I did something so stupid the other day. At the time I thought it was a GRAND and perfect plan, but it turned out to be one of my more stupid moments.
When we come home from a trip, I always book our flight to be later in the day so Brian and I can have a good morning of sleeping in, thus be ready for the kids when we get home. Well, I decided to try something different! Something cool! Why not just book a super early flight instead? We’ll get home earlier, have more time with the kids, and if we’re tired we can just sleep on the plane. Sounds great in theory, huh!
Unless you’re up till 1:30am with these bad boys, being interviewed and filmed for a new episode on their website. Goodness knows what Brian and I even said in the interview after midnight. We said stuff about these and these and then talked about how we work and why we work the way we do, but we also laughed a lot and oh boy…I hope Kurt takes his hand to doing some serious editing, otherwise, let’s just say Scary with a capital S!
So our alarm goes off the next morning at 5:30am–are you feeling me now (that’s four hours of sleep–me not so nice when I have four hours of sleep!). I try to sit up and can barely move, I’m so exhausted. But somehow we make it to the airport, only to miss the flight by ten minutes. I completely LOOSE it with the lady at the ticket counter b/c our flight isn’t leaving for another 30 minutes. AND, AND there is no one in line for security. But she smiles and says “no exceptions, sorry!”
I start to cry, curse and then stomp off and cry some more. We end up in the airport fighting, crying, fighting, Brian calling Roger for another counseling session for us (:)) and then finally falling asleep on the airport floor until the next flight comes–which is only 5 1/2 hours later. Am I doing a good job of showing this “un-glamorous” moment in our traveling?
We make it home that night and oh, the kids hugging us, they never felt so good. The next morning I wake up and feel totally depleted of all energy. I try to go to the gym and end up going back home (but if you kept up with me before, I did make it to the gym while I was in San Diego–yeah!)
I wake up with this horrible soar throat and go see my acupuncturist. She says I don’t have a cold, just plain exhausted. This is when I realize I need to give back to myself to fill up for our next trip coming up. Place of refuge? My kitchen.
In another life, I dream of being a chef of some kind and taking photos of all the things I cook. So in my efforts to fill up a bit and soak in “being at home” I make my own recipe. I loved it so much I had to share it with you!
This is what I call “My Fix for Feeling Depleted”, Homemade Salad Dressing
First mince up some fresh garlic cloves. And don’t do it with a knife, use one of these quick and easy handy things. They are only $30! I love garlic, so I mince up around 10 cloves.
Blaze likes to go a little crazy pushing the buttons. Whoever pushes the buttons, just make sure it’s finely minced.
Then pick out a fun mason type jar and fill it half way up with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Then add Balsamic Vinegar to your jar of oil. I usually add one third of the amount of oil I poured.
Add 1 big Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning (like Basil and Oregano type flavors). After this add your minced garlic.
Here’s my secret ingredient part for your eyes only! I add 2 BIG Tablespoons of honey!
This is my little honey jar. Isn’t that sweet? Blaze picked it out for me last Christmas.
Then I find a cute little lid for my jar and shake that puppy up.
It is so yummy! Give it a try and feel free to adjust the amount of ingredients in any way your palette prefers. π I mix this dressing into my salad and add chopped walnuts, feta cheese, dried blueberries, red onion and fresh avocado. By the time I eat this, I’m feeling so much better and not so empty. π
Now for the recipe to the images…
Every shot was taken with the Sony A300. This is the DSLR that the Mommy Bloggers received. I decided to play with mine because it has this great Live View feature on the back that I thought I would hate and actually love.
I used the 85 mm lens for every shot. For the shots I took on my cutting board of the Garlic Chopper Upper and the Olive Oil, my ISO was at 800 because my natural light isn’t ideal in that part of the kitchen. The aperture was at a 2.8 and the Shutter Speed was 1/250 of a second.
For the shots on my kitchen windowsill (i.e. the Tablespoon of seasoning, my honey holder, etc) my ISO was down at 100 for best color saturation. Since I have lots of good light I can have my ISO that low. My aperture was WIDE open at a 1.7 (f stop) to give the Tablespoon and the lid on the jar a fantastic blur effect. Remember the lower your aperture (or F stop) the better your blur. And the shutter speed for the windowsill shots were all at 1/80th of a second.
So your turn! What do you do when you are feeling depleted and need to rest up? I was given strict advice not to exercise this week and just rest. My acupuncturist advised me to take some naps, and I tried picturing that with two kids. The last time I did this Pascaline cut her hair and gave every other doll a hair cut…hmmmm…
But for the record, I thought we had the worst time getting home and after ready this story, I think Amy totally wins! You go girl! π
I have had days like that traveling myself. Glad u made it home safely
Me Ra,
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just got on photographymentor.com. What a fantastic site!! Another GREAT resource from you and Brian. You are spoiling us!!!
