Christine's World - Photography, RVing and Fun Stuff

New Slow Cooker on Steroids

2012-01-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

Well stay tuned for my adventures with my new slow cooker. My dad and mom purchased a new slow cooker for me for Christmas. I had been using the original Crockpot and it was fine but I could not pull the inside to wash and some times it was a little too small. I think my mom bought it for me at garage sale when I was in my 20's and single. I am now in my 40's and it is going strong... note I am only saying the 40's, no other hints on age. I have tried several recipes from a slow cooker recipe book the cooker has cooked the wonderfully. I call it my "chef". While I work it cooks and it is ready for me when I get home. LOVE IT!

Here is the slow cooker on steroids:

Hamilton Beach 6-qt Programmable Slow Cooker

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

I have not posted lately. I think it has to do with I am just so darn busy. However, I really want to post more in 2012. So here is my first blog entry of 2012.

I hope you and your family have a beautiful New Year!

Christine and Family

Willits- We Are Back

2011-10-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

We love the Willits KOA. We always have a nice time. This time we had great weather and a quiet relaxing time. There were only about 10 other campers there. It was very quiet. One thing that was kinda of a bummer is that they did not do the normal events, no ice cream social, no hay ride, no every day KOA activities. They did uncover the pool, which they covered due to winter heading our direction. This particular weekend we had a heat wave. Amanda brought a friend and they walked around talking about teenage stuff and hanging out. The fishing pond was upgraded with little fishing piers. The pool was all redone and very nice. We did our normal walk around the hill which is very pretty. We watched the Skunk Train head through the hills. Here are some of the views of the hills and the girls having a water fun.

Baby bunny at KOAs feeding farm

Fishing Hole at KOA

Fog Rolling over the hills

Frog we found on our walk

Swimming time

Skunk Train Heading to the KOA

Fun in the water

We had two nice dinners and yummy smores.

Meatloaf Idea That is Yummy!

2011-10-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

I have always loved meatloaf since I was a kid. When I was in college I went to a friends house and her dad use to bake his meatloaf with ketchup on top. As an adult I still put ketchup on top of the meatloaf. But the other day I thought I want to see what else I can do with meatloaf. I found a recipe online for Brown Sugar Meatloaf. Well what the difference is is you put a 1/2 cup of brown sugar in your greased loaf pan. Press it down in the bottom. Then take a 1/2 cup of ketchup and spread it over the brown-sugar. The take your made up meatloaf and drop into the pan. Cook as you normally would cook your recipe. After cooking, I pulled the meatloaf out of the pan and spooned the ketchup and brown sugar over the top. It was very good there was only one slice left.

New Tab Added and Blog Closed

2011-10-02T12:56:00.001-07:00

Hello,

I have closed down our RVing blog. I now have a tab on this blog for RVing. I just can't keep up with both blogs. I want more of a central point. I may move more of my photography here too.

Homemade Raspberry Pie

2011-10-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I tried my hand at homemade raspberry pie. All the recipes I could find were for cold raspberry pie. Then I finally found a warm raspberry pie recipe. It was quick and easy. I do not make my crusts, I do cheat with the refrigerated crusts. I liked the touch of brushing a little 1/2 & 1/2 on the crust. The inside has raspberries, cinnamon, tapioca, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and laid on top is butter before you lay the top crust down. This pie is delicious. The best part is we grew the raspberries, it was a great crop!!

New Camera Chapter and New Small Business Venture

2011-09-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

For my birthday this year, I ordered myself a new camera. I saved my husband the time in finding the right gift and saved him from his least favorite thing to do "shop". I purchased a Nikon D7000, an upgrade from my Nikon D5000. I love my new camera. What is cool is you can set up 2 user memories, so if you have two styles of photography you do frequently you can flip to the user setting. I like the two SD card system, I can shoot in RAW and JPG and save on separate cards. It is a little heavier of a camera as it has metal frame. So far the pictures have been very nice but I have been mainly shooting in Auto due to learning what all the buttons do on the camera.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D7000-DX-Format-3-0-Inch-Body/dp/B0042X9LC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316797698&sr=1-1

