instagram (User Name: ajabug) and see my photo’s each day! If you’d like to join the Photo-a-Day Challenge with us, it’s never too late to start. You can find it on YesVideo.com’s blog. Just click here! Or see this month’s challenge at the bottom of this post.

In the meantime, happy weekend my friends! Go out and take some pictures!

Always,

Aja Lynn

But around this time of year, it can start to get a little rough to photograph the lush, and somewhat over-grown landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes it just looks like a big leafy mess.

Do you have this issue, too?

Well, I do.

So I thought I’d share how I use a little editing to clean things up.

So here’s the original image (sized down for the purposes of blogging, but the final image will be full-sized):

It’s a real mess, right? The eye has nowhere to go!

So first things, first. I upped the contrast.

Then corrected the color balance and upped the saturation.

Better already! (This is actually the moment I realized there is a Great Blue Heron in flight in this photo.)

Next, I deepened the color on some of the focal points; the greenery, the flowers, the tree branches. Even better.

Then I cleaned up the lines just a little to make the image a little sharper and more clear.Once the image is clear and bright, it time to get a little creative.

First I did a little blurring on the the sides, to bring your eye to the middle.It’s subtle, but it works. Your eye is kind of, automatically drawn to the middle of the scene now.

Then, to go a step further, I darkened the sides slightly.And this is my final image.

Here they are, side-by-side:Here’s another one from the same series, using the same process.

The original image …

And the edited image …

And side by side …

It’s not a cure-all (clearly), scenes like this are always going to be difficult to represent, but this is my technique to try to compensate for the inherent chaos of nature this time of year.

Because let’s face it, I’m not going to stop taking pictures just because it’s a messy season.

How about you? Do you have any tricks for cleaning up a busy scene? I’d love to hear them!

Always,

Aja Lynn

It all sounded right when I conceptualized it but … I don’t know. Something about them just didn’t quite sing for me.

But Husband enjoyed them (he had seconds!) and it may have been other factors, you never know. So I’m sharing today my recipe for the sweet, spicy and veggie-licious:

Roasted Mushroom, Pineapple & Corn Tacos

Here’s what’s in ‘em:

I started by peeling and coring half a pineapple then coating it with a mixture of brown sugar, chili powders and a squeeze of lime.

Isn’t it purty?

Then I drizzled the mushrooms with olive oil  and seasoned with salt and a little chili powder.

Then I threw them both in the oven at 450 for about a half hour.

While the oven was busy gettin’ things done, I shredded some Savoy Cabbage and added rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper to make my slaw. Easy peasy.

Then I cut the kernels off of two cobs of corn; one white and one yellow. Just cause.

After a half hour in the oven, I pulled out the pineapple when it looked like this …

And the mushrooms when they looked like this …

I cut the mushrooms into quarters and diced the pineapple, then it was time to put my taco filling together.

I cooked the corn at a very high heat. When it had a nice golden color, I added the mushrooms and finally the pineapple.

Then it was time to put it all together!

Corn mixture, queso fresco (my favorite, salty Mexican cheese), the cabbage slaw and finally a thinned sour cream sauce.

Garnished with a couple leaves of cilantro and these puppies are good to go!

A little sweet, a little spicy,  very filling and a solid meatless option.

Hope you enjoy!

Always,

Aja Lynn

And at the end of the day, I took this picture of the Green River.

I thought it was just the sort of picture to have a little fun with, so I turned up the contrast … a lot.

Which was fun, but then I thought, why not mess around with the color a little? Up the blue … a lot.

And that was nice, but I wondered if it was a little too recognizable as water. So I played with some blur.

Which I did not like. Not at all.

So instead I added a fake tilt shift. This I liked.

But I wasn’t done playing. So I added some texture.

Fun, but not quite ridiculous enough.

So I then I did this …

Ridiculous, right?

And then I got it in my head to do a fish-eye effect.
… and I thought, it couldn’t possibly get any better or more ridiculous, so I called it quits and moved on to more “serious” editing.

Because sometimes it’s just fun, to have a little fun.

See you back here tomorrow for another Taco Tuesday!

Always,

Aja Lynn

I know mothers of all ages, at all stages and they never cease to amaze me. They’ve shown me what love, devotion, and sacrifice are truly about. They’ve shown me what life is all about.
They are women of great heart, kindness, humor, intelligence and never-ending patience. (Though we all have our weak moments.)I strive as a step-mother in particular and as a woman in general, to take the lessons I’ve learned from each of them and reach for the bar they’ve set. And I’ve found more love and joy in life than I ever imagined I would. Because of each incredible mother–each incredible woman.So I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating the mothers in your life, and really I hope you enjoyed the flowers.

Happy Mother’s Day, friends.

Always,

Aja Lynn

Still, it seems a good moment to reflect.

I started this blog with absolutely no real direction, just a way to start writing again.

I’ve been “writing” since before I could write! I remember when I was still pretty young I would tell stories in my head while I pretended to type on the typewriter at my parents’ respective offices.

I never stopped writing …

… until I did.

And when I realized it mattered to me that I wasn’t writing anymore, I tried several ways to get back in the habit. But when those failed to get me excited or focused, I started a blog.

Then I erased that one and started another. Then I erased that one and started this one.

I do less writing here than I had imagined I would, I admit. It’s not the focus I’d meant it to be.

But it has given me the opportunity to explore and share my other passions. My adopted home, my adventures with Husband, my love affair with my camera and the ever expanding recipe index in my head.

I love how this small corner of the internet has encouraged me to expand my horizons, treat my hobbies with greater respect and participate in a community that values many of the same wonderful things I do.

The first year of the blog I sometimes questioned why I continued to contribute. I mean, it takes time. But I kept doing it, mainly because I enjoyed it.