As for recharging when depleted… I have two things. First, sometimes I have to get in water. There is just something about floating in a hot bubble bath that helps melt away stress. (provided two kids, a dog, a cat and my husband can leave me alone for those few minutes). If I can do a facial or something all the better. Also, I pour Philosophy’s Amazing Grace or Pure Grace Bath Wash in for the most amazing bubbles and scent.
The other thing is a few moments just by myself with no noise. Sometimes, I just need to not talk to anyone. No phone, no questions, no chatting…. just alone. Having two kids, this is not always practical, so my solution is that after they go to bed, or when they are busy playing with Daddy, I will just go to the store by myself. So, I am still technically getting things done. But, it is just the few minutes of quiet in the car, leisurely wandering the aisles of the store without having to talk to anyone. Loading the car without worrying if anyone has dashed out into the parking lot. I get a little break, come home with a clear head, and have the shopping done, too.
They are not fancy, but they work for me! π
Me Ra,
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just got on photographymentor.com. What a fantastic site!! Another GREAT resource from you and Brian. You are spoiling us!!!
As for recharging when depleted… I have two things. First, sometimes I have to get in water. There is just something about floating in a hot bubble bath that helps melt away stress. (provided two kids, a dog, a cat and my husband can leave me alone for those few minutes). If I can do a facial or something all the better. Also, I pour Philosophy’s Amazing Grace or Pure Grace Bath Wash in for the most amazing bubbles and scent.
The other thing is a few moments just by myself with no noise. Sometimes, I just need to not talk to anyone. No phone, no questions, no chatting…. just alone. Having two kids, this is not always practical, so my solution is that after they go to bed, or when they are busy playing with Daddy, I will just go to the store by myself. So, I am still technically getting things done. But, it is just the few minutes of quiet in the car, leisurely wandering the aisles of the store without having to talk to anyone. Loading the car without worrying if anyone has dashed out into the parking lot. I get a little break, come home with a clear head, and have the shopping done, too.
They are not fancy, but they work for me! π
Good Morning! I am going to make that salad tonight! YUMMO! Loved your step-by-step directions and ingredients with pictures.
2 days and counting to Sonoma. My relaxing moments are thoughts right now, thoughts of a 6 hour plane ride to Sonoma with my iphone, headphones and trashy magazines; not having one single need to multi-task like we mommies do constantly!!!
BTW-have you ever seen http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
She has some great recipes and takes photos of every step as well. Her lasagna and that “My Most Favorite Salad EVER” are to die for. You must try them!!
Can’t wait to finally meet you and Professor T. this weekend!
Recharge those batteries! Rest, rest, rest.
Love the photography mentor site by the way….can’t wait to see your interview on it!
Caron
When I am feeling depleted, I just do whatever I can to escape. With 3 kids under 6, that is not so easy, but I try. Sometimes it is as simple as just closing the door to my bedroom and reading a magazine. I try to have a stash of toys or movies the kids have never seen and pull those out when I really want to keep them occupied for a little while. I
BTW Wendy..the food pics reminded me of the pioneer woman as well!
YUCK! I would have been SO UPSET – I hate airports.
To de-stress, I take a long nap if I can or I’ll go online and find a website that has photoshop tutorials and learn something new about PS. π
OMG, you poor thing!! What a nightmare getting home was for you guys! Your salad dressing looks amazing; I covet your honeypot; I’m about to sit down and watch your DVDs from start to finish because I feel like I’ve forgotten everything you taught me. Thank God I took notes. I hate mommy brain!
I like to recharge by watching Family Guy and getting drunk on cheap red wine, but that’s just me.
That sounds dee-lish! I can’t wait to try it!
As for your travel idea, go back to PLAN A! Getting up early is BAAAAD!
I had the same experience on my flight home from newark except the next flight I could get on was the next day!!! It was ridiculous we totally had time to get on the plane, we missed check in by like 5 minutes!
I 3rd wendy and michelle’s pioneer women! Great site!!!
I have many ways to recharge. One is to grab a latte and lounge out at barnes and noble. Doing anything with my friends away from kids makes me refreshed! Uninterupped Internet time is a big one as well or lighting a candle and curling up in bed with a book!
