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Behind the Scenes Food Photography

By Lorraine

Get great food photography shots that look amazing. Tips for styling, lighting, backgrounds, props, camera equipment and a behind the scenes peek at a food blogger. Easy photo editing with PicMonkey.Maybe you are scrolling through Pinterest or some other social media and you see a photo that catches your eye. You probably don’t think about the photo at all but you pin or save it because the subject interests you. Chances are that very photo that got your attention didn’t just happen. Want to learn some tips and how-to’s for creating great food photography shots? Particularly food photography but tips to help in other areas as well?
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Filed Under: Gift Guides, Home Decorating & DIY Tagged With: blogging, Lorrie, photography, shopping guide

Spooky Halloween Food

By Lorraine

For goblins & ghouls, spooky Halloween food of bloodshot eyeball deviled eggs, moldy popcorn, spider web, squashed soup & lots more inspiration.
read with a slow, deep, menacing accent…
Do come in my friend…
I have prepared for you fiendish and Spooky Halloween food that will send shivers down your spine…Continue Reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Grandchildren, Halloween, Jethro, John, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

Keeping it Real

By Lorraine

Sometimes mishaps in the kitchen happen even to those who have a lot of experience. Keeping it real as a Jewish apple cake refuses to release from the pan.
In a perfect world this doesn’t happen. In my kitchen, mishaps do occur; I try to smile and make the best of it by keeping it real.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Apples, Lorrie

Vintage Childhood Chrome Table and Chairs Restoration

By Lorraine

Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.
Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts, Vintage Tagged With: brother, Childhood Memories, Grandchildren, Lorrie, Sisters, vintage

Knitted Hats

By Lorraine

Keep warm with these stylish knitted hats and messy bun with links to easy patterns. Make your own faux fur pompom with easy tutorial.
Cold and snowy weather is just beginning in our neck of the woods but I’ll be keeping warm with these quick knitted hats, knit toques and super popular, messy bun hat.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Knitting Tagged With: Knitting, Lorrie

Knitted Cowl

By Lorraine

Keep warm and snugly this fall with a stylish knitted cowl. Cute pattern that is easily modified for many different looks. A great beginner knitting project.
I can’t seem to put down my knitting needles and made more knitted cowl ~ neck warmers! Here is an easy pattern to make a warm, cozy and stylish knitted cowl. Knit in solid or variegated color yarn using basket weave. Not only will you want to make a bunch for yourself, they also make lovely gifts.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Knitting Tagged With: Knitting, Lorrie

Knitted Alpaca Cowl

By Lorraine

Here is a very basic and quick-to-make cowl that is stylish and warm. It is made from alpaca yarn but can be made from your favorite yarn. Warm and stylish!
Here is a very basic and quick-to-make cowl that is stylish and warm. It is made from alpaca yarn I purchased during a visit to Jersey Shore Alpacas in Cape May, New Jersey.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Knitting Tagged With: Crafts, John, Knitting, Lorrie

Cape May

By Lorraine

Last week John and I spend a short getaway celebrating our anniversary at the southern New Jersey beach town, Cape May.  Though just an hour and a half drive from our home, neither of us had ever been to this lovely area that is a National Historic Landmark due to its concentration of well-maintained Victorian buildings. It is one of the country’s oldest vacation resort destinations.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends, Travel Tagged With: Anniversary, Cape May, John, Lorrie, travel

LBI Lighthouse & Tomato Jam Recipe

By Lorraine

Before summer is gone and fresh garden tomatoes are unavailable, I wanted to make a batch of this unique Tomato Jam using a vintage recipe from my husbands great-grandmother. I shared the recipe for Tomato Jam a couple years ago but thought I’d post again because it is a good way to use summer ripe tomatoes and it is delightful to enjoy the bright taste during winters sometimes dreary days.
 

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Filed Under: Canning & Freezing, Recipes, Travel Tagged With: Jared, John, Lorrie

A visit to Princeton University Art Museum

By Lorraine

Strolling past this stately building on our way to the Princeton University Art Museum, John and I enjoyed a Saturday outing despite the temps in the high nineties.  At times there was even a light breeze under the canopy of mature trees.

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Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends, Travel Tagged With: John, Lorrie, museum

Classic Crab Cakes

By Lorraine

Classic crab cake recipe with old Bay seasoning and just enough filler to shape the patties.
Making these yummy, classic crab cakes was the first real cooking I’ve done since my hip replacement four weeks ago. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Fish & Seafood, Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: Abbey, Erin, Friends, hip replacement, Jared, Jethro, Keri, Lorrie

little miracles

By Lorraine

Some little miracles and a quote by Albert Einstein…  There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Lorrie

Home and Recuperation

By Lorraine

Home and Recuperation… From my resting spot on the sofa, butterflies, hummingbirds and fritillaries have put on a lovely show as I watch through the window.

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Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: butterflies, Lorrie

Aquarium

By Lorraine

Aren’t these Pacific Sea Nettles Jellyfish fascinating?
This was my favorite part of our visit to the Adventure Aquarium by the Camden NJ Waterfront.