I am starting a custom photography side business (like I don't have enough going on LOL). I am looking forward to shooting lots of Amanda's high school moments. Like her upcoming Homecoming Dance photo. If you are interested in my photography and booking a session please see below (I love my new logo thanks Melissa Starr):

CLICK HERE: CHRISTINE BARRY PHOTOGRAPHY

First Ever Jam Making

2011-08-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today I tried my hand at making jam and so far things look good. Tomorrow will be the final say as to if things set well. I had some left jam on a sandwich today and it was yummy! I have been storing raspberries in the freezer this year. This is our second year that we have had our raspberry plants. They are doing great. Here is a picture of my creation! Next up a raspberry pie :)

Photoshop Elements Fun

2011-08-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight I learned out to make a Lensbaby Effect without my Lensbaby Lens. Just in case my little lens ever breaks or I have a photo that I wished I could have used the Lensbaby lens on but did not have it with me.

Here is the original photo:

Here is the photoshop photo:

I know I know I have been slacking

2011-07-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am just so busy now days so posting to several sites gets hard for me. Here are some photos from the past couple of days.

Paradise Ridge Meetup Event

2011-06-25T22:48:00.000-07:00

I attended my first Meetup photography event. It was not exactly my cup of tea but I did get some good photos. There was a couple that just got married and wanted wedding photos so in turn for modeling we took their photos. Here is the link to my photo's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/campingbarry/

Picture 192 - 365 Project

2011-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

My jar of buttons....

Just because I like this picture

2011-05-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am posting this picture of my daughter on our recent camping trip. I love this picture of her.

Picture 191 - 365 Project

2011-05-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry skipping days again. Really my link is the best way to keep up on my pics. I remember when my eyes could see everything now, I need these aids. I hate wearing them, they never seem to work with my computer so I end up pulling them off and loosing them for a few weeks.

Picture 185 - Project 365

2011-05-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone I have just been so busy. My back is almost better, still a little pain once in a while. Here is a capture today that I love! I love Gerber Daisies so it makes it even more special. The clouds were big and fluffy and low, the sky was a bright blue so it was a perfect day for photo's.

Picture 178 - 365 Project (Amanda's Play)

2011-05-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have note posted my pictures on here in a while as I have been out a little bit with back issues. I am going to start at this point and go forward. If you would like to see pictures I have not posted here is the link:

Christine's 365 Page

Here is my beautiful daughter. This is after school play. She makes me so proud. Happy Mom's Day to me!

Portrait Photography Class

2011-05-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided to expand my horizons and I attend a Portrait Photography course. It was a crash course but was very helpful. I am by no means or claim to know what the heck I am doing but it was darn fun! I now could see myself taking more people photo's! I did this mainly to get up to speed for all Amanda's high school shots I will want to get over the next four years. I met wonderful people too! Here are some shots:

visit my flickr link to see more.

Picture 159 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T11:02:00.001-07:00

The two little love birds were so tiny and just singing away in our back yard.

Picture 158 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

One of our newest roses is now maturing so the blooms are huge and beautiful! This was after a light spring rain.

Picture 157 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Blackberry and wild grape vines.

Picture 156 -365 Project

2011-04-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

I love Wood Ducks they are so colorful!

Picture 155 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

From our camping site at Casini's Ranch Campground. Beautiful weekend.

Picture 154 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Every Spring our yard pops with these beautiful iris'. Roses and Iris' are my favorite flowers. My favorite smelling plants are lavendar, lilac, and jasmine. Of course any rose that smells is also the best!

Picture 153 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Another cute shot of Peanut. I wish she liked her picture taken more. She hates pictures. It took forever to get this one. Peanute is one spoiled pooch and she knows it.

Picture 152 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Instead of Mr. Potatohead we have a nice looking Mr. Potato Bug! Yuck, ate these things!

Picture 151 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

This is Mrs. Quail you met Mr. Quail yesterday

Picture 150 - 365 Project

2011-04-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have always had a fondness for quail. I had a pet quail when I was younger. My mother found him after became separated from his family. His name was "Tweety". He loved us so much and thought he was a boot. Every year at our home we have a quail family and they are adorable.