Not only that, I really feel like, as long as you continue to put yourself out there, you give yourself the chance to create opportunity.

The opportunity for what?

I have no idea.

I do know that since I rededicated myself to the blog in January, it has really become a joy in my life. I love having a reason to get out a take the pictures I love to take. I love feeling encouraged to learn more about the art of photography and to improve with every post.
I love the community of bloggers and readers here, and I am so incredibly blessed every time someone visits, hits like, subscribes or comments. It feels like a thrill every time someone enjoys what I do here. And it motivates me to keep at it.

So thank you.

It means more than you know.

Always,

Aja Lynn

So I guess I should just get to the pictures (and to coming up with something interesting or even mildly entertaining for next week).

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May 4 – Star

It turns out, I don’t have anything related to a star in this house. So this is the best I could do! A quick picture with my favorite straw. I have to admit, these straws make me way happier than straws should make anyone. I don’t know why. But if there is something incredibly simple that makes you ridiculously happy, don’t deprive yourself of it.

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May 5 – Cinco

Ah yes, Coke with real sugar. Hecho en Mexico para Cinco de Mayo! A rare treat indeed.

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May 6 – Jumpstart

The view from my bedroom window before the sun made an appearance. I’ve been getting a jumpstart most mornings, recently. Don’t know why, but I like it.

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May 7 – Earlybird Filter

In my building, the early bird gets the washer!

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May 8 – Winning!

The laundry is my nemesis. An empty laundry basket on laundry day? “Winning” for sure.

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May 9 – Accessory

I wear the same jewelry every day. I have since my wedding nearly five years ago. Wedding rings, necklace with the diamond pendant my father gave me before I walked down the aisle, a “sister” pendant on the same chain and earrings from Husband. And now? This awesome glitter mustache from the vending machine at the store, Husband gave me? My new favorite accessory.

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May 10 – 5 O’Clock

It isn’t five o’clock here yet … so this is just soda. But come quittin’ time, it may be a different story.

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So that’s this week in Instagram!

Remember, you can follow me on Instagram (User Name: ajabug) and see my photo’s each day! If you’d like to join the Photo-a-Day Challenge with us, it’s never too late to start. You can find it on YesVideo.com’s blog.Or see this month’s challenge at the bottom of this post.

In the meantime, happy weekend my friends! Go out and take some pictures!

Always,

Aja Lynn

Beazell Memorial Forest in Kings Valley, Oregon (just off Kings Valley Highway) is a tranquil moment in a gorgeous setting with well-maintained trails and public areas to enjoy its stunning beauty. It’s a stunning landscape any time of year.

But I was struck, when we visited recently, by the signs of spring in the forest, as opposed to the more cultivated gardens and natural areas I frequent.

There is something subtle and less obvious about spring here.

But no less stunning.

The flowers more delicate …

… the trees more heavily laden  with moss …

… and the greenery more overwhelmingly lush.

Where one would expect a peaceful silence, I found a chorus of natural elements creating a virtual cacophony of sound!

The constant hum of the spring runoff and the surprisingly intense sound of the wind through the treetops.

Insects buzzing from fragile blossom to fragile blossom and back again.

The variety of birds in their finest full voice, providing a melody above the natural soundtrack.

And all through a filter of sunlit green.

Perfection.

(Ya know, in a not-so-obvious kind of way.)

I just had to share before the season passes us right on by. Hope you enjoyed!

And I’ll see you back here tomorrow for another Photo Friday wrap-up!

Always,

Aja Lynn

You know how they say that the grass is always greener on the other side?

Untrue.… unless Oregon is on the other side.
Then I totally feel that.These are the colors I miss when I’m not in Oregon.

And I think it’s easy to see why.

Happy Hump Day, friends!

Always,

Aja Lynn

It’s spring! And nothing says spring in my kitchen like a yummy quiche. (Well, spring and an accidental excess of eggs in the fridge.)

So today we’re making a chorizo sausage, taco quiche. There’s no better combo than eggs and chorizo (a spiced Spanish sausage) if you ask me. Throw in some veggies and cheese and I’m in heaven! Although, this pie would be pretty tasty without the meat if you so choose.

The great thing about a quiche is that it’s easy to make ahead, it works any time of day, and it keeps in the refrigerator so you are ready to enjoy those sunny, spring evenings without worrying about dinner. It’s simple to throw together and tastes like a lot more work than it was.

Chorizo Taco Quiche

Here’s what we’re gonna need to fill that pie crust:

So first things first, the chorizo.

Now, I’m not always a fan of chorizo in restaurants. I like to cook and drain as much of the fat as I can (something I learned from my dad). Sometimes pausing to drain the grease two or three times before I’m finished.

After draining the grease from the sausage a couple of times, I add a half of a white onion and a serrano chile. The chorizo is flavorful enough on its own so I don’t add another thing.

When the onions and peppers are soft, it’s time to fill the pie. I use a store-bought crust because, I’m not a baker and I can’t possibly do it better than the professionals. But if you can, more power to ya!

So let’s load it up! Spinach, chorizo mixture, cheese (I used pepper jack and queso fresco), tomatoes, fill with egg (I used 5 beaten eggs for this one I think) and top with green onion and a little more of the cheese.
Then it’s a matter of baking it up! This is a pretty dense pie so I cooked this one at 350 for about 45 minutes. But really, you know it’s done when the eggs are solid. If it jiggles, it’s not quite there.

I’d rather have mine over than under, but you might be different.

It might not be stunningly beautiful, but the taste makes it all worth it.

I top it with a dollop of sour cream, a little pic de gallo salsa and serve with avocado.

This was a great, spring-inspired Taco Tuesday.

Hope you enjoy, my friends! And happy Taco Tuesday to you!

Always,

Aja Lynn

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