Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Work-Salon-Camera

In regards to my work schedule, Tuesdays are the craziest.  By four o’clock in the afternoon I’m getting anxious to get home to my boys.  Yesterday was a bit different.  Instead of going right home I had a scheduled visit to my salon.  I can’t express how nice it is to work a long day and then have your stylist massage your head as she’s shampooing your hair.  Never thought a shampoo bowl could be so relaxing.  No joke, I’m being serious.  I wish I could visit her everyday.

As I was walking out of the salon I looked at the time and then observed where the sun was.  Within ten minutes I found myself at Eagle Point Park.  I had already visited this park earlier in the week, with my boyfriend, but I wanted to re-do a couple of shots.  Really I should of had someone with me, for safety reasons, but I didn’t want to risk running home and missing the sun going down.  Priorities, right?

There were a couple of people in the park walking and some reading a book on the bench.  The silence was a bit overwhelming and made it a bit creepy.  Or maybe I just watch to many episodes of Criminal Minds.

“All the stress and chaos the day brings is dissolved as soon as I take my camera out.”  Author ~myself

Peace Out!

Not quite sure where these images will end up.  On a card?  Perhaps in my photography shop.  Or maybe tucked away tightly within my hard drive.  We’ll see.

Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Dubuque Farmers Market: Fresh Veggies, Homemade Breads, Recycled Garden Art

Yesterday was my first visit to the local Farmers Market here in Dubuque, Iowa.  I’m happy to report it was a complete success (as shown in the photo above).  There were far more vendors this year than in the past.
I arrived quite early because I had two particular (favorite) vendors that I wanted to visit first.  I snapped the photo above as I was arriving.  I thought about getting one as I left to show the crowd of people but my hands were full and my arm had fallen asleep from the weight of my bag.  Lesson learned:  Next week bring a larger bag!
If you live here in the Dubuque area, your familiar with Fincel’s Sweet Corn.  They were able to plant the corn early so we may just have some before the 4th of July.  My sister will be most pleased if she gets to have some while visiting.
Tomato plants from Fincel’s farm.
Live music was set up in a couple of areas.
Handmade bird feeders.
I met this creative artist who recycles plates, vases, cups, silverware, gravy bowls, etc. and creates these adorable bird feeders.  She uses colored stones on the plates so that the birds have a place to sit.  Julie Castro (JEWR72@aol.com) is her name and she calls her work Glass Menagerie, Treasures For Your Home.  This is her first year at the Market.
A friend of mine has an organic farm in Cuba City, WI.  I regret not getting some of the strawberries on this visit, but loved the mini, red romaine.  He also sets up his truck at the market in Chicago, IL.  You can find out more information about his farm by clicking Tree of Life Gardens and CSA.  
There were a LOT of meat vendors on site.  Being a vegetarian I politely smiled as I passed their booths.  I only stopped at this one because I thought the flower pot was interesting.
Next week I will be getting a large bag of the kettle corn.  It was delicious!
Loved these recycled copper hummingbird feeders.  Very creative.  Jeff Driscoll is the artist and you can contact him at requestingflyby@yahoo.com
And yes, there were four-legged ones everywhere.  However, I didn’t get their names because I was overwhelmed with cuteness.
Check back this week for another installment of “What’s On My Plate” series.  I’ll be sharing what dishes I made using my farmers market goodies.
Oh, and House (my youngest fur-child) has started practicing yoga.  Seriously, I’m putting together a mini-session for you to try out. 
Until the next word…
~Jennifer  

What’s On My Plate: Stuffed Veggie Potato

When it comes up in conversation that I’m a vegetarian the first question asked is, “What do you eat?”  After a little chuckle I simple say, “Food.” 
People have also asked me for recipes.  I don’t use a vegetarian cookbook.  Mainly because when flipping through them I see that they use a lot of tofu, goat cheese, feta, mushrooms, etc.  A whole lot of items I dislike.  I have texture issues (you may laugh).  I find myself eating the same meals when I use to eat *meat* only with some variations.  I’m a big fan of all the green (leafy) veggies, so that helps.  Warning:  I consume a lot of carbs.  I’m in no way stating that my recipes are low-fat, but I do try to keep them healthy.  
Therefore, I’ve decided to share what’s on my plate.  
Have you ever visited Pizzeria Uno’s in Platteville, Wisconsin?  Love this place.  My first visit there was on a Tuesday for their pizza.  Delicious! Then I found out that it was Tater Tuesday.  I went back next week just for that.  They had this menu full of different combinations of stuffed potatoes.  My work schedule has now changed and it’s difficult to get away on Tuesday evenings.  So, I make them at home.
At first when I saw that they put roma tomatoes on top of the veggies my eyebrows raised.  Now, I can’t eat one without them.  It’s a simple meal and cost right around $6.00 for two servings.  Two baking potatoes, California mixed veggies (bag of frozen), sliced cheese, and roma tomato.  I skipped the butter and just added veggie pepper and a dash of sea salt.  I buy all of my seasonings from The Calico Bean Market, located in Dubuque, Iowa.  You can order online as well.  They are my favorite one-stop shop for everything!