I love the airport story! So funny! We travel a lot with Jon’s pottery business and have been there. I like to cuddle on the couch for hours when I am worn out. Sometimes I buy a pile of magazines, lay in bed and read away. Also I switch to tea and brew cup after cup and sip away. Spending time in my art room making collage art and working in my big messy journal always gets me recharged!
To all my beautiful Sonoma Workshop ladies, are we counting the minutes at this point?!! I’m thinking that a nice glass of wine on a back patio of some quaint little place Friday night sounds super replenishing!!
And we’ve got our models lined up for practice photo shoot on Saturday, Sunday and Monday! And we may even shoot in one of the Pottery Barn homes!! Are we going to have a blast or what!!!
I’m like freaking out EXCITED for Sonoma!!!!! I’ve been trying to not think about it, but it’s not working! I’m not getting anything done! This weekend is going to RAWK!!!! And now that you mentioned Pottery Barn… Whoo Hooo! I can’t believe the workshop is almost here! AND I AM going to be there!!!!!
and can I just add how wonderful the weather is gonna be this weekend!!!!
Taking a deep breath and saying ahhhh! Yes, counting the minutes until Sonoma…photography, wine, fun times, talented teachers/artists, and even a little Pottery Barn! Could life be any better?!
Ok, I am crying in my Corn Flakes that I am stuck here in Virginia and you lucky women are getting ready to go to Sonoma event!!!!!! arghh!! π I know it will be just fabulous!!
Come on, Me Ra, don’t you guys want to come out to the Washington, DC area and do a seminar here??!!??! We are dying for ya!!!
Hope the event goes wonderfully. Can’t wait to see the photos you all take!!
Yikes! I already knew I would come back wanting new photography equipment, but then you are going to stick me in a Pottery Barn home to drool over as well?!
I am sooooo insanely jealous of all the lucky women going to the wine workshop! I agree with Allison G – you need some East Coast workshops! You should come to Traverse City, Michigan this fall for a wine workshop – there are beautiful wineries there with some of the most delicious wines. π
I cook, too, when I am stressed. I love reading and just being a total bum on the couch, but there’s something about cooking a new or fun dish that I love. Check out my latest blog entry on my website – I posted pictures of my meal and included the recipe.
I can’t wait to see workshop pictures. I’ll drink a glass (or bottle) of wine and imagine I was there! Just got a new lens for the DSLR in the mail, I think I’ll play with that to help de-stress.
Great photos honey. I noticed you left some details out of the fight.
How come when I say dumb things, they make it into the blog? But when it’s you?
π
Love you!
To all of you who think they might not ever get to go to a workshop…
I thought the same thing once too!
π
whoo hoo I’m ready for wine drinking & 80 degree weather! Hello could we ask for nicer weather? The gods are smiling on us!
Brian needs a place to vent! He could twitter the dumb things you say! Haha π
I am soooo with you on the depleted thing! So sorry to hear about missing your plane. That is so cruel when the plane is STILL there but they won’t let you on.
I am so going to add honey to my homemade dressing!!!!
How many “so’s” can I write in this comment?? – I sound like a teenager – I mean totally!
Ahhhh, gotta love GARLIC…oohhh & HONEY! Glad you had some “Kitchen Therapy” between all your travels. Hopefully Sonoma will refresh you even more and your flight home will be smooth sailing. I must ask that you and Amanda Mays enjoy a toast together and have a sip for me “Cheers!” Also, rest and enjoy a week off from workout’s…I may slow it down a bit myself…I kind of overdid it, just a tich. I love to escape to the beach when I need to recharge or a good nap a good book, a cup of coffee or a nice walk with my camera in hand will always due too.
I love Ree over at ThePioneerWoman.com
can’t wait to see the pics from the workshop….wheee!!!!
I cannot wait to try to salad dressing and make a Me Ra salad! I have been dreaming about it ever since I first saw your pictures and recipe.
Thank you for giving me something else to crave other than cookies π
Hands down, Apple’s app store wins by a mile. It’s a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I’m not sure I’d want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
Well its Monday while searching for traverse city wines on the net I found your blog on Salad Dressing with the UN-glamarous Side to Travelling! « Me Ra Koh Photography Blog . It really has my interest. I have bookmarked your site and will be checking back. Feel free to add to your mailing list if you have one.
I am always researching traverse city wines. In fact, that research is exactly how I found this post on Salad Dressing with the UN-glamarous Side to Travelling! « Me Ra Koh Photography Blog. That area has always been of special interest to me.
I found this blog while searching for traverse city wines. Salad Dressing with the UN-glamarous Side to Travelling! « Me Ra Koh Photography Blog is actually pretty interesting. If you like these areas, or types of activities, you should really put it on your list of places to see!