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Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Abbey, Grandchildren, Jared, John, Keri, Lorrie, shaela

Shake and Bake Coating Recipe and Family/Friend Times

By Lorraine

Easy recipe to make your own shake and bake coating for a no-frying delicious, crispy coating for baked poultry and pork right in the oven.
Busy days and hungry kids call for easy meals. Do you remember the old Shake and Bake commercials with the little girl in her southern accent, enthusiastically exclaiming, “And, I helped!” I have always liked the product.  Nice flavor, little mess and no frying. Now I make my own shake and bake coating. It’s easy and economical. I use it for both pork and chicken and you can change up the spices to suit your taste. (Scroll to bottom of post for recipe)

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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pork, Recipes Tagged With: chicken, Chloe, Friends, Grandchildren, Jared, Jethro, John, Keri, Lorrie

Let’s Cook French Cookbook Review

By Lorraine

When contacted to review Let’s Cook French, A Family Cookbook by Claudine Pépin, I knew it would be exciting for both myself and my granddaughter, Keri. This almost 13-year old is super excited about cooking as well as everything French!

 Claudine is the daughter of world-renowned chef, Jacques Pépin and has partnered with her father preparing delicious meals and sharing cooking techniques in various venues. 
This book is the result of a family project with all members having a part. Claudine’s husband, Rollie helped choose the recipes. Jacques and Claudine’s daughter, Shorey did the lovely artwork. Inspiration and love of home and family came from Claudine’s mom, Gloria.
These favorite foods of the Pépin family give young cooks a delicious introduction to cooking French while providing cooks of all ages a classic collection the whole family will enjoy.

Thirty good-food recipes from start, entree, sides and finish including a seasonal menu suggesting the time of year you might enjoy these dishes.

I am always thrilled to have a grandchild in the kitchen with me. The little ones sit on the counter and like to pour and stir (and taste, of course) and the bigger ones often surprise me with how quickly they learn and their capabilities. But it is the memories and conversation that makes this time so special. If you have a budding chef, boy or girl, I recommend Let’s Cook French. The recipes aren’t difficult, the flavors not too sophisticated for kids and the time together is priceless.    

Keri spent the Memorial Day weekend with us. She enjoyed reading through the cookbook and then preparing two of the recipes with me. 
We made Gratin Dauphinois (Potato and Cheese Gratin) and while it was baking, Keri whisked together the Vinaigrette. In addition to dressing a green salad it is delicious on fresh green beans making them extra tasty and special.  Make it up and it will last for a week in the fridge, ready for a whole week of meals.
 
Keri peeled and buttered

 
 washed and poured
heated
 
 measured and sprinkled
The house filled with a wonderful aroma as the dish baked and then this fabulous-ness came from the oven
Making the Vinaigrette
 
Keri wanted to chop the shallots not realizing just how potent they are ~ ouch!
 
After adding all of the ingredients to a canning jar, a vigorous shake was all it took to finish.
Then Keri and I dined together on the patio enjoying the fruit of her labor.

Keri’s Cookbook review:

This cookbook, titled, Let’s Cook French, a Family Cookbook, by Claudine Pépin is very interesting. I like how, if it is on a book shelf, you definitely want to take a look. The illustration’s are eye-popping. I also love the way they have a special note for kids. The recipes are written in both English and French. I was very excited to start dancing in the kitchen making dishes from my favorite city of Paris. There are many recipes that I think are cool, like the Salad Nicoise.

When I tried to cook, the recipe was easy and fun to make. I enjoyed the cookbook and the results were delicious.

I would definitely recommend Let’s Cook French a Family Cookbook to anyone who loves tasty French food to eat and make.

Potato and Cheese Gratin
Source: Let’s Cook French by Claudine Pepin
PRINT RECIPE
serves 8
INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold are the best; be sure it is a boiling potato)
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cups heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 Tbs. picked fresh thyme leaves (about 7 sprigs)
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 oz. Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (190C)

Coat a 9 x 13-inch glass dish with the butter.

Peel the potatoes and wash in cold water. Do not let the potatoes soak in the water; it will remove the starch needed to thicken the milk. Slice the potatoes 1/4-inch thick into an 8-quart saucepan.

Add the milk, cream, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir often to prevent scorching.

Pour the potato and milk mixture into the buttered roasting dish. Sprinkle with the grated cheese.

Set on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour or until the potatoes are fork tender.

Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
 

Vinaigrette 
Source: Let’s Cook French by Claudine Pepin

PRINT RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 shallots, minced (about 1/4 cup)
6 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. Dijon-style mustard
1/2 cup olive oil

PREPARATION:
Mince the shallots and place in a mason jar. Add the vinegar and let sit for 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Add the rest of the ingredients, seal tightly, and shake vigorously; serve.

Store in the refrigerator and take out 20-30  minutes before serving.

Filed Under: Recipes, Vegetables & Sides Tagged With: Grandchildren, Keri, Lorrie, Patriotic

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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