Picture 149 - 365 Project

2011-04-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

We went for a nice walk around our local park. Spring Lake Park. I found this beautiful Tiger Swallow Tail butterfly.

Picture 148 - 365 Project

2011-04-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Shoes they are so much fun. Here is my newest pair!

Picture 147 - 365 Project

2011-04-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Cactus' are starting to pop flowers too!

Picture 146 - 365 Project

2011-04-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

The yard is coming alive with color!

Picture 145 - 365 Project

2011-04-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Dave took with my point and shoot

It is my daddy's birthday!

Picture 144 - 365 Project

2011-04-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

We have a cute family of doves that have lived in our yard over the past few years. Each year we watch parents and babies come into our yard and feed or sit in our walnut tree. Last year they made a next in the backyard of the empty house (we don't know if it is foreclosed or what been empty for 3 years). This year a momma dove made her nest at the front door area of the house. She was in yard gathering branches. I left her some sewing threads. They are gone but I do not know if they blew away or she took them. We look forward to her progress over the next weeks (nest, eggs, and babies).

Picture 143 - 365 Project

2011-04-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful state flower the California Poppy. The are so pretty and bright had a beautiful touch to our yard.

Picture 142 - 365 Project

2011-04-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

BBQ Oyster time again. I am not sure if I will be able to eat one again because I had a oyster that was big and I bit it in half. Not a good thing to do there was all kinds of gross stuff, which I assume is poop in the thing. We put BBQ sauce on our oysters and it quite good. We also enjoyed Bloody Mary tri-tip on the grill this evening.

Picture 141 - 365 Project

2011-04-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

More beautiful flowers for spring.

Picture 140 - 365 Project

2011-04-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

I love lavender, the smell is incredible. Someday I will have to learn to dry lavender as we have several bushs of the stuff.

Picture 139 -365 Project

2011-03-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

My little Easter bunny "Joey" I love to take pictures of him because they always turn out great. He is such a cutie. Soft :)

Picture 138 - 365 Project

2011-03-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

My husband loves to collect bones. We have this cattle skull in our cactus garden.

Favorite Photography Hangout - MCP Actions

2011-03-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

If you are a photographer and you have not been over to MCP actions you are missing out. Jodi runs a wonderful business blog that shares personal and business experiences with her Facebook and blog followers. She gives away free actions on occasion. I actually really want to purchase some of her actions they are very cool. Actions help things go a little smoother when editing photos. MCP Actions offer actions for Adobe Photoshop and Elements which is really nice.

One of my favorite articles of MCP actions is the one about Trends and Fads in the portrait photography world. Check out the link below to see the article at this link, if you are a portrait photographer you might find it rather interesting and even if you are not (like me it still is pretty informative):

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/02/25/portrait-photography-trends-and-fads-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

I also actually won a contest for a Nikon mug on MCP Actions. Pretty cool I never win anything!

Picture 137 - 365 Project

2011-03-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

My jasmine and lilac are my favorite smelling flowers. Our lilac bush just popped it's blooms.

Today, Jenny Craig and Me - Project 365 picture inside post

2011-03-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today was my final weigh in at Jenny Craig. I accomplished my goal weight. I do want to lose a little more weight but what I have accomplished in 1.8 years is wonderful. I feel better and lighter. I did loose a total of 53 lbs. 20 of it on my own before I joined Jenny C. I have enjoyed the program, they have good food. I like the fact I don't have to go and sit in a meeting and listen to the same thing all the time. I have maintained my goal weight for one year and will receive some of the money back that I put into the program. I think it is really important to set a goal weight that is achievable and realistic. I don't want to starve myself for the rest of my life to stay at goal weight.

My future plan is to get more exercise and just remember portion control. It is hard sometimes because food is just so darn good! I love to cook and try new recipes so that can cause a little havoc on the diet, but really if you eat just a portion and do not keep eating 2nds or even 3rds it can work. I am going to continue on this road for the rest of my life because, my blood pressure is lower and I don't have to worry about sleep apnea any more. I can go on walks without being out of breath. I want to drop maybe about 10 more lbs but I can do that on my own time.

