jopesta.com | impressions and reflections

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more salad

When I get the chance I’ve been continuing my goal of trying to cook more.  I’ve purchased a few new recipe books and have slowly been making my way through all the things that look amazing.  The last cooking adventure that I photographed happened quite a few weeks ago now, but that’s what happens when blogs are low on the priority list.  This Asian Chicken Salad with Bok Choy was absolutely delicious, mostly the result of a tasty dressing and mint leaves.  Yum!  I also learned about boiling chicken, which is surprisingly good!

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table

My new table has arrived! A Christmas gift from my parents (thanks!), it is the newest addition to my home. I’m really excited that it’s a triangle, and also really excited at being able to host people for dinner or games at my place. Granted, not very many people, but my house is small so it works perfectly.

Yay yay!

(Clearly I should stop taking photos with my iPhone.  Sorry it’s so grainy!)

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photo experiment

Last week I was given the honor of being asked to take my friend’s engagement photos.

“Uh… are you sure? I haven’t done it before..?” I said to the fellow on the phone. “I’m sure a professional would do a much better job…”

“Yes, but it wouldn’t be as good of a price,” he responded.

Fair enough. So we embarked on an engagement photo adventure in Fish Creek Park. It was a beautiful day with the sun shimmering off the white snow (…and creating shadows on their faces!). I did as best as I could to capture their love. Close ups, scenic shots… everything! 600 photos later I came away happy – taking engagement shots was significantly more enjoyable than I had expected. And as a note: sitting in the snow while trying to be all artistic-like does in fact lead to a wet and cold bum.

I didn’t ask permission to post photos, so here’s one that only looks like them if you already know who they are…

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mini cheer

Christmas has come and gone, and somehow December has come and gone as well – how did that happen?

A quick post hoping that everyone had a most wonderful Christmas, and that you continue to enjoy the holiday break.  I was able to spend a few evenings at my parent’s house, and it was nice to relax with my family.  Dinner, skating, watching the Tudors together…  it all added up to a fantastic few days.

My little tree is lopsided and overwhelmed with lights and tin tinsel, but it is also filled with memories and Christmas cheer.  I suppose it is time to take it down…

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svíčková

Last week there was an International Food Festival at work, and I was asked / I offered to prepare a Czech dish.  Somehow it was decided that a Czech volunteer would make the knedlíky, and that I would make svíčkova.  Having never made this dish before, I recruited the help of Mom.  Considering how simple the ingredients in the dish are (carrots, celery, onion, beef, salt, whipping cream, flour) I was surprised by how long it took to prepare.   The entire evening in fact.  No wonder Mom doesn’t make this dish very often….

It was, by the way, absolutely delicious.