pancakes, bacon and a new camera technique

In my continuing efforts (a.k.a. obsession) to empty our freezer of the food we brought with us, I decided this weekend would be a great time for pancakes and bacon (the freezer item), and BLT sandwiches, since I had everything on-hand.

We ended up sleeping in on the 4th, obviously much-needed since all three of us made it to 9:30 with just one potty break for the puppy at 6:30, so our breakfast became our lunch.

Of course, just as I was finishing up cooking I realized I should be documenting, so I hurriedly grabbed the camera and started shooting away while flipping the last of the pancakes. While I was multitasking in the kitchenette, Andrew started eating and offered a tip he’d gleaned from my new photography book, Plate to Pixel. (I haven’t really even opened it…it’s on my to-do list for this week, I think.)

Anyway, apparently if you hold a napkin (or other lightweight, lightly colored fabric) over the flash it keeps the subject from looking washed-out. I handed the camera over so I could start eating and he could take some photos.

Here’s the kitchenette, with flash:

Here’s the same shot while holding a napkin over the flash:

It seems to soften it up a bit.

Here’s the rum (yes, RUM) before:

And here it is after:

Much better, although I don’t know if I like how dark/orangey the photo is. It may also just be our lighting here in the hotel.

(If anyone is wondering why in the world I had rum out for pancakes, it’s because the recipe from The Foster’s Market cookbook calls for it. They’re called Panama Pancakes and they are, hands down, the best pancakes you’ll ever eat. Of course, you can sub vanilla extract for the rum if you had to, but the tablespoon it calls for really makes these babies.)

Here’s the rest of the feast:

Some of the bacon got a little crispy since I used my grill pan, but they should be perfect for BLT’s tomorrow night!

SO SO SO glad I brought my skillet. I really only use it to make pancakes, but it’s perfect for the job.

A not-so-great shot of the infamous Foster’s Market cookbook. Susy introduced me to the recipe awhile back and after flipping through it I knew I had to have it. It’s full of fresh food and delicious baked goods. I made the coconut cake for Easter a couple years ago at Andrew’s grandmother’s house and it was amazing.

And me 🙂 About to enjoy the fruits of my labor. (I wore the hat to keep the yucky bacon smell from getting into my freshly washed hair. The whole how-do-I-keep-the-hotel-room-and-myself-from-smelling-like-bacon dilemma had been bothering me for the last couple days and it wasn’t until I was ALREADY IN the shower this morning that I realized I should have made the bacon BEFORE showering…) No problem: I had Andrew prop the door open and I had the hood vent going full-blast while I cooked them up. Only a slight hint of smoke remains…

And, the grand finale…

…a sink full of dirty dishes!

one night in East Aurora

We had the first of what may become weekly “family dinners” last night at Andrew’s parents’ house.

Look! We match! Well, sort of. The blues aren’t the same, but bonus points for the shoes.

This is Abigail and Carolyn’s natural state: posing for photos. Seriously, you get a camera out and they strike a pose and smile. Usually together.

We had steaks, corn on the cob (I cut mine off–it gets stuck in my teeth! Not just one, like ALL OF THEM. I used to get in trouble as a kid for cutting my corn off the cob, because then my little brothers wanted to copy me and it was a big mess. But now I’m an adult and I don’t care what anyone thinks. I like my corn on the cob OFF the cob!), Hawaiian sweet rolls and watermelon.

Anyway, after dinner we all went outside to the front yard. Andrew and his dad played catch with their old mitts.

It was also a great way to get Hadrian some exercise; he ran back and forth trying to get the baseball. He’s not the brightest of dogs, let me tell you.

Our cats can’t go outside because they don’t have claws. They can go on the deck because there isn’t a way to get down. So, Odie mopes at the front screen wishing he could get out, too. He’s pretty pitiful.

Do you remember that game with the velcro hand “mitts” and the ball that stuck to them? Carolyn found a dust-covered set in the garage from forever ago, so she and I and Abigail played with those for awhile, too. Wish we’d gotten a photo of that.

After games we all piled into two cars and drive to get ice cream. Hi Carolyn and Ben!

We went to the “caboose” for our treats. They serve Perry’s ice cream and I ended up getting a cup of chocolate peanut butter swirl. YUM.

After ice cream we went on a little walk.

lunch

I had leftovers for lunch today. Last night I grilled zucchini, lettuce, red onion and asparagus and mixed them all into the leftover barley I had sitting in the fridge from the other day. I served that with grilled kielbasa from the freezer. The only bad thing about using my grill pan here in the hotel is that it makes the room SO SMOKY! It’s going to be a smoky summer…

I tore up some of the romaine I got at the farmers’ market and topped it with the leftover barley and veggie salad and some tomatoes, then drizzled it with the balsamic syrup.

I served it with the toasted rye and flaxseed bread I got Saturday at the Co-op spread with the goat cheese from the farmers’ market, along with hummus and cucumbers.

YUM. And it was so healthy and I felt so good eating it. Yay barley 🙂