A few photos from Norris lake. This is my favorite one from the whole day.




Yes, those are my shoes. 



   It was just one of those really nice days.







We had a southern sunset on this side of the lake. 



So I laid down in the “Honey are you ok?” pose that I often do to get the angle that I want. And more than once some one has seen me and asked me if I’m ok. I assure them I’m fine and enthusiastically try to tell them what beautiful things I see from where I sit. Often they just shake their heads and walk away. It’s ok, I sorta understand.

I’ve been on a collage kick recently. Here are a few of my latest favorite free story board and collage templates.
For Day 9 of Photoaday I used this free template From Krista Lund Photography. Thank you Krista I really like this!



This rounded corner 9 photo story board is at Clickin’ moms and you don’t have to be a mom to download the template. Thanks Beth for making this one.




This is from  Maybemej-princess Estelle template. Thanks Molle I love your design style.







These two are  also from Maybemej this is from her Vintage flower collection.




This is yet another free fun fall template from Mebemej. This is one came in a .png form so I just put the photos under it. I guess if I knew what I was doing I could make a clipping mask for each photo and have it all ready to go for each time I wanted to use it. But I’m too busy admiring other beautiful template and planning to use them sometime.



I just free handed these two together, no template. 
 I think there’s something about stereotypes that we all love. I spend most of my time telling parents that their children will not have missing teeth from playing hockey and then I see this guy and my mind instantly says “Hockey player”.




Free collage template for lightroom from Bob Shank photography.

This is from Helen  Bradley’s free collage templates. She always writes really helpful articles on Digitalphotographyschool. Thanks Helen.



Free button frames from Thaskindacool. Thanks Andrea I really like this.




free frame from photoDUDs. Please don’t ask me what this plant is called, I forget even though I was just told it’s name yesterday.

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This Sweet potato burger is definitely something I’ll make again. The cheddar and jalapeño, cilantro, date and sweet potato was a nice mix of flavors.

 

 

 

In a blender or food processor, place sweet potato,

 

 

 

cooked millet, lime juice, maple syrup,

 

 

dates, cilantro jalapeño,  and egg.    process until dates and jalapeño are finely diced.

 

 

Dump into a bowl and add red quinoa, 

 

 

toasted wheat germ, cumin, salt, grape nuts, and oats. mix together.

 

 

Slice some seriously sharp cheddar. 

 

 

flatten out thin patties on waxed paper.  place cheese on one side

 

 

with the help of the waxed paper place another patty on top and pinch the edges together so the cheese doesn’t escape during cooking.

 

 

You could put some in the freezer for another time. I thought I was going to do that but ended up cooking all of them.

 

 

 

over medium heat in a frying pan cook with coconut oil.

 

 

fry in oil until each side is golden brown.

 

 

I had the cheese melt out of one and fold in half when I tried to turn it over.

 

 

So I took it out and nibbled a little bit from it. Wow, it was good! The cheddar and jalapeño, the cilantro, date and sweet potato what a nice mix of flavors. And when I looked back at the plate it was gone.

 

 

 

Serve on a bun with lettuce, avocado and tomato.

 

 

Maple Jalapeño Sweet potato burgers

makes about  10-12 burgers

adapted from Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes 

 

ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked millet
• 1 large or (2-3) small sweet potatoes, cooked (about 4 cups worth)
• 1 egg
• 2 dates, pitted
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• 2 tsp fresh cilantro,
• 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup cooked red quinoa
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup nutty nuggets or grape nuts
• ¼ cup quick oats
• Sharp cheddar, sliced

     Coconut oil

     Avocado, lettuce, tomato & buns for serving

assembly:

in a food processor or blender, process sweet potato, cooked millet,  egg, maple syrup, lime juice, dates, cilantro, jalapeño pepper until dates and jalapeño are finely diced.

In a medium bowl add sweet potato mix, remaining ingredients – cumin through oats and mix well. divide the mixture into about 12 even mounds. Divide each in half, form each half into a thin patty place a slice of cheese on 12 of the patties. Place each remaining patty on top and pinch the sides together well so no cheese escapes during cooking.

in a medium fry pan, heat a tsp of coconut oil over medium heat. pan fry in oil until each side is golden brown.

serve on a bun with avocado, lettuce and tomato.

to freeze for later, layer burgers between wax or parchment paper and seal in a Ziploc bag.

Red Quinoa, Kale, green tea and Avocado all in a tasty smoothie. Quick and easy to make.




I think I just made a vegan gluten free smoothie.    




What is Quinoa? (pronounced keen-wah) It’s supposed to be a superfood whatever that is. But it does have proteins and amino acids, plenty of fiber, Folate or vitamin B9, iron, Zinc, Magnesium and probably some other stuff. It doesn’t really taste like anything. This red quinoa has these funny little white tails that come out when it’s cooked.




In a blender place quinoa,



and half an avocado.



I steamed the kale ever so slightly to get a brighter color because mine is so white-ish looking right now.




Add honey to taste.


Half of a lime gives plenty of flavor.



I just squeezed it with my hand, too lazy to get out the squeezer for half a lime. I nearly squirted lime juice in my eye in the process. Just thought I’d share.



A cup of water



and toss in some ice cubes.



It’s risky business to take the top off but I wanted you to be able to see how smooth and creamy the avocado gets within seconds.




Once it’s as smooth as you like add in the green tea and a few more ice cubes. Blend and serve.




Serve immediately.

Red Quinoa Kale and Avocado Smoothie

ingredients

• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup water 
• hand full of kale
• honey to taste
• 1/2 cup cooked red quinoa
• juice of 1/2 of a lime
• 1 cup ice cubes more or less
• 1 cup green tea

In a blender place avocado, quinoa, honey, lime juice, kale and water and blend. Toss in a few ice cubes to keep it from heating up as you blend. When the quinoa and kale are smooth as you like add the green tea and a few more ice cubes and blend. Serve immediately.  Serves about 2.

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Most of the time Bald river falls is a place where people go to look at the falls. Some times on nice days people swim there.  This was the most water I’ve seen at Bald River falls. It had rained a LOT in the past 24 hours.

This visit to the falls was a little different. I met Cory, Ben, Callie, Jordan and Jimmy there and after I saw how they enjoy the falls. I was so glad they didn’t invite me to join them in that boat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First the Kayak went.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next came the raft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone was ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please don’t try this at home.

 

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