"Yahoo I did it!!!!!".

Picture 135 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Just a visit to the local bookstore.

Edited in Photoshop Elements using Coffeeshop Teeny Tiny Town action

Picture 134 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

I call these easter lilies but I hear they have other names.

Picture 133 - 365 Picture

2011-03-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Another one of our beautiful Freesia's after the rain.

Picture 132 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

I prefer cooked clam chowder but this little gal or guy preferred it sushi style.

Picture 131 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is the storm that messed up our trailer. The waves were incredible. The wind was over 50 mph.

Picture 130 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

I love sea life and enjoy finding a beautiful starfish.

Picture 129 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Irish by marriage! My husband made us a great St. Patty's day dinner.

Picture 128 - 365 Picture

2011-03-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Our second home. Time to go on a trip. If you would like to see more on our camping adventures click on the link listed to the right side of this screen. Our last trip our trailer did not fair well. Over $550 in damage, too bad our deductible is $500. :(

Picture 127 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

We have a variety of Freesia bulbs in our yard. This orange one has just opened. I love the design inside the flower. These plants smell yummy!

Yummy Chicken in a Crockpot

2011-03-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

My friend Michelle made this for us once and it was yummy. I continue to make it. It is quick and fast.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup ketchup
6 chicken skinless/boneless chicken breasts (if you like skin you can use breasts with skin on)

Place chicken breasts in crockpot. Turn pot on low. Mix above ingredients together and pour over chicken. Put the lid on and cook on low for 6-8 hours. I put the chicken and sauce over rice and enjoy with a nice salad.

Picture 126 - 365 Project

2011-03-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

This flower is on a bush down by our neighbors. It seems so romantic and dainty to me.

Picture 125 - 365 Project (note numbering change, I am going by picture # now)

2011-03-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful spring flower.

Day 127 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

Another pretty flower for spring

Day 126

2011-03-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Spring is coming and flowers are opening.

Day 125 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Time to save some gas!

Day 123 & 124 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I took a trip to DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.

122 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

Picture that my husband took for my 365:

Day 121 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

I made my first Pecan Pie. It was so yummy!!!

Day 120 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

This barn owl was located at Tolay Lake Regional Park.

Day 119 - 365 Project

2011-03-13T12:46:00.001-07:00

I love working in a sorta country setting:

Day 118 - 365 Project

2011-03-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

Creative tools from the past that I need to pull out again soon! Where does the time go!

Day 117 - 365 Project

2011-03-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

I don't want to run into this cactus... But I just might one day it is in our backyard cactus garden.

Day 116 - Day 115 Skipped - 365 Project

2011-03-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

Just having some fun with Adobe Photo Elements and a picture of my car.

Day 114 - 365 Project

2011-03-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

I love these tea bags they hold the most beautiful tea with roses, and other flowers. CALM

Snow in February - Cloverdale Fun!

2011-02-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

We headed up to Cloverdale to my father in law's ranch this weekend. We were expecting snow in town but it did not work out weather wise. So we headed about an hour north and had fun in the white stuff!

Day 113 - 365 Project

2011-02-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

We use to have a huge board against our house in which there were thousands of ladybugs. We moved it a few years back but we still have the ladybugs all around our yard.

Day 112 (no pic) Day 113 - 365 Project

2011-02-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

We went to the snow this weekend in Cloverdale. It was a lot of fun and got some good photo ops!

Day 111 - 365 Project

2011-02-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

One of my gadgets that I really need to use more. I just have not been into reading lately.

Day 110 - 365 Project

2011-02-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

iphone

Beautiful roses my husband bought me.

Day 108 No picture Day 109 - Project 365

2011-02-22T21:02:00.000-08:00

Someday I hope to make some of these French recipes. Some of my favorite kitchen items.

Day 107 - Project 365

2011-02-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

I love Spring when our bulbs starting popping open.

Day 106 - Project 365

2011-02-22T20:53:00.000-08:00

Another cute shot of Grace, but this time with her mouth closed. She is one sweet kitty.

Day 105 - Project 365

2011-02-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

Amanda and Grandma's new puppy Sassy

iphone

Day 103 - Project 365

2011-02-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

Our crazy cat Grace. Amanda did my 365 today for me.

Day 102 Skipped Day 103

2011-02-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

Day in San Francisco - iPhone

Day 101 - 365

2011-02-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

My daughter took our Day 101 picture... raining and moving...I think she did ok!

Day 100 - 365 Project

2011-02-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

YES 100 days has passed. I wanted to do something with 100 in it but I found this beautiful flower and could not resist the beauty. This is our neighbor's plant sneaking through our bare fence. (NikonD5000, LensBaby Composer)

Day 99 - 365 Project

2011-02-12T15:42:00.001-08:00

Today I found many things to get photo's off as spring is kicking off. But I had to pick one to post and this is it:

Day 98 - 365 Project

2011-02-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Amanda's private school is closing at the end of the year. We went to their final game with their competitive school. It was bittersweet. We lot the game but it was fun. The mascot holding the Big D and the fence is really saying Defense. Cute! Good job Lions I wish we would have won!

Day 97 - 365 Project

2011-02-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

A new friend has moved into the bird house my husband built.

Day 96 - 365 Project

2011-02-10T19:53:00.001-08:00

Day 95 - 365 Project

2011-02-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Spring is springing!

Day 94 - 365 Project

2011-02-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad's new puppy. Sassy. She is super tiny but you can't tell from this picture to much. I have new photo ops with this cutie.

Day 93 - 365 Project

2011-02-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

I think explains my day and pretty much my week.

Day 92 - 365 Project

2011-02-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

These are mean birds they tear apart other birds nests and make a mess at the bird feeder. But they are part of our backyard and can be kind of fun to watch as they tease each other in the walnut tree.

Day 91 - 365 Project

2011-02-04T17:44:00.000-08:00

Here are my two favorite trouble makers. Angel is getting into trouble and Peanut is telling her not to get in trouble or else. Peanut is always telling on the cats.

Day 90 - 365 Project

2011-02-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

No picture. House not feeling well.

Day 89 - 365 Project

2011-02-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

I love orchids but I cannot grow the for the life of me. But I understand lots of people cannot grow them so I do not feel to bad. They are just such a beautiful plant. I purchased this one for a friend's birthday. I thought it was a good photo op for my 365 picture. This is my first RAW photo edit job, not to bad for the first time. Also what is getting even better is I like using all my camera's settings and understanding how they work more and more each time. I rarely use my Auto setting. I use it for when I am in a rush.

Day 88 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:46:00.000-08:00

How these little flowers made it through the freezing weather amazes me. They are a bright spot in our backyard right now.

Day 87 - 365 Project - Camera lost pics

2011-01-31T21:44:00.001-08:00

Day 86 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went to see Amanda's school musical "Alice" It was outstanding. Amanda was a set/stage hand.

Day 85 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

My mom bought me this teddy bear years ago. I mean years ago. She said everyone needs a teddy bear to keep them company.

Day 84 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:38:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days things have been pretty busy. I figured this is a good picture of how life has been so slipping by because I am so busy at work. Time... ticking by...

Day 83 - 365 Project - Sorry no picture

2011-01-31T21:35:00.002-08:00

Day 82 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:35:00.000-08:00

Dave and Amanda's favorite treat besides brownies. Chocolate Chip cookies warm from the oven. I can't eat anything Chocolate. I get terrible migraines but I love the smell and enjoy making treats for the family.

Day 81 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:31:00.000-08:00

The oranges start out tangy and sweeten as you keep eating. Blood oranges are very interesting looking and really good. Try them in salads.

Day 80 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:28:00.000-08:00

The kitty's playing together. They are actually being nice for once.

Day 79 - 365 Project

2011-01-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

Tried a new mexican place today. Seems Guy beat us there, he loved it. We are so-